Page 177 of Red Ruin

“Put me down,” I say a little shakily, tapping Vhex’s arm.

Vhex lets me go without a fight, but his stray silks wilt when I jump to the ground.

We’re almost at the teleportation array.

The platform made of stone tiles sits abandoned in an overgrown field. Weeds pop out around the inlaid silver loops that form the complicated spell pattern for long-distance travel.

At every far-flung guard I ever visited on my missions with Kevan, there’s always been a Sentinel posted to send and receive guests.

No need for that here.

The Farguard can’t spare energy crystals to activate outgoing travel. And for basic security, no one can jump to our platform without magical permission.

So, for as long as Sword Major Azrid has been asleep at the wheel, the Farguard has been closed to visitors.

Unless they took the scenic route—by train.

Now, the poorly managed platform is worryingly weathered.

I chew my lip, debating whether I even want the thing to work.

Before I can decide, the array starts to glow. The Farguard badge pinned to my sleeve buzzes.

With a twist of thought, I give the commander’s mental nod—permission to travel through.

I turn to check Vhex and Remy one last time, but they’ve already moved in on me. My nose grazes the lapel of Remy’s uniform. When I jump back, my heels bump Vhex’s boots.

Way too close.

The growing glow of the array glitters in their eyes, but they don’t glance to see who’s on the way.

They watch me.

Theywantme.

They’ve let me in so deep that they breathe at my pace. I’m not actively guiding their energy, but they both beam me thishealed-by-your-presenceadoration that claws the back of my throat.

“If you could…”Either stop looking at me, or promise to never stop looking? And actually make me believe it?I shake my head.Insane.“Just let me deal with Kevan. He’s?—”

“An unnecessary existence.”

“About to be paste?”

My lip twitches. I was going to say an arrogant pain in the ass. “He’s a lot of things, but for now, we need him on our side. Don’t start stupid fights.”

“What if he starts shit?” Vhex mutters.

Remy tilts his head, watching me.

When his hair holds on to its human black, he looks like a noble warrior instead of the lord-of-blood, prince-of-starlight alter ego that comes out with the silver and pointed ears. He wears an outdated uniform dripping in hardware from his previous lives, a waistcoat, and a longer cape that ripples around his shoulders in the breeze.

His silence worries me the most.

Vhex likes asking for permission.

Remy will do whatever he wants in the shadows, then ask for my forgiveness, covered in blood.

“You can’t kill him,” I insist. “We need him battle ready.”