Page 83 of The Freedom You Seek

“So, it doesn’t have to do with us?”

“No, I’m pretty sure it doesn’t.”

“And you think it’s the best idea to force our way out with magic?” From the moment Dion had voiced this plan, I’d felt restless.

“It’s the easiest and fastest way. Also, the one where they can’t see us. The guards will assume someone escaped, but won’t know who or how many.”

Dion actually made sense, believe it or not.

“About earlier, do you aim to take over leadership from Fig?”

Dion was tense and silent for a while. “I lost my patience. Guess what? I dislike following orders too.”

“To be honest, I have no trouble believing that.” A chuckle escaped my lips. Yet somehow, it felt as if there was more to it than what I’d witnessed a few hours ago. If he thought I didn’t detect him deflecting, he was wrong.

“By the way. Fig told me he’d like to try and see if you can amplify for Ireas, Antas, or him as well. He wants to know if you’re even more unusual.”

Ah, that explained Dion’s nervous energy that had surrounded him since we made our way to the city gate. It would have been weird if our departure from Kalcas affected him so much that he was anything else but moderatelyalert.

“We can talk about that after we’ve left the city.” Even though I tried to soothe him, I felt his arms tighten around me.

Before he could answer, the rest of the team appeared, and after another short while, Lor arrived as well. Fig appraised Dion before nodding to him, and it was obvious that things were still tense between them.

“Ready, Nayana?” Dion whispered against the shell of my ear, and I nodded, suppressing a shiver. The same warm sensation as yesterday built up right away. Last night, I couldn’t place what it was, but now I knew it was Dion tugging at my Potential. It was unlikely he needed my measly support, but I was under the impression he enjoyed reminding me he could connect with me like this, and since the sensation wasn’t unpleasant for me—much to the contrary and much to my surprise—I banked it as a first exercise.

“Five seconds. Get ready,” Dion whisper-yelled to the others.

Darkness descended upon us, and the air filled with panicked screams. The sudden, unnatural darkness replacing the bright daylight was unsettling, even to me, who knew what was going on.

What surprised me was discovering that I could see through the magical dark just fine. I could tell it was black as pitch around me, but my perception was as good as it’d been before Dion unleashed his power. Was it a phenomenon because my own Potential was involved? And what about the others? What if they got lost in the dark?

“No need to worry, Nayana. The others will be able to follow us just fine.” Dion’s voice was a mere whisper, and I frowned.

“Can you suddenly read my thoughts?”

“No, I just know you by now and can tell what’s going on in your pretty tiny head.”

His chuckle made me want to throw him off the horse, just as his condescending compliment, and the compulsion only grew when he placed his index finger on my lips, shushing me.

I immediately got mad, and the only reason I didn’t scowl at him was because we’d started to move. It was time to leave Kalcas behind.

In the end, Dion’s plan worked perfectly, and we escaped Marsia’s capital without an inspection or someone following us. An hour after we’d left the magical darkness, I’d calmed my beating heart down enough and had gathered as much courage as I could. Taking a big lungful of air, I addressed Dion without turning around.

“I think it would be a good idea to try if I could amplify for the others as well. I know the subject offends you, but in this case, you’re in the wrong.”

“No.”

“Yes. What if I can, and it’ll save our necks one day?”

“I don’t want anyone to take from you, no matter if they could or not.”

“I know. But if you drop your territorial attitude for just a single moment, you’d agree with me that there’s nothing to lose and only a lot to gain.”

“Jama, but I don’t like it.”

“Pity. In the end, it isn’t your decision.” I more felt than heard the growl vibrating in his chest. I cared little about how he hated when his orders were overruled or disregarded. Ultimately, the choice was mine alone, and he had no right to intervene.

“You rolled your eyes at me, didn’t you?”