Page 39 of The Secrets of Jane: Reborn

“Alright,” he grumbles, turning around as if that’s all he needed for permission.

Jane watches us as if every minute detail will be important later.

Even if I know my ego isn’t relevant here, that bastard inflates when the energy of the room is now keened onme, and I swear some of them are considering the skull mask.

They’ve been stuck down here for too long.

Rorge takes us through more of the same stony corridors, the rubies and their reddish cast, something I accept now.

The thick wooden door that Rorge nears is studded with iron, the knob creaking as the door opens. There’s warm light from many candles and a burning hearth pooling across the room. Two chairs and a table are placed next to the fire, a bed with fur and wool blankets resting underneath a singular painting of an ocean at dawn. Weapons are neatly organized with gleaming edges on a table adjacent to a singular chair; medical supplies are spread out, an empty bag hanging limply off the arm.

It’s a sparse, small room, but it has all the necessities.

My heart thuds in my chest as my body begs to recover, like it’s tempted to sleep deeply for three days.

“Your father has arranged the materials you requested, along with weaponry that he recommends you add to your person.There are latrines where I showed you, along with barrels of water you can use to refresh your pitcher.”

Jane hardly looks my way as she nears the medical supplies, grabs a small bottle, one of four, and then looks at me earnestly. Her hazel eyes are fierce andalive,and I can tell how much it means to her to help me in this way.

The longer our energies collide, the more I feel innately protective of her. And it’sthenthat I know, that without Serena, I’d be saying ‘fuck it’ and throw everything I have to protect Jane just because Iwantto, just like shewantsto take care of me. It’s the same driving force I had before learning about what truly haunts her.

On my own, I crave a deep bond, something only formeto enjoy. Is it truly as simple as love that I seek? Is itthatpersuasive?

Rorge’s clearing of his throat echoes against the walls. “We will know if you’re in danger, Jane. Ifhehurts you, or you don’t want him here, we will know. And we’ll remove him.”

The roguish part of Jane eyes Rorge like his words are so foreign it might as well be another language, but the desolate side of her that craves community is just as touched. “Thank you,” she replies, as if she’s uncertain how to reply to such a statement. “Also, we need food. I don’t need much, but Soren will need red meat, preferably a liver pie. Maybe some pickled eggs. And a bone broth stew, if you have it.”

“Can do, ma’am.”

That’s right, my desert rose.Her taking care of me, even if the exchange is mundane, is such a subtle gesture that stirs something deep within me. I don’t think I have much control over it anymore.

When the door shuts, and it’s just our energies moving through the room—a sensation I’m quite addicted to—I sit in a rather unsteady chair near the fire, the warmth gently radiatingto my left as I watch Jane to my right. She’s going through all the medical supplies.

With how much she enjoys purpose, it’s astonishing she survived that village for so long.

“Why did he call me ma’am?” she asks, holding up some roots to look at them near a candle. “I don’t think anyone’s called mema’am.”

“You’re the daughter of his leader,” I reply, closing my eyes momentarily to deeply breathe and center myself. “Plus, those milky-eye bastards are high in rank, which means showing respect to you means more to them than the others.”

“Oh, I found out what they are, by the way. They’re called the Eyeless.”

My eyes flash open, narrowing my gaze on her, lifting my head forward. “What the hells did you do while in that room? You seemed to have learned quite a bit.”

Her face deadpans, placing the root back on the table and moving it around in a nervous fidget. The smallest flutter of a truth is drowned out by other thoughts, my powers smothering her so greatly I can tell she’s pushing them down on purpose. Did someone assault her? But her energy doesn’t feel like assault.

My heart reluctantly races, even if it’s exhausted.

“Donna talked to me for a bit,” she quietly answers, picking up something else and focusing so hard on it; it’s clear she’s trying to prevent anything else from entering her mind.

“Jane,” I say, the sound almost harsh. “What else happened?” There’s a stutter in her energy, her back still to me, and a piece of the truth is exposed for too long, confirming that sheishiding something, and it’s dark.Damning. “Did someone do something to you?”

I’m about to stand when she releases a deep exhale. “No, I’m fine. Nothing bad happened at all—I… I need time to figure out what all I’m learning.”

“Jane.” I finally rise to my feet.

She turns around. “It’s alright. Really.”

“You might have your secrets, but if youeverhide if someone hurt you, I will strip your energy bare until I find out what happened, and I promise, you won’t likethatprocess.”