Page 50 of Twisted Ties

I want to undo it. I want to take fate by its twisted throat and snap it in two. I want to scrub out every star written in our charts. Scorch away every crease in our palms.

I groan. I’m so tired. My body hurts everywhere.

I try to close my eyes. To blow away the anger and sleep.

But all I see is her. On the ground, lifeless, unmoving, dying.

The picture of it swims around and around till I’m so dizzy, so nauseous, I swing my legs to the floor and force my head between my knees, waiting for it to pass. Then I stagger up onto my feet. I can’t stay here. I know Azlan wants me to. Wants me watching his mate for him. But I can’t.

I’m going to see him.

I find him at his house, in his bedroom. There are clothes all over the bed – the bed that smells of her – and a rucksack resting on the floor.

“Are you running away?” I ask, leaning against the door frame and crossing my arms.

“Hello Phoenix,” he says, without looking up. “The Chancellor’s sending me West.”

“West?” I say, straightening up and taking a step into the room.

“Yes, West.”

“Why?” Azlan’s missions take him all over the land, hunting down unregistereds and gang members alike. Butthe West? There are battalions of magicals stationed there, protecting the border. Azlan isn’t needed.

“Apparently there are reports of Western soldiers infiltrating our lands. He wants me to discover what they are doing.”

“Infiltrations?” I scoff. There have always been such stories for as long as I can remember. Azlan and I have always agreed such stories were cooked up by the authorities to keep the people frightened and obedient. “You don’t believe those rumors?”

“I’m not sure. I intend to find out.”

He shoves one last shirt into the neck of his rucksack and yanks the string to close the top.

“When do you leave?”

“In the next few days.”

“And how about Rhi?”

He freezes, then rolls up to stand. “I’ll be gone a couple of days. No more.”

“You can’t know that for sure.”

“I can,” he says, jaw tightening. “I can’t be away from her any longer than that.”

No, the bond won’t allow it. He stalks towards me, resting his palm on my shoulder. “You’ll watch her for me? Keep her safe?” he pleads.

I nod curtly. I would do it even if he didn’t ask. He must know that.

“I don’t like this,” I say.

“Me going?” he says with a weak smile. “I didn’t know you cared so much.”

“You wish,” I say. “No, the fact that the Chancellor is rattled enough to send you west. What does your uncle say? What are his spies reporting?”

“You know I’m not talking to my family right now.”

“Even Eleanor?”

“She won’t know anything.”