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I 'm on my way to channeling class when I see something that slows my pace. A group of second-year fires passes with their elementals on full display. Though I haven't heard anything direct, it seems clear that the older students are preparing for some kind of test as well. The Crucible might only be for first-years, but it seems like the challenges don't stop if we survive this year.

One of the upper-year fires bumps me and doesn't apologize as his huge fire lion glares down at me. They both appear oblivious to Typhon's threats.

"I could suck the marrow from their bones if you'd permit it," Typhon growls.

“Not worth it, Typhon.”

Another fire catches my attention, but this one is a first year. I’ve seen him practicing with Raith several times. I’m pretty sure his name is Cade. He’s more narrow in the shoulders and shorter than the average first year, and there’s an innocence in his expression that feels out of place on campus. It’s as if, somehow, the cruelty here hasn’t touched him yet.

Cade spares a glance over his shoulder before pausing with his hand on the door of a random classroom. Something about his furtive movements triggers an alarm in my mind—his shoulders hunched, his steps too careful, like he's afraid of making noise.

The corridor is quickly emptying as students head to afternoon classes after lunch. I've been wandering the halls, taking what Ambrose calls "the scenic route" to channeling class, trying to clear my head of the thousands of thoughts swirling through it. The Crucible. My new healing abilities. Raith's hot-and-cold behavior.

And I’ve come to enjoy watching the flow of students across campus. Noticing the differences in older students compared to ourselves. Paying attention to the way the lines between affinities seem to have blurred ever-so-slightly with each year of survival here at Confluence. In a way, it’s encouraging. It makes me think that things could get better with time.

I know I should hurry to class, but something tugs at me as Cade pulls open the door. He's slender with close-cropped dark hair and the red-gold eyes common among fire affinities, probably around my age but with a smaller build that makes him appear younger.

I'm about to move on when I hear a loud crash from inside the room, followed by a cry of pain that makes me freeze. I look around to see if anyone else has reacted, but nobody is stopping. Nobody else cares.

"Perhaps we should continue on our way," Typhon suggests, his tone disinterested. "The affairs of small fire humans are of no consequence to us."

"What if he's hurt? Or in trouble?"

"Then that is the natural order of things. The weak perish. The strong survive. This is the way of all worlds, angry human."

I roll my eyes. "The strong should protect, not just survive. I know you believe that too, deep down."

Typhon says nothing, but I do feel a faint pulsing of approval through the tether as I approach the door, pressing my ear against it. There's another crash, followed by muffled voices. I ease the door open just enough to peer inside.

It's a smaller room with a few pieces of equipment lying around as if students have been using it as a makeshift training arena. There are blunted weapons lying haphazardly and a fighting ring marked out by chalk on the stone floor.

Cade is on his knees, surrounded by three earth students who tower over him. All of them are large and racked with muscles, the green mountain marks glowing on their hands. Their expressions are hard and unforgiving. The largest of them—a thick-shouldered student with a shaved head and a cruel smile—holds a thick warhammer in two hands as if he's thinking about slamming it down on the fire affinity.

"Please," Cade gasps, "I was only coming to practice. I didn't know you all were here."

"Practice what?" the earth student sneers, pressing the blade closer. "How to be a Red Kingdom spy?"

"I'm not. I've never even been near Red Kingdom?—"

"Liar," another earth student hisses, kicking over a weapon rack with a thunderous crash. A boar that looks like it's made of pure stone materializes behind him, eyes like emeralds as it prowls a circle around the kneeling fire. "Fuckers like you are the reason nobody trusts us. Malakai says he can help us weed out the traitors. And that if we don't, you turncoats will stab us in the back during the Crucible at the first chance you get."

"I'm not a turncoat. I swear it."

Fucking Malakai again. His reach extends beyond just the waters. I’d heard rumors, but now I can see it plain as day.

"Yes. Evidence of your water enemy expanding his influence," Typhon observes. "This is useful intelligence. Let us leave the weak one to his fate."

Cade’s eyes meet mine through the crack in the door. Instead of looking to me for help, it almost seems like he is worried about me. Worried I’ll intervene and get hurt?

Godsdammit…

"I feel a foolish idea forming in your mind, angry human."

"Want to know what I think?" The earth with the hammer leans closer. "You're one of Raith Hollow's little pets. Everyone sees him collecting his little band of fire freaks. Training them in secret." He spits on the floor. "Probably getting ready to slit our throats while we sleep."

Cade straightens, eyes growing defiant. "Raith isn't a traitor. He's one of the few good people at this fucking school."

"The weak one has some backbone after all."

The third earth catches the fire student by the hair, yanking his head back. "Malakai says Hollow's recruiting for Red Kingdom. Says he's building an army right under our noses."

My fingers tighten around the door handle. This is escalating, and fast.

One of the earths produces a knife, pressing it against the fire's throat until a thin line of blood dribbles free.

"Fuck it," I mutter, pushing the door open.

Three heads snap toward me. Cade's eyes widen further with both hope and horror.

"Three on one? Hardly seems fair," I say as I step inside, forcing a calm I don't feel into my voice. My fingers drift to the rapier at my hip. I keep my posture loose, ready to move.

"Mind your own business, water," the leader says, not taking the blade from the Cade's throat. "This is between us and the fire traitor."

"That's Nessa Thorne," one of the earths says. "She's fucking Raith and that legacy with the blonde hair."

"Ah," the one with the hammer says. "That's why you're here. Does he ask you to watch over his pets in exchange for orgasms? Not a bad deal, I guess. For him at least."

I step fully into the room, letting the door close behind me.

"Should I show myself?" Typhon asks.

"Flying fish only."

The earths face me as the fire takes the opportunity to move away and come toward me. All three earth elementals are in plain view now—a stone wolf and a serpent made of vines have joined the rock boar.

I let Typhon materialize in his flying fish form, knowing he appears small and harmless to them. No need to reveal our true strength unless absolutely necessary.

"I'm not here to fight," I say, holding up my hands. "Just looked like three people picking an unfair fight.”

The earth with the shaved head comes closer. "All we wanted to do was send a message. But maybe you can save us the trouble. Tell your fire boyfriend that we know what he's planning. Malakai knows, too. You think you can trust those Red Kingdom sympathizers? They'll cut your throat the second they get the chance."

Cade student edges closer to me, his elemental—a small fire fox—materializing at his feet.

I assess the three earths carefully. They're big, but size isn't everything in a fight. Especially not against someone trained by Raith.

"We're going to walk out of here. I'd suggest none of you follow," I say, sliding my feet into a ready stance that looks casual but isn't. "Okay?"

"She suggests we don't follow," one of the earths says. "Sounds like a threat, doesn't it?"

"Sounds a lot like a threat," the earth with the hammer agrees.

"It's not a threat. We're just going to walk away, and you're all going to let us."

"Or what? Your flying fish will slap us?"

The leader laughs, a harsh sound that bounces off the high walls. "Your boyfriends aren't here to protect you, Thorne. Malakai and Serena both want you dead, so maybe we could do them a quick favor. Wonder how long it'd be before someone found your bodies in here. Maybe a week? Maybe?—"

The training room door flies open with enough force to slam against the wall, making all of us jump. Framed in the doorway stands Raith, his face cast in shadow, eyes burning with cold fury. His fire panther, Pyrin, slinks in beside him, flames rippling across his muscular form with every step.

The atmosphere in the room changes instantly, like the air before a lightning strike.

"Hollow," the earth leader acknowledges, his bravado faltering slightly.

Raith's gaze sweeps the room, taking in the fallen weapons, the fire student's bloodied neck, and me standing between them all. Something dangerous flashes in his eyes, and I feel a chill despite the heat that rolls off him in waves.

"Cade," he says to the fire student, his voice deceptively calm. "Outside. Now."

The student—Cade—doesn't hesitate. He scurries past Raith and disappears into the corridor.

"You three," Raith continues, his attention fixing on the earths. "What part of 'leave my people alone' was unclear?"

The leader straightens, though I notice his hand has a slight tremor. "We were just?—"

"I know exactly what you were 'just' doing," Raith cuts him off. "And I know who put you up to it. Tell Malakai that if he has a problem with me, he can face me himself instead of sending you to do his dirty work."

"You calling us his fucking lackeys?" the second earth demands, hands clenching into fists as his stone bear grows larger behind him.

Raith doesn't even blink. "I'm calling you stupid. There's a difference." His voice drops even lower. "Fucking with my people when I warned you. That is very stupid. Now get out while you still can."

For a moment, I think they might be foolish enough to challenge him. The leader's eyes dart between Raith and me, calculating odds. But then Pyrin growls—a sound like wood cracking in a bonfire—and the decision is made.

"This isn't over," the leader mutters as they file past Raith.

"It never is," Raith replies, his tone flat.

Once they're gone, Raith turns his attention to me. He doesn't look pleased.

"What the hells were you thinking?" he demands, closing the door and stalking toward me. "Three earths? Alone?"

"I was thinking Cade looked like he needed help," I reply, bristling at his tone. "And how the are you always showing up when I'm in danger?"

"Typhon told Pyrin what was happening. I left channeling class as soon as I heard."

"Typhon..."

"What use are allies if you don't call upon them in times of need? Of course, I could have ripped them all to ribbons, even in my kuratokken form. But I imagined the sight of the fire touched would send them scattering. My assessment was correct, as usual."

"So you can show up when Typhon calls for you, but you stand me up for weapons training?" I ask.

Raith runs a hand through his dark hair, leaving strands standing on end. "I was busy. But I had one of my people stand watch while you trained. I always do when I can't be there."

"Seriously?"

"Yes."

As much as I want to be mad that he's assigning people to stand watch over me without even running the idea by me... I find I’m both flattered and even a little bit charmed. "Well," I say, trying to stoke the anger I know I should feel. "I don't need you treating me like some damsel in distress, because I'm not."

"I know exactly how capable you are. But I don't expect my enemies or yours to fight fair. That means I want to be ready to punch back if they come for you."

"Let me guess, even if I ask you to stop, it won't matter?"

"Correct."

I sigh, shaking my head.

"Look. I haven't been trying to avoid you. I've just been dealing with... complications."

"What complications?"

"It doesn't matter." He gestures to the door. "We should check on Cade."

"You mean the guy you just dismissed like he was a nuisance?" I ask, refusing to let him change the subject.

His jaw clenches. "That's not what happened. Cade knows I don't see him that way."

"Isn't it? You barely looked at him."

"Because I was more focused on making sure you didn't get yourself killed," he retorts. "And for the record, Cade knows the drill. Safety first, questions later."

I frown. "What drill? Do you make a habit of rescuing him?"

Raith’s hard features momentarily soften. "Let's just say it's not his first run-in with trouble."

Before I can press further, Raith opens the door. Cade stands in the corridor, his back pressed against the opposite wall. He straightens immediately when he sees Raith, brushing self-consciously at the small bloodstain on his collar.

"I'm sorry," he blurts out. "I was trying to keep a low profile like you said. But they?—"

"It's not your fault," Raith interrupts, his voice gentler than I've heard it before. He approaches Cade and examines the cut on his neck. "It's shallow. You'll be fine."

To my surprise, Raith produces a small cloth from his pocket and carefully cleans away the blood. The tender care in the gesture makes something twist in my chest. I’m instantly reminded of his mention of a brother he lost. Gareth.

"Did you at least remember what I taught you?" Raith asks.

Cade's face falls. "I froze up. Couldn't remember any of the moves."

"That's normal," Raith says. "It happens to everyone the first few times."

"Not to you," Cade mutters.

"Even me." Raith glances at me, then back to Cade. "This is Nessa Thorne, by the way. She was trying to help you, which was brave but reckless."

"Yeah… I know who she is. Everyone does. Thanks, Nessa," Cade says to me, his eyes still downcast. "But you shouldn't have risked it. They're looking for any excuse to hurt fires right now."

"Why?" I ask. "What's happening?"

Cade and Raith exchange a look, and I get the distinct impression they're deciding how much to tell me.

"Malakai has been spreading rumors," Raith finally says. "Telling people that the fires are working with Red Kingdom. That we're planning to sabotage the Crucible with outside help."

"That's ridiculous," I say. "Everyone has to see he's lying."

"Do they?" Raith raises an eyebrow, the scarred side of his face pulling taut. "Look at history, Nessa. Every time there's conflict, the fires get blamed. We're the outsiders, the ones who don't fit neatly into Empire society. Even the earths don't get quite the same blame as us since they're more often used defensively in combat. Fires are easiest to blame. Simple as that."

"But that's—" I begin, then stop, the words lodging in my throat as I realize he's right. Even someone who seems as sweet and kind as Mireen carries her prejudices deeply. Even I can’t pretend I don’t have some of my own.

"He speaks truth," Typhon observes. "Humans do love their tribalism."

Cade shifts nervously from foot to foot. "I should go. I'll be late for elemental conditioning."

Raith nods. "Take the west corridor. Fewer people."

Cade hesitates, looking between us again. "Are we still on for our training tomorrow?"

"Same time, same place," Raith confirms. "And Cade? Next time, don't go anywhere alone. Stay with Tifa and Jenner like I told you."

Once Cade disappears around the corner, I turn to Raith. "Why are you helping him?"

"I'm teaching him to survive," Raith says. "Just like I'm teaching you."

“Considering we’ve kissed twice, I hope you’re not teaching him just like me,” I say with a half smile.

Raith’s face is hard, but his eyes fall. I want to say more, to ask him why he withdraws every time we get closer, but there’s something in his expression that stops me—a weariness that goes bone-deep.

"How many others are you protecting?" I ask instead.

He shrugs, avoiding my gaze. "A few."

"Why?"

"Because someone has to. Because I can."

We start walking, falling into step beside each other. I'm already late for channeling class, but suddenly that doesn't seem to matter much.

"Is your work training all these other people the reason you've been too busy to make time for me?" I ask after a moment of silence.

"That, and other things."

"What other things?"

He shoots me a sidelong glance. "Has anyone ever told you that you ask a lot of questions?"

"It's been mentioned."

A reluctant smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, and my heart does that stupid flutter thing it always does when he lets his guard down, even for a moment.

"So?" I press. "What's kept you so busy that you couldn't spare an hour for training the other night?"

He sighs, slowing his pace. "Malakai is recruiting across affinities, building alliances. The earths you just met? They're just foot soldiers. He's got at least fifteen teams aligned with him now, maybe more."

"Fifteen?" My throat tightens. "That's?—"

"A small army," Raith finishes. "More than half the surviving first-years. And they're all coming for anyone who isn't with them."

"Including us." It's not a question.

"Especially us." He runs a hand over his face, the scars stark against his skin in the corridor's harsh light. "I've been trying to build alliances of our own. Talking to other fires, some airs who are on the fence. Even a few earths who haven't bought into Malakai's bullshit."

"That's why you've been missing training? You're building your own army?"

"Not an army. A safety net. People who will watch each other's backs during the Crucible." He gives me a pointed look. "People who will watch your back."

Something warm unfurls in my chest at his words. Despite all his talk about keeping me at a distance, he's still been working to protect me. He almost makes it sound as if all of his efforts are just to keep me safe. But the thought is ridiculous, and I dismiss it before it can take root.

"I can take care of myself, you know," I remind him, though there's no real heat in it.

"I know you can," he says, surprisingly serious. "But nobody survives Confluence alone, Nessa. Not even you. Especially not this year."

We've reached a junction in the corridor—left leads to the channeling classrooms, right to the fire tower. We both stop, hovering in that space between parting and staying.

"Cade reminds you of someone," I say. "That's why you're helping him, right?"

Raith goes very still. "What makes you say that?"

"The way you looked at him. Like you were seeing someone else. And what you told me about your brother. Gareth. It just seemed like maybe there was something there…"

He's silent for so long I think he won't answer. When he finally speaks, his voice is rough, like he has to force the words out.

"He’s a lot like Gareth. Yeah." The admission seems to cost him something.

I wait, not pushing, giving him space to continue or not.

"Gareth was a fire, like me," Raith says, his eyes fixed on some distant point. "My younger brother, but still smaller than other kids his age. Easy target."

I hear what he doesn't say—that Gareth isn't alive anymore. That something happened to the brother he speaks of in past tense.

"Is that why you came to Confluence?" I ask softly. "Because of Gareth?"

His eyes snap back to mine, suddenly guarded again. "He's one of the reasons. Yes."

It's not the whole truth. I can see it in the way his shoulders tense, the way his elemental, Pyrin, paces restlessly at his feet, flames flickering with agitation. But it's more than he's shared before, and I know better than to push my luck.

He takes the brief pause as an opportunity to change the subject. "Have you and your fish started practicing together yet?"

"Tell the scarred fire human I am not a fish. I am a dragon who chooses, out of generosity, to appear as a fish to avoid terrifying the lesser beings around me. As one who has seen my true form, I expect him to acknowledge the grandeur and splendor and not make foolish fish jokes."

"Not yet. But I'll make sure we do soon."

"Good," Raith says, but there's warmth in his voice. His eyes meet mine, and for a moment, there's no impending Crucible, no danger, no complications—just the two of us standing too close in an empty corridor, drawn together by something neither of us fully understands.

"I should let you get to class," he says, breaking the spell.

"Right. Yeah. Sestra is going to pop a blood vessel with how late I am. Gods know she already hates me for being a failure of a water channeler."

"You didn't tell me you were struggling in classes."

"Just channeling..." I look around, making sure we're alone. "What I am... it doesn't work the same way as a normal affinity. Nothing she teaches works for me. And I can't keep up with the other waters. But I can't show Sestra I'm progressing in other areas. Obviously. So... she just thinks I'm terrible and despises me for it."

"Fuck her."

I laugh. "I don't see how that would help."

Amusement touches his expression. "You know what I mean."

"Yeah, well... I should get going."

His expression turns serious again. "Be careful, Nessa. These next few weeks before the Crucible—they're going to be dangerous. Malakai's making moves, and he's not the only threat out there."

"The siphon," I say quietly. Cold, icy terror slips under my skin at the memory of that feeling the other night—like something hungry was lurking just out of view and waiting to strike.

He nods. "Just... watch your back."

"I thought that was your job," I say, trying for levity.

"It is." His voice drops, sending a shiver down my spine that has nothing to do with fear. "But I can't be everywhere."

"Can't you?" I tease. "Because lately it seems like whenever I turn around, you're there. Lurking in shadows, swooping in to save the day."

"I don't lurk," he protests.

"You absolutely lurk. It's very mysterious and brooding."

A student passes by, glancing curiously at us before hurrying on.

"Go," Raith says again, taking a step back. "Before someone sees us together and adds more fuel to Malakai's rumors."

We part ways at the junction, each heading toward our respective classes. I can feel his eyes on my back as I walk away, watchful, protective.

My guard dog, as some have started calling him. But there's more to it than that—more to him than the dangerous exterior he shows the world. The gentleness with Cade had revealed that much. The mention of Gareth had shown even more.

"He carries much pain," Typhon observes, uncharacteristically somber. "Pain and purpose intertwined."

"I know." And I do know, somehow. I can see it in the way he moves, the way he keeps a barrier between himself and others, the way he tries to hold himself apart from me. Raith Hollow is a man with ghosts, with burdens I can only begin to guess at.

But for all his warnings about danger—about himself being dangerous for me—I can't bring myself to stay away. Something about him calls to me, draws me in despite every rational thought telling me to keep my distance.

Maybe we're both a little reckless, a little broken. Maybe that's why we keep circling each other, unable to fully connect, unable to fully let go.

As I slip into channeling class, murmuring apologies for my tardiness, I can still see the fierce protectiveness in his eyes when he faced down those earths. Still hear the rough edge in his voice when he spoke his brother's name.

Gareth. A piece of the puzzle that is Raith Hollow. Not the whole picture, not by far, but a start.

Tomorrow , I decide. Tomorrow I'll push a little harder, dig a little deeper. Tomorrow I'll try to understand the man who seems determined to protect me while keeping me at arm's length.

I just hope we have enough tomorrows left.