Total pages in book: 214
Estimated words: 195876 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 979(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 653(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 195876 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 979(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 653(@300wpm)
"Wow," I say, shaking my head. "I've only spoken to Bastian a handful of times since we got here. I hardly even know him." It feels mostly true, at least. His gift of the unbound book and his knowledge about what I am seems like a level of intimacy that adds weight to our few meetings.
But at least the essence of what I'm saying feels true: I don't think Bastian has any particular feelings for me. If anything, he's just another person who is trying to decide how he can best use my abilities. The only difference is I have no idea what use he thinks he can have for me. All I know is they don't involve me being dead, which lets me trust him to an extent.
"You have to admit," Mireen says. "It's suspicious that both men just happen to be around you so often. Not that you don't have a great personality, but..."
"I've got to go," I say, standing suddenly. I'm still thinking about Raith. About Ambrose's point. If Raith doesn't know Serena could be raising allies, he might be in far more danger than he realizes. My chest tightens at the thought.
"Nessa," Mireen says. "We're just kidding around. The Crucible is looming over all of us like an executioner's blade. Talking about dumb stuff like this makes things feel a little more normal. It's nice to at least act like we're not fighting for our lives once in a while."
I shake my head. "It's okay. I get it. I'm not upset, I just... need to talk to someone."
Beck and Ambrose share a look. Beck loops his thumb and forefinger into a circle and slides his other index finger into the circle meaningfully while mouthing the word "talk."
Ignoring him, I rush to leave the aspirant's section of the water's common room and head down the spiral staircase.
"Ahhh," Typhon says. "I now understand what the circle and finger gesture means. It's a depiction of sexual activity. They believe you're going to look for the fire touched to mate."
"Raith doesn't want me like that, Typhon. I just want to make sure he has thought about the possibility of Serena secretly gathering allies." Even as I say the words, I feel the flutter in my belly that seems to accompany thoughts of Raith these days.
"And yet I feel the truth through the tether, angry human. You know he has likely thought of this. You just crave his... scent?"
"Is there a way to just... shut the door on you for a little?"
"I would still be able to sense you through doors and communicate with you. I am Typhon. Ancient, immensely powerful, and blessed with the form of a water dragon. I could simply break the door."
With a sigh, I try not to focus on his continued rambling in my mind as I head for the fire tower. I've never gone there before, but I figure it's where I'll find Raith.
There are no strict rules about entering the towers of other affinities. In fact, I know plenty of students sleep around between affinities, even if the fires and earths are slightly more taboo partners for waters and airs. For some, that seems to be half the fun.
Even if there's no rule against it, I find myself hesitating at the entrance of the fire tower. I tell myself I'm being silly, then push through the wide double doors at the base of the structure. Considering the outside of the fire tower is bathed in constant, swirling flames and smoke, I assumed it would be unbearably hot inside. Instead, it's only pleasant and warm. The walls glow a soft yellow-red, providing plenty of light as I climb a spiraling staircase that's similar to the one in the water tower.
I reach the first landing, which would have been where the offerings were housed if the layout was the same as the water tower. I pass it, heading higher up the tower toward where the aspirant rooms should be.
I find a long hallway lined with the same glowing yellow-red bricks. There's a pair of girls with orange eyes and glowing fire marks a little ways down the hall. Both wear uniforms marking them as first-years, which seems like a good thing. The upper years often act like we don't exist, so I doubt any of them would be able to tell me where to find Raith.
"Um, hi," I say, stopping a few steps away from the girls.
Their eyes fall immediately to my affinity mark, then lift to my eyes. I see recognition there.
"You're Nessa," one says. "The one who nearly got eaten by a rogue elemental during your trial."
"And then she tethered a flying fish on Confluence Day," the other adds with a cruel smile. "To think, people thought you surviving that elemental during the trial meant you were bound for big things."