Page 116 of Tears of Gold

With a sad sigh, Harper moves to sit next to me and pulls me into his arms. “I can’t read your emotions, Ava. You have to use words with me.”

Sobs build. “I feel so stupid and helpless! You’re all out there killing people for me, and I can’t do anything. I don’t even know how to comfort you! And now we’re stuck back at this damn school, and we can’t be us—together.” I clutch his sweat and bloodstained shirt, my tears adding to the mess. He just rubs my back and holds me tight.

Hiccupping, I add, “I was so scared! What if one of you got hurt? Erritt looked in so much pain, and Skye was covered in cuts. We keep making more enemies. I feel in my heart it’s not going to end until they take me, but if any of you are in their way when that happens, I couldn’t stand that!”

Harper kisses my tears. “That’s a lot of pretty valid stuff to be worried about and I think I know a little bit of how you feel. Today, I thought I saw Erritt’s arm get blown off. Then he told me it wasn’t the real him and disintegrated. I felt so fucking helpless! Those two guys were just tearing up the field, and all I could do was guard one door.”

His body lifts with a silent sigh. I want to grizzle that at least he had a door he could guard, but I press my lips together. It’s not fair of me to wallow in self-pity while they’re all going through so much.

“I wish I knew what to say.”

He ruffles my hair. “Don’t stress so much. We’re guys. We’re pretty tough, you know?”

“Even Erritt?”

Harper scoffs. “He’s the toughest one here. Just don’t tell him I said that!”

A chuckle escapes me. “I won’t.”

“Seriously, I need a shower. You gonna be okay on your own for a bit?”

I nod, and he squeezes me. As I watch him go, I can’t help wondering if his bravado is real.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Ava

I’ve unpacked and showered by the time my pager vibrates. As much as living in the wild has been exciting, I have missed hot showers and loads of soap. And my razor. The guys are champions for not mentioning my hairy legs.

Checking my device, I see a message from Skye.

Erritt’s back. Meet in his room in 30.

Swinging by the kitchens, I convince one of the cooks to let me raid the pantry and freezers. I find a box of frozen protein balls, dehydrated noodle soup mix, and some candies and apples. I throw in a few strips of what I’m guessing is beef from the fridge. It should give us a decent lunch.

Loaded up, I head for the elemental boys’ dorm. Erritt’s tucked up in bed, wheezing hard from exertion, his damp hair plastered across his forehead telling me he’s already showered. I try not to look at the pile of bloodied clothes Vanrey carries out of the bathroom.

Taking a hand towel, I climb onto the bed next to Erritt and gently massage his blonde hair dry. He looks so pale. Lifeless even, with his sapphire eyes closed. I suppress a shiver.

The scariest thing is, I know he’s one of the more powerful students on campus, and yet he’s been reduced to this. He presses my hand in gratitude but keeps his eyes closed.

Vanrey moves silently in and out of the room unpacking Erritt’s bags and when I finish drying his hair, the aide catches my eye and covers his heart with one hand, mouthing ‘thank you’.

Heat glows in my cheeks and I duck my head, warmed by the praise. I didn’t expect an Elite elemental to accept me as Erritt’s partner, but I think today has proven otherwise, and it feels good.

He naps until Skye arrives, then struggles to rise. Skye drags him upright, and we tuck pillows in around him.

“Like some . . . fucking in-invalid again,” Erritt mutters under his breath, and I stroke his hand, knowing there are no words to comfort him.

Harper comes in on Vanrey’s tail, and for a moment, we all look at each other.

“Let’s g-get comfortable,” Erritt growls.

Vanrey crosses his arms over his chest. “You should have summoned me right away!”

Erritt scrunches his nose. “Summoning p-people is very dangerous. I’d rather . . . it be a last c-case scenario.”

“I wouldn’t!” Vanrey cries. “Not when it means tearing your wounds open.”