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We pulled apart. She wiped her eyes and smoothed her hair back, not quite sure where to look or what to do with her hands. “So. Now that it’s settled. I didn’t mean to jump down your throat. Sorry too.”
Her bottom lip still trembled, though, and I wondered what to do next. What, if I was in her situation, I’d need to know. My thoughts did their engine-like circling, considering all the options.
When I flicked the lights back on, Ember frowned in confusion. “Weren’t you just leaving?”
“Sit down. I have something to tell you about Cole.”
I told her everything, apart from how I used my power and what Cole’s secret was. But as the person who’d been under Cole’s thumb, she had a right to know what happened and why. She had a right to walk to class without looking over her shoulder or wondering why Cole had suddenly stopped attacking her.
Her peace of mind was more important than keeping this secret.
“But,” I ended, “obviously you can’t tell anyone this happened. As far as public record goes, it never did.”
Ember pulled her sweater tighter over her shoulders. “I did this. This is my fault.”
“Didn’t you hear anything I just said?”
“It’s because of me that you had to step in and do anything at all! If I hadn’t—”
“What?” I snapped. “If you hadn’t what? Been the person that Cole victimized? If you hadn’t stood up for yourself? If you hadn’t applied for and passed the trials? If you hadn’t been fucking born? There is nothing in this situation that falls on you. Cole is the one with the problem. He could have taken his issues to therapy instead of taking them out on you. That was his choice. This is his consequence.”
Ember was still shrinking in her seat, but she did nod. “That makes sense. Logically, I mean. I’m not sure my emotions quite believe it.”
“Tell them to suck it the fuck up. Cole would have come after you no matter what you did or how you acted. It’s not up to you to make yourself smaller to appease the cruel people in this world. They’re going to be cruel no matter what you say or do.”
“But you got hurt!”
I patted my legs. “And now I’m better. Razai’s watching out for me, and I’m actually grateful for it now. I’m perfectly happy to watch out for you, and I’m sure you’ll repay the favor one day.”
Ember went uncharacteristically quiet, chewing on her bottom lip. “So, what are you going to do now? With your… job.”
“Honestly,” I admitted, “I don’t know.”
“And why the fuck not?”
I froze. That hadn’t been Ember who’d spoken. That was…
Stiff as a dried tree branch, I craned my neck to the side.
Azra stormed in looking like a fucking goddess. A furious, almost-ready-to-destroy-the-world goddess.
“Kitten?” I squeaked.
Chapter Fifty-Three
“What are you doing here? I’m supposed to be undercover,” I whispered, all while absorbing the incredible happiness I felt at the sight of my best friend.
“And you’re supposed to not ignore my texts and calls after you nearly get killed.”
Ember, with wide eyes, quickly shut the door.
I shrank. “He told you everything?” Damn, I was hoping Razai sugarcoated a little, at least.
Her fiery eyes and slitted pupils burned with fury. “Oh, I heard. And I’m going to have a meeting with your idiot employer after this too. I’m finished. I’m fucking done trusting that moron to take care of you. You’ve had your little adventure. I hope it was worth it, but now it’s time to pack your bags and come home.”
“No.”
Azra paused. Her head turned to me in a dangerously slow path. “What did you just say?”
