I let my relief and surprise shine through. “That’s amazing.”
I handed the tin back to Cai. He pocketed it, his expression becoming somber. “What d’you want me—us,” he twisted a wrist toward Liora, “to do here, Serena? We could try threatening those fae bastards.”
Adrianna huffed in contempt.
‘Yes?’ Cai said lightly, raising an eyebrow.
She bared her teeth. I jumped in. “Adrianna’s offered to warn Tysion and the other two off.”
Liora had switched to eating cereal; her spoon paused on the way to her mouth. “Looks like we didn’t need Frazer after all.”
She gave me a quirky smile, one that spoke of a quiet, dry amusement.
“And Adrianna’s offered to show me her training regime. She thought it might help.”
“How nice,” Liora added.
The sarcasm in her voice was very subtle. Adrianna didn’t seem to notice, either that or she simply didn’t care.
Silence fell. Liora had finished her meal, so she spent her time pushing food in front of Cai, who’d barely touched anything. He seemed far too interested in sneaking looks at Adrianna every other minute. I could almost hear him say, Come on. Notice me. Speak to me, damn you!
I was washing down oatmeal with a gulp of water when a pinprick of heat blossomed between my shoulder blades. I rolled them, ignoring it, but the pressure kept building. Massaging my neck and back, I caught sight of Liora staring past my shoulder, an image of irritation and wariness.
I swiveled on the bench, and a pair of night-blue eyes met mine. Frazer had sat at the table closest to the far wall. The hall had slowly filled since we’d arrived, but there were still ample spots available. A hunch told me he’d chosen the one farthest from us for a reason.
His gaze left mine and lowered to his plate. His black hair fell forward, covering his face. I felt a hook grapple in my chest and tug. That strange pull made me want to go sit with him. What was wrong with me? He didn’t want company, that much was obvious from his actions.
“D’you like him?”
Of course, it’d been Adrianna speaking. She must’ve seen me staring.
A tingling sensation traveled along my bones. I recognized its unique song from yesterday: magic. My focus shifted to Cai.
“I figured you wouldn’t want the male listening in,” he explained.
Gods, no.
“What did you do?” Adrianna asked.
Folding his arms, he said, “It’s a spell protecting us from nosy fae.”
Cai’s trademark grin, noticeably absent, was replaced by a highly resentful look. I guessed it had nothing to do with me and everything to do with Adrianna ignoring him. Something told me he wasn’t used to rejection from beautiful women—females.
Adrianna popped fruit in her mouth and stared him down. A worthy adversary.
I caught Liora’s eye. We both looked away at the same time, close to laughter. That disappeared pretty damned quick when Adrianna added, “So, are you interested in him?” Her back grew rigid. “You should know wingless fae are often dangerous. Just some friendly advice—take it or leave it.”
“It’s not like that.” I shook my head slowly. “He’s just …”
Strange. Terrifying. An enigma.
“I think he’s fascinating, even if he has the manners of a hag,” Liora said, coming to my rescue.
Adrianna frowned. “He’s wingless and silent, and that’s attractive to you?”
I wasn’t rising to that bait.
Liora’s chin went up a fraction. “He’s not my type. But I wouldn’t say no to allying with him.”
Adrianna harrumphed softly. “I wouldn’t get your hopes up. The last time someone tried to cosy up to him, he snapped at them—literally.”
Liora just shrugged and took a sip of water, but Cai continued. “Oh, I don’t know.” He smirked at me. “Our Serena might be able to convince him. She’s obviously got a talent for befriending solitary fae.”
“What does that mean?” Adrianna asked, her voice cutting through me like a honed blade.
“Nothing.” Cai scooped a handful of raisins and ate them in one go.
His attempt to mimic her uninterested behavior didn’t go unnoticed. Adrianna let out a sigh from her nose, part exasperation, part amusement. Maybe he was wearing her down.
“So,” Cai said, chewing slowly, “since you’ve shed the whole loner angle …” I could’ve sworn a growl ripped free from Adrianna, but Cai went on as if he hadn’t heard. “And as we’re Serena’s allies too, maybe you’d like to extend that courtesy to us?”
Liora tensed.
Adrianna crossed her arms. “We’re not allies.” Her face perfectly composed, she added, “I said I’d show her what she needed to do to survive—one-time deal. After that, she’s on her own. I don’t believe in coddling. I’m only stepping in now to prevent Tysion from ripping her to bits.”
My shoulders slumped, and my breakfast churned in my stomach.
Cai’s attention remained rooted to Adrianna. “Don’t pretend that helping her isn’t in your best interests.”
“What?” I rasped out.
Liora went completely still, staring at the table.
Cai began stiffly. “A lot of recruits think one of the trials will be to test the packs as a whole. Maybe, she wants you strong enough so that you won’t be the weak link, but not skilled enough to be a threat.”
Rutting hell. It was an ugly idea, but it made sense. I watched Adrianna, waiting for her reaction.
There was a glimmer of an icy rage brewing and then, nothing. Her features smoothed and she slipped back into the cold-blooded, haughty skin. Angling her head with a kind of casual grace that was both dismissive and amused, she flashed her teeth at him, like she was a predator seizing up her prey. Like she was about to eat him alive.
“Think what you want.” Every note tinged with ice, she said, “If Serena doesn’t want my help, she can stay here while I head to the training grounds early.”
She braced her arms on the table, readying to stand, when Liora cut in. “No one at this table is a threat to you. That won’t change any time soon, so why treat us as rivals when we’re stronger together?”
Unlike her brother, there wasn’t a trace of arrogance or hostility, just cool reasoning. It seemed to resonate with Adrianna because she hesitated. “What could you offer as allies?”
I guessed it would take hard reasoning, not a chance at friendship, to convince her.
“Cai’s powerful. He’s a witch, and while we don’t have official rankings, everyone knows he’s at the top,” Liora said, arguing her case.
Adrianna didn’t blink. “What about you?”
“I’m a decent fighter.” With a shrug and a curl of the lip, she went on. “And I have a talent for reading people.”
Adrianna turned her attention to me. I tried not to wither under the scrutiny of those sky-blues. She didn’t even bother to ask. It was obvious—I had nothing. She’d found me battered and sleeping under a bed. If that didn’t say useless, I didn’t know what would.
“Has my darling sister convinced you then?”
Cai looked ready to explode as his cheeks and ears reddened.
Adrianna cocked an eyebrow imperiously. “I’ll think about it.” She stood and barked, “Serena, I always train in the sandpit before anyone else. Are you coming?”
“Oh … yes,” I muttered.
“Excellent idea.” Cai rose from his chair.
Liora groaned audibly, and Adrianna didn’t say a word. She swept out the room without a second glance.
I shared a brief look of anguish with Liora before our trio followed, clearing the hall and turning right onto the path together.
“Is it really necessary to keep goading her?” Liora whispered to Cai. “Not every woman in the world will find you attractive, you know?”
“No idea what you’re talking about,” he said without looking at her.
He suddenly sped up to walk at Adrianna’s side.
Liora muttered a curse under her breath. “No subtlety.”
My mouth twitched at that. “Well done, by the way. She refused to even consider being my ally.”