the box out of my sight. I was sure it was meant for me, and me alone. What secrets did it hold? What was Damien trying to tell me?
Outside, Camina grabbed Jazmine in a tight hug, then pulled away when Jazmine squealed.
“Shit, you’re injured,” she said. “Sorry. I wish I’d been there. By the way, thanks for leaving me behind. Idiots.”
“You needed rest. But you look much better now.”
“You know me, bedrest and a few drops of elixir.”
“Here, I brought you something,” Jazmine said, pulling the bracelet of flowers off her wrist. The petals were half crushed and stained with blood. “It was in better condition before. Still smells good though.”
“I love it,” Camina said.
“She should see April,” Jacob said, “to set that bone, or it won’t heal right.”
“I’ll take them,” Luke said. “Wouldn’t mind a bandage for my leg.”
They headed off together, and I watched them until they disappeared down the metal stairs. After the others had gone, Trevor walked me back to the living level below, where my tent had been set up.
“Are you okay?” Trevor asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “I think so.” I raised my arms and hands, looking over my skin. The thorny red marks on my wrists and hands stood out, even in the dim light, but my birthmarks had always been there.
The rest of my skin looked pale, but smooth. Physically I felt frazzled. Thin, like my body was a shell and I could shatter at any moment.
“How did you do that?” Trevor asked, lowering his voice and leaning in close. “The slagpaw, they listened to you.”
“I don’t know – maybe they were humans once?”
“That elite was right there, and you still managed to compulse them. You’re stronger than we thought.”
Had I compulsed them? Master Svboda told us once we’d never be strong enough to compulse others. But she also told me the elixir hit me stronger because I was renitent. I guess nobody really knew what I was really capable of.
“Not strong enough, apparently. When Tobias had me by the neck, I was helpless. I was sure he was going to snap my neck. If it wasn’t for you – wait, how’d you do that; you shifted.”
“I grabbed a fistful of ash and stuffed it down. It’s all I could think to do. It felt like my insides were melting. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to come back this time.”
“Do the others know—what you are, what you’re capable of?”
“Not all of them. If word got out that there was a slagpaw wandering around, people would freak.”
“What a pair we are,” I murmured.
He brushed a strand of hair out of my eyes and leaned forward until I could feel his breath on my cheek. The colorful tents glowed like giant lanterns around us.
“I always knew we’d end up together,” he smiled. “I never realized we’d become the monsters.”
The elixir heightened my senses in the dim light. I was hyper aware of his musky scent, the soft pulse of his heartbeat, and the tension in his body, just before he kissed me.
I pulled away almost immediately, more out of reflex than anything. Doubt flashed in his eyes, followed by anger. My cheeks burned, but I wasn’t sure why. I had nothing to apologize for.
“Tell me it’s not because of him,” he said, his voice rough like gravel.
“Can we not do this right now?” I asked, crossing my arms.
“I thought you were done with all that,” he said. “I thought you were on our side now.”
“Why do there have to be sides?” I asked. “I’m just tired, and I feel disgusting.”
“Fine, whatever,” he said, pushing his dark hair back in frustration. He took a deep breath, before squeezing my shoulder.
“Get some sleep,” he said. “And a shower. We’ve got time. Why don’t we stay in and try not putting ourselves in immanent danger for a few days?”
“That sounds amazing,” I said.
He smiled, though it was tense.
I waited for him to leave, then went into my tent alone and zipped it shut. The camping pad was firm, nothing near as comfortable as Damien’s massive mattress, but it was still welcome after the day’s misadventure.
I rolled up some clothes for a pillow and let my mind wander. My forehead was sweating and my skin itched. I scratched my arms. It felt like insects were crawling on my skin and in the dark I could barely see enough to check. I wouldn’t be surprised if this place was full of cockroaches. I was almost asleep when I heard the