“You know we can’t keep up with him,” Jeondar said. “Not even under normal circumstances. Our best bet is to do what I said.”
I picked up the saddlebag from the ground, apprehension sinking its claws inside my chest. I knew I hadn’t disposed of the ingredients, which meant there really was someone in the group who could stab either of us in the back at any moment. I frowned, wondering why they hadn’t done it already. Who could it be? And why?
“Dani.” Jeondar came up behind me.
I jumped and had to bite back a scream. I took a deep breath, readying myself for his accusation, and faced him.
“Do you have any idea who might have done this?” He glanced sidelong at the saddlebag.
So he didn’t thinkIwas responsible? How refreshing.
“I don’t know,” I answered. “It could have been anyone. It was all there at dawn.”
He nodded, looking conflicted. “I can’t decide whether or not Kryn could have done it out of mere anger.”
“He wouldn’t have,” Arabis came up behind Jeondar. “You know that. Kryn loves Kalyll. It was either Cylea or Silver.”
I scanned Jeondar’s face. Arabis had been quick to point a finger elsewhere. Did he think that was cause to suspect her?
“What are you three talking about?” Silver asked loudly, causing Cylea and Kryn to glance our way. The latter was standing by his horse, rubbing his neck.
Jeondar squared his shoulders. “We’re trying to figure out who threw away the ingredients for Kalyll’s elixir.”
Silver narrowed his eyes and exchanged a glance with Cylea. “Shouldn’t all of us be part of that conversation?”
“Indeed.” Jeondar nodded. “Did anyone notice anything?”
No one did.
“I still think it’s the human,” Kryn said.
“Fuck you, asshole.” I flipped him off.
“But do you have proof?” Jeondar asked.
Kryn shrugged as if proof was something inconsequential when it came to a Fae accusing a human.
Cylea smoothed her blue hair and asked reluctantly, “What if… what if Kalyll did it?”
“Why would Kalyll…” Jeondar began but couldn’t finish.
“I mean… thatthingoverpowers him sometimes, even in the morning,” Cylea added.
I shook my head. “But afterward, he always remembers what he does.”
“Not always,” Cylea said.
Jeondar thought for a moment. “It’s true. There’s been a few times when he couldn’t remember short stretches of time.”
It would’ve taken Kalyll a matter of seconds to dispose of everything, but still, we had no proof, and I didn’t like it one bit, especially when I noticed the way the others seem to favor this explanation. They’d been friends for a long time, and they didn’t want to believe that one of their own was a traitor. It was easier to blame the dark forces that controlled the prince.
There was nothing else to do but keep going. We had to get there by dawn. We traveled quickly but warily, especially when we reached the craggy foothills of Mount Ruin, where dried trees and outcrops provided plenty of places for someone to hide.
Without towing Kalyll, we actually managed to make good time.
“We’re here,” Jeondar announced when we reached the mouth of a large cave right as the sun went down.
Dandelion pawed the ground restlessly as I stared into the large, dark entrance. The remaining daylight managed to barely illuminate a few feet into the tunnel, then the darkness took over, as if past a certain point, light wasn’t welcome.