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Thessa nearly lost her footing at the sight of Leora in uniform. “Hardly, it’s vile.”
Leora countered, “Scarlet is really your color, you know.”
“Don’t you dare.”
Leora laughed while burying her paperwork deep inside her new coat.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes,” Leora said. “Just finishing up these buttons.”
They ditched their old clothes in the bin and walked out of the alleyway—on guard—like the rest of the soldiers in Gravenport. The feeling of marching irked her bones, but Thessa kept her footsteps intentional and face stern. As long as the rain held off, they’d blend right in. After all, Elemental soldiers were as numerous on Gravenport’s streets as the insects were in their alleyways.
She could recite this role by memory alone. She’d observed exchanges between guards since she was born. Even townsfolk had to cross them if they wanted access to the Solarium, carriages, or other city services.
Bending the final corner revealed sky-high gates, glistening with moisture. Thessa reminded Leora, “I’ll do the talking, follow my lead.” Andonly for Leora,Thessa reminded herself.
She hadn’t understood the full effect Emiel had on Leora … not until she’d spewed her heart out in the workshop after reading her letters.
Thessa’s workbench had that effect, it seemed.
When Leora had insisted it was part of herdivine purposeto save him, Thessa had objected, coldly, insisting not even Hekate would send a witch on a sacrificial mission.
Nothing had worked. Leora would’ve done this alone, and that was not happening.
Leora’s so-called purpose had overshadowed all logic, yet there they stood, before the gates of the Central Divinity. This plan would likely end with fire-cuffs around both their wrists—or worse—but Thessa shook off her lingering doubts.
She’d never let Leora do this alone. Helping Leora, who’d been the one light flickering in her darkest corner, was an easy choice to make.
Approaching the gate guards, Thessa placed her right palm on her left shoulder and lifted the elbow—the proper salute of the Elemental Army.
Leora copied her movements.
A female soldier called out, “Guards, stand to attention.”
The guards stood taller, pressing their feet together and saluting.
Thessa could hear Leora’s boots crunch gravel as she toe-heeled them closer. She regretted not reviewing some basic commands with her first, but there wasn’t time for that.
Thessa spoke in a tone not of her own. “Guard K. Phillips and Guard S. Blooning, reporting for duty.”
In unison, the gate guards relaxed their salute. “Orders?”
“Resource Department: Record Keeping.” Thessa knew they’d never confirm details of such insignificant work.First-years, they’d think. Record Keeping was low priority, nor desired, and considering Elemental soldiers saturated the city, recognizing them wouldn’t be an issue.
The guards turned, pushing the gates open with their air-magic.
The clang of iron sent shivers down Thessa’s spine. She inhaled what may be her last breath outside the gates before walking through.
Get in. Get out.
22
THESSA’S PRIVATE NOTES:
Thessa and Kellan, forever.
Does he even love me?