Chapter 025

The Sea joins all upon its tides, through storms and high water.

“Why are you here?” Harker demanded.

Adhira looked at him, surprise writ plainly across her face. “I could ask you the same. How did you escape Vale?”

“Barely.” That scent remained, heady and confusing. He blinked through it, though his heart continued to hammer.

“I see.” Adhira tucked her hair behind an ear. Her dark tresses were touseled and sweat dotted her brow, as if she’d been exerting herself. “I am paying a visit to the Charterstone. It is tradition to stop by each one on your journey toward the Travelspire.”

“I see.” Was she nervous? Or was she training earlier? “Well, I—”

Her eyes flicked downward. “Depths. I hadn’t realized you’d taken the Chartermark. And it’s…gold?”

Harker flinched, jerking his hand over his left forearm—he forced himself to stop, using the motion to pull back his sleeve. There was no use being suspicious about it. “I took the mark after leaving Vale.”

“I see. I suppose taking a chance with the Spires is a sight better than sticking around a town full of Illwrought.” She glanced around her before lowering her voice. “Don’t worry. The gold’s a bit odd but I’ve seen stranger things on the road to the Academy.”

Harker blinked. He hadn’t expected kindness. She’s a strange one. “…Thank you.”

She gave an easy smile. It was bright against her dusky skin, like the flash of sunlight on polished metal. “I imagine you’re headed to Vodaten?”

“…I am.”

“Fair winds. We’re on the same path then. Oh,” she cleared her throat, making an attempt at nonchalance. It was…inexpert. “Have you seen my stewar—the woman that was with me? Her name is Sejal. Tall, looks like she could gut you with a blunt edge?”

Harker shook his head. He hadn’t seen that dangerous woman since he’d left them in Vale and was glad for it.

Adhira groaned, rubbing at the back of her neck. “Kyana. We got separated just outside Vale when the Illwrought came after us. Those trotu mercenaries drove them out of the walls and straight after us. Sejal stayed to fight and sent me down to that hill village.”

“Haver Hill?”

She snapped her fingers. “That’s the one. She was supposed to meet me there, but never did.”

She seemed upset, but Harker wasn’t sure whether to believe it or not. That must be what held up pursuit, then. Did Sejal kill the Stitcher too? Could I be that lucky?

“I’m sorry. I haven’t seen her at all.”

“Pity. I was hoping to reunite with her here, but it seems that won’t be happening either.” She glanced at her wrist. “We’re running out of time.”

Adhira froze, then lowered her arm to her hip. She tried to do it casually, but Harker had noticed. She checked the countdown on her Chartermark and tried to hide it. So she can see that too. Can she see the rest?

The girl cleared her throat. “How did we not run into each other sooner?”

“Did you take the Southroad?”

“Yes, it’s the straightest path and the fastest.” Adhira’s gaze sharpened into something Harker wasn’t used to seeing. “You went cross-country. Dangerous. And quite bold.”

It was respect. She was impressed by him.

Harker grunted. “I know my way around.”

“You risked Aberrants in those forests.”

He offered a grim smile. “And Illwrought can take the Southroad just as swiftly as any hound.”

Adhira inclined her head. “True enough.”

That axe… Harker stepped away from the fountain, making a touch more space between the two of them. Even so, one swing would eviscerate him. “So you are simply waiting for your friend? You aren’t looking for me?”

“What? Why would I give a salted—?” Adhira stopped herself. “I’m sorry, that came out too harshly. No. I wasn’t looking for you. With everything that happened, I’m honestly surprised you’re still alive.”

He grunted. That stung for some strange reason, but she wasn’t wrong.

She frowned at him. “How did you survive, by the way? Didn’t the Stitcher snatch you from our house?”

“No,” he admitted. “I left.”

“What? Why? The town was on fire!”

“Because I woke up in a room I didn’t recall entering, my belongings were strewn about, and then yes, the town caught fire.”

“Ah.” Adhira rocked back onto her heels. “Fair, I suppose. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. When we pulled you from that canyon, it was only with the best intentions.”

So she figures I don’t know about the Vestige. Harker studied her face, but she seemed earnest beneath her too-perfect face. Good. Let’s keep it that way.

After all, what would a backwoods healer know about Sea-touched treasures?

“I’m curious though…”

Harker clenched his jaw. That scent was still there, just as heady as before. “About?”

“That canyon.”

“The Drop.”

“Right. When we pulled you from it, you were feverish and ranting in your sleep.”

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Harker stilled.

“You said you had to ‘get out.’ I couldn’t make sense of it. What were you doing out there?”

The question was posed with an almost careless affect, but Harker didn’t miss the girl’s eyes. Silver as a scalpel, and just as sharp. “I was heading home.”

“Through a storm? Why not wait it out in the inn?”

“The inn was quite full.”

“With the Grim Company, yes. Did you see the Stitcher out there, as the mercenaries suggested?”

Harker winced. “I did. Ran right into him and his Illwrought.”

“No! How did you escape?”

Harker smiled. “I know my way around.”