Break The Ice (28 page)

“It’s beautiful,” Kaitlyn says, stepping through an arch that teeters to the side, ready to collapse.

“It is nicer on days before war,” Silo says.

“Yeah, the destroyed buildings shed a different light on the city,” Ti says.

“Still, it’s amazing,” she says.

“You’ll have to return in a time of peace.” Shindrow steps out into the street. “Ti. Silo. Take our guests to the dining halls, feed them something edible for a change.”

“Yes sir,” Ti says.

“Sam,” Shindrow says. “Will you help me with something first?”

“Sure,” I say. I squeeze Kaitlyn’s hand and let go.

“Want me to come?” Dan says.

“Nah, just save me some soup.”

He shakes his head and laughs.

Once the group disappears from sight, Shindrow walks after them. I match his pace but don’t say a word, waiting for him to speak. He rubs his hands together, and I expect he’s waiting for the same thing.

I clear my throat and dive right in. “So you found Uthra Ka, either hiding out or dying. You couldn’t heal him because your Dinmow would kill him first. By giving him your own, he became both Dinmani and Sunjin, more powerful than either side. And then, what, you made him king so he wouldn’t burn down Dintar?”

Shindrow smiles. “We struck up a bargain. If he ever became a tyrant, I would take my Dinmow back.”

“You can do that?” I say.

“It’s quite easy if you know how.”

“So then–”

“Why didn’t Tinjo take his back from you?” He rubs his head. “Greed. He stole the Dinmow of several worthy warriors. Once he took theirs, his connection with yours was lost for good.”

“So he wasn’t always that powerful?”

“Depends on who you ask.” Shindrow opens the palace door and one of the hinges pop off. He catches the falling metal and inspects it, spinning it between his fingers. When he’s content, he pitches it to the side.

“And the Sunjin?”

“Know nothing about any of this and they never will,” he says, his eyes tightening. He presses his hand against my chest, holding me back. “Understood?”

I look ahead. Dan talks to Ti outside the dining hall doors. He laughs at something Ti says, placing a hand on Ti’s shoulder.

“Not even him,” Shindrow says. “I trust my world to him, but, for lack of a better phrase, he is their new leader.”

“He already has a suspicion about Striker,” I say.

“Let it remain as such.”

“You made it,” Dan says when we approach. “They were out of soup, but I had them fry up some oversized, fatty bacon for you.”

“Oh good,” I say, rolling my eyes. Two steps from the door, I freeze. Turning around, I catch sight of Shindrow opening up a set of doors. “Your world?” I say.

He grins and disappears through the doorway.

Kaitlyn jumps up from her seat and hurries over to the entrance. “We saved seats for everyone, but once Ti sat down, people flocked to see her. She’s a hero.”

“Well she did get you guys out in time, right?”

She laughs. “We were all huddling by the door when it burst open. She pushed your mom’s bed out by herself while shouting for us to follow. Not even a minute after we stepped onto the parking lot, the building collapsed.”

“A true hero in my books,” I say, spinning a strand of her hair around my finger.

“So I have a proposition,” she says, tugging at the frayed hem of her shirt.

“Yeah?”

“I called my parents.”

I don’t say a word, but nod to let her continue.

“One ring and then straight to voicemail. And I don’t really care.”

“Yeah?” I say again.

Kaitlyn squeezes my hand and interlocks our fingers. “And there’s nothing calling you back.”

“Out with it,” I say.

“I ran into Striker, and he gave me this. He said it was a gift to you.” She digs through her pocket and pulls out a small, silver key. “He said he’s looking for a new Lieutenant, and he won’t take no for an answer.”

I take the key in my hand and stare down at it for a few seconds. I pinch it between my fingers before sticking it in my back pocket. “If you’re staying, I’m not going anywhere.”

The End