Ikovos turned his head over slowly. "You're just jealous that you didn't get one."

Jaden scoffed. "Right."

After a few seconds to make sure it was safe, I looked back to Ikovos pleasantly. "So, Jaden said you wanted to sort of go over the day?"

"It was supposed to be more of a subtly brought up topic . . . but, yeah."

Jaden leaned back carelessly.

Ikovos lightened facing me. "It was pretty eventful, I just want to make sure you're okay with everything."

"Yes," I assured, head bobbing immediately. "I had a great day. I expected I would be helping out with some different things, but really I just got to have fun and mess around."

Ikovos smiled then lifted a shoulder. "You helped."

I eyed him with a playfully dubious look.

"Moral support," he offered.

I laughed.

"Even I could have come up with something better than that," scoffed Jaden, giving him a sideways glance. Then he went back to studying the room.

Ikovos just rolled his eyes.

I pulled my cup closer, taking another drink from my straw and contemplating. "I wonder why Thoran did have me come . . ." I looked up to Ikovos. "Did he tell you?"

"No-" his head shook "-and the man is a mystery to me. Jaden would know better what he's thinking." He pointed a thumb over.

Jaden's eyes grazed Ikovos, but he didn't say anything.

"He made it sound like you guys would be really busy when you got back," I tested slowly, tracing a drip on the outside of my glass. More like he'd flat out told me.

Jaden didn't respond.

"I doubt it's as bad as he made it seem," allotted Ikovos with a quick smirk. "We'll still have plenty of time."

I warmed at this . . . I don't think I'd realized how much it had been affecting me.

The band finished their song then. A few groups around the room clapped or called out requests for new titles. Just after the next one started, Jaden's face seemed to harden, eyes turning over to me.

"What else did Thoran talk to you about?"

My throat constricted. Not this again.

Ikovos didn't help me, scoffing behind his cup. "Good luck trying to get an answer to that."

Jaden's gaze hardened even more, his backwards lean straightening up just slightly.

"Just . . ." I threw a hand out innocently ". . . just magic and training, coming here, the thing that happened in the Meoden dimension . . ."

"That's it?" Jaden narrowed.

I met his eyes.

I'm not going to lie, but I don't want to talk about this now.

I stood up abruptly. "I've got to go give Tanis his food." Then grabbed the box off of the table.

"Not alone you're not," said Jaden, standing up to match me. Then there was another pause.

My eyes hardened. "Fine-" Ikovos smirked, obviously entertained "-I'm not talking though."

Jaden darkened.

I smiled quickly to the other boy, then turned to start off.

Jaden followed immediately behind me.

The one time I glanced to check his expression, it was fiercely intent. My teeth tightened. He wasn't going to let this go as easily as Ikovos . . . but I wasn't going to be able to talk about what the Meoden had done to the boys without losing it . . .

Not with them there.

When we reached the room, he went in first as before.

I waited the hall. When he came out I gave him a mocking look. "Is it safe?'

"What did he tell you, Eve?"

I walked past him brusquely. "I told you that if you came up we weren't going to talk."

"I never agreed to that." He followed me. "And I think I have a right to know if it involves me or Ikovos."

"Why?" I argued, opening up the box and arranging the bits of nuts and fruit on a pillow. "-when you don't seem to think I have a right to hear anything about it from you."

He darkened instantly.

Dang it, Evelyn, you just confirmed that you know something.

"Because it's none of your business."

Like heck it isn't!

My eyes shut. "I'm tired." I tried to calm myself with a slow breath. "I'm going to sleep now."

He scoffed. "It's only nine."

I stood up and turned around, meeting his eyes boldly. "Tell Ikovos I said goodnight, please."

His brow fell.

I moved past him towards the door.

"Hey, I'm not leaving till you-"

I stopped him with a meaningful look. My hand was on the open doorframe and there wasn't a shred of softness to my expression. He held my eyes for a long second, then walked forward.

"Fine."

I nodded as he past. "Thank you." Then I closed the door behind him firmly.

. . .Well, that conversation had sure escalated quickly.

I walked back over to the bed to wake Tanis up to eat.

God, why didn't I want to talk about this so badly anyways?

The little ball of velvet fur woke up happily, springing over to his spread of yummy treats.

Maybe I just don't want to spoil the day . . .

A quick intake of breath told a different story. I ignored it, filling Tanis a dish of water and hopping in the shower instead.

The fixtures really were nice.

After brushing and weaving my hair into a long braid, it seemed to have grown a lot since I joined the order, I went back into the room.

Empty and quiet.

I walked over to the window and pulled back the curtain. It was still raining, even heavier now. I watched it for a while, then crept over to the bed, pulling back the heavy blankets and slipping in.

I hit the lights.

Then turned sideways.

Tanis was roaming around all over the room. I guess he liked the place too.

I sighed and focused my thoughts on falling asleep.

About an hour or two later, I was still in the exact same position, and not the least bit tired.

. . . It really was stupid to go to bed this early.

With a heavy sigh I pushed off the covers and skidded over to the door. I was in my pajamas, but they weren't that night-ish looking so I thought I'd be good. I just needed to stretch my legs.

Carefully, I opened the door, looking down both ends of the hall.

No one.

I stepped out, heart beating unnecessarily loud considering the situation. My grazed the wood door that led to the room across from mine. I think I was mostly afraid of being caught wondering alone.

I stepped off to the right to see what was down the other way. My feet padded softly on the velvety carpet. To each side as I passed there were doors followed by a random painting or other nondescript decoration. The light came from candled lamps above.

I turned down a couple halls. When I reached the end of the last one there was a dark stairwell going down.

Maybe not the smartest path.

A small window ahead flashed white, followed quickly by a loud rumble.

Thunder . . . now it was going to be impossible to get to sleep.

Biting my lip, I headed down the stairs calmly. I figured I could wrap around on the second or first floor. There wasn't a further level though, it stopped at the second. It was darker here, and the floor plan of the rooms was different. No rug.

I tip-toed on a bit, passing some closed doors. Then I saw a sign that read "second story bar" with a forward arrow.

Wow, this place must really be big if there are two bars.

I kept forward, more confidently now that I knew I was headed at least somewhere. The lighting stayed dim. I passed a large, rectangular, gap in the wall, tables within, then looked to the open door that was down a bit further.

Must be the bar.

I looked back through. There were still a few people inside.

I better not stop.

I had almost passed the door when a familiar tone stopped me in my tracks.

". . . the extra trips to town, and the moves, it just seems fishy."

Jaden.

My heart caught.

"You think there's something they're not telling us?"

And that was Ikovos. I must have passed them through the window and just not noticed.

I quickly moved out of the doorway against the wall, so that I could still hear.

There was a pause.

"It wouldn't be the first time," noted Jaden.

They got quiet again. I could hear them setting their cups on the table-top, but that was it beside the rain and thunder outside. I hope they don't come out.

"Either way," continued Jaden, "when we get back I'll be finding out for sure."

Another pause.