Her head popped up in alarm as she shuffled and reshuffled the deck in front of her. She motioned for the pit boss that she needed a break from cards and then dealt like a pro. There were only two people at her table, and both won. She was barely tipped and then rushed to her side.

“What’s going on?” Clover asked. “Shouldn’t you be in training?”

“No time to explain. I was kicked out of the Society.”

“Scales!” Clover gasped.

“Tell Thea that it’s time. I’m ready to be the symbol that everyone wants me to be,” Kerrigan said confidently. “It’s time the rest of the world knows the truth.”

49

The Rally

Dozan arched an eyebrow. “You’re ready for this?”

“Don’t I look ready?”

They waited inside his office for Thea to work her magic with her contacts. Getting a sizable enough crowd together on such short notice was a feat in and of itself. The fact that Kerrigan had demanded that it take place just outside of the Wastes was another matter altogether. Thea had tried to argue that it wouldn’t reach the Fae and members of the Society that most needed to hear her speech, but Kerrigan was tired of speaking for those who wouldn’t listen. If she was going to do this, she was going to do it for herself, for the humans and half-Fae, for the Dregs.

Dozan leaned back against his desk, seemingly unperturbed by the demand in her voice. “Last night, you were yelling at me that you’d never be ready. I’m trying to make sure you know what you’re doing.”

“Last night, they hadn’t kicked me out of the program!”

“Fair. I can’t say that I’m upset by the circumstances. You are better than they will ever be.”

“Let’s get this over with.” She rubbed her hands together to bite back the chill. Spring was well on its way, but she’d forgotten how much colder it was outside of the mountain.

Dozan stood and came to her side. He brushed her hair behind her recognizably half-Fae ear. “That fire in your eyes makes me remember why I fell for you in the first place.”

She scoffed. “You never fell for me, Dozan. You saw power. That’s all you love.”

“This look holds all the power in the world,” he said, tracing her jawline. “I cannot wait to watch you conquer it.”

She pulled away from him, her face flushing. His words kindled something deep within her and made her forget for a moment at least what she was about to do. Likely his desired effect anyway.

Kerrigan turned to the door. “Let’s go find Thea.”

“As you wish,” he said, coming to her side with a smirk on his face that said he knew how much he affected her.