"Such longing," Typhon observes with a theatrical sigh. "Is this truly the pinnacle of human existence? Risking all for a few moments of pleasure?"

"It's not just pleasure," I tell him silently. "It's connection. It's not being alone."

"You are never alone, angry human. I am always with you."

His words, grumpy as they are, bring unexpected comfort. "I know, Typhon. And I'm grateful for it."

"As you should be," he huffs, but I feel a swell of warmth through our tether that belies his tone.

The sun begins to set behind the towers of Confluence, casting long shadows across the grounds. In just over a day, the Crucible will begin, and everything will change. But for now, there's tonight. There's Raith. There's a chance, however small, that we might find a moment of peace before the bloodshed that's coming.

33

"I should probably get back soon," I say reluctantly as Raith walks me through the shadowed corridor toward the water tower. There’s a hush through the academy as night falls. Tomorrow is our last day before the Crucible. "The others wanted to meet at midnight. I might try to catch a little sleep before, since tonight may be a late night.”

I feel his eyes on me. "Because of the weapons sabotage.”

I nod. "We only have a small window when Malakai's guards will be away from the cache.”

"And your part in this plan?" he asks, his tone carefully neutral though I can feel his concern seeping through our connection.

"Typhon and I will help Mireen's elemental rust the metal from the inside. Create weak points that will snap under pressure when they try to use them," I explain. "Beck's creating a diversion with some flooding in the courtyard while Brunhild stands lookout."

A muscle in his jaw ticks, and through our tether, I feel his worry for me mingling with admiration. "It's risky. If Malakai catches any of you⁠—"

"He'll try to kill us. Yeah. But he’s going to try to kill us during the Crucible, too. If we do this, we will be protecting others. We’ll be giving them a chance of surviving, however small, if Malakai’s people come for them. So, no, you’re not talking me out of it. Don’t even try.”

He studies me for a long moment, then sighs, running a hand through his dark hair. "Has anyone ever told you you're incredibly stubborn?"

A small smile that tugs at my lips. "You may have mentioned it before.”

Raith's eyes don't leave mine as he seems to come to a decision. "Midnight. That means we still have a couple hours.”

"A couple hours for what," I ask, my pulse quickening at the hunger of his gaze.

"Good," he says, his voice dropping to that low register that makes heat pool low in my belly. "Because I've been thinking."

"What about?" I ask, though I suspect I already know the answer.