But, she reminded herself, she had been built twice. Once, when her mother birthed her, and a second time when she spilt blood at the Academy and took her new name. She had adapted before, hadn’t she? Fine, she’d adapt to this. This strange life she found herself inhabiting. How hard could it be to become someone new again? Someone who could understand this place. What was wild earth anyway but potential? She could—

A thud sounded behind her, two feet hitting the earth from a height, and then there was a knife to her throat.

“Hello, Keyes,” Lollie purred. “You and I have much to discuss.”

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

“Lollie.” She dared not breathe. Lollie held the knife mercilessly close, an inhalation’s breadth from Scratch’s skin. “If you wanted to have a conversation with me, you should have just asked.”

“Shut up, you royal lapdog. I need to know what you’re doing with Brella.”

Looking at her too long. Trying to solve an impossible puzzle. “Nothing.”

Lollie brought the knife closer. Scratch could feel the metal kiss her skin. “Is she your prisoner?”

“No.”

“Have you threatened her?”

“No.”

Lollie’s breathing was harsh and high. “You didn’t kidnap the princess like they’re saying, did you? You’re going after her. You and the Shaes and that decorative item you call a friend.”

It shouldn’t matter if Lollie knew the truth. Still, it rankled. That information wasn’t hers to know. Couldn’t Scratch have something to her damn self anymore?

“I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

“Brella’s worth more than that, you know.” There came the sound of crackling as Lollie ran her tongue over dry, chapped lips. “I told her to be quiet about the gate. That the King’s Guard would eventually use her to get to it.”

“You know Brella. If she’s anywhere, it’s because she wants to be.”

“Oh, don’t act like you know Brella,” Lollie spat, venomous. “I know you’re not really her Passenger. Not like that. And you don’t care, do you? You don’t care that you’re stripping her of that?”

There was that Passenger again. Brella owed her an explanation. Until then, she’d have to pretend. “I think you’re jealous.”

Lollie growled as the knife made contact with Scratch’s skin. She felt the warmth of a few beads of blood trickling down her throat and onto her shirt.

“You should be scared of me.” Lollie’s whisper sliced the air. “I could kill you out here.”

“Is that what you teach those children? To kill their guests?”

Lollie’s breath stuttered. She shifted her grip on the knife and exhaled, the cool air ghosting over Scratch’s nape. “Probably no worse than what you learned at the Academy. What do they teach you?”