Mine to Fear (Mine #3)(59)

“I don't know how to get there either. It's like some unobtainable thing.”

“Do you ever miss the days before we joined Sanos? Back when we were in Chardonia, just me you, Zade and Tawny?”

It's a hard question to answer. “Of course I miss it. The peace and freedom. But not so much I wish to go back. I wouldn't change helping these people or knowing Serena and her family.” Or Jack. Why did that thought just pop into my head? Guilt pings inside me knowing I thought that when Chadwick was sitting right here. But why should it? It's not as if Chadwick and I have an agreement. And there definitely isn't anything going on between me and Jack. Or is there?

“You look very concerned,” Chadwick says. “What are you thinking about?”

“Just the weather.”

“In other words, you're not going to tell me.”

“Nope.”

He chuckles. “Some things never change.”

“But most things do.”

That sobers him. “Tell me. Did you not send me to gather the warlocks because I'm Envadi or because of something else? Something that's not going on between us?”

The question stabs at my emotions. “It would have been hard because you’re an Envadi.”

He steps closer. “But?”

I step back. “I'm sorry, Chadwick. That's all.”

“Oh. I see,” he says. “It's because of Jack, isn't it?”

Heat immediately creeps up my face. “No. At least not entirely.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that while yes, I care for Jack—” Just thinking about him sends my heart pounding harder. “It wouldn't have worked between us anyway.”

“Waverly, I was wo—” Tawny comes to a halt several feet from us. “I'm sorry. Am I interrupting?”

Chadwick looks at me, his face tight with pain. “No. Apparently there's nothing to interrupt.”

He leaves, steps heavy as he goes. Once his footsteps have faded, Tawny says, “I did bother you two, didn't I?”

I shrug and wish there was a way to disappear at this moment. “I'm grateful you came when you did.”

“And why is that?”

“It was getting very uncomfortable. And now he knows how I feel.”

“Don't feel too bad, Waverly. Even back in Envadi, when everyone was pushing you two to get together, it felt like the pull between you two was coming only from his side.”

“Really? I always felt so confused about it.”

“And being confused is exactly what the problem is.” She gets a sly grin. “You don't seem confused about Jack.”

For the second time today, my face heats. “No, I'm not confused by him. More like confused by the situation we've been put in.”

She sighs. “It's not easy. Hopefully with all the help Serena, Cynthia, and Theodore are rounding up, it won't be much longer before we're out of this situation.”

“And what if it is? What if this whole plan falls apart?”

“We'll deal with that if it comes.”

I give her a hug. “Thank you for all of this. I don't know what I would have done if you didn't come with me.”

“You would have done a lot more training by yourself and not known nearly as many spells.”

“That's all too true,” I say. “It's what I get for slacking off in class.”

“You weren't the only one. I just had tutors that wouldn't leave me alone until I got something down.”

“Spoiled.”

“Hey, now. That's a low blow.”

“But a true one.”

She laughs, and I join in, feeling good to get everything out.

“Do you think they'll be able to find enough people to help?” she asks.

“They'll have to.”

Because if they don't, our lives will be forfeited.





Chapter Forty-Six





Serena, Cynthia, and Theodore's return isn't just a joyous thing, it's a celebration. The people they've been sending home, plus the people they brought with them, will go a long, long ways to helping defeat the Grand Chancellor. There are more people than I expected. Our caves are so filled with people. It’s getting hard to find places to put them all.

Best yet is just knowing this many people want the Grand Chancellor out of power. When I first came to Chardonia, I never thought it would be possible. These people are a surprising joy.

We don't waste any time meeting together with the core leaders. Jack is sitting next to me as I look everyone over. Something about his presence sticks out in my mind more than I expect. But we need to get this meeting underway.

I ask, “Where should we hit first? The power plant again? Or Chancellor Stephen's house?”

Serena and Cynthia glance at each other, a spark in their eyes. But Bethany is the one who surprises me. “Chancellor Stephen's. He needs to be taken down several notches. Plus, it will be a more visible attack to the people of Chardonia than a power plant, which only affects the upper class.”

Inside, I'm cheering for her strength, even though I'm anxious to save those people.