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" All I know since yesterday is,
Everything has changed "
―"I'M SORRY," I say apologetically as we all stand in the forest together. Harshaw and Tolya have expressions of disbelief on their faces as I recount what happened with the firebird, holding up my wrists adorned by glowing gold plumes as proof.
Zoya's eyebrows are raised, the barest bit of something that may be pride in her blue eyes. Alina and Mal have their jaws set and I'm afraid that any moment they're going to snap at me and start cutting my wrists to pieces to get Morozova's third amplifier.
"So what you're saying," Harshaw begins, "is that you took Morozova's third amplifier?"
I shrug awkwardly, still unsure what summoned that determination in my veins that made me meld those feathers into my skin, but I find that I'm not too sorry. It feels right, the weight of them on my wrists, and somehow it feels like the firebird itself is in my chest, in my blood, where it wants to be.
"No," Alina cuts in, her voice slightly shaky. "That's not it. The firebird isn't Morozova's third amplifier."
"Don't tell me Yi just put feathers on her wrists for no reason," Zoya deadpans, folding her arms.
Alina shakes her head. "The firebird is an amplifier, albeit probably a powerful one, but it isn't Morozova's work. The firebird chose Yi."
"How can you be so sure?" Tolya asks curiously.
Mal looks away as Alina clears her throat. "It's Mal," she says quietly.
"What's Mal?" Harshaw questions.
"Mal is the third amplifier."
My eyes widen and Zoya's lips part in surprise, followed by a flash of anger in her gaze. "What are you talking about?" she demands furiously.
"We should find cover," Tolya interrupts.
We all reluctantly agree and cross the plateau to the camp within the auburn trees that Zoya and the others set up earlier, the tents set up hastily. The moment everyone settles down, Mal drops his rifle and grabs a bow. The sight of it is unwelcome, the raw memory of Altan bleeding on the forest ground flashing in my mind.
"I'm going to go catch dinner," the tracker states curtly before disappearing in the woods.
Alina slumps down onto the ground as Harshaw starts a fire. After a few long moments, Tolya passes the Sun Summoner a flask and crouches down as well. Zoya stands upright, her back straight, eyes narrowed to icy slits. "You must have known," she accuses.
Alina covers her face with her hands. I look down at the glowing circlets on my wrists, running my fingers over their soft edges and watching the little plumes of keratin contriving the feathers ruffle at the slightest touch.
