cascade | kotlc

12. The Pressure is On Again

- F. K. a day later

Faye sat with June on Havenfield's couch, watching Sophie's bodyguards argue over who should head the training sessions and fingering her Ace of Spades in her hand. Lightning leaped from her nails to the serrated edge.

"Maybe they should just let us teach this one," June muttered, cocking her gun and drawing Glistensteel. "You know, I was thinking maybe I should attach these two. A convertible gun-knife."

"That'd be cool. Probably potentially useful too. You won't have to duel wield anymore."

"Shame I'm not ambidextrous. Can never wield a gun in my left hand as well as I usually can."

Tick.

"What?"

June glanced over. "What what?"

"I don't know. I just randomly heard a tick."

Tock.

"There it is again," Faye murmured. "I have no idea what that is supposed to be, but it's kinda creeping me out."

"Oh, I'm hearing it too," June groaned. "Now I see what Fitz is always talking about. The tick-tock is annoying."

"Fitz?"

Sorry! he transmitted, nearly making her leap off the couch. I think Alvar's triggering my new ability too much. Did June tell you about my theory?

Yeah, she did. Something about turning back time?

Mmhm. I can't believe I actually managed to reach you two. Took me fifteen minutes of banging my head against a wall. It was mostly searching for the tug that took me a while.

Tug? June asked. What tug?

Maybe 'pull' is a better word. My thoughts always go straight to you.

When June didn't respond, Fitz transmitted, Hello? Anyone there?

Don't worry, Faye informed him. My sister's just blushing.

Ah, I see. Did she tell you where we were last night? You must be lonely, spending so much time in Havenfield without company.

Faye shook her head. No, Grady and Edaline are great. Their mallowmelt is absolutely amazing.

Well, maybe head over to Everglen?

Is it anything about Alvar? June asked sharply.

No, it's not. Faye could hear him visibly sigh. But Alvar has been a huge pain to deal with. It's even worse than I imagined. He's just so... happy. I can scarcely keep my temper under control, just being around him, and especially with an ability that can turn back time...? I'm sure you know the implications.

I'm sorry. I should be there with you.

This is my own fight to handle. And I have Biana with me. Calla's ring is helping with my control. I'm not constantly radiating golden light now, which is nice. But it's hard to just wake up after a nap and find tens of wounds on your body and your bedsheets completely done.

June sighed. I should've been there with you in the Tribunal. Then you wouldn't have been ambushed, and no one would've gotten hurt, and it's all my fault because I just had to crash that damned plane. And Faye managed everything anyways, and I just feel... useless.

No, you're not, Faye spoke up, controlling the tug in her heart. You saved me in the plane. If you didn't blast me out I would've suffocated in the snow.