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"U," I said, not as confident about my abilities as he was

He offered me the barest hint of a rare smile "I haven’t seen someone with such raw potential since the Revolutionary War," he said "I think your ti other abilities" He motioned me toward the door Apparently, the pep talk was over

"Thanks," I said, and left, feeling a little weirded out by the whole thing Thomas Borathen wasn’t a h history, such high compliments from him made me wonder if I’d somehow crossed into an alternate di-up job

Elyssa met me outside, her eyes worried When I told her about the conversation, her face brightened "I’ "I think he’s finally accepted you"

"I thought he already had," I said

"I think he was tolerating youave you at the cere"

I still didn’t knohat to say about that "They surprised the heck out of nized, but what does it mean?"

Elyssa took my hand and led me down the hall toward theserved Her eyes narrowed in concentration "I think nition was one thing, but his talk with you indicates he has bigger plans"

"So he’s ed "He’s positioning a future asset"

I sighed "You military people ainst a wall and pressed her lips toh?" she breathed

"Oh, yes," I panted, partly froen, but mostly from desire

Her face turned serious "Did your sister tell you anything else while she was here?"

I nodded "Toldheld in the baseet to her" A groan eed from my throat "There has to be so ht "Don’t lose faith"

"Yeah, I know," I said, trying to melt the frustration aith a healthy dose of optimism "Should we tell your dad about the cupids?" I asked It was so I’d mulled over, but I didn’t want a Templar invasion of El Dorado if he saw them as either a threat or another "future asset"

Elyssa pursed her lips, eyes distant "It’s possible he erous variables I don’t know if he’d try to exfil them from the cave or leave them there in the hopes they’re currently contained"

"Exfil?" I asked

"Sorry, anotherIt means to sneak theon deep into the recesses ofhihed "I hate to say it, but I think there’s a high certainty he’d go after them, if for no other reason than to remove uncertainty Let’s keep it quiet for now"

I nodded "I just hope he isn’t pissed later when and if we tell hiut instinct was to say no to Elyssa’s suggestion Then again, it couldn’t hurt Tho hand if the Teel to their arsenal "Do you plan to tell hi into Darkwater?"

Her lips parted a fraction "On the other hand, maybe we shouldn’t tell him just yet Let’s see how our plans pan out"

I spotted Katie cohtened when she saw lad you’re okay," she said "The explosion--I don’t kno you survived"

"Same way as usual," I said "Blind luck and Axe Body Wash"

She laughed but sobered quickly "It isn’t luck No ive up If anyone can beat the odds, it’s you"

"Why didn’t you or Nightliss tellthe new Divinity, or whatever you call her?" I leaned back against the ith Elyssa to ht "She’s still way below a hundred percent"

"She didn’t want to tell you She thought you’d discourage her" Katie’s eyes looked worried "You’re not hed "I just don’t want her falling into a relapse I don’t kno ifts’ causes, but it’s a risk, and we need her full strength for what’s to corip had been earlier So out The answer hit rin "I let her try it out on ainst the Brightling curses orand fast as Daelissa e difference" She flexed her hand "Now I kno Ash and Nyte feel"

"You’re not indestructible," I said "Don’t go playing superhero"

"Pot,with the initiates, though Maybe I can learn so hed "I think it’s ao far"

"Thanks," Katie said, her eyes softening "I want toa no to school?" I asked

"Yeah," she said wistfully "I’ll train when I’et a job They told me I need to learn responsibility"

"I don’t think that’ll be a proble," Elyssa said She "