“I think she’s in the kids’ room—or she was. You want me to send her your way if I see her?”
“Thanks, Hazel.”
She walked on, narrowly avoiding tripping over one of the tent pegs.
“Use True Sight!” I yelled after her.
“Got it!” she called back. Hazel’s hunger seemed to be under control, and I was glad for her. Syphoning off the vampires and other supernatural creatures certainly made a difference – their energy levels were astonishing.
I decided to look for Ruby myself, and started to walk back toward the castle. The entrance was empty—most of the ministers and guards were outside, and the rest of GASP with them. I checked the kids’ room, but only saw the children, sitting around reading and playing with wooden swords, ironically. There were a few villagers around, but no Ruby. I came back out and headed upstairs to the sleeping quarters.
I found Ruby in our bedroom. Her back was to me, and she didn’t turn around as I entered, too engrossed with staring at a dark, military-style outfit laid out on the bed.
“What’s that?” I asked.
She jumped, evidently surprised that there was someone else in the room with her, and then relaxed when she saw who it was.
“It’s a GASP uniform. My mom brought a spare in her pack. She says it will fit me.”
“Have you tried it on?” I asked, wondering why she seemed so distant and thoughtful.
“No,” she replied, letting out a huge sigh.
I walked over to get a closer look. The outfit didn’t look too daunting to me—aside from all the blackness. Just pants, a top, boots and a belt. It looked entirely bizarre from my point of view—the material seemed weird, but I guessed this was modern stuff from her world and all the other members of GASP were wearing it.
“What’s wrong with it?” I asked.
“Nothing.”
“Well, something’s wrong. Is it the battle?”
She looked at me directly, surprised by the question.
“No, it’s not that. I guess…Well, I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life. I just thought I’d be better prepared for it—like, more training and stuff. The way it normally works is that the younger members start off on small cases and then work their way up. I suppose this feels like diving in at the deep end…and…I don’t know! I feel like I’m not ready—I’ve not earned it, how am I going to do it justice?” she cried, her face becoming redder and redder as she made her speech.
“I heard that Benedict and the others are going to look for the jinn. If you don’t feel ready, then maybe that would be a better plan?” I asked hopefully. I was having second thoughts about Ruby joining the battle—I didn’t want her to endanger her life, not again.
“No,” she replied stubbornly. “I want to go. I just don’t want to let my family or friends down by not being good enough—”
“You won’t,” I replied firmly. “You’ll be amazing. You always are.”
She nudged me.
“Thanks, Ash.”
“I would like to say something though, and I want you to listen.”
She looked at me, her glance open and willing.
“I’m listening.”
“I don’t want you to fight today.” She opened her mouth to protest, but I continued, “I don’t want you in harm’s way. What you were saying about GASP is true—you would have had training, and more importantly, you would be supernatural. And you’re not. You’re very much a human, and breakable. Will you at least consider what I said about the hunt for the jinn?”
I thought she would argue with me, and I prepared for the onslaught. Instead, she wrapped her arms around my waist, leaning her head against my chest.
“I have to do this, Ash.”
“No, you don’t,” I replied desperately. “Everyone would understand—be relieved, even. Hazel too.”
“No, I have to do this for me. For Benedict, Julian, Hazel and the rest of the kids who were kidnapped from Earth. I lived through all of this… I want to be there at the end.”
I kissed the top of her head, smelling the sweet fragrance of her hair. I had half known that my plea wouldn’t work, but I had to say it anyway.
“Are you angry?” she asked tentatively.
“No.” I smiled. “I didn’t expect you to say any different—you’re just one frustrating, stubborn lady.”
“Who you proposed to.” She laughed, prodding me.
“I did. Hence why I want you safe. You’re my future. I want to safeguard you as best as I can, so that after all this darkness there will be a light to guide me back.”