#
“You’ve been avoiding me,” Kerrin accuses.
“You’re talking to me now?” I say.
“It wouldn’t be so bad if the monks would let me go anywhere interesting.” She paces the length of my room—it’s small and rough but clean—with nervous energy. A small window, high on the wall, lets in a shaft of light and the hint of a breeze.
“Could you go back to not talking to me?” I say.
She shoots me a look of distilled scorn. I know she’s still grieving for her brother, but I don’t want to be around this.
Irian appears in the doorway and cuts in. “I hope you’re both making yourselves comfortable.”
Kerrin kicks at the floor. “What’s the point? It’s not like you’re leaving me here.” Irian and I exchange glances. Comprehension dawns. Kerrin’s jaw drops in exaggerated shock. “You wouldn’t!”
Irian trie
