Shady

Jerica eyed him. “…yes?”

“They didn’t say that part.” She shook her head. “Not right away, they said that much. Just… eventually.”

“…That Strithr is waking up and wants me to herald for them when they do.” She rubbed her arm. “…I don’t know what that means.”

“I’m not a child,” she snapped. She was quiet for a moment. Fuck it. If he told Derik, she could just claim that she was fucking with Ash. She’d get ...

“You’re not going to believe me if I told you,” she said sourly, glancing back at him. “I’d rather you think me difficult than a liar or a lunatic.”

She glanced at him, then looked away, blushing. There was no universe in which he’d believe the truth. She was sure of it. No point in trying.

“…I don’t know.” She glanced around. “I don’t know where they came from or where they went. But… they’ll be back in three days. I know that much.”

“Fuck if I know,” she scoffed. “They wouldn’t give me a straight answer to anything I asked.”

She took a deep breath. “I…” she huffed a sigh, rubbing her face with both hands. This was so frustrating. How much was she even allowed to share? Was Them ...

Jerica hesitate, rubbing her chin as she considered. She was between a rock and a hard place and Ash was lighting a fire under her toes. “…I haven’t figured it ...

Jerica hesitated, scratching her chin. “I don’t know anything about that. And getting me in trouble isn’t going to make me know.”

Jerica glanced at him, then away, mind spinning as she tried to work out a way out of this. “…and how exactly do you think you’ll be able to stop ...

“You’re not entitled to know everything , Ash. I’m allowed to have my own reasons.”

“No, I know you’re gonna go fucking tell him,” she huffed, following him out. “But I also know that you know that he doesn’t know. Why the fuck would he ...

“Neither is yours,” she huffed. “I know what this is as well as you do.”