Page 28 of Alchemy of Souls

“Maybe,” I concede. “I’m not saying you’re wrong, but it can’t be that everyone who ever called the Archive Key was angry or embarrassed. That just doesn’t make sense.”

“Fair point,” he agrees. “The Key could react to a basic need, though. What was it that you needed when you called it?”

I pause, swallowing the last bite of cake, which he carried all over this school for me—yet another nice act I don’t know what to make of. “I just wanted to survive. I heard what people were saying in the crowd. And all I could think was that I didn’t want to die on that stage.”

“Makes sense. So then, what are you scared of?” he asks.

“Why don’t I like the sound of that question?” I reply, but my tone doesn’t have the sharp edge it did an hour ago.

He smiles. “Humor me and think of a fear you have, like spiders or ghosts—something we can spellwork to help you re-create your need to survive.”

I scrunch up my nose, wanting to find fault in his logic and failing. “That’s actually not the worst idea. Don’t get me wrong, it sounds like it sucks and like I’ll want to murder you after. But re-creating that instinct in this cozy living room isn’t working.”

His eyebrows raise like he’s surprised by my willingness. Spoiler—I am, too.

“What do you suggest, then?” he asks, and it’s genuinely nice to be asked.

“Well, I’m not scared of bugs or snakes or of things I know are illusions. I was scared of those dogs your uncle made, but I’m guessing you don’t know how to craft an illusion that actually bites?”

He shakes his head.

“Then we’ll need to make it something real,” I continue, thinking it through. “And, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the element of surprise might help.”

His lips pull up slightly. “Define surprise.”

I hesitate, looking down at my plate. Grayson jumped in front of a dog for me. And he saved my sister from being interrogated. Thatmeant something. While I’m pretty sure he’s the most frustrating person on the planet, I also don’t think he’d actually hurt me. He needs me as badly as I need him.

I sigh. “I guess what I’m saying is… surprise me.”

“You trust me that much?” he asks, looking startled.

“It seems so,” I say, wondering how much I’m going to regret this. And because I can’t help it, I add, “Even though you clearly don’t trust me.”

“I don’t trust anyone,” he says, which, if it’s true, is really sad.

“But you distrust meso muchthat you won’t let me out of your sight for two seconds,” I say to qualify.

“I’d do the exact same to anyone I was in this position with.”

“You called meLawless,” I reply, because it doesn’t get much worse than that.

He exhales, his brow furrowing like he’s having a debate with himself. After a long pause he says, “I don’t think you’re Lawless.”

And I don’t think I believe him. “You said—”

“I know what I said, but that’s not what I meant,” he says like he’s annoyed with both of us.

Hmmm. Maybe he is telling the truth. “Good,” I say.

“Good,” he replies, and we’re both silent for a beat.

“Okay, let’s do this thing,” I say, working up my nerve.

He shakes his head. “Tomorrow.”

My jaw sets. “My life is on the line.”

“As is mine. But you need to recharge your magic,” he counters.