Between Two Skies

chapter thirty-two

Song suggestions:

• Advice — Alex G
• In Essence — Ka$tro
• Transgender — Crystal Castles
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He was pacing in tight circles with his hands locked behind his head, jaw clenched so hard it looked painful, and I watched him for a moment with a deepening frown before finally daring to speak, my voice quiet.

"What's happening?"

He dragged a hand down over his mouth, exhaling sharply, before planting both hands on his hips and coming to a stop, his posture stiff like he was holding himself together by force alone. "They got Lo'ak."

My brows shot up instantly, my stomach dropping.

With a sharp exhale, he pivoted around me and started toward the village in long, aggressive strides, fists clenched at his sides, shoulders rigid, every part of him looking like it took everything he had not to lose control. I rushed after him and stepped directly into his path, pressing both hands flat against his chest to stop him.

"Whoa," I hissed. "Where are you going?"

"Did you hear me?" he snapped, pointing past me toward the center of the village. "My brother's in there."

"If they see you, they'll kill both of you," I said firmly, shaking my head.

He pressed his lips together, then tilted his head down toward me so we were closer to eye level, his voice dropping. "So what do you suggest?"

"I'll handle it," I said, nodding once, as much to convince him as myself.

He studied my face for a long moment before finally speaking again. "Why would you help him," he asked quietly, "if you joined Varang of your own will?" His head tilted slightly in a way that suggested mockery, like he already knew the answer.

I didn't answer. I turned and started walking toward the extinguished fire instead. But his hand shot out and closed around my forearm, spinning me back toward him, and when I collided with his body, he still didn't let go.

"I trust you," he said slowly.

I swallowed, unsure whether that was reassurance or pressure, but still nodded. He released me, and I rushed toward the fire as they began lighting it again. Varang was speaking in Na'vi when I reached the clearing, while Lo'ak knelt in the ash with his head forced back, another Na'vi gripping his queue tightly from behind. My stomach dropped violently, my breathing quickening, fear flooding my chest so fast I barely registered Lyle stepping up beside me until his hand closed around mine and yanked me toward him.

"Tell me you have nothing to do with this," he demanded through clenched teeth, his jaw tight.

"I have nothing to do with it," I said, giving him exactly the answer he wanted, though it only seemed to make him angrier.

"Sarah Wilson," he snapped. "We'll talk later." His attention shifted back to the scene.

I glanced at him once more, wishing desperately that he would forget about talking later, the same sick dread settling in my chest as when a teacher tells you to stay after class and you pray they'll just forget about it.

My focus snapped back to Lo'ak. Varang circled him slowly, smiling like she was enjoying the fact that he'd walked straight into her den on his own.

"He's just lost." I stepped forward.

Every head turned toward me at once, the sudden attention making me too self-aware.

"Let him go," I said sharply, then faltered when Varang fully turned to face me, tilting her head in amusement, so I added more quietly, "please."