I just need you to be real with me

The moment the words left my mouth, I could feel the shift in the air between us. Zaya's fingers, which had been tracing lazy patterns on my arm, stilled. Her jaw tightened, and the softness in her eyes hardened just slightly, like she was steeling herself for something.

I hadn't meant to bring it up like this, so abruptly, but Maeve's words had been swimming in my mind ever since she'd said them.

Zaya leaned back against the couch, her arms crossing over her chest as she studied me. Her green eyes were sharp, guarded, but not cold.

"What else did Maeve say?" she asked, her voice low and steady, but there was an edge to it.

I shrugged, trying to play it off even though my chest felt tight. "Nothing worth repeating."

Zaya arched an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.