Yeah, you could raise yourself up. But you could also hold back Caitlin.
So every time Caitlin tried to talk to you, you stonewalled. Every time you started to do something that was part of your plan to help the Timeless Circle, you made sure you were carefully hidden from Caitlin's view.
Once or twice, you even managed to keep Caitlin from spying on the bonfire preparations by getting Avery to intercept her and ask lots of questions about songs tthey could sing with their campers.
You're pretty sure Caitlin couldn't tell that you were behind it, either.
By the end of the week, you're certain Caitlin knows much less about your plans than she did at the beginning.
All week, you've been feeling the bonfire growing closer and closer. Which is strange, because you don't usually feel time passing very much these days. Some hours go past in the blink of an eye; others stretch on forever.
But you know the bonfire is coming. That, you're always sure of.
And if that's how you feel, imagine how Lianna feels! She's only been in the Timeless Circle for a few years, but she's already tied to the rhythms of its magic. She must be able to sense that the end of summer is coming even more strongly than you can.
Which is why you're not surprised when, walking through the woods with Lianna, retracing your favorite path, she says in her quiet, serious way, "There's some stuff I've been thinking about."
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