Page 89 of Whispers of the Water

Rune’s eyes glittered with wonder as he watched the scurrying water fox trot around him before coming back to my outstretched hand. As soon as its four paws landed on my palms, the water expanded before shrinking back into a ball.

“Beautiful,” Rance said with a look of awe.

Grinning and toeing the dirt sheepishly, I said, “Thanks, guys. It’s not much, but it’s something I can at least manage and control.”

“Control is going to come slowly,” Dallas explained. “The more you use the water, the more you get to know it and vice versa, the easier it will be to govern what it does and when.”

“Exactly,” Rance said. “I remember when I was first learning to harness my abilities. I constantly tapped into it when I wasn’t supposed to. I ruined so much furniture.”

“It’s the same with us,” Rune chimed in, and we all looked at him. He lifted his hand, and a ball of fire erupted above his palm. “Land Fae also have to learn to manage our abilities. If we get overly upset or experience any heightened emotion, our powers can get the better of us. When first learning, that is one of the hardest things to master. Control.”

To know that everyone struggled with this, even extremely powerful Fae like Rune and Dallas, made the tightness in my shoulders ease. It made me believe that if they could do it and get to where they were now, I could, too.

“Let’s get down to business,” Dallas said, clapping her hands together. “The more you practice, the better grip you’ll get on your abilities.”

Dallas, Imani, and I walked over to the stream, which was roughly ten feet away from the group. As we neared it, I pulled Dallas aside. Leaning in close to her, I whispered, “Any news on the rat?”

Knowing I was referring to the investigation into who hired Jonah, Dallas shook her head. “Nothing of substance. Alibies are still being checked. Dax said he’s managed to rule out some, but not all yet.”

Disappointed that the person who wanted me dead was still a mystery, I forced myself to focus on Imani. She explained how to take water shapes a step further, and while I listened, I glanced over to find Rance now standing beside Rune. The two shook hands, although I noticed the tension in both of their shoulders. At least they were making an effort.

Imani pulled up another large wave from the stream, and it twirled above us. Her hands moved, pushed and pulled, urging the water to change shape until a tree stood brilliantly before me. And I mean a tree. Every groove in the bark, every individual vein running through the leaves, every bug scurrying across the piece of nature. Every minute detail was in the water.

“Well, that’s gonna be hard,” I mumbled.

“You have an artist’s eye,” Dallas said encouragingly. “Just see it in your mind. Every feature, every facet. Guide the water through those details. Show the water what it looks like in your mind.”

“I’ll try,” I said as Imani gently guided the tree back into the creekbed, where it disappeared with the current.

“So,” Rance started, his voice drifting over to where I stood. I glanced sideways while urging the water forward and saw him addressing Rune. “Out of curiosity, what’s your last name?”

“You’re doing great,” Imani said, watching the tall wall of water start to shift itself into the shape of a tree.

“It’s Sinclair,” Rune answered.

My grip on the water snapped, and the wave fell back to the stream with a loud crack.

“That was a good start,” Dallas said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“Yeah. Just keep trying. You can do it,” Imani cheered.

Working to catch my breath, I peeked over Imani’s shoulder at Rune. His eyes only briefly found mine before meeting Rance’s again as Rance worked to make small talk.

I didn’t understand. That was such an innocent question, yet Rune had lied. His last name was Beckett, or at least, that’s what I’d always believed. Yet no one—not Ardley, Akira, Bassel, any of them—contradicted Rune’s answer. It made me wonder if perhaps I’d been given a fake last name, but that still posed the question of why.

“You okay?” Dallas asked.

Quickly turning back to her, I forced a smile. “Yeah, sorry. I’m good. Let’s try again.”

I readied my stance, bringing my arms back in front of me to guide the water up and out of the stream. As we spent the next hour working on my abilities, I couldn’t help but keep going back to Rune’s answer. After having completely cleared the air between us about any and all secrets, it was disturbing to hear Rune lie. I vowed to find out what he was hiding.

Chapter Thirty-Two

WE’D JUST RETURNED to the house and made it up to everyone’s respective rooms when I finally got a moment alone with Rune. Shutting our door behind me, I found Rune staring at me from where he stood by the bed. It was almost like he knew my questions were coming.

“What’s your last name?” I asked, getting straight to the cause of my current headache.

He ducked his head and rubbed at the back of his neck. “So, you did hear that.” He glanced up from beneath his lashes. “It’s Beckett.”

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