Page 114 of Wings of Destiny

Calm. We are here.The hum of my sword filled my mind, easing some of the building tension in my shoulders.

I let out a breath. “I’m getting really tired of these damn dreams,” I said more to myself than my sword.

You do not rest well, that is true. Your tossing made it difficult for my sisters and I to slumber.

“You guys sleep?” I cocked my head to the side.

Not in the same way as you, but yes. And given the intensity of your training as of late, we require as much rest as we can gather.

A pang of guilt rushed me. “I’m sorry about that.” I slumped against the side of my bed, head falling onto my mattress.

No need to apologize. It comes with the territory. Given your destiny.

“My destiny?” I cocked an eyebrow, as the lids of my eyes shut.

Why, yes. Only one other has had weapons such as us.

“Huh,” I clicked my tongue. “You want to tell me what this grand destiny is?”

You already know part of it. The rest has yet to be decided.

“Well, aren’t you cryptic,” I grunted and pushed myself to my feet, groggily walking toward the bedroom door. “I’m going to get something to eat, I’m starved.”

Wait…

I waved my sword off and padded into the hallway towards the kitchen. Only to stop in my tracks as I came upon Libby and Seth. Locked in a tongue tango. I choked back a sob. A crack splitting within my chest. “Seth?” I whispered, my voice wobbling.

Their eyes shot open. He pushed himself away from Libby, his deep blue eyes wide with surprise. “Erin?” His panicked eyes flicked between Libby and me. Tears welled in the corners of my eyes, threatening to fall.

I turned on my heel and bolted back into the bedroom, slamming and locking the door behind me. Seth banged on it from the other side, yelling my name. I grabbed my phone andsent out a text to the one person I knew who’d get me out of this then began shoving clothes into my school bag.

Tears streamed down my face as I reached under my mattress and grabbed my blades, my sword attempting to speak to me. I quickly hushed her, not wanting to listen and hear how stupid I was to believe there was something between Seth and me. As I piled my belongings into my bag, the photo on my nightstand caught my eye. It was from the night we all got wasted playing truth or dare. Seth had his arm wrapped around my shoulder, the goofiest grin on his face; drunken idiotic hope and adoration plastered on mine as I looked up at him. I grabbed the frame and threw it as hard as I could at the far wall of the bedroom, denting the plaster, and leaving a gash in the wall as the frame shattered and fell to the ground.

Good fucking riddance.

My heart shattered with it.

My cell phone beeped; the screen lit with the message that my ride was here. I hauled my bag over my shoulder, daggers poking out on the side, sword slung in the holster I clipped to the front. I got to my feet, not bothering with putting on shoes and stomped to the door, yanking it open. Seth stood. Blocking my escape. His eyes red and wet with tears.

Liar.

His hands reached for my shoulders. “Erin, please.” His voice broke. I met his eyes with a dead stare.

My insides chilled, the frost coating my vocal chords. “Get out of my way, Seth.”

His hands squeezed. “Erin, it’s not what you think, please, let me—“ I cut him off as sparks of electricity lurched forward, crackling their way up his fingers, and through his arms. He stumbled back, pain flickering across his features.

“You are worth every risk, Rin. Every damned one.”

“You are far more important to me than you know.”

Fucking horseshit.

I opened myself…for the smallest moment…

Libby reached for me as I barreled towards the front door and to my escape. I stared her down, letting my fire erupt within my irises as a warning.

I yanked the door closed behind me; the doorknob blackened and melted shut, my pain fueling the molten rage bubbling at my fingertips, not wanting either of them to follow me.

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