Page 15 of Broken Lands

“No, no, it’s okay,” I smiled gently at her, hoping to offer her some reassurance. I didn’t mind her questions. James had been similar, always searching for answers, gaining as much knowledge as he possibly could. “I wish I had the answers for you, for myself, too. I honestly thought someone had made a mistake. I didn’t believe I was preternatural. I had only had one goal when I applied to ascend, and that goal led me to play along when General Brand announced I was the lucky one.” Right, lucky. My whole life had been turned on its head in a single day. I wasn’t sure that counted as lucky.

“You came to find your brother, didn’t you?” Stefan asked softly, his usual teasing tone absent. It wasn’t exactly new information for him. General Brand had worked it out back in Sommers when I was still trying to hide my motives. I felt somewhat guilty that I hadn’t confided in Stefan immediately. I didn’t trust people easily. However, Stefan was breaking through my walls at record speed.

“Your brother?” Bee asked, her brow creasing in confusion.

“He ascended a couple of years ago. After six months, he stopped writing. If he could, he would still be writing to me. I know he would.” I explained to Bee, quickly glancing at Stefan, then looking up at the ceiling before he could catch my eye and notice the tears building in them. Taking a deep breath, I continued. “He isn’t here. General Brand confirmed my suspicions when he told you James was listed as a missing person. I thought ascending might give me an opportunity to investigate a little, maybe find some kind of lead as to where I might find him. So far, I only have more questions.” I groaned with frustration.

“Why don’t we go get some dinner and see if any answers or ideas present themselves?” Stefan suggested, rising off the bed, grabbing my hand and pulling me up as he went. “Go. Bathroom and closet are through there,” he said, pointing at a door to the left of my bed. “It should be stocked with the essentials. Shower and change out of that fugly shirt.” His nose wrinkled in jest as he laughed and nudged me towards the door.

No way would I admit it, but I felt warm and safe wrapped up in General Brand’s shirt. The scent of freshly chopped wood surrounded me. Despite his front being cold and impersonal, I wasn’t really in a hurry to change and lose that sense of comfort. The contrast wasn’t lost on me. I could definitely use a shower, though; I was filthy from the journey here and the attack along the way and probably didn’t smell as good as the shirt I was wearing.

“We’ll wait here and take you down to the dining hall when you’re ready.” Bee said, sitting up with a smile.

Smiling back at her, I found I was glad to have made another new friend. These fae were really challenging my view of them. So far, most them were kind, caring, and thoughtful. Being able to reconcile that with their inaction to save our planet was something I just couldn’t do.

Maybe I should add that to my list of questions.

I had a feeling I may not like the answer.

Chapter nine

Riley

Enteringthebathroom,Iclosed the door quickly behind me and flipped the light switch on. The room was simple, but cozy. Light gray tiles covered the floor and walls. There was a toilet and basin, as well as a claw foot bath and walk-in shower. In the corner were a couple of potted plants, vibrant and green. Maybe Bee was an earth elemental. There was a lot I needed to learn about her.

Next to the bath, I found a small wooden table, towels neatly folded on the bottom shelf, an array of soaps, shampoos and conditioners on the top. Grabbing a few bottles and a towel, my eyes grazed over the deep set bath as I made a beeline for the shower. Stefan and Bee were waiting for me, so I needed to be quick today, but plans for a long luxurious soak were forming in my mind.

Placing my chosen items in easy reach, I turned on the water and stepped back, pulling General Brand’s shirt over my head and tossing it in a wash basket. Steam built around me, but I immediately missed the warmth and smell of fine whiskey.

Gods, I had to get it together. There was no reason to keep crushing on the stone-cold General. I couldn’t help the way my body responded to him, but I sure as hell could make sure he wasn’t my focus. James had to remain front and center in my mind.

Shaking my head in an effort to clear it, I stepped into the shower. The hot water felt like heaven on my sore and tired body, bringing life back to my limbs and easing some of the ache in them. Lingering too long, I briefly forgot that Stefan and Bee were waiting for me. Using the products I chose, I quickly washed my hair and body, a hint of orange blossom drifting in the air.

Shutting off the shower and stepping out, I wrapped myself in the fluffy towel. I quickly dried off before opening a door next to the sink, which had to be the closet. Stefan had said there should be essentials waiting for me, but what I found was more clothing than I had ever owned in my life.

My mouth fell open as I sorted through the multitude of garments in front of me. On the hangers were multiple sets of what I assumed to be the official uniforms, crisp white shirts with navy pleated skirts and ruby red blazer jackets, as well as a variety of dresses ranging from casual cotton dresses to formal gowns. An array of jeans, leggings, shorts, and various tops were folded neatly on the shelves. There was even a section for shoes! I owned one pair of shoes. Or at least I had until my magic had exploded out of me. One pair of boots that had cracked soles and peeling leather.

The injustice of it froze me in place. We had so little in our community, particularly those of us raised in the orphanage. The whole town did the best they could to support each other, but our lives were hard, we worked for everything we had, and our belongings all served a purpose. It was such a stark contrast to the luxury the fae had appeared to live in. I couldn’t fathom a reason why we must live in poverty when there appeared to be enough to go around. I clenched my fists as anger swelled within me.

Another question for the list, Riley.

My stomach growled loudly, pulling me out of my furious musings, and forcing me to get a move on. I grabbed a pair of black jeans, a fitted white crop top, and some combat boots, throwing them on and quickly braiding my hair loosely to the side. I shot a glance in the mirror as I passed, glad to find myself looking calm and refreshed, the turmoil inside of me only showing in how bright the green in my hazel eyes shone.

I left the bathroom, finding Bee seated at her desk, her nose buried in a book. Stefan was lounging on my bed, propped up on one elbow. He held the other hand open, twisting it slightly from side to side. My eyes traced his line of sight to find a small ball hovering in the air above him, rotating clockwise, then counterclockwise. I continued to watch as the ball fell, stopping inches from the floor, before flying back up.

Suddenly, the ball shot right for me, hurtling at break-neck speed. A high-pitched squeal escaped me as I threw my hands up to protect my face. A burst of power leapt from my hands, hitting the ball and sending it flying across the room, where it bounced off the wall and rolled along the floor. Startled, Bee jumped out of her chair, leaving her book laying open, forgotten on the desk.

Did I just do that? I stared down at my hands, turning them over and back again, examining them as if there may be some sign, some evidence, or some explanation for what had just happened.

Stefan barked a laugh, jumping up from my bed and retrieving his ball, jolting me out of my shock and I dropped my hands to my sides, staring at him. “What was that? What did I just do?” I asked, looking between him and Bee. I hadn’t had time to process everything that had happened in the last few days, let alone the last few hours. So much of this was new. There were parts of me I’d never met before.

“I think your self-preservation instinct just kicked in, Riley.” Stefan said, a teasing grin spread across his oh-so-smackable face. Seriously, his self-preservation instinct needed to kick in and tell him to lay off the teasing—just for a little while.

“I think you probably let out a burst of air to stop the ball from hitting you,” Bee said, glaring at Stefan while she picked up her book, placing a bookmark in it and closing it gently. She smoothed down the cover and stacked it neatly in her pile before continuing. “It was instinct, self-preservation as Stefan put it, though he really shouldn’t be testing you so soon after your powers wakened of their own accord. We don’t know what you’re capable of or what control you’ll have.” She continued to glare at Stefan, and he threw his hands up in surrender.

“My apologies ladies, I’ll be more careful.” His chest shook with silent laughter, his head tilted to the side, a cocky grin on his face. He clearly had no intention of being more careful. I couldn’t find it in me to stay mad at him, though. He’d been the joker since I’d met him, and I had to admit I liked it. It made me feel carefree too, something I needed to feel more often. My life had been so full of worry and stress that I barely knew how to relax.

Bee couldn’t hold a grudge against him either, her glare morphing into a grin as she watched him. Glancing at me, she shrugged as though to say, ‘What can you do?’ I grinned back, letting her know I was fine.

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