Page 55 of Kill the Queens

"You've killed before, haven't you?"

Ace nodded slowly. "I killed the Fae who tried to take me."

"I'm sorry about that. They knew you were like me. They knew we were working as a team even if you didn't know it yet."

The blood running through her veins turned icy and the sword flared with light. "One killed Shelby."

"I'm sorry. My power over them is very little."

Her eyes were fully open now as she let her gaze meet with any Fae who dared. "This is all I can do."

"This is a good start. For the shield, like I had, you need to concentrate on the holy fire that you know how to wield—the sword—and draw from that. You need to cover yourself with it."

She stared at the sword, willing the glow of it to travel over her. The light didn't move. Her stare narrowed to a glare, pressure in her jaw ground her teeth together. Ace imagined invisible hands that stole the light from the sword and slathered the light across her skin.

A splotch of fizzling sparks appeared on her forearm. She gasped and did it again. Invisible hands scooped up the holy fire that never seemed to run out and rubbed it all over her like expensive lotion.

Her skin sparkled with it as she bathed herself in fire, until it covered her, until it was everywhere, but it didn't lift off her skin, it didn't stretch to cover both her and Rehan. Ace stepped out of his reach and the fire flickered, the shield on her skin dissolving. She fought to keep control of the sword but even that collapsed in her grip leaving behind nothing but falling dying embers.

"Damn it," she hissed, stomping her foot.

"I was helping you a little." Rehan gave a meek smile, crimson staining his cheeks. "But you'll get it, keep practicing. I'll be around to help you. Obviously, you're not going to figure it out overnight. You might be a super special angel-human thing but that doesn't mean controlling your powers will come easy."

"I feel like that isn't fair—"

"None of it is fair."

"The least they could do giving me all of this.” She swallowed. “Thisto work with is to have me come programmed with the knowledge to wield it." Ace scrubbed at her face. She was going to have to be better if she was going to actually get away with killing the queens. If she was going to save Shelby. Rehan's mouth opened like he might speak again but Ace cut him off before he could. "Can we just go? I can't stay here anymore."

He pursed his lips, letting his attention sweep over the ground before he found himself busy gathering supplies. Ace lowered herself back onto the log and kicked at the leaves around her feet.

This is stupid,Ace complained to the gods.

Listen to our little ray of sunshine,Sylik teased.Did Shelby take the part of your soul that made you cheery?

Sylik she's stressed out,Mina cooed.

You need to focus on the tasks at hand.Greshta gave her input, her accent thick.

Ace groaned burying her face into her palms. She was supposed to be the cheerful one but here she was with Rehan and all she could do was worry about all the negative going on in her life. He made everything look so easy. He could control his power, he was kind, he seemed genuine…

Gods, is this jealousy?

Oh, it's all going to be fine. Syliks' tone had gone from taunting to soothing.Just a little human emotion, I'm sure you're familiar with it.

Most people wouldn't think it was wise to mock a god but at this point, Ace had little room to care. Her face scrunched up with a scowl as she mimicked his words. "Just a little human emotion, I'm sure you're familiar with it."

"It's not jealousy." Rehan appeared, leading a horse around the side of the tent.

Ace reached out to the edge of the stump to catch herself as she sat straight up too quickly at his sudden appearance. "It's not?" She wiped her sweaty palms over the leg of her pants.

"Nah, you don't want what I have. You already have it. I think it's anxiety."

"Anxiety?"

"Yeah, constant worry about things you can't control. I think yours just manifests itself in this state of frustration." He waved it off like it was all unimportant. "Anyway, I brought our ride. Ready to go save the day?"

"I suppose I was born ready."

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