Page 54 of Feathers of Ash and Hope

Of course, the only reason someone with healing magic didn’t heal himself is that he was suppressed. I shake my head. Suppressants are shackles used in prison to subdue gifted people, but that is by no means the only possible explanation. I do wonder about that scar myself, though.

“He is also disgraced and still doesn’t seem to mind showing his chest openly.”

Tate Kyronos shirtless—now that is a thought to dwell on.

“And he supposedly has three gifts.” Calix has my full attention.

Three?

He has to be from a powerful family if he already came with two gifts, which would explain the way he speaks.

“But no one can tell me what the third is. Do you think it’s classified?” Calix looks at me, waiting for my reaction.

I shrug.

“Oh, and he’s ruthless in a fight. In his first year, another runner had to stay in the healing quarters for days after Kyronoswas done with him. After that, no one dared to mess with him again.”

Well, I have seen him fight. He has a certain vibe, and I don’t doubt he can be lethal, but ruthless? I simply can’t get past the way he treated me while tending to my wound. Soft and careful.

A healing gift alone is a hell of a reason to stay away. Never mind the fact that any rider is officially off-limits.

I know how misleading rumors and reputations can be. Dar, for example, has the reputation of being fair but hard and cold at times, and he’s the biggest softy of all my brothers.

Or the rumors that went flying two years ago after the incident with the officer. I shudder just thinking about that man. I’m not sorry he’s dead, but I’m sorry Ian killed him. That encounter is one reason I keep my daggers sharp and always on me.

We sit at dinner, and my thoughts keep wandering.

“Are you alright?” Calix asks. I realize I’ve zoned out on him again, and for the life of me, I can’t remember what we’ve been talking about.

I give him a nod while chewing and then look around the room to evade any more questions.

Across the room, Gorgon rests his arm on the back of Livia’s chair and leans in to whisper something in her ear, which makes her laugh. The bully and the brute? My eyebrows jump up.What a fitting match.

Something draws my eyes to my left, and I find Kyronos looking at me, who sits two tables over. A jolt zips down my spine, and tingles erupt all over my skin. I force my eyes back to the plate in front of me.

He is off-limits,I remind myself.

Maybe my disguise is a good thing after all. It isn’t like I can openly flirt with him without sparking questions. Otherwise, I might have been tempted.

Let’s be real: you would have thrown yourself at him no matter the risk.The voice in my head sounds suspiciously like Ben’s.

Arethey glad I’m not around to cause chaos?

“You are one odd fish, Gray.” Calix chuckles, watching me. “You know that, right?”

“You are one to talk,” I quip back and smile at him, but Calix's teasing makes me miss my brothers even more, especially Ben.

Better get used to it. You won’t see them much once you’re married anyway.

Maybe I should have stayed at the fortress for good like Dar proposed. I could have worn high-necked dresses and gloves like Grandma used to and played the crazy aunt for Dar’s children. I grin at that thought, but then I would never have come here.

I watch my friends squabble.

No. Whatever happens, I don’t regret my decision to come here.

I lieflat on my stomach on the roof of the housing building, peeking down. A guard patrols the perimeter of the academy grounds below me.

With divisions constantly out for camp training and the doubled patrols to prevent another attack, the academy is much quieter. Doubling patrols is all the reaction we see concerning the attack two weeks ago. Most runners and riders agree that the attack must have come from the titans, but I find that hard tobelieve. Why have we never had any trouble with them at home? And the attackers were nothing like the people from the stories.

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