Page 75 of Splitting Secrets
Griff is the only one taking the risk of visiting, and that’s just because he’s convinced they need physical training to defend themselves, since Ravenshurst has done a shit job at teaching them how to properly wield their gifts.
I’ve been an anxious, irritable pain in the ass to everyone I’ve encountered. Being away from Sonny and not knowing her every move has me on pins and needles.
They’ll never find the house. We know they won’t. It’s been intentionally built into the side of a mountain and warded off by the most talented Luminaras and we’ve got our best members watching over it and all the others. It’s getting through the woods without detection that poses the greatest risk.
Me and my little nightmare haven’t had time to talk since the night she broke her bed. I replay the events of that night in my head every time I’m in the shower, jacking off to it like some hormonal teenager. I’ve never used my shadows on a woman—never could. But holy shit, does it make things interesting.
I know through random gossip between rebellion members that her parents have tried to explain the situation to her, but she’s maintained her stubborn stance against forgiving them. Naturally, they were on Constance and Carter’s sides, but none of them witnessed the hurt on Sonny’s face when she realized she had been betrayed by her own blood.
I don’t care how great of leaders they’ve been to us. Their daughter deserved better.
It’s only a matter of time before the Supremes catch on that I’m working with their enemy. They’re growing more paranoid as time passes, realizing that they’ve got quite a few leaks in their sinking ship.
Although the energy it takes to run my classes without a TA, conduct their nightly interrogations, and attend their meetings has stretched me so thin, I’m hardly able to take part in anythingthe rebellion is doing. The end of this is creeping in on us, and we’re all starting to feel the effects.
40
Sonny
Griffin has been extending our training sessions a half hour with each passing day. We’ve graduated beyond physical blocking techniques—moves that even Beatrix and Jonah were able to master—and have run through defense mechanisms against every bloodline. Everything from what to do if someone is attempting to hijack our emotions to how to draw up a mental shield and prevent someone from intruding on our minds. I was grateful for the extra tips to keep Raze from randomly dropping into my thoughts. All I’ve had to go off was whatever random things I found to work when he was around, like thinking of a song nonstop or going through a grocery list.
He’s stayed longer each day to help me master my other new gifts. If he doesn’t have an answer to a question or can’t figure out how to do something, he asks one of his friends and comes back the next day with the information.
They’ve brought in another Luminara to train Beatrix and Jonah on honing in their use of shadows and light. I’m not sure what her name is. She’s too flighty and shy around everyone elseto know anything about her. Beatrix has discovered that she’s excellent at using her gifts to move within the shadows of places most people can’t fit without being seen. Jonah has become an expert at blinding opponents with his light without affecting the person standing right next to them. It’s an important tool in hand-to-hand combat, when there could be a rebellion member standing beside his victims.
Ava has been pulled into more meetings with my parents to discuss strategy. With her love of history, she’s got a wealth of knowledge to pull from and learn from past mistakes.
Things are ramping up. I can feel the energy of the entire town shifting as we all start to home in on our roles in this war. My parents seem to be working overtime to see their vision through. There’s been several times I’ve wanted them to take a break to have dinner or a cup of coffee together, but they’re always being pulled away for this or that.
That’s why I’m shocked to find my mother standing in my bedroom doorway in the middle of the day.
“Are you busy?” she asks, lingering in the hallway like she expects me to say yes. I’m probably the least busy person here.
I shake my head, tracking her movements as she carefully enters my bedroom for the first time since I’ve moved in.
“You know, you could have picked one of the bigger rooms,” she says through a laugh, reaching on my nightstand for the old music box that’s sitting there.
“I kind of like how small this one is. It reminds me of my room growing up.” Which is funny that I chose it before I knew it was their home.
Her lips spread in a tight toothless smile. “I can’t believe you still have this. It’s been in our generation for hundreds of years. My dad used to say it came with us when we first built the town.”
That would mean it belonged to the Landrys. I’ll have to ask Finley if he recognizes it.
“So...you and Raze?” she begins hesitantly, her fingers toying with the box.
“I’m not having girl talk with you.”
She rears her head back, hand covering her heart in mock offense. “Why not? I’m good at girl talk.”
“Let’s just assume I know exactly what you’re going to say and then move on without ever mentioning it again.”
I swipe my hands against each other and hold my palms up. See, easy.
Of course, it’s never that easy.
“Raze is a dangerous man,” she warns. “One with very little moral compass. He’s been honed as the perfect weapon for both sides of this war.”
“I’m well aware of what he’s been forced to become because of one run-in with you and Aunt Divina,” I jab, my chest swelling with the urge to defend him.
