Page 142 of Firestorm
Disgusting, Zephyr commented. I agreed. I turned the page and skimmed a few more paragraphs, sighing when I realized the ‘last’ Healer had reportedly Exhausted in the 1800’s.
Terrifying,Zephyr thought. I slammed the book closed with a huff.
Where else would we find more information about healing?I wondered.The internet will be a shitshow.
Is,Zephyr corrected me,the internetisa shitshow. I’ve been all over online forums and all the “Healers” I’ve read about don’t describe anything compared to how I feel when I call on the affinity. I’m ninety-percent positive most of them are hoaxes or just repeating something their grandmother told them in a story.
I rubbed my eyes before replacing the old book that was absolutely no help back on the shelf, then grabbed something random to pretend to read while I continued my talk with my brother.
Let’s switch gears,I said.How’d he move?
It was just a twitch of the lips,Zephyr explained.I told him a joke.
Zephyr, he can’t hear you.I rolled my eyes.
Jokes transcend hearing abilities, Skyes. Sometimes jokes are seen. As a comedian, I know all about that.
I snorted softly, then turned the page again.
Big guy still bothering you?Zephyr asked. I almost cringed, thinking of Landon.
Not in the way you think. He’s appearing in random places now, insisting on hanging out with me. He said he’s not interested in me, but…I don’t know.
Maybe he’s afraid of your scary boyfriend,Zephyr said sarcastically.
Don’t make me laugh,I thought dryly.
You’re right. We all knowyou’rethe scary boyfriend,Zephyr’s laugh echoed through my mind, then we said goodbye as he went to prepare things for the morning at the café. I actually attempted to read the book in front of me, but…nothing was registering.
My eyes grew heavy, and I checked my watch. Aiden’s detention was until eleven, and it was ten, now. If nothing else, I could take a slow walk across campus and then wait outside his building until he was done. I stretched, packing my bag quickly before I replaced the massive book to the shelf I’d found it on.
As soon as I stepped outside, I felt it.
My shadow.
I thought I’d felt it for a moment earlier in the library, but then it’d disappeared as soon as I began talking to Zephyr.
I stuffed my cold hands into my hoodie pockets, then set off across campus, my shadow floating after me the whole way.
Speaking to Zephyr always put me in a good mood, but now I was a little annoyed. This shadow had been following me for weeks now, save for the week or two where it disappeared after I’d threatened it, and it still hadn’t done much more than follow me.
I opened my mind a fraction, just enough to project a few words.How much longer are you going to follow me?
Silence greeted me, but the feeling of surprise floated past me.
I’m assuming you can hear me, though,I went on, deciding to keep going as if I were at home in the utility room, going about my business although no one responded.
More silence. I sighed.
Are you just a telepath? Or something else?I asked.
Nothing.
When I first heard thoughts as a kid, I thought I was hearing ghosts. Are you a ghost, shadow?
I sensed shock. Maybe my shadow didn’t know I referred to them as such. That was definitely funny. Me, making up names for my stalker. I almost laughed.
I’m going to meet one of my Links right now. Will you come out and meet us?I asked.
