Page 31 of Firestorm
“Why would you ask me that?”
Shit.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured, realizing what an invasive question that was. “I was just curious to see if it could help you learn. I shouldn’t have asked.”
Aiden drew closer to me, the look on his face something I couldn’t discern. The students around us were practicing, Coach and Landon in the opposite corner of the gym chatting with Anton. No one seemed to be paying us any attention.
Aiden paused not far from me, his hands fidgeting restlessly at his sides like he was trying not to reach out for me.
“I only have one affinity,” he said softly, angling his chin away from me like he was expecting me to slap him or something. My eyes widened.
“What? How?” I whispered back, stepping closer to him. That made no sense. You couldn’t attend an academy unless you had at leasttwoaffinities, hence why I got fucked.
“My parents…their Chain is…really powerful.” Aiden replied. He blew out a breath, running his hands over his flushed cheeks. “My mom…she’s disappointed in me about it. She sent me here to see if we could get something else to manifest, but…it hasn’t happened yet.”
“Aiden,” I breathed. The urge to hug him was almost overwhelming. He looked like such a little boy when he wasn’t smirking at me. I wanted to run away with him and protect him from the world.
What a beyond weird thought to have.
Aiden shrugged. “What about you? Family of air affinates? What do they think of your water manifesting this late?”
I swallowed. “I only have a brother, but he’s my biggest fan.”
Aiden’s fiery gaze softened at my words. “You miss him?”
I nodded, my throat suddenly tight and my eyes stinging from tears.
“Tell me about him.” Aiden said, sending a small ball of fire toward me.
I extinguished it with a wave of my hand, then blinked back tears. “He’s protective, but sweet. He trusts me, I trust him. He always knows what to say.”
“That’s really nice, Skye.” Aiden grinned. “I can tell you love him.”
I smiled back. “I do. It’s nice. We’ve always had each other. He’s the only man I trust.”
“Are you taking any new applications for trustworthy men?” Aiden asked, tilting his head slightly. “I’d like to apply.”
I snorted and opened my mouth to respond, but then Landon’s voice shattered the moment.
“You’re supposed to be practicing over here, not flirting. You want your mom to hear about this, Brandt?”
Aiden’s eyes widened at the threat, the color draining from his face, and I whirled around to face Landon.
“What the fuck is your problem?” I asked.
“I’m the GTA, sweetheart. I’m supposed to keep an eye on you.” Landon sneered.
Sweetheart?Ew, what the fuck.
I flicked my wrist, shooting a rush of air right at his feet. Landon jumped, avoiding the air, then did exactly what I’d told Aiden to do. He took the air and fanned his flames, sending a blast of fire back at me.
Okay. So the guy with an awful fucking attitude had an affinity for fire. That was beyond predictable.
“Landon, what the fuck?” Aiden thundered. I raised my hand just as Aiden knocked into me, pushing me aside and blocking the flames.
Landon produced a fireball, sending it straight toward Aiden, who simply pushed it aside. Aiden moved to retaliate, and then Coach was yelling.
“What the hell is going on over here?” he demanded.
