Page 45 of Firestorm
Zephyr was silent.
What are the odds…I repeated, my mind flashing to how I’d seen our mother rubbing her chest throughout the years, always complaining about heart pains. Family Chains typically took on the Key’s surname, but ours was different.
Sometime when Zephyr and I were young, we’d stumbled upon old paperwork where our mother was registered under the surnameWayra. She explained that was her maiden name and she chose for the family to go byAria, Levi’s surname. We never questioned it, and I’d never heard that name again. Until now.
This changes nothing,Zephyr said finally.You will still get through this school and research as much as you can. Buildings aren’t going to move unless you make them, Skye.
Right,I replied, calming my breathing as I sat down on my bed. I rubbed my shoulders nervously before I spoke again.
How is he?
I could feel Zephyr’s sigh, and then he sent me an image.
My heart jumped in my chest.
He seems sad.
Heissad. Doesn’t understand why you’re gone. I’d have you go in his mind and explain, but–
He wouldn’t understand that, either.I muttered.
Yeah, he’d probably think he was hallucinating or something.
The two of us sighed at the same time.
Zephyr was alone, doing all the work that was normally split between the two of us. He was overwhelmed and overworked. I felt incredibly guilty, and it made my skin feel tight and itchy.
I’m sorry. If I was home, I could probably ask him this question myself.
We both know that’s a bad idea, sweetheart. You just keep doing your research. We’ve gotten through much worse than a free ride through school. We will be just fine.
We will be just fine,I repeated, and I could feel my brother was pleased.
We sat in silence together for a few moments, and my gaze caught on Mia’s plants in the window sill.
Subject change?I asked.
Please.Zephyr replied.
I moved a succulent pot without my hands.
Silence greeted me, with the slightest sensation of awe, and then Zephyr practically screamed into my mind.
NO FUCKING WAY!
Holy fuck, you’re going to kill me,I snapped as I slapped my hands over my ears, like that could silence the voices in my head.
I snorted. No wonder people thought telepaths were all scary bogeymen. I could only imagine what people would think of me if they saw me slapping my hands over my ears in public. After a few beats ofsilence, I reached out again, worried that maybe I’d offended my brother.
Zeph?
Sorry, Skyes. Shit just got busy. I gotta go.
Okay, I understand. I love you. I miss you so much.
I miss you too, Skyes. Focus on school. Everything will be okay.
Chapter 14
