Page 83 of Above
“Do you know what the stars are composed of?” he asked.
What in the stars was the lunatic talking about? “They’re balls of burning magic.”
“Exactly. They burn above, we burn below.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“We’ll always be at their mercy, Tershetta.” We were a breath away. Our eyes nearly level with him bending so far down. “We can’t fight back or change anything. Instead of trying to find ways around their control, we should simply submit to it.”
“Say what you mean for once in your life,” I demanded, growing angry at his riddles.
“My family is the last in the book.” He pushed off the wall, pivoting and heading for the door. “I think you’re kidding yourself by reading about Talon’s. You don’t actually care.” Groaning, I grabbed a pillow and threw it his way. Without looking he dodged it, his husky chuckle making bumps rise on my skin.
“Stupid, foul snake!”
“Do let me know if you plan to steal anything else, I’ll have to make it more interesting next time.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Nova
“People in the shops always say that shaytan are evil. I try not to take it to heart, but I can’t stop myself from fearing that I’ll be evil one day too.”
-From the journal of Nova Tershetta, 9259 AS
Our morning run included target practice now.
We were instructed what to focus on and told to shove out our magic, the goal to hit the target. We also emphasized magical weaponry, each of us figuring out what we preferred through trial and error. I had already known I favored the shadow chains—especially when it felt like I was using the shackles so many had placed on me to tear them all apart—but I quickly grew tolovethem.
After working with Talon, I had figured out a way to wrap them around my arms, waiting for use. It required a difficult amount of focus, but I was determined as we darted through the damp forest, targets shaped like people appearing out of no where at any given moment.
Again and again, I would be startled by the appearance of a target, nearly panicking before whipping my chains toward it. Each time, I sliced straight through them. Each time, I feared what I was becoming.
At the end of our run, Talon backtracked to find me, a broad smile on his face. “Someone’s getting faster.”
“Yeah, I can’t even keep up with her now,” Zura teased, her breaths coming in heavy pants as she walked up to us.
We were all sweaty, the air thick and hot. I hated being too near people, but if I was going to be forced into anyone’s company, it would be their’s. The two people here who seemed to actually be kind and worthy of the blessing given to them.
Around us, other trainees took a few moments to collect themselves before heading off. Few stared now, their judgement reserved for moments when it was only me around to face the scrutiny. Still, they were so very close to us, and I felt bare beneath their glances and my own hateful inner voice. The one that screamed I had become the monster who used to haunt me in the night.
“Seems like working me to the bone is paying off,” I teased, nudging Talon, attempting to ward off my negative thoughts. His eyes lit up, a teasing look flattening his smile and scrunching his cheeks.
“Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet, Supernova.” With that, he ducked low and shoved into my stomach, tossing me up until I landed on his shoulder with a huff. Giggling—unlike me in the oddest of ways —I smashed my fists into his back as he spun us around.
“Let me go you crazy bear!” I yelped. After a second, he stopped, sliding me slowly down his body before letting my feet touch the grass. But he didn’t let me go, instead leaving one arm around me while using the other hand to grab my chin and tilt my face up.
“I have to go to a combatants meeting, but I’ll meet you in our room with breakfast after?” He seemed to ask the words, still seeking my permission.
With a soft smile, I nodded as much as his hand would allow, feeling my cheeks heat. He looked striking today with his hair loose and his soft brown skin glistening in the early dawn sunlight. Maybe it would never be like Mama and Dad, but I could live like this for however long he wished. Being loved by Talon wasn’t a burden.
In a softer, more scandalous tone he said, “And I’d like to show you just how hard I can really work you.”
Groaning, I shoved him away, enjoying the sound of his booming laugh as he winked and then ran through the dwindling crowd toward the training center.
“Wow,” Zura breathed. I turned around, surprised to see her awed expression.
“What?”
