Page 48 of A Touch of Stars and Stones
“There are ten trainees now. Two teams. This is a basic race. You can choose the order you go in. Use your magic if it will aid. Calix and Crimson, separate teams and pick.” Rowan lays out the rules.
The twins give each other an eye roll and separate.
“I call Ten,” Crimson starts.
And I wait, my heart pulsing heavily in my chest and my feet growing twitchy as Calix and Crimson start to call names.
Calix calls Ravi, and Crimson chooses Capella. Raiden, then Azur, are picked next, and Ascella, until only Micah and I are left.
“Micah.” Crimson twists around and doesn’t even wait for him to join the rest of the teammates. He gives a little glance back as he heads towards them.
“Let’s see what you got, new girl,” Calix calls to me as I step towards the group of waiting people. Raiden at least looks welcoming. Ascella, I think that is her name, is small and slight, with dark blonde hair and olive skin, and she offers a reserved smile.
“So,” I start, finding my tongue. “What’s the plan?”
“Ascella leads off. She can give us a head start,” Calix instructs.
“Against Crimson?” Ravi asks.
Ascella picks up the planning. “I go first. It’s not a straight race. Calix, you’ll need to help. You’re going to be doing most of the heavy lifting.”
“Fine. But Crimson will be out for blood. She always has to win. What can you do, Ever?” Calix asks.
They all look at me. “I’m not sure. I guess that’s what I’m here to find out.” I pull my arms around my waist. There’s a general pause as if they’re all figuring me out and what I might be able to do.
Calix nods at me, and we all walk over to where Rowan is waiting.
Now that we’re closer, I see the obstacles lined up in a set of two. And they are a lot bigger than I first thought.
“Be careful.” Ten’s voice sounds from behind me, soft and gentle as if he doesn’t want anyone else to hear. I turn to him and watch his eyes scan over my face.
“I will. This is what I’m here for, right?”
“Yeah, but…”
He doesn’t need to remind me of the other night. One touch, and I was seeing other places, other worlds—from the ground. “I know.”
Ten takes his position up against Ascella, leading off. Crimson is right behind him, and I watch as he reaches his hand behind him, and she takes it, wrapping her fingers around his.
My body breaks out in a rush of heat watching that simple interaction, and I know thatIwant to hold Ten’s hand like that. Their hold doesn’t break, and I’m still watching as Rowan signals the start of the race.
Ten bolts off, impossibly fast. Ascella too.
“How?” I whisper.
“Ten used Crimson’s power,” Raiden explains. “Just like Ascella used Calix’s.”
“Sorry, what?” I shake my head a little. They are both up and over the first A-frame, neck and neck.
“Touch ignites our magic. We all possess unique powers based on our Order, but when we touch or make skin-to-skincontact, it can become more. Different. Training helps us to understand and unlock our potential.”
Touch.
That’s what Ten was doing with Crimson.
I watch the race as they both climb to the top of a fifteen-foot-high pole, balance at the top, then jump to the next one. It looks terrifying, yet they both scale and leap from one to another with no hesitation.
My eyes draw back to Ten as he climbs back down to the ground, racing for the balance beam, before hitting a small barrier. They both hurdle over and then duck under the next section. But Ten’s pulling ahead.
