Page 49 of A Touch of Stars and Stones
It’s a straight sprint back to the beginning for round two, and Ten has the lead. But Ascella is chasing. Her speed is coming into play, and I wonder if I’ll be able to do whatever I did during the run to make up some time.
Without touching anyone.
While I’ve been watching, Calix has been holding Raiden’s hand at the start, and I begin to understand what they’re doing—borrowing or combining their powers, becoming ‘more’ as Raiden said. Out here, in practice, I can see how that would be an advantage.
But it also terrifies me.
Raiden sprints off as soon as Ascella crosses the line, but Crimson is right there as Ten races over. Raiden might have used Calix, but she doesn’t have Ascella’s speed, and Crimson takes full advantage, eating up the ground.
“You’ll be up against Micah, Ever. Easy peasy.” Calix comes to stand near me.
“Well, I’m not so sure. But thanks for the support.”
“No worries.”
It looks like this round will be a foregone conclusion, with Crimson out in front, but then Raiden’s obstacles start to change, and they look different. “What’s she doing?” I ask.
“She’s a Natural. She’s giving herself all the advantage she can.”
“But how?” I ask as I watch the shape of the obstacles change as she tackles them, confused that they are turning green with foliage and vines, wrapping around the wooden structures at her will. It looks like she’s weaving new growth around the wood itself, building more footholds or handholds, widening the balance section.
“How can any of us do what we can? But she’s giving all of us the benefit.” That’s the extent of Calix’s explanation.
I nod.
Despite everything Raiden does, Crimson is back first.
Calix does the same trick with Ravi, who’s up next for us and gives me another lesson in what the other Orders can do.
He’s slower than Capella, but he’s got another tactic. He’s drawing water from the ground and forcing it over the other team’s obstacles, raining rivulets and small channels of water down to coat the surface. And it works, causing Capella to slip and fall from the first climbing barrier.
She recoversand, just like Raiden, covers the areas her hands touch with flora, absorbing the water.
I look over to Ten, who’s pacing back and forth near the start line, but turns and spies me watching him.
He’s not watching his team. And he looks agitated, even though they’re winning.
There’s only Calix left, and then I’m up.
“Here.” Calix holds out his hand for me. “It might not last, but take it. You should feel strength. And do whatever it was that made you fast when you beat Ascella and Crimson, too.”
I recoil from his hand, knowing what happened…
“Hey, it’s okay.”
“No, it’s not that, it’s just…” I wrap my hands behind my back, “I don’t know what will happen if I hold your hand, and it’s a little terrifying right now.”
“I’ve gotch ya. This is what training is about, right?” He puts his hand out again, encouraging me.
“Calix!” Ten’s voice interrupts us.
“Chill, Ten. We’ve got this.” Calix looks back at me, but my attention is pulled to Ten pacing over to us.
I look at him, the anger clear on his face. But I can’t be afraid all the time. My arm reaches for Calix’s outstretched hand. He’s a lot nicer than I thought he’d be, given his sister.
My skin touches his palm, and my whole body tenses, waiting for the visions to cripple me on the spot.
But that doesn’t happen. All I feel is a sizzling, almost painful buzz against my palm that seems to course through me, building stronger and stronger until I feel ready to burst. And then I see Calix, his other hand holding his wrist, the grimace on his face.
