Page 96 of A Touch of Stars and Stones
“Don’t deign to think that you know better than the collective of the Orders. This is bigger than you or even Ever Hart.” He sneers her name, and my jaw clenches. “Now, drop it,” he commands.
“No. You think that she’s not going to start working it out herself? Whatever it is, you can’t keep it a secret.” My arm reaches around my back, and my fingers wrap around the familiar hilt. I draw the knife and slam the tip of the blade into the wooden desk behind me.
His face reddens as he sees what I’ve just done. Using his own knife—the family knife—to make my point doesn’t quell either of our tempers.
“She’s only just starting to learn her powers. She’s pushing back.”
“Well, maybe you need to remember this conversation when she does. And remind her not to. Nothing good can come from it. I assure you of that.” A threat.
No.Stars above, I won’t play any part in sabotaging her. My jaw tenses as I think of how to shape that particular response.
“I think it’s time for you to leave.” He looks past me to the door.
“Do you know who her parents are?” One last time. “Are they even alive?”
He still doesn’t answer.
I turn, ripping the knife from its position and march out.
The heavy wood slams against the stone wall in my wake, and I stride off down the corridor, sheathing my blade as I go. The frustration and pent-up irritation of everything that came out of my father’s mouth, riding hard. Calix is behind me again, and I don’t stop until we’re out of The Tower, in the fresh air, where I pause to breathe some fucking air into my lungs.
“That bad?” he asks.
“Worse.”
“Come on then.”
“Cal—”
“Just trust me. I couldn’t hear the details, but the shouting was pretty clear.”
“I’m not in the mood to drink.” I continue to follow him, back through the streets and through the various settlements of The Court.
“No drinking. Not yet, at least.” He slaps me on the shoulder, quick as a flash. He’s not done that outside of training—made contact—since we both went through the Transference.
He takes us back out of The Court, and instead of heading for the training residence, he veers off, up towards the path that leads through to either the Variscite Forest or the clearance where the Transference happens.
Although I know better than to think he’ll lead me there.
He takes us off the path after a few hundred meters and towards the base of the Jet mountains, where we used to come to when we were kids, just out of reach and sight of The Court’s walls, where we used to fight and play.
I already feel better, lighter.
“No holding back,” he states.
“No holding back.” We reach the small clearing, a rough, flat area that we commandeered as our very own sparring ring when we were younger.
Calix stands in the middle and rolls his shoulders, dropping into a familiar stance, waiting for me.
My head rolls on my shoulders before I step to him, mirroring his position.
And then I attack.
My hand only finds air as I push my fist towards Cal’s jaw and miss. He doesn’t retaliate and bounces back on his feet, encouraging my advance. So, I do.
Jab, one, two, a knee to his gut… the combinations start to flow, and Calix joins in, blocking and moving until we’re flowing back and forth, trading hits and blows.
“Come on, Ten. I know you’ve got more,” he pants.
