Page 108 of A Touch of Stars and Stones
Disappointment chills my skin as we reach the bridge, unobstructed by the guards who stand there, and continue to The Court.
twenty-eight
. . .
Ever
The water is crystal clear, cool, and quenches the raging thirst that the walk triggered on top of the training. I want to drink the whole pitcher, but stop after the second cup, placing it back on the metal tray Ten fetched it from.
“I agreed to sessions as a courtesy foryou, Aten,” Kamari states as we both stand, waiting, in her office. Shrinking against the wall isn’t an option as her deep blue eyes look over me. But I look for the anger I felt in the classroom to stop myself from lowering my head. Aurelia suggested this, and Rowan agreed, but clearly, the message hadn’t reached Kamari. Or she at least hadn’t agreed to this particular meeting.
“And I’m grateful. But, given the circumstances, we need to extend that same courtesy to Ever.” Ten’s response is calm and clear.
“Who isn’t a Guard.” Her tone hardens.
“No. She’s a Fifth and doesn’t have an Order. This was Aurelia’s idea. Ever needs to gain the ability to control hermagic. Nobody can even categorise what she can do yet, but she’s shown powers similar to a Guard, which is, according to some, the most powerful of the Orders.” Ten doesn’t back down, and my heart swells.
She looks between us and nods. “Very well.”
“Thank you,” I say. It’s on the tip of my tongue to argue that she should be willing to do this rather than be corralled, but I keep the words to myself. She seemed kind when I first met her in the Hall, so lean into that and hope I’m not wrong.
“Have you practised or learned to do this with others? The Maker can, but can you?”Her question rings in my head, and it sounds like a test. So, like every other time, I think my reply.
“I didn’t realise the Maker was the only one.”
Kamari’s face startles, perhaps not expecting me to talk directly to her.
“Can you communicate like this with everyone? Whomever you choose?”
I pause.“I haven’t tried.”
“You will need to learn to open yourself up to your gifts, Ever, or you will never uncover your full abilities.” Kamari smiles, a subtle gesture, but one I take.
“Help me to do that. The Custodians have tested me against the other trainees. Just touch, connect, see what happens, then wait to pick up the pieces, and it hasn’t gone well.”
She nods and glides past us, and plumes of fabric wrapping her body in a multitude of coloured fabrics flow in her wake as she circles her office. It’s full of light, decorated with drapes of luscious fabric, the colour of rare jewels. Not even the most expensive of fabrics from the mill produced colour like this. And she has them in abundance.
“Your mind will no doubt work to support, help, and protect you and your magic. Explain to me what you know you cando already.” The tinkle of the metal bangles knocking together along her wrists accompanies her words.
I glance at Ten and then back at Kamari, who’s completed a lap of the office.
“It’s hard to explain. It’s not consistent.”
“Try. Or leave now.” Her curt command gives no room for question.
Okay, then. “It feels like I can boost others’ power.”
“Micah Star, Calix Aster, and Ravi Dara have all had their powers amplified when working with her. She created a rainstorm inside, created an earthquake with Micah,” Ten elaborates.
“The others?”
“I showed Ascella her… death. I think. I… She said I killed her on the battlefield.” My eyes dip at the memory, the smell of the blood, tickling my nose as if summoned by the mention of death to haunt me.
“Did you?” she asks.
“Not deliberately. I didn’t think about going to that place, that scene. It just… happened.”
“She trapped Azur in his own mental maze and left him,” Ten adds. “And that’s the problem. She doesn’t know what she’s doing, and it’s dangerous for everyone.”
