Page 23 of Riftborne
“They made sure we would never have that opportunity a long time ago,” I hissed.
“Fia, people aren’t nearly as hateful as you make them out to be.”
“You think our late friends would agree?” I glared at her, feeling my skin tingle. The guard’s cruel blue eyes drifted into my mind, as if he was taunting me. It had been so easy for him to pull the levers of the dam. So easy to release the currents. To kill our friends.
Calm down.
“Fia, sometimes you have to make the best of the cards you’ve been dealt. And sometimes you have to know when to let go, when to move on. And when tohelpyourself when the rare opportunity comes around.” She shook her head, disappointment sprawled across her face.
“That’s easy for you to say,” I mumbled, pinching the bridge of my nose. It was true. She had no idea what it was like to live with this thing inside me. How could she?
“Listen Fia… You can’t live the rest of your life like this. What if you could stop it from ever happening again? What if you could actually help people?”
“I think we both know that my focus won’t be used forhelpingpeople, Osta. I can’t believe you think this is a good idea. I don’t even know what to say.”
My eyes welled up, but I wouldn’t lose it here.
“Of course you don’t. Because you refuse help. You run away from everything…” Osta trailed off and looked down, biting her lip. I hadn't even told her I planned on running.
“You’re a fool if you believe that General Ashford or anyone of authority on this Isle is trying to help me. He sees a power to be yielded, to be collected for his little faction. And he’s sadly mistaken. I cannot be helped. You know it. I know it.” My fingers twitched and I felt a rush of heat wash over me.
“I can’t deal with your innate pessimism tonight, Fia. We just had an amazing day. I’m only trying to reason with you. To offer another perspective, but you can’t see past yourself. You’re so negative, you can’t even imagine your life taking a turn for the better!” Osta was holding back tears.
Before I could respond, she shoved her chair back and walked off into the lounge.
I scoffed and shook my head.Unbelievable.
The static that ran down my arms had lessened, but the curse still crept in the shadows. I took a deep breath.
How could she be so delusional?
The elite played these games all the time with people like us. How could she not see it?
My mind went to that sharp place. She just didn’twantto see it. She fawned over them just as much as the next groupie, I just managed to ignore it most of the time.
And how is itmyfault I never learned to control my focus? It came naturally to everyone else around me. I shouldn’t have to become some General’s project to figure out how to wield it. I was a lost cause.
Right?
I tipped my glass back again, savoring the last drops. My eyes closed as the warmth of the alcohol swirled in my gut.
Osta and I rarely fought, and now it was twice in a matter of days. I had to get out of here. My pulse was already racing.
Something stronger than alcohol stirred as I steadied myself. I gathered my things in a hurry and stormed through the patio gate without a single glance back.
CHAPTER 8
The sun was beginningto set, and the wind whipped past me, charging through the winding city streets that led back to our apartment. A chill swept through my hair, the promise of autumn on the horizon.
It did nothing to cool my flushed cheeks.
Anger permeated my every thought. I was confused. Hurt. Definitely tipsy.
Even if Osta tried to see my point of view, she would never understand. Although we shared our Riftborne status, our lives were wildly different. Sometimes it seemed as though she was purposely ignoring that inescapable truth.
She had too much faith in me. I’d never be thenormal,outgoing person she wanted me to be. It was as impossible as it was irresponsible. Had that not become glaringly obvious over the last few days?
Another blaze of anger seared through my limbs.
