Page 88 of Riftborne
“I’m so fucking excited for tonight,” Raine mused, shaking her head as we neared the gates of the Compound. I narrowed my eyes and shot her a look of disapproval. I had voiced, on more than one occasion, how I felt about tonight’s little gathering.
“Come on, Fia. Lighten up. It’s the end of the week. We all deserve to blow off some steam, and none of us get to use our focuses in the Compound. You haven’t even seen what I can really do.” Sparks emanated from the tips of her fingers, sparkling in patterns throughout her palm. A mischievous grin spread across her lips.
“If we get caught, we’re all dead,” I reminded her.
Her hands took a dramatic fall.
“We’re not going to get caught, but even if we did, what are they going to do? Kill all of the most valuable recruits along with some of the more daring initiates…” She pursed her lips and peeked at me from behind her lashes.
Initiates?
I stopped dead in the street. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
“Relax. It’s going to be fine. They’re not going to rat on us. They want to have some fun too. Plus, we’re nearing the end ofour training. We need to start making friends with other members ofteam V.”
I rolled my eyes, but continued walking, matching Raine’s more aggressive gait.
“I don’t want anyone to get hurt. We have to be careful. And no drinking.” I nudged her side, painfully aware I sounded like a killjoy, but this whole idea seemed so irresponsible at a time like this.
“Whatever you say, mom.” She sighed with exasperation before winking at me.
“Fia! Raine!” A shrill voice shouted from behind us. We whirled around to see Osta racing down the street in our direction, a beaming smile plastered to her face.
We closed the distance between us, and Raine shot me an amused look.
Osta hunched over breathlessly, motioning for us to give her a moment.
“You seem… even more upbeat than usual.” I grinned. “What’s going on?”
“Lady… Soleil …She…” Osta took heavy breaths in between each word. “Replied… to my… letter! She offered me a full-time position at her estate!” Osta squealed and jumped up and down, nearly crumpling the parchment she was holding.
Before I knew it, my arms were thrown around her shoulders. “I’m so proud of you,” I whispered in her ear. I felt my eyes getting misty.
“Osta, that's incredible! Are you going to be living at there as well?” Raine questioned, evenhervoice had gone up an octave.
I released Osta and stepped back, crossing my arms. I don’t know if I had ever smiled so big.
“Yes… I mean, I assume so! She wants me to start in two weeks! I feel so elated!” Osta spun around, clutching the letter to her chest.
“Osta, you have to come with us tonight–”
“Esprithe sake, Raine!” I cut her off, my eyes widening as I mouthedno.
What the hell?
“Wait, what? Is there a party? I’m so in!” Osta shouted, returning to her hops.
“No, Osta, it’s not like that. And there’s no way you’re coming. It’s too dangerous. I’m sorry, but we can all go get drinks to celebrate you tomorrow,” I offered.
I could kill Raine.
Osta stopped jumping and glanced back and forth between the two of us. She looked as though she was about to cry.
“Fia, she’ll be fine. And it’s going to be so much fun. Come on, live a little! Osta can take care of herself, and we’ll all be there to protect her,” Raine pleaded, softening her eyes and wrapping her arm over Osta’s drooping shoulder.
This was a terrible fucking idea. But they were both staring at me like children who had just seen their favorite toy crushed.
Eventually, I sighed. “Osta, you have to stay within my eyesight the entire night. I’m serious.”
