Page 91 of Riftborne
I pressed my lips into a hard line and mentally groaned. It wastoo late to turn back now, not like Osta would allow it at this point. Her excitement was annoyingly unmatched.
I exhaled sharply. She hugged my arm tighter and leaned over to whisper in my ear, “Fia, please don’t be so grumpy tonight. Let’s have fun. Stop stressing. Please, for me?” she pleaded, eyes reflecting the bright moon above.
“Let’s just see how it goes. If it gets crazy, we’re leaving. Agreed?” I said quietly, out of earshot of Raine and Briar.
“Agreed.” She smiled and picked up her pace, dragging me along beside her.
“Do you think you’ll show anyone your focus tonight?” Osta asked hesitantly.
“Well, I’m not exactly trying to murder anyone. So, it seems unlikely.” I laughed through the nerves.
A subtle rumble from the ground stopped Osta and I in our tracks.
“What was that?” I hissed toward Raine, who slowed down, turning to face us as she walked backwards down the trail.
“Maybe a few people got there early?” She shrugged, holding out her arm for us. “We must be almost there.” Osta rushed to catch up with them.
“Briar, couldn’t you fix the terrain just a bit? I feel like I’m about to trip over a root with every step I take,” I grumbled. Navigating uneven forest floor was not something I particularly enjoyed, nor was I any good at it. Briefly, my mind wandered back to the night when everything had changed outside the Grove. If it hadn’t been for that damn fallen branch, my life would look vastly different…
“No can do, love. I’m saving all my energy for the festivities,” Briar sang, cutting through my thoughts.
As we trudged on, I began to notice glimmers of light dancing down the path in the distance. We must have been getting close. The ground rumbled again, and I almost lost my balance.
“What could they possibly be doing?” I asked, glancing over at Raine.
“No idea, but it sounds pretty damn epic.” She grinned.
As we approached, the murmurs of conversation heightened. I squinted, turning my head to the side to listen better.
There was a crowd. And Music.
We neared the edge of the clearing, and the sounds became undeniable. I narrowed my eyes at Raine, who peeked over at me nervously.
“I guess word got around?” She shrugged before stepping out into the clearing.
I huffed, and followed my three friends, taking in the sight of what must have been one hundred Aossí dancing, socializing, and sparring.
By the looks of it, recruits and initiates from all factions of the Guard–Base, Scales, Fang, and even Immunity were in attendance. Plus, team V. Besides us, there were maybe ten initiates from our sector. Their black uniforms were easy to make out through all the white shirts littering the expanse.
Tables filled with liquor and elixir bottles lined the edges of the clearing near the lake. People passed them around, clinking the glasses together before indulging. Lights danced, weaving through the crowd and soaring to illuminate the low-lying mist above the treetops. Music pulsed, sending thrums of energy through the dancing bodies.
I gritted my teeth.
This was a fucking party.
With alcohol.
And elixirs.
And drunk idiots doing magic tricks.
Only Fírinne knew what else.
Heat rushed through me as the ground beneath us rumbled yet again, even stronger this time. My head whipped left as a giant chunk of earth flew into the sky. It hovered for a moment beforeshooting back down at full force and exploding. The crowd cheered, raising their glasses. “Another!” Someone shouted in the distance.
My jaw fell open.
“I guess you’re not the only nature wielder here tonight, Briar!” Raine teased, nudging him.
