Page 123 of Riftborne
Their faces were basically touching.
For the first time in months, I felt my fingers tingle with a power I didn’t summon myself.
Suddenly, in the corner of my eye I saw a shadow move behind the buffet. I spun around, sending my hair flying, only to find nothing out of the ordinary. I was losing my mind. Or I was just on edge being this far West.
I looked back at Laryk, who glanced over, briefly making eye contact with me. He gave me a slight nod and turned back to Narissa.
My stomach lurched as I stood, stomping over to the waste basket and throwing my plate away. I swiped a bottle of gin from the liquor table and stormed to the other side of the room. I flung the door open and bounded down the corridor back to my quarters.
I found my bed once again and dropped my face into my hands. I didn’t want to feel like this. It was a maddening, nearly manic rush of adrenaline. My fingers were throbbing, my vision blurry. Darkness clung to every thought.
He brought me here against my will and never deemed it necessary to tell me why. And briefings were off limits. My insides were screaming. I was stuck here, rendered absolutely useless instead of preparing for the battle at Stormshire with the rest of team V. I was starting to feel less like a member of an elite faction and more like someone's burden.
And he was withher.
Is that why I wasn’t allowed to be with him?
Hours passed as my thoughts raced.
Anger simmered.
Boredom crept in.
I glanced at the corner of my chamber, eyeing the bottle of gin I had snatched earlier today. Without too much thought, I poured myself a drink, immediately downing it. And then I poured another.
I paced the room until the sun began its descent behind the mountain range.
My sanity was going to explode if I didn’t leave this room, but I didn’t know where to go.
Where I wasallowedto go.
Soon enough, night had fallen over the city, and I began to hear rumblings of people below. I walked over to the balcony, opening the door and peeking out.
The entire regiment stood just beyond, making a commotionwith their laughter and shouts, like they’d already had one too many. This place sure was a stark contrast to the city below.
I pursed my lips, perhaps a party was exactly what I needed to blow off some steam.
Besides, if he was going to continue to act like I didn’t exist…
Well, perhaps I’d find a worthy distraction.
I couldn’t help the grin spreading on my face as I pulled myself together. The anger from earlier had twisted into something more wicked.
I looked in the mirror at my initiate's uniform, turning to the side to examine it from all angles. I wasn’t used to having a full view of myself. I unbuttoned my vest, flinging it on the bed, and reached up to undo a few of the buttons on the top of my blouse, so it fell open just enough.
I tugged the leather strap from my hair and ran my fingers through the waves, allowing them to cascade freely down my back in wild layers.
A bit of harmless flirting could be just what I needed to divert my thoughts. With that, I grabbed the door and headed for the stairwell, but not before grabbing one of Ma’s vials and sliding it into my pocket.
I navigated through the courtyard. The night sky twinkled above, and I felt a chill as the breeze picked up. It seemed like sleep was a foreign concept to this group, with everyone strolling around, passing bottles, and belting out old hymns that were much better lost to time.
The crowd was made up almost entirely of Base Guards. Most of the other sectors were probably headed straight for Stormshire. Only a few high-ranking officials from the Scales, Fang and Immunity units were in attendance.
The courtyard was scattered with twinkling tables and buffets of food. The imposing walls around us were lit with torches, creating a false atmosphere of safety, like no threat existed beyondthe confines of these hills, yet every shadow sparked apprehension in the back of my mind. Another drink and I could forget that too.
My gaze scanned the party, searching for the bar. Instead, I locked eyes with a grinning dark-haired guardsman who motioned for me to join him.
That was easy.
