Page 226 of The Ascended
Not for Olinthar. Not to please him.
For the creature whose suffering had become unbearable.
I stepped forward. The Shadowkin watched me approach, its remaining eye holding a flicker of hope.
My power surged, wild and uncontrolled.
The Shadowkin exploded.
The only mercy I could provide him.
"Extraordinary," Olinthar said softly. "You've been holding back in your training. I suspected as much."
I fought to steady my breathing, to calm the storm of emotions threatening to break my careful mask. I didn't trust myself to speak.Gods, I wanted to rip his fucking head off. I wanted to do to him exactly what I'd just done to the Shadowkin.
"Raw power responds to emotion, Thatcher. To intent." Olinthar studied me with new interest. "You wanted to end its suffering completely. And you did."
He was wrong. I'd wanted to obliterate something—and the Shadowkin had been the only available target. My true target stood before me, unmarked save for spatters of dark blood that he wiped away with casual indifference.
"Enough of all this." He placed a hand on my shoulder, guiding me back toward the stairs. I fought the urge to shrug off his touch. As we left, the door shut behind us with a hollow thud. "Your compassion does you credit, Thatcher. But remember, compassion must sometimes yield to necessity."
We climbed in silence, my mind replaying what had just happened. The chamber. The screams. The moment my power had erupted, destroying a life.
By the time we reached the surface, the light assaulting my eyes after the dungeon's shadows, I still couldn't speak through the rage burning inside me. I would play his game. Let him believe I was learning his lessons. And when the moment came, I would use every bit of that power against him.
Chavore was not alone when we found him in the corridor leading to Olinthar's study. Elysia stood beside him, hair gleaming. Her laughter died as we approached, eyes widening at the black stains that now streaked our clothing.
"Father," Chavore said, his gaze flicking between us.
Olinthar nodded. "I must ask for a moment of your time as well, my son." His gaze shifted to Elysia. "Perhaps you wouldn't mind escorting Thatcher back to Bellarium? I believe we've imposed on his training schedule long enough."
Elysia smiled. "It would be my pleasure." She floated toward me, each step graceful. "Shall we?"
Before I could respond, Olinthar stepped close, his hand grippingmy shoulder. "Thank you for coming today, Thatcher." His voice lowered, meant only for me. "You're a good man."
The words settled heavy across my shoulders. I managed a nod before Elysia took my arm, leading me toward a new portal that shimmered into existence at her approach.
"Safe travels," Chavore called, his eyes meeting mine briefly. I saw genuine concern there, and something else. A question, perhaps, or a warning.
Then we crossed through light, Sundralis falling away. Bellarium materialized around us, its muted blues and silvers a relief after the relentless gold. Rain still fell, pattering against stone paths as we walked through the gardens.
Elysia's hand remained on my arm. "You look troubled," she said, breaking the silence between us.
"It's nothing." The lie tasted sour.
Elysia stopped, facing me directly. Her golden eyes searched my face. "It's rarely nothing when Olinthar grants a private audience." Her voice held no accusation, only calm certainty. "What did he want with you?"
I looked away, rain beading in my hair. "He was helping with my training."
"Ah." Her tone made me glance back. Understanding softened her features. "He can be... demanding."
"That's one word for it," I muttered.
Elysia's lips curved. "Many misunderstand him. Olinthar carries the burden of maintaining order across all realms. It forces him to make choices that others might find harsh."
"Like torture?" The words escaped.
Her expression didn't change, but her eyes narrowed. "Is that what happened?"
