Page 6 of In Between Darkness
I stare at one profusely.
“There seems to be a toad in here,” I say to Nala, tapping the glass in curiosity.
“Jeeez…” Nala says, turning her nose up at it. “Bad day to be a toad.”
“Ahh, Mr Watson, glad to see you’re feeling better,” Miss Worthington speaks as she leads the class towards William’s bed.
“Thanks, Miss,” he says as Miss Aloe finishes coating his finger in a thin, jelly-like substance. Wow, there is not even a mark on him. I was sure the orb would have taken the tip of his finger off. “It was burnt right to the bone. Thank the Gods for Miss Aloe’s magic hands,” William glees.
“I hope everyone can appreciate the ability of a healer now. Those of you who receive this Gift will be able to use it for great good, like helping Mr Watson keep all of his digits.”
The class chuckles. Healers have the ability to heal deep cuts, grazes, bruises and broken bones. They have excellent knowledge of medicinal potions to help with pain and can break a fever in seconds.
“I’m sure if you have any questions on healing, Miss Aloe would be happy to help, and if she is not available, you are lucky enough to have a Moldova in your presence.” She gestures towards Ciara, who is basking in the attention.
“Now there is one last place I have not shown you yet.”
She leads us back out into the corridor made up of arches. She follows the archway around to the far side of the castle and points out a set of doors.
“This is where your written lessons will take place.” The doors have each class name labelled on them. “At the end of this corridor is an additional set of stairs that lead back down into the library. Reading in the library is heavily encouraged for Sovereign students during free periods.”
Chapter Three
I lay awake in bed. Why must my body fight sleep? Nala is out like a light, probably from all the food she ate. I don’t know how someone so thin can eat so much. The first banquet for the new students is always amazing. The Influencers had enchanted the plates, so they flew in straight from the kitchen and onto the tables. I’m not a fussy eater, but it wouldn’t matter if I were. There was so much of everything. Pastries, roasted meats, smoked fish, pastas, grilled vegetables, you name it. And don’t even get me started on the desserts. All I can say is that I hope tomorrow’s meal is just as good.
I turn over in my bed and feel for my suitcase beneath me. Extending my arm, I manage to find its handle and slide it out, then lift it slowly and place it on my bed. I unzip the suitcase gingerly, making sure not to wake Nala. I feel around inside as it is too dark to see. Finally, I reach a familiar object. I hear the contents shaking, and I know this is what I am looking for. The sleeping pills that Doctor Rayner prescribed me. I don’t take them every night, but I want to make sure I get a good sleep because classes start tomorrow. I pop open the lid and place one of the circular pills in my mouth. The familiar taste tingles on my tongue as I take a swig of water to help it go down easier and place my suitcase back under my bed. And now I wait. Sometimes it can take hours to kick in.
Thirty minutes have passed and I still don’t feel tired; my mind is too awake. The silence in Sun Sovereign is deafening.Everyone must be long asleep by now. I toss and turn in an attempt to find a comfier position, maybe then I’ll sleep. A distant chatter startles me. It’s clear where it is coming from. The Moonkind are awake.
My heart starts racing, thumping heavily in my chest. I know I am safe here, but I can’t help but feel vulnerable. I peek through the curtains. I know I shouldn’t, but I just can’t help myself.
It is hard to see at this distance, but my curiosity gets the best of me. I look over to my left again, reassuring myself that Nala is still sound asleep. I pick up my telescope from the ledge, fighting the little voice in my head telling me not to, and place it to my eye. The lens is unfocused. I shimmy the dial around the outside of the lens. There they are. I watch as they gather around the combat platform. Each of them dressed in black. I assume that they are fighting with weapons because of the way parts glisten in the light of the moon. Two students step onto the sandpit and face one another. They are both tall, at least six feet, but it’s hard to make out from here. The one on the left has darker features. His black hair, so dark it looks blue under certain lights. It has a slight curl to it. A mind of its own. It is short at the sides, but the top hangs quite nicely over his forehead. The longest strands stop at his cheekbones and caress his face. It sways with his movements. His jaw looks as though it was forged by the Gods themselves. I watch as he takes off his shirt and prepares for battle. He may be a Moon, but he is very attractive. I let out a quiet gasp. I shouldn’t be thinking like this.
My attention is drawn to his chest. His muscles flex as droplets of sweat twinkle off him. On his right arm, like some kind of tattoo, ink-black veins race from his right wrist to his shoulder. He reaches down into his pocket and pulls out a kind of black cloth. Bowing his head, he wraps the cloth over his eyesand ties it at the back of his head. His hair is just long enough to fall over the edges of the cloth.
“What is he doing?” I whisper to myself.
His opponent, with lighter features but just as attractive, makes the first move. He throws a quick jab. This does not seem fair. But wait. The blindfolded one grabs his fist with lightning speed. How is that possible? With the opponent’s hand in his fist, he pulls him in menacingly and flips him over, slamming him onto the sand below. The opponent falls with a thump, but is not done yet. He brushes himself off, then shifts his body weight to his feet and springs up in one swift jump. He charges. Throwing punch after punch. The blindfolded one must sense this somehow as he manages to dodge every single one. I think I read about this. He must have the Gift of Shadoro, the God of Darkness and Shadows. The art of foreshadowing, predicting an opponent’s next move in battle. Foreshadowers are unbeatable on the battlefield unless faced with Deceivers. The tricksters of the Moonkind make it difficult for foreshadowers to predict their next move.
I can’t take my eyes off the blindfolded one. He faces two other opponents, but none can touch him. Unbeatable, just like the legend says. My eyes are beginning to feel heavy now. Two a.m. my clock reads. I pull the curtain back and slump into my pillow. The sleeping pills have definitely kicked in. I feel heavy as slumber takes over me.
My eyes open, but I am no longer in bed. I look around, confused. Where am I?
The familiar scent of cherries meets my nostrils once again.
Am I at the castle entrance?
I look up to confirm, but don’t see the Sun Gods above me. The wind bites at my ankles. I look down. If I am outside, where are my shoes?
I scrunch my toes at the gravel beneath me as it crunches loudly. It is dark, but I see a small light in the distance. I don’t know what this light is, but I feel drawn to it.
I follow the only source of light in the surrounding darkness and walk blindly into its depths. Is that a figure in front of me?
I can’t make it out; my vision is blurred. I hear a noise to my right, which startles me. Was it a voice?
I pick up my pace, but the light somehow feels further away. Now I am running. The light seems closer now, but so does the tall figure. The darkness is suffocating as its walls feel like they are closing in on me. I start to sweat now, running as fast as my legs can take me. I can’t stop. I have a horrible feeling that someone is behind me. My heart thumps relentlessly as I am paralysed with the feeling that I am about to run off a cliff. The light is blinding now. I rub my eyes to adjust to the light. And pause.
I look up. The figure is in front of me now. I can see him clearly.
