Page 12 of Drawn in Blood
“And Fen?” she asked next, feet hitting the last step as she turned and walked toward the towering doors that led out of Heksheim. “What does Fen’s aura look like?”
Odette smiled to herself. “Yellow,” she replied, her grin growing, “a bright, sunny yellow that lights up every dark crevice in the world around him.”
Ember smiled as she nodded, and she could’ve sworn Odette’s cheeks stained crimson. “How long have you been able to see people’s aura’s?” she asked, as they made their way through the large double doors and out into the sun. She sighed as the light touched her face, like magic caressing her cheeks.
“As long as I can remember,” Odette replied. “It’s both a gift and a burden, the things I can see.” Her face fell, only slightly, like the weight of it had suddenly become too heavy.
“Can you see other things?” Ember asked, kicking a rock by her shoe.
Odette nodded but didn’t elaborate.
“Slow down, Em!” Fen said, as he ran up behind the girls, tripping over his feet as he slung his backpack over his shoulder. Ember slowed her gait, turning around with a laugh to help her brother back to his feet.
His cheeks flushed as his eyes landed on Odette, and she gave him a small smile. “Oh, um, hi, Odette,” he said, as he cleared his throat, wiping away the bits of dust clinging to his trousers.
“Hello, Fenrir.” She smiled with a nod. “I suppose you have to go get ready for the adoption ceremony.” She turned to Ember, something like concern washing over her face.
Ember felt her heart begin to rattle against her ribs as she swallowed dryly. “I suppose I do,” she replied quietly.
Odette gave her a small smile, and Ember nearly jumped backwards when the girl reached out and took hold of her hand, squeezing it gently. “Be careful,” she whispered, barely audible, her white eyes almost glowing as they seemed to see right through her.
Ember swallowed again. “Right, um, have a good weekend, Odette,” she replied and then turned and sped away, down the walkway toward the wards surrounding the school.
“Slow down!” Fen yelled again, jogging to catch up.
“Thea will be over in two days,” Ember breathed, trying to slow the thumping in her chest.
Fen nodded his head as he scrunched his brow. “Right…. What are we rushing about again?”
Ember huffed as she blew a stray hair out of her eyes and crossed her arms. “I just have stuff to do. I don’t know. I have to get ready.”
“The only thing you have to do this weekend,” Killian said, as he jogged up beside them and threw his arm over her shoulder, “is go flying.”
“Flying?” Ember squinted and wriggled her way out of his grasp.
“This weekend we’re celebrating.” He grinned.
Ember bit her lip. Of course they wanted to celebrate. She turned and walked down the road, both of the boys flanking her left and right, and a wave of guilt washed over her. Fen, she wassure, thought that Thea was just going to give her information about how the adoption worked, and then they would celebrate and everything would be finalized. But if she was being honest, she still wasn’t sure if shewantedto be adopted. She loved the Kitts so much it hurt, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was betraying her parents.
This was going to be a long weekend.
“Fenrir, honestly,”Ember sighed. She rolled her eyes and let her fingers sink into the sand. “It’s not a Rukr game. Do you have to do that?”
Fen was busy stretching on the beach, currently bent over trying to touch his toes, which he was struggling with.
“Your muscles don’t care if it’s a game or a leisurely ride, Em.” He grunted. “They’ll pull either way if you don’t keep them loose.”
Ember rolled her eyes at his theatrics and leaned back on her elbows in the sand, letting the warm sun wash over her skin. Maia curled up beside her, cooing and clicking as she nuzzled her snout into Ember’s arm.
“Waiting on me, Starshine?” Killian smirked as he walked up beside her and sat in the sand.
“Couldn’t very well start without you, could we?” Ember laughed. “Besides, Fen wouldn’t let me even if I wanted to.” She shouted the last part in Fen’s direction, who shot her a rude gesture over his shoulder.
“I have something for you,” Killian said, a little quieter this time. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a small box wrapped in green wrapping paper tied with a gold ribbon.
Ember furrowed her brow as she took it from his hand, twirling it around and admiring the way the ribbon shined in the later afternoon sun. “Were we supposed to exchange gifts?” she asked with a laugh.
Killian shook his head as he smiled. “No nothing like that,” he smirked, “Just a little ‘I’m sorry Fen will now legally be your brother’ gift.”
