Page 119 of A Clash of Stars

His eyes were wild with excitement as I spoke, “Nah, don’t think I have that power. I’m just naturally this amazing.”

He laughed a nervous laugh as I helped him up. “Well, you have that power. Now, let’s move to telepathy. You let me know what I’m thinking.”

“Why are we doing this, Griffin? I have nothing to prove.”

He scoffed at me, “Evander asked me to ensure your powers were…intact. You need all of them to solidify your powers to destroy the curse.”

I nodded, “Okay. I’ll do it.”

“Thank the gods! Let’s see if you can read into my thoughts,” Griff said crookedly.

I closed my eyes without responding. I could now see Griffin standing there with his arms crossed, staring at me hard. At first I sensed fear, skepticism, and longing—for something or someone. So, I tapped into that emotion to dive deep into his mind. Once I was connected to him, I was overwhelmed with the feeling of want and need, then I heard him. His eternal thoughts.

I am so hungry. I could devour an entire feast. Mainly, I could devour Lettie, but she might be scared of me if I told her that.

A soft chuckle escaped me, and my eyes opened.

“You need just to tell her how you feel, Griffin.”

He looked at the ground, and I saw apprehension in his eyes for the first time. He didn’t want to be rejected by her, and I could understand that. Putting yourself out there for something, unsure if it will destroy or help you become who you are meant to be. You become vulnerable, and that’s the scariest part. Giving over your control to someone else.

Griff’s voice cut off my thoughts.

“Next one, Persuasion. Stand before me and channel your essence into me. Give me a command—any command.”

I knew this one was already accessible because I used it on guard, but I had good intentions with what I would do next.

I walked towards Griffin and stood directly in front of him, ready to give him a command. He won’t be happy with it now, but eventually, he will learn to appreciate me.

I allowed the power to seep from me, staring directly into his eyes. I could tell he was affected by his eyes dilating in reaction to me, so I gave him the command.

“Griffin, you will go and tell Lettie exactly how you feel. No more hiding from your feelings.”

He nodded and turned around to walk outside the barn. Instead of chasing after him, I found a small room in the front with a window leading outside and watched it unfold.

I could’ve eavesdropped, but I already felt guilty about intruding on their relationship. I watched Griffin talk to Lettie, and what he said obviously impacted her. To my surprise, Lettie reached up and kissed Griffin.

Oh shit! Go, Lettie.

Their kiss turned into more, and he picked her up, bringing her inside the house next to the barn. I didn’t need confirmation that he followed my command because it worked out just as it should.

I saw Bethany quickly leave the house, her face white and full of disgust. Her walk was directly towards the barn, so I walked back into the central area of the barn to wait for her.

“Yeah, there was no way I was staying in that house,” she laughed, and so did I.

She walked towards me and stopped to stare into my eyes. I knew she wanted to say something. “Go ahead,spit it out.”

“Damn, you’re good,” she sighed before continuing, “I know Griff was going through all of the creation powers, but there was one he missed.”

Confused, I tilted my head, but a portion of me knew what she was talking about.

“The Claiborne power, healing.”

I raised my browns, “So, it is true. Athiana held the power of healing. Interestingly, that seems like a significant power, and it is never discussed.”

She nodded, “Yes, it is, which is why no one can know that I have it, but you need to see if it is within you.” She picked up one of the swords and sliced her arm.

I gasped. “What are you doing, Bethany? Are you crazy?”

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