Chapter Nineteen
First bell rings and disrupts me from my sleep.
I sit up in my bed and brush my hair off my face.
Flashbacks of Oriah swarm my mind, and reality hits me.
I look down at my hands and concentrate on the power within me.
I feel the energy coursing through my veins.
The tips of my fingers tingle. An orange orb sparks on my left hand.
I bring it closer to my face to examine it.
It looks just like the light workers. Maybe it is, and Heira is playing tricks on me. No. Gods don’t lie.
The orb flickers and dims, like a lightbulb losing its power. I turn my attention to my other hand. The tingling grows, and I am reminded of that day with Alex in the stairwell. It’s a similar feeling, but how did I have my power before I received my Gifts? My eyes narrow in, but nothing happens.
“Come on,” I whisper to myself, giving in to the power.
I squeeze my eyes shut and think about last night and that image of myself in the mirror with the haunting darkness in my grasp.
I feel a sort of release within me, but the need to open my eyes is replaced with hesitation.
I carefully open one up and see the black abyss before me.
It’s true. I couldn’t believe it before, not entirely, but now it’s hard not to.
The ball of darkness is floating in my right hand.
I stare into its vortex, and I feel a current racing through it, drawing me in almost like a black hole.
I hear a noise next to me and quickly close my palm and hide my hands underneath my duvet.
“So… how was it?” Nala is rubbing the sleep out of her eyes and looking over at me. Remember what Oriah said… ‘Pretend Heira visited you. ’
“It was eye-opening,” I say with an exhale.
I look over at her, and her face contorts with confusion.
“I mean eye-opening in a brilliant kind of way!” I say more excitedly, trying to distract her from my previous response.
“Sooooo, who did you meet?” Nala sits up in her bed and beams at me in excitement.
I feel bad having to lie to her, but the last thing I want is for her to be mixed up in all of this.
“I met Heira,” I say whilst uncovering my left hand from under the sheets and igniting a small flame for her to wonder at. The flame doesn’t sit on my hand for long and extinguishes after a few seconds. I watch as her jaw drops, and she leaps out of her bed and races over to me.
“That’s amazing. Told you it would be something badass!” She grabs my wrist and watches the orb reappear.
“Careful, don’t want to blind you on my first day with my Gifts,” I say, pulling my hand away from her, and a laugh escapes our mouths. She flashes me a smile and gets up, gathering her things for a shower.
“You’re up early, aren’t you?” I tease.
“I know. I guess I was just excited to find out about your Gifts.”
She picks up her towel and glances over at me. “You know what else is exciting?” she asks, and confusion is now smothering my face. “Your date with River!” she exclaims, twirling the towel around on her finger.
“Oh, don’t remind me.” I roll my eyes, and a giggle escapes her lips. “The boy who doesn’t give up,” I laugh.
“Asha and River sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-” Nala sings, but before she can finish, I launch a pillow in her direction.
She closes the bathroom door in response just before the pillow reaches her and lets out a muffled laugh as it collides with the door.
I feel a tingling in my palm again as the black orb returns unprovoked.
I close my hand again to compress its dark glow.
Keeping this a secret may be harder than it sounds.
I think back to last night - ‘Find The Soldark’.
That book from the Archives, I need to get it.
I knew it seemed important, but I can’t go yet.
Someone is sure to see me this early in the morning.
I will have to sneak in again later tonight.
Hopefully, my date with River won’t go on too long.
Maybe I should just call it off, but then he’ll definitely think something’s up.
The last thing I need is for people to ask questions.
That settles it. Go on the date and then find The Soldark.
I find it hard to concentrate at first meals.
All I can think about is getting my hands on that book.
Nala is talking to Charlie opposite me at the large oak table in the dining room.
I break up a large slice of sourdough bread and spread a generous dose of butter on the end of it before plopping it in my mouth.
I feel eyes burning into the side of my head and turn to look.
It’s Alex. Seriously, why can’t he just leave me alone?
He approaches our table, and I roll my eyes in his direction.
“I hear you’re a light worker, Calloway?” he says before taking a piece of bread off my plate and waving it in my direction.
“I’m surprised news travels that fast in the healing quarters,” I retort with an unbothered tone, snatching the bread from his clammy hands and placing it back on my plate.
Nala and Charlie let out a light chuckle, which annoys Alex. He places one hand on the table in front of me and stares into my eyes as if trying to intimidate me. Nala makes eyes at me from across the table.
“Why don’t you just fuck off, Alex!” she taunts, and he throws her daggers.
He leans in closer.
“You know, you may have fooled every other fucker in this school, but not me. Something’s not right with you, and I’m going to get to the bottom of it.”
I feel heat spread to my cheeks. I can tell Alex is going to be an issue. His eyes search mine for a moment before he is cut off unexpectedly. River stands behind him with his hand gripping Alex’s right shoulder.
“Is there a problem here?” River says as he towers over Alex and looks back and forth between me and him. River yanks Alex back so he is now standing facing him. “They told you to fuck off, mate.” River says in a serious tone.
Alex takes a step back and brushes River’s hand off his shoulder. I can see on Alex’s face that he knows he is no match for a third year, but he tries to play it off.
He laughs before saying, “No problem. I was just telling Asha here how pleased I am that she is going to be in Mr Herringford’s class with me.”
He raises his eyebrow in my direction, and I watch him in silence. I hadn’t thought about that. Now that I’m a ‘light worker’, I’m going to be in a class with Alex.
“Good mate, because I know it didn’t work out so well the last time you caused trouble with Asha,” River says, smirking at him, and Nala and Charlie break out in giggles.
Alex huffs and walks past River, bumping his shoulder as he exits.
“She’s fooled you the most, ‘mate’,” he says as their shoulders touch briefly.
River stands his ground and waits for Alex to disappear.
Nala places her hand on top of mine in a comforting way and looks at me sympathetically.
“Don’t listen to him. He’s just trying to heal the ego you bruised.”
I place my hand on top of hers and smile.
River walks around the table end and plonks himself down next to me. I remove my hand from Nala’s and turn to face River.
“Thanks,” I smile at him and place my hand on his thigh.
“He bothers you again, you let me know.”
I nod my head in response to him.
“Not that you need my help, really. You put him in the healing quarters twice already this term,” he laughs.
“I know. I don’t know why he hasn’t learnt his lesson,” I agree, matching his energy.
“Seriously though, he’s obviously got it in for you. He’s had his Gifts longer than you; I don’t want him catching you on an off day and hurting you.”
He looks rather sweet when he’s concerned. I move myself closer to him and place a hand on his cheek briefly.
“I’ll be alright. I can handle myself.” My gaze meets his, and I shrug off his concern.
A small smirk forms on his lips, and his hand traces over mine. He reaches out and takes a swig from my glass of water on the table in front of me.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he says, gesturing at the water.
I nod my head, telling him that it’s okay.
I mean, we have already kissed, which means we’ve gone way past exchanging DNA.
Sharing a glass of water seems insignificant.
I blush at the thought of our kiss, and he continues, “I know you can, but I have someone who can help you practice your powers. Remember Haley from the party?”
I remember her, and it’s such a nice gesture, but I can’t be drawing attention to myself like that. What if she realises my light power is not the same as hers?
“Yeah, of course, super pretty blonde,” I say, not wanting to shut him down straight away.
“She’s one of the best light workers in our year. I’m sure she’ll be happy to help you harness your Gifts.”
He smiles. Why must he be so damn helpful?
“She keeps asking when we can all hang out again.” His eyes look over mine and bounce from left to right, waiting for my reply.
I don’t want him to think I’m ungrateful, so I create the best lie that I can. “That’s so nice of you, but it’s really not necessary. I don’t want to be a burden.” I pause for a second. “But tell her we can definitely hang out soon!”
He studies my face hard and furrows his dark brows. I feel his hand cradle mine.
“Don’t be silly, Asha. I’m sure she won’t mind.” His voice drops a register, and he speaks with understanding. “How about I just drop it into conversation? She never does anything she doesn’t want to. If she wants to help, I’m sure she’ll let you know.”
He takes another swig from my glass, and I watch as his Adam’s apple slugs up and down his throat. Oh, River. Damn you and your hero complex. I force a small smile back at him and playfully snatch the glass out of his grip, submitting to the fact that he will probably never stop trying to help me.
“Thank you,” I say, taking a swig of my drink.
He smirks again, evidently happy that I am accepting his help. I’ll just have to create another excuse if Haley wants to tutor me. The thought of lying to everyone around me makes me uneasy, and I take another sip of my water.
‘It is necessary to conceal the truth when the truth can be deadly.’ A familiar voice startles me, and I choke a little on the water. I cough and splutter, and River looks at me with concern.
“You okay there?” He pats me gently on the back.
My cheeks redden, embarrassed by my reaction. “Yeah, I’m fine, just went down the wrong hole.” I brush it off and wipe the residue from my lips with the back of my hand. ‘So, you can just butt in whenever you like?’ I direct my thoughts back to Oriah, hoping she gets my message.
‘Now you’re beginning to understand.’ There is a slight warmth to her voice. ‘But don’t worry, I’m not here to invade your privacy. I’m just here to guide you.’ I nod in response, and River’s gaze intensifies.
“You sure you’re alright?” he questions again, causing me to break myself out of my stare.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I promise.”
I’ve got to get the hang of this telepathic communication thing.
I take another bite of my bread and swallow, shooting River a friendly smile.
I look toward the other end of our table and see Alex sitting with a few of his friends.
I think about what he said about me. That I was different.
He was right. I can’t help but wonder if Oriah was watching over me then. ‘
‘Wait… what happened to Alex on the stairs — was that you?’ I think about his spontaneous combustion; it never made sense until now.
‘The boy deserved it, fighting you before you had your Gifts.’ There is a tinge of annoyance in her voice, like she dislikes Alex as much as I do. ‘You have to understand, Asha, I wasn’t going to let anything come between you meeting me.’
I understand her desperation. I am the last of her kind, and if my light was singed out by an asshole like Alex, I’m sure it would’ve brought nothing but pain to her.
‘I thought you couldn’t interfere?’ I think back to her words last night.
‘Technically, I didn’t. I just gave you a taste of your Gifts before you got them,’ she says with a mischievous tone. This is definitely not her first time finding ways around the Gods and their rules.
‘I guess I owe you a thank you,’ I think in reply to her. ‘Just give me some warning next time.’
I take her silence as a response to her stubborn nature. As the last of the Starkind, she will probably never stop trying to protect me. I need to make an effort not to provoke anyone, as they will surely end up in the healing quarters just like Alex did.
The second bell rings, signalling that first meals is over.
Nala looks at me as she begins to stand up. “Good luck with your first class with Mr Herringford.”
She picks up her plate and walks with me to the counter, where all students are expected to put their used crockery and plates.
“Thanks, Nala. Have fun in Miss Redfield’s class.”
I stack my plate onto the pile of dirty dishes and shoot her a smile. “See you at lunch.” She heads off out the door. I turn my attention back to River, who is placing his plate on top of mine.
“And I will see you tonight, milady.” He bows playfully and reaches for my hand. I stretch it out for him, and he places a gentle kiss on the back of it.
“Of course, my prince,” I play back and curtsy, making him smile. I watch as he walks away with a pep in his step.
Now that I have my Gifts, my class with Mr Herringford will become my speciality, which means for two hours a day, I will be taught how to harness my light work abilities.
I feel panic prickling beneath my skin. This also means that for two hours a day, I will also have to try to conceal my Moon powers.
I gulp at the thought of this. I can’t afford to slip up. My life depends on it.