Chapter 25
General Ashford was only just arriving at the gym as I was walking up. This would be our first time truly alone since the ball. I didn’t bother changing out of my leathers. It seemed like too big of a task after the workout.
He noticed my approach and held the door open in silence, but I felt his eyes scan over me.
“Hello to you, too,” I quipped, brushing past him into the familiar space. He followed me inside without a word.
I pulled a chair from the wall and sat, my muscles sighing in relief as I pulled my hair back into a tighter knot at the nape of my neck, now malleable from the sweat.
“I trust your group training with Mercer is going well?” His voice cut through the silence as he grabbed his own seat.
“I’m exhausted but it could be worse,” I responded, tracking his movement.
He took his time pulling the chair over, the scraping sound grating at my ears. It didn’t seem like he was listening to me at all.
“The recruits are interesting, aside from Baelor, who seems like he could murder any of us in cold blood,” I half-joked. Murder me, perhaps. This seemed to grab a portion of his attention.
“Oh Soleil? Yes, he’s a piece of work. Just like his father,” Laryk responded.
“He reminds me a bit of you, actually.” I raised an eyebrow, anticipating his response. His eyes shifted to me curiously.
“Don’t insult me like that again, Riftborne.” He actually smiled before his eyes glazed back over as he returned to whatever was occupying his mind.
I cleared my throat, feeling an edge of agitation, “So what's the plan for today?”
I watched as his teeth scraped over and released the plumpness of his bottom lip, his mouth slightly parting when he finally looked at me. “Hmm?”
“What’s the plan?” I snapped, my exhaustion turning to annoyance.
What is going on with him?
I was sure it had something to do with the Wraith attacks.
There was probably so much we weren’t authorized to know about yet.
So much we hadn’t given our blood to know about yet.
It took a strong willpower to not start asking him about everything.
I slipped a shard of red jasper from my pocket and gripped it in my palm.
The last thing I needed was to lose my patience.
“We have to get you caught up with the rest of the recruits. While you can’t truly practice using your focus like some of the others, we need to get you to the point of full control without the release.”
“So my goal is to let my focus form to the fullest extent but to not use it?”
“Correct.”
I nodded. It seemed like an easy enough task, but it had been pretty resistant since the incident with the guard. Since Laryk killed him.
My eyes closed and I turned my attention to my lower spine, willing out the translucent webbing, watching as it began braiding up my vertebrae only to retreat again.
“How do you think my focus will work against the Wraiths?”
Willpower, gone. So much for the jasper.
I wondered if I sounded nervous.
“When you found me and saw what I was capable of, I’m assuming you brought me on with these opponents in mind?”
“I have my theories,” he replied vacantly.
I opened my eyes again and noticed he was back to chewing his lip.
“Will I be clued in on these theories?”
He sighed, pushing his hair away from his face. He wore it down tonight and it flowed in waves over his shoulders.
“Eventually, yes.”
My mouth formed a straight line as I glared at him, hoping to see some form of his usual spark, but his mind seemed to be elsewhere.
“That's reassuring.” I murmured. I gripped the stone harder, but the sweat from my palm caused it to slip and tumble onto the ground with a piercing clatter. It landed at Laryk’s feet. He bent to pick it up, finally turning his attention to something other than his thoughts.
“Red jasper?” he mused, observing the shard.
“I thought it might help with my concentration. I find it very important to pay attention during our sessions. Perhaps you should hold onto it,” I replied, exhaling sharply.
He half-smiled without looking at me, but kept the stone in his palm, tilting his head to the side before pursing his lips. I could see his train of thought returning to his inner world.
“Continue,” he said, leaning back in his seat.
I slammed my eyes closed, trying to quell my irritation. I sought out the tendrils and goaded them up my spine. It took all of my concentration, but they climbed halfway. I pushed forward, through my exhaustion, but they wouldn’t seem to rise any further.
We stayed in this battle for a few moments before I released them into the depths of my back. I shook my head and sighed. It was progress, but not much.
“I was able to get my focus under control part of the way before it started to slip. I think–”
“Good to hear.” He stood abruptly. “I suggest you do some practicing in your free time as well. I’d like you to have full control in a fortnight.”
“What free time?” I felt a headache starting to form in my temples as I considered the already full schedule I was working with.
“I’m going to have to call today short. I have pressing matters to attend to this evening.”He ignored my question, rolling his neck and shoulders.
“Is everything okay?” I asked. It had only been half the time of our normal sessions.
“Nothing you need to concern yourself with.” He didn’t even glance in my direction.
“Is it… the Wraiths?” My voice was quiet.
He paused for a moment, biting his lower lip.
“Yes.” It was all he said.
There was a knock on the glass.
“Laryk, are you almost ready?” Narissa cooed, leaning against the doorframe. She glanced over at me, and her expression turned sour.
“Yes, we only just finished.”
I glanced over at him, reading his features. He didn’t seem to light up at her presence, but he did brush past me and leave without a goodbye.
The door closed behind them in a final gust of wind.
The gym was empty now, quiet.
I swallowed my frustration before continuing the training on my own.