Chapter 16 Nyx #4
“Air is a unique affinity,” she begins to explain as the sparks dance around us.
“Not only can we manipulate atomic particles in the air, but advanced wielders can also learn to manipulate the electromagnetic energy that passes through it, creating light.” The sparks whizz around us fast enough to make my hair move before dissipating.
She and Brandt have matching expectant expressions, but I shake my head.
“Thank you Danica. Adrian?” He’s around my age, maybe a little older.
He looks bored, but I prefer that over Felicity’s triumphant sneer every time Brandt isn’t looking.
He steps in front of me and sweeps his arm in a wide arc, and when his hand comes back between us, his fingers are encased in talons of ice.
“Cool.” He scoffs, a smug grin breaking the mask of ambivalence he’s worn until now. Goosebumps run up my arms, but I can’t tell if they’re “magical” tingles or “ice is cold you idiot” tingles, and I’ll be fucked before I talk about tingles of any variety in front of these people.
“Nothing.” I shrug, backing away from him.
The ice claws slowly melt into his skin and he stands next to Felicity, leaning down to whisper in her ear.
Evie moves in front of me without Brandt’s prompting.
I can see the resemblance to her sister even more clearly now: she’s taller than me, mouth curved in a wry smile, and wavy blonde hair framing dark blue eyes that shine with mirth.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Nyx.”
“None of it good, I’m sure,” I deadpan. She laughs lightly and shakes her head.
“Eh, it depends on who’s talking. You had to class with Professor Payne last week?”
“Uh, yeah.” My eyes flick to Brandt, wondering if he narc’ed on me and whether he’s telling anyone else I don’t know about. He gives me a knowing smile and nods towards her to pay attention.
“So basically you tried not to die instead of actually learning anything.” Her comment makes my lips twitch.
“Pretty much.”
“Well, no one’s died yet, so—” she shrugs, and I laugh softly before I can stop myself. I watch as her fingertip ignites, and a bright orange flame flickers between us.
She crooks her eyebrow. “Anything?” I shake my head and then the flame grows warmer, subtly transitioning to white, then blue. I flinch at the burst of heat and she quickly extinguishes it, leaving her finger completely unmarred. “Shame. Maybe next time.”
Doubt it.
She joins the conversation between Brandt and Danica, while Adrian and Felicity talk in the opposite corner, not bothering to lower their voices.
“No magic, no family… what is she even doing here?” Felicity says.
“Brandt’s wasting his time and ours.” Adrian answers. “I’d put money on her washing out before the term ends, if the Legacies don’t get to her first. We should ask Erin.”
“Did you hear what she said to Marcella?”
“For Fate’s sake, that coven is embarrassing, but a nobody like her turning them down? Might as well have a death wish.”
The growing ringing in my ears drowns out their shit-talking, but the rush of anger, frustration, and burning shame makes my cheeks redden.
I’m so fucking sick of this shit.
I’d been stupid enough to believe they were actually giving me a way out of the misery that was Lynden by bringing me here. The magic was real—but everything else?
Everything else was a fucking lie.
My blood rushes as the wave of sudden emotions washes over me, threatening to drown me beneath the crushing weight I’ve worked very hard to suppress my entire life.
I can only stare across the room, unseeing.
My fists clench when my hands begin to shake as I try to bury my mounting anger beneath the carefully constructed walls I’ve built to keep from losing my shit.
I hate that I never got a chance. I hate that some pice of shit condemned me to this life when they abandoned me in a fucking motel room.
The only reason I’ve made it this far is because I refused to feel anything. I refused to let anyone in. I kept everything at arms length, because that kept me safe. As safe as I could be in Lynden, at least.
And now these feelings won’t. Fucking. Stop.
I close my eyes in a desperate attempt to hold back the tears threatening to fall, grounding myself with the ringing in my ears and the pounding of my heart in my chest. Despite my attempts, one lone, burning tear escapes.
Suddenly there’s a loud pop, and the room goes dark. Evie conjures balls of fire that float up towards the ceiling, shedding light on five surprised faces.
“Well, this is promising.” My burning eyes meet his in confusion, but his bright smile only pisses me off further. What the fuck does he have to be so happy about?
“Professor?” Danica ventures.
“How did that feel Nyx?”
“What?” I grit out.
“You’ve just channeled primordial magic.”
“But she hasn’t gone through her epiphaneia.” Felicity argues. “That’s not possible.”
“I’d caution against ever thinking anything’s impossible—not in our world.”
“Nyx?” Evie asks.
“I’m fine.” Lie. “Are we done?” I glare at Brandt.
“Yes, Nyx, I think so. Thank you all for your assistance this evening—and well done.” I’m out the door before he finishes speaking, striding away as quickly as possible to keep any of these fucking feelings from following me into the night.