Chapter 40 #2
Lyle’s still in pain, Kalan’s crouching next to her, and the sight of her stokes my power further, calling it to act.
The rain and wind funnel into the room, threatening to block out the light, and the fire that’s always burned in the food hall turns to smoke.
My storm grows, pelting down on Ravi and Azur, attacking them, until their connection to Lyle drops.
Azur sags backwards, and I waste no time, splashing through the rain pooling on the floor, and I stalk right up to him. I swing hard, my fist landing against his jaw and knocking him to the ground.
“Don’t ever attack someone I love again.
” I shove my finger in his face, “You should know it’s rude to play your little mind tricks on someone, or have you forgotten what it feels like?
” I remember what it was like in that maze he set for me, and the trick he played on me when I first arrived and how my own mind turned it into a trap for him.
As I stand over him, the rain eases, and I see Ravi get to his feet. “We’d never fight beside you. You are everything we despise.”
Those words spear me through the chest, and I’m transported back into that cell. They’re the same words that Micah said to me as he turned me over to my brother.
“Who told you that? Who told you those words?” My power lashes out, beating against the walls of the well, but it’s unruly now, and I can’t control it. Strands of dark smoke leech out into the room and curl around Ravi’s ankle.
“See? You’ll take everything you want if someone doesn’t stop you.”
“No. You attacked a defenceless person. You don’t get to complain when you pick on someone who’s bigger than you.” My magic explodes. “This is on you.”
The black shadows grow, smothering the air, replacing the rain and wind from a moment ago.
“And you’re always right? Your side in this fight is the right side. Why, because you said so?” Ravi’s words taunt me.
“I’m fighting to stop Kirrasia from falling into ruin,” I defend.
“And who said it isn’t already. Why is your version better?
Maybe we’re sick of the way things are, of our choices already being set for us, and of having to hide the power we have, just so others can have a better life.
What about our lives? Is that fair? Not from where I’m standing.
So, if that means fighting you, then so be it, Fifth. ” He spits the moniker at me.
“Like you’d stand a chance,” I warn. I raise my arms, as if it’s the next step, as if the power inside of me is desperate for me to call it—to use it.
“Ever, not like this.”
“Ten.”
My arms drop, his voice breaking the connection sparked by seeing Azur and Ravi attack Lyle.
The darkness recedes, but Micah’s face, the look in his eyes and the venom in his voice as he yelled at me rush to the surface of my mind.
It wars with the grip of control I have on this side of my magic—the darker side that seems so happy to respond to my emotion.
I’d like to think of it as Novandia’s influence, but I fear it’s not that simple.
“Micah betrayed me because he thought he was owed more power. Is that what you believe, too? You’d risk the balance of life in Kirrasia because you feel you shouldn’t have to help others? You’ll stand up to anyone who has more magic than you?”
“We’ll stand up to you,” Ravi snarls. “Even if you’re a Fifth. People know you’re cursed. They’ll see.”
His words are cruel, as if this is my fault. They snap my grip on my magic, pushing me towards that energy where I can let go.
“You’re welcome to try. But I suggest you leave, instead,” I seethe the words, my anger bettering me and rushing to ignite my power.
Shadows race free again, more this time, thick plumes of them, travelling straight out of the hall and along the residence corridor, as if painting the path for their exit.
As they grow, the addictive surge heats my chest, and I remember the night and how it felt in Nehandun.
“Ever!” Ten’s voice sounds distant through my own dark fog. “Ever!”
I pause—take a breath—and as I turn to him, and find his face in the darkness, the smoke drifts away.
It takes a while for the room to clear, and silence fills the space my anger left. My eyes land on everyone in the hall, fearful of what I might see. Relief wells up inside me that it’s not fear I see, but solidarity.
Azur and Ravi have at least taken my advice and left, and the hall comes back into full focus. No rain. No darkness.
“That’s how they did it. Anyone who’s ever questioned their power, their magic or their place in the world that Aslendrix has built, or how the Orders have shaped in her image, is susceptible.
That’s the weakness they’ve exploited. They’ve nurtured that greed that’s inherent in some, turned it and twisted it back on them.
And they’re painting you or the Orders with strength as the villains.
” Lyle chokes on the words, as we all see it for the truth it is.
First Ascella. Now Ravi and Azur. If that’s just those in training, there could be hundreds more when you consider the rest of the Kirrians.
As I look over to her, the biggest question on my lips is still unanswered. Am I the villain?
“The Usher and Fenix have both spoken of the same and argued that the misuse of power has festered. How we, Kirrians, as the ones with power, should rule over Estereah, over Sunatora, and Nehandun. How our magic should make us the top of the power chain, rather than be used to keep balance and peace.” I make sure everyone in the hall hears me.
“It’s not as simple as that, surely?” Calix asks.
“You’re strong. You wouldn’t understand,” Lyle shakes her head at him.
“What, we all have power.”
“Yes, but the trials, when we’re born, and our natural strengths dictate our role in our world. You’re not like me. Or like Kyra.”
Calix doesn’t answer Lyle because he has no answer to that.
“It’s not as simple as those with a strong power versus those who aren’t as strong. Not everyone seeks power in the same way.” Kalan’s voice rumbles through the hall. “Those boys aren’t like you or Kyra.”
“No. Neither of you is like them,” I defend.
“And neither are we.” Raiden steps forward with Capella.
“They don’t speak for all of us. But it’s like you said.
Anyone who’s ever thought of their magic as lacking or been frustrated with their position is questioning the rumours and whether they are on the right side after all. If there might be a better way.”
“You’ve heard the rumours?” My heart falters at the confirmation.
“Whoever is on the inside has set the scene for this to play out,” Capella confirms.
“Kamari will be behind this. She’s a master manipulator. It’s a Guard trait for sure, and after my mother’s confirmation of their involvement, I can’t see her being innocent in this,” Ten says.
“Look, I can’t say if the decisions of the Orders are right, or if there should be a better way for the people of Kirrasia.
All I know is this started because the Orders told my parents they couldn’t be together.
” I let that part slip out. “But it’s now much bigger than that.
The Usher doesn’t want the same change. He wants more.
More power. He wants to be a god. He wants to destroy Aslendrix and Novandia and rule over everything. ”
The silence is back.
I go and sit at the closest table, suddenly exhausted.
Perrin, who I hadn’t noticed was still here, joins me. “Power has a way of corrupting those who mean harm, Ever. Be careful.”
“Sage advice, thanks.”
“And where do you factor into all of this, Kalan Arturus?” Perrin turns his attention to Kalan.
“That isn’t your concern.”
“No? When a Shepherd returns, it is a Naturals concern, surely.”
“Did you two know each other?” I ask Perrin, my eyes flashing between him and Kalan.
“Once. Many years ago. I have only been the custodian of the Naturals for a few years. It used to be a Shepherd who’d take up the position of custodian of the Natural Order. But healer magic seems to be stronger now.”
I look at Kalan. “Is that true? Would you have been a custodian?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. I wasn’t the last Shepherd,” he grumbles.
“Yet, you left. And didn’t return.”
“No. You must have returned. There were two—two children with the powers I’ve watched for who needed help. That was my duty as a Watcher. I asked you to take that journey as I had to stay with Ever—I entrusted you…” Lyle’s voice cuts at Kalan.
“And they were.”
“Just not by you,” she snaps.
It’s another betrayal by Kalan of their friendship.
“So why are you back now?” Raiden asks Kalan.
“I’m here for her.” He nods to me.
Raiden and Capella were the ones who told me about the forest and Naturals. It feels wrong that he’s here because of a promise he made to my mother and not for their Order.
“And Ever’s here—?” Raiden starts, straightening all the facts.
“To fight my brother. I’ll stand against him if he comes. But I don’t want to fight. Not unless I have to. The rest is up to the Orders.”
“You’re a Fifth,” Perrin says.
I look him square in the eye—the man who fixed me up, fixed us all up at one point or another. How I wished he’d be able to help Ten when he was wounded.
“I know. But I am not a Warrior. I will do what I must, when I must, but I am not the one to galvanise an army. You heard Ravi. I’m the monster. I’m the villain with a power everyone is afraid of.”
“Ever—” Ten starts, but he knows more than anyone.
“No. I know my role. You can all help fight for Kirrasia and the balance of power within, but I am only interested in fighting my brother and the Usher to prevent them from destroying everything we love. Be it a small merchant cottage in a glen, The Court, or everything in between.”
As far as motivational speeches go, not so good.
“I need to protect the stone. He can’t reach it, Ten. He can’t.”
“Then we will protect it. And you with it.”
“Assuming everyone here has picked their side,” Calix starts, “can we eat? We’re not winning anything on an empty stomach.”