Chapter 28
It was early afternoon when we met up with Lor again. She’d left us to pack her bags and was supposed to find us near the eastern city gate.
Dion had insisted on going there earlier to monitor the situation.
According to him, he’d take charge of getting us out, and if the concentrated wrinkles on his face were any indication, then he’d take the whole operation very seriously.
So I was already sitting astride in front of him for a while, and even I could see Lor hadn’t exaggerated.
The gate was heavily fortified, something I hadn’t realized when we’d entered Kalcas or last night when I’d wandered out.
Dion had every right to be mad at me for my reckless behavior yesterday.
Hot shame rushed to my cheeks, and I hid my face as I addressed Dion.
“Do you suspect they control like this because of Lor?”
“Maybe. Or it’s because their prison burned down half a winter ago, and all kinds of criminals poured into the city. A lot of them went into hiding, biding their time.”
“So, it doesn’t have to do with us?”
“No, I’m pretty sure it doesn’t.”
“And you think it’s the best idea to force our way out with magic?” From the moment Dion had voiced this plan, I’d felt restless.
“It’s the easiest and fastest way. Also, the one where they can’t see us. The guards will assume someone escaped, but won’t know who or how many.”
Dion actually made sense, believe it or not.
“About earlier, do you aim to take over leadership from Fig?”
Dion was tense and silent for a while. “I lost my patience. Guess what? I dislike following orders too.”
“To be honest, I have no trouble believing that.” A chuckle escaped my lips. Yet somehow, it felt as if there was more to it than what I’d witnessed a few hours ago. If he thought I didn’t detect him deflecting, he was wrong.
“By the way. Fig told me he’d like to try and see if you can amplify for Ireas, Antas, or him as well. He wants to know if you’re even more unusual.”
Ah, that explained Dion’s nervous energy that had surrounded him since we made our way to the city gate. It would have been weird if our departure from Kalcas affected him so much that he was anything else but moderately alert.
“We can talk about that after we’ve left the city.” Even though I tried to soothe him, I felt his arms tighten around me.
Before he could answer, the rest of the team appeared, and after another short while, Lor arrived as well. Fig appraised Dion before nodding to him, and it was obvious that things were still tense between them.
“Ready, Nayana?” Dion whispered against the shell of my ear, and I nodded, suppressing a shiver.
The same warm sensation as yesterday built up right away.
Last night, I couldn’t place what it was, but now I knew it was Dion tugging at my Potential.
It was unlikely he needed my measly support, but I was under the impression he enjoyed reminding me he could connect with me like this, and since the sensation wasn’t unpleasant for me—much to the contrary and much to my surprise—I banked it as a first exercise.
“Five seconds. Get ready,” Dion whisper-yelled to the others.
Darkness descended upon us, and the air filled with panicked screams. The sudden, unnatural darkness replacing the bright daylight was unsettling, even to me, who knew what was going on.
What surprised me was discovering that I could see through the magical dark just fine.
I could tell it was black as pitch around me, but my perception was as good as it’d been before Dion unleashed his power.
Was it a phenomenon because my own Potential was involved?
And what about the others? What if they got lost in the dark?
“No need to worry, Nayana. The others will be able to follow us just fine.” Dion’s voice was a mere whisper, and I frowned.
“Can you suddenly read my thoughts?”
“No, I just know you by now and can tell what’s going on in your pretty tiny head.”
His chuckle made me want to throw him off the horse, just as his condescending compliment, and the compulsion only grew when he placed his index finger on my lips, shushing me.
I immediately got mad, and the only reason I didn’t scowl at him was because we’d started to move. It was time to leave Kalcas behind.
In the end, Dion’s plan worked perfectly, and we escaped Marsia’s capital without an inspection or someone following us.
An hour after we’d left the magical darkness, I’d calmed my beating heart down enough and had gathered as much courage as I could.
Taking a big lungful of air, I addressed Dion without turning around.
“I think it would be a good idea to try if I could amplify for the others as well. I know the subject offends you, but in this case, you’re in the wrong.”
“No.”
“Yes. What if I can, and it’ll save our necks one day?”
“I don’t want anyone to take from you, no matter if they could or not.”
“I know. But if you drop your territorial attitude for just a single moment, you’d agree with me that there’s nothing to lose and only a lot to gain.”
“Jama, but I don’t like it.”
“Pity. In the end, it isn’t your decision.” I more felt than heard the growl vibrating in his chest. I cared little about how he hated when his orders were overruled or disregarded. Ultimately, the choice was mine alone, and he had no right to intervene.
“You rolled your eyes at me, didn’t you?”
“How would you know?”
“It’s just something you’d do.” Dion had one of his stubborn and angry moments, and I sighed.
“Ride over to Antas.”
“No.”
“Dion! One of these days, your one-word answers will drive me insane.”
“Good. Easier to keep you safe when you stop being so difficult.”
“If there’s someone difficult, it’s you.”
“No.”
I rolled my eyes again and took a deep breath before shouting Antas’ name. Just because Dion was in one of his moods, I wouldn’t submit to him. I’d never surrender my free will just so he could feel better.
“Jama—” Dion growled into my back, but I ignored him.
Antas approached, and I was relieved that he’d heard me. “Everything all right? Why did you scream?”
“Well, I had to, since Dion refused to ride over to you.”
“Did he, now?”
“Yes. He has a childish outburst of stubbornness again.”
“I’m right behind you, hearing every word you say, Jama.”
“And I don’t care.”
Antas watched the interaction with bright eyes, waiting for us to finish bickering. How could he be so patient when Dion was the opposite?
“So, how can I help you, Nayana? Do you need a break from riding with Dion?”
I predicted Dion’s growl before it occurred and smirked when I was right. “I like you too much to allow him to go all feral on you, Antas.”
“Are you making fun of me, Jama?”
“Shush, Dion.”
“Did you just shush me?”
I didn’t even dignify him with an answer, but granted him permission to have his tantrum. I needed to talk to a grown-up.
“Dion told me you suspect that I can amplify more elements than fire and darkness?”
“Yes. It’s already unheard of for someone to have more than one predisposition, so it would be good to see what we’re actually dealing with.”
“Try it.”
“Are you sure?”
“She’s not. She doesn’t want it.”
We both ignored Dion, who sulked and grumbled.
“I’m sure. I trust you.”
“I’ll be cautious. Ready?”
“Ready.” I ignored the slight discomfort as Dion’s fingers dug into my waist, as well as his low growling, which had become a constant over the last few minutes.
At first, I felt nothing but the horse moving underneath me, Dion’s large body crowding me a bit too much for my liking, as well as his chest vibrating against my back and the wind in my face and hair. Suddenly, there was a sharp pang of uncomfortable heat rushing through me, and Dion cursed.
“Stop whipping your hair in my face, Jama.”
“That was hardly my doing.” I gave myself some moments to recover from the uncomfortable feeling I’d just endured.
“It was you who agreed to let Antas try.”
“So it worked?“ My head turned around to Antas, who nodded.
“I had to search for your Potential, then coax some of it out.”
I could feel Dion radiating smugness behind me. “What, Dion?”
“Nothing. Except, I don’t have to coax. Your Potential wants to come out to play with me at the slightest nudge.”
Again, both Antas and I didn’t dignify him with an answer, even if I had to agree with him. It felt different when we worked together. A lot more pleasant, more like a loving embrace—even if that didn’t make any sense at all—and not the least painful.
After a few tests, we found out all the men could pull from my Potential, and even though we had nobody with water magic around, everyone assumed I could also support a Wielder of that affinity.
We managed to conduct our trials without Lor noticing, and I wondered why the men were so cagey about their powers around her.
After all, she’d seen Dion’s darkness—but well, if he got it his way, he’d prance around showing off his powers for all the worlds to see—and as a Marsian noble, I figured Lor knew more about the truth anyway.
Dion, of course, made a face as if he’d bitten into a bunch of lemons.
He reminded me of a child in danger of having his favorite toy stolen.
I could ease his mind and tell him darkness was the only element that didn’t feel uncomfortable when pulled, but I decided to let the bastard suffer some more.
He deserved to sulk longer for all I cared.
Lor steered her horse next to us. “We’ll arrive at the Savatos Mountains soon. From there, it’ll take us two more days until we reach Larithia if the weather holds.”
Oddly enough, she gave me her attention instead of Dion. “Thanks for guiding us, Lor.”
“No, you don’t have to be grateful for that. I got out of Kalcas undetected and only have your situation to thank for.”
“My situation?”
“I know you’re wanted, and as I mentioned earlier, I’ve heard that the guards assumed you were nearby, since someone fitting your description left the city for a few hours last night.”