I linked arms with Ellabeth again, trying to calm my racing hearts. All seven were beating like wild drums. I had to get through my first dawn without fighting. Just this first one.
“I hope he chokes on the way up.”
I slid my gaze to her aquamarine ones. “Out for blood?”
“He ticked me off.”
I snorted. Same.
“Once complete, your results will be distributed throughout the Farasee Order across all twelve Sorellien Islands. It’s important for the temples across the Ouanaviel Empyrean to know about this generation of Ascendants aspiring to be Disciples. Those who excel, will also be noted by High Farasee Manazzra Ahabiah, and the Profèt of our empyrean, Profèt Samael.”
Ellabeth and Igasped.
High Farasee Manazzra Ahabiah? The male was a Faraseeicallegend. He’d been alive since the beginning of the Fifth Age. He’d seen the formation of the Ouanaviel Empyrean from its inception. There would be no Farasee Order if it wasn’t for him. Profèt Samael wouldn’t even be the leading voice of spirituality for the empyrean, if it wasn’t for Manazzra.
If I did well during my first season in the temple, he would know?
Stars.
I’d do whatever it took to make sure the High Farasee learned of me. My Matriarchs had paved the way. Now it was my turn.
“Do us all a favor,” Esau said. He crossed his arms. “Don’t die.”
My eyebrows shot to my hairline.
“I’m sorry,” Ellabeth said. “What did he just say?”
“Any questions?” Esau asked with a voice that suggested he didn’t actually want to answer any. Hands shot into the air. The Farasee sighed. He folded those battering rams he called arms and picked an angel close to him.
The female had pink hair, tawny brown skin, and a little bounce in her float, her pink wings bouncing, too. I pressed my lips into a thin line. She was too cheery. Too excited.
She wasnotmaking it in.
“When do the gates close?”
“Why do you care? Make it in before they do. Next?” Farasee Esau snapped.
“I swear, I hope he doesn’t become my Presbitari. I wouldn’t be able to deal with him as my professor,” grumbled the male with the pretty brown eyes. He was wrinkling his nose at Farasee Esau in annoyance.
I laughed. “What if you do?”
The male looked at me. “I’ll pluck my own wings out. No lie.”
Ellabeth and I laughed.
“Safah,” I said, smiling up at him.
“Daelun.”
“I’m Ellabeth,” Ellabeth said from around my shoulder, keeping her voice low. “Your eyes are really pretty. You could break some hearts with those.”
Daelun’s grin stretched, his brown eyes glittering. “I’m worse with my mouth.”
I grinned wide. I liked him already.
“If we survive this Hèls of a climb, friends?” I asked him.
“Who am I to deny an Anathelle?” he teased, wiggling his eyebrows. “Absolutelyyes.”
