“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 thatseems 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 andtwisted 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.
