Everything was falling apart, and I had to do something. Anything.
With my brother, it is always anger that pulls the trigger.
“Fenix will help me. You want us to work together?” I level the question at the old man. “I’ve done everything you’ve asked, so help me in return. Where is he?”
After yesterday, I’d assumed he’d be training with me, but he’s a no-show.
“He isn’t available. He has his own tasks to see to. Yours is to learn to push your magic past the confines of Aslendrix.”
My head falls back, and I look up at the sky. “How? How did Fenix do it? If you won’t let me work with him, explain it to me.” I was beginning to lose all patience with the same story over and over again.
We’re not in the training ring, and we’re out of sight of the cave where Ten and Crimson are held.
“Fine. Sit.” He sinks to the ground, more gracefully than I’d expect, and I join him, happy to rest. “Fenix came to me before his Fifth abilities were present. He didn’t show any signs due to his young age and how far away from Kirrasia he was. But I knew who he was and the potential he possessed—what a Fifth can do. Thanks to Aslendrix’s curse, Novandia’s magic was confined. But, at very specific times, that can be manipulated, and Fenix was able to benefit from that, going through his own Transference of sorts. But instead of having his abilities throttled, Novandia was gracious and bestowed everything he would have been under Aslendrix and more.”
“But, how?”
“An eclipse is a time when Aslendrix’s power is blocked. There are all kinds of eclipses, all resulting in differing opportunities. A full eclipse gave Fenix that opportunity, and he was there to absorb the abundance of power. He is Kirrian, born under Aslendrix, and so has magic in his veins. That made itpossible for him to withstand his new gift. And he trains with it. Uses it. Pushes it, strengthens it, and has made his skill into a weapon that is unrivalled. Until now.”
“You’re so sure I’ll be able to support you just because I’m his sister and a Fifth?”
“He will help bring the correct order to Kirrasia and the rest of our world. But he needs you. You were born to be together. Born of two Fifths. The ultimate weapon to force change.”
Force change?The words crawl under my skin, but I don’t react. “So, it’s because of who we are, siblings, that you need me.”
“You aren’t just siblings, Ever. Fenix is your twin. Your power individually can be great, but together, there is no limit to what you might do. Two Fifth’s combining magic is what the Orders went to war over. That is why your parents were killed. They fell in love and were forbidden to be together because the Orders feared what power they had together. You and your brother are simply following in their destiny.”
Destiny? Twin?I’m still wrapping my head around the concept of him being my brother. A twin? I think of Calix and Crimson. Best friends, close, dedicating their lives to each other, even wanting to be part of a Triune together.
Nausea rolls in my stomach, but behind the visceral reaction, a part of me craves the thought of a family, and what my parents would have wanted. To be a part of something that mattered—part of something that is simply more. Someone who is my blood, who belongs to me.
The image of Ten appears in my mind, and I scream his name down our connection, needing him to hear me now more than ever. But there is only a vibration along the tether that holds him to me. Nothing more.
“I think that’s enough for today.”
The following day, they escort me along the path that will take me back to the training ring, where hopefully, I’ll see Ten and Crimson. I’ve had no word from them, no news, other than knowing that Ten’s still alive through our connection.
My brother hasn’t come to speak to me, issue demands, or wind me up, which is always a plus. But it’s been… laboursome. Even though I’m exhausted and my energy is low, I’m restless being confined. The time I’m left to myself only offers up space to think. To question.
Behind bars and alone.
The folded pieces of paper I scribbled on during our passage here are now worn from my constant reading and refolding, but they offer a highlight, a glimmer for me to hold on to. But even those are now tainted with the knowledge that it was all a game.
Elex and Aerith.
Thinking about them and their story only conjures complicated feelings about Lyle and Kalan, so I hide the papers under my pillow along with the Ciro knife. I don’t need to keep it written down any longer, their names are now scarred into my heart whether I like it or not.
And I still haven’t had the opportunity to tell Ten about them. The secret that had been kept from all of us for so long. It’s cruel that his father must have known—that Kamari, Rowan, Aurelia, and maybe Perrin all knew this and chose to keep it from me.
All because I am a Fifth. They were Fifths.
As soon as I’m close to the cell and training area where Ten and Crimson are, I try our bond, and I smother a hand over my mouth to conceal my gasp when he answers.
“Hey.”
“Thank Aslendrix and all the stars, Ever.”
“Are you okay? Your stomach, is it healed?”I rush, needing to know this before anything else.
