I clasped my hands behind my back and smiled at him. “Is that why you’ve been waiting for me to return, Father?”
He sneered before running a hand through his dark blond hair and stalking closer to me. He was a large man, broad through the shoulders and chest, but I outgrew him centuries ago, and I’d kill him in a fight. We knew this, but my father wasn’t looking for a fight.
“There’s a female lightning bearer in the realm,” he stated.
“So I’ve heard.”
“How did you hear?”
“I do occasionally venture out of the woods and into the towns. Besides, news like that spreads, even in the Revenant Woods.”
“Does it spread amongst the thieves and murderers? Is that who you’re socializing with now?”
“I don’t ask what they are. When I seek information, they tell me the news.”
It was obvious he didn’t like my flippant reply. Good.
“Did you know of her existence?” he demanded.
“Whose existence?”
I knew who he meant, but I enjoyed the flush of red rising across his cheeks.
“The female lightning bearer,” he bit out through his teeth.
“Why would I know of her existence?”
“You share the same ability and could recognize it in her.”
“And you share the same ability with many of those in Tempest; do you recognize it in all of them?”
“No, but this is different.”
“How so?”
“There are onlytwoof you.”
“And there are thousands who also control the rain like me, but I wouldn’t recognize one of them until they brought forth the rain. I’ll know who she is if she unleashes lightning in front of me. Until then, I don’t know who the woman is and don’t care.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Why not?”
“Everyonein Tempest wants to know who she is. Something such as her hasneverexisted before.”
“I’m aware.”
“She stands against Ivan and must be stopped.”
“Stopped… or brought to heel?” I inquired.
“She has a lot of power.”
“So do I.”
“You’re not using it against Ivan and hiding who you are.”
“So, you’re determined to find her so you can keep Ivan safe?”
