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Uncle Charles recognizes my maturity. Why can’t Kaevin see it?
“We had a mutual agreement that I wouldn’t transport without you, but that shouldn’t include when I transport inside or around the ranch house.”
“You went to Tenavae,” Kaevin said, with an angry flail of his arms. “To Portshire!”
“How was I supposed to know Markaeus found a brand new portal that went to his grandfather’s hut?”
“Exactly! You didn’t know where you were going, so you shouldn’t have gone without me.”
Alora took a deep breath and held it, in a vain attempt to keep her temper at bay. “Fine! I’ll never go anywhere without your permission again.” She flounced out of bed and marched across the room, throwing over he
r back, “Do you mind if I go to the restroom now? Or do I need a hall pass?”
His eyes narrowed. “Alora, this is the behavior of a child.”
Halting in midstride, she caught herself before she stomped her foot. Instead she turned back, speaking with slow, even tones, painted with disdain. “I. Am. Not. A. Child.”
“Then don’t act as if you are.” His jaw jutted forward as his arms folded across his chest.
Jireo stepped forward, grasping both of Kaevin’s forearms, and speaking in a funny, pinched tone. “Kaevin, as your defender bond brother, I must tell you... your present line of conversation puts your life at risk.” He burst into laughter, falling on the vacated bed.
Alora grasped at her self-righteous anger, but felt it slipping through her grip, especially when Kaevin mouthed, “Sorry,” and dropped his eyes, stuffing his hands in his pockets and sending out a wave of remorse.
Jireo caught his breath. “Alora, I should remind you that killing Kaevin might be satisfying...” He gave an emphatic wink. “But it would also be hazardous to your health.”
**************
“I’m an emotional wreck, Beth.” Alora collapsed in a chair, happy for a moment alone with her best friend. “I don’t know why I can’t keep my gift under control. I seem to be getting worse instead of better. Grandmother’s about ready to give up on me.”
“Did she really say that?” asked Beth, her brown eyes as round as saucers.
“She doesn’t even know about my latest failure. She’s on an expedition with Bardamen. They’re going back to some kind of library full of scrolls and parchments, called the Craedenza. It’s supposed to have all of their history and writings, plus a bunch of scholars who understand it all.”
Beth yawned, circling her eyes to the ceiling. “That sounds fascinating. Sorry I wasn’t invited.”
Alora chuckled. “Right. Me too. But I hope she figures out how to help me with this empathy problem.”
“All you really need is warm chocolate chip cookies. They cure everything.” Beth checked the time on her cell phone. “They’ll be done in eight minutes. And I’m sure the guys will help us eat them when they come in from target practice.”
With a groan, Alora pushed to her feet, moving to stare out the window. “I should be out there learning to shoot instead of inside, baking cookies.”
“What are you talking about? Since when are you interested in shooting a bow and arrow?”
“Since my fun ‘Spring Break Adventure,’ that’s when.” Alora had adopted Beth’s sarcastic term for the harrowing experience with her father. Injecting a little humor seemed to make it easier to talk about. “You don’t know... I can’t explain how awful it felt to be absolutely helpless. I never ever want to be that way again. I want to learn self-defense. I want to learn how to fight with a knife. How to help in close combat. Archery. I want to learn everything I can.”
“Hmmm...” Beth lifted one eyebrow with the same expression she wore when Alora teasingly suggested studying was more fun than riding a horse. “And what does Kaevin think about that idea?”
“What difference does it make if Kaevin approves? He’s not my father—he doesn’t control my life.”
“Not in favor, huh?” Beth chuckled.
Alora couldn’t help laughing. “No, he doesn’t approve, but I’m learning anyway. I don’t need his permission.”
“What’re you doing? Watching YouTube videos?”
“No, I’m... promise you won’t tell?”
Beth leaned in close, her shoulders scrunched with excitement. “On my honor as your best friend. You know I love secrets.”
