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But those weren't the only powers I held. Before I ever found out who I was, I learned a thing or two about survival. Such as how to kick a man where it would hurt him the most.
Which was why I drew together all the strength left in my weak body and kicked him square in the nuts.
Just like that, I was dropped to the ground, and the world around me was full of air again. I sucked in a deep breath, coughing and choking, but my vision was clear and the fog in my brain dissolved.
Jett was doubled over, cursing and snarling. “You bitch!” he howled, cupping himself, lurching around.
When it seemed like he was going to lunge at me, I pushed him back with all the strength I had, using my wind.
Only it was too much. And he was already off balance.
His eyes opened wide as he pitched back, arms pinwheeling in the air, while the cliff’s edge was at his heels.
I reacted on sheer instinct, jumping and lunging for him. “Jett, no!”
He reached for me, our fingertips brushing an instant before he went over the edge. But I grabbed him, landing on my stomach. I held on with all my might while he dangled.
“I can't do this!” I screamed.
It wasn't only him I was screaming at, either. It was Healynas and everyone around us. I was screaming at the moon itself, hanging full in the sky, as it threw pearly light over my brother while he dangled above his death.
No. I had to try.
“I can help you! Just stay still!” I shouted.
Only he was so heavy, much more so than he looked. I started sliding forward, closer to the edge.
“Let me go.” Our eyes met. He smiled. “Jaide. Let me go.” And oh, by all the gods, he sounded like himself again.
“Jett?” I whispered, torn between relief and anguish. “Is that really you?”
“I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. They did it to me,” he said.
I slid a little more, but I wasn't about to let go. My fingers tightened around his.
“It's all right,” he said.
“It's not all right!” I sobbed. “Help yourself You don't have to fall!”
“I do.”
“No! Save yourself I did it. I know you can, too.”
“Jaide.” He smiled again, sad. Accepting. “I'm already dead. Let me go.”
“I can't. I can't!” I was blubbering, pleading, but I also wasn’t the only twin who’d inherited stubbornness. Nothing I said made an impact. “I love you!”
“I'm so sorry.” He held my gaze for one final beat, and then he was gone, letting go of me because I couldn't let go of him.
I screamed, the sound carried on the wind as my brother tumbled down, down, before hitting the rocks at the base of the cliff. Even at a distance, I could see his purple eyes, now open wide and staring sightlessly up at the moon.
“No! No, no!” I pounded on the ground, screaming my pain out into the open air. I wanted to split the earth.
I wanted it to swallow me and everyone around me.
Only the sound of commotion coming from the camp was enough to pull me back to reality. I stood and turned to face them, horrified when I realized the armies were now coming at me. There was no one to hold them back.
“He's dead!” I screamed over their shouts, their snarls. “Stay back! There's no reason for it anymore!”
