They won’t let anything bad happen to me. It’s the mantra I run over and over as I sweep my gaze over everyone who enters.
“Good. Ever, you seem to have guessed the subject of our lessons today. I’d like to see what we can do by combining three people through touch. It will be a benefit to all, seeing as the first trial is only days away.”
The trial. I’d almost forgotten.
“Does Ever have to be at the centre of everything we do?” Ascella complains. “There are other combinations to try that don’t include her.”
“Yes, there are. But as she is the anomaly here. We’ll start with her.”
“I won’t.” Ascella crosses her arms in defiance.
“Even if she could be your true partner in a Triune pairing?” Aurelia’s softer words float over us, providing a calming influence.
“Triunes are rare. I don’t need it.” Her answer is resolute and aimed directly at me.
“Noted.”
“Right, well, Ever, we’ve seen what you, Ravi, and Ten might form. How about another attempt? A more purposeful one this time. All three together.”
“First,” I say. “What’s the aim of working in three?” I ask. I’ve read and remember Micah talking about it along with the idea of finding your Triune, but I want to hear her explanation.
“With three, there is the unknown.” Nova, the Custodian for the Elemental Order, offers. “With two gifts, there’s usually amplification, and the mixing usually stays within the dominant person’s traits. Even with yourself, that is what we seem to be seeing. But with three, that’s when truly unique and special abilities form. The Triune is a gift unto itself when three people connect in every way possible to benefit their own strength and magic and those of each in their Triune. Friendship, their Order,and their own traits, both inherited and gifted, all play a part. It is a truly rare occurrence, but one that benefits all Kirrasia.” He sounds almost reverent when explaining.
“So, working in threes to find this Triune is trial and error?”
“That is a very literal interpretation, but if you want to look at it that way, then yes. Many of the services and the benefits which you live with in Kirrasia and The Court, are from the magic of a Triune. The Maker’s gift is enhanced by her Triune. The heated water running through The Court is due to the three able to generate heat from the Earth. Others are more beneficial in combat,” Nova continues. “With you, Ever, there is a greater unknown. So, it seems fitting for you to go first.”
I look at Ten and catch his eyes for the first time this morning, and I don’t miss the fist he’s made with his hand at his side, but Micah steps forward next to me.
“What are you doing?” I ask him.
“Training. Come on.” He turns his head a little. “I’m the weakest here. Maybe it will be safer this way.” He nods, and I want to offer him a hug I never got to yesterday.
“I’ll do it,” Capella’s voice rings out in the class, and she steps up next to me and Micah.
Well, we were going to be doing this without the Custodian’s knowing anyway.
“Simple steps to start. You’ll feel your power mix. It may be instant, it might warm up, and you may even be able to feel it. Like when two people connect. Test it out and see how it might combine.” It’s the longest explanation Rowan’s ever provided before these experiments, but it offers nothing I’ve not heard from my friends before now.
“Ready?” I check with them both.
Micah just grabs my hand in response. This time, now I’ve practised, I hold onto the calmness inside of me and breathe through the slight rush I feel. Watching, he holds out his otherhand for Capella. She takes it, and the feel of the power flowing changes, like somebody strummed their thumb on the line of connection, the vibrations alternating in response.
Those vibrations shift, as if Micah’s ability to shake the ground is suddenly in the air around us. I close my eyes and focus, pull my own power from that well at the centre of me, and let it flow out between all of us.
“Holy shit!” Calix’s voice booms out around us, and I open my eyes. And see nothing different.
“What?” I look to Capella and Micah.
“You’re invisible. Gone.”
I can see Micah and Capella. But then Micah shifts, and an iridescent shimmer follows him, as if there’s light reflected or refracted around us.
“All of us?” I ask.
“Yep,” Calix confirms. If he hadn’t been there to tell us, we wouldn’t have known.
“That’s pretty cool,” Micah smiles at me before Capella drops his hand.
