“Ah, right. Punishment for doing something you asked me to do, but not in the way you want? Seems fair.” I hop off the stool, feeling close to breaking—either into tears or something in my way, I can’t pick, and I march out the way I came, not waiting for them to follow.
To my relief, they don’t.
Micah is lurking near the entrance to the classrooms as I storm out, and I stomp right past him.
“What happened then?”
“I’m to return to my room. Training’s over.”
“Really? Wow. Easy day. Switch with me? I hate all the exercise and strength stuff, too.”
“I don’t get it. They want me to learn, right?” I turn to him.
“I guess.”
“But they won’t let me.” The anger evaporates, leaving an empty hole where knowledge should be. “Can you help?” I ask, and I push the memory of the previous night away when I asked Ten the very same thing. “You said there’s a library in The Tower? Maybe that will provide some answers about people like me? From outside of Kirrasia? Whose magic manifests differently?”
“Ah, well, it’s kind of a special library. Only the Heads of Order and members of The Chamber have access.”
“Well, I’m their guest. Technically. I went to their stupid meal. I don’t see why I can’t use some books if they’re not going to help.”
His eyes dart around, and he pulls his arms behind his back, but then he smiles. “It’s not like they can expel us from training. Everyone has to complete it. At least until the first trial.”
His tone makes it unclear if he’s trying to convince himself or me. “You’ll help?” I confirm. The mention of a trial just makes me more determined to seek my own answers, and I’ll ask Micah to fill me in on those later.
“Sure. Come on. I would say we should run back to Court, but I’ve done enough of that for today. You, well, that’s another story. They don’t see many trainees like you,” he tags on.
We head off, but his comment lodges in my head.
And I can’t let it go. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re raw, that’s all. Some people channel their natural powers. Some know it through and through from birth. Yours seems to have hit you all at once. It’s different.”
At least his explanation makes sense, in a weird way, and I grasp onto that seed of knowledge.
“Where are you going, Micah Star?” One of the Custodian’s calls, but it doesn’t stop me.
“Escorting Ever back. Orders from Rowan,” he shouts back. I don’t turn around, but they seem to buy his answer.
“Will you tell me who the others are? The trainees? It doesn’t look like I’m going to get a chance to meet them today.”
“Sure.”
“Can you start with the blonde who looked like she was going to kill me?”
“Huh, that’s easy. She wants to kill everyone. Crimson Aster. Her twin brother is Calix. They are both Warriors, but her gift is speed. She’s usually the fastest and beats everyone. You beat her today, hence, the death stare.”
Great way to make friends. “How did I beat her, though?”
He shrugs. “Ascella is another Warrior. She’s smaller, lighter than Crimson, and way nicer. She’s fast, too. And would never want to kill you. She’d be a good friend.”
“Is sheyourfriend?” I ask.
“Sort of.”
“And Ten? Are you friends with him?” I ask, unable to contain my intrigue. He’s occupied enough of my mind already, but I hope my question doesn’t let on to that snippet.
“Ten? You mean Aten Ciro? I guess you’ve already spoken with him if you’re calling him Ten. He’s not my friend. But he and the Aster twins are close. Calix has been his best friend since they were kids.”
