“But Icanreturn? After training.” I school my pain and clarify, my eyes jumping between Lyle and Kamari’s stare.
She only nods.
I run to Lyle and throw my arms around her, hugging her fiercely with no concern for hurting her with my touch, in the hope that this may convey how I feel—how much I love her despite these events.
“There must be another way,” my words are muffled against her.
“Not that keeps you safe.” She squeezes me harder.“You may face dangers, now that you are revealed.”
“What does that mean?”I push my question to her, focusing on that single question and her, to learn how I might control my thoughts towards someone, now it seems to be happening more and more.
Lyle looks at me as if she hadn’t expected to hear my voice in her head.
“Be careful, Ever. Especially now. I’m so sorry that I didn’t prepare you for this. But I will forever be waiting—watching—if you need me. I love you.”
The words are comforting and add to the threads that bind us together as my arms loosen their grip. I know tears have filled my eyes, and I swore I wouldn’t show weakness, but for Lyle, I’ll let them fall, regardless of who sees.
She is the only family I have ever known, and they are taking her from me. She was kept from me, deliberately, if the gleam in Orion’s eyes is anything to go by, and now this? My hatred for this man now solidifies in my very soul.
“Steal yourself. You have done so well over these last few weeks. And now, you are unchecked. Your power is contained and malleable. Use it. And don’t let them see your fear.”
Why all the warnings about that?“I promise.”
She nods to me, and I vow that it won’t be the final time I see her as she walks away, flanked by three Warrior guards.
She doesn’t look back.
My head aches, a pulsing at my temples and towards the back of my mind as I come around from sleep. If it wasn’t for that, maybe I could pretend yesterday didn’t happen.
Kyra, I notice through a half-cracked eyelid, is buzzing around the room, not trying to disturb me but not being particularly quiet, either.
“Good… afternoon,” she greets.
“Afternoon?” I check.
She giggles. “Don’t worry. It’s quite normal to be worn out after the Transference. It can be quite draining as you grow used to your new… power.” She pauses. “Nothing a good night’s sleep won’t fix.” But her eyes don’t quite hold the same carefree air that she so easily displayed before.
“I…”
The Transference. The pain. The darkness. It all rushes back, accompanied by an urgency of feeling, pushing against me like a physical wind beating me back. Something wants to be heard, to be noticed.
“Breakfast. Or at least lunch. Then you can go and join the rest of the trainees, and I can finish your move.”
“Move?” The distraction stops me from lingering further, and I shove that eerie feeling aside and find a heap of emotion in its place. But my heart speeds up at the thought of purpose. The invitation to stay here, sequestered in The Chamber rooms, has expired—rescinded now that I’m officially a trainee.
Now, I’ll be living with the rest of them.
Ten.
“Will you be—” I start, wanting to know if Kyra will come with me, but unsure how to ask.
“No.” She turns away. “But maybe you can come to visit. It is not my place to be with the trainees. But, despite my orders, I believe we could be friends. It’s not common for servants to be well acquainted with Chamber guests.”
“We’re friends.” She’s one of the only people I can call that, and I need a friend even more now that Lyle’s gone. “As long as you don’t try to shove any more dresses on me.” I try to lighten the seriousness of the conversation.
“Oh, Ever.” She sighs. “You look so beautiful in a dress.” She beams, and I smile in kindness. She has been lovely, after all. I don’t know what I would have done if she hadn’t been here for me. I haven’t given her enough credit for her support. But I want desperately to ensure I don’t make that mistake again. “I promise that I will be at your door for any dress emergencies.” I play along and hope she hears the thanks in my words.
“Micah will keep you safe at training. At least to the best of his power.” She gives a gentle nod before heading from the main room, leaving me to pull myself from bed.
