“What are you going on about? Ethan and I aren’t a couple. That’s gross.” She frowns.
Grabbing her arm, I stop us abruptly.
“What do you mean,that’sgross. I’ve seen how you act around each other. He is always protecting you and trying to murder anyone who offends you.”
“Right. It’s so damn annoying.” She looks towards Ethan, and I can feel my makeup squeezing between my clenched brows.
“Explain. Because from my perspective, that’s bullshit.”
“Short answer, in mortal terms, he’s my stepbrother. Or half-brother. No, play brother. Fuck, I don’t know…Brother. He has hisreasons for being an overprotective asshole. Despite my objections.” Her arms fold beneath her breasts.
“Brother? Really? There’s no way you see him as such.”
“Wanna bet?” Her question leaves me no time to answer, and without breaking eye contact, she yells, “Hey, Ethan, after the Awakening, would you like to go back to my room and fu…”
He is fast. The speed at which he grabs her arm, pulling her into his towering shadow, all but leaves me in a confused gasp. The glow of his leer grows intense, and she smiles at the act.
“Are you high, or do you enjoy provoking me? Never speak of such atrocities with my name in the same sentence. You’re my sister, and there’s lines we do not cross. Am I understood?” His throat trembles with disgust. “As for you,” finding me with hatred swirling amidst his irises, “you will question her no longer on this matter, or consider your insignificant life expired.”
“Fuck you, it was a simple question.”
Anger forces me into defense mode before I have a moment of restraint. He traces down my body, stopping above the tightly fitted fabric covering my breasts, as if he can hear my throbbing heart. Something pushes against me, forcing a retreat against my will, and Angie expels a shrieking laugh.
“Let’s go,” he demands, releasing her arm and stalking away. I wait until Ethan is out of earshot, and another breath passes.
“What the fuck, Angie?”
“See, told ya.” She grins. Never again will I call her bluff or command a dare; she’s insane.
I shake this nervous feeling, fighting perspiration beneath my armpits, and we follow after him. Leaves rustle beyond the forest we head towards, making my head swivel, and I search for glowing, pink eyes.Is someone following us?
We’re marching opposite from where Raine and I met, and the land behind this building is riddled with vast trees. Light is unable to penetrate.Keep calm, you got this.
Not long after resuming our walk, Angie catches me up on what else to expect from tonight, until we halt.
“Here should be fine,” Ethan announces.
Angie nods, grabbing his hand and placing her other on my shoulder as a golden sigil appears before we vanish. Like before, images blur by when a random one stops on me. All sense of time fades from existence, and no matter which way I turn, this daunting image follows.
Structures crumble into dust. Bodies lie slain beyond my feet as embers sparkle from their corpses. My hands are coated in blood and black liquid while the rain’s downpour mixes into a swirl around my fingers. Cloaked in darkness, a figure stands close enough to notice, alive, but still out of full visual reach.
I search the crevices of my mind, and this memory has never passed, yet I’m staring at an image which speaks the opposite. Facing Ethan, I find his leer upon me and hatred dripping from his pores.
The image dissolves in an instant.
“Did you see it?” I ask, leaning over to Angie, but the cool air cuts our interaction short as we emerge within an open field, surrounded by stands. Fays are scattered in every direction. All match our black attire for tonight’s debut. “Where are we?”
“The Awakening,” she whispers.
I take it all in while more students appear in formal wear. Stands are filled to the brim with faculty and parents on one side, and students mingle on the other, pointing about. Anxiety raises its voice, and panic runs rapidly from my head to toes.This is actually happening. Oh. My. God.
“In a few minutes, it’ll begin,” Ethan speaks, “and I’m sure Angie has prepared you, so keep her teachings in mind. Here’s your chance to prove you belong here, or not. Either way, I don’t care. Regardless, your fear reflects on her, so the least you can do is have confidence. The stronger it is, the easier it will be for your body to accept its magical order. Weakness is prohibited.” Is he helping or praying for my downfall?
“Don’t show fear. Got it.”
I don’t.
“I’d hate to end you on such a sacred night, but then again…” He shrugs, carefree. And there it is, the infamous asshole. I blame myself for having an ounce of hope he’d try helping.
