“I’m serious, Zi. They can’t feel threatened by you. This has to be a slow process.”
“Not my style.”
“Then adapt a new one.” He lets his words sit quietly. “Let them think you’re not a threat. You win, you become a Celestial, and you ascend into power.”
“I don’tcareabout the power, Orion.”
“Oh my stars, woman! Just let me finish!” I remain silent, waiting for him to proceed. “We will work closely with them. Earn their trust, learn their secrets. We’re bound to discover something to use against them.” It’s patient, strategic—like him.
“It’s a terrible plan.”
“You have a better one, Princess?”
I release a breath, moving to look out the window.I don’t—I really don’t. Could I do it? And stay here? Could I do that to Jada or Xander back home? Guilt wracks me. I’ve barely thought of them, or Lunara for that matter. Do I evenwantto go home?
What does that say about me?
Thirty-nine
“Your upper body strength isn’t where it needs to be. It’s great that you’re comfortable with the daggers, but you need to wield any weapon. Practice with the swords today.” Orion instructs me as we walk to the training grounds.
“So bossy,” I mumble, stomping away towards my friends.
Merri, Lenny, Celeste, and Aria are standing near the rack of weapons. I search for Leo, finding him running the track with Atlas. I haven’t spoken to Atlas since that first training day. Now that I think about it…
“Does it seem like Atlas has been avoiding me?”
Merri laughs, the sound like twinkling stars. The others join her. I spun from where I was facing Leo to look at them all. “What? What am I missing?”
“You didn’t know?” Aria asks, her hand on her hip.
“Know what?” I exclaim, exasperated.
“Leo pulled Atlas aside after that first day and said some…things,” Merri whispers the last word. I swear, she’s an angel—so innocent and full of light.
Celeste nudges her. “The words will not bite you, Mer. He told Atlas, and I quote, to ‘stay the fuck away from you.’”
We weren’t even together yet. I’m pretty sure I stillloathedLeo. “He can’t do that!” They all laugh in unison again. Mouth hanging open, my head turns from the group to the track and back. Irritation and … is that satisfaction coursing through me? Ugh, what is wrong with me? “Unbelievable, overbearing ass,” I mutter, moving to the weapons and grabbing a sword. Oof, these things still feel heavy. “Len, my man, care to play?”
While the sword has more weight to it and my movements are slower, my overall progress is clear. I’m able to swing the sword, thrusting and parrying. The movement is nowhere near easy, but we all start somewhere. Thanks to the healer, my shoulder is nothing but a dull ache, allowing me more motion than I would’ve had without their magic.
“Miles makes this look so easy,” Lenny grunts.
“I don’t think Miles is human.” Our swords cross, the movement vibrating down through my hands. “I can’t feel my arms; can we call it?”
“Please.” Lenny’s arms droop, dragging the sword to the ground.
I search the grounds, finding Orion standing with the other sponsors, arms crossed. I wave to him, signaling that I’m done for the day. He nods in confirmation and continues his conversation. I’m grateful he doesn’t plan on walking me back tonight, because I have some choice words for Leo.
I storm over to where Leo is already waiting, by the entrance to the grounds. “You look like an incoming storm.” His eyes sparkle mischievously.
“Did you tell Atlas not to talk to me?”
Leo crosses his arms, his forearms flexing distractingly. “Not in those exact words, no.”
“You can’t do that!”
“Already did, sweetheart.”
