“Domus,” I whispered.
Nothing happened.Well, that was anticlimactic.
Sighing, I began to lower my arms?—
Pure energy exploded in my chest. I was falling and flying at the same time.
Something new, a strand of light, unfurled inside my sternum, and it strummed with loyalty, aggression, and the urge to protect. It felt violent.
The cord burned impossibly hot, and my heart pounded like I was having a heart attack as I struggled to breathe.
It was a panic attack.
The connection was overwhelming.
All-consuming.
Intense. Dangerous. Volatile.
I collapsed onto my knees and clawed at my sternum.
Shaking.
Gasping.
Everything got blurry.
A horrible stench brought me back to consciousness. Wetness licked my nose, then Fluffy Jr. stepped back and stared down at me.
He had two-colored eyes.
One a pale white, the other midnight black.
“Are you blind?” I whispered as I fingered his mashed-up little ear. He spun in a circle and barked, the sound loud and dangerous.We’ll deal with that later.
Groaning as the icy snow burned my exposed skin, I hobbled to my feet.
There was a new throbbing ache in my chest, and while it was no longer debilitating, it washeavy.
Titus stood a few feet away, with his jaw hanging open. He stared at me like I was an idiot.
It was the perfect moment for me to practice vocalizing.
“Frick you,” I said to him, then stomped (shuffled) away, with Fluffy Jr. at my heels.
“YOUR TIME IS UP!” General Cleandro shouted from the doorway a minute later. “Everyone, out.”
I ran (hobbled forward with more intensity), and Fluffy Jr. sprinted past me.
He wiggled his lumpy butt with excitement and looked back to make sure I was following. I smiled at him.
“You have five hours to study in the classroom,” GeneralCleandro announced as we trudged through the dark hallway. “Use the time wisely.”
When we finally got back to the library, my smile fell.
Augustus blocked the door. Poco was still seated on his shoulder.
The other initiates had already entered the room.
