“You don’t know how to wield that yet, so try to avoid using it unless you have to,” I instructed as we slowed our breaths.
Hazel nodded quickly, holding the knife with shaky hands. “Who is it?”
At her question, I focused on the energy surrounding us. Despite the hoard of humans on the other side of the building, I could sense it. The presence fast approached, seeking a fight.
Upon sensing it, icy sensations washed over my skin, locking up my muscles as my heart pounded harder at the confirmation.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
“Kinetic,” I whispered. “Shit, Hazel. Go hide.”
“No,” she said, determination set in her clenched jaw and pinched brow. “I’m not leaving you.”
“But you’re not trained enough for this…”
“I don’t care. I can help. My magic…” she said, waving her arm at me, showing off her black currents, indicating the power of X-ray.
“Mom and Dad would kill me if—”
“It’s fine. Focus. I’ll stay out of the way but will help if needed.”
I clenched my jaw and faced the approaching Kinetic. Five, four, three, two….
Rounding the corner, a male Kinetic with neon-green hair came into view. Blue currents glowed on his neck beneath his jacket. I could only assume he’d overheard our conversation in the park. I recognized him from the training room, and he was someone who took his job very seriously.
“Well, the king will be shocked to hear that treason runs high in the palace,” he greeted with a confident grin. “Best to inform him early before the infection spreads.”
“Treason? Who’s committing treason?” I played dumb. The fact he ran into a back alley and found me wielding a dagger in broad daylight with my currents exposed gave away my lie.
Kale Brighton cocked his head, observing me with a sly grin. “That’s interesting. You might not be planning to kill the king, but did I hear something about an insurgency involving Chrome? Imagine the palace gossip once that gets out.”
I squinted at him. “You’re jealous, bro. Everyone knows you’ve been aiming for Chrome’s spot for a while now.”
Kale scoffed. “He can’t have it all, can he? Someone else needs a chance to win the Kinetic Tournament in the next fifty years. It’s hardly fair he has it all.”
I shook my head. “That’s pathetic.”
“No,” he said, hardening his expression, his nostrils flaring. “Being an accomplice to killing the king is what I consider pathetic.” Taking a step closer, he asked, “Why? Why does he want to?”
“First of all, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I pulled my magic close to me, feeling the power of light waves warm my veins.
“And second?”
I shrugged. “Go fuck yourself.” I threw my palm out, aiming at Kale with the goal of blinding him. He jerked his arm to cover his face, blocking it. I took the opportunity to go on the offensive, charging at him with my dagger directed at his face.
I punched his jaw, knocking his head to the side. Holding the side of his face, he stumbled back a few steps. I maintained the upper hand, pushing forward, kicking at his feet.
Kale sidestepped in his stumble but soon recovered.
I feinted a jab at his head to get him to open up, but he slipped it. Suddenly, a loud shriek stabbed my ears. Thousands of knives seemed to puncture my brain. I fell to my knees, stillgripping my dagger while I clutched my ears. I cried out, sure my eardrums would start bleeding if it lasted much longer.
“Slate!” Hazel’s distant scream burst through the screeching in my head. I had to do something. I had to protect her.
Focusing on the dagger in my grasp, I slashed the blue glowing blade at Kale’s leg. It nicked him, but it was enough to make his concentration falter. Rolling away, I shut out the agony that split my brain and eardrums.
Before I could stop her, a thick, white laser struck Kale in the stomach. Hunching over, he cupped the singed open wound of Hazel’s X-ray power. I spotted her standing with a hand twisted downward, fingers facing the concrete, and palm directed at Kale. My sister’s black currents raced up and down her arms and neck at a speed I hadn’t seen on her before.
Kale gasped, looking up at the fourteen-year-old he had underestimated, eyes wide and mouth gaping open. “I’ll…heal.”
