“I’m not counting on it.”
9
THORNE
My eyes burn as I spring them open, reality coming back into focus as I blink up at my bedroom ceiling. Pressing my hands against my face, I don’t notice a shift in temperature, and as I slowly lower my hands, taking stock of myself, I know I’m okay. The second my self assessment is complete, I bolt from the bed, almost swaying on my feet because I move too fast.
Leaning against my dresser, I take a calming breath, and as my eyelids shutter, my memory board comes into view, offering me a glimpse of my family, loved and lost. My heart aches, but instead of dampening my determination, it spurs me on.
I take another slow breath as I press my eyelids closed, connecting with the magic in my core. Two more exhales and I feel the tingling sensation coursing through my veins.
I can feel her.
It’s faint, too faint for me to act upon, but it’s enough to fill me with courage.
Reopening my eyes, I glance at the photo of my mother, father, and sister as I reconfirm to myself that I’m simply aiding the scythe to return a debt, a favor. Nothing more, nothing less. A shadow fae never takes back their word or leaves a favor unpaid. This is a vow to my heritage just as much as it is to me.
Content and ready to strike, I roll my shoulders back, rake my hair back off my face, and quickly glance over my clothing. Combat trousers and a black t-shirt will do. I slip my thick boots on, tying the laces manually instead of using my magic so I can take a moment to ground myself.
It’s only when I rise to my full height, ready to get out of here, that I hear raised voices coming from the other side of the door.
I can hear Kael, Rion, and Ocean. I’m in no mind to deal with the three of them right now.
Cracking my neck from side to side, I swing my bedroom door open and storm out into the living room. The second I step over the threshold, Rion clocks me.
“You are not going to believe what else this fucker has done,” he grunts, pointing at Kael.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to confirm that nothing would surprise me at this stage, but that would only encourage further conversation, and I have more pressing matters to attend to. Instead, I shrug, bypassing them all without a single glance, hoping they’ll go back to their grumbling, but I should’ve known better.
Charging from the room, I don’t bother to close the door behind me as I race for the stairs, descending two steps at a time until the brisk air greets me. Dusk has come and gone, leaving darkness in its wake. The tendrils of shadows fuel me like a log fire burning bright on a wintry night.
With even more energy encouraging me to put one foot in front of the other, I make it to the peak in the path that creeps over to reveal The Vale before I hear them.
“Thorne, wait up! Where are you going?” Rion hollers, but I pretend I don’t hear him.
“Hey, asshole,” Ocean adds, slightly out of breath as she struggles to keep up, but I can only assume she’s talking to Kael because I am not an asshole.
Halfway down the path, I sense them closer, and before I can act on it, a hand lands on my shoulder, revealing Rion at my side. “Where are we going?”
“Out,” I grunt, aware it’s impossible to ignore him from this close.
“Why?” Kael asks, appearing on the other side of me, and I quickly realize it’s a little easier to ignore them than I originally thought as I clamp my lips shut, hoping they’ll magically disappear.
The streets of The Vale are quiet as I head toward the academy building in search of the portal. It’s at the steps, leading up to the wooden doors, that Ocean races to step in front of me, blocking my path as she glowers at me.
“I swear to God, Thorne,” she bites, and I sigh.
“I don’t know what you think I’m doing, but I?—”
“Save your bullshit, I can sense it,” she interjects. “That look, I know that look. You know something about Elodie and you’re going to share it with the group.” She plants her hands on her hips, attempting to appear more threatening than she really is, and I tilt my head.
“Or?”
Her eyebrows furrow in confusion. “Or what?”
“What are you going to do if I don’t?”
She shrugs. “The fact that your response is to ask that instead of denying knowing anything at all only proves my point.” A smug grin curls her lip, and I hate it.
