12
Halo
The rays of the dying sun basked the edge of Cinderhollow’s mountains in a rich gold. The peaks and slopes seemed to extend forever, disappearing beyond the horizon.
I let out a slow breath, watching as it materialized in the cool air in front of me. I held out a hand. Nothing stood between my body and the outside world - no boundary between Cinderhollow and everyone else except for the abstract ones in our minds.
But I knew that had been changing, too.
Probably because he didn’t want to worry me, but Kass wouldn’t tell me much about it. It didn’t matter because I saw the look on his face, and the concerned expressions between him and Commander Sterling. Something bad was happening outside our tribe. The Knights were tense, and not just because I made a couple fireballs in public - although I’m sure that didn’t help.
The air grew thick, electrified. I sensed it. We were on the precipice of change.
And the fact that I didn’t know what exactly that change was frightened me.
I sat down on a rocky outcrop and closed my eyes, feeling the cool mountain breeze caress my skin. Kass was anxious earlier when he told me not to return too late. He knew something was wrong, too. Kass’s alpha Knight friends probably thought he was weak for letting me run off on my own. But we both knew better.Theywere the weak ones - too controlling over their omegas to realize we’re our own people, not servants to some alpha overlords.
I couldn’t fault other omegas, especially ones without magic. But I would never let myself be controlled. Powerful magic ran through my veins, and I’d always have it to defend myself.
And Kass, of course,I thought warmly.He might be a Knight, and they might hate magic, but he’ll protect me no matter what.
Determined and angry, I stood. The Knights had poisoned the minds of Cinderhollow’s people, making them believe magic was evil. I knew the real reason. They were jealous, and afraid to lose their control. The magic in the blood of other omegas - though not as powerful as my own - was enough to make alphas insecure, and the alphas without magic were intimidated by alpha mages. It was simple. Anyone could see that if they weren’t too busy believing all the Knights’ lies.
Magic was only a tool, just like everything else. Maybe the Knights didn’t want it ending up in the wrong hands. On the other hand, it was also a blessing. But none of them could see that.
And I was the only one who could prove them wrong.
I took a deep breath, remembering what Sterling said earlier.
I’m not a fan of magic myself, but it would be convenient to have something like that protecting us from the outside.
I couldn’t help but smirk. Sterling didn’t like magic, but I was about to blow her mind. I imagined the expression on her face when she would realize what I’d created with the magic she hated so much.
I ran a hand over my belly, slightly larger than before but not quite heavy yet. Unimaginable power sparked in my blood. My magic pulsed like a living organism, ready to be unleashed; like a taut string tightened to the edge of breaking.
It was now or never.
I shook myself, shut my eyes and gathered my concentration.
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
The sudden unfamiliar voice startled me. Sparks from my heightened concentration flew off my fingertips. The stranger watched them fall. He was taller than me, with broad shoulders and slick black hair. Handsome in a mysterious way. An alpha.
“Magic,” he murmured. “Coming from an omega.”
I froze. I didn’t recognize the man.
“Who are you?” I asked firmly.
He smiled. “You must be… Halo, is it?”
My shoulders tensed. I didn’t like the fact that a stranger knew my name.
“Are you from Cinderhollow?” I asked.
He didn’t move. “No.”
Dread crawled up my spine. The man hadn’t made any effort to attack, or even move in my direction, but something still unnerved me. Magic pulsed at my fingertips. Feeling that rush of energy in my blood settled me a bit. At least I could defend myself if I had to.
