But then I opened my eyes.
My heart nearly stopped. My eyes widened in pure awe. Right before me was the sliver-thin edge of a translucent surface that shimmered radiantly in the sunset. I threw my head back in wonder, not sure how far it would go. But there it was - high above in the sky, like the arc of a rainbow, far, far away to the other side of Cinderhollow.
“Holy shit,” I muttered.
I staggered, moved by my own grandiose accomplishment.
“I really did it…”
“Halo!”
My mate’s familiar voice pulled me from my stunned reverie. Kass was breathless as he approached.
“I heard this deep sound, and you still weren’t back home and then there was this weird shimmer in the sky and -” He stopped suddenly and his eyes went wide. “What - what is that?”
“You can see it?” I asked curiously. “Weird.”
“Halo, whatisthat thing?” Kass demanded, a note of panic in his voice.
“How much can you see?” I tentatively put my hand through the barrier, then pulled it back. Nothing happened.
Kass seemed confused, but squinted at the barrier. “I see… iridescent colors, but it’s blurry.”
To me the barrier’s existence was crystal clear. Maybe Kass had just enough magic affinity to recognizesomethingwas there, but not enough to use it himself or even see it properly.
“Explain yourself,” Kass asked. “Please.”
“It’s a barrier!” I exclaimed. “Look! It’s to keep us safe.” I put my hands through it again to prove to Kass it wouldn’t bite.
He frowned, unsure. “What is it for?”
“To keep intruders and stuff out. But any of us can go and come as we please. Look.” I stepped outside the barrier, watching Kass wince in apprehension, then stepped back inside. I laughed, elated. “It works!”
Confusion and relief warred on Kass’s face until he finally sighed. “Okay. I believe you. I just hope everyone else does, too.”
His lack of excitement put a damper on my own. I frowned slightly. Why couldn’t Kass see what an amazing accomplishment this was? How much it would protect our tribe?
* * *
“I remember that,”Kass in the present day murmured. He scratched his head. “I… I know I wasn’t thrilled at the time, but you have to remember, Halo, I was scared. I didn’t know what would happen to you. Youwerewarned not to practice magic openly, and then you went ahead and created an entire barrier around the tribe.”
I felt smug. “Sure did.”
“People thought it was some evil magic to keep us trapped inside.”
“Hey,” I began, holding up a finger, “your Commander was the one who suggested it in the first place. If you think about it, it’s really her fault the barrier exists.”
I expected Kass to frown and argue, but he didn’t. Instead he gave me a wry smile. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Kassius Pax? Telling meI’mright?” I said with a theatrical gasp.
He rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes. But seriously, Halo, what does this have to do with… the question I asked? Who was the man in your story?”
My face fell. “Oh, I’m getting there. Trust me.”
Kass nodded seriously, waiting.
I sighed, letting the memories rush back. “Flash forward a few months…”
