“Watch me,” I growled, and Elias flinched. But I didn’t hit him again.
Though the sight of Elias dripping in mud made me smile, I dropped the stick with a scream of frustration. Elias wobbled to his feet, sniffling and wiping themoisture from his eyes. Then, he stomped off scowling, his pride as dirty as his clothes.
“He won’t forget that,” Kaven warned.
“Good. Next time, I’ll go for the eyes.” I curled my fingers like claws.
Kaven laughed, the sound light and boyish. “You’re violent, you know that?”
“Only to those who deserve it,” I huffed.
“He was wrong, though.”
“About what?”
“You’re beautiful.”
Heat flushed my face. I knew the way he looked at me, though I wasn’t sure I could return it. “Thank you,” was all I said.
Kaven sighed. “I’d better catch Elias before he tattles. Otherwise, Grandmother Alma will quoteThe Old Bookat us all night.”
We both laughed at that, but the sound died in my throat when I looked up at the Sky. Dread pricked at me when its aura changed. What was once a clear and vibrant summer blue had become partly cloudy and washed with a green tint.
The back of my head buzzed, and I dropped my gaze to the Ground. As I rubbed my humming skull to ease the sensation, I heard a voice speaking to me. The soothing voice sounded as though it was whispering directly into my ear. I could almost feel the heated breeze hit my skin. The words were quiet and serious.
It saidLook,be quick.
Confusion coiled within me.
My breath hitched at the sound of its impatient tone. I forced myself to avert my attention back to the Sky, because something deep within me I didn’t quite understand was being lured to look. I studied the clouds through squinted eyes.
The eerie hue also had a distinct scent that settled on my skin. One I couldn’t quite place at first, but then I remembered the first time I went hunting with my father. When his arrow pierced the doe in the neck, we hurried over to the creature.
The animal was lying on the Ground with its watery eyes still open and its breathing shallow. My father was quick to end its suffering, cursing under his breath for missing the kill shot. But I’ll never forget those few moments beforethe doe died. It knew its time had come, and the odor it gave off was that of encroaching death. It was the same stench I smelled in the air now.
The green tint of the Sky slowly faded. The clouds quickly shifted to smother the sun, blanketing the land with darkness. I looked over toward where Kaven and Elias had been standing, but they were gone.
It was only me in the shadowy field.
Unease crept up my spine as another familiar scent wafted over me. It consumed every sense until it burned, and I couldn’t focus on anything other than its dominating presence.
Sandalwood.
Then it hit me—this wasn’t a dream at all. It was a memory, but altered. Panic surged within me as I was overcome with a sense of clarity.
I needed to wake up.
I needed to warnhim.
Chapter 11
“Life ends. Death is eternal.”
- The Old Book
Iargued with the Veiler guarding the outside of my tent for several minutes. He was being extremely frustrating. I tried to explain just how important the situation was, but he kept repeating that “no one disturbs the commander.”
Once he put his hands on me to guide me back into the tent, I slammed my knee into his groin and watched him wince.
