The hum continues, low and insistent. It grows, twisting into a sharp, ringing sound. High-pitched filling every corner of my skull. A thousand bells clang inside my skull, each strike vibrating through my bones. The world warps, the edges of the room blur. Sounds stretch, laughter distorts into static and shatters. And then, the floor falls away, blackness.
“Lyna,you’re putting way too much sugar!” Freya yells, her tiny hands trying to catch the crystals, but they just slip right through her fingers. I grin, nudging her aside.
“Freya, if we’re making elvencakes, they have to be super sweet and fluffy!” I toss in a little extra sugar just for fun.
She scrunches her nose and shoots back, “Well, maybe you’re the one who’s too sweet!” We look at each other for a second, trying really hard not to laugh, but then we totally lose it. Because even we know that was far-fetched.Freya lets out this big, dramatic sigh, crosses her arms as if she’s mad at the whole universe, flips her golden hair like she’s the princess around here, and stomps off to grab the next ingredient.
“Another reason why I’ll be the bookkeeper in your bakery slash coffee shop,” I say, smiling widely. I have no idea what I am doing, just trying to be a good friend.Freya sticks her tongue out, but her hazel eyes sparkle with joy.
“I’ve told you a million times, it’s not just a bakery, it’s a Bakeffee!” She says it like she just invented the greatest word in the world. Well, to Freya, it sure was.“I went with you to see the pegasus and helped you train, so don’t think you’re skipping baking day, Avilyna Morween!” she snaps, crossing her small arms with a frown that means she’s dead serious.
Freya’s a head taller than me. Which is convenient, since she gets to be the voice of reason, and I’m the designated troublemaker. The one who stirs the pot while she keeps me from spiralling too far off the rails. Without her, I’d probably be knee-deep in some kind of disaster. And everyone knows, ifFreya is breaking the rules, it’s only because I made her. Not that I mind taking the blame.
“Okay, okay. Awaiting your orders, Chef Freya Lindir,” I say with a solemn salute. Perfectly executed, just like I’ve seen people do around Mom.
“Following instructions? Who are you trying to fool, Vi?” That voice.Only one person insists on calling me that instead of Lyna, wanting to remind me every chance he gets how tiny and pathetic he thinks I am.
Ugh,I hate him.
Rolling my eyes, I turn to face the walking headache that is Kai Brackwell. The very definition of despicable in combat boots.
“I’m not talking to you,” I snap. Wyll just laughs at my very obvious attempt to shut Kai down.
They’re twelve and already so tall, which is so annoying, already going on missions, which is absolutely unfair. At least Wyll doesn’t despise me. Probably because his little sister would never forgive him. If there’s one thing those two lycans actually care about, it’s family. Or maybe it’s because Freya keeps saying that I remind her of her brother, not that I like hearing that, ew, boys are gross.
And Kai?
He doesn’t even try to hide it; he thinks I’m a waste of time, not worthy. Simply, because I haven’t awakened. Give me a break, I’m only seven springs. But everyone else… Freya, Sam and even my twin brother already have. So why not me… That’s like pouring salt on a wound that won’t stop bleeding.I just want to make Mom proud.
“Last time Sam was with you, he got bit by a wild boar,” Kai says flatly, eyes cold as ice. The same ice as his father, and that for some reason makes me shiver.
Squirming under his stare. “Alek got bitten, too!”
“Mmm, but not you.”
“That’s ’cause I’m faster than them!”
Kai snorts. “Someone who hasn’t awakened, faster than a lycan and an elf? Yeah, right. Don’t make me laugh.” His words make my blood boil. We might be twins, but Alek takes after Dad. His elven genes are obvious with his pointed ears, and his elemental magic isn’t dormant, unlike mine—unfair.
Before I can even realize what I’m doing, I scoop up a handful of batter from the bowl and smack it right into Kai’s smug face. Freya gasps; the sound echoes through the kitchen like I just summoned a demon.Oh great, I’m in so much fucking-trouble now. I’m not supposed to swear, but Uncle Theo says it’s fine if it’s only in my head and for, quote, ‘emergency emotional situations.’
Well, this?
This is way past an emergency.
Leave it to me to act on impulse and to give in to intrusive thoughts.Wyll’s laughter breaks the awkward silence, just in time for my twin to call me out.
“Avilyna! What did you do again?” Alek’s eyes are fire-bright, and the only thing we really have in common.
Exasperated, I turn toward the door, but Kai grabs my wrist, stopping me cold. I don’t dare to look at him, already bracing for the lecture I know is coming. But instead of yelling, he wipes some batter off his face, flicks a blob onto my cheek, and says.
“You throw like a girl.”
Wiping the mixture off my skin, I still burn from the sting of Kai’s words. He doesn’t say more, just heads for the door.
“That’s because I AM a girl, stupid!” Shaking his head, Kai looks over his shoulder at the boys.
“Training starts in five minutes.” Usually, those words feel like a command that doesn’t include me. But this time…Something’s different. There’s a pause in his voice, a faint warmth flickers in his eyes when he glances back at me, quick, almost like a question.
