“You done staring at me?” I snap, irritation bleeding into my tone. His head tilts slightly, and that smirk appears again, calculated and humourless.
“Just trying to figure out how someone with that much attitude but zero knowledge of the world managed to survive this long. Must be luck.” He turns without waiting for a response, settling onto his bike like he’s already claimed the last word.
But I’m not done.
“Your Sergeant mentioned you’re supposed to answer all my questions,” I call out, eyes narrowing. Kai lets out a dry chuckle, shaking his head slightly.
“Right, gotta love when people volunteer me for crap I didn’t sign up for,” he says, voice laced with sarcasm, then he glances atme, unimpressed. As if he’s evaluated me and found me lacking. “Fine. Ask away, Princess. But don’t expect some elaborated explanation.” I can't resist a smug grin creeping across my face. Finally, I’ve managed to get under his skin, even if just a little.
“What about the other thing you mentioned? The... kir?” I ask, feigning innocence, watching his reaction keenly.
“Kvirr,” Kai corrects, his voice sharp, rolling the ‘r’ just enough to make it sound like music, a subtle accent that rings in my ears but doesn’t quite settle. “It's the God ofLight,” he continues, the words spilling out with ease. “It grants magic. Infuses it into everything it creates. That’s why, in your world, magic feels rare, almost like a dream. What you experience are just faint echoes. In Elgar, though, that’s where it resides. That’s where it’s strong. Each God rules over theirownworld. That’s why some believe in magic, while others claim to practice it. Worlds bleed into each other, but not all worlds are claimed by a God.”
“Bleed,” I repeat, the word hanging in the air.
Could that be it? Could the nightmares, the strange sensations, the fleeting glimpses of somethingotherbe nothing more than echoes?
Just whispers?
I do have thesight, so maybe I am just more attuned to that magic? Able to perceive its echo. The thought tempts me, offering a neat explanation to wrap around my questions. But deep in my gut, something twists.
I know that isn’t the full truth.
As soon as Kai finishes speaking, a sharp beep cuts through the air. He lifts his wrist and silences his watch. His attention snaps back to me, suddenly alert. A low, distant groan rumbles at the end of the road, and every tiny hair on my arms stands up.
“Time’s up, Princess. We have to cross. Now.”
Without another word, I jump on behind him.
7
Kai
WHAT MATTERS IN MY BOOK
Her emerald eyes are swollen,rimmed red as if she’s rubbed them raw. She’s still wearing that kind of flush that lingers after you’ve cried yourself empty. The bruises on her skin only deepen that quiet vulnerability she’s desperately trying to hide. One that slips through in the moments she thinks I’m not looking.
But I am, like a moth to a damn flame.
Avilyna climbs onto the bike behind me, adjusting the helmet over her dark copper curls with trembling fingers. That same stupidtightnessensnares me. It’s not worry. It’s not like she was in the bathroom for a while. Long enough to get noticeable. Long enough that the sound of her cries started to press a little heavy. No, it’s annoyance. We don’t have time for breakdowns or whatever the hell that was behind the door. Not when everything’s still falling apart out here. Not when there are orders to follow and so few patrols to execute them.
So I knocked, gave her the courtesy of checking in, no big deal. Mytone did come out rough, sure, and I should’ve walked away. But instead, I stood there like an idiot, listening to the water running. Listening to her breathe as it hurt. Listening to her try to pull herself back together.
She’s fine now.
Well… fine enough. She made it out alive, that’s what matters in my book.
Not the blood on her face. Not the way she said‘I’m good,’as if she was daring me to argue. Not the way it made something twist in my chest when I realized I didn’t have a single thing to say that would’ve helped. So no, I wasn't worried.
I’m just not in the mood to clean up another mess, that’s all.
As we navigatethe winding forest, the serene tranquillity of the woods envelops us in an eerie shawl. The moon casts a gentle glow, allowing me a glimpse of the faint trail barely visible under the bike’s light. But for me, it’s not hard to distinguish the roots poking out from under the rocks on the trail, my eyes taking their familiar hue, letting my power lick at the surface. The rhythmic hum of the bike's engine is the only sound accompanying us. Until a low growl grows louder as the creatures gain speed. One look in the mirror confirms my suspicions. A horde of norous. Their lanky forms lope toward us, the sight chilling, their nose remarkable in tracking their prey.
“Fuck!” The engine roars as I accelerate through the trees. The veil entrance is not far, but I don’t know how I will cast the spell to open it and protect her with these nasty creatures on our ass. And she can't open it...
Or can she?
Avilyna did manage to take one down without getting seriously hurt; that alone is impressive.
