I spent the next ten minutes explaining my unusual talent for stealing someone’s Divine, not just their soul. They ask a million questions, make me apologize for not telling them sooner, but in the end, they get it. I didn’t keep it from them on purpose.
Once the air clears, we move on to test the pairings I made. Harvey and Seiji challenge Angel and Grace. Their styles couldn’t be more different, and it’s fascinating to watch them clash as both teams try to come out on top.
Hazel suddenly steps in front of me, blocking my view. “You want to tell me why we’re practicing without powers? We have them for a reason, you know.”
I watch Harvey drop his sword with a dopey grin when Grace’s crossbow slices through it like butter.
“It’s not some special tactic if that’s what you’re thinking.” I wait for Hazel to lose interest now that it’s not combat-related, but she doesn’t budge. She wants a real answer.Nosey as ever.
I sigh and answer honestly. “The coven stripped me of my powers every day for a decade. The only reason I’m still here is because they didn’t want me dead… yet.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Hazel’s gaze set ablaze with quiet rage. I’ve noticed she reacts this way when I bring up my time with the witches. It scares me that she might relate to it on some level.
“I kept waiting for my Divine to save me, or anyone really, but in the end, it was my training that saved me.” I shake my head, trying to get rid of the flashes clawing the edge of my vision. “I hope you never have to experience that, but if that day ever comes, and we lose our powers, I want all of us tomake it out alive.”
I see the reason settle in her. Her expression shifts, a strange emotion flickering in her eyes before she turns to walk away. I think she’s done with the conversation until she shouts over her shoulder, “You’re supposed to follow me.”
I link Angel where I’m going, then jog after her.
Hazel avoids eye contact as she motions for me to sit under a tree that shelters us from the bright afternoon sun. She looks unsure… weary. I’m scared to make a single sound, afraid I might spook her.
“You took a bullet for me,” she says flatly.
“Yeah… I was there.”
“If you’re going to be a smartass, I’m leaving.” Hazel goes to stand, but I stop her before she can stomp off.
“Whoa, whoa. Okay, I’m sorry. Look!” I mime zipping my lips shut and toss the imaginary key.
Hazel presses her lips together, fighting a smile as she sits back down.
I’ve known Hazel was hiding a massive, life-altering secret from the moment I met her. Anyone with eyes can see her paranoia after spending ten minutes with her.
I could always see the cracks in Hazel’s armor. But now she’s showing me how deep they go, and I’m afraid she spent too much time hiding from her fears that she doesn’t know how to face them.
Hazel fills the silence, spilling her guts in one breath. “I was sold to the Eldoris kingdom’s King when I was three years old. His other slaves groomed me to be his chosen mate and their future queen.Tiberiuskept his distance until I was fourteen… then he wanted more. I didn’t. But no one cared what a glorified slave wanted.”
She pulls a dagger from her boot and starts drawing random shapes in the dirt. It’s clear she’s not afraid to talk about her past, but the way she won’t meet my eyes makes me wonder if she’s scared of how I’ll react to it.
She’s got nothing to worry about. Tiberius, on the otherhand, should start counting his days.
“The night before our mating ceremony, I killed his brother and ran. For twelve years, I jumped from realm to realm, hiding from Tiberius until I stumbled across Anxo. He thought—bless his mushy heart—helping some random runaway girl hide from the mermen king was a good deed. It wasn’t.”
I gape at her in shock. Hazel keeps tracing patterns in the dirt, acting nonchalant. She might’ve fooled me if not for the faint tremble in her fingers, screaming in the silence.
“And the guy who shot you that night in the human realm? He was one of Tiberius’ guards. That’s the closest they’ve come to finding me since I ran away.”
I rub my chest, a sudden weight leaving me breathless. I swear, living with these people is giving me heart problems.
“He’snevertouching you again.” The words come from somewhere deep within me. The way my Divine stirs, I know this isn’t just a promise. It’s an oath.
Hazel stares off into the distance, lips pressed into a thin line as she nods.
She doesn’t believe it. I know that look. I’ve worn it.
She’s waiting. Maybe not today, next week, or even next month, but she’s sure Tiberius is coming for her.
“Hey,” I nudge her leg with my boot. “I’m not letting that deranged octopus king lay a single slimy finger on you again.” Hazel snorts and tries to wave me off, but I’m not letting this go.
