I stared at Kaia questioningly, my eyes darting down to her empty hands.
“Attack,” she said again.
“You don’t have a weapon.”
“I don’t?” Her voice raised in mock dismay, before hardening back to her normal tone. “Not your concern. Attack.”
I knew Kaia well enough now to know that I had better do what she said. I brought my sword up and lunged at her with a cutting motion. Instantly, her hands came up as if she was holding a sword, and mine was blocked before it ever got close. I put more of my body weight behind it, but couldn’t move my sword any closer to her. It was as if she was holding a sword made from?—
“Air,” I breathed, impressed.
Still in a fighting position, the pressure on my sword released, and she launched into a flurry of attacks. Now that I knew what she was doing, I could almost see the air sword shimmering there. I pulled up my air channel to see if that would help. It did, but it also distracted me enough for her to hook my sword, sending it flying out of my hands. Undeterred, she continued her attack. I flung myself on the ground and rolled behind her. She pivoted and started attacking anew.
“Call up your own,” she instructed, giving me no time to think as she continued her advance.
Instinctively, I flung out a hand, and a sword made of pure fire appeared. I didn’t have a chance to be impressed with myself before I had to use it to block her attack.
“Interesting choice,” she remarked.
“It’s the only element I’m wielding with any regularity.”
“You should work on that.”
I gritted my teeth, both from the effort and her comments. “I am.” I met her blow, sparks crackling.
“Good girl.”
We continued the fight.
Even though I’d now been training daily with her for over two months, I was still no match for her in terms of speed and skill. Before too long, she had her sword of air at my throat. I could feel ithovering there. If she lost control for a single moment, it would slice through me instantly. I had no idea how air could do that, but I knew instinctively it would.
I raised my hands, the flames of my fire sword spluttering out, until I clenched my fist and they disappeared entirely. She released her blade with a whisper of a breeze and stood straight, looking more winded than usual—which was to say she looked slightly tired since she never broke a sweat. I, on the other hand, was sweating profusely.
“Why do we even use real swords if we can do this?” I asked, breathless.
“Feel the exertion? It’ll tire you quick. You only have to concentrate on one thing with the physical weapon. A channelblade will drain you fast. But you should be able to use every weapon in your arsenal. You never know when you may be without a physical weapon. Go on now.” She gestured to the doorway. “Get back to the castle before you’re dead on your feet.”
I did go back to the castle, but instead of making my way to my rooms, which would have been smart, I went to the library. I was still looking for something, anything, that explained how the Veil was made or could be repaired. Channels used in some specific combination or the right amount of power applied. Or a ritual, like skinning a snake in the light of the new moon and then dancing naked in its blood, although I hoped it didn’t come to something like that. The history book Finn had left for me today discussed two peoples from different lands coming together, their powers combining to form what we now knew as channels. I also found an account of my parents’ deaths, but all it said was they sacrificed themselves, and it fixed the Veil. There was no mention of what the fuck they actually did. I slammed the book shut.
As I pulled another book toward me, a strong arm brushed mine. I didn’t need the ocean scent nor the telltale sign of my heart rate increasing to tell me it was Griff. I studied the page in front of me,searching for something, anything, that would distract me from his presence. Of course that was when he sat next to me, his body angled toward mine, taking up space in the way only he could that made the rest of the world seem smaller. He rested his arm along the back of my chair, his hand curving lightly around my shoulder, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Like he touched me like this normally. Like I hadn’t been thinking about his hands for days.
“Find anything useful in your research?”
“Nope.”
I shivered as he shifted closer.
“Cold?” he asked, concerned.
I shook my head. Not even remotely.
He peered over my shoulder at the page. “That won’t help,” he said, nodding at the book that was speculating on the origin of the Veil.
How had I never thought to ask the person who was out there each time it broke? “Then what will?”
“I don’t think you’ll find it in a book.” He was echoing my thoughts. But someone, somewhere, had to know the answer.
I started to ask him another question when we both heard his name called. He swore softly under his breath as he gave me a glance that said he’d be right back and that I should stay there until he returned.
