Page 68 of A Touch of Stars and Stones (Kirrian #1)

thirty-nine

. . .

Aten

I ’m going fucking insane!

The door won’t budge. It’s never locked—we don’t lock our doors in the residence, but someone has fucking locked me in and away from whatever shit is going on out there.

The perimeter alarm sounded as the guards shoved us into our rooms. So not only did the trial go to shit, but we were now under attack.

Helplessness has never been, nor will it ever be, something that sits within me, and every part of my body rebels at this feeling as it snakes over my skin.

I pace and then sit, shoving my hands through my hair as I sift through the known facts in my mind.

They halted the trial. That’s never happened, and worse, I don’t know the details of what went on in the forest after Crimson and Ascella decided they’d like the opportunity to mess with Ever.

They were going to take the win but wanted Ever as collateral damage and happily left me and Azur behind.

I still don’t know if Calix went for their benefit, mine, or his own.

Clenching my hands into fists and visualising the frustration leaving in puffs of smoke does nothing to help the simmer inside of me, but it does allow my mind to still and focus. There’s a way out of this. There has to be.

Because at the heart of all my worry is Ever. I haven’t seen her, and not knowing if she’s alright is my own brand of torture. Every muscle, fibre, and molecule of my body is crying out to know she’s safe. And it fucking ruins any other thought.

Taking a deep breath, half in frustration, I try to search for the answers. Why did the alarm sound? Was it linked to the trial? A false alarm, or because of what happened? To Ever? A coincidence?

Right back to her.

Your mind is a powerful tool. The words from my mother slip between my thoughts, a powerful thought amongst the chaos, so I vow to test that. No time like right now, when I need everything I have. You hear that, Aslendrix .

My instincts war with the unfamiliar power I now will to respond. I’ve practised, but now I’m pushing the idea of possibilities based on what Kamari told me. Willing my power to respond, I cast a net out into the corridor, hoping to pick up on any sense of Ever.

She has to be alright.

But as my energy ripples out, there’s nothing. No sense or feel of her, and as I shout down the tether in my mind, it’s devastatingly quiet.

Fuck.

I shouldn’t have neglected training with her, practising. We might be able to communicate over distance if I’d just gotten a grip and…

There’s a tremble, a vibration against the energy I’ve cast. Nerves, maybe? I push again.

It’s not Ever. But someone is out there.

My mind all but races ahead with a plan that’s still unwinding inside itself, and before I’ve fully digested the actions I need to take, I’m already reaching for that other person with my mind with one clear intent.

It’s still trial day, and I need to test this now.

Concentration strains every muscle in my body, but I stay focused, willing my focus along the strands of energy I force out of my room until I’m met with something solid, my energy running up against it like water flowing against rock.

But it’s not rock. There are holes, gaps, and I reach inside, the single thought clear in my mind, and I push it forward, urging it to take root in the other mind.

Once it’s there, it’s like the energy fades, receding back to me.

A moment later, the steps of whoever I just invaded are on the other side of my door. The clunk of the lock tells me everything I need.

Holy fucking Goddess.

It works. But the triumph is dirty like a greasy trick. However, if it means getting to Ever, I shove that aside. It was only a little thought.

My door creeks open, and a Warrior with a frown and a tilted head greets me. He’s shorter than me and can’t be more than a few years older, so junior in rank.

“Aten Ciro?” he asks, doing that head tilt again like he’s unsure why he’s here.

I shift, pulling my blade from behind my back and use the handle to deliver a blow across his temple, all in one smooth move that renders him unconscious on the floor.

I prop him up against the wall and then scan down the hall before racing over to Ever’s door. It’s unlocked, and I barge right in, scanning the space, but she’s not here.

Next, I check for Calix, noting his room isn’t locked either. Same as Ever’s, empty. Crimson’s is the same.

But Micah’s door has a key in the lock. Looking down the hall, everyone’s door has the key in the lock except for Ever, Calix, and Crimson.

I go back to Micah’s door and twist the key before opening the door.

“Ten?” He startles.

“Yeah. What happened? Where’s Ever.”

“She’s not here.”

“I got that much, thanks,” my voice snaps at this obvious account.

“Kamari took her. Well, one of her guards knocked her out. If she’s not here, she’s in the cells.”

White hot rage floods through me at the thought of Ever in the cells.

“Why?” That’s the only question I needed an answer to.

“The trial, I guess.” He was on her team, so he saw what happened first-hand. All I got were the vague highlights before we were put in our rooms right as the alarm sounded. “She didn’t do anything wrong. It was the trial. We’re fucking meant to test our abilities.”

“I agree.” His eyes flash anywhere but at me.

“And you know I love Ever.” I narrow my eyes on him, and Micah backs up a bit.

“But you weren’t there. You didn’t see what she did.

” I stop, stare at him, and reach for what he’s feeling.

He’s always defended her before. My power pushes out, but it meets a cold, hard wall.

This time, solid and with no emotion or feeling resonating.

“We don’t have time for this, Micah. I need to know what’s going on, and if Ever is in the cells, get her the fuck out.”

“She spoke to the forest, and a Jarkoreth clawed Ascella half to death.”

“It wasn’t Ever who did any damage, so there’s no reason to condemn her,” I argue.

But I remember running from one of those creatures years ago.

It would be no work to have eviscerated Ascella if it wanted.

And it wasn’t a common gift to speak to the forest. It was part of the whole myth and legend that ensured children kept their distance.

The Jarkoreth were guardians, usually only attacking to defend themselves or those who wished to do the forest harm.

A useful point, but one often forgotten if you were running through the trees after dusk and you heard one.

Then, your fear took over and fed your speed with everything you had. Or at least that was my experience.

So why did it attack Ascella?

“I agree to the rescue, but, Ten, none of us know her potential. She’s a Fifth. And she does have a strange link to de?—”

“Don’t fucking finish that, Micah.”

He sits back down. “Is everyone locked up?”

“No.” I look back out the door to check that the hallway is still clear.

“Okay, I get you’re not in the best of moods, but communicating might help here.”

I turn back to him, and my jaw tightens. “Calix, Crimson, and Ever are all missing. The rest of the doors have locks. For some reason, I came here first.”

“Well, my guess is that they’re separating us.”

“Really? Your guess?” I jest. My patience is paper-fucking-thin.

“Fine, tell me what’s going on.”

“If I fucking knew that, I wouldn’t be here, would I?

Look, they clearly don’t want us going anywhere.

But they wouldn’t have singled out Crimson and Calix over anyone else unless it was Order business, so the perimeter alarm isn’t a false one if they’re calling in all the Warriors.

” The frustration and helplessness hit back at me.

They didn’t include me because I’m not a Warrior.

I’m a fucking Guard. So, my job is now to sit on the sidelines.

Locked away. Tricking people with mind games.

Screw that.

“I’m going to see my father.” I head for the door.

“Like that’s a great idea. It was his trial.”

“This isn’t just about the trial.” I check that the junior officer is still out cold and step out, heading in the direction of the exit.

“Hold on, I’m coming with you.” Micah’s steps hurry from behind me. At least he keeps up.

As we leave the residence building and head for The Court, there’s no alarm, only an increased amount of movement in and around the watch tower. A stream of people dressed in black now line the river and the bridge. Defensive.

They’d send other quadrants to scout ahead, then position and deploy based on the intel.

The westerly tower is the largest and has the most strategic position. Depending on where the alarm first sounded and the direction of the threat, the Warriors will be moving in or reinforcing ranks.

The Court holds a naturally defensible position with the mountains to the north, the river, and the fact that The Court is constructed and carved out of the ground. History has proven its success with the rarity of any kind of attack.

If I were a betting man, I’d wager the west would be where our forces would need to be stationed or moved.

We approach the now heavily guarded bridge, and I wonder if we stand a chance of getting anywhere near The Court until I see a familiar figure walking towards us.

General Aster.

“Aten Ciro,” he greets. “I had it on good authority you were confined to your residence with the rest of the trainees.” He casts his narrow eyes over me and then Micah.

“Sorry, General. Your information is incorrect. I’d like to speak to my father.” I level my intent, but think better of trying to manipulate him.

“I’m sure he’ll be glad to speak to you after we have dispatched with this particular issue. Now?—”

“What is the current status of the issue, Sir?”

“You’re not a Warrior, Ten. This isn’t your concern.”

“With all due respect, I don’t buy that. Calix and Crimson are with you. I’m as effective as they are.”

“Maybe. But that isn’t my call. Warriors only. The directive has come from the Orders specifically.”