Page 28 of The Shadowed Oracle (The Bonded Worlds #1)

“Powers, sure.” Ingrid didn’t gloat, didn’t linger, didn’t even allow herself a moment of pride for what she’d endured. “Powers that I haven’t the slightest clue how to use.”

“We’ll get there.”

“So you keep telling me.”

“It will come, I promise.” Tyla nervously tightened her bun again, the thick light-brown hair stretching tight over her skull. “Just be patient. Have faith. And don’t let anger or desire hang you up.”

Ingrid swallowed hard, tucking the sword she still carried behind her back. Patience was never her strong suit. And faith, well, that was nearly impossible. It was her rage that had been her only weapon against the nightmares, against the Shades.

“I’ll try,” she said finally. “I know I can do it. I don’t why I’m already down on myself.

It’s only been a day.” She smiled widely.

“And I’m very grateful to you all for your help.

And for the answers. Last night, it was the first full night of sleep I’d had in years.

It was like coming up for air after not realizing I was drowning in the first place. ”

“Fucking hell.” Tyla laughed to hide the knot that seemed to be building in her throat. “Pulled that little gem out of nowhere, didn’t ya?”

Ingrid quickly noticed the welling in her teacher’s eyes. “Shit, I didn’t mean to?—”

“No, no! I’m fine.” Tyla squinted hard. “You’re just hitting my sweet spot.

That’s all. World-walkers like you. The ones that never knew what they were.

It does my head in. Even as terrible as they’ve become, I still think it’s a shame that the ones sworn to Makkar will never know they had a choice, an alternative to such darkness.

It kills me that I can’t help them. That no one helped them. ”

“Eh,” Ingrid shrugged, trying to assuage the cloud that had fallen over them. “We can agree to disagree on Makkar’s little clique.” She lifted the sword, dragging one finger over the blade. “Way I see it, those idiots don’t deserve your sympathy.”

“Oh? They’re idiots now, are they?”

“I think I’m allowed to call them that. You know, since one of them stalked and psychologically tortured me and all.”

Tyla pursed her lips, still holding in the tearful chuckle.

“Won’t argue there. Can’t say they’re that smart.

After all, the reward for all that handywork is just a one-way ticket to a war-torn world without any internet.

” Her smile vanished suddenly, and Ingrid couldn’t help but recognize the odd frown Tyla wore.

It was the same as when she’d spoken about Ealis earlier, when she and her brother were arguing.

“You don’t want to go there, do you?” Ingrid asked.

Tyla offered an agreeable smile. “I know it could be a better life for me. But this is my home.” She glanced around with a curious look in her eyes. “Well, not this . I mean London. London has been my home for over forty years.”

“Forty?” Ingrid blurted out. “Damn, you look great.”

It seemed not all the benefits of being Viator were denied to word-walkers, Ingrid thought. Not bulletproof, but timeproof.

“Thank you. But let’s not get too off-track.” Tyla moved behind her student and held a firm grip on her arm, slowly lifting the handle of her sword, then going through basic strikes and maneuvers as she spoke. “We have work to do.”

“I know,” Ingrid said, “But this is helping.” She paid close attention to every move Tyla was guiding her through as she said, “When did you find out about all this? About Ealis?”

“Fifteen,” Tyla said casually. “Mum was human. Dad was Viator. Up until the day they told us what we were, Raidinn and I always thought our dad was just a world-class dork. He spent most of his free time reading books by humans who’d died before the 20 th century.

Made a lot more sense finding out he wasn’t human, just obsessed with their culture.

He came here as a sort of research venture. ”

Ingrid tucked her chin over her shoulder, giving Tyla a once-over. She couldn’t imagine Tyla and Raidinn’s genes being passed down from anything less than a great warrior.

“Wait, your dad was some kind of scholar?” Ingrid asked.

“Yes, but he didn’t look it,” Tyla offered knowingly.

“His father, our grandad, he was the soldier. Nearly seven feet tall, I’m told.

Never met the old bastard.” She said it in a way that left no room for regret.

“He did all he could to get my father to follow in his footsteps. A general in Hydor’s army, if you can believe it.

” She gave a corrective nod. “This was years before Makkar took the throne, but it was still Hydor. Still an unforgiving institution. Dad had to bribe the portal guards to let him through to Earth and escape. He met my mum shortly after and decided to never go back. Never even spoke of it until, well, when he had to.”

“That must’ve been hard,” Ingrid said.

“You think? I always thought it was better than finding out as a child, like Dean did. And definitely better than twenty… whatever you are.”

“I’m twenty-seven,” Ingrid interjected.

“Oh, not as green as I’d thought. Then, if we’re going by how long it took me, all the holes should be filled in by, let’s see—just before you turn forty.”

“Looking forward to it.”

Ingrid watched closely as her arm was moved in a precise jab, her elbow tucked in and aided by the instruction.

“But for now,” Tyla said encouragingly. “I think we should focus on making holes. Not filling them.”

Ingrid darted her eyes at her teacher, then to the sword, then back and forth once more. “Oh, god. You made a sword joke.”

“No, I made a very clever sword joke,” Tyla said in an affected sneer. “And you better get used to them. We’re going to be playing with these murderous beauties all night. Gotta cut the tension somehow.”

Ingrid went stone-faced and silent, her body stiffening up.

Then she turned and walked away.

“Where are you going?”

Ingrid kept her eyes forward, tossing the words over her shoulder. “I’m giving you a moment alone. To reflect on your mistakes.”

“What the—are you serious?!”

It wasn’t until Ingrid got a few paces from the exit that Tyla started laughing. “Alright!” she caved in. “You win! Strictly business from now on. Let’s get to work.”