After a few minutes, Lore says, “I know you probably don’t want to hear this right now, but you should talk to someone, Serena. I worry about you.”
A soft, furry head nudges my cheek, her soft purrs filling my ears—or one ear specifically. I’m thankful to have two companions who accept me for who I am, but I can’t escape the fact they weren’t given a choice in the matter.
As I reach our street, I spot our house in the distance, along with the other three houses filled with the top two teams from each year. The houses look identical with their little porches, picket fences, and beds of flowers. They even all had expansive back yards. When I’d asked about that, Declan said they were enchanted so we could practice our magic freely without having to go to the training rooms or the arena.
I glance up, surprised to see I’ve caught up with the guys. I watch them joke around with each other as they enter the house. I smirk when Dane forces an elbow into Declan’s shoulder, sending him tumbling down the porch steps and back onto the path. He shouts various profanities that I’m sure our neighbors must hear.
What would it be like to have friends again? People who I can trust, rely on?
Pale skin. So pale—too pale.
Lore squeezes on my shoulder, and I shake off the image, focusing on counting the street lamps I pass. It’s better to be alone than to let anyone in and have them hurt you. They all leave eventually—of their own accord, or not. It’s not worth the pain.
Just as I make a right turn onto the path leading to our front door, the handle turns, and Dane pops his head out. His eyes land on me, and my steps slow as he takes in my aura with an air of concern. “We were about to send a search party out to look for you, but I felt you coming,” he says.
“And that’s not creepy at all…” I mutter as I close the distance between us and step around him. Conversation in the common area dies to silence when I step inside; three sets of eyes land on me.
I drop my bag on the end of the couch and take a seat next to it, eyeing the two non-believers sitting on their bean bags before turning to Paxton who grins. I see his smile, but I focus on the scratches covering his face.
“Are you okay? I didn’t mean to hurt you, Paxton.”
He shrugs in a way that says, I’m fine, I had fun.
Dane sits down in the corner of the couch, kicking his feet up onto the cushions. “He said he wants you as his sparring partner, and if anyone has a problem with that, they have to go through him—or they can try.” He sends a pointed look to Declan and Rory, who look away sheepishly.
Declan’s eyes lift to mine, and I can see the guilt in them as they move between myself and Paxton. “I’m sorry for doubting you, Serena. I shouldn’t have.” He scratches his neck. “The thing is, Paxton is like a brother to me, and if anything were to happen to him…”
“Did you guys grow up together, or something?” I ask, and they share a look. Paxton shakes his head before looking away, his cheeks flushing.
“Yes and no,” Declan says. “But that’s Paxton’s story to share… when he’s ready.” Declan gives me a pointed stare, and I nod, accepting the answer—I can empathize, after all.
“And I’m sorry too, Serena. It’s sometimes hard to remember that what we’re told isn’t always the truth, you know?” Rory says, his eyes moving to mine. “Even with the Alliance, we were told the Dark will always want to kill us. And that’s what we believed—until we met you. But when you sent Paxton flying, those ideas came back.” He looks away guiltily.
I lean back against the cushions with a sigh, counting the lights in the ceiling. I’d probably be that way too, if I was in their shoes. “I get it, and I would have thought the same, but I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
I twist my head to look at Dane and raise my eyebrows. “I thought we were going to be bonding and learning about each other,” I say, changing the subject. “But seeing as you all know one another, I guess it’s just me that needs to catch up.”
He nods, and I turn to Paxton, grinning at the magic flowing around him. “I was right when I guessed you were a paladin, wasn’t I?” He nods, and I grin. Paladins are created, not born like some people. The power is given to those who are heroic by nature, who live by a strict code of honor and are superior warriors. To be a paladin is a great honor and a tough burden.
“Paladins are pretty rare; I was honestly surprised…” My words trail off when he looks away, sadness filling his eyes. “Ah, never mind. What about you?” I turn to Rory.
He puffs out his chest, and a whirl of wind flows around the room, ruffling my hair. “I’ve been blessed by the power of air from Aeolus...”
I wait for him to continue, but he just shrugs, allowing the air around us to die down. Dane huffs out a laugh, and I turn to see him roll his eyes. “What the doofus doesn’t want to say is that he also has the power of divination. It comes and goes as it pleases, so he never really knows when it will hit or what it will be about. But it’s usually about one of us or people he’s close with.”
Rory’s ears turn pink.
“Why is that a bad thing?” I ask him.
“Because it’s not a manly power. It’s not a wind sword or an air scythe,” Declan
