Page 3 of Cruel Destinies

“Now focus only on your feelings toward the one you are hoping to help,” Ms. Heather continued. “Focus on the way his pain makes you feel, on your desire to make him whole again.”

That wasn’t difficult at all. My desire to fix Tobias was constantly at the forefront of my mind. I gave that my full attention, opening myself to it and letting it consume me. Sorrow and yearning washed over me like a rogue wave, and tears sprang, pushing themselves out of my closed eyelids.

A warmth kindled in my palm, mild at first, then growing in potency. When I opened my eyes, I saw a glow emanating between my fingers, radiating over the skin of Tobias’s side. My breathing escalated as I realized what I was doing, and my eyes flickered up at the hologram. The bruising was slowly waning.

It was only when the glow beneath my hand faded that I noticed the light of the bedside lamp had dimmed, because it suddenly grew brighter.

We did it! We healed Tobias’s kidney!

I knew that it had been mostly Ms. Heather’s doing, but still, seeing the magic in action—and knowing that I was partly responsible—felt like an anchor lifting off my shoulders.

Tobias stirred, calling my attention to his face. His complexion, which had previously held a yellowish tint, now retained a healthy golden hue.

“Well done, Arya,” Ms. Heather praised, removing her hand from the top of mine. “Tobias’s health is now fully restored.”

I wanted to jump up and squeal.

“Thank you!” I gushed. “When will he be able to go back to classes?”

She laughed and sat back in her seat. “Tomorrow. We’ll let him sleep here overnight, just so we can monitor him and make sure no lead is hiding anywhere in his bloodstream. However, there’s something I must tell you.”

I held my breath, waiting for the bad news.

She leaned forward. “The truth is, I did nothing here tonight. All I did was hold my hand over yours for comfort. Everything else was you. You healed Tobias completely on your own.”

I stifled a snort of disbelief. Ms. Heather had to be saying that just to boost my confidence.

But her crystal blue eyes held my gaze for a long moment, instilling the truth of her statement. I got the deep sense that this woman was no liar.

Which meant that I really had healed Tobias. All by myself.

A burst of joy exploded like a firecracker in my chest, and I threw my arms around the petite harpy teacher, surprising both of us.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

Ms. Heather returned the embrace. “For what, dear?”

“For giving me the chance to fix what I did,” I wept.

“What you did?” Ms. Heather pulled away from me, holding my shoulders. “You were not at fault for what happened to him.”

“Yes, I was,” I argued. “The vampires were looking for me. Tobias wouldn’t have gotten hurt if it wasn’t for me.”

She gave me a sad frown, shaking her head. “Guilt is a useless emotion. It keeps us from seeing the truth, and from seeing potential solutions to problems around us. The attack on you and your friends was beyond your control. You can choose to feel about it however you wish, but allowing self-blame to darken you will only bring you down and hinder your potential.”

She gently cupped my chin with her thumb and forefinger. “Don’t sink into that pit. Rise above it and do what you can to make things better.”

Her words hit me right in the gut. She was right. If I allowed my guilt to weigh on me, I’d never accomplish anything. I needed to stop focusing on the negatives and change my perspective. I needed to make sure no one ever got hurt again because of me. And exploring this new part of myself was how to do it.

Suddenly, something occurred to me, flooding adrenaline into my veins. This wasn’t the first time I had healed someone. The night Tobias was attacked, he’d had a scratch on his face, and it disappeared under my hand. I’d thought I was just seeing things, distraught over Tobias’s condition. But it must havebeen real. I’d healed him—twice now—and I was going to make sure to always be there to save him, not the other way around.

“When can we start combat training?” I asked, suddenly invigorated.

Ms. Heather smiled. “Tomorrow. After Defense class. Now go to bed. Get some rest. You’ve earned it.”

With new excitement, I left the infirmary and headed to the avian wing. This was the beginning of something promising.

This was the beginning of hope.

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