Page 73 of Compass Points
Chapter Forty-Three
Aiden charged toward her, anger in every one of his long strides as he approached her spot on the beach. She got to her feet, not wanting to be talked down to, literally or figuratively.
“I guess I was doing what you couldn’t, Aiden. You’re welcome, by the way.” She gestured out to the lake behind them. “Do we know what would have happened if the ceremony hadn’t been completed?” She looked around at the Compass Points who had joined them. “I think you were about to find out.”
Barely contained rage crept into every feature on his face. “You can’t just show up here and take over the Norden Point’s sacred ceremony.”
It was her turn for the rage to flit across her face. More than anyone, he knew she could and should show up at Compass Lake and take over the Norden ceremonies. Now and forever.
She was the true Norden Point. If this didn’t prove it, she wasn’t sure what would.
“I think Juliette said it best. I can, and I did.” Her spine straightened. “What were you even doing at the lake’s edge? Were you talking to yourself?”
“That’s none of your gods’ damn business, Rose.”
Luc echoed, “I’d love to know as well.” The Osten and Vesten Points nodded from the sideline.
“Who were you talking to? And what would you have done if Rose didn’t step in?” Carter piped in nervously. “It’s not like we had multiple chances at the Ceremony, Aiden. We’re all just concerned at the chaos and destruction the gods would have unfurled had we been unable even to complete our part of the Covenant.” Carter, at least, seemed genuinely concerned though it appeared he was the only one.
Aiden took a moment to glare at Carter before turning back to Luc and Rose.
“We would have figured it out.” He spat out each word. “We had it under control.”
“Who is ‘we,’ Aiden? This was your job. It’s already a time of crisis for the continent with the mist plague. Messing this up was not an option, and you did not have it under control,” Rose shot back.
She saw the change the moment it happened. The ageless grey color descended over Aiden’s bright blue eyes.
“Aiden?” she questioned, knowing it was no longer him.
“While it seems the rest of the Compass Points thank you for participating in today’s ceremony, I do not. Do not trespass at Norden house again.”
Her mind spun at the audacity. This was her home. He was in her place. Whatever,whoever this was, they needed to go. She’d had just about enough of them.
“Aiden.” She steeled her voice as he walked away from her and back to the house. “I may be a guest of the Suden Point, but let’s be clear, I am the rightful Norden Point.”
That dangerous rage was back as Aiden turned to face her. “I’m not sure what you mean by that,” he said coolly.
“I am the most powerful Norden, and I’ve proved it with my magic twice in as many days. I passed the Norden Point test,” she said loud enough for the elders to hear. Though she was sure they’d been listening to every word said on the beach. “You know it. It’s why you tried to kill me ten years ago.” She lifted her arms in a challenge. “But I’m still here, and where is your magic, Aiden?”
She barely had time to react as a dark funnel erupted from Aiden’s outstretched hand. A tornado of sand, dirt, and rocks wrapped around the two of them, pulling them together on the beachfront of the Norden house.
“Don’t you worry about my magic,” Aiden bit out as his magic continued to surround them, making it difficult for Rose to move. “My magic is fine, and quite powerful, more so than any Norden’s.”
“What are you? Aiden, are you in there?” she asked, feeling foolish but having to try. “What have you done?” She pushed her magic against the wall of earth debris that wrapped around her.
“Are you responsible for the mist plague?” she asked.
“Always with the wild accusations, Rose. I’m surprised you didn’t figure it out last night from your friend.”
“Arie,” she whispered mostly to herself. What did Arie have to do with this being? She pushed against the swirls of deadly dirt and rocks with her wind enough to give herself space to breathe. She no longer felt like the debris would suffocate her. With her circle of wind like a cloak wrapped around her, she stared down at Aiden.
“Is that what he’s going by? He always was one for stupid nicknames.”
As if their discussion of Arie called him to them, a black bird flew through the thick barrier of smoke, fighting against the deadly debris and wind. It reached Rose’s shoulder.
Aiden glared at the bird. “We were just talking about you.”
The familiar voice spoke aloud for her and Aiden to hear.
