Page 87 of Above
Talon’s voice came first, a strain there that showed his own emotions. “Supernova, please, you don’t understand.”
“No, I understand. I think I always have,” she spoke, her voice barely loud enough to hear. Then she turned and walked away, heading toward the spot where the alchemists were preparing all they had concocted. Ready to do her job.
Everyone continued to stare, looking at us, waiting for something or someone to explode. But it wouldn’t be me. I felt deflated for some reason. Like all the fight, anger, and stress had left me at the sight of Tershetta. She had an odd habit of making me feel that way. Empty of all that often raged within me. I hated that about her. Being angry was the only thing that had gotten me through life, I didn’t need someone messing that up and making me feel…I didn’t know what.
“You know, Talon, I think sometimes you forget how alike we truly are. Be safe out there today.” Spinning, I looked forourfriends—not that Talon was willing to acknowledge them. He was so eager to let everything fall apart. To sacrifice all those who loved him. For what? Her? She wasn’t worth it, and I thought then that he was coming close to realizing that.
Cal was there first, his hands moving to my shoulders, pulling me in and away from the prying eyes of the crowd.
“What was all that about?” he probed, glaring at any trainee who dared look our way. I forgot sometimes that Cal could be scary when he wanted to be.
Not wanting to discuss it further, I simply mumbled, “As if you didn’t hear.”
“Oh I heard, and I think we both know that there is something else you’re not saying.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t know what’s going on with you, him, and Nova. I wouldn’t begin to understand it even if you did try to explain, because I’m pretty sure neither of you know either. Regardless, whatever it is needs to stop. Now. We have something very important that we need to get done and both of you—stars, all three of you—need to survive it.”
I had noticed the way Cal seemed to be equally drawn to her. It was in a different way, of course. More like the dark-haired girl. Maybe he also wanted to be her friend. Caleb had always been the least dedicated to the core values out of all of us. I wasn’t sure what made him stray from our beliefs, but it had been obvious that he didn’t necessarily view the eadi or the of eadi like we did.
Which was why it didn’t surprise me that he of all people wanted to befriend her. But his preferences and wishes were not my top priority. I had one thing required of me and that was to make sure that she didn’t get back alive.
“Talon and I will both make it home, Cal, don’t be worried about that.”
Cal eyed me, his nose scrunching and his head tilting as he stepped away. He understood exactly what I wasn’t saying.
“Nova will make it home too, right?” he pressed, his curls swaying as he cocked his head to the other side.
“I couldn’t care less if she does,” I lied.
Cal knew. He always knew. Of my friends, he was the only one I was ever truly honest with. Even Priya didn’t know what Cal did.
“Az, what were you talking to your father about?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Cal stepped in front of me, forcing me to stop in my tracks. We were near the edge of the training center, farther from eavesdropping ears. “No, I think it does.”
“What’s going on here?” Priya asked as she walked up to us, her arms crossed and her stare lethal. Her blunt, black hair had been pinned back, her eyes lined with kohl in the way that she loved.
I wished for so many things in that moment.
That I could be honest with them.
That we could all be free of the shackles that our parents had placed upon us.
That the world was different.
That for one day we could just breathe.
Dove and Quinn found us moments later. All five of us huddled together, an odd empty space between Quinn and Cal that had once been Talon’s. I wished Talon could be free too, no matter how aggravated I got with him. He was always going to be a part of our family, but I had a horrible feeling that he wouldn’t survive much longer if we didn’t do something about it, which was why killing Tershetta was the only path forward.
I hated that I had to be the one to do it, because, stars, why was it always me who had to doeverything?But maybe that was my purpose in life. Perhaps this was my chance to show the stars that I could be a leader worthy of their essence. Father always said that leaders had to do the hard things.
Four sets of eyes remained trained on me, each of them waiting for my admission, an odd sort of knowing buzzing between us like flies surrounding a corpse. A chill crawled up myspine, my body growing cold. I didn’t want their judgement or their praise. I didn’t want anything but a moment of peace.
So, as they all stared on, I straightened my back and lifted my chin. “Better get to our divisions.”
