Page 34 of The Stone Initiation
I sat on the bed, and my ass thanked me. I was exhausted. My stomach growled. Hungry too.
I lay back, mind swimming with plans that seemed to slip away the heavier my limbs got.
My eyes drifted closed. Was that a face hovering over me? Curious gray eyes and…
CHAPTER14
SERATH
Orix leans against the wall by the observatory window, his muscular arms crossed over his chest, eyes burning with the fire of betrayal.
The wounds I inflicted on him have healed, but there’s a bruise between us now. This is the first time we’ve fought, the first time any conflict has arisen within our unit, and it’s all my fault.
The observatory, the pinnacle of our residential tower and a place that has always been a sanctuary, feels tainted by the negative flow of energy between us, but although my chest aches to make amends, rage at his actions continues to simmer in my veins.
I’m a male torn.
He’s called this meeting.
This is an intervention, and I have no choice but to sit here and listen.
“We need to tell the Stone Council,” Orix says.
“No!” I curl my hands into fists. “I won’t be responsible for an innocent female’s death.” My eyes narrow. “And neither will you.”
“It’s the beast that needs to be kept in check,” Selas says from her perch on the sill opposite Orix. Her pale eyes look out at a night she cannot see, but she feels the moon, and hears the sounds of nature that we miss. Her senses are twice as heightened as ours. “The anklet can be strengthened.”
“Yes,” Prasan says from his spot by the bank of computers. “Until then, you can’t be near her.”
It’s his job to monitor our units and organize the patrols when the Graynites go to ground. When it’s quiet like this, we get to come home and focus on training the goyles that will take over once our stone bodies are worn and exhausted, or if one of us gets taken down. Like Romi.
We’re a fractured unit right now. Weakened by his loss. I can’t let this unexpected turn of events break us…Break me.
I’ve worked too hard to be here. To be a part of this team.
“I’m sorry, brother,” Selas says softly, her pale eyes looking over my head. “I truly would not wish this on any male.”
Selas Mason is the best of us. Our anchor and lynchpin and having her here, on my side right now, soothes the acid burn in my chest.
“Thank you.”
“You’ll stay away,” Orix says again, wanting my vow.
I can give him mine, but the beast’s vow? That’s a separate issue.
“He can’t stay away,” Selas says. “He’s the elite leader, and he has a duty to the cadets. To shirk that would do them a disservice, not to mention questions will be asked as to why, and if the truth comes out… Well, we know what will happen to the halfblood then.”
“We can help,” Prasan says. “One of us can be with Serath at each training session that he’s meant to attend.”
I hate that they need to monitor me like this but I’m not fool enough to deny that it’s needed.
Orix growls low in his chest. “And what about after? What about once the initiate test is over?”
“Then we’ll stick her in an admin post far from here,” Prasan says.
My chest rumbles in a warning growl. I bite it back. He’s trying to help. Trying to prevent a potential tragedy. I refuse to lose my temper.
“If she makes it that far,” Orix mutters.
