Page 50 of The Stone Secret
Long seconds passed where I was hyperaware of everyone breathing around me, but eventually those sounds faded, leaving me alone with the kiss of a breeze and the scent of nature. My breathing deepened until it felt as if I was floating. My blood warmed, and my beast pushed against my skin, wanting to touch the world.
Levi’s voice sounded dream-like and far away. “Let your beast rise and touch the world. Let it swim in the spirit that is all around you.”
Something tugged at my chest, and I was floating. No…not me. Her. The goyle part of me that I’d been disconnected from for so long was outside of me yet connected to me. Warmth wrapped around her limbs, and euphoria bloomed in my chest. The darkness behind my eyelids spawned stars and a beautiful full moon wreathed in frosted rings of energy. My fingers and toes tingled as my beast sank back into me, settling, calm and content.
“Cameron?” A female voice cut into my zen space. I peeled my eyes open and looked up at Flora. “There you are.”
Around me, everyone else was already on their feet.
“You went deep.” Levi sounded impressed. “Did you feel the connection?”
“I’m not sure what I felt, but it felt good.”
“Let’s see how well you did.” Yarrow looked over at Levi.
“If you connected, then you should find it easier to summon your shield,” Levi said. “You should be able to reinforce it quicker too.” He held up his hands. “But don’t be disheartened if you can’t. We have time to work on it in the lead-up to the exams, and I’ll be on hand after to assist anyone who needs it during initiate training.”
He’d be doing classes for initiates too?
“Aziza, you’re up first,” Yarrow said.
Shar rolled her shoulders and stepped into the clearing.
Yarrow flicked his wrist, and a ball of black smoke appeared in his hand. “This is negative energy in a concentrated form. It will burrow into your mind and draw out your darkest fears and find your pain. If you let it.”
“Graynites aren’t the only creatures who can get into your head,” Levi said. “Some vampires can also do this. The oldest ones. We believe there’s a breed of fangs that were born, not made, but we haven’t been able to determine for sure.”
Born vampires? Vampirism was a curse. At least that’s what I’d always known. I guessed there was stuff for me to learn about the hunter world after all. But why had Levi never mentioned this to me?
Yarrow held up the black ball of negative energy. “Ready?” he asked Shar.
“Ready.” Shar’s gaze was sharp and focused.
Yarrow flicked the dark smoke her way. It surrounded her for a brief moment before being shoved back by an invisible force. The smoke vibrated, pushing against Shar’s invisible shield. The shield shoved it farther, and it dissipated.
“Impressive, Miss Aziza,” Yarrow said. “Very impressive.”
Sharniza exhaled. “Thanks.”
Flora jotted something on her clipboard.
“Okay, Lomax, you’re next.”
Touron took a little longer to shove away the negative smoke, shaking his head as if to dispel unwanted thoughts, but he succeeded. Curi went next and took about as long as Touron. He returned to my side, pale and spooked.
What had he seen when the smoke got in his head?
“Basque? Hello?” Yarrow arched a brow my way.
Shit, I was still getting used to being called Basque. I stepped into the clearing, nerves tightening my abdomen.
My shields were shit. This was going to hurt.
Yarrow lifted his chin, watching me from beneath hooded eyes. “Are you ready?”
“I’m ready.” I blew out a breath. “Hit me.”
The black smoke rushed at me and ripped me away from the clearing.
