Page 28 of The Song of Sunrise
“Artemis, sir. Artemis Black.” Artemis stands from his chair and recites, “There are three types of Watchers: Moon Watchers, Sun Watchers, and Starwatchers, though Moon’chers and Sun’chers are much more common.” I can already tell that he is one of those people who enjoys hearing themselves talk. “Mysting is an attack method used by Moon’chers.”
“Very good.” Professor Novak paces to the other side of the room. “And tell me… why would Moon’chers be more apt at Mysting than other Watchers?”
Artemis’s hand shoots up in the air again, but Professor Novak’s eyes scan purposefully over him until they land on me. “You. What is your name?”
Sets of eyes crawl along my spine like ants. I shiver before remembering to answer the question.
“Akemi Nox,” I say, impressed with the steady tone of my voice despite being put on the spot in front of the whole class. I like performing and all, but only when I’m prepared.
“And what do you think? Why might Mysting be a technique Moon’chers might use?”
At first, the sting of impending humiliation runs up my spine, heating my face and neck. How am I to know any of this? I technically just joined the Watch yesterday and really haven’t had the proper time to prepare like I normally would.
Think.Think.
I scour my mind for Tellings of famous Moon’chers. I have never been so thankful for the hours of transcribing that Marrow forced me to do last summer.The Battle of Bones Baywas known to be one of the largest sea battles where Moon’chers successfully defeated the Southern Continent’s attempt at seizing our borders. Then there wasThe River Heistthat happened not too far from the Dead Twins, where Moon’chers were able to recover stolen gemstones along the Rushlung river bed.
The Myst felt wet, like fog and rain… Castor said he was a Moon’cher, and when he was battling the Underworld warriors in Goldenpine, his white, fog-looking substance was almost completely solid when he was carrying me.
He must have been using Myst. He was incredibly strong, but it was also night timeandraining. It suddenly all clicks.
“The water! Moon’chers are more apt toward controlling water during channeling.”
“Impressive. Especially for someone enrolling in the Watch so last minute,” he says, the compliment coated in ice. I can feel my cheeks brighten as students turn to stare at me.
I fight the urge to slink into my seat and disappear into the small dark space under my desk, but it appears Ramona is already doing just that.
Clever sunlicker!I give her a look.
Luckily, the professor quickly moves on to ask a series of questions to another cadet.
After a thorough questioning of a mousey strawberry blonde cadet, Lacerta, and her twin brother who must have taken all of the growth genetics in the womb, Leo, Novak seems pleased with their understanding of different Moon’cher abilities.
“Excellent Lacerta and Leo!” A fresh gleam of excitement shines in the professor’s eyes, his passion for teaching evident.
“Cadets, hold your palm with the stone that Selene handed out at the beginning of class face down in front of you. Do not open up your hand until I say so!”
I almost forgot about the cool stone wrapped in my fist. I follow suit with the rest of the class and hold my arm out.
“When I say so, you will turn your hand upwards and open. All of the stones are the same but one. If you are the odd person out—please come to the front of the class. “Three, two, one… Open!”
We all turn our palms up and look around to compare to the others. All around the room I see bright white stones, except mine. The shine from the polished black stone in my palm winks. Cadets crane their heads to see the stone in my hand as I slowly stand.
“Akemi! Lucky you. Come up to the front of the room,” Professor Novak says.
I slowly work my way to the table at the front. Thank the Goddess I chose the turtleneck, which is undoubtedly hiding my flushed chest and neck. For all the work I put into Telling in front of large crowds, it certainly doesn’t help me here.
Professor Novak scurries to his desk and grabs two small boxes from his drawer. My heartbeat quickens in anticipationas he returns to my side and gently sets the boxes on the table. Carefully, he lifts the lids and sets them aside to reveal a gold and silver stone, each displayed on a silky black material.
I’m pretty sure the whole room collectively inhales at the sight along with me. I don’t know what I’m looking at but they are magnetizing, beautiful, and… powerful. The air around me pulses with immense power.
“Affinity Stones!” Artemis gasps, practically hanging over his desk to get a good look.
Professor Novak grins. “Yes indeed. These are Affinity Stones. Each of you will test with these after class until your affinity as a Moon’cher or Sun’cher is identified—”
“What about the third stone?” Artemis blurts.
Professor Novak's eyes flicker with annoyance. This is going to be a long year.
