Page 109 of Of Stars and Lightning
By noon, Nina planted lilies and roses all along the front courtyard, her skirt wonderfully filthy and hair full of mud. As she stood to admire her work, the sound of footsteps behind her made her reach for the concealed dagger.
“Are you so paranoid you carry a weapon on castle grounds,
Miss Amana?”
Nina sighed in relief. “Many people dislike us, Gaven.”
Gaven smiled down at the mess of holes and gardening tools by her feet. “Needed a distraction?”
“You can say that.”
Although Gaven had graduated into the Semmena Court, he and the Yarrow Court had been good friends during their time as students. He was meant to join them in the Yarrow Court, his spot earned by exemplary performance and intricate Wind Dancerabilities. But Semmena claimed him for himself for no other reason than to separate them.
Still, Gaven found ways to interact with Nina and the others, though he was closer to Sawyer as they both served on Rimemere’s tactical team.
And because he was infatuated.
“Not that I don't want you here, Gaven, but your presence usually means something is needed,” Nina said, shaking away the ache in her hands. “Surprised you didn't summon Sawyer.”
Gaven chuckled. “I did. She didn't open her door.”
Nina grimaced at the thought of her friend in her room, alone, and more than likely tending to both the physical and emotional wounds her father inflicted. But she knew her well enough to leave it alone for now, aside from the occasional check-in through the plants Nina left in her room.
The only thing keeping her from trying to drag her out was the fact Sawyer had gone out on her own accord the day before, which meant she wasn’t so far deep in her mind as to need help. “Yes, perhaps let her rest,” Nina said. “What do you need?”
Gaven sighed, turning to look past the castle gates for a moment before looking back at her. “The King has instructed me to go to the Jinn Den. He said to take Sawyer as well.” Nina’s heart skipped a beat.
The Jinn Den was the one place in Rimemere most Wielders avoided, and rightfully so. The place housed Jinn of every level, from the rabid lower levels to the ones just below the Mind Slayers. It was put in place before Nina’s time, meant to house the creatures to better understand them and their weakness, to perhaps one day best them permanently with something other than Yarrow blood.
Before Nina and her court had left Rimemere, the four of them were tasked with rotating patrols along with several human guards, forced to choose between that and the dungeons whenever they were under the King’s scrutiny.
Whatever reason Arnold had for wanting Gaven out therewith Sawyer...“For what?” Nina demanded, crossing her arms.
Gaven looked around, his expression darkening. “Apparently a Mind Slayer was caught and taken in. He asked me to…question it.”
Samara’s statement eased back into Nina’s mind.
Because it’s quite a blow to think you all searched for, what, three years with no luck, but a single Mind Slayer finds her in a month?
She picked at the dirt beneath her nails. “Now why would we keep one of those at all? Where was it found?”
The man shrugged. “I truly don't know why, or why he wanted me to take Sawyer. It was captured around Emberdon’s temple late last night.”
Nina smoothed her skirt. “Well, you’re getting me instead.”
BEFORE THEY DEPARTED,Nina changed into something more equipped to handle a Mind Slayer. She donned a dark green tactical suit, one she found in her room from her days as a student. It was a few tugs too tight, but the reinforcement it offered against a Jinn bite was too enticing for her to give up. After squeezing into it, she threw on a black cape and her usual sword before tucking several daggers into her waist belt.
When Gaven spotted her from his spot by the castle gates, he let out a low whistle. “Miss Amana, I don't think I’ve seen you in this suit since before graduation.”
Nina rolled her eyes, though still felt a tad embarrassed at how tightly it hugged her. “You are correct, Gaven. It’s my second-year suit.”
He gave her a small smile and motioned her forward to where Kahaida waited. “Smart choice.”
Gaven rode on his own horse, a stunning white stallion, at a steady pace beside her as they galloped through the forest in comfortable silence. The day was warm, a sign summer began to approach. Nina enjoyed most seasons, especially in Rimemere where they were clearly distinguished. But of them all, she liked summer most.
The sun always seemed to makethings better.
The Jinn Den was a half-hour ride from the castle, sometimes shorter depending on the route taken. This time, they decided to ride along the coast, with the beach and ocean beside them, the Jinn gate looming in the distance.
