Page 83 of Swift Wings Shadowed Heart
I shrug. “I opted for a shower and early bedtime. I was tired, but I won’t miss it tonight.”
Piling my plate with eggs and fruit, I do my best not to look at Vaylen. It seems the roles have reversed, and he’s the one controlling the situation now. I don’t like it. I need to turn the tables around somehow. I can’t be in his thrall.
But first things first. I have to get the Chief Inspector off my back.
Some of the Primes leave once breakfast time is up. Vaylen is involved in conversation with Prime Emberstone and continues ignoring me, even though I’m supposed to meet him in his office to wait for the Chief Inspector’s arrival. I stuff a forkful of eggs in my mouth and follow my mates as they leave.
“I can’t wait to get up there.” Nate points toward the ceiling. “It’s about time they let us practice our elemental skills. My hands have been itching to test my new fire power. I’m ready to incinerate a load of fucking Screechclaws.”
“Tell me about it.” Adelaide twirls her hands, then snaps them closed into fists. “I’m dying toLife Drainthose bitches.”
Now, I have to admit I wouldn’t mind being able to have that particular Skytide ability. Draining the blood right out of our enemies’ vile hearts would be satisfying. ThoughBreath Bind—asphyxiating them by crushing the air from their lungs—is a comparable alternative.
Instead of appearing excited, Phoebe makes a face.
Adelaide notices and seems affronted. “What? Would you rather cuddle them?”
“Of course not.”
“Then what? Invite them to dinner?”
“I’m more interested in maneuvers that stop more than a single enemy,” Phoebe responds. “I want to practice creating a strongWind WallandWind Blast.”
Wind Wall and Wind Blast are mostly large-scale defense and attack maneuvers, respectively. They can stop Screechclaws in their tracks to allow other Skyriders to take down the ones left individually. Skytides may be able to cause someone to bleed from the inside out, but they can’t focus that power on more than one person at a time. It requires concentration and careful aiming of the skill, same as Breath Bind. That’s why these attacks are reserved for close combat.
I frown, wondering what the skill of breathing underwater is called and how many more such skills have been lost due to the systematic persecution of Weavers.
Adelaide turns to me. “What about you, Rhea?”
I barely register her question. It takes me a moment to break out of my inner thoughts and focus on her. She cocks her head to one side and lifts her eyebrows.
“Um, what did you ask me?” I rub the back of my neck.
“What are your favorite types of maneuvers?”
“Oh, that.” I smile. “Well, I’m not sure. I’ll reserve judgment until I try them.”
“Wise choice, Young Skysinger,” Nate says.
“Who do you think you are? Commander Voltguard?” Phoebe asks, making us all laugh.
She blushes, and I don’t miss the fond look Nate gives her. Phoebe, however, is too busy being embarrassed to notice.
“Those fucking Screechclaws killed my father,” Nate says, his demeanor changing abruptly.
Nate’s father was a Skyblaze who died during a battle in New Ferro three years ago. I still remember the day he received the news at the Academy. He looked devastated as he left our horse-riding class to be with his family. He has never talked about it.
“I’m going to kill as many of them as I can,” he says this not with glee, but with sadness, as if he knows that no matter how many he incinerates, the hurt of losing his father will not ebb.
“I’m sorry about your father,” Phoebe says. “I will help you kill them.”
Adelaide nods. “Me, too.”
“And me,” I add.
He smiles, a grateful look in his eyes.
When we reach the hall that leads to the lifts, I stop and point in the opposite direction. “I’ll see you in a bit. I have a meeting with High Prime Stormsong.”
