Page 32 of Veinblood
My tongue traces the outline of the beast, making her shudder again. “Our connection was initially formed through my familiar, and solidified with yours after River Crossing when it joined with you. I believe it is our familiars that hold that connection which drew me to you when we arrived here.”
“So, when I touch the raven …”
“I get the same sensation, yes.”
“But you’re not reacting.”
My lips curve up. “I’ve had many years of practice controlling external reactions to things.”
“I think that’s a very unfair advantage.”
I laugh softly against her skin, then kiss my way up to her lips. “Perhaps later, you can find ways to test my resolve.”
Her fingers spear through my hair, and for a short time there are no more words between us. Only touch and sensation.
Her voice is steadier when she next speaks. “We should get ready.”
She insists on coffee before anything else, followed by a shower which takes longer than she anticipated since I insist on joining her. But eventually, we are dressed and ready to leave. She picks up a small bag from where it hangs beside the door, and checks its contents, with quick, jerky movements that hint toward her nerves. And then it’s time to leave.
The streets are busier today, and I keep pace with Ellie, while I watch the people around us as they navigate along the paths without stopping or acknowledging each other.
“Does nobody talk?”
“Not really. Unless you know them, or it’s unavoidable.”
“And everyone lives in communal buildings?”
“No, not everyone. There are smaller towns, and rural areas. But lots of people prefer cities. She glances around. “More opportunities for work, education, entertainment.”
“And defense?”
“Defense?”
“Concentrated populations. Centralized resources. Easy targets during warfare.”
She blinks at me. “I guess … we don’t really think about it that way. Most people assume they’re safe.”
An interesting perspective. In Meridian, safety is never assumed, it’s earned through preparation.
She leads me to a large building with strange glass doors.
“This is the train station.”
The first thing that hits me is the scale. The space is at least six times larger than Stonehaven's main hall, and filled with more people than I’ve ever seen outside of a battlefield. Their voices merge together, creating a wall of sound that makes my jaw clench. A voice booms from overhead, so loud it makes my ears ring. It carries over the crowd, distorted in a way that makes it impossible to figure out where it’s coming from.
Then another sound reaches me. Metal screeching againstmetal somewhere in the distance. It immediately sets my teeth on edge. My heart rate accelerates, and my muscles tense for combat. Every instinct screams that this environment is wrong. There is too much noise masking potential threats, and too many people whose intentions I can’t predict.
My shadows respond to the perceived danger before I can stop them. They surge beneath my skin, racing through my veins. They claw at my insides, demanding release, trying to shield me from the chaos. My fingers curl into fists inside the pockets of my jacket as I battle to stop them from breaking free.
I force my breathing to slow, pulling them back with an effort I haven’t had to use since childhood. It leaves me dizzy and disoriented. They resist every command, fighting against decades of training. Cold fire spreads from my core outward, every nerve ending alive with their rebellion. Sweat breaks out on my forehead, despite the chill racing through my body.
Over it all, one thought is clear. Icannotlose control. Not in this place.
“Sacha?” Ellie’s voice cuts through my battle. She’s stopped walking, and is studying my face.
“I’m fine.” The words are clipped.
“You don’tlookfine.” Her hand comes up to curve over my jaw. “Your eyes have turned black.”
