Page 19 of Detonation
We can do this.
“Goodbye, Anshar.”
A small part of me mourns for the best friend I grew up with but that friend has been long gone. Now, it’s time to get Ash back and make our family complete.
A voice, like a whisper in the wind, brushes past my ear. “The pure soul that resides within this vessel will be tethered to you all if I do this. Are you certain you’d like to go ahead?”
As I nod my vehement approval, the idea that it’s finally over causes the tears to spill onto my cheeks. I wait for the goddess to finish this for us.
The energy dome around us flares, blinding us—
My eyes twitch open at the light permeating my lids.How dare the sun interrupt that dream.What an asshole.
Reality bitch-slaps me in the face as I groan, taking in my surroundings to orientate myself.Was it just a dream? It felt so real.My mouth feels chalky, like I actually inhaled all that dust and smoke. My shoulder tingles with Zedd’s lingering touch.
Of course it isn’t real, Lana. You’re just dreaming your version of how you want the future to unfold because you miss your mates.
Oh shit. The sun is rising. What time is it?
Rushing to put on my leathers, I stumble with one leg in the pants, hopping to grab my shoes, dress myself and tie my messy bedhead curls into a quick braid down my back all in one movement. Unsure if there are any toothbrushes for me, or even where to find fresh water, I decide to abandon the cause before even trying, hoping that no one is close enough to notice my lack of basic hygiene this morning.
With my luck, I'd be paired with the leader for sparring and she'd banish me for my rancid breath.
Taking note of Grammie’s absence, I curse her for not waking me. Not that it's her responsibility to be my alarm clock but I have no idea how to stick to times here without technologies help. This will definitely be an adjustment.Understatement of the century.
Peeling back the curtain to our tent, I run out and immediately run smack into a hard who-the-fuck-knows-what. I gasp as the front of my body warms with a wet substance running down it.
A laugh comes from the stranger in front of me, whipping my gaze up to meet his. His eyes travel the length of my body and I frown at his forwardness before looking down.
Shit.Literal shitcovers me.
Thank you, mouth, for staying shut for once in your life.
How uncomfortable would it have been to curse out a man for checking me out when, actually, he’s suppressing a full belly laugh at the shit I’m wearing like a ballgown dress?
I grimace at the situation, knowing I can’t afford to lose the opportunity to train with the resistance, but I need a shower. There's no way I'll make it to the yard in time now. Glancing up at the sky, I note that the soft glow of the sun is beginning to intensify, signaling the end of what one would consider dawn.
The scent of the manure permeates through my inner turmoil, making my stomach churn and threaten to dump its meager contents.
Hey, he gave me a mess. It’s my turn to give him a mess now. Right?
My face must show my inner turmoil because the stranger chuckles. "Let me show you to the bathing areas and I donotmean that in a sexual way. I promise you; I am not attracted to you in your current state."
I weigh my options. "Do you know if everyone has gathered in the training yard yet?"
A soft sigh comes from him as he rolls his chocolate eyes. "Yes. My sister and her loyal followers are there and about to begin training."
His sister is leader of this resistance?Her brother just spilled shit on me. How fitting.
Going to rub my forehead in frustration, I quickly drop my hands to my sides when I remember there’s shit coating them. And whose shit exactly? I don’t want that on my face. Instead, I settle for a quick, low growl and a stomp of my foot.
His tall frame backs up at the display and he holds his hands up in surrender, the discarded, empty bucket laying on the ground between us. "Woah there, tiger. No need to growl. It was an accident. Maybe don't run out of your tent like your ass is on fire without checking both ways next time?"
My chest rises as I inhale deeply and blow it out, calming myself. "I'm not mad at you. I know it was my fault. I'm mad at myself for not getting to the training grounds in time. She's going to kick me out of the camp." Throwing my hands up in frustration, I lament, “Just perfect!”
Belatedly, I realize that I flung manure at him with my hand gestures.Oops.
He chuckles good naturedly and wipes it off his face and onto his soft, brown leather pants.At least it'll blend in?"I'll head over there and let her know what happened. Don't worry, she isn't acompleteasshole."
