Chapter 26

“Are you going to tell me what really happened?” Sophie asked as she closed the office door.

Ree grimaced and kept practicing making the flames jump in the fireplace. She could still feel where Paden had touched her, and the fire seemed to understand. Sophie sat down next to her and waited patiently for an answer.

“Roland was angry we took so long before coming back to train,” she said and hoped that would be enough to satisfy the older woman. “And Paden took offense.”

“Roland does not get angry very easily. Though, he does seem to be having a hard time getting along with your Paden.” Ree saw a slight smile curl the corners of Sophie's lips. “Have you considered the possibility that Roland might be jealous?”

“Why on earth would he be jealous?” Ree asked, startled.

“Roland usually treats the Alastriana with respect, and keeps his distance. Yet, he has gone out of his way to be near you. Even allowing you to train with the others.”

“This is the last battle. He has as much invested in winning as the rest of us do,” Ree pointed out. Sophie shrugged.

“That’s true. Though I’m sure it doesn't help to see how Paden feels about you,” Sophie continued. “The gods play dangerous games and stack the odds the best they can.”

“I literally have no idea what you mean by that.” Ree shook her head. “I need a manual or something. Is there a book I can read to help figure this stuff out? Why should it matter how Paden looks at me? And what do the gods have to do with that?”

“The Alastriana and her Guardian are always tied together in some way that makes them close. For me, Tria was my sister-sister. For others, they are friends, cousins, lovers. Sometimes even soul mates.” Ree gasped and the flames in the fireplace flared.

“Soul mates?” Interest colored Ree’s words. “Is there really such a thing?”

“Oh, yes. They often incarnate together, but not always.” Sophie grabbed another bottle of juice out of her fridge and sat down on a sofa.

“Incarnate?” Ree asked confused.

“Yes, reincarnation is not a myth. In fact, some of the Alastrianas have been cycled more than once.” Sophie took a long swig from her bottle and recapped it.

“Are you saying the gods would send soul mates as an Alastriana and her Guardian?” Ree looked at Sophie, disgusted. “That’s cruel.”

“I know of only one case where they did just that. It was to ensure that no matter what, the Guardian would do everything in his power to protect the Alastriana.”

“Wouldn't they do that anyway?”

“Yes, but there is a special connection between soul mates. It allows them to go beyond their normal strength to protect the other.” Ree could almost understand the logic of such a heartbreaking ploy.

“Did the soul mates survive?” Ree asked, hoping to find a way to honor their sacrifice. She wondered if Roland and her sister had been soul mates. It was such a tragic thought that she felt her anger with him dwindling away.

“It doesn't matter now. The only thing you need to focus on is the task at hand.” Ree shook her head in frustration.

“Why do I feel like you guys are hiding so much? I have yet to get a direct answer from you on just about anything. Seriously, I think I can count on one hand the times you’ve answered a question where I wasn't left with eighteen more questions. Do you guys train for that? Have a seminar on the weekends?” Ree flung herself back so that she was lying on the thick carpet. “You are so frustrating.”

Sophie rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Come on, were going outside for more training.”

“Can't we stay in here? It’s so much warmer in here,” Ree whined. She knew she was being unreasonable, but she was tired and had so much going through her mind. She also didn't want to risk being dumped in the fountain.

“Up, you big baby! We have work to do,” Sophie held out her hand and pulled Ree to her feet. The younger girl sighed and stretched.

“Okay, but I'm really going to gripe if you hit me with any freezing water.”

Once they were outside, Sophie had her juggle several objects while doing their special dance steps. It was no longer a strain for Ree to lift and move things. She barely even thought about calling the power. Instead she focused on trying to keep from being clumsy, which was a huge task in its own right.

They worked for hours moving things and dodging things, using shields to block things that were thrown at Ree. After a while she collapsed onto a bench and pulled her sweatshirt off to use as a pillow. She stared up at the dark sky and watched thick clouds roam over the stars and moon.

“I want you to tell me how this normally works. Do we hunt down the Dark Ones? Do we have a scheduled battle with the Big Bad Dark One? Do I need to run up and hit him in the face with a glove and declare a duel? What?”

Sophie sat on the ground in front of her and leaned against the bench. She picked up a few pebbles from the ground and ran them through her fingers like a worry stone. She shook her head and laughed at Ree.

“As funny a mental picture as that is, please don't run around hitting anyone with gloves.” She opened her palm and the pebbles floated in a lazy circle before drifting to land on the ground. “To answer your question: each battle is different, as is the Dark One, and that is the true challenge. Dark Ones that were originally human can be killed several ways, though none of them are easy. Fire, a stake through the heart, and beheading will kill the Dark One. If the Dark One is one of the originals brought by the Dark Gods then it is much harder. They are immune to fire, and a stake will not kill them, though it will slow them down. The only sure way to kill them is by beheading.”

“And yet the gods send me to kill them? The small, pathetic human?” Bitterness laced through her words.

“It is your power that makes it possible for them to die. With practice you will be able to hold the Dark One so they cannot escape. The Dark One that will be their champion will be much stronger, much faster, and much harder to kill. And you are the one that must finish him off. You can use your power like a weapon, or just get close enough to kill him in one of the more physical ways. But it must be you who delivers the death blow.”

“How do you use the power to kill them?” Ree sat up and brushed the loosehair that had escaped her ponytail away from her face.

“You gather as much power as you possibly can hold, more than you have ever held before, and thrust it into their hearts.” Pushing off from the ground, Sophie stretched, touching her toes and bending this way and that. “You’ve already done it once, even if it was an accident. Thankfully, he was very new and hadn't fed at that point. So even though your attack wasn't organized or controlled it still worked and saved the two of you.”

“I feel like I’m walking into all of this blind,” Ree said. “Nothing is easy or clear. Just a big, convoluted mess.”

“Well, maybe you can write a manual someday.” Sophie laughed. “I think we are going to call it a night. We are both tired and need to rest.”

Ree yawned as if on cue and headed toward the house. Her friends were heading out the door and it looked like they were going to be working with their swords while running. They were a complete contradiction to watch as they laughed and joked while gracefully carrying their weapons. Weylin ruffled her hair and she shoved him playfully.

“Remember, pointy end toward the enemy, Wey,” she teased.

“Don't worry; I know how to use my sword.” Weylin waggled his eyebrows, and she made a gagging sound. Paden laughed at Weylin, but kept walking without saying anything. Feeling a little taken aback she watched him head in the direction of the others that were waiting on the trail. Not wanting to take offense for no reason, she decided to try and talk to him before she went in to shower. She jogged toward him, but he was moving with the fast, graceful gait of the Immortals.

“Hey, Paden,” she called to get his attention. He didn't stop, but there was a small hitch in his step. She slowed and came to a stop, watching him walk further away. There was no way he hadn't heard her, his new super hearing was too good. Her stomach clenched in hurt and anger. So, he was back to ignoring her. Infuriated, she stomped into the house and slammed the door behind her.

“Gah! Boys are so stupid!” She yelled with her fists clenched at her sides. She didn't care if the others could hear her. Paden wasn't making any sense at all. How could he jerk her around like this? She had just gotten her first kiss, and then he turns around and acts like nothing had happened. She thought they had made progress. She headed for her room, thoroughly ticked off. She wanted a long shower and to be left alone.

“So, is it all males in general? Or just the younger version?”

Ree turned around and stared at Roland angrily. He was buckling a sword and sheath around his narrow waist as he walked down the hall.

“Right now? I'm thinking they’re stupid no matter how old they get.” Suddenly she was aching for a fight and it might as well be Roland that caught the brunt. After all, he was the one that had ruined her perfect moment in the kitchen.

“Ah, I see your boyfriend is being pigheaded.” He gave her a soft smile. “But his loyalty is admirable.”

“I think it’s a little skewed.” She snorted. Boyfriend, yeah right. “So, do you want to tell me what all of that in the kitchen was about? Why were you acting like such a jerk?”

“I'm sorry about that.” He smiled at her sadly. “I shouldn't have done that.”

“I know that already. What I want to know is why?”

“You don't really look like her, you know. Tria was your height, but she had this lovely dark hair that reached her waist. Her eyes were the softest brown.”

Ree stared at him and had the faint hope that her mouth wasn't hanging open. She wasn't sure what she was expecting, but it wasn't this. What did this have to do with anything?

After a moment, Roland continued. “But she had this amazing amount of courage, just like you do. She was thoughtful like you are, and so very funny. People were drawn to her, wanted to be around her. There is something so similar between you.” The anger drained out of her as she heard the heartbreak in his voice. The pain was almost enough to bring tears to her eyes.  For just a moment, Ree could see the boy he had been, not the adult trapped in a teenager’s body.

“I'm sorry, Roland. I can tell that you really loved her.” She leaned against the wall and slid down to sit in the hallway. With little hesitation he joined her on the floor, leaning his head back against the wall. The sword belted at his waist jutted out to the side, away from them both. “I feel like my life is on fast forward, you know? I'm so frustrated with everything, and I took it out on you.”

“You were right to be angry. I shouldn't have behaved that way, but when I saw him with his hands on you. . . .” He stopped and looked at the ground in front of him. “I wanted to rip his arms off.”

“I'm not Tria, Roland.” Her voice was quiet, but firm.

“Would you know?” He shook his head and smiled before looking up at her. “It doesn’t matter now, Ree. The only thing that does matter is making sure you and the others are able to beat the Dark Ones.”

“Roland, I’m not Tria.” Ree’s voice was quiet, but her need to comfort him was overwhelming. She reached a hand over and laid it gently on his shoulder. “I’m just me. Ree McKenna.”

“You are not just anything.” His eyes flashed like lightning and he briefly covered her hand with his.

Ree wasn't sure how to respond to that. She didn't think it really had anything to do with her at all, but he probably would be insulted if she said so. “Well, let’s just let it go, okay?”

“I’m willing to let it go for now. I am sorry I baited your Paden. I shouldn't have said what I did.” His voice sounded like he truly meant it.

“He isn't my anything. I don't know what’s going on with Paden.  And really, I'm not sure I can spare the brain power to worry about it.” She braced her elbows on her knees and leaned forward. “I feel like there’s so much to digest right now.”

“It is never easy. Not once has an Alastriana said, ‘Oh, Okay. No problem.’” He smiled and she chuckled. “Most of them get very angry when they find out the truth. I once heard a story about an Alastriana that refused to acknowledge her powers. She was from a very wealthy family and was convinced she was being kidnapped for a ransom.”

“What, the green glow and scary fangs weren't enough to clue her in?” Ree asked.

Roland chuckled in agreement. “I am told she thought it was a ploy to brainwash her. She kept asking them where the green lights were hidden.”

“No way.” Ree laughed and was surprised to find her mood lightening. Roland had a way of making her feel at ease.

“Way.” He nodded. “When she finally came around, she turned all of that stubbornness on the Dark Ones. She died of old age many years later.” He stood up and held out his hand to Ree. She took it and let him pull her to her feet. “I must get going. The young bloods should be nearing the end of their run.”

“Yeah, I want to try and get some extra sleep tonight,” she said and tried to not look down at the hand he was still holding. Her cheeks felt warm, and she wondered how she could go from being so angry with him to blushing when he touched her. His thumb stroked the back of her fingers and she tugged lightly to pull away.

“Sweet dreams, Ree.” He bowed his head to her and then turned and left. He was gone so fast she wasn't sure what direction he had left in.