Page 28 of Angel of Ruin

I close my eyes, expecting the usual struggle against the magic. But this time, I don't fight. I breathe deeply, letting my guard down for the first time since I arrived.

The effect is immediate and overwhelming. Magic surges through me, no longer a foreign entity to be controlled, but a part of me I never knew existed. It's like diving into a cool lake on a scorching day, refreshing and natural.

This is what it means to be xaphan. This connection, this harmony with the very essence of the world. It's beautiful. It's terrifying. It's what it would be if I finally earn my wings, and I am struck by how right it suddenly feels.

I remove the bracelet with shaking hands, carefully replacing it in the case. As I lock it away, I feel like I'm locking away a part of myself. A part I never knew existed, but now can't imagine living without.

14

SARIEL

Istroll through the dimly lit corridors of the training facility, my wings tucked tight against my back. The sound of my boots echoes off the cold stone walls. Humans scurry out of my way, their eyes downcast. Good. They know their place.

A hushed conversation catches my attention. I pause, cocking my head to listen.

"Did you see what happened to Mira during the last challenge?" A trembling voice whispers.

"Yeah, she hit like a wall of air. But it should've been impossible. I saw Iona run through the path right in front of her."

"Almost as if they wanted to stop specifically her. I've been seeing the same thing during training, too. I'm telling you, something's not right. It's like they're setting us up to fail."

I clench my jaw, anger simmering in my chest. These pathetic creatures dare to question the trials? My fingers twitch, itching to teach them a lesson.

But I force myself to remain still, to keep listening.

"My brother swears he saw one of the overseers tampering with the equipment before the physical trial."

"Sabotage? You really think they'd go that far?"

I almost laugh. If only they knew the truth. The trials were never meant to be fair. Never meant to be won.

I should put an end to this. Crush their foolish hopes and remind them of their place. But something holds me back. Lyra's face flashes through my mind, her determination, her fire.

I shake my head, trying to dislodge the image. What does it matter if one human suspects something? They're all doomed to fail anyway.

But as I turn to leave, another whisper reaches my ears.

"We need to be careful. If they find out we're onto them..."

The voice trails off, heavy with unspoken fears.

I clench my fists, torn between duty and... something else. Something I can't quite name.

These humans are nothing. Their suspicions mean nothing. I repeat these words in my head, trying to convince myself.

But as I walk away, leaving the whispers behind, I can't shake the uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. The image of Lyra, her eyes full of hope and determination, refuses to leave me.

What am I doing? Why do I care what one human thinks? Why do I care at all?

I'm lost in thought, replaying the whispered conversation in my head, when I slam into something soft. Fuck. The impact knocks me off balance, and I instinctively reach out to steady myself. My hands grasp warm skin, and a familiar scent hits me.

Lyra.

Her blue eyes widen in surprise, her lips parting slightly. My body reacts instantly, a jolt of electricity coursing through me. I should push her away, snarl at her for daring to touch me. But I can't move.

"Shit." She shakes her head. "I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where—" But then she looks up and sees it is me and her gaze hardens.

Why the fuck does that bother me?