Endless Night (Fate's Intent Book 3) (32 page)

“Oh!” Madam Carla smiled. “I see! So, you want to test that do you?”

“I think it would be worth finding out.”

“Well, we might possibly be able to fit some of that in as long as the rest of your training goes smoothly.”

“All right. Where do we begin?”

“Follow me. The next few days may not seem so fun for you since our main focus will be trying to control what I have given you.”

“But I thought I did that last night.”

“That was just but a small part of it, it allows other human contact. Now, we’re going to be working on other things. How are you at controlling that temper of yours?”

Muscles glanced over at me and I looked back with a smile, awaiting the answer. “Ah, I’d say that kind of depends on the situation. I think I let loose on Troy more than I do on people that I—dislike.”

“Oh, you mean like Trever because he’s kept Ruby safe in his bed for years.”

Oh, no! My eyes got wide and I was shaking my head and looked up at Muscles. He looked back but with a smile and tried laughing. “Ah, yeah, could we not talk about that? It’s not—I don’t like to—yeah, let’s just not.”

“Well, it’s that kind of control that you’re going to need to learn for everything. You’ve had plenty of chances to kill him since you’ve arrived and yet you haven’t. Once you discover why that is, things will become easier.”

“I already know why.”

“Do you?”

Muscles looked down at me and answered while watching me. “Because she doesn’t want me to.” I slowly started to smile and had to look away from the embarrassment of it. He remembered what I said.

“Now you see? A little love goes a long way. Just thinking of Ruby will help you control even the darkest emotions. It’s what you need to focus your mind with and from there, you can do anything.”

“And now I think I’m ready to find out if that’s true.”

“All right. Let’s begin with waking up all those muscles.”

“Well, that could take all day!” I said, looking over his gorgeous physique and putting my hands on him.

“Not necessarily. It will be like he normally would have done without this strength. You can start with some pushups.”

“Would they still work?” He asked like he was unsure about the answer.

“They will move you and get the blood going. You most likely will accomplish many more because it will take much longer for you to feel it.”

“Okay. Should I start?”

“I would.”

Muscles got down on the ground and began doing pushups with ease. “You’re right. I don’t really feel this.”

“Maybe I can help.” I climbed on top of him and sat on his back with my feet up and comfortable. “How’s this?”

“I remember mentioning that you didn’t weight a thing before I got this strength. What makes you think this would be any different?”

I shrugged but stayed on him. “I don’t know but it’s interesting.”

“Continue.” Madam Carla said. “Stop when I tell you to stop. I’m going to check in with Troy.”

She walked away and I became rested, ready to close my eyes. “Mind if I sleep?”

“Didn’t get enough last night?”

“No. I did. There’s just not much for me to do and I like to sleep.”

“If you can. I might be at this for a few hours just to feel it.”

“I don’t think you’d have to do it that long, just until she says stop.”

He laughed and I stayed on him, enjoying getting to spend time with him like this. I didn’t know if I could really sleep but I still wanted to be here.

Chapter 49

Zayden

We continued to spend the day being directed by Madam Carla to get control over these gifts and stopped at sundown to rest with a good meal.

“I think today went well.” Madam Carla said as we were all well on our way through dinner. “A good night’s rest is just what you’ll need for another day of drilling.”

I looked at Troy and Darius and we shared a long exhausting sigh. We were tired most of all.

“I don’t think I’ve worked this much in my life.” Troy said.

“Oh, please.” Darius replied. “What is it you possibly had to do? It’s nothing like manual labor.”

“Well, you try it. It’s not that easy. I have so much pressure behind my eyes, they feel like they’re just going to pop out.”

Darius laughed. “I’d like to see that actually.”

Troy gritted his teeth with an almost growl behind it and would have gone after him if he weren’t so tired.

“All right.” I cut in before this went any further. I didn’t want to see anyone’s eyes out. “Don’t waste anymore of your energy on each other. You’re going to need it later.”

“I’d listen to him.” Madam Carla said. “Because you will. Tomorrow is going to be a new day and with the attention each of you need, I won’t be capable to give it.”

“What do you mean?” Adele asked.

“I’ve called upon my best and brightest creation to aid me in your training. He will be here come morning and whomever he mentors will not only be deemed as lucky but will receive the greatest insight into his world and perhaps even change some visions in yours.”

“Who is he?” I asked.

Madam Carla just smiled and started to turn. “You’ll meet him in the morning. Don’t stay up to late.” She walked towards her room without giving us any real answer and her brightest creation remained a mystery.

“Goodnight!” Adele called.

“Goodnight, my precious young ones.” She closed herself inside and we were left to finish our dinner and find a place to sleep.

“So—” Jaylyn began.

“Who do you think this guy is?” I asked.

Adele looked to Ruby and Jaylyn and they all shrugged. “I’m not sure. She’s never mentioned anything about her greatest creation before but it just may help with the time. When we were here, Madam Carla worked with me mostly while she gave those two little jobs to do by themselves. Maybe that’s why it only took five days but with you it’s different. Your powers—need more help.”

Help? What was that supposed to mean? Should I be insulted?

“Now, come on. Let’s get some sleep.”

I let it go and went with her. I wasn’t about to fight it. That’s really the last thing we needed.

Chapter 50

Ruby

Morning came and we grabbed a quick bite to eat and were standing outside under the warm sun, waiting for instruction.

“I don’t see anyone coming.” Troy said, looking out towards the shore and getting to use his vision to see through the distance.

“Don’t worry.” Madam Carla smiled. “He’ll be dropping in momentarily.”

I looked around and was confused about the words she chose to use for this unknown mentor’s arrival. It almost came to me but I didn’t have time to think about it fully before we heard something drop out of the sky and land behind the old shack. We all quickly turned our heads, startled by the surprise.

“What was that?” I asked.

“He’s here.” Madam Carla said. “And please, everyone, no objections.”

I looked next to me and Jaylyn’s eyes widened to the footsteps walking towards us. I knew exactly who it was by her reaction but listened and tried to hold in my disapproval.

“Training the enemy. Which bet did I lose?” Kole stepped towards us from around the shack, his bow visible on his back, his eyes gray and vengefully peering forward with every displeasing step he had to take. “Did Adele manage to turn herself back into a lady or maybe perhaps Jay actually stopped talking for a day that is no way near correspondent to Bryce’s unjustified murder?”

Jaylyn tensed where she was and I put my arm around her, turning my growing red eyes towards Kole. “Neither.”

“There are no enemies here.” Madam Carla said. “And you will all do well to recognize it. This is a must. Whether you want it to be or not.”

“All right but I have one request.”

“Oh, no.” Jaylyn muttered.

“Speak it.” Madam Carla said.

“I choose who I train, no questions.”

“Very well. Then may you choose.”

“You already know who I’ll choose so I’ll need two things. Temporary access to his gift and Red—far away.”

No. My eyes faded and I gripped the hand in mine, knowing it was Muscles who Kole had chosen. I feared for him, not wanting him anywhere alone with Kole.

“Done.” Madam Carla said. “Get started.” She pulled a small vial from her sleeve and handed it to Kole.

He took it from her with his eyes on Muscles and drank what was inside, crushing the vial in his hand as he pulled it away from his lips. “Perfect. Ready to find out what potential you actually have?”

“Been ready.”

Kole slightly smiled and started to turn. “Then follow me.”

He started to walk away and Muscles only took one step forward before I pulled him back to me with an anxious attempt to stop this. “No.”

“It’s okay. I’m not afraid.”

“Then I am enough for both of us.”

“Let him go.” Madam Carla said. “Nothing bad will come of it. You’ll see.”

His hand slowly started to slip away from mine while I stood stiff with my eyes unblinking on him. He tried to smile when he was released to make me feel better about it but I never smiled back, especially not when he started to follow Kole.

“What do we do now?” I asked with my eyes on his back.

“Whatever is necessary. I’ll be working with Zayden and for today, Kole had the right idea. It’d be best for you girls to stay away.”

“What should I do?” Troy asked.

“You get the joy of spending your time with these three lovely ladies. Take them on a trip, show them the world if you wish. Just continue practicing but return for meals and adequate rest for your eyes. You don’t want to overdue it.”

“Okay.”

Madam Carla turned away with Zayden and my eyes found the path Muscles took but he was out of sight. “I know where I want you to take us.”

Troy looked at me then to Adele and Jaylyn. “I suppose I could but it wouldn’t take much work for me.”

“Maybe just for a minute.” Jaylyn said, taking his arm. “It’ll help her to know.”

Troy took her hand with a nod and we walked over to some rocks by the shore.

“How should this work? I don’t have three hands.”

Jaylyn smiled and sat behind him, bringing her legs around his and hugged his body. “I won’t need a hand.”

“All right.”

“Please don’t make this weird.” Adele sighed.

Troy laughed. “I won’t.” He held out a hand to me and the other to Adele, waiting for each of us to take one. We did and moved closer on his sides, ready with our eyes closed and Troy begun.

Chapter 51

Darius

I walked behind Kole and was intensively curious about what was happening. I came up on a clearing ahead and Kole was waiting for me.

“Well?” I asked.

“Well indeed. I suppose I must apologize firstly about this. I know neither of us want this.”

“I suppose we don’t have a choice but why me?”

“Whether any of you would actually establish roles in the group or not, yours is most important. I chose you because I was asked, that simple. Who you are had nothing to do with it but what you are was more the cause because I too hold that role.”

“And that is?”

“The protector.”

I raised my head a little bit and was intrigued to hear more. “What makes you think it’s me?”

“It’s the way you’ve always been with Troy and especially Zayden but now there’s someone else you care about and you’ll do anything to prevent harm from reaching her. Our methods are surely different but the thought process will remain the same. This strength you have can work for you but you have to learn how or the wrong people could get hurt. I’m going to teach you that and know that I’m not misguiding you. Yes, we’re enemies but for now we’re going to put that aside and you’re going to do exactly what I say if you want to get this right.”

“Fine but I’m not calling you Master.”

Kole laughed, bringing back that familiarity I was used to seeing from him. “That’s fair. You don’t even have to acknowledge me as your teacher after this and we can go back to the natural way of hating each other.”

“Deal. Where do we start?”

“I guess we’ll begin with a little warm up. I’d like to get a better idea of your new skill and how you choose to use it so far.” He turned around and large spikes of rock shot up out of the ground, filling the clearing with the towering stones. I didn’t act like I was impressed but I was. “This will be our arena. Find every advantage in it and attack me.”