Starlight

by Adrienne Woods

  I looked up at him.

  He kissed me softly on the tip of my nose. “I wish one of those elevators could take us back to the past, I would take one with you even if they make me feel broken. But elevators like that don’t exist, not even in Paegeia. So you need to stop worrying about what if’s, Elena. They don’t exist.”

  I nodded and wiped away my tears.

  “We should concentrate on the task ahead and find a way to stay alive.”

  I nodded again as he pulled me into his chest.

  “I know how to surrender everything, Elena.”

  I looked up and into his eyes, which still carried some black.

  “Concentrate and want your fire.”

  “Now?”

  He put his finger over my lips. “Trust me. Do it.”

  I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

  “Don’t concentrate on my pain, or what it would do, just concentrate on the fire, Elena.”

  I cleared my mind. Thought back to the time when I was with him on that mountain, when he’d trained me to be Cara. Why hadn’t this hurt him back then? But I knew it was because we’d shared everything equally. That was it. We’d done this before, but only differently.

  His words from that time spoke softly in my head. I imagined the fire dancing on my palm, toward my fingertips. It was hot at first and then it cooled down.

  “Open your eyes, Elena,” Blake said and I did.

  Our hands were in one another’s and it was engulfed in the pink flame. Both our hands.

  I couldn’t stop staring at it.

  A bright grin spread over his face, reaching his eyes. The smile I loved.

  “How did you know?”

  The fire disappeared.

  “Pressure doesn’t help, I pressured you too much. Emotion is the key. I realized that when I practice with my gifts, in order to show you glimpses of your mother and father. And realized that a certain emotion that needs to come from me is the key.”

  “What emotion?” I spoke softly.

  He just stared at me with soft eyes, which made my insides crumble. “Love.” He smiled. “My love for you. It wants to protect you, see you smile.” He smiled as if he was hiding something. “And then there is the fact that we have already done this before.”

  “We have? When?”

  “The night when you told Duclin that you would do whatever was in your power to stop him from putting the others in quarantine.” He smiled. “The minute I realized that, was the minute I knew. We can do this already. No doubt, nothing. But the first was what unlocked all the others.”

  I laughed and then I kissed him.

  We’d done it already. Just like Becky and George. I wouldn’t hurt him anymore.

  The kiss broke and he smiled at me. “We should really get going,” he said as he took my hand in his, leading us to the stairs and back to the function.

  Everyone was about to leave and we miraculously found Master Longwei without him noticing that we were gone.

  The ride back to the Academy was fast. I was feeling all sorts of emotions, as I couldn’t believe how easy it was to weld my fire while he was in his human form.

  We’d done it!

  But it also made me think again about what ifs. If I’d grown up here, things would’ve been so different. So different.

  When we got out, Master Longwei greeted us.

  “It was a beautiful function, well done.”

  “Thank you, Master Longwei.”

  He nodded and walked toward his office.

  “You want to try it again?” Blake asked.

  I nodded with a smile sprawled over my face and closed my eyes. This time it was easier and Blake only let out a chuckle.

  I opened my eyes and my fire was dancing on my palm.

  Soft snowflakes appeared in Blake’s palm and he then brought it over the fire in my hand and I watched as it miraculously started freezing the pink kiss in the most beautiful, abstract ice and fire figurine.

  We both laughed as it just melted and vaporized into thin air. Leaving both our hands soaking wet and cold.

  “Still need to work on that.” He chuckled.

  “You’ll get there,” I said and he kissed me goodnight.

  “Sweet dreams, Princess.” He spoke softly. “I hate saying goodbye to you.”

  “Yeah, I know the feeling. See you tomorrow.”

  He nodded and we parted ways.

  Becky and Sammy were already getting undressed as I reached our room.

  Raymond wasn’t outside our door and I knew George would come tonight again.

  I smiled at both girls as I walked in and over to my closet. I took out my earrings and kicked off my shoes.

  “So, where were you tonight?” Becky asked. “I noticed there were a few minutes without the two of you.”

  I smiled. “He wanted to show me that wonderful statue of us together.”

  I didn’t mention the other one.

  Becky smiled. “They did a crappy job.”

  I laughed as Sammy walked to the bathroom.

  “So Raymond is gone?”

  “You noticed that?”

  “Yes, will George be joining us soon?”

  “He’s coming as soon as that one is out.” She pointed to Sammy who was in the bathroom.

  Getting to bed was easy. All of us were tired, but for some reason I couldn’t fall asleep.

  I heard our window open and George climbing in. He was so soft.

  I looked at the watch on my clock and saw the outline of Louie. Then it suddenly hit me. I hadn’t even mentioned him to Blake yet.

  I SMILED LIKE an idiot. I had no clue how I was going to sneak out to tell him about my wonderful plant wearing deadly fruit, or about what I would say if Master Longwei caught me sneaking out. But for some reason nothing mattered anymore. I wanted to see him tonight, share the news with him as soon as I could.

  I wasn’t even scared of being alone with him anymore.

  He’d truly turned into a saint, back into the Blake Lucian had told me about so many times, the Blake Lucian had promised to save.

  I got up and looked at my watch, it was after twelve and I smiled as I heard George’s soft snores coming from Becky’s bed.

  I got up and put on my jeans and a long sleeved sweater. I wasn’t really good at sneaking around either, but I’d witnessed it from two great masters and thought I should be okay.

  I’d just pretend to be sleepwalking or something if I get caught. Blake had told me once he’d used that excuse, although I didn’t have to ask when, I knew it was a long time ago, and he’d gotten away with it.

  I walked on my toes and opened my bedroom door. Raymond was still missing. I walked fast down the steps. The lobby was deserted and I ran up the boys’ stairs, all the way past the elevator on the seventh floor and three more staircases to where Blake’s room was.

  My heart was lodged inside my throat. It sounded silly now using the plant as an excuse, but I wanted to see him. I hated saying goodbye to him, just as much as he hated it.

  I took a deep breath, held out my hand and knocked softly.

  Blake

  A KNOCK CAME from the door and a smile appeared on my face. I put the book about herbs down. I was still searching for that missing ingredient.

  It felt like I was never going to find it, I thought as I went to the door.

  I wonder who this could be?

  I opened the door and my face fell. “Tabitha?”

  She had a bottle of vodka in her hand and was wearing a long coat. She didn’t even say anything as she pushed her way into my room.

  I sighed and closed the door. “What are you doing here?”

  “You know what I’m doing here,” she slurred slightly.

  Drunk.

  “I told you this afternoon, I never want to see you again. I still can’t believe you used your brother like that. You lied to me, to get what?”

  “What did you expect me to do? You are always with her, Blake. You hated Elena. Yo
u must know…” She walked over to me and wanted to touch my face. I slapped her hand away.

  “I don’t hate her, but I’m starting to dislike you more and more.”

  “I’m trying to help you, break this curse. It’s not love, Blake.”

  “It’s not a curse. You lied to me, and don’t try to pin this on Elena.”

  “I love you and I don’t give a shit about that freak.”

  She’d angered me even more. “Do not call her that. Get out of my room.”

  “I know you love me, and if I had more time…”

  “I said get out, and I never loved you. There is a huge fucking difference between love and lust, Tabitha.”

  She laughed. “That is what you are going with, lust?” She shook her head. “She’s clouded your mind. It’s not real, and you are too fucking stupid to see that.”

  “Tabitha, leave, please.” I closed my eyes. That was my first mistake, and when I sensed her close to me, she was standing in her underwear. “What the fuck are you doing?”

  “What? You used to want this so badly, Blake. Am I not beautiful anymore?”

  “Yes, you are still beautiful, but I love Elena now, so please, just go.”

  She sucked her lower lip and stared at me with those ice blue eyes of hers. “She couldn’t possibly give you what I can, remember how we used to…”

  “Stop it, it’s over.”

  Another knock came at the door and it felt as if my heart fell to my stomach. This cannot be happening.

  I stared at the door.

  “Expecting someone?”

  “Just shush,” I whispered and went to open the door. My heart cringed as I found her with a small plant in her hands. I smiled softly. “What are you doing here?”

  She gave me a smile. “Just let me in before someone catches me.”

  “Elena, I can’t. Sorry.” I grinned like an idiot. What the hell was she doing here?

  “Blake, it’s not funny,” she begged. “Just let me in, I don’t care what your room looks like.”

  “I do. Go back to your room. I’ll see you in ten minutes.”

  She squinted. “Okay,” she smiled and I could breathe again but then the fucking bitch cleared her throat.

  Elena turned around as I closed my eyes. Why, is this always happening to me?

  “Am I interrupting something, Blake?” she asked, the hurt in her voice was clear.

  “It’s not what you think,” I spoke softly and Elena pushed herself into my room too.

  She found Tabitha still standing in her underwear. “Hey,” Tabitha smiled.

  Elena looked to the ground and huffed. She stared at me and I could see tears welling up in her eyes.

  “It’s not what you think. Nothing happened. I swear.”

  “Yeah, nothing happened, Blake, because I knocked on your fucking door.” She looked at Tabitha again. “Finding her brother?” she huffed.

  “Elena please.”

  “You two really deserve one another.” She turned around.

  “No, Elena, wait.”

  I rushed after her and pulled her back by the arm. “Don’t do this, please. I’m telling you the truth.”

  She pulled her arm out of my grip. “Just, don’t Blake. Please.” She wiped away her tears and ran fast down the steps. I was ready to follow when she turned around. “And stay away from me. That is an order.”

  Immediately an invisible force stopped me from going after her.

  “Elena,” I whispered hard. I could still hear her feet running down the steps fast. She was crying softly and it pained me that I was responsible for putting her through this heartache, even though I hadn’t done anything. Thanks to my fucking past she will never believe me.

  I hit the railing of the steps hard. It vibrated slightly as I tried to stifle a grunt. I tried to follow again, but the force pushed me back. It didn’t do this when I’d gone after her through the Creepers, why now?

  Because her life wasn’t in danger. I knew it and the stupid order knew it.

  I looked back at my door and walked with huge strides.

  Tabitha still leaned against my couch. “She clearly doesn’t trust you that much if she doesn’t believe you.” A smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

  I walked over to her and her smile grew. “Not what you think.”

  I grabbed her arm and pulled her toward my window. “It’s over. What don’t you fucking get? I don’t fucking love you. Never ever come into my room again or I swear, I will kill you, Tabitha.”

  I opened my window and chucked her out. She transformed the minute she went over the ledge and I closed my window again.

  I picked up my Cammy.

  “Elena Watkins.”

  It didn’t even ring. The connection didn’t go through and I tried again.

  Elena

  THAT WAS SO fucking stupid. My heart felt as if someone had torn it into shreds. I struggled to breathe. I’d never felt this kind of pain before, not even on that mountain when he’d…I couldn’t even say it. It had never been over between them. I was the fucking stupid idiot who believed him. Seeing Tabitha in her Victoria’s Secret underwear looking like some sort of dessert made it worse. Nothing happened. Whatever, Blake. Fucking asshole. I’d given him my heart again but that was on me. I’d known I shouldn’t. I’d known this was going to happen sooner or later. How long had he been seeing her? How fucking long?

  I barged through my door and ran into the bathroom. Once inside I burst out in tears. This hurt so much.

  Lucian had had no choice when he left me. Blake had and he didn’t even care about the consequences.

  A couple of minutes later, Becky walked into the bathroom.

  “Elena,” she spoke in a sleepy voice. “What the hell happened?” She came over to me where I sat in the corner with Louie still in my hands, and just wrapped her arms around me. “Shhh, what happened?”

  “Blake and Tabitha.” It was all I could say.

  “No, Elena, he broke up with her.”

  “She was in his room parading in her underwear, Becky. I’m not stupid.”

  Her face fell. “What?”

  “I was there, okay? He didn’t want me to go in, said he would see me in ten minutes and I thought, okay, maybe his room is a mess and I turned around to leave when she cleared her throat.” More tears flew over my cheek.

  “Fucking bitch. I told you...”

  “Don’t say it, please.”

  She hugged me again while I cried. This dragon rider thing wasn’t going to work. It was doomed from the beginning. Why had he even bothered to make me fall for him? Just because he could? It was who he was, the Blake in my mind, who I’d gotten to know. Just like that, the Blake from tonight disappeared, and it hurt like hell.

  He was still the same fucking Blake Leaf from a year ago.

  Becky stayed until I told her I was fine. She needed her rest.

  I struggled to sleep, but I promised myself that the idiot was never going to see me in tears over him again.

  He didn’t deserve them. I felt disgusted by the lies he’d told me on that mountain too. He’d promised that he would rather die than betray my trust ever again, and he was lying right to my face. I knew for a fact he would be in that cafeteria the next day breathing.

  I got dressed in a pair of jeans and T-shirt with sneakers and went down to breakfast, as if nothing had happened last night.

  Blake didn’t exist anymore. He was a fucking asshole. How long had they been secretly seeing each other? I’d told Tabitha she could have him, and now she could. I didn’t even want his stupid dragon anymore.

  I would save my father. Somehow I would find a way to work with him one more time and then I would let him go. I’d made up my mind. The Blake I’d come to love wasn’t real. He never was.

  We walked into the cafeteria and found Dean and Sammy at one of the tables.

  I held my head up high.

  “Are you okay?” Sammy asked me and looked worried.

  “Just p
erfect, why wouldn’t I be okay?”

  “Elena,” she started.

  “Don’t, Sammy. It was never going to work anyway.”

  “Stop saying that. My brother is a mess this morning.”

  “I really don’t care, Samantha,” I barked at her. I didn’t want to care. He felt guilty that he got caught. That was it.

  “Just like that? You’re giving her what she wants.”

  “No, I’m giving them what they want. Your brother isn’t an innocent victim in this, Sammy.”

  “He said nothing happened. He was trying…”

  “Just don’t. I really don’t want to know what he was trying to do, okay?”

  “It’s not what you think.”

  “Sammy, let it go,” Becky sounded pissed off too.

  I walked to the buffet line and greeted Chef like I always did. There was no sign of the idiot or his slut.

  I was beyond mad but pretended that it didn’t bother me.

  “Elena,” George stood right next to me.

  “I’m not interested in any explanation, George. It happened and that is that.”

  “Nothing happened.”

  “I’m not going to speak to you about this, so just let it go.”

  “Elena, please. You can’t do this.”

  “I can’t? I didn’t do anything. That was all his doing. Let it go, George,” I said, taking my tray and going to the table. I ate in silence and was surprised when George came over and had his breakfast too.

  “Nothing happened,” he finally said and I looked at him with a scowl.

  “She was in his room wearing underwear,” Becky said. “What was she doing there?”

  “Becky, he would never do that to Elena. Why doesn’t anyone believe him?”

  I started to laugh. “You are joking, right? I can give you a dozen reasons why.”

  “It’s in his past, Elena. He is not that Blake anymore.”

  I laughed again. Yeah, then where the hell is he? I didn’t say that, but I thought it. “Just let it go,” I said as I got up and put my tray and plate at the drop off zone.

  THE ENTIRE DAY Blake and Tabitha were missing. All the professors asked about them, and Peter and I were the idiots left shrugging.

  Seriously, the professors could’ve put two and two together.