The Land Of Shadows (4 page)

~*~

Luna~

“Why, Luna? What made you turn into this bitter person?” Storm’s question catches me off guard. My anger fizzles a little as my mind races for an answer.

In a moment of panic I don’t think clearly, and I dart forward. Before anyone can notice movement from my black-clothed figure, I slam my elbow into Storm’s jaw. Satisfied that I’ve taken him to the ground with one blow, I quickly walk away again. I can’t afford to fight anyone. I have to wait until tonight to replenish my strength.

I notice Lucius running towards me. His hands go up in warning. “No, Storm!” There is so much fear in his voice that it startles me for a moment. A blast of icy air hits me from behind. I can’t keep standing at the force it slams me with, and hit the ground with a dull thud. The pressure of the icy air is overpowering and I can’t move to get up.

“Let her go, Storm!” Lucius yells.

I use all my strength to turn from my stomach onto my back. My eyes widen when I see Storm’s hand starts to glow. It’s been years since I’ve seen him form an orb. I know what he’s capable of. One of his orbs or lightning strikes can easily kill a normal Vaalbarian or human. This whole training session is getting out of hand! I’m not strong enough to face him right now!

Storm stalks towards me. The pressure isn’t letting up, not until he grabs hold of my arm and yanks me up. “You will stay and train. Do not force me to make you stay!”

My mind scrambles, looking for anything to say back, but I come up with nothing. Storm’s eyes shimmers the lightest shade of blue, his anger icing them over. I can’t allow this to go on. We’re drawing attention to ourselves.

I form a small orb, one that won’t hurt Storm too much, but make him realize I’m not playing. I feel my fingers tingle with the energy rushing to the tips.

“What are you doing? Calm down, Luna! You are shinning silver,” Lucius yells urgently.

I look at my brother, confused at his words. “What are you talking about?” I look down at my arm and am shocked to see that my whole body has lit up like the moon itself. Oh no!

My eyes jump to where Storm’s hand is still resting on my arm. He should not be able to touch me when my body is giving off so much energy. Confused over what’s happening I look up at him. I see the shock in his eyes, but there’s no pain. How is this possible?

“You should not be able to touch me,” I whisper.

He tilts his head and I can see his mind working to figure this out. I yank my arm free and step back from him.

Raighne’s harsh voice brings me back to reality. “Luna! That is enough! Calm yourself before you hurt someone.” The coldness in his voice sends chills down my spine.

“I will never hurt Storm!” My words come out stifled and clipped, as my emotions threaten to betray me. I can’t make eye contact with anyone. This is bad, so very bad.

I turn to walk away, grateful when Rue rushes to my side. I can always count on Rue to stand by me. He’s my best friend and the only one who never judges me.

Before I leave, I turn to face Raighne. I still avoid making eye contact. I don’t need to see his anger and judgment. “No matter how low you think of me, I will never hurt Storm.” I can’t keep the bitterness from seeping into my words.

I turn back to Rue, ready to call it a day.

“I should not have to remind you of the past, Luna!” Raighne’s voice stabs me in the back like a jagged blade.

“But still you do every chance you get,” I whisper, and realize I will always be rejected by Raighne and Storm for what happened on that ill-fated day. I won’t get their forgiveness.

~*~

Keep a secret and be the bearer of a thorn in your flesh.

Storm~

“-our dreams-” Aster stops talking and glances sharply at the duo trying to sneak into class. “Luna! Rue! Is this the time to walk into my class?” Aster’s voice may sound harsh, but her eyes settle kindheartedly on Luna. Sometimes I think Aster and Alder know something I don’t when it comes to Luna.

Do they know what the big secret is she’s been hiding from me?

“Because of your tardiness the two of you can sit right up front today.” Aster indicates with a sharp gaze to two chairs in my row which is meant only for trainers. “Come, come! We do not have all day.”

A faint blush colors Luna’s white cheeks as the whole hall’s eyes rest on them. They rush to the empty seats, but when she spots me in the same row, she halts stubbornly. I smile my most charming smile. Rue slams into the back of her, and again they draw Aster’s attention.

“Just sit, for goodness sake!” Luna drops right where she stands and I can see the relief on her face. She thinks she’s safe with two chairs separating us. I have to suppress smiling at her.

“To bring the two of you up to date, we are talking about dreams today. The past months have not been easy on everybody, and Alder and I thought it best to have a class where you can all talk about your dreams. Everyone must partake. Luna, seeing as you were late, you can go first. What did you dream last night?”

Oh, this should be interesting!
I watch as Luna’s throat constricts. That little mind of hers must be working at the speed of light right now because no one can lie to Aster.

“Dream?” Luna chokes the word out. She looks nervously at her hands as her breaths speed up. “
My
dream?” she squeaks again, stalling for time while trying to think of a good lie that perhaps Aster won’t see through. My eyes drop to her hands. Tiny fists are bunched together in her lap. I hate seeing her squirm like this. I want to know what’s up with her and I will find out, but not at the cost of her dignity in front of a hall full of students.

“Yes, Luna, your dream. Everyone on Vaalbara dreams every single night. Alchera’s other talent ensures us all of a dream. Whether it is a good one or bad one all depends on her state of mind. We all know she has not been well since she returned with the Chosen Ones, so we can only assume everyone has been suffering along with her. Surely you are no exception to the rule?” Aster moves two steps closer. “We feel if people talk about their dreams tensions will not be so high around the village. It is an idea Doug brought to our attention and seeing as he is a qualified psychiatrist, we feel he would know what is best for everyone’s mental health.” Aster’s eyes seem to catch every uncomfortable movement Luna makes. I can feel Luna’s anxiety as her eyes jump from her fisted hands to Aster. She is desperately searching for something to say.

An idea forms in my mind, and I know I’m going to regret it. I just know I am.

I move fast, taking the seat next to Luna. I throw my arm around her shoulders. Her body tenses under my touch as it always does.

“She dreams of me, of course,” I drop the bomb on the class. A heavy silence follows my words, until Caia chuckles. Trust Caia to always ease the tension.

Aster turns her full attention to me. I put on my most charming smile and give Luna a quick squeeze. “It is actually my dream we should be talking about, Aster, seeing as Luna insists on haunting only me at night.”

“Storm!” Luna hisses under her breath.

I shoot her a dark glare to silence her, but she meets me with a scowl of her own.

I inch closer to her and what must look very intimate to the class is anything but. With my mouth inches from Luna’s face, I whisper in her ear, “You will owe me for this, Luna, and I intend to collect.” To the class I continue in a playful tone, “First she haunts my dreams, and then she has the
nerve
to try and drown me in my own house.” Laughter and giggles sounds through the hall.

“Well then, tell us of your dream, Storm.” Aster takes the bait, and when I look back at her, it’s with a serious look on my face. Luna tries to wiggle away from me, but I have no intention of letting her go and tighten my hold on her.

“It is the same dream every night. It starts with Alchera screaming just before…” I swallow the lump of desert sand that just lodged itself in my throat, “Carter takes her from our group in the desert. I feel as if I am really there all over again.” I drift off for a second, remembering it all over again as my eyes settle on Luna. “I dream of our three weeks in the desert and find it amazing how vivid the details still are after all these years. I smell Luna then, just as I can smell her now.” I take in the black clothing I’ve come to hate. It covers every inch of Luna’s soft skin.

My eyes settle on her parted lips, inhaling the air she so desperately needs. I collect myself, ready to describe my dream to whoever is prepared to listen.

Luna drops her gaze to her hands and I can see she’s close to tears. The unbreakable Luna is showing emotion? I’d love to know what she’s thinking.

My voice is sober when I start, “I dream of you smiling up at me, and that smile haunts me even now.” The class is silent and you can hear a feather drop in the room as Luna draws in a shaky breath. My eyes move back to her lips.

“If you want a smile you should look to Caia for it!” She snaps suddenly. Her eyes dart to mine and I can see the familiar fire burning in them.

I’ve hurt her. I can see it on her face. I just don’t know when or how.

“Surely we have better things to talk of than silly dreams, Aster?” Luna looks pleadingly to Aster.

Aster’s eyes go from me to Luna, and a wry smile plays around her lips. “Just because you are in another’s dream does not call for your temper. Storm’s dream has meaning, and we need to find out what that meaning is. There is a reason he dreams of you, Luna.”

“Maybe they are meant to be,” Arbor says from the back of the hall. He is in training as Alder’s apprentice and when he talks people listen.

Luna gasps next to me and she shoots me another unhappy glance.

“Since when is this class all about Luna?” Rue’s uneasy voice cuts in. “Can we move on now?” Rue glares fiercely at me. I smile at the boy. For some reason Luna has chosen him as a friend so I will take it easy on him.

Aster clears her throat, offers a nod and moves on, as another student’s dream is discussed.

After Aster’s rather disastrous class, I follow Luna to the next one. It’s the one class Raighne gives all the trainees, and after her little stunt this morning I’m a bit worried of how Raighne will react in class.

Luna takes a seat next to Rue. When I sit down on her other side, she sighs heavily. “This is not the training field, Storm! Give me a break.” She starts to get up, but I take hold of her arm and pull her back down.

“Oh no, you do not! You are not getting away that easily. Sit like the good girl I know is inside of you somewhere.” I give her a look filled with warning. She surprises me by sitting down. Maybe I should drop the fighting and just order her around from now on.

When Raighne walks into the class, everyone quiets down except for a small giggle coming from Caia, sitting right in front. A soft snort from Rue, makes Luna’s mouth twitch into a smile. It hurts my eyes to watch the teenage girls fall over their feet at the sight of Raighne. Every time he enters a room the girls seem to lose all their senses.

“Today we are going to talk about talents, seeing as some of you think you have them to simply play around with!” Raighne’s voice thunders through the class. My gut-instinct was spot on, he is upset with Luna’s little stunt this morning.

Luna has definitely been holding out on everyone and I, for one, was pleasantly surprised this morning. Raighne doesn’t seem to share in my views.

“Some of you think it has been given to you so you can play around with it, instead of developing your talent to its full potential.” I can feel Luna tensing up next to me. She grips her hands together in her lap so tightly the blood flow practically stops. “There is no greater depravity than placing another at risk and by–” Raighne looks directly at Luna, “restraining yourself in training when you are blessed, is a disgrace before Awo.” Raighne’s eyes settle on Rue. “Up front. Now!”

Rue doesn’t hesitate and takes the steps two at a time to join Raighne in the front of the class.

“We all know Rue can heal another with one touch. Great news for those who are sick.” Some of the trainees smile at the positive comment. I know better.

“Luna, up front!” Raighne’s voice thunders. My blood runs cold and I’m sure Luna just about stopped breathing at Raighne’s instruction. I decide to wait it out and see what happens before stepping in.

“Luna, now!” Raighne watches her closely. I’m sure he can see the fear on Luna’s face. What does she fear? Maybe Raighne can get it out of her, because I sure can’t.

“I refuse to partake of this, Raighne.” My jaw almost hits the floor. Through the fear she still stands up for herself. At least I know she won’t back down when she has to face an enemy.

“You do not get to refuse.” Raighne’s glare is deadly. He raises his eyebrow in that arrogant way only he can. A soft cry escapes Luna’s lips as her body is jerked forward. Collective gasps fill the air at the excitement of all the students. Her body is plucked from the chair next to me. For a stunned moment I watch as her body rockets through the air, as if she is a mere leaf caught in a wild wind.

Raighne is using his talent!

I bolt to the stairs as Raighne stops Luna inches from Rue’s shocked face.

“Let her go, Raighne. This is no way to teach a class!” I growl. He’s always quick to reprimand me for using my talent, but now he’s using his in a class filled with students?

Raighne’s eyes are intense as they hold Luna. “She will be made an example of. Go sit, Storm!” Raighne releases her with an unexpected gentleness and she drifts back to the floor until she’s standing on her own. He closes the door of the hall at the same time.

I remain standing, not trusting Raighne for one second. Luna takes a step backwards and I get the feeling she is looking for ways to escape the hall.

“We will have a simple demonstration of how Rue heals another. Luna, you have recently been ill.” Raighne lifts his eyebrow at her again, as if to challenge her to deny it. “For a whole three days. And seeing as immortals do not usually fall ill, I think it would be best if Rue heals you. We would not want a relapse so close to graduation.” Raighne sets the full force of his penetrating gaze on Rue. “Heal her!”

Well, that’s not too bad. I take a deep breath and feel quite relieved. Here I was expecting the weird and wonderful from Raighne.

“No!” Luna’s shout echoes off the walls just as Rue takes an unsure step toward her. It pretty much puts me back at square one, feeling very confused about her reaction. They’re best friends. Rue shouldn’t have a problem healing something that never was. I’m not sure what was wrong with Luna, but I do know she wasn’t ill.

“Are you insane, Raighne?” Her voice is shrill with panic. “This is not right.” Luna’s eyes flit between Rue and Raighne’s. Who knew she had so much guts to actually call Raighne insane to his face. But what is really odd, is that she would rather take him on than have Rue touch her. “You cannot force us to do this. To let Rue suffer for my actions is…” She struggles to find the words and looks to Rue for help.

“Luna, you have to learn that all actions have consequences. Your best friend will take your illness from you, and you will live with the consequences of watching him suffer in your place.” Raighne pins her with a dark glance. “Someone could have been hurt at this morning’s training. You did not care then, so I do not see why you should care now.”

Rue glances anxiously from Luna to Raighne. There is nothing to heal! I don’t understand what’s going on between Rue and Luna. He should just touch her and get it over with. I truly don’t understand what the fuss is about. Why does Rue look so worried and Luna looks like she’s about to have a panic attack?

Rue takes another tentative step closer to Luna. She takes one backwards to match him. “Do not dare touch me, Rue!” Luna hisses. So it’s not just me she has a problem with. A light flutters on somewhere deep inside me and I pay closer attention to the drama unfolding.

Rue dares another hesitant step toward her and I watch Luna’s lips form the word ‘please’ before she runs for the door. She yanks at the door, frantic to get out of the hall. Panic-stricken, she glares back at Raighne and Rue. “Open the door, Raighne! You cannot do this to us.”

“Get back here, Luna.” Raighne folds his arms over his chest and the slight smile on his face is a clear indication that he isn’t going to let this go. “Where is your bravery now? This morning you did not care who was around, or who might get hurt.” He knows he is pushing his boundaries as a trainer but the reaction Luna is giving is exactly what he wants. She is playing right into his hands.

Rue moves fast to where Luna is trying to melt into the door. His whisper is low, meant only for her ears but I still pick it up. “Hold it back. I will be quick.”

Luna shakes her head and a wealth of fear and tears make her eyes sparkle liquid silver. “No. Please, Rue!” I find my heart beating rapidly as Rue drops his hand to hover an inch away from Luna’s fisted hand.

“Please, do not do this. I…” Luna glances at Lucius who has been remarkably quiet throughout all of this and then her eyes jump to mine. They are filled with desperation. The look is more than I can handle.

“I think this class is over for today, Raighne.” Before anyone can guess what my next move will be, I have Luna by her waist and press her hard against my body. With the force of a small tornado, I slam the door open. “She is
my
trainee. Next time you have a problem on the training field you can take it up with me.”