I MUST HAVE DOZED OFF because I jerked awake when Loushka's voice popped into my mind.'Cat! What are you doing here? Are you okay?' the griffon sounded astonished to see me.Not surprising I guess, but I wished everyone would stop asking me if I was okay. In my current state it brought on tears. I took a couple of ragged breaths before I could answer her. The other griffons regarded me curiously.'Come on outside and we can talk,' Loushka's voice sounded kind, causing more tears. Fighting the lump in my throat, I nodded to her and climbed out the pen.ALEK WATCHED WHILE LOUSHKA AND Cat walked out of the room. He had to fight the urge to go to her when he saw the tears slide down her face. A lump seemed wedged in his throat and he leaned over his knees, staring at the ground. It didn't feel right being apart. Maybe I am wrong.He stood and gathered his things. Might as well go back to my quarters. A talk with the guys might help and he couldn't stand being this close to her with
YAKOV WASN'T WRONG. I WOKE just before dawn and stretched hard in bed then relaxed. Huh. I actually feel like a run. The thought made me smile and I felt a buzz of delight, my first genuine smile in days. I got out of bed and slipped quietly around the bedroom, getting ready. The other three snored on, oblivious. Nnelg had slept over again and watched curiously. It amused me when he quickly turned his back on me as I changed; it wasn't every day I made a dragon blush. Audi and I slipped out of the room.ALEK PACED THE CORRIDOR, AGITATION rippling through him. Yakov said he'd strongly recommended Cat go for a run. He knew she'd do it in the morning but when? He'd paced this section of floor for a good half hour.What if she doesn't come? Then what? He gritted his teeth at the annoying butterflies he felt. I want to see her.Hearing a noise Alek froze and listened. It sounded like footsteps. They sounded light.Yes, I hear a dog. What do I do? His mind went to pieces on him when
ALEK FOUGHT TO GET HIS breath back while Cat screamed at him. Bloody hell her voice is intense. It rang through his head, reverberating about his skull. The pain in his chest passed and he straightened up.'OH THANK GOODNESS,' KASSIE BREATHED in relief at seeing Alek stand up with no apparent injuries. Then he began roaring at Cat. The three girls started to glow as their energy expanded with their increasing anger.'What the hell?' hissed Loi to Kass, her brown eyes glowing an unnatural green. 'Where does he come off yelling at Cat? It's HIS fault.'HONESTLY, I COULDN'T EVEN REGISTER what I yelled. I was so angry. All the bottled words and thoughts from the last agonizing week rushed out of me. I don't know what he roared back. All I could hear was a strange rushing sound. The two of us stood about a foot apart, our faces red while we screamed at each other.A FLICKER OF MOVEMENT CAUGHT his attention and Alek suddenly realized they had an audience, of increasing size.This
MY FEET DRAGGED AS WE headed to the library. The guys and the Lieutenants of the General Guard would meet us there.'It'll be okay, Cat,' Sian gave my hand a squeeze. 'At least it's out in the open now.'Kassie sniggered. 'Very out.''Humph.' The butterflies in my stomach appeared to have permanent residence at the moment. Ugh, it'd be so nice to have everything back to normal, whatever that is. We reached the library and paused at the doors. My hands trembled so I jammed them into my pockets.I hope I haven't ruined everything.The pause at the door got longer.Yakov cleared his throat behind us. 'C'mon then, let's get this over with.' He pushed past us to open the doors and bowed low to Elena when she passed.I blinked in surprise. It almost looked like she'd traced her fingers against him.The three Lieutenants sat on the couch opposite the guys. Elena took a seat at the head of the couches and Yakov pulled a chair up beside her. Alek sat next to them.I gulped.There wa
OUT IN THE CORRIDOR EVERYONE listened intently and the girls tested their ability to sense each other's energy.'I think it's good now,' announced Kassie. She glanced at Loi and Sian who agreed.'Okay, I'll lead the way.' Yakov stepped to the door and gave it a light rap with his knuckles, then after a pause, opened it.They followed him in.Alek and Cat stood close while Alek instructed her on her hold using a wooden practice sword. The atmosphere in the room felt free and easy. Cat looked back to them and gave a bright, delighted smile. Kassie exchanged a happy smile with the others; it worked! They all settled into practice while Yakov, acting as the time keeper, watched.SHE'D DEMANDED HE NOT HOLD back and he didn't. Within a quarter hour Alek had smashed the first of Cat's swords. Her eyes belied the fear she felt but she fought back hard. When she broke his sword near the end of their session she let loose a shriek of delight. He laughed at her, she was on to her fourth sw
WE HEADED TOWARD THE GREAT Hall, all the while discussing creative ways to get back at Nnelg. Well, I swung between those ideas and some others in my mind, but I wasn't sharing those. When we reached the Great Hall laughter and applause greeted us. Nnelg sat centre table, preening his wings and looking very proud. Yakov and Elena attempted disapproving looks at the little blue cretin but failed.'Gee I wonder who gave Nnelg the clever idea,' Loi said sarcastically.The guys and others teased us through most of lunch but I didn't care. My appetite had returned in a rush, it was so good to enjoy food again. Alek pulled my chair close to his, so we leaned against each other while we ate. Everyone promptly switched from teasing us girls about Nnelg, to teasing Alek and me. I smiled smugly and continued eating.After lunch we followed Yakov and the Lieutenants to the training room. We could hear a loud murmur of voices as we approached. Yakov glanced back and gave us a warm smile. 'The
LOI RELAXED AGAINST SABYN WHILE they listened to Elena's debriefing and new outline for the weeks leading up to the ball.'We will continue to alternate days. Yakov and I feel you'll be able to focus better if one day is devoted to physical activity and the other to mental. The last day of each week will be your free day. Try to get to bed early and I will see you at the Griffon quarters tomorrow, straight after breakfast.' With the debriefing finished, they all headed off.Kassie and Rumal wandered to their favourite turret in the inner gate and Sian and Daron disappeared to visit Nesha.Sabyn turned to Loi. 'Would you like to walk in the courtyard?'Loi flashed him a smile and nodded; they did it each evening, and she'd looked forward to it all day. Cat and Alek seemed happy to stay put. Both still wore an aura of absolute contentment and Audi snored in front of the fireplace.When they settled into their favourite spot beneath a huge tree, Loi leaned back into Sabyn's arms.'W
ELENA WATCHED, PLEASED WITH CAT'S progress. The redhead's eyes were wide while she watched the flaming ball she'd created.It was nearly time for them to leave and with reluctance, Elena spoke up. 'Please draw your energy back into yourselves. It will be time to leave shortly.' The expressions of surprise on the girls' faces amused her.'Has it really been that long?' Kassie sounded bewildered.'It has. You've all done exceptionally well for a day's work. I am sure you must be tired and hungry by now.'The women drew their energy back and the humming noise finally left Elena's mind. It was only audible to those who were gifted. She sighed in relief at its absence, after a while it gave her a headache. Elena released them from the circle she'd cast to drown out the noise while they practiced. Then they relaxed as they waited for Loushka and Tomiar.LATER THAT EVENING, WHILE I lay in bed, I extended my hand and stared at it for a moment. At a thought my fingertips lit, the flames