I groan, snorting awake when Jackson lays me down in my own bed.“What’s happening,” I murmur, looking around, completely confused.“You fell asleep,” he replies, smirking at me as he climbs in next to me and reaches out to un-hook the curtain, letting it shush shut. “I figured you’d rather continue
“And one of the children of the God of Darkness,” I murmur, frowning, likewise staring into space. “Ole Darkie.”Jackson laughs at the Goddess’s nickname for her ex. “And he’s got enough of those to choose from,” he murmurs. “So we’ll maybe never know.”“Wait, what?” I say, sitting up a bit to peer
Slowly, Jackson nods. “I think the God of Death and Goddess of Life would be the most powerful, the most…capable of giving gifts like ours.” Jackson murmurs with a shrug. “I mean, think about it - do you think you could give someone a gift right now? Or your mom?”I shake my head, considering it and
Jackson groans a little, turning towards me, pulling me tight against his chest so that our stomachs line up, so that I can hook one leg over his in the way I like to, so I can press my cheek to his chest.We don’t say anything for a long time and I can feel Jackson trying to figure out how he feels
“Really, improvements to Clark’s training program,” the Captain says, narrowing his eyes at Jackson. “And what qualifies you to decide how Cadet Clark’s training should progress?”I scowl a little, hating that they’re talking about me like I’m not here and wishing they’d both just call me Ariel. It’
“Thank you, sir,” I say, beaming up to him, proud and pleased myself.“Don’t thank me yet,” he says, looking back towards the Castle. “I moved your target out to 1,800 meters. Good luck with that.”I gape at the Captain as he walks away, smirking, because…that is such crap! 1,800 meters is – it’s go
“That was awesome!” Jesse pants, pumping his fists in the air when we arrive back at the Castle forty-five minutes later. Both Jackson and Rafe beam at each other as they, too, catch their breath, apparently agreeing with him.But as I drag myself gasping up the last little hill towards the door, my
“What the fuck man,” Ben murmurs, running a hand through his hair and looking anxiously towards the empty half of the room. “Cadets, at war? Has this…ever happened before?”“It hasn’t,” Rafe answers, raising his head, the set of his mouth grim. “In the twenty years that the school has been open, Moo