I massage my arm. “Ouch.” I grin up at him. “I think we’re even now.”
He helps me to my feet. “Did I hurt you?”
“No.” I cock my head to the side. “My dad’s here.”
Surprise fills his eyes. “You’re calling him your dad.”
I shrug. “I can’t be mad at him, can I? He wanted to be part of my life, he just couldn’t. And as much as I don’t like him lying to my mom, I get it. He loved her so much and wanted a future with her, even though he knew he would have to hurt her. It’s like what happened to us.” I stroke his cheek. “I was willing to be with you even though I knew you would leave me.”
“Sebastian and Lily,” Hastus calls. “Why aren’t you training?”
We get back to work. Hastus walks over to Alaric and they talk. Hastus must be updating my father on my progress. Both of them look at me. Is Hastus telling my dad about my super strength, or whatever it’s called?
My dad seems pleased. I don’t know why that makes me feel better. Maybe because I never had a father who was proud of me.
Renaya enters the room, and she and Sebastian battle one another. She’s quick and sharp, knocking Sebastian off his feet more times than I can count. When he’s on the floor for what must be the hundredth time, he gapes up at her. “What have you done with my little sister?”
She yanks him to his feet. “Your little sister was weak. The new Renaya is…” She waves her hands over her uniform. “This.” She looks into his eyes. “Do you see I can take care of myself now?”
“Yes, but—”
“Good.” Her voice is clipped. “Because I’d rather not argue about it anymore.”
She walks out of the room. Sebastian stares after her. I rest my hand on his chest. “What’s wrong?”
“Her thirst for blood is overwhelming,” he says. “I can see it in her eyes.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“I don’t know. I just hope she doesn’t do anything to hurt herself, or someone else.”
I slide my hand into his. “You know what she needs? A friend. Someone to talk to.” She seems to always be by herself.
“She has me.”
“I know and you’re a wonderful brother to her. But maybe she needs a girl for a friend. You know, like me.”
He turns to me. “You’d be her friend?”
“Of course I would. She’s your sister.”
His smile is wide. “Thank you, Lily. She worries me. I’m glad she’s strong and can take care of herself, but I need to know she’ll be okay.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be there for her.”
He presses his lips to mine, then whispers in my ear. “You’re more awesome by the day.”
“No, you are.”
Chapter Eleven
I knock on Renaya’s door. Many of the rebels have already gone to bed, but I have a feeling Renaya hasn’t. She opens the door a crack. “Yes?”
“Hey, it’s me. I was wondering if I could come in.”
She widens the door. She’s wearing the plain Ortarian clothes and looks like a completely different person. It makes her eyes seem warmer than they usually are. When she’s got that uniform on, she appears like she wants to slam her fist into everything that stands in her way.
“Why?” she asks.
“I thought we could get to know each other a little bit.”
“Why?”
I smile, trying not to let her coldness bother me. “Because you’re my boyfriend’s sister and I’d like us to be friends.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “I don’t have time for friends.”
I know Renaya’s tough, but I didn’t think this would be so hard. I actually thought she’d welcome my friendship.
“Okay,” I say. “We don’t have to be friends. But I’d really like for us to talk.” At dinner today, I noticed some tension between her and Sebastian. I know she hates that Sebastian is worried about her. I don’t blame him. Daisy always worried about me and was constantly in my business. Maybe that’s how older siblings are. Sebastian just wants to protect her.
Renaya shrugs and invites me inside. Her room is similar to mine, except hers is spotless while mine is a little messy. Because I had to get to training, I didn’t have a chance to make my bed this morning. Nothing is out of place here. It’s almost as if she doesn’t live in this room but is only here temporarily.
She motions for me to take a seat and I drop down on one chair while she takes another. She looks at me and I look at her. She doesn’t seem to be interested in me at all, but I don’t let that bother me. This girl has been through hell, and I want to be there for her. If she’ll let me, that is.
“So…” I start.
She just looks at me.
“How are you?” I ask.
She rolls her eyes. “Sebastian sent you, didn’t he?”
“No.”
She snorts.
“What’s your problem with him? I thought you’d be happy to see him after being separated for so long.”
“I am happy to see him, of course. I just don’t want him to treat me like a baby. I’m not the delicate, obedient girl I used to be. He needs to accept that.”
“He cares about you.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “I don’t want to talk about this. If Sebastian can’t accept that this is the way I am, then that’s unfortunate.”
I nod slowly. “He’s having a hard time, but I’m sure he’ll come around. Those were some crazy good moves you did in the training room.”
She shrugs.
Quiet.
“Do you want me to leave?” I ask.
“I don’t care what you do.”
I decide to stay. Maybe I can destroy the wall she’s built around herself. I want her to know she can talk to me.
“When I found out you were alive, I couldn’t believe it. I felt so happy for you and for Sebastian. You don’t know how guilty he felt when he thought he lost you.”
“Why would he feel guilty?”
“Because he was living a good life on Earth with me and you were dead.”
She’s quiet.
“I just want to tell you that I appreciate everything you’re doing for us here,” I say. “Recruiting others and getting us what we need.”
“Okay, Princess.”
I arch a brow. “You have a problem with my being the princess?”
“No. But don’t think that because you’re the princess and the savior that you get to tell me what to do.”
“I never said—”
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
“Why?”
She shrugs and turns to the wall.
I get to my feet. “I thought we could be friends, but it doesn’t look like you want that. Am I right?”
She faces me. “I told you I don’t want friends.”
“Why won’t you let anyone get close to you? I mean, I know you’ve been through terrible things—”
“You don’t know me. Just go.”
“I’m trying to get to know you and I’m sorry if I offended you—”
“Please leave my room.”
I clamp my mouth shut, wish her a good night, then walk out. Sebastian is lying on my bed with his arms behind his head. His room is down the hall, but he hasn’t really slept there. I love that we share my bed, even though it’s tiny. I don’t think I’d be able to sleep in my bed all alone. Having his arms around me is comforting.
He sits up when he sees me. “How did it go?”
I lie down next to him. “She’s not interested in being my friend. She said she doesn’t want any friends. She’s content with being on her own.”
His face falls. I caress his cheek. “She needs to come to terms with what happened to her. We can’t rush her. If this is her way of dealing with it, then we need to respect that.”
“You’re right, it’s just hard.”
I press my cheek to his. “I know it is. But we’ll be there for her, whether she wants it
or not. She doesn’t have to go through this alone.”
“You’re very kind, Lily.” He runs his hands through his hair. “Who knew all this would happen? All because you found my lamp.”
I laugh. “Yeah. One decision—pulling your lamp out of the dumpster—changed everything. It’s possible we would have never crossed paths and Ortarus would never have a chance of being free.”
“Fate brought us together.”
I lift an eyebrow. “Ortarian energy?”
He chuckles. “I guess you can say that.” He brushes his lips against my forehead and whispers, “What am I going to do if I lost you?”
I pull back and take hold of his chin, lifting his head so our eyes meet. “Can we please not think about that?”
He sighs. “You don’t know how powerful King Sorenten is.”
“Hey, I did some badass magic when I saved you, didn’t I?”
That gets a small laugh out of him. “Okay, you’re right. I’ll try not to down your mood with my negativity.”
“No, I want you to be able to talk to me, but I can’t have any doubts or worries. I need to be strong and focused.”
He kisses me. “I’ll make sure you’re as focused as you need to be. Does that mean we have to cut down on all of this?”
“Hell no. Your warm lips on mine give me the energy boost I need.”
His lips travel down the length of my neck, sending jolts to every cell in my body. “How’s this?”
“Mmm. Definitely an energy boost.”
Chapter Twelve
A few days of physical training have passed. I feel like I’ve gained so much, even though Hastus tells me I’m naturally good at this and don’t need his direction. My heart pounds when he tells me I’m ready to learn magic. It’s going to be a private lesson, just the two of us because we’re the only ones who have magic. Sebastian and the others have been training with weapons.
I haven’t spoken to my dad because I’ve been busy and he’s hardly around. Hastus has been updating him on my progress, though.
I’m standing in the center of the training room. There’s nothing around me, no practice dummies like there were in the last few days. Hastus was able to create them, but only temporarily, and it took up a lot of his energy.
“I hope you slept well,” he says. “Because this is going to take a toll on your body, more so than the physical training.”
“Should I be nervous?”
He pats my back. “You’ll do great. Okay, let’s start with the basics. Try to create something.”
“How?”
“Picture it in your mind, then will it to appear.”
I shut my eyes, take a deep breath, and picture a table and two chairs. When I open my eyes, there’s nothing there.
“Concentrate and try again.”
I shut my eyes again and do the same. Just like before, nothing happens.
Hastus rubs his chin. “What were you picturing?”
“A table and chair.”
He continues rubbing his chin. “Tables and chairs are made from wood. Try to picture the tree.”
“I don’t know what tree they come from.”
“Try any. As your magic grows stronger, you won’t need to do this. But because you’re half human, your magic is dormant and we need to bring it out.”
“But I was able to use magic when I saved Sebastian from the palace guards.”
He nods. “Yes because you were saving him and your emotions took over, causing your magic to be strong. Your emotions have a direct effect on your magic. Would you like to try again? Perhaps use some emotion.”
I shut my eyes for a third time and try again. I think about the table and chairs that are in my mom’s kitchen and how Daisy and I used to love watching her as she baked her delicious cookies. Energy flows through me, from deep in my toes to the tips of my fingers. When I open my eyes, I see a table and two chairs.
“I did it!” I can’t believe it actually worked. I feel like a different person. Still me, but different.
Hastus smiles. “Very good.”
I practice some more, creating heavier, more complicated things. Hastus is right—my emotions cause my magic to be much stronger. He also teaches me how to move objects from one end of the room to the other.
I don’t know how much time has passed, but I’m wiped. I can’t complain, though. I need to be ready to battle the king as soon as possible. There’s time to rest once he’s dead.
Hastus sweeps his hand and something appears. It’s a suit of armor, similar to the one he’s wearing.
“Use your magic to put it on,” he instructs. I remember how Sebastian used his magic to dress into his pants back on Earth. It seems like it happened so long ago.
I hold my palm over the armor and channel my thoughts and energy into getting the thing on me. A second passes before something heavy crashes down over me. When I look at myself, I find that I’m covered in the armor. It’s even heavier than I thought it would be and I’m pretty sure I’ll buckle under the weight. Maybe I can use my magic to balance better. When I try it, I’m surprised it actually works. My magic is like a little friend inside me, eager to obey my wishes. I can definitely get used to this.
Hastus tells me we’re going to use magic to battle one another. “But I don’t know how to use magic to fight,” I say.
He stands before me. “Hit me. With your magic.”
“Are you sure? What if I kill you with my lightning bolts?”
“Concentrate on using lighter bolts of energy.” He nods toward the wall. “Try there first. Hit the wall with lighter magic. Not fire, not lightning.” Sebastian told me that fire and lightning are one of the most powerful magic.
I raise my hand toward the wall and focus on sending a bolt at it. Hopefully, it won’t burn a hole through it. A red beam shoots from my fingers, aiming for the wall. It collides with it, and to my relief, it doesn’t create a hole. It seems to get sucked into the wall.
“Good job,” Hastus says. “We’re going to try this a few more times and then tomorrow I’ll teach you how to defend yourself.” He slaps his chest. “Hit me.”
If he’s sure…I send some red beams at his chest. They deflect off the armor, heading toward me. I duck and they slam into the wall on the opposite side of the room.
“Again,” he says.
I do, and the beams hit him in the chest, through his armor, which seems to melt off him. He falls to the ground, blood splattering all over the walls and the floor. I rush to his side. “I’m so sorry! I don’t know what happened.”
His eyes are in slits as he looks up at me. “Heal me.” His voice is weak.
“What?”
“You have…the ability…quickly…”
If I don’t heal him soon, he’s going to die. I place my palm over the wound on his chest and shut my eyes, focusing everything I have into healing him. Something tingles inside me and when my eyes open, I watch as his wound shrinks until it’s completely gone. The only thing that remains is his blood that pooled around him and on his clothes.
My head spins and I crash to the floor. Trying to lift my body is futile. I’m just too weak. I open my mouth to try to say something, but no sounds come out.
Hastus lowers himself next to me and places his hand on my back. “Healing takes up a lot of energy because you’re transferring some of your life force to the person you’re healing. The more you practice, the stronger you will be and you won’t pass out as often. I’m still weak myself and can’t heal you, I’m afraid. Rest for a bit and then you’re dismissed. We’ll pick this up tomorrow.”
Everything is so hazy and I’m not sure I hear him clearly. I don’t even know if anyone is in the room until I feel a hand slip into mine. “Lily,” Sebastian says.
I want to raise my head, but I’m too weak. “Seb…Seb…”
He presses his lips to my temple. “Don’t talk. It’s okay. I’ll stay here with you until you regain your energy.”
He shifts so my head is r
esting on his lap and runs his hand through my hair. “Tell me about your day,” I say.
“You should rest.”
Hearing his voice will give me energy. I love talking to him. When we’re together, I feel whole. “Please.”
“I went on my first hunt today,” he tells me. “Being the Watcher is more complicated than I thought it would be. I hadn’t realized just how dangerous it is out there. All the guards patrolling the area. They didn’t catch us.”
I sigh in relief. “Did you get anything?”
“Some meat, but not much. Tomorrow we’re going to go a little farther from the compound. Alaric says we need more resources for weapons.”
I press my cheek to his knee. My energy is slowly returning. “Be careful.”
He kisses my lips. “Always.”
Chapter Thirteen
I’m all rested up the next day, and Hastus and I spend a good few hours fighting one another. I feel myself getting stronger with each passing day.
Hastus’s magic is no match for mine, but he tells me to give him everything I’ve got. I have better control on my magic and make sure not to accidentally kill him. I use my arms and legs, too. It’s a great combination. And I don’t only have to rely on magic. That gladdens me, since I’d still like to keep some of my human side.
As I shoot a long, thick red beam at Hastus, causing him to fly a few feet and crash into one of the walls, someone claps from the doorway. Lowering my hands, I find Alaric standing there with a pleased expression on his face.
“How long have you been watching?” I ask, stretching down to help my trainer to his feet. He shakes his head like he’s trying to rid the pain. After waving his hand over himself, he seems to be feeling a lot better.
“Not long,” my dad answers. “But long enough to be very proud of you.”
“Thanks.” I still feel weird getting compliments from him. I don’t know why. Maybe because he’s not only my dad but my leader. My king.
Alaric turns to Hastus. “Can I borrow Lily for a bit?”
Keeping the Genie (Genie's Love, Book 3) Page 7
