Books 1-3: A High Fantasy Novel, page 27
part #1 of A Talnarin Novel Boxed Series
I scoff. “No.”
Expression serious, Abel says, “They will be pushing you to your limit, Alanna.”
My eyes widen marginally.
“They intend to see how far you can go and how strong your affinity truly is. You are different. Your genetic makeup is different than talnarins and yet different than humans.”
I shift uncomfortably, not fully understanding his words.
“As you have stated before, you are a hybrid of sorts between the two species.”
I blurt, “My genetic makeup?”
Abel folds his hands on the desk. “Your DNA. The genetic makeup of an organism determines an individual’s specific characteristics.”
I rub my hand against my face. “So, it’s what makes me, me?”
Abel nods. “It’s what makes humans, humans, and talnarins, talnarins. The DNA contains the instructions that make each species, like talnarins and humans, unique. This instruction is passed from adults to children during reproduction.”
I blush scarlet at that. “Okay, but how do you know my ... DNA is different than humans and talnarins?”
Guilt creeps across Abel’s face while Malik looks pleased and proud. “We received the results back from when Freya drew your blood,” Abel says softly, as if he is afraid of my reaction.
I stare at him blankly. “How does my blood tell you anything?”
Abel leans forward, eyes on me the entire time. “We have equipment that far surpasses the human’s technology.” He says this so matter of factly, like I hadn’t noticed the difference in equipment myself. I frown slightly as it sinks in.
Why do they have different technology then humans, though?
“We have a system that allows us to read the makings of your genetic code. We compared your blood to the blood of a talnarin and again with the blood of a human.”
I nod slowly, understanding most of what he’s saying.
“Your DNA is not identical to either one of their DNA sequences. However, there are similarities between your genetic code and both human and talnarin genetic codes. This tells us you are a related species to both talnarins and humans. You are essentially another species, one we have never studied or seen before.”
I take a few moments to absorb everything. Slowly I say, “So, what else does my blood tell you exactly? Other than I’m different from the two.”
He smiles patiently. “Your blood told us what your hair color is, what your eye color is, what your gender is, what your genetic code is, and various other information.”
Hmm. I start tapping my foot. “Do you have books on this stuff?”
“Yes, I can have Benjamin show you if you like.”
I nod.
Abel smiles kindly and says, “Very well, anything else?”
“ I have another question. Earlier you mentioned something about testing my powers. What does that entail exactly?” I shift nervously, my foot bouncing faster.
This time it’s Malik who speaks. His deep voice echoes around the room. “I will be putting you under immense pressure to see if you’ll crack.” His smirk makes its way across his face and he crosses his arms, muscles bulging. “I want to see what you are capable of under stress.”
My eyes widen and I swallow hard. “That sounds brutal.”
Malik is all teeth. “It will be, rest assured.” His eyebrows rise. “And you won’t just be working with the Firvo affinity either. Zeke will be having a go at you with his Elestal affinity. We’re going to test your resistance to electricity, and judge your overall capability with it.”
My brows furrow and my lips turn down at the corners. “But talnarins can only manipulate one affinity so why are you going to test me with another one?” I look from Malik to Abel, confused. “That’s what the books say, and what Benjamin told me.”
I watch suspiciously as Malik and Abel exchange an unreadable look. Abel softy says, “It has been known to happen that a talnarin is capable of manipulating more than one affinity.” He pauses briefly. “It is extremely rare, but it does happen. My brother and I have a hunch we would like to test.” Abel gives me what I assume is a reassuring smile. “If it seems to be failing, or you are put in any danger, we will stop immediately. Do you understand?”
I huff. “Well, it’s not like I have a choice.”
Abel’s eyes seem to plead with me to understand and trust him. “We will not hurt you here, Alanna.” With this, Abel gives Malik a stern look, one which he studiously ignores, of course.
Well isn’t this just all so comforting? It’s amazing how I feel so safe and protected.
I roll my eyes, irritation rising. Abel’s golden eyes meet mine as he addresses me. “Now, Alanna, I would like to discuss what happened to you in the past. Would this be permitted?”
A quick glance at Malik shows me the warning in his eyes. Gone is his smirk and amusement, in its place is a less hostile version of the Malik I know. I swiftly look away and say, “What exactly do you want to know?”
Despite asking the question, Abel appears to hesitate. “What changes occurred after the ... tests?”
I was expecting a worse question—that one is the least painful memory to think about. “Just the fire and physical differences,” I say, deceptively nonchalant.
“What physical differences?”
“My hair used to be brown and my eyes blue. Not to mention the rounded ears. You know, being human and all.” I shrug my shoulders.
Abel nods his head a couple times, hand rubbing his chin. “I see, and were these changes immediate or slow to show?”
It is a tricky question to answer.
I hesitate briefly, twisting my hands in my lap. “I don’t know.” I glance down as my fingers entwine with each other over and over again. “The first time I saw myself like this was when I finally escaped.”
I allow myself a moment in my past, my mind racing back to that time. “I blindly ran from the village and eventually ended up at stream. When I looked in, I saw what I’d become. It scared me so much that I bolted again. Unfortunately, it took me from the stream and I had no way of doubling back and there went my water source.”
I clamp my lips together, there I go again saying more than I had planned to. I look up to find Abel looking at me with a sad smile on his handsome face. On the other hand, Malik’s expression is completely unreadable. At least the smirk is gone.
After an awkward silence, Abel says, “I see. The serum we recovered from the manor is being analyzed as we speak. We hope our tests will uncover the science behind your physical alterations. It would be extremely beneficial to know just how this serum is able to alter a human so much.”
Abel’s face turns deadly in seconds. The sight makes my eyes goes wide, the similarities between the brothers has never been so clear as it is now. Even his voice drops and is dripping with venom. “Then we can know why these rogues are mutating humans and talnarins alike.”
I hesitate to ask, slightly terrified of Abel right now. “How long will that take? To know, I mean?”
“It depends on how complicated a mixture it is.” His face is still like stone. “It should not take longer than two or three weeks. There is something else I wish to address however.”
I gulp audibly.
Chapter 5
I startle awake, blankets are yanked from my body and the cool morning air rushes over me. Jolting upright, I find Malik at the foot of the bed, the bedding gripped in his hands. I scowl instantly, a puff of indignation sending a few stray hairs flying out of my face.
“What the Hellvian are you doing?”
“Time for training girl.” Malik’s expression is carefully blank. “Meet me in the arena in five minutes. Wear the training leathers.” With that, he throws a bundle of leather at me and stalks out. I stare after him, eyes wide.
Well then. Training it is.
I glance down at the bundle and unravel it with a flick of my wrist. Barely sparing it more than a glance, I move to dress. As I follow the mindless routine of getting ready, I think back to the conversation I had with Abel and Malik yesterday.
“There is something else I wish to discuss.”
I gulp audibly and hold my breath, twisting my hands together.
“The talnarin who did this to you, the one with the golden eyes, said He would be back for you, correct?”
I nod, knowing this conversation won’t amount to anything good.
“If He contacts you ... ” Abel looks me dead in the eye, expression still fierce. “You will tell us immediately. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” I don’t dare say more.
“Good. If He did what you said He did, then you know He is dangerous.”
My heart sinks at his words. Even Abel doubts my story, and it hurts me more than I care to admit.
“I know you wish for revenge, and trust me when I say you will get it, but facing Him alone would be a death sentence, and a foolish one at that.”
I grit my teeth and glance down at my lap.
“Alanna.” He waits until I meet his eyes. “From what Malik has told me, this talnarin is far stronger than you know. Do not make a poor decision trying to prove yourself or settle your debt.” The harshness of his face eases slightly and a tight smile appears. “You will have your revenge. If this talnarin did all that you claim, then revenge is yours to take. No one else’s, we will not take this from you.”
Unwillingly, tears spring to my eyes and I look down once more. Even though neither brother appears to believe me, Abel’s words still bring comfort in some inexplicable way.
I will the tears away and firm up my resolve. Malik’s expression is hard and unreadable as he stares at me, unblinking. I give him a small nod before moving my gaze to Abel.
Abel has shed more harshness from his face as he too wears an unreadable expression. When I give him affirmation, the last of the hardness leaves Abel’s face and his gentle smile returns.
After that, I was dismissed for dinner. Instead of heading to the kitchen, I went to my little alcove and thought over everything until the sun went down. Despite the peace I felt in my alcove previously, the feeling this time was somewhat abated with the two talnarin shadows stalking me as promised. I had debated heading to the bedroom rather than the alcove, because I didn’t want my secret place discovered, but in the end I craved the peace and comfort more. Once the sun set, I made my way to my room where I found a plate of food waiting on the desk inside. I devoured it all and fell asleep.
Pushing the memory back, I move to the mirror to survey the clothing, and my mouth drops in shock. The dark brown leather clings to my thin frame like a second skin. The pants, tucked into boots Malik left by my bed, are sturdy and perfect for training. The leather top laces up the front, and covers me from neck to wrist.
I feel badass.
I shake my head at the thought, feeling ridiculous for even considering it. The outfight somehow makes me feel powerful, almost invincible, yet I feel like this empowering emotion won’t last. Not with Malik training me. I have no doubt he’ll kick my ass over and over today.
With that thought, I tie my hair back and turn from the mirror. After one last longing look at the bed, I exit the room and make my way to the arena.
I pass under the archway of the arena walls, noting that Malik and Zeke are the only talnarins present. It’s relieving to know they are the only ones who will witness my failure today. I stand before Malik, making sure I’m at least a good ten paces away. He looks down at me, arms crossed and face severe. Zeke, on the other hand, leans against the wall, a slight smile gracing his lips. His eyes roam down my body once, before he glances back up.
Before I even draw to a full stop, Malik barks out, “You’re late.”
I look at him like he’s insane. Which he is. “Five minutes wasn’t enough time.” I cross my arms.
“You’re too slow. My men can be ready in under two minutes.”
I stare at him, mouth gaping. Is he fucking serious? “I’m not one of your men.”
At that, Malik’s eyes travel down my frame, a smirk crossing his face. “That I know very well.”
I blush, shifting uncomfortably. That look, his roaming eyes ... I can’t help but feel self-conscious. My gaze falls to the floor. I knew I wouldn’t feel badass for very long.
“As punishment for being late,” Malik continues, and my eyes snap up to meet his. “We will start thirty minutes earlier tomorrow morning.”
I grit my teeth and force out a clipped, “Fine.”
Appearing appeased, Malik uncrosses his arms and takes a few steps back. “To start, we will see how long you can maintain your fire until it burns out. Today is all about testing your innate strength.”
My eyes widen, and his smirk drops, his eyes deadly serious.
“Under no circumstances will you aim your fire at Zeke or myself. If you do, there will be a painful recourse for your actions. Got it, girl?”
I suck in a breath of air. “Got it.” As an afterthought I say, “My name’s not girl.” The sound of a chuckle draws my eyes to Zeke, his smile stretched wide.
Malik gives him a sharp look that silences the chuckle but leaves the smirk in place. He looks back to me and says, “Your name is whatever I want it to be, girl.”
My eyes narrow and my lips turn down at the corners. “Fine. Then I’ll call you boy,” I mock, daring him to refute.
An abrupt laugh echoes around the arena, bouncing off the stone walls. Zeke is doubled over, not bothering to silence his amusement. Malik’s eyes narrow in response and a scowl etches itself into his face. The look is deadly, and if it was leveled at me, I’m sure I would start crying. Luckily, his wrath is directed at Zeke, who is oblivious to it.
Eventually the laughter tappers off and Zeke straightens. He rubs his hand down his face as if he’s trying to remove all evidence of his amusement. Malik still glowers at him. Zeke’s aware of the stare this time, as he studiously looks everywhere but at Malik. Malik barks out a, “Are you done?”
In a voice laced with humor Zeke says, “Sure, boss.”
A swift flick of his head and Malik levels me with a hard stare. “Let’s move on with training.” His eyes dare me to argue so instead I stay silent, an innocent widening of the eyes my only response. “As I said, today is all about determining the level and depth of your affinity. Draw the flames forward and keep them materialized until you can’t do so any longer.”
I shakily nod my head, predicting something will go wrong, or I’ll somehow mess something up.
“Start with a simple flame in your palm.”
I inhale a deep breath and steady my thoughts. I glance at both Malik and Zeke, only to find them both staring at me intently, expressions unreadable. Zeke has even moved off the wall to stand beside Malik. Looking at the two of them standing shoulder to shoulder is unnerving, but I refuse to show it.
Pushing away the thoughts and will my mind to empty of everything except the desire to materialize flames. I close my eyes hesitantly, afraid either talnarin will take that opportunity to strike. Searching for the energy inside my soul, my lips turn down at the corners when I only to find it empty and hollow.
Now the feeling rushes through me, it’s all I can think about. How did I not notice the emptiness before now? It leaves such a gaping feeling inside my core it’s impossible to focus on anything but making it go away. How did I miss this? Why is the firemissing? I fight through the panic and will my heart to calm. I breathe deeply once more and search further down.
There.
A faint stirring tickles my mind and I nearly jump for joy. I grasp the wisps of energy and pull tight. In a rush, the energy surges to the forefront of my soul and leaches out along my body. If I open my eyes, I’m certain my skin would glow softly. In my mind’s eye, I watch the energy reach for my palms.
My eyelids snap open and I watch as a small flame bursts out. A twitch to the corner of my mouth is the only outward indication of my excitement. I glance up and find Malik and Zeke exchange a strange look. In unison, they both turn their stares on me.
My flames die away as I startle and ask a hesitant, “What?”
Malik is the one to speak. He takes a step closer, a shadow of suspicion on his face. “Are you able to feel the energy in your core?”
My brows furrow and I shrug. “Yeah. Why?” The last word is coated in my own suspicion.
“When you reached for the energy, what did you feel?” Again, he takes another step forward.
I watch him closely as I say, “Well, at first I felt hollow until I dug deeper. Then—”
“Hollow, how?” Malik interjects abruptly.
I pursue my lips as I think. “It felt empty inside. It’s hard to describe. It felt like I was missing something.” I look from Malik to Zeke who both wear guarded expressions as they eye me. “Why, is something wrong?” I shift on my feet nervously.
“So, you felt hollow and searched harder for the energy.” Malik moves a step closer. “How did you find it? When you felt it, was it weak or was it strong?”
I look rapidly between the two, confused. “It was weak until I pulled on it. Then the energy came rushing forward.”
Again, Malik and Zeke exchange that strange look, words passing between them silently. Malik turns towards me once more, expression blank. “And how about now? Is it still rushing through you, or has it slowed or stopped completely?”
I pause.
“I can’t feel it.” A look at Malik confirms something is wrong. His expression is both contemplative and cautious. “What’s wrong with my energy? Why does it keep disappearing?” My voice is starting to get panicky and high.
Deep breaths, Alanna. I inhale slowly.
Malik closes the last few paces between us and reaches out his hand. I startle back a step, but he doesn’t let me go far. His hand clasps my neck gently and he gives a soft tug. Malik’s eyes search mine as he asks, “Do you feel any pain here when you call for your energy?”
“No. Should I?” I scratch my arm nervously and glance away.
