An Outcast and an Ally by Caitlin Lochner

Author:Caitlin Lochner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

* * *

I go to Cal’s room once the base starts actually waking up. He opens his door expectantly and we head to the small training room on the second floor to spar, same as just about every morning I’ve been here.

Cal fights a lot like Lai—fast and light. Unlike Lai, his single hits aren’t all that strong, but he’s able to stack them until his opponent gives way. He beat me easily when we started this routine about a week after I rejoined the rebels, but always with surprise. “You’ve always been stronger than me,” he said. “Always.”

He didn’t say it, but I knew he was disappointed. In my almost four months in the military, I didn’t train a whole lot. Finding out about my memories was always my first priority, and practicing to fight felt like a waste of time when I could easily use my telekinesis to win. But with Gabriel’s gift around on both sides, I can’t rely on that anymore.

So Cal and I began training almost daily, for hours, to the point that I can now match him. It almost felt like my body knew it used to be stronger. I started leaning into patterns I didn’t know I had. I moved more easily, more quickly, like I was falling into a rhythm. It made me feel better. Like I was settling back into my own skin.

In our second hour of sparring, Cal hits the ground laughing. “Glad to see you’ve got your old strength back.”

A grin slips out as I help him stand. “Thanks. Want to take a break?”

“Oho, so you’re giving up now, are you?”

I shove him and he laughs again. “Not a chance. I just thought you were looking pretty damn tired.”

He throws a hand over his chest like he’s offended. “Me? Of course not.”

My smile widens. Of all the rebels, Cal is definitely my favorite. There’s something about him that I can click with, like we’ve always been best friends. I mean, apparently we were. But it doesn’t feel that way since I don’t remember it. I wonder what he thinks when we’re together. Is it like nothing’s changed? Or am I a completely different person to him now? I can never bring myself to ask.

“And here I am giving you a good excuse for why you lost,” I say. “I can’t believe you didn’t take it.”

“Please,” he says with a sniff. “I make my own excuses, thanks.”

“I figured you were running out at this rate.”

“Oh, I never run out of excuses, Erik.”

We both laugh again, and it’s the best I’ve felt in weeks. I’m glad Cal’s always willing to give up his mornings for me even though Ellis constantly has him running around.

“So what are your plans for the day?” I ask as we sit on the ground. The training room is a small space with nothing in it except a few racks of sticks for makeshift weapons. We usually bring our own real ones.

“Well, let’s see.” Cal’s hands grip his water bottle as he leans back, legs straight out in front of him.

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