Burn the Ashes by Heather Shahan

Author:Heather Shahan [Shahan, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 1983506672
Published: 2018-01-01T22:00:00+00:00

17

Anza

My eyes search the crowd, furtive, as I line up for roll. I saw Peony in the line returning last night, but I couldn’t find her in our dormitory, not that I was able to search much with the guards watching. If Scott had been the one posted, I wouldn’t have been able to look at all; she is always watching me.

Just before Kline starts calling numbers, Peony appears from between two dormitories and squeezes into the lines. What are you up to? I want to ask. Not a minute later, Solar approaches from between two others. He chooses a spot in our rows far from her but a moment after taking his place he glances over.

I wonder if Eli knows and what he thinks of the two. He obviously noticed their entrance, his eyebrows pulling inward.

Looking up at the sky, with the sun slowly backing me, I try to imagine what it would look like raining. Would it look the same as storms used to? I picture dark clouds lit up by lightning and feel the energy race along my skin. I imagine sheets of cold rain seeping through my clothes and into my being. I close my eyes and revel in it. I feel alive.

A large drop of water breaks open as it hits my head and my eyes snap open. A tiny stream slides through my hair and down my neck.

I don’t let myself react in case others notice how out of place these few drops are.

Did I cause them?

Could I make more fall?

Together, could we create a storm?

Every bit of me is frozen in place; I don’t dare move. Seconds pass but they don’t convince me that I am wrong, misguided.

I search the crowd until I see Saeren. One of my two best friends since childhood, I can trust her with this. I reach out, sending her a rough version of what I see in my mind: a group of us huddled in a dormitory planning, a few Aer at the edges working, and the rain outside so fierce and wild that the guards don’t bother coming to check on us. When I sense her understanding, I let it fade.

—Think it could work?

—If there are enough to keep the rain going all night, for sure.

—Is tonight too soon?

I feel her smirk in my mind. I’m not sure if it is the stronger connection Aer Talists share with each other or the lifelong bond we have.

—Of course not.

I smile back so that only she can see.

—Good. I didn’t think so.

-

I make contact as I work, picking vegetables that will be added to the soup. Some of the Aer agree readily—Maia, Crinxz, Ari, Saria—while others are hesitant—Duck, Mae, Estok.

The details begin to form: we will begin to call the rain down during evening roll call. Not enough to cancel rations, but enough that the resulting storm isn’t too sudden to be believable. Before the guards get into place, we will strengthen the tempest until sheets of rain fall. Everyone, even those unaware of the plan, will run to the dormitories for cover.

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