Jacque Stevens - The Stone Bearers by The Stone Bearers

Author:The Stone Bearers [Bearers, The Stone]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Kylta found her first, though not until nearly an hour had past. “There you are.”

Ashira nodded until she could keep her voice steady. “Sorry, I went with Danith.” She wasn’t crying, but her eyes still stung. How red was her face?

What she wouldn’t give to have her veil back!

Kylta grinned as she sat down. “Oh, I know. I saw Laurel fuming about it. I was just worried that you wouldn’t make it back in time.”

“Back in time for what?”

“The Harvest Festival. There’s always one when all the new students come, and we’re celebrating Rictor’s return to the gods. He passed on while you were gone, so we’ll need to start looking for the new bearer for Destiny’s stone as well.”

“You celebrate death?” Ashira had heard of wealthy families in Saban hiring extra mourners, but never an actual celebration.

“More the life he lived than the death itself. Rictor would want us to smile when we think of him.”

Ashira brushed her eyes in spite of herself. They wouldn’t stop burning. How long would she have to cry over such an idiot?

Kylta took her arm, sitting next to her. “Oh, I didn’t realize you knew Rictor so well. I cried myself dry yesterday.”

“It isn’t that. I mean, it’s sad, it’s just— ”

“Oh, no. It’s Danith, isn’t it?”

Ashira looked away. “It’s so stupid.”

“No, it happens all the time. If Laurel finds out, she’ll strangle him.” Kylta embraced her side as she scooted closer. “Did you want to talk about it?”

That was the last thing she wanted to do. Then she really might start crying again.

Kylta yanked her to her feet. “Come on. I was about to go see Diana. She can help.”

Ashira stumbled forward, but just to keep her balance. Troubling another bearer seemed worse than talking to Kylta. “I’ll be fine. I just—why won’t it stop?” She pawed at her traitorous eyes. She didn’t even know him.

“It’s his magic. You just have to see Diana, like I said. I promise it will help.”

Ashira shook her head, but they were already halfway to the infirmary. She couldn’t find the strength to break away as the tears returned in full force.

Maybe it was magic.

A crash echoed through the infirmary as they cleared the door. Kit streaked past the empty tables set up in the classroom area, a blur of blue scales and flapping wings. Another flash of red and yellow, then a feathered creature found refuge on Kylta’s shoulder. The sparrow-sized phoenix hid among Kylta’s chestnut curls.

Kit skidded to a sudden stop, hovering. Kylta’s hands went to her hips. “Kit, leave Kerro alone.” She shook her head for Ashira’s benefit. “They’re always going at each other.”

Kit landed on a table. He started it.

Kerro squawked from behind Kylta’s hair.

“How?” Kylta asked. “Kerro doesn’t talk.”

Yes, but he can think, and I know what he’s thinking.

Ashira held onto a table, feeling a bit light headed. At least she had something else to focus on now. “He’s a lot littler than you— ”

He can get as big as he wants.

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