Talent Storm (15 page)

I would train incessantly; I would hone myself into a razor sharp blade, ready to kill if necessary. I’d become impenetrable armor, dedicated to protection. My life of leisure was over; my life of devotion had begun.

I raised my fist. “I'll see you in class tomorrow. I need to go practice my skills now.”

He turned, smiling sadly. “I'm sorry for your loss, and I’m sorry about your parents. They were good people.”

“Thanks. I'm sorry for all of yours.”

He nodded. “I hope you’ll decide to speak at Ben’s funeral tomorrow. You’ll regret it if you don’t.” He walked away, leaving me alone with death.

☼☼☼

Dressed in my finest black button-down shirt and slacks, I approached the condolence line. Ben’s parents stood shakily with red-rimmed eyes, accepting sympathies from the funeral guests.

When it was my turn, I stepped up and hugged Ben’s mother. “Ms. Lockhart, I’m so sorry for your loss.” I felt my eyes water. “I should have saved him.”

She squeezed back, then released me. “Thank you. It’s been so terrible. Why did they have to kill Ben?” She shook her head. “At least you survived though. I’m so proud that you’re working for the military to protect the rest of us. We need to make these Wilders pay.” She broke down and cried.

I moved on to Mr. Lockhart and shook his rough hand. “I’m sorry, Sir.”

Lips pressed together, he nodded. “If only my boy had talent, maybe he’d still be alive.”

I shivered at the similarity to Ben’s last words. All this time his dad was right about how important talent was. I nodded to him, not knowing what to say and moved off into the crowd, where I found Danessa. Her typical wry expression was now stark.

“Hey kiddo, how are you holding up?” she asked.

I shook my head, knowing that I wasn’t doing well. “It’s been tough, Danessa. I’m glad I still have you.” I hugged her.

“I’m glad I have you too.”

We held each other until a bell tolled. It was time. We took our seats. After a few people spoke, it was my turn. Releasing Danessa’s hand, I made my way to the podium. I stood before the audience and surveyed those in attendance. Ben’s parents, dressed in black, sat slumped. Lilly sat with a couple who must have been her parents, her eyes lowered, biting her lip.

Seeing her there, I knew I couldn’t help but be with her. She was all I ever wanted. I wasn’t a good person, but maybe I could become one. I’d have to apologize after my speech.

I spotted Jasmine in the back row, looking stunning in her black dress. Despite her exotic beauty, I wouldn’t choose her over Lilly in a million years. After my eyes landed on the Melmens, I noticed their daughter, a cute, pale-faced redhead. I thought of my conversation with Ben so long ago and nearly smiled. Embarrassed, my face hardened into a frown.

Clearing my throat, I steeled myself before beginning my speech. I wouldn’t break down. “I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to speak today, but I’m glad I’m making the effort. I stand before you on this tragic day, a tragedy brought to us by lawlessness, by scum. As a child, I believed we were safe in the city, somehow free of the outside horrors. Now, I realize that we aren’t safe. If we want to be free, to live and to love, we must fight for it. We must work hard to protect our friends and loved ones. I must work hard.”

I saw my Instructor nod. “Ben was my best friend and what happened was terrible. It eats me up inside every day that I couldn’t stop it, that I couldn’t save him.” My voice quivered, my eyes watering. “Every day, I blame myself... Mr. and Ms. Lockhart, I’m so sorry, if only I could have stopped them. If I was just a little stronger... a little more focused...” I turned away hiding my flowing tears. “I’m sorry...,” I said, then ran from the podium, unable to continue. When I was well away from everyone, in an open field, I stopped to let my tears flow freely.

After sometime, a human shadow slid up in front of me, and I flinched. Lilly? Glancing up, my eyebrows rose. Jasmine stood before me, wringing her hands. My face grew hot, and I turned away to hide my tears.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“No.”

I jumped as her hands surrounded me, then settled against her. She already saw me crying. What did it matter now? It just felt comforting to be near someone.

“I’m so sorry for what happened to Ben,” she said.

“It’s been rough,” I said through tears. “I’m just trying to get through these days. Thanks for coming to see me.”

“No problem. I guess as a healer, I always want to make people feel better.”

I wished she were Lilly. “Thanks. You are.” She held me back, then abruptly leaned in, her soft lips pressing against mine. I pulled back. What was she— “You Pig!” I jumped at hearing a woman shout near us. Lilly stood with her arms crossed, her brow furrowed, and her mouth clamped. She huffed, then stomped away.

I threw up my hands. “She kissed me,” I said. “I didn’t do anything.”

Jasmine faced me. “Are you guys going out or something?”

“I wish, but we keep having problems and misunderstandings.”

“That happens with my boyfriend and me sometimes.”

I gapped at her. “Boyfriend? Why did you kiss me?”

She shrugged. “I just thought it would make you feel better.”

“Talent.” I covered my face and shook my head. “Just leave me alone.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled and walked away.

☼☼☼

Late that night, I hunched in the corner of my bedroom in my wicker chair. Questions kept stomping in my mind, making sleep impossible. Would Lilly forgive me? Would Ben’s parents have shaken my hand if they’d known what really happened? What would Danessa have thought if she heard Ben beg for his life? Thank Talent she stopped reading my thoughts. I could never reveal the truth, but I wouldn’t forget it. My instructor was right. If I wanted to protect those I loved, I needed to sharpen my skills and meet my potential. Maybe I’d even beat Sid after a while. He needed to be put in his place.

Feeling resolute after my decision, my mind cleared. I yawned and stretched, cracking my back. It was time to sleep; it was time to move forward. That night I dreamed of my parents.

CHAPTER 8

The next morning I rose early. I picked up cracker wrappers, then swept up the glass. After righting the lamp and piling my laundry, I showered and shaved. Then I spiked up my hair before spending a few minutes admiring my now clean chiseled jaw-line and captivating eyes. After I was satisfied with my appearance, I dressed in a crisp, clean uniform and departed for class. I wondered what it would be like to return. Would people think poorly of me? Would it be hard to catch up with the class?

When I arrived at the facility, I walked down the halls viewing the pictures of former exemplary students and instructors with new meaning. How many of these students had died protecting the Coalition? How many of them had lost friends and loved ones?

Upon entering the class, I scanned the room. Danessa, who sat in the back, met my eyes and smiled. I winked in return. A few seats from her, sat Sid. My scowl was met with a smirk.

“Jaden,” said Sid. “Nice of you to return to your required duty. We haven’t seen you in a while. It’s good to see you though.”

I squinted at him. Was he serious?

“So I can humiliate you again,” he said.

Of course he wasn’t. He laughed, his belly jiggling. His new buddies snickered along with him.

“You didn’t see me, but I’ve seen you...”

The class turned to me.

“Three nights ago, you left your dorm in a sundress and red stiletto heels. Talk about humiliating.”

The entire class broke out into laughter. Even Deo smirked.

Sid’s round cheeks grew rosy. “That never happened,” he said through clenched teeth. “You filthy Wilder!”

“Quiet Sid and grow up,” said Deo. “His friend was killed by a Wilder. Show some respect. We’re all on the same side here. Remember that.” He faced me. “It’s good to have you back Jaden.”

Sid scowled, massaged his temples, and lowered his eyes. When I faced Lilly, she looked away crossing her arms. I frowned, feeling my stomach sink. I’d stop by her room after class to apologize.

The remaining few students shuffled in. After everyone was seated, the Instructor cleared his throat. I turned forward, my pen ready, giving him my full attention.

☼☼☼

After class, I visited Lilly’s room, but she wasn’t there. Waiting for her forgiveness was torture. The next morning, on our day off, I went to see her again. She was gone again. I couldn’t take it. I paced around the halls, chewing on my lip, lost in thought and mired in anxiety before finally returning to my room.

I drank a glass of water and ate some crackers. My intercom buzzed, and my eyes jerked toward it. Who was calling? I walked over and pressed a red button, accepting the call.

“Jaden, it’s Lilly.”

Lilly! Finally! “Lilly, can I come by? I want to talk about—”

“There’s no time for that,” she said. “Security will be at your room any second.”

My stomach soured familiarly.

“Tell them you were practicing with me all day.”

Before I could respond, the intercom shut down. Perspiration dotted my forehead. What did they want from me? Maybe I could exit the window. When I took a step toward it, pounding on the door froze me in place.

“It’s security. Open up.”

I inhaled slowly and deeply. Fleeing was stupid anyway. They’d find me eventually. I reluctantly opened the door. Two burly security guards stood before me.

“It was reported that you stole Peacemaker from Instructor Deo.”

I flinched back, my brow furrowing. What? I didn’t expect that. “I didn’t take anything.”

Despite my assertion, I looked around the room. When my eyes passed my bed, they shot open. An iron fist at the end of a rough handle stuck out from my covers.

The security guards’ eyes followed mine. “What’s that?”

“I didn’t take that. I don’t know how it got here.”

“Sure.”

One security guard stepped over to the bed before pulling Peacemaker from it. He gasped as the mace ripped from his hands and slammed on the ground with a thud.

“Damn this thing is heavy. Help me with this.”

The other guard walked over, grabbed one end, and together they slowly hefted the huge mace, their faces growing red with the effort. The wooden floor had a deep dent where one flange craved into it. The two men shuffled by me, their breathing labored.

“Follow us. The Instructor wants to see you,” one managed to say.

I lowered my head and followed the men. When we reached the Instructor’s office, we entered.

“Jaden,” Deo said. “Have a seat. He waited until I sat in front of his desk before continuing. “I received a disturbing report that seems to have been true.”

He grabbed the offered mace with one hand, his arm glowing purple. The guards stepped away, breathing heavily, sweat on their brows.

I clenched my jaw, shaking my head. “I didn’t take it. Why would I want your mace?”

He squinted. “It is quite famous. Where were you earlier today?”

“I was practicing with Lilly all day. I just got back to my room when security showed up.” Did her warning mean she forgave me? Maybe she was so attracted to me that she couldn’t resist.

“Where?”

“In her room,” I said. She didn’t specify. Hopefully we were on the same page.

The Instructor nodded toward one of the security guards.

The guard activated the intercom. “It’s security.”

“Yes.” Lilly’s sweet voice sounded through the device.

“Is it true that Jaden Stone was with you all day today?”

“Yeah, we had a great time today. Why, what’s going on?”

“Don’t worry about that. Where were you and what were you doing together?”

“We were practicing in my room all day. Tell me what’s going on.”

“It’s nothing. Sorry to bother you.” He clicked off the intercom.

The Instructor cleared his throat, and I turned back to him. “I didn’t think you’d take it anyway. I have an idea of how it got there.”

I jumped up, my chair falling behind me with a thud. “Sid!” I marched to the door, my body sparking green. “This time he’s gone too far.”

“Stop,” Deo said.

Refusing to listen, I strode closer to the exit before reaching for the knob. Suddenly, my hand froze, inches from the door. Stubbornly, I strained to reach the knob until sweat ran down my sides. Then I slowly and involuntarily rotated an inch off the ground, feeling the influence of the Iron Will.

He stared at me with his cold blue eyes. “Do not get revenge.”

Squeezing my fists, I huffed loudly. “Fine.”

“This feud of yours ends now. If Sid wants to be punished, let him dig his own grave but don’t retaliate.”

With my mouth set in a thin line, I turned before exiting his office. I seethed at his control over me as I plodded back to my room, my head low. When I noticed Lilly walking toward me, my face suddenly softened.

I waved. “Hey, Lilly. Thanks for helping me out back there.”

She eyed me, crossing her arms. “It wasn’t right for Sid to frame you. Besides, as much as I hate you, I hate Sid more.”

I gapped at her, thinking of something to say.

My hesitation must have annoyed her. She huffed, throwing her arms up, then stomped off.

“Wait.”

She slowed, then wheeled around before stomping up to me. “What?”

“Sorry,” I said, momentarily lowering my eyes.

She pitched forward, glaring at me. “For telling me to go away when I was trying to comfort you? Or for kissing Jasmine? Or worst of all, for not remembering our night at the park?”

My skin tingled, sending a shiver through me. She remembered. Did that mean she’d been thinking about me all these years? I met her alluring dark eyes, feeling more confident. “I loved that night at the park.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I wanted to see you after that, but you disappeared.”

She looked down, shaking her head. “I know. My dad got a new job in Alliance City. I didn’t know how to find you.”

“It doesn’t matter now. Our day at the park was the best day of my life. I want a thousand more with you.”

She smiled broadly, her dimples brightening her face. “Really?”