Aric
Staying at home wasn't really helping me much. But in a way, it was better. I didn't have to go out to Embercrest and see everyone else showing off their powers. I could just wallow in my sadness, alone. No one would notice anyway.
This morning, though, Lady Ferguson sent me suits for my birthday. I honestly couldn't care less about celebrating. It only reminded me that I was getting older and my powers were still nowhere to be found. My nonexistent powers.
I picked up the black suit and tried it on. It looked good, not going to lie. Then I picked up the white one, then the gray one. Thinking about looking presentable was at least a distraction.
A knock at my door broke the quiet. Strange. It was late, close to nine, and dinner had ended hours ago. The boys knew better than to bother me after that.
I opened the door and froze. Avantika. Again.
"What do you want from me?" I asked, looking her up and down. She looked startled, like she had been running from something. Without asking, she slipped inside and closed the door.
"Woah, woah, woah! Hey, I didn't invite you in." My confusion grew deeper.
"You need to be careful," she said quickly. "You have to leave the party before midnight. I can't tell you more than this, but you must leave before midnight."
I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but before I could get a word out, she had already slipped out, the door clicking softly shut behind her.
I stood there, more confused than ever.
Grabbing my phone, I opened my chat with Aurelia. She was already typing. The dots appeared, disappeared, then appeared again. Finally, my phone buzzed with her call.
"Aric, what are you doing?" she asked.
I frowned. "I'm getting ready for my birthday party. And you?" She already knew that. I had texted her this morning. She was either already in the palace or on her way. So why ask?
"Why? Are you home already?" I asked.
"Yes, let's meet at the east wing practice room, I have some things to talk about, and I don't want anyone eavesdropping." she said. Her tone was sharp, worried. "Something's going on with Avantika. I can't put my finger on it."
I let out a humorless laugh. "You took the words right out of my mouth. She was just here. Said some weird stuff about the party and left before I could ask what she meant."
After a beat Aurelia hummed. " that's weird."
Aurelia and I meet at the east wing practice room. We were both dressed up, sword and shield in hand.
The moment we closed the door making sure no one could hear, Aurelia narrated what happened. And I in return told her all the weird things going on with Avantika.
"She's stalking me." I protested.
"She could be lurking somewhere around here right now for all I know."
Aurelia's brows furrowed. "I know something's going on. I can't tell if she means well… but giving you a warning sounds like she's trying to protect you. And I think…" She froze mid-sentence. "Did you hear that?"
I nodded.
Before I could react, Aurelia snapped her arm forward. A long strike of fire cut across the room, lighting up the dark corner.
A cough.
And then… a figure stepped into the light.
Avantika.
Aurelia blurred forward with inhuman speed, slamming her against the wall. "Gotcha." Her smirk was sharp and satisfied. Avantika had walked straight into our trap.
"Care to finally explain why you're stalking the both of us?" I asked calmly, a contrast to how I felt inside.
Avantika coughed again, her eyes darting between us. " I swear I mean no harm." Her gaze lingered on me before flicking back to Aurelia.
"I mean, I can explain, but not right now."
Aurelia and eye shared a look.