Lightning Bringer: (Lighting Seeker Book 2)

Find Me Here

Reign fell asleep moments after her head hit the pillow. Vale listened to her slow breathing from the fainting couch that was pressed up against the makeshift barricade. After an hour of staring at the ceiling, her mind tugging her back to Sky, Vale pulled on a pair of pants, boots, and a shirt she had begged Ace to add to the list of formal clothing that had been snuck in.

Considering how chaotic the night had gone, Vale needed to clear her head. Moving to the window, she unlatched it, leaned out, and shot her arm— transforming it into a hook, onto the ledge above. Swinging out, she shut the window behind her and planted her feet on the marble wall parallel to the window.

Ignoring the bright neon cityscape that made up the night below, Vale pretended that she wasn't climbing the side of a ship, but rather a stable, unmoving structure.

The wind that whipped her untied hair around ruined the illusion, but she kept her eyes focused on the path above. Climbing up several stories, she pulled herself over the side of an outdoor garden, and rolled into a crouch, hoping to stay hidden.

She scanned the garden, her nose filling in the gaps that the darkness made it difficult to decipher. She smelled basil, tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and peppers. After a moment the perfume of flowers filled her lungs. I could get used to this, Vale thought. She had hated her room. If it didn't leave her completely open to attack, she could imagine sleeping up here.

She closed her eyes and took in a large easy breath. The first she had taken since falling into this chaotic hell covered in marble and twisted games. A sudden sound to her left shattered her sudden peace and she pressed herself further into the darkness as someone came into view. Recognizing Sky, Vale moved to stand but froze at the sight of a girl walking beside him. The blond girl who had danced with him, who had understood him when he signed to her.

The image of them together burned, causing Vale's heart to stutter painfully. What are you doing up here? Sky signed. It took Vale a moment to realize that he wasn't talking to her.

"We used to come up here all the time, remember?" The girl replied, her voice sweet like honey.

You always followed me up here, Sky corrected. Why are you here now?

The girl pulled Sky to a stop, her hand lingering on Sky's bicep. "To see you. I've missed you. You left without a word. Staying with your exiled uncle and aunt." Sky's jaw tightened.

The girl moved closer to Sky, a breath apart from him. "Only to come back and pretend we don't know each other."

Sky took a step back and pulled her hand away from his arm. It doesn't matter if we know each other. That is not what my grandfather is looking for. Familiarity won't win you any points.

Sky moved down a row of vegetables and suddenly, he caught sight of Vale, hidden in the shadows. He turned to look back at the girl. You shouldn't come up here. Stop seeking me out. It will only encourage my grandfather to target you.

Sky's eyes flickered back to Vale for a quick instant, his warning to her clear. Vale's heart went wild in her chest, feeling suddenly foolish where she sat hiding behind a tall set of bushes. Let me die now. Let me do anything else, be anywhere else than here.

The girl stared at Sky, her brow raised. "Your grandfather loves me... She moved up to him, placing her hands on his chest. Vale covered her mouth with her hands to cover her unsteady breaths.

"He's assured me that if I play my cards right..." She trailed her fingers up his chest and snaked them around his neck. "I will get you as my prize."