Reverence (A gothic Romantasy)

Chapter seven

Josie

Josie stepped out of the dining hall, the warmth and chatter fading behind her as she walked alongside Corbyn and Jane. The cool night air was refreshing, and the moon cast a silver sheen over the grounds of Blackmore Castle. They talked quietly, recounting moments from the dinner, but soon they reached the point where their paths diverged. With quick hugs and promises to see each other in the morning, Josie waved them off and started towards her room in the student quarters.
The field stretched out before her, the grass glistening with dew under the moonlight. As she walked, lost in her thoughts, a movement caught her eye. A shadow stepped forward from between the trees, revealing the tall figure of Creed Rasmussen. His sandy brunette hair seemed to glow under the moon's pale light.
Josie stopped abruptly, her heart leaping into her throat. "What the hell, Creed?" she snapped, trying to mask her initial fright with anger. "Are you trying to make my heart stop?"

Creed's lips curved into a smirk. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," he said, his voice dripping with mock innocence. "Just thought I'd say hello."
She crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at him. "Hello? You were lurking in the shadows. What are you doing here?"
"I was waiting for you," he replied smoothly, stepping closer. "Saw you at the training field this morning. Impressive stuff."
Josie's heart pounded harder, her mind racing. She tried to keep her face composed, but the panic was rising. "What do you mean? You weren't supposed to be there."
Creed raised an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. "Relax, Josie. I'm not going to tell anyone." He took another step, closing the distance between them. "But it's interesting to see someone like you struggle with their power."
She bristled at his words, feeling her defensive walls rise. "What's that supposed to mean? Not everyone has perfect control, you know."

Unphased, Creed chuckled. "Calm down. I'm just making an observation. You looked like you were having a hard time out there."
Josie rolled her eyes, feeling the urge to lash out with a string of curses. "And you think you're so perfect, don't you? Always watching, always judging."
"Maybe," he said, his voice softening just a fraction. "Or maybe I'm just curious. There's something different about you, Josie."
She clenched her fists, fighting the urge to hit him. "I'm done with this conversation," she said, turning on her heel and stomping away. As she walked towards the student quarters, she could feel his eyes on her back, a mixture of anger and confusion swirling inside her. Reaching her room, she slammed the door shut behind her, leaning against it to catch her breath, wondering why Creed always managed to get under her skin.

ꕥ

Josie sat across from Jane in the dimly lit castle library, surrounded by ancient tomes and the smell of old parchment. The flickering candlelight cast shadows across the worn wooden tables as they skimmed through books detailing Blackmore's history. Josie could feel Jane's eyes on her, sensing the weight of her friend's concern.
"What's bothering you, Josie?" Jane finally asked, her voice a soft murmur that barely disturbed the silence of the library.
Josie shrugged, trying to focus on the text in front of her. "Nothing, really. Just tired from all the training."
Jane's persistent gaze didn't waver. "Come on, I know you better than that. What's really going on?"
With a sigh, Josie set the book down and leaned in closer to Jane. "I've been training with Corbyn," she admitted quietly, glancing around to make sure no one else could hear them. "Trying to hone my magic."

Jane's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "With Corbyn? On the Kraven grounds?"
Josie nodded. "Yeah, and something happened. On the field. I managed to summon my power."
Jane's shock was palpable, her eyes widening. "What? You did? That's incredible!"
"Keep your voice down," Josie hissed, glancing nervously around the library. "There's more. I'm a light wielder, Jane."
The intensity of Jane's reaction was immediate. "A light wielder? Josie, do you have any idea how rare that is? There hasn't been a light wielder in five hundred years!"
"I know, I know," Josie replied, trying to calm her friend. "That's why I'm here, looking for any information that might help me understand my power better."
Jane shook her head in disbelief. "We need to tell the headmistress. She has to know about this."
"Jane, please," Josie pleaded. "I don't want to draw attention to myself until I understand it better. That's why I'm looking through these books."

Jane leaned back, still reeling from the revelation. "Josie, you have no clue how rare your power is. Light wielders are almost mythical. This is incredible."
"I get it," Josie said, her voice firm. "But I need to figure this out on my own terms. I don't want to be treated like some kind of freak or experiment."
Jane nodded slowly, understanding dawning in her eyes. "I get it. But you have to promise me you'll make an effort to master your power. The world has never seen anything like this, and it would be a shame not to."
Josie sighed, feeling the weight of her friend's words. "I promise. I'll do my best. But for now, let's keep this between us, and Corbyn okay?" Josie was not sure why she hid the fact that Creed knows too, only it felt right not to say anything.
"Okay," Jane agreed, her expression serious. "But remember, I'm here for you. Whatever you need."
Josie smiled, feeling a little lighter knowing she had Jane's support. Together, they continued to search through the dusty books, determined to uncover the secrets of her rare and powerful magic. Jane was surprisingly looking more interested in the manuscripts now after her confession.

                                        ꕥ

The Blackmore instructor's voice rang out across the training field, calling Jane to the mat. Josie looked up, catching sight of her friend as she stepped forward with her usual confident stride. Jane was paired with the redhead from last night's dinner, Jasper, if she remembered correctly. Jasper, a second-year student, carried himself with a confidence that bordered on arrogance.
Jane walked over to the mat, tying her golden hair up into a tight bun atop her head. She flexed her fingers before curling them into fists, her eyes never leaving Jasper. The redhead, seeing Jane's focused preparation, whistled at her teasingly. "Don't tell me you're going to go easy on me just because I'm a second year, you should know that I—" he taunted, a smirk playing on his lips.

Before Jasper could finish his sentence, Jane exploded into action. She sent a fist straight to his face, followed by a swift kick to his knee. Jasper, unprepared for the sudden onslaught, staggered back, eyes wide with shock. "First thing about combat, never let your guard down, second year," Jane said, her voice cold and unyielding.
Jasper's face twisted into a mocking expression, but his irritation was clear. He began to throw punches, each one more forceful than the last. Jane dodged the first blow, tumbling backward slightly but quickly regaining her footing. She moved with a fluidity and grace that belied her strength, her eyes sharp and focused. Josie watched in awe as Jane defended herself from Jasper's increasingly frantic attacks. Despite his efforts, the second year's strikes were sloppy and ill-timed. Jane, in contrast, was a master of combat. Her movements were swift and steady, each one calculated and precise. She was like a dancer, her body moving in perfect harmony with the rhythm of the fight.
Jasper's frustration grew with each failed attempt to land a hit. He threw a particularly wild punch, which Jane deftly sidestepped, using his momentum against him to land a solid blow to his ribs. Jasper grunted in pain, doubling over for a moment before straightening up, his face red with embarrassment and anger. "You're not bad," Jane said, a hint of amusement in her voice. "But you've got a lot to learn." Her words only seemed to fuel Jasper's irritation, and he lunged at her with renewed vigor. Jane met his attack head-on, her fists a blur as she blocked and countered his strikes with effortless precision.

The instructor watched the match closely, a look of approval on his face. Jane's skill was undeniable, and it was clear that she had taken her training seriously. Each movement was a testament to her dedication and hard work, and Josie couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for her friend.
Jasper, however, was starting to falter. His attacks were becoming more desperate and less coordinated, while Jane remained calm and collected. She saw an opening and took it, landing a series of rapid punches that left Jasper reeling. With a final, decisive kick, she sent him sprawling to the ground. The match was over. Jane stood tall, her breathing steady despite the exertion. Jasper lay on the mat, panting heavily, his confidence shattered. The instructor called the match, declaring Jane the winner. Josie could see the satisfaction in Jane's eyes as she helped Jasper to his feet, offering him a hand despite the fierce competition.
"Remember what I said," Jane told him, her tone softer now. "Never let your guard down." Jasper nodded, his expression a mixture of reverence and frustration. As they walked off the mat, Josie couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for her friend. Jane had not only proven her skill but also demonstrated the importance of humility and learning in the face of defeat.