Change [Book 1 of The Elemental Marks]

Chapter 12

Although Lina would never admit it out loud, there was something undeniably peaceful about meditating.

Just sitting in the training room, alone with her thoughts, the sounds of running water through the walls carrying her away...

Ever since Alia had gotten her to start the process shortly after Lina's trip to the Silent City, she noticed the benefits.

"You need to learn how to clear your mind if you want to get total control of your element," Alia had explained. "I give meditation credit for all my training progress."

When Lina complained that clearing her mind was going to be impossible, Alia agreed to give her a simpler task.

"Just focus on one emotion, then. Try happiness. Recite all the happy memories you can think of while your meditating, and then while you're bending. It'll center you."

Alia did not elaborate as to whether or not she had done this. When Lina thought about it, she had no evidence of Alia being really extraordinarily happy at all.

Nevertheless, Lina tried to anyway. That was, after she spent the silence worrying about all the things she still didn't know; for instance, she had heard no news from Brother Hirah since her visit, and it had been over two weeks ago. Thoughts like these only made her feel worse, so she eventually gave in to the happy thoughts idea. It turned out to be far more manageable.

Today, Lina's thoughts landed her on yesterday's lunch. She could still feel the butterflies reform in her stomach as she recalled Carson sneaking sandwiches, fruit and her into the library, where they tried to get work done but mostly just laughed with one another.

In the back of her head, his laugh still echoed, like music and a summer breeze...

"Am I interrupting?"

"On our silent meditation? By making noise? No, not all," Alia said, her voice oozing sarcasm and annoyance. Lina peaked her eyes open even though she knew it was Carson hovering in the doorway. Lina couldn't help but notice Alia was always a lot harder on the boys than on her. But then again, they had known each other longer. Maybe that was how she showed affection.

Before Carson could respond, Lina jumped to his rescue. "It's fine. Did you need something?"

"Well, sort of," he started.

On her left, Lina caught Alia roll her eyes. "You two can talk in the kitchen then. I'm in the zone."

Carson helped Lina to her feet, and they snuck as quietly as they could out of the training room.

"What's up?"

There was a short pause in which Carson opened his mouth, snapped it shut and then blurted out, "The Clave is coming today."

"Oh. What does that mean?" she asked, doing her best to sound interested. In actuality, she would only bring herself to care if they had more information for her, and she suspected they wouldn't.

"The Consul and Inquisitor are coming to evaluate you--well, all of us, really."

"Evaluate me? On what?" She couldn't hide the surprise and partial panic that leaked in at that comment.

Carson talked quickly, doing his best to back track. "Not anything serious. Just a progress report and how we're doing. It's nothing to worry about," he told her, nearly sounding convincing. Just nearly.