Wayward Mages

Chapter 34

Charlene

This is literally horrible. The three of them - Jake, 'Luke', and Kaira have bonded without me. I know that Kay and Kyle were together while I was unconscious at Mara's house but . . . this feels different somehow; I don't know why.

My mind turned to the side that Jonathan had tried to put into me, and for that time, I was susceptible to the darkness. I could feel my eyes darkening from grey to pure black - it was happening again. The Sunday seizure.

But this time - I welcomed it. I pulled the pain into myself, let it completely engulf me and generated my power, sending a telepathic message to Jonathan. Two words, but it would be all he needed for his next experiment.

I'm ready.

***

Luke

I watched Jake and Kaira as they dueled. I knew that there was something that they weren't telling me - there was more chemistry between them than summer camp. I know that Kay's not a thing to be possessed, but in that moment while they laughed and dodged each other, rage overtook me.

I couldn't help but feel that she was more happy with Jake than she ever was with me.

I sent the two words that I knew Jonathan wanted the most in the world to him telepathically.

I'm ready.

***

Kaira

As Jake and I fought, I felt the intensity of Luke's gaze on Jake and I. Something had changed, something was off about him. He seemed more concentrated, and his brows furrowed together the way he did when he was angry - usually directed at some stupid decision or rule made by his father.

I know that Luke's different from his father. But in that moment . . . the truth is, I felt like he was Jonathan. Like he was, I don't know exactly how to describe it but it seemed like he was being possessed - or to state the situation more accurately - like his father was being channelled into him.

Luke stared at us darkly and then all of a sudden, I felt a brush against my telepathic wall. He was sending a message to someone - I wonder who - but it managed to be 'sent' before I could drop the wall to sense the message. I'd built the wall a year ago, I don't know how, but it was cause and effect. The cause was the experiments they conducted on me. I wanted them to stop. The only way to do that was not have any psychic powers.

Ever since, I'd learned how to control the wall and manipulate it to stop messages from being sent or received. It was a power that came in handy with the guards. However, I still wasn't able to send messages myself - I had still to learn or rather, teach myself that.

All of a sudden I feel a flick at my side, followed by a quick twist and disarm using an upwards thrust. The sword clattered out of my hand and onto the floor.

I quickly shook my deep, philosophical thoughts off - I was still a teenager, I don't need those damn thoughts!

It was, obviously Jake's sword - he had won. He was prancing around the room like a little kid who got the pony that they wanted for Christmas, but stopped after sometime. He turned around and stared at me questioningly.

"Why did you let me win? I've seen you practice, you're much better than me. Is there something on your mind? I'd be glad to help you distract yourself." He stepped towards me and took my hand. He smelled . . . weird. Like metal and blood. There was no better way to phrase it.

He didn't have the sweet lovely scent Luke had of aftershave (JULIAN BLACKTHORN), clove (JACE HERONDALE PEEPS), the sea (JULIAN BLACKTHORN STRIKES AGAIN), and vanilla (I DON'T EVEN KNOW). A mix that shouldn't, by any rules of the universe, go together, but somehow went perfectly on Luke.

I shook myself out of my daze. "Yeah, I'll tell you what's wrong. YOU STINK! LITERALLY!" I yelled in his ear, and then spun away from him, laughing.

He smirked and stepped towards me threateningly. "Oh, you little -" Then he started tickling me.

And that, just happens to be my undoing. I collapsed on the floor laughing my head off while he smirked at my childish behaviour. He smirks too much. Eh.

"Payback's a laugh, isn't it, Kay?"

I stopped laughing immediately. Only Luke and Charlie call me that. Even Kyle hadn't called me that.

"Don't call me that." I said, my demeanor calm and serious.

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Why the sudden mood swings?"

I felt like I might've been a little harsh on him. "It's nothing. It- it just brought back unwanted memories."

"I get that." He says slowly. "Wanna go get a mint mocha frappuccino now?" He attempted to lighten the sudden heavy mood in the room.

"Oh my gosh! That's my fave drink!" Huh, who would have thought? His fail of an attempt worked!

He smiled and held a hand out. "Let's go, shall we?"

"Yeah, wait a sec." I turned to Luke to ask him if he wanted to come. To my surprise, he was gone.

I spun and did a quick survey of the room, but he wasn't there. I just shrugged and couldn't help to feel a twinge of disappointment.

Luke and I basically only ever meet now if we have to train or if he has to deliver a message. We don't get any time talk and joke around. I miss him.

Wait . . . WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH ME? HE'S ONLY BEEN GONE FOR A MINUTE OR SO!

I search inside myself. Why was I feeling like this?

There was only one explanation. I'd partially gotten over my crush on Kyle, only to fall for Luke.

I feel like a walking YA fantasy novel . . .

I know. I'm a teensy bit cracked in the head. God knows I need help . . .

I look back at Jake, who looks confused at my probably odd-looking behavior. He tilts his head to the side, asking me a silent question. Are you okay?

I'm shocked.

I just received my first telepathic message. Not an intercepted one, but one actually intended for me. And it just happens to be from Jake.