Chapter 129: Secrets in the Dark
And the spell trainings did not stop. Reika was already doing so well in her spell casting training and that gave everyone so much hope. she was now sharp in her spell work, even for the old members of the witches' coven were amazed. A skill that professional witches gained with centuries of training but Reika acquired it in few days.
Kael stood to one side, crossing his arms, but a slight amazed o as he watched Reika training with one of the senior witches. The crackle of magic cut through the air, the soft glow of Reika's fire spells lighting the practice ground.
"She's unbelievable," Kael muttered in awe.
Elira beside him gave him a sideways look. "She's come a long way, hasn't she?
Kael nodded. "It's as if she had been born for it. The way she moves, the way her power flows-it's...incredible."
El'ginn smirked. "Don't go telling her that, or she's going to get distracted."
Kael chuckled low in his throat.
Reika squared off against Nyssa, a pro witch known for agility and precision. Nyssa danced around her, the corners of her lips pulled upwards in a challenging grin.
"Think you're ready for me, wolf?" Nyssa teased, her voice light but laced with confidence.
Reika smirked. 'I've been ready. Let's see what you've got."
Nyssa was quick to strike, sending rapid-cutting spells hissing at Reika as if shot by glowing arrows. Reika flicked her wrist outwards and brought a wall of flames that absorbed her attack.
"Not bad," Nyssa said, her nod showing some approval. "But let's turn the heat up."
Nyssa flicked her wrist, and a whirlwind of glittering energy shot winging at Reika. Reika set her feet, throwing out her arms as she summoned her countering spell cleaving the whirlwind in two to send it harmlessly spiraling into the air.
The witches that were standing to one side began to cheer and clap.
"Good!" Nyssa acknowledged, lowering her hands. "You have talent, Reika. Natural talent."
Reika smiled, heaving at her chest with the exertion. "I had good teachers."
Elira clapped her hands, stepping forward. "Enough for now. Reika-you have bettered my expectations. Take a break-you deserve it."
The others scattered little by little, until Kael was left alone, but not alone. He was staring at a person. She went by the name of Althea-young and gifted witch with emerald eyes that seemed to dance in their sockets and a laugh that sounded in his ears long after she'd stopped laughing.
"Your friend's good," Althea said, flashing a friendly smile.
Kael nodded, his throat suddenly dry. "Yeah, she's something else."
"And you?" Althea asked, cocking her head to one side. "You really don't look the magical sort to me."
Kael chuckled awkwardly. "Sword-and-claws type of fellow, really. The magic's just never been my thing."
"Shame," Althea replied, a light tease woven into her voice. "You might be missing out."
Kael swallowed as Althea held her gaze on him a moment too long. He looked away fast, scratching behind his neck.
Later that night, Reika and Kael sat around the fire. Her muscles were sore from the day's training, Reika leaned her back against the log and let out a soft sigh upwards to the stars.
"You're staring at her again," Reika said without looking his way.
Kael spat out the water he had been sipping. "W-what? I am not staring at anybody!"
Reika turned to him, smirking. "Kael, you have stared at Althea all today. Quite obvious, honestly."
"I didn't! Jeez!" He exclaimed.
Reika suddenly burst into laughter and shook her head. "Hey, chill; I'm not judging you. She's good-looking, and she's got that whole thing going for her-mysterious, powerful. I can see why you'd be interested."
Kael groaned, running a hand through his hair. "It's not like that, Reika. I just can't. I mean, it's just not time for distractions. We've already got enough on our plate as it is."
Reika smiled, "Kael, you have been through it all with me; you sacrificed so much for me, for Lleus. If there is even the faintest hint of happiness for you, I really think you should take that opportunity."
Kael watched her. "It's just not that easy. Besides, I don't know if she even feels the same way."
"There's only one way to find out," Reika said with a shrug; the tease still sparkled in her eye.
The next morning, Reika stepped into the training circle with a lot more confidence. Kael joined her but kept drifting his gaze off to Althea, who was setting up some sort of series of magical wards nearby.
Elira picked that up and grinned as she leaned in toward Reika. "Your beta's got it bad.
Reika bit her lip to stifle a giggle. "He's hopeless, isn't he?
"Elira nodded. "Hopeless, but sweet. Maybe she'll be good for him. He could use a distraction from all the doom and gloom."
Reika's face turned somber. "We all could."
Kael was in training with some of the witches, but Althea found herself watching him from across the distance. His strength and determination were amazing to her-the quiet way in which he seemed to carry himself with assurance.
"He's different," Althea murmured to herself.
One of the older witches, hearing her, chuckled softly. 'You've got your eye on that wolf, haven't you?"
Althea flushed, shaking her head. 'I don't know what you're talking about."
The older witch laughed knowingly. 'Just be careful, Althea. Wolves can be loyal to a fault, but they also carry a heavy burden. If you're going to involve yourself with one, be prepared to share that weight."
Althea didn't say anything, but all the rest of the day, she thought about Kael.
He sat down beside Althea for dinner that the coven had that night. The two exchanged glances, speaking light and just a little awkwardly.
"So," Althea started off the silence. "Do all wolves carry that brooding intensity, or is it just you?"
Kael chuckled, and the flush started to warm his cheeks. "It's probably just me. Reika says I take life too seriously."
Althea gave a smile. "Perhaps she does have a point. You do cut loose from time to time."
Kael looked at her, his expression faltering, before finally holding her gaze. "Maybe. But it's hard to relax with so much at stake."
Althea nodded, softening. "I understand that, but on the blackest of nights, it is okay to feel good."
Kael said nothing, but her words loved with him still morning.