The Curse of Saints

by Kate Dramis

It was as if his darkness had called to hers, and she hadn’t been able to resist responding. And for that, she hated him.

You could persuade me to fess up, I suppose. That is…if you could get through my shield as easily as I get through yours.

“You can always join my shielding lessons,” Yara chirped from where she’d appeared at Aya’s shoulder. Aya glanced at the girl, noting the teasing smile she fought to keep off her face. Bold, this young Visya. She didn’t flinch under Aya’s gaze, her mouth only pressing tighter into a thin line as a long moment passed. Finally, Aya’s lips tipped into a smirk. “Our general is going to love you.”

“She’s mine,” Will snarled softly, violence flashing in his gray eyes.

“Rare you’re not using that blade against me,” he muttered. “Truly a first.”

“I see you,” he said roughly, giving her shoulders a light squeeze. “I have always seen you. And nothing I see in you is dark, Aya.”

“Then I’ll go over it with you. To the seven hells themselves, if we must. No matter how far the fall.”

“Everything I’ve done has been to protect you. To keep you from this. And I’ve failed. Every time I’ve failed. I couldn’t keep you away from Gianna. I couldn’t keep you from those masochists in the desert. And I can’t—I can’t breathe when I think of how many times I’ve almost lost you. Of how many times I’ve utterly failed you.”

“The prophecy is underway. It’s up to you to decide what you do with what you’ve learned about the veil. Up to you to decide to trust.”