Exile (12 page)

Corin’s eyes widened. “How did he get his spot? Isn’t that dangerous?”

“The old guardian was ill, making Aless the best man for the job, as terrifying as that is,” Kateline replied, twirling a lock of hair between her fingers. “With his training I can sense that his natural mana has increased, but at that time he was not prepared to accept a spirit. It only took him a moment of anger to allow Serac to gain enough strength to shatter the restraints.”

“So he went feral?” He asked.

Kateline smiled. “Exactly. In his rage he managed to kill three of the older guardians… as well as many scribes, apprentices, servants….”

“That many? How can you smile at this?”

“I was never supposed to become a guardian. Petra’s old vessel hadn’t even selected an apprentice, but he was never exactly fond of me. When Petra broke free, I found the old man’s body and took the restraints. I sealed Petra inside me while he was wandering the temple,” Kateline replied. “Don’t misunderstand. I’m not heartless. Aless’s rampage was a terrible thing, but it did lead to me receiving my position. I am grateful for that.”

“I don’t really understand. Why wouldn’t Petra’s old vessel have chosen you?” Corin asked.

Kateline shrugged. “Because guardians have a terrible habit of using their position to get things from young, attractive students, and I wouldn’t give the old monster the pleasure.”

“You can’t be serious,” Corin stated.

“Hmm, and yet, I definitely am,” Kateline replied. “It’s not as if it’s unheard of now. Look at Piers and myself.It’s not as if we’re not guilty of doing the same—Selena’s really the only one who doesn’t do it… well, unless you count Cyril, but he couldn’t even
begin
to train one of Alvah’s students if he wanted to. Now, there were other students with large amounts of mana before I became Petra’s vessel, so it wasn’t as if I was really the only option. In fact, they’ve only recently become as scarce as they are in most sectors. It’s mainly due to Aless’s destruction, but I digress….”

Aless had killed a good portion of the clan. He had lost control and gone on a wild slaughter. “So what’s happening now?”

Kateline shrugged, climbing back on to her old spot. “We’re trying to figure out why the restraints have been shattering. Aless is under extreme watch from all ends to ensure this doesn’t happen again. If it’s going to happen to anyone it’s probably going to be him first.”

“But he took me out of the monastery to train me!” Corin pointed out.

Kateline snorted. “Did you
really
think you were alone?” Kateline asked, laughing a bit. “No, we’ve been sending Piers to keep an eye on you. It wouldn’t do anyone any good to have Aless lose it and try to slaughter you in the woods. Piers just happens to be the only guardian who isn’t doing something important.”

Corin flushed bright red, thinking of the events earlier in the day. That meant Piers had seen when…. He swallowed, biting his lip nervously.

“Hey, for what it’s worth, Piers hasn’t given anyone any details,” Kateline replied, winking, “and believe me, I’ve been asking.”

“Remind me to thank Piers later,” he muttered. “Kateline… do you think it’s safe for me to… you know… continue interacting with Aless…?”

Kateline glanced back at her scroll. “Hmm, that’s an interesting question to give me. As Selena’s only female friend, I am inclined to say that, no, you should not,”she elaborated, “but Aless seems to be fascinated with you, honestly. He’s been staring at you since day one. Besides, from the way
you’re
blushing I can tell you’re going to do it anyways. For what it’s worth I think it’ll do no harm.”

“He kissed me today,” Corin blurted out, blushing bright red.

“Did he now?” Kateline asked. “Well that’s surprising. I say you have a free pass. If you really are interested, pursue this. Aless seems to share your feelings.”

“And it’ll be safe?” Corin asked. “With Aless being the way he is?”

Kateline smiled. “I will say this: he’s unpredictable, and that’s not always the best trait in a person. A bad wave can kill even an experienced sailor.”

“What do you mean?” Corin asked.

“I’m saying to be careful, plain and simple,” Kateline replied, sparing another glance toward Corin. “If you think something’s off, you’re probably right. Admittedly I don’t know him too well, but on his rampage he killed many people close to me, including my parents. I was in favor of stripping him of his guardianship and permanently exiling him.”

“W-what?” Corin asked, staring with wide eyes. “I’m so sorry for your loss, but… what punishments were suggested for Aless?”

Kateline sighed. “Aless is
very
lucky Piers was present during those meetings. Neither Selena nor myself really had much knowledge in what it meant to lead the clan, so our punishments were… far
harsher
than Cyril’s or Piers’s, to say the least. I was originally in favor of a public execution. Selena was the one who convinced me that stripping him of his guardianship and throwing him out of the clan would be better.”

“By the spirits,” Corin replied, staring in shock.

“As I said, he’s
very
fortunate Piers was present during the discussions. Cyril wanted to trap him under the Water Temple for ten winters, if I recall… Piers managed to talk him down to an exile, instead,” she explained.

“I can barely believe it,” Corin muttered.

“I hated Aless for a long time,” Kateline explained. “Between you and me, it’s the only reason I haven’t been bothering Selena about the way she’s been treating him. I can understand where she’s coming from…. We both lost a lot of people to him that night, but I grew out of my hatred. Selena never did.”

Corin bowed. “Thank you,” he replied. “This is a lot to take in… I think I’ll retire to my chambers now. Thank you for your answers, Kateline.”

“It’s no trouble,” Kateline replied, “but before you go, I have a favor to ask of you.” She began hopping down again and bending over, grabbing a book from the floor. “When you have time, give this a read if you can. It’s Centrallian, but no one has known the dialect thus far.”

“And you think it could be mine?” Corin asked, flicking open the book idly.

“I was born into the monastery. I can barely tell Far East from Far West,” she replied, laughing. “If you can’t, it really isn’t an issue, just bring it back as soon as you’re done.”

Corin bowed, quickly darting out of the room with his book clutched to his chest.

Chapter 13

P
IERS
sighed deeply, letting his eyes flutter open. His shirt had been thrown to the side, along with his boots and coat. Selena lay on his chest, long, loose curls covering her in a small blanket.

Corona was calmed by warmth and contact, as Piers had learned over the years, and having Selena curl up on his chest was the perfect way to keep the demon at bay. Although, Piers noted with a small smile, Corona didn’t seem to stop heating the room, which proved to have interesting results.

Selena was normally a conservative girl, always covering herself in layers of dresses, vests, capes, leggings, boots… really anything to ensure she didn’t show more than an inch of skin. Heck—she had panicked when he had shortened her dresses from knee length earlier in the week.

However, with the heat in the room, Selena had reluctantly been forced to strip down as the day went on, eventually leaving her in only a shortened dress. He and Corona could agree on some things, it seemed, at least when it involved scantily clad girls.

Selena panted, burying her face in the crook of Piers’s neck. “I wasted an entire day,” she complained half-heartedly.

Piers molded one of his hands over her lower back, pulling her even closer. “I think protecting the clan is a worthwhile cause,” he countered. “Corona’s quiet for now.”

“Didn’t train….” she muttered, pressing herself against Piers. “Wonder what my student did.”

“You both needed a break,” Piers answered, playing with Selena’s hair. “Just for today, don’t talk about him. I miss being able to speak to just you.”

Piers could feel Selena flush against his neck. “I’m hot,” she complained, sweat beading off her skin.

“So take off your dress,” Piers helpfully suggested, moving his free hand to Selena’s thigh.

“Zephyr,” she replied, panting. “He’d take over if we tried. Not all spirits stay still during sex.”

“I know that,” he answered, “and I won’t take advantage. Don’t you have any faith in me?”

Selena straddled Piers’s hips and sat up, reaching for the buttons on her dress, pausing momentarily. “I’m not one of your students,” she started, “so don’t think you can use me and throw me out, either.”

Piers chuckled, moving his hands to the front of her dress and pulling open a few of the buttons. “Of course you’re not,” he answered, pulling it offSelena’s shoulders and tossing it to the side. “Do you honestly think I’d treat them as well as you? I’ve already chosen you, Lena, don’t forget that.”

Selena flushed bright red, crossing her hands over her chest immediately. “You still sleep with them, though.”

“Only because we can’t. At least not without you going feral and trying to kill me,” Piers joked, pushing her back down.

Selena placed her head down on Piers’s chest. “No one knows, right?”

“Not unless you’ve told anyone.” Piers sighed, wondering why the guardians all seemed to lie to one another so much. “Everyone suspects it, though. Why can’t we just tell them?”

“It’s forbidden for guardians to be with other guardians during this time…. Or did you forget filling the barracks with lava when you were with Kateline?” she asked.

“It’s not like anyone cares,” Piers answered, “and I could stop sleeping with apprentices, you know. I can tell it still bothers you.”

“I’m fine with it…. It calms Corona, I know,” Selena replied, moving a hand onto Piers’s arm, idly rubbing around his restraint.

Piers smiled. “I can’t wait until your restraints are formed.”

“Yeah,” Selena muttered, exhaustion flowing through her body, “me neither.”

“I’ll make it amazing, I promise,” Piers promised, rolling Selena onto her side. “It’ll be the best day of your life.”

Selena smiled, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and pulling him closer, allowing herself to be calmed by her lover’s touch.

A
LESS
laid his head against a tree. Training Corin, despite Corin’s natural strength, was by far the most frustrating, irritating task Aless had ever attempted to do. How did Selena, by far the most irritable of the guardians, manage to deal with such a student? He took back some of his previous opinions; that woman must have the patience of a goddess.

Today seemed particularly bad, Aless noted with a frown. He remembered Corin being at least
slightly
better than this….

Corin furrowed his brow, trying to focus his energy on a basic water spell. Sneaking out at night had been a mistake despite how useless the information he got might have been. He sighed; he could barely keep himself awake now!

He frowned, closing his eyes and making another desperate attempt to raise some of the water, but to no avail. He weakly opened his eyes, turning to Aless with a frustrated expression. Master Selena was harsh, but she never scolded him for being unable to complete a spell. All throughout the morning, Aless had been getting more and more irritable, having already yelled at Corin once or twice.

Corin had assumed Aless would be nicer, if his behavior earlier in the week had been any indication, at least. And after that kiss yesterday? Corin couldn’t get over the confusion flooding through him.

“Look,” Aless said, “you’re clearly exhausted. This isn’t working.”

“I’m sorry.” Corin apologized, flushing.

Aless sighed. “No, it’s fine, I’ve been rough on you lately. Let’s just take a bit to talk, okay?”he offered.

“Thank you,” he answered, imagining the kiss once again, looking at Aless curiously.

Aless sat down beside the river, mirroring his position the first day he brought Corin out to train. “Yesterday was a bit of a scare, wasn’t it?”

“I don’t know. I heard it got under control fairly quickly,” Corin replied, sitting down beside Aless. “After the meeting I couldn’t find Master Selena. Do you think she got hurt?”

“You should’ve come and grabbed me, I would’ve trained with you more,” Aless replied. “I think she was staying with Piers to ensure he didn’t have another episode.”

“One of my friends hasn’t seen me in a while, she wanted to train with me,” Corin replied.

Aless shrugged. “You still could have sought me out. I would’ve enjoyed the extra time.”

“Master Aless,” he began, thinking back to yesterday’s events. “I… I need to ask you something.”

“I thought we had been over this, you can call me Aless, the ‘Master’ isn’t needed.”

Corin shook his head, looking Aless in the eyes. “It doesn’t matter right now. Look, Mas—er, Aless, why did you kiss me yesterday?”

Aless flushed at this, remembering the force that pulled him close to Corin the day before. He had expected it to come up, but after the incident with Piers? Well, he had largely, as embarrassing as it was, forgotten to come up with an excuse.