Page 47

Rain pelts me. “My, my, aren’t we out of control?” I taunt, tipping my head. “Is this what will help you pass the Goddess Trial?”

At the mention of the final test before graduation, a few Foundations look at Melody skeptically. She’s letting her emotions control her powers, and everyone knows the Goddess Trial is all about harnessing affinities with a rational mind.

Melody’s attention flicks around. She notices their attention too. The storm clouds quickly race away, the whipping wind dying down, and she pushes a damp strand of hair off her face. “This isn’t over, Threshold Breaker.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I loved our first date, but I’m not really looking for a serious relationship.”

“Is that why you spread your legs for Rowan last night?” Brittany, one of her friends, asks, lip curled in disgust.

Melody whips her head in her direction. “What?” she demands.

The color drains from Brittany’s face. “I mean, that’s just what I heard. I thought you knew.”

Melody glares at me, her eyes flashing with lightning. “Stay away from my vinculum.”

I hold up my hands. “They’re all yours, sweetheart. I’m not tether material, and even if I were, I don’t want a bond.”

A lot of scoffs or murmurs of disbelief cut between us, but I don’t need to explain myself. Having a vinculum would mean relying on other people, and that’s not something I’m ready to do. Not with my safety, not with my nonexistent powers, and definitely not with my heart.

Melody is gearing up for another retort, but I give her my back before she can spit more vitriol. I keep a steady pace, not letting Melody intimidate me. Ever falls at my side once more. “Other than Melody, I’m okay, only ready for a break,” I say, answering her earlier question. “Turns out, I hate studying.”

She nods in understanding. “Me too, but are you sure that’s it? Would you really not want a vinculum? You’re probably powerful enough to be a tether for one.”

I have to glance away from her concern. “I’m fine, and I have bigger things to worry about than a bond—or any romantic relationship—right now.” Besides, with the bargain with Mr. Peters, anyone I date would be forced to watch me become his puppet, and that asshole is conniving enough to find a way to trick anyone into some sort of bargain as well.

I won’t be responsible for someone else being trapped the same way I am.

Silence yawns between us, and right before we enter the classroom, Ever places her hand on my arm. My heart skips. Relax, it’s only Ever. My muscles loosen slightly at my reassurance. I’m getting slightly better at casual touching, but it still sets my nerves on fire when it’s unexpected.

Ever searches my face, concern creasing her brow. “Raina, I’m here if you need to talk, all right?” She’s too good for me. She respects my boundaries. She clearly cares.

“Thanks, Ever. You’re the best.”

She grins, nose wrinkling, and nudges me with her elbow. “I am, huh?”

I follow her into the classroom, taking the seat beside her right as Professor Silverstone strides into the room, looking every bit the scholar in her blouse, plaid blazer, and tailored pants. Even her shoes scream sophistication.

I sit a little straighter while Silverstone begins a lecture, reiterating some of what I already know to be true. “As we discussed last class, before the Divine Breaking, paranormal beings and demons didn’t exist. Mankind’s worst enemy was nature. Earth was perfectly balanced with creation and destruction. While many fear it, death was, and has always been, a natural part of that balance.”

Silverstone crosses to the other side of the room, connecting gazes with students as she continues. “After the split, Creation and Destruction became their own entities who we know as Vaeloria and Vaedor. Things were fine for a time, though, with Vaeloria no longer being intertwined with Vaedor, he can easily disregard the delicate balance that keeps the threads of our universe intact. The God of Destruction is driven by one thing and one thing alone. What is it?” She gestures to a student in the front row.

“His inherent desire to destroy.”

“Precisely.”

“If the God gave in to his inherent nature, why doesn’t the Goddess cause the same unbalance?”

Silverstone beams at the student who asked the question. “Our scholars in Archive have a general theory that the Goddess retained the understanding that creation and destruction were meant to exist in balance. Vaeloria recognizes that unchecked growth eventually becomes its own form of ruin. With that understanding and her inherent desire to nurture creation, it stops her from losing control.”

Silverstone moves to her desk and picks up her water. She takes a sip before continuing. “Now, Archive is certain the God of Destruction knows this as well, but over millennia, he has embraced his nature completely.”

But if he knows what happens, why would he not care? I raise my hand.

“Yes, Raina?”

“If the Goddess knows about needing destruction, wouldn’t Destruction know about needing Creation?”

“Another great question. Think about what Vaeloria already believes. Creation without proper balance becomes its own ruin. If this is true, what might Vaedor believe?”