Hunted Sorcery (Jon Oklar Book 2), B.T. Narro [digital book reader txt] 📗

had proven that she was more than comfortable with using it to get what she wanted, and I didn’t think Luther could heal himself like Cason could.

“May I take your bow back up?” I offered.

She looked at the weapon in her hands as if she didn’t want to part with it, but eventually she handed it over.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Remi and I exited the dungeons. It was a short walk to the ground floor of the keep and then to the courtyard, but I stopped before opening the door. Remi had been quiet since we departed from Aliana. I still wasn’t sure if she, or any of my peers, could have plans to stab me in the back, but I couldn’t keep living every day pretending I didn’t care about these people. I did.

“Remi.”

I wasn’t sure what to say as she looked at me and waited. But I found understanding in her expression as she stared into my eyes.

“I know, Jon. I’m going to be fine. I mean, I am fine. I really am.” She sounded surer of herself by the time she finished.

“I’m very glad to hear that.”

“Thank you.”

I opened the door for her, then followed her into the courtyard. Kataleya and Michael were training on opposite sides of the large courtyard. Dust-filled gusts of wind encircled Michael as a dense wall of water hovered in front of Kataleya.

All of my peers had increased their mastery, but it didn’t seem as if any had learned a new magical art. I supposed it was rare to go from one to another instead of sticking with one and learning new spells in that same magical art, like Kataleya had done by learning Waterwall instead of Fire. But I didn’t have an option to learn another dvinia spell, as I had desired. Only one was known. I had been forced to learn how mana works first in order to figure out what else I might do with dvinia.

Now I knew how to catch myself. It would only be a matter of practicing.

Remi took her spot near the portcullis and made a large ball of fire, as if nothing was out of the ordinary. I made my way over to Kataleya, near the well. She let her spell of water fall into it as she noticed me. I thought she looked even more beautiful aglow from her sweat.

“Did you actually get him to talk?” she asked.

“Aliana and Remi did without any help from me. Most of it was expletives, however. Especially after Aliana shot him in the gut.”

Kataleya snorted, then covered her mouth. “He is alive still, yes?”

“Very much so, unfortunately. He did say one thing that was of interest. He basically admitted that Pearson was a demigod. Now I’m not completely sure he’s telling the truth, but from what we’ve seen, I think it could be possible.”

“And you came to me with this because…?”

“Because you’re the smartest person I know.”

She appeared shocked at first, but then she took the compliment with a smile. “Thank you. I didn’t know you felt that way.”

I feel a lot more than that. “I would normally disagree with someone who argues that the demigods are real when there is no proof to go on, but proof of their existence keeps showing up. I think it’s about time to stop pretending.”

I thought this would make her happy, as she’d always tried to convince us of the existence of these demigods in the past, but she held a frown as she looked down and away from me.

“I thought you would be pleased,” I said.

“I’ve never cared whether the demigods exist or not. The only reason I’ve argued for their existence is because my family believes it wholeheartedly. There are records, historical events, evidence that cannot be explained any other way. I’m not happy that they exist. They are extremely powerful, and their desires are mostly unknown to us. I’m scared of anyone or anything with those two attributes.”

I had misunderstood Kataleya. She didn’t strive for us to believe the demigods were real for reasons of pride, but because we needed to prepare.

“Who is Pearson really, Kat?”

“I would say he must be Valinox because Airinold has transformed into Gourfist, and the other demigods are women.”

“I was thinking the same thing. So what can we do about it?”

She let out a laugh that was mostly a sound of shock. “Jon, you handsome fool. Sometimes I think you are joking, but then I remember that it is not something you do often.”

I wasn’t sure if I was flattered or insulted. I decided to ignore both comments. “There must be something.”

“There is one thing, I suppose. We can hope to make contact with the demigods who seem to be on our side in this, Souriff and Failina. I have already expressed this opinion to Barrett, who told me he would speak with the king. There’s not much more we can do ourselves. Only train.”

“I bet you tend to be right about these things,” I said, though my ego was still a little hurt.

“I shouldn’t have called you a fool, Jon. You are steadfast, fixed, determined. That can make you inflexible and sometimes too quick to act, but you are brave. You always persevere.” She paused, though it seemed as if she had more to say as there was a twinkle in her eyes. “I think you might be the strongest person I’ve ever met.” She paused again and looked at me pointedly. “Yes, I do believe that to be true. But you are also quite easy to read, as I’ve mentioned.”

She patted my shoulder. “I think we could’ve made something beautiful between us if things were different, but you should let go of your feelings for me.” She kissed my cheek, then stepped back. Her blonde eyebrows lifted apologetically. “I can’t reciprocate them. I hope you will leave it at that.”

I was embarrassed. I had just begun to notice my feelings for her. I had wanted to express them, but I’d thought I’d