(Amaia)

Kacir takes me to the dining hall and asks the staff to bring us food.

"Are you sure you are alright?" Kacir sits opposite me and reaches out to pat my hand.

I am deeply puzzled by what I experienced in that imagined world and am trying to understand how I saw my brother there.

"Yeah, I guess."

The food arrives soon. Baked chicken bread with cream sauce, a plate of fruits and fresh apple juice.

Kacir pushes it in front of me. "Eat."

I am not hungry, my stomach has twisted remembering how I had plunged that knife into my mother’s chest. I know that wasn’t my mother and was just the test. I passed but it still haunts me.

Before I can take a single bite, Saiph’s heavy voice comes from behind me, making me turn. He is marching towards me like a sulking monster.

"Walk with me. We need to talk." He gestures for me to get up.

"She is going to eat. Give her ten minutes," Kacir speaks on my behalf. Hearing that Saiph pauses in his steps and waits.

"I am not hungry. Let’s go." I get up and approach Saiph.

Kacir sighs behind me. "Return, I will be waiting for you. You will need to eat."

"Will do." I turn around and offer him an appreciative smile.

Saiph guides me outside the dining hall and takes me towards an empty classroom. He doesn’t speak, just stiffly walks beside me, his presence that of a looming mountain.

Opening the door he lets me enter first and follows, closing the door behind him. I turn and stand facing him, my arms crossing over my heaving and aching chest. My head is held high and our eyes lock.

I expect him to burst out at me. Berate and warn me for questioning his authority in front of others.

Instead, the hardness of his face mellows down. "How are you feeling?"

I am thrown back by his concern.

"I am fine."

"Does your head hurt?" He asks next, his eyes wavering to my head.

"No, only my heart." I try to ignore the persistent ache in my chest.

"What did you see in there?" He leans against the door and arches his right leg with it. His leg is still bandaged.

It shows he doesn’t control the nightmares he causes; he just induces them, and they form according to the targeted person. But I have no inclination to tell him what I saw.

"I am not telling you."

His lips form a thin line at my answer. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Why did you want to be put under again? Did you see someone you have lost?" He tries a different approach. His voice remains steady and he doesn’t get angry.

"Yes!"

"Amaia!" He says. Those glacial eyes have a soft touch to them. "Whoever you see in there is just for your test except if you see the manifestation of your inner light. Did you see someone like that?"

The memories of Aziel come flooding back, and I let out a heavy, painful breath.

"I did. I just wanted to speak to him but he disappeared. That’s why I asked you to send me back."

Saiph bunches his lips together before speaking. "You have to understand that I can’t put you at risk. My powers can be overwhelming, challenging, and leave one vulnerable, even taking one to the precipice of madness. I can literally drive someone mad. That’s not what I want for you."

Such calmness I had not expected from him, especially how he had angrily shouted at me just moments ago.

"When will it be safe to do it again?" I question, shifting my weight from one leg to the other.

"When I deem it to be right. Don’t try to become addicted to this. Leave what you see there, behind. If you try to push yourself too much it will affect your daily life," he explains, kindly again.

"Will try," I say quietly, my anger has dissipated but that desperation still clings to me.

"You know you are only the second person to fight through my abilities and escape," he says with hints of pride coating his words.

"Who is the first?"

"Irrelevant. The point is, you are stronger than you think and I want to help you grow. You will be an asset to your Guild and friends." He does have a point. I want to become stronger not only for the people I have come to love and my mates but also to avenge my family.

"I will try and keep a level head next time." My answer earns me an appreciative nod from him.

"Understandable to feel agitated with emotions riled up but I will never put your life in danger, nor should you act as recklessly as you did today."

He leaves the door and steps closer to me. Emotions erupting in his eyes like hot geysers spraying out of the ground.

"Believe in yourself and one day you will become untouchable. I feel that vibe from you." Saiph carries an overwhelming aura, but it brings calmness to me; somehow, I feel safe when he is in proximity now.

It could be because he saved our lives, I don’t know, but I don’t fear him.

"Be careful, though, this place is deceitful, and people you believe may hold your best interest can stab you in the back," he warns, taking another step forward, closing all the distance between us.

His distinctive scent is soothing and I have to crane my neck to stare back at him.

Why does it feel like he is warning me against something?

"Like who?" I ask and he just stays quiet. For a few moments, the solitude and silence seem to stretch between us. His throat shifts as if he is having difficulty swallowing.

He then reaches with his index finger and taps the top of my head, similar to poking a dough to check for consistency.

"Use this wisely and you will figure it out."

His nostrils flare, and his eyes enlarge at this. Before I can ask him any further questions he turns around and abruptly opens the door and leaves.

I am left behind with my swirling thoughts and more questions than answers.