[ A PRECAUTIOUS NOTE FOR THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER ]
CHAPTER TWO consists of the following trigger warnings:
• Profanity (lightly)
• Bullying
• Sexual Assualt
• Mentions of abuse & bruising/wounds
This is a friendly reminder that chapter two consists of sensitive subjects and while handled with care- it can still upset/trigger readers. Chapter two is a building passage that explains how Tiny and Silver Crest discovered her ability and where she falls into the pack. EMBER is a dark coming-of-age story that may be too upsetting for a general audience.
Thank you for checking out EMBER!
_____________________________________________________
CHAPTER TWO
CYRUS POV
NINE YEARS PRIOR
"You'll be training with Cyrus today, Tiny."
The young girl bowed in respect while her eyes stood glued to her feet, "I understand, sir."
"I anticipate a better report from you," Gahiji said sternly.
His gaze could split the girl in half, and part of me pitied her. But he is right. She's twelve, hasn't shifted since she arrived, and stays cooped up inside the orphanage with her nose in a book. Her skin looks sickly from her lack of exploration. A little sun wouldn't hurt her. Training would benefit her transition.
"Another thing," Gahiji huffed as Tiny looked up, "Your training session will not be dismissed until Cyrus says. Completion isn't going to cut it."
I almost thought I could hear her jaw drop to the floor. She gawked at him in silence before quickly closing her mouth as she gave a small nod. She sulked back before straightening her posture.
"You're dismissed, Tiny," Gahiji announced before turning to me.
"Wait outside," I say before she retreats from Gahiji's den.
I turned my attention to Gahiji as his eyes followed the girl's silhouette slowly fading into the corridor. When her scent fades, he turns his gaze to me and a look of annoyance spreads.
"It's been six years since you've brought her here, and yet, we have no true idea what nature intended," he grumbled, rubbing his temples.
"I'm aware."
"There has been no sign of the royal Blackwell blood in her. We need to know if she possesses any abilities. Her time of age is approaching." Gahiji sighs, "I'm trusting you with the task of training her. Help her find a way to partake in the responsibilities of our pack. I believe the moon goddess spared her for great reasons beyond you or my comprehension."
"What do you propose I teach?" I asked, curiosity gradually growing in me. The idea of a tiny girl possessing unnatural abilities would intrigue anyone. But how to access abilities that may not even exist is a mystery. Hell, the child is a walking jigsaw puzzle. Except, most of the pieces of her identity are now ashes beyond repair.
Gahiji clicks his tongue while in thought, "well, she's twelve now. Have her train with one of Gamma Silas's pups."
A shudder escapes me at the thought of having to see, much less, dwell in the presence of Silas's triplet pups; Maya, Aspen, and Michael. I can't help but think that was a bit unfair. Those pups would crush Tiny's skull if the opportunity were to arise. The three pups would make great warriors like their father, but they terrorize everyone. And it was no secret that they tormented Tiny the most because of her burns.
"And if she fails?" I hummed.
"She won't." Gahiji exhaled, "you'll make sure she succeeds before reporting back to me. I foresee that she'll be a strong warrior for Silver Crest. She needs guidance, but with that, comes hard work. I will not treat her differently because of her checkered past. Tiny must be strong. The future may depend on it."
"Understood." I bowed, "she will make you proud."
"With your guidance, I know she will." He grins as our eyes meet, "you're dismissed, brother."
I gave a slight nod as I turned to recede into the foyer. The packhouse is home to many of the excelling warriors as well as a handful of service people. I stop at the entrance when something catches my eye. Tiny was sitting in the front with her back against the wall. Her fingers curled against the spine of a tattered book while another girl was slouched over her, brushing paint on Tiny's cheek.
"Hold still!" The girl hissed, pushing Tiny's book down. "Close your eyes. I'm almost done."
Reluctantly, Tiny obeyed with disdain written on her face. "Is this necessary?"
"Yes!" Her friend replied, "you're training with Cyrus. That's a big honor. You're going to be a warrior, so you need to look like one."
"Kid's got a point," I interrupted with a satisfied grin.
"Hey, this doesn't concern you-" the girl spat before looking up. A look of horror etched on her face as she dropped her paints, "Mr. Calaway, I'm so sorry!"
I don't know if I should laugh or frown. The girl was on the verge of tears while Tiny still had her eyes closed. "Who's your friend, Tiny?"
"Serene, this is Cyrus." she gestured with her hands in the opposite direction, "Cyrus, this is Serene Phillips. She's roomed with me at the orphanage."
"Ah," I replied as Serene straightens herself, collecting the spilled contents.
"You can open your eyes, Tiny." Serene whispered wittily, "I spilled my paints."
"Oh, okay," she answered, cautiously opening her eyelids.
Her irises gave off a bright cobalt hue before turning back to their hazelnut tone. That was strange.
Serene gave a light tap to Tiny's shoulders as she crossed her fingers, "well, you're going to do great! Tell us all about it when you get back home, okay?"
She nodded at her friend before handing her the worn book, "okay, you got a deal as long as you set my book on my bed. I'm not done yet-"
Serene interrupted as she rolled her eyes, "you've read this four times already-"
"Say your goodbyes," I grumble. "Can't push training off any longer."
Serene takes the book from Tiny before wrapping her arms around the girl's neck and hugging her tightly. Curiosity rises again when I catch a glance at the cover of the thick book. The faded cover consisted of an arrangement of herbs and the word 'botany' underneath. Normal interests for an unusual kid, I suppose.
When she releases Tiny, she holds the book to her chest as she runs off waving bye. "Good luck!"
Tiny smiles as she gradually lifts herself. Dusting off the dirt from her pants as she turns to me. You have to give it to Serene because she looked like a warrior. Her eyes were covered in a dark red tint with a white curved layer of paint brushed underneath her eyes connected to the bridge of her slender nose. A row of small white dots hung below the white layer with smudges of red smeared on her cheeks. The right side of Tiny's face was still visible with
her leathery maimed skin, but the paint hid the pale pink pigment.
She nods as I motion for her to follow. I expect a reply but she remains silent. I know what I'm about to say next will surely cause a reaction from her.
"Alpha Gahiji has informed me that you'll train with the Silas triplets."
She stops suddenly with tears formulating, "understood."
A tinge of guilt surges in my core. The poor thing knew the shits wouldn't go easy nor would they train fairly. She paces behind me as I lead her to the training grounds. Gahiji must've mind-linked Silas because the three hell-raisers were waiting impatiently.
"Great," Tiny mumbled as we stopped at the edge of the field circle.
In unison, the triplets raised their heads and shouted, "Hey, over here Tiny!"
A shudder slid down my spine as I watched the girl sulk in front of me to join the three. The triplets were nearly identical, and the three have always used their similarities to fool others. Silas's triplets were tall- considering that they were thirteen- and lanky with sleek jet-black hair. They shared the same crooked nose and tawny bloodshot eyes as their dad. Maya, the oldest, flung her arm around Tiny and pulled the girl hard into their inner circle. Followed by the youngest, Michael, who flashed a toothy grin at Tiny. The middle child, Aspen, leaned over her brother's shoulder as she spoke out of ear reach.
"I think you left the rest of your face at home," Aspen cackled.
"Yeah, you look sickly." Maya countered, "Are you sure you have enough strength to train?"
"I'm fine," the young girl replied coolly.
Michael grinned at her reply, "right. The nursery must be full."
"So Teresa must've dumped you on Cyrus," Maya chimed in, "poor Cyrus, having to babysit you."
"Got to give it to him though," Michael blurted, "he's good at acting like your face doesn't make him wretch."
A booming voice rattled the triplets, followed by their father towering in front of the four. Tiny turned her head with pleading eyes to me as Maya released her. "Children," Silas huffed, giving his three juveniles a hellish glare, "Tiny is a member of our pack just as much as you are."
"Yes father," the trio chimed jointly with their heads bowed.
Creepy. Straight out of a nightmare.
"Good," Silas mumbled as he strides to be at my side, "Cyrus, I'll let you do the honor of picking partners."
"Right," I sigh, watching as the three parts from Tiny whispering in trivial tones.
The problem with Tiny was that the girl had no strength physically. But smarts? She could whip the three of them with her brain. Her head was too big for her own good. I've only seen Tiny do two tasks; read a book and serve at the orphanage.
"Michael and Maya," I said after reluctantly pondering on the outcome, "spare on the right field. That leaves the left field for Tiny and Aspen."
Michael and Maya exchanged looks as they groaned, sulking to the right. In unison, the two whined, "so not fair!"
"Ha," Aspen hissed as she brushed past Tiny, "you're going to lick the dirt off my boots, firebug."
A tinge of irritation was rising in me as the girl followed behind her packmate. This was the last favor for Gahiji, I mumbled to myself.
"We want a clean fair fight from all four of you," Silas barked, "or else you'll face the consequences. Let's begin, children!"
The four began training, and as usual, Michael and Maya had smooth, consistent techniques. Meanwhile, Aspen circles around Tiny as she waits impatiently for a beam of pine.
"When you've found yourself against an opponent," I breathed briskly, "you must find their strengths and weaknesses against them."
Tiny observed her opponent with a steady gaze as Aspen circled her. Silas tosses a thin rod to each child. Michael and Maya snatched theirs and began to spare instantly. Blurs of the two spun in the arena as they tried to land blows on each other. Instinctively, Aspen snatched hers in the air while Tiny fumbled to catch, almost falling over backwards.
"Once you've pinned a weakness on your target, strategize how to use their nature against them." Silas chimed, clasping his hands together.
Come on, you need to win, I thought to myself.
Aspen lunges for Tiny with the sand beneath their feet rising. She snatches Tiny's arm, flinging the girl's thin body to the ground. Tiny distinctively holds the wooden rod against Aspen as the girl's canines were inches away from her face.
Even though my demeanor is calm, anger boils underneath my skin, "fight back, Tiny. Find an opening!"
Silas chanted, "show us what you got, Aspen!"
Tiny thrusts the rod against Aspen's chest, watching in terror when the girl released her in agony. She quickly scurried out from underneath her. Aspen looked up with blotchy hot tears as Tiny fastened her grip.
Oh, she is pissed.
Maya and Michael stop as they gather at the edge of their field to cheer their sister on. Aspen barrels at Tiny like a bull, making the girl drop her weapon in fear as a squeak slips from her. In a matter of moments, Aspen is over her heaving the poor girl into the air. She slams the rod into Tiny's side, which lands hard in the center of the field. Aspen kneels inches from Tiny's face, lifting her small chin gently as she whispered something to her. A pale complexion covered Tiny's face as her lips pursed into a pout. Whimpers erupt from her as Aspen digs her nails into the girl's side.
"That's enough," Silas barked at his daughter. Aspen released Tiny and strode to her siblings with a malicious grin at her victory. Silas and I move towards Tiny to access her but stop in our tracks. Her eyes were fluorescent cobalt blue with heavy flowing tears.
"Tiny," I say with unease, "are you okay?"
The triplets gawked at the defeated girl before shouting in unison, "she really is a freak!"
So Gahiji's suspicions were right...