"Of what are you most afraid?"
My words pierced the silence of the training yard as Luca stood with his back to me, his fists curled at his sides. Long shadows over the ground were created by the early light peeping through the trees.
With a tense voice, he responded, "I'm not afraid."
Yes, you are, I responded, approaching closely. "You withdraw every time we come closer; the relationship gets stronger. Why then?"
He whirled abruptly, frustrated grey eyes flashing. "The more the bond gets stronger, the more it can hurt us should it break."
His comments shocked me into quiet because their unvarnished sensitivity transcended whatever dispute we had.
At last, my voice gentle but firm: "I'm not going anywhere, Luca."
"You say that now," he continued, his voice weighed down. But friendships such as this... They bind us not just physically. They seize everything. And should anything occur to you—"
"then we deal with it together," I said, approaching until I was just in front of him. The connection is based on it. Not just strength but also faith.
His jaw tightened as he battled whatever feelings he was attempting to stifle. He looked at me. At last he exhaled, the strain in his shoulders somewhat relaxing. "You are right," he said softly.
When we arrived, the pack was assembling in the main hall and their murmurs permeated the room as they got ready for the next phase of reconstruction after the war. Kael observed us in from keen golden eyes while leaning against the wall.
"About time," he replied in a dry voice.
"Is there a flaw? Luca asked, his voice calm but with a little edge of authority.
"Depends," Kael responded, moving forward and pushing off the wall. "How solid is your link right now?— "
Luca clenched his jaw, but I spoke before he could. Strong enough, I said with great conviction.
Kael evidently unconvinced, raised an eyebrow. "We'll see."
The exam turned out as a planned training session. Kael matched us against two of the pack's toughest fighters; their aggressive and precise assault came from superb synchronizing.
Protect the pendant, was the straightforward objective. But it soon became evident when the battle started that the workout aimed at more than simply physical strength.
Luca remarked, his voice calm as we avoided a flurry of attacks, "focus on the bond."
Through clenched teeth, my heart pounding, I murmured, "I'm trying."
He advised me to stop attempting, grasping my arm and dragging me into step besides him. "Trust it. Please trust me.
His words sent a flood of peace through me, and I let myself lean into the link, its vitality directing my motions. Every blow, every dodge seemed natural, as if Luca and I were two sides of one whole.
The fighters pushed harder, their strikes unrelenting, but we maintained our position. When the last blow came, we responded together, our combined weight driving them back.
The auditorium became quiet as the fighters moved away, their faces a combination of reverence and wonder.
"Well, I'll be damned," Kael murmured, a little but real smile. "Maybe the bond is stronger than I thought."
Luca and I stood on the edge of the forest alone later while the group scattered. The pendant around my neck pulsed just barely, its glow consistent.
"You did good today," Luca said gently.
"We did good," I corrected, grudgingly smiling.
He laughed; the sound was real and low. " Fair enough."
The conflict between us briefly relaxed, and I felt a warmth unrelated to the link. With a teasing voice, "You're not as bad at this leadership thing as you think."
Though his smile reflected his enjoyment, he advised against letting it get to your head.
The minute passed quickly. The symbol on my wrist burnt instantly as we turned to travel back to the pack house; the heat was fierce. The pendant flashed with light, and I heard a voice in my head:
"The bond gets stronger, but the shadows also deepen." Alert yourself to the cost of electricity.
I staggered, my chest constricting as the words set in. "What does it suggest? "I said softly, staring at Luca.
He shook his head with a gloomy look. "I'm not sure. Still, we will confront it together whatever it is.
The cry of a lone wolf sounded in the distance as the sun sank below the horizon, throwing the woodland in darkness. Not among ours.
Luca stiffened his stance and hardened his eyes. "They're here."
I nodded, my determination becoming harder. "then let's demonstrate for them the possibilities of the bond."