Page 82 of Of Shadows and Blood

The woman does not respond but Grenn claps silently down the row.

Yully re-emerges and instructs us through our breathing back to the ground for closing.

“My friends, as the air passes in and out of your lungs through your life, remember the way your breathing can propel you forward. Place one hand on your heart and one on your stomach. One big inhale, and exhale. Let us heal and defend.”

I just conjured magic. That dirt found its way into my palm! Those around me didn’t seem to notice but I can’t stop rubbing my fingers against the grit. Members of the sect rise at their own pace and begin chatting with each other. In this moment, I feel the weight of my strangeness. They know me, but I don’t know them. Only a small portion of their sect is in charge of my healing but I hope they keep their notes to themselves.

Once more, I feel like an outsider.

Grenn and Yully chat with Serene and a few young acolytes in the corner. I can’t help but look around from my seated position. Am I a coward for not getting up?

Yes.

But I don’t want to leave. Not yet.

The sun warms my face through the parting in the vines. While there is chatter all around, I focus on my inner self and inner breath. So much of my self is unknown but the best I can do right now, according to Avonde, is connect with who I am at present.

Inhale.

Exhale.

“You need to warm up,” a voice says in front of me. I jump and lose my focus. The woman from earlier is standing in front of me, observing me curiously.

“Sorry?”

“Heat. Your body needs more warmth to loosen up.”

“It’s a cold castle,” I chuckle, unsure of her tone.

“Your body is too stiff, like it does not move often.”

“You could tell that from my palms?” I laugh.

She shrugs slyly. “Breathing alone seemed foreign to you. Bring more heat to it and you will bring more life.”

I bring my knees to my chest and look up at her more directly. The sun shines behind her head, giving a halo effect.

“Where do you recommend I find more heat? The bath?”

The woman considers this. “Any heat is good, I suppose.”

All right then, keep your secrets.

She moves to leave but I stand, moving into her path.

“What is your name? I didn’t get it before.”

“Fiona.” She bows, her beads dangling beneath her chest.

“A pleasure to meet you, Fiona. I can’t thank you enough for your help back there. Do you think we could do this next to each other again?”

Fiona swats away the compliment and walks around me towards the exit saying “Heat!” once more.

Is that a yes?

Chapter 21

There is a terrible darkness that does not bode well with the light. They do not blend yet there is a balance that must be made.