Mantle of the Gods

It didn't take me long to wash out the bag.

While washing it out there was something that I started to think about. If we were collecting over fifty crystals a day while in here, then it wasn't going to take long before I was going to fill up the front pocket. By my estimation, we had about four more days before I wouldn't be able to put any more crystals in the front pocket. Which only left the large back pocket and if we were going to keep using the bag to transport berries, then we would have to find some other way to store our crystals. I finished washing out the bag and looked up at camp.

The partitioned-off area still had some underbrush in it even if we had found a place without any trees. Rix had started chopping away the underbrush and was stacking it up against the fence. Aelin was helping her while Edward, who was sitting close to the smoldering fire, was watching them. Justia was staring at the hanging monster while looking around and Ether had come over to wash her hands in the creek.

“About last night.” I felt like I needed to say something, “Sorry about Justia, she can be a little protective.”

Ether moved closer to me, “What's up with the two of you? Did you know her before this?” She motioned around us.

I shook my head, “No, I met her for the first time here at the Cathedral.”

“So what's her deal? And do you know why our teacher was pulled off of another team to train someone who isn't even his class?”

I thought about trying to make something up. I knew why he had been moved to this team, but it hadn't been for Justia, it had been for me. That meant I had no idea what excuse they would be using to justify it to the other teachers. I decided to go with what was closer to the truth.

“I honestly have no idea,” I looked into her red eyes, “All I know is that I got called to the ArchBishop's office with Trent and Justia. I was told that I was going to be on their team.”

The look she gave me was one of disbelief. Honestly, it didn't sound very believable that Justia would be so protective of me without having some interest. Considering that Justia had no interest in me that way, I thought about outing her but that wasn't my secret to tell. I tried to think of something that would satisfy Ether’s curiosity while still leaving me open to continuing what we had started last night.

“The ArchBishop told her to look after me.” I realized that would only increase her interest by her response.

“Why?”

I tried to think of another reason, then the answer hit me. Plus it would explain why I had been picked first by the Caster teacher over the Noble.

“You have to promise to keep it a secret.” I lowered my voice, which pulled her closer.

“Promise.” Her red eyes were locked onto mine

For a moment, I was captivated by her and forgot what I was going to say. I'd seen female tanks before but they had all been rough and harsh. I'd never seen a physical class that was as inquisitive, cheerful, and had the raw beauty of the woman kneeling beside me. That reminded me of the blonde from my first day. Most people would probably say that the blonde was prettier than Ether, but Bridget definitely had a sensual allure to her that this white-haired tank did not project on a constant basis. That was something that I found alluring about Ether. She didn’t project an aura around her that made guys always want her. That experience had been reserved for last night.

“What is it?” Ether pulled me out of the rabbit hole. I had begun to fantasize about continuing our event from last night and it was leading me to some very distracting scenes.

I tried to look as serious as possible as I leaned closer using the excuse to put my hand around her shoulder to draw her in.

“I'm an abnormal.” I said locking eyes with her.

She raised her eyebrow as if she had expected something different.

I nodded at the fence where Justia was clearing away some of the underbrush with Rix.

“She's the only other one who knows.”

“That's all?” The disappointment was obvious on Ether’s face.

I knew I was going to have to give her something else because she wasn't buying that being the only reason for the closeness between us.

“I'm not a regular abnormal.” I tried to think of where I could go with this. It was the Healer's job to keep everyone alive, but maybe I could feed a little more importance into this.

“The real reason why Trent got pulled off of his old team is because they really wanted him to teach me.”

“I knew it!” She exclaimed a little too loudly.

I dunked the sling bag under the water even though it was already clean because everyone looked over at us. I needed to keep up the illusion that I was still washing the bag.

“Are you finished?” Justia yelled

“Almost!” I pretended to be scrubbing the inside of the bag. The problem was I still hadn’t come up with an excuse as to why Justia was as close to me as she was.

“That doesn't explain what’s going on between you and Justia.”

“The ArchBishop knows her family,” I started drawing on the truth and realized there was a thread that I could follow, “and knows that she'll keep this a secret.” I looked at her, “I'm really trusting you with this information. Can I trust you?”

“Yes.” I could see excitement building in her.

“Justia is supposed to look out for me.” I paused for effect, “Because my abnormal stats have me dual classed.”