Change of Darkness (The Change Series Book 3) by Jacinta Jade (best new books to read txt) 📕

come close to taking on Raque that evening. ‘But there may be a way to control it. I think it takes a great deal of focus, and support, but it can be done.’

‘How?’ Kovi demanded, sounding doubtful. ‘How can we control it?’

As they had finished off their meals that evening before returning to their cells, Genlie had told Siray what had happened to Kovi in the arena. His rage had apparently made him forget all caution, all his strategies, and he had thrown himself into a battle of strength against an opponent who was his superior in that area. It was something that Kovi normally would never have done. Which made Siray wonder what it was that had set off Kovi’s own drug-induced battle rage.

Siray returned Kovi’s direct gaze. Saw the shadows in his eyes. ‘You need to be aware of what your triggers are. What memories make you vulnerable to the effects of the drug. You need to have some way of distracting yourself from them—to break the cycle of grief and pain or whatever it is for you that feeds the chemical reaction.’ She took a breath. This was the part none of them would like. ‘And you need to tell someone about your triggers.’ She flicked her eyes to Genlie, then back again to Kovi.

He became still for a moment, apparently holding his breath, before he exhaled and then gave a curt nod.

She gave him a small, encouraging smile, showing him she understood. They would all have to do it, even her. And none of them liked dragging up the past. Still, she would deal with hers later. Right now, there was something else they all had to discuss. She dropped her voice even lower. ‘So, we are set on tomorrow night, then?’ It took a moment, but she waited until there were four pairs of eyes on her before she continued. ‘I think the plan is sound. And Wexner let me know that he was able to scrounge up some boots.’

‘Great Mother—how did he manage that?’ Zale’s face was incredulous.

Siray gave him a tight smile. ‘In the fight today, after he dropped one of the members of the other unit, he stole their boots. When the male came to, he was smart enough not to bring his failing to anyone else’s attention. Whether Herrin saw it happen or not is another matter.’

‘Doesn’t seem like Wexner has any control issues, then,’ Zale remarked.

Genlie shook her head. ‘No, that’s not it. While I think that Wex might have more control than us, his control today was probably because he never has much of an appetite at midday. Especially if he knows he’s going to be fighting or training. It’s just his way, even here.’

‘Huh. Smart.’ Zale paused before continuing. ‘I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse.’ His eyebrows had narrowed, but he looked up and gave them all a small grin.

Something in that lopsided smile was infectious despite the day they had all lived through, and Siray felt an answering smile creeping across her own face.

‘So, Wexner came through.’ Kovi directed the conversation back to the matter at hand. ‘How is everything else coming along?’

‘We’re set,’ Zale confirmed. ‘I managed to grab the extra blankets we needed while everyone else was distracted with the barrels this afternoon. Those brawling rock-heads really did us a favour.’

‘Well, then, we’re ready to go,’ Baindan announced. ‘I’ll let Wexner know tomorrow that we’re on.’

They all nodded and, exhausted, they each began making their meagre preparations for sleep, once again Changing into their various forms as needed to heal injuries or simply curling up beside the closest person for warmth.

After moving across the space to deactivate the light in the washroom and then making her way back twice as carefully to her chosen spot, Siray twisted herself around so that her head faced towards the cell door and Changed into her sevonix form, tucking her legs and tail in to give the males on either side a bit more room.

***

In her dream, someone was yelling, but it took Siray a moment to be able to understand the words.

‘I need proof of this. Guesses are no good to me. If she’s not the one we seek, then we need to know and get back on the hunt. And if she is …’ The blurred outline of a towering male figure before her gave a slow smile, yet the rest of his face was indistinct.

Siray blinked a couple of times but then realised it wasn’t so much that the figure was hazy but that he was wearing some kind of hood and seemed draped in shadows. In addition, she also seemed to be standing just to the side of someone else, at whom the hooded figure’s irate words were directed. She tried to turn to see who it was, but her body was unresponsive. Only her eyes seemed able to move.

The person beside her, another male, murmured something that Siray couldn’t quite hear despite her closeness, and she felt goose bumps rise on her skin. Something about that voice …

The hooded male spoke again. ‘Then I need to speak with him. Bring him to me. Immediately.’ The voice was commanding, leaving no room for argument. Siray could almost feel the power radiating from this male as he spun away from her and the figure beside her and began to stride off into the dark.

Unbelievably, the male next to her dared to speak again—words Siray could still not make out.

The hooded male wheeled, anger lining every inch of his shadowed frame. ‘Then find a way to do it!’ he roared.

From the corner of her eye, Siray saw the male beside her bow his head low and hold that position as the hooded figure spun once more and strode rapidly away.

The male beside her waited until the other’s footsteps had faded away before he raised his head and turned to head off in the opposite direction.

Siray tensed quickly, her body almost