I crashed through big thorny bushes and complete darkness, making sure not to fall into the Hazel Bend, the river that snaked along the edge of the main campus. I’m not sure how long I ran, but I am sure of how quickly I fell, rolled my ankle, and ended up with leaves in my hair and rips in my sleeves. I flopped down in the field, ignorant of the gasps of lavender the lavender bushes gave off as I dropped my face into my hands and screamed like a banshee.

When I was done, I left my face there. How could she think that of me? Truth be told, I knew she disapproved of my adventure into research. After my four years learning under the Circle were done, I was supposed to either go into the divine keeper program, or join the dreaming elite. It made the most sense due to my Dual status. But I went neither of those paths. I still remember how my guidance counselor told me frankly that research is where careers go to die. I still remember how the Circle fought against me eagerly, attempting to put me into the Dreamers Elite against my wishes. When I finally joined the research department and optioned myself for a project following the last of the dragons, I was pushed into Director Espens field. It was as if I couldn’t get away from Talents and the Circle and sorcerers politics.

And now, here I am again. It is as if the universe conspires against me.

Warmth blanketed me. My teeth were chattering as I realized how dreadfully cold I was. I pulled my arms around me, pulling the cloak close. Breathing in the cypress smell of Biras musk.

He sat down next to me, a benevolent shadow, and said nothing. I knew he had to be cold, but he wouldn’t accept the cloak back. It just wasn’t his way.

Together, we looked up at the stars. Shoulder to shoulder. Silence, a good friend, sitting with us.

I always break the silence, “I’m going to do it,” I said, “I’m going to cure the Demise and there’s nothing she can do about it.”

He nodded.

“And then they won’t ever laugh at me again.”

We let that final admission fall into cold air around us. Up above, the stars were glittering. Laughing, maybe, or nodding along with my words. Sure that I’d do the impossible. That my methods would work and I would begin waking Dreamers up from their Demises.

Don’t forget about Him.

And his figure passed over my mind. That divine with the blue skin and caprician horns. The one that pulled me out of Aerie’s Dream. If he did it again, I’d do something about it. I didn’t know what yet, but just as I created the lunar obsidian method of entering Dreams, I’d find a way to best Him even if it took me months of pouring through the Order and Circles libraries. Even if I had to leave northeast Vesta to do it. I’d get it done.

I’d get it done.

Biras fingers crossed over mine. They lingered, “I believe in you.” He said with conviction. His voice a low whisper.

I smiled to myself, “I know you do,” I said, “and…thank you.”

He nodded his reply.

And all too soon, I’m reminded of my third year. Bira and I had been childhood friends who had ceased being so for quite some time. We had went our own ways, him to the Order to become a justicar and me to the Circle to learn about my Talents. When we finally met up again we were almost adults dealing with a loose divine in Matouta. After all of the fighting and evacuating had come to an end, we sat on top of a hill and looked up at a sky much like this one.

It’s when we…

I looked at him. He gave me a sidelong gaze and squeezed my fingers.

I looked back at the sky.

I couldn’t let my feelings get the better of me—especially with my mom, and the rest of the Circles, respect to earn. I couldn’t let what happened in Matouta happen between us again.

But still, I squeezed his hand back.

He was too good of a friend to lose to something like that.