Brilliance (Circle of the Stars #4) - Sadie Jacks Page 0,46

my hair out and scream at these people. “What does that mean? And I swear to the go—you—that if you keep asking questions or giving me runaround answers, someone’s shit is about to get fried.” I pulled starshine into my hands.

Ari’s chuckle was wet. “That’s why when you tried to give him more power it backfired.”

I snarled at my grandmother. “Ari.”

She laughed, shook her head. “Sorry, garinion. Tagan is the second son of the failed triad under Draco’s Triplex Rising. I’d completely forgotten about the prophecy. And I’m not sure I ever knew their father’s triad failed.” She waved that away. “In being so, he has a magic all his own. He has a base form,” she looked at Grumpy. “Your hybrid. But you can shift and evolve into almost anything if the need is dire enough and Hollyn needs you.”

“So I was designed to be a hybrid?” Grumpy asked. “It’s not some magical fluke or something I screwed up when I saved Hollyn the first time?”

Aether, Chaos, and Ari all shook their heads. “You are exactly as fate intended you to be,” Ari claimed. “The additional power from Mother and Father will do nothing to harm your form. It will actually provide you a boost in accessing your abilities, if you choose to accept it.”

Everything inside me relaxed. Why couldn’t they just get to the freaking point instead of dancing around the salient information all the time? Drove me crazy how everyone never really said what they meant to say.

“Then yes, I’ll accept the power,” Grumpy said.

Chaos smiled. “From my heart to yours. Freely given. Freely accepted. So shall it be.” He laid his hand on Grumpy’s chest.

Grumpy stumbled back slightly. Once he shook himself, he turned back to me. “Like I’ve been trying to tell you…anything you need, I’ve got.” He yanked me into his arms, settled his mouth on mine.

The room fell away as I sank into him. I opened my mouth under his. Dueled with his tongue.

Drace cleared her throat directly in my ear. “It’s considered rude to ignore the visiting gods of the universe so you can suck face with one of your men.”

Grumpy snarled at her, the sound rumbled through his chest and into mine.

I chuckled, started to pull away.

Grumpy’s hands tightened on my hips, held me in place. “Drace.”

“Tagan.” She lowered her voice, added some gravel to it. “See? I can do that, too.”

I snorted. Pecked Grumpy’s lips. “She’s right.”

He sighed heavily. Turned to glare at Drace once more. “Every time you cockblock me, I’m going to remember it. Then turnabout is fair play.”

“Dracealina, you leave that nice dragon and his mate alone,” Finn barked from across the room.

Grumpy smirked while Drace glared.

Chaos cleared his throat. “Children, a bit of training for those of you with new magic.”

Grumpy turned, his hand still on my waist, to face the Original god.

I guess we were going to listen to Chaos. I smiled and leaned against Grumpy. I was so happy that I hadn’t actually hurt him when he tried to save me the first time.

“What you all consider to be magic is really nothing more than evolution. The power we wield are the physical manifestations of intention. Since humanity has not been around for billions of years, you’ve not yet learned how to access all parts of your brain. The power we’ve bestowed upon you will give you access to these different areas,” Aether explained.

Chaos picked up the thread. “Intention is the most important part of any power. Good, bad, neutral—it’s how you intend to use it that matters above all else. So, form your intention in pictures, words, songs, something to give it shape.” He nodded as if he wanted us all to do so now.

I stepped away from Grumpy and from everyone else who had received power. We all ranged ourselves out so as not to get too close.

“Hollyn child, this exercise is not for you. You carry Original power. You could decimate the city with even half a thought,” Aether said softly.

Oh. Crap. I lowered my hands. I nodded at her. “Thank you for warning me.”

She nodded. “I believe you might be needed out in the hallway though. Along with your three male visitors.” She winked and walked around the room like one of my old teachers in the Village. She spoke softly to them as she winded through their ranks.

I looked at the front door. I hadn’t heard anyone knocking. But, I was going to assume the goddess knew what she