Touch of Power (Alythian Legacy #1)

~ Kit's perspective - timeline in between Chapter Twenty Nine & Chapter Thirty ~

I loathe being late to things.

It's quite opposite of how my family usually operates which only makes my skin crawl more. When I see the guards that are commissioned for them stand guard, I want to rip my own hair out. Why of all nights are they on time and I'm not? The guards open the door for me and immediately I catch Lottie's teasing face light up. She'll never let this go.

My father sits near the long table in the center in a comfy armchair and reads a paper from the Glasswood news article. I go to my mother's side and kiss her cheek as she studies her notes from the capital that father tends to ignore. Sitting across from Lottie, she shoots me a glare as if to mock me.

Mum looks up from her work. "It's not like you to be late," she says with her nagging tone. She doesn't use it often and I don't like that she's using it now.

"Kitty wastes too much time with the rares," Lottie mumbles as she opens her notes.

"Scarlett, speak clearly," father calls from his chair.

As the only family member with rare powers, I feel my ears grow hot. "They're my friends," I say honestly. One in particular always caught my eye. Shoving away the thought of her, I add, "Their training is moving along nicely."

I can see Lottie want to say something snarky but she keeps it to herself while in front of our parents. Something about the rare power group makes her much more cynical and a bit more standoffish and I can never place my finger as to why. Mum nods at my statement. "I'm glad you're spending your time training."

"All his time," Lottie clarifies.

"Well, I'm glad nonetheless."

As Lottie rolls her eyes, I clear my throat. "Let's just get this over with." Glancing over the table, Lottie has a long list of names as if she could never quite remember everyone's names and talents. I get a piece of paper from my jacket and steal a quill from mum. I know my list by heart and I'm only using this time to write down Lottie's victims. I let her start off first as she has more names to get through than I do. After two obvious choices from her side, I say, "Jun Hanson." Lottie scoffs. "What?" I ask as she writes down my choice.

"Nothing. Lucy Arnold."

I nod and jot it down. "Louis Carrison." When she scoffs again, I grow irritated. Even mum seems to catch on at Lottie's sass. "Is something wrong?"

She sighs and leans back in her chair. "Just say your obvious first choice, Kitty."

"And who would that be dear?" father asks as he's still reading.

"It's the Thief of Glasswood of course." My face starts to heat up. Of course Lottie would use my fleeting crush as a weapon. But bloody hell, how much I want to defend Freya right now.

Father finally puts down his paper. "The girl from the ball?" Him and mum glance at one another.

"Is she the reason you've been so focused on training?" mum asks.

I quickly say no while Lottie says yes. Lottie sees the challenge in my embarrassment. "Who else is on your list Kitty? Does it include the two telekinetic twins? Does it include the thief?"

"Well yes but-"

"Kit, why haven't you said anything? I would love to formally meet the girl who's caught your eye," mum says as she leans forward, her white hair shining.