What's happening to me?
These words have been running on repeat (along with many, many others) since Jazlee felt so nostalgic at witnessing Kaia's resolve and determination that she nearly cried from the heartache.
It doesn't make sense. Nothing about these feelings make sense.
Because Jazlee knows Kaia, and she knows that her friend isn't like that. Not to that degree.
But… at the same time… she is?
… Was?
Sometimes Jazlee sees someone else when she looks at Kaia; someone petty but loyal. Someone clever yet thoughtless. Someone challenging and inspiring and worthy of respect.
Someone like a rival.
What's happening to me?
Kaia is Jazlee's most precious friend. The only person she has in a world full of storm and ruin, how can someone like that be her enemy?
She plucks a feather from her wing and watches quietly as Kaia uses it to start drawing the runes. She hasn't told her that the spot where she took a feather for the last ritual remains bare. That no feather has grown back. Kaia also hasn't said anything about how one of her scales remains missing. After today, it'll be two.
What, exactly, is the price they pay every time they do this?
"Are you ready?" Kaia lifts her arms, waiting patiently for Jazlee to lift her to the center of the magic circle.
Do they pay with just their life blood? Or do they pay with their very essence? The magic that makes them who they are.
What other explanation is there, for why the tempest she called forth that day seemed subdued?
She wants to say no. Wants to call upon the rain to wash away the blood drawn upon the earth.
But Kaia has this look in her eyes, one that dares her to quit, to back out. It's unflinching and taunting and exhilarating-
She can't help but rise to the challenge.
What's happening to us?