Free Vala Eminence by J. F. Jenkins Page A

are taught or trained into. It is time to get you out of that mindset and teach your brain patience. It will help you harness the darkness around you and not let its whispering sway you. Even more importantly, it will help you in your dealings with Lucien. He has all the time in the world, and he will use that to his advantage.”
    Denver grumbled quietly to himself, but nodded. “Whatever.”
    Mr. Thantos scratched his chin. “Do you play video games, Mr. Collins?”
    â€œYes, and can you please drop the mister thing? You're making me feel so… old .”
    â€œMy apologies. If you play video games, then perhaps you will understand this analogy. What is the most common loss of life in a game? A difficult skill, or lack of patience.”
    â€œLack of patience,” Denver mumbled. “The bosses fight in a pattern where you can only nick them to death over a long period of time, making people frustrated and annoyed so you attack unnecessarily before your time and… oh, got it. That's what Lucien wants to do, is that what you're saying?”
    â€œIt is what he will do, because he knows your strengths and weaknesses. He knows you are passionate and impulsive. There is no doubt in my mind that he will do everything in his power to exploit both of those things to his advantage. He will toy with your head, make you angry, impatient, and then crush you the moment you let your guard down because you have no sense of self control.” Mr. Thantos's words became stronger and more impassioned as he spoke.
    For a moment, Denver closed his eyes in an effort to regain some of his center and to practice what the angel was preaching about. Because right then, he wanted to snap off something sarcastic and witty to protect his pride. If anything, he would like to give the guy a lecture of his own. Did Mr. Thantos really think he knew Lucien better than Denver? After all, Denver had been working with the monster for as long as he could remember.
    Mr. Thantos let out a long, slow breath. His black eyes narrowed, and gloved hands clenched at his side. “I have known that monster, as you called him, for nearly a millennium. We did not drop contact with one another after our respective falls from grace.”
    â€œGot it,” Denver said in a soft voice.
    â€œEither way, if you do not want my help, you know where the door is. No one is making you stay here to listen to me. If you think I do not know what I'm talking about, by all means, go and do things your way,” the angel continued.
    Shaking his head, Denver met Mr. Thantos's gaze with his own. “I want to know. This isn't easy for me, you know? In fact, it's super hard to even give you the benefit of the doubt.”
    â€œResidual effects from the curse he put on you as a child. It is good to see it wearing off. The more good you do, the less of a pull his magic will have over you.”
    â€œGood?” Denver scrunched up his nose. “Ew.”
    The teacher merely shrugged. “If you would rather not, that is of no concern to me. Your power will be stronger. I believe that is what you want the most, am I correct? Power?”
    â€œDuh.”
    â€œThen let us begin again, and try to focus. Everything in our lessons will tie together. It will be much easier to understand if you do not question me and do as I say.”
    With a roll of his eyes, Denver adjusted his position in the room. Rather than sitting in a chair, keeping himself at eye level with the dark angel, he moved to the floor. He sat cross-legged on the ground, placing his hands on his knees. Closing his eyes, he took a few deep breaths in an effort to release himself from the room. Feel the energy around me. The light and the dark.
    He repeated those words in his mind, focusing all of his effort on searching for even the smallest amount of power. There was a sensation, like that of floating, beginning to fill his body. His head became light, his body seemed to