Wings of Ebony: Chapters 6–16

by J. Elle
After the death of her mother, seventeen-year-old Rue is forced to leave her younger sister and go with her estranged father to Ghizon, a hidden island full of magical beings. There, Rue learns the truth of her ancestry and why she must go back to save her sister before it's too late.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–5, Chapters 6–16, Chapters 17–26, Chapter 27–Afterthoughts
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. dregs
    a small part that remains after the main part is gone
    "Drink more water. It'll help." He walks off and I follow. Annoyed, I take a sip and the dregs of my wooziness abate.
  2. abate
    become less in amount or intensity
    "Drink more water. It'll help." He walks off and I follow. Annoyed, I take a sip and the dregs of my wooziness abate.
  3. blemish
    a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something
    I can try to explain to the Chancellor that you don't have a single blemish on your record and that you'll take ownership for what you've done and apologize for breaking the rules.
  4. inclined
    having a preference, disposition, or tendency
    “The first time you touch them they see everything. Your strongest memories—usually the most recent ones—become theirs. Like a stock of photos tucked away without sound or meaning. But even a human seeing could be enough to out that Ghizon exists. That's not a risk the Chancellor will be inclined to take."
  5. calculating
    good at tricking people to get something
    He's calculating. Clever. And careful.
  6. stilted
    artificially formal or stiff
    Recognition flashes in his eyes, but his tone is stilted.
  7. rancid
    having an offensive smell or taste
    A rancid smell like crayons stings my nose as I move to the center of the room, past a small cot and a single metal chair.
  8. discreet
    not easily noticeable
    “A tracker,” he says discreetly. “The General told me to. But don't sweat it,” he says, leaning in, a satisfied smile on his face. “Bri can deactivate it if you want. Just tell her it's the Z300 model. She'll know what I mean.”
  9. detached
    showing lack of emotional involvement
    His brows dent ever so slightly, like he feels guilty for his tone and detached posture in the General's presence. I forgive him. I get it. Bossman's watching.
  10. transfixed
    having your attention fixated as though witchcraft
    He hovers there, glassy eyes transfixed on mine.
  11. disdain
    lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
    I slap the window; it vibrates and he slow shakes his head in disdain.
  12. subdue
    hold within limits and control
    I keep my head down on my hands bound in front of me, magic subdued by the restraints.
  13. pristine
    completely free from dirt or contamination
    It's windowless and tiny, like a patient room at the doctor. It's white, pristine, and cabinets line the back, just as sterile as it was eleven months ago.
  14. condescending
    characteristic of those who treat others with arrogance
    The flames flickering in Tasha’s wide eyes, her tears when I said goodbye, the General’s smug grin, the Chancellor’s condescending stare—all of those moments play on repeat in my head.
  15. synthesize
    combine so as to form a more complex product
    The watch uses a synthesized signal from something, Bri’d said.
  16. competent
    properly or sufficiently qualified, capable, or efficient
    Because just like back home, people think different means less. Less capable. Less competent.
  17. garb
    clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
    Aasim stands in the doorway, wind wrestling his garb.
  18. sable
    of a dark somewhat brownish black
    I have Moms's nose and her sable complexion.
  19. transpire
    come about, happen, or occur
    I explain everything that just transpired in Ghizon.
  20. benevolence
    an act intending or showing kindness and good will
    They call it being Bound…like bound to magic. The Chancellor calls it an ‘act of benevolence.’
  21. happenstance
    an accidental event that seems to have been arranged
    He is definitely following us. Too many twists and turns for this to be happenstance.
  22. reminiscent
    serving to bring to mind
    Something reminiscent of cat piss fills my nostrils.
  23. affiliated
    being joined in close association
    "Well first, I need to figure out”—why my magic won't work—"how Chad and coffee shop dude are affiliated.”
  24. emphatically
    in a forceful manner; with emphasis
    "No," I yell a little too emphatically.
  25. clause
    a separate section of a legal document
    "Comfortable? Rue! You're asking me to sneak out of Ghizon. Fourteenth Law, Clause B, states…”
  26. optimal
    most desirable possible under a restriction
    "It really is a fine product. The frequencies are synthesized to optimal levels. I even engineered duplicate sound waves to mimic the ones in the air, but affixed a cloaking spell to it at the molecular level."
  27. potpourri
    a jar of mixed flower petals and spices used as perfume
    Scents of gardenia potpourri wrap around me like a blanket.
  28. reprimand
    rebuke formally
    "What do you mean, reprimanded?” I ask.
    "I don't know. That's just what I heard. Something about his magic is restricted. Like he can't do anything..."
  29. intrigue
    cause to be interested or curious
    The coins intrigue her the most, but Ms. Leola said they disintegrated into thin air after she used them.
  30. magpie
    an obnoxious and foolish and loquacious talker
    "Actually, I don't know if they ever taught it. And of course all the books on ancient Ghizon were lost when the Chancellor took ru—" She's such a magpie, I swear.
  31. bauble
    cheap showy jewelry or ornament
    Bri peers closer at the bauble with narrowed eyes.
  32. epiphany
    a usually sudden insight, perception, or understanding of something
    The epiphany fumbles from my lips before I even fully understand the words.
  33. mortified
    made to feel uncomfortable because of shame or wounded pride
    Tasha sets the book between us and I am mortified. She flips open the page, past pictures and tests and movie ticket stubs, and I am dying inside.
  34. deadpan
    deliberately impassive in manner
    His deadpan tone sends a ripple of fear through me.
  35. incidental
    following or accompanying as a consequence
    “There has to be an incidental procedure in case some dude spills Juva Juice on a key map or enters it in wrong. Me trying to hack the system is probably our best bet.”
Created on Sun Jan 30 10:38:49 EST 2022 (updated Fri Feb 04 09:37:25 EST 2022)

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