Page 99 of Nearly Dead

“Then perhaps we should find out,” Astrid suggests.“Costin, would you mind showing them to the basement?Davis and I have things to discuss.”

ChapterTwenty-Two

I feel magic brush against my skin before the elevator doors open.The shimmering barrier recognizes my supernatural nature and allows me to pass.

“We designed this level of the building to contain vampire strength and train young ones.The walls are reinforced with magical dampening fields to protect the structure from collateral damage,” Costin explains.“But it’s never been tested against a hybrid.”

Sully and Anthony accompany us.My parents remain upstairs, finalizing plans for tomorrow’s confrontation.I’m almost relieved to be away from their watchful eyes, especially my father’s calculating gaze.I’m not sure we can trust him.I wonder if that is why Astrid kept him with her instead of coming down here.

The spacious chamber is impressive.Various training equipment is scattered throughout.Combat dummies, weapons racks, and what appears to be an obstacle course fill one half.The other half is open space, presumably for sparring or, in my case, power testing.

“How do we do this?”I ask, moving to the center of the open area.

“Start small,” Costin suggests.“We need to establish a baseline.Use the telekinetic power to show them what you know you can do.”

Anthony sets up a series of progressively larger objects along a table.“Move these one at a time.Let’s see what you can handle.”

I focus on the pencil first, lifting it easily.Then the book.A weight.A chair.A training dummy.Each object rises at my command, hovering steadily before returning to their place.Then, just because I can, I let the cold power flow through me and I lift them all at once, including the table.I let them dance in circles above our heads like a poltergeist.

“Show off,” Anthony teases.

I set them back on the ground in no particular order.

“Good,” Sully approves.“Now something more challenging.Anthony?”

My brother steps forward, a mischievous glint in his eye.Blue magic wraps his hands, winding up his arms and down his waist and legs

“Try to lift me,” he challenges.

I narrow my focus, directing the telekinetic force toward him.I feel his magic resisting mine.For a moment nothing happens, then he gasps as his feet leave the ground.I raise him three feet in the air, holding him steady despite the counterforce of his magic urging me to set him down.

“Holy shit,” he breathes.“This is unnerving.”

I set him down gently.“What else?”

“Distance,” Sully suggests.“Can you affect things you can’t see?”

They test my limits.I do what they ask, moving objects around corners, through walls, based solely on my awareness of their presence.The power stretches, adapting to each new challenge.

“Now defense,” Costin says.He nods to Anthony, who raises his hands, blue magic coalescing between his fingers.

Before I can tell him I’m ready, a magical bolt flies toward me, fast as thought.Instinctively, I raise a hand, the power surging up to create a shield of pure force.The bolt splashes harmlessly against it, dissipating in a shower of blue sparks.

“Again,” I say, feeling more confident.“Stronger this time.”

Anthony doesn’t hold back.The next bolt is brighter, faster, carrying enough magical energy to stun a vampire.It meets the same fate as the first, dissolving against my telekinetic barrier.

Sully whistles low.“Impressive.”

We continue the tests, discovering my limits.I can deflect physical attacks as well as magical ones.I can affect multiple targets simultaneously.I can control the force with increasing precision, from a gentle touch to enough pressure to bend metal.

But with each demonstration, the cold detachment grows stronger.I feel myself slipping further away, the human part of me receding as the power expands.I don’t like it.I want to tell them to stop, but I know I have to push through.

“One more test,” Costin says finally.He looks to Sully, who nods in silent agreement.

They move to opposite sides of the room, circling me like predators.For the first time, I feel a flicker of unease.These are two of the strongest creatures I know.

“The goal is simple,” Costin explains.“Stop us.”

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