Page 48 of Frost and Fate
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Darren paced anxiously as they awaited Brona’s return. Gideon made phone calls. At one point the doors opened, but it was only Danielle, one of Gideon’s assistants. She could clearly sense the energy in the room. She tapped her pen nervously against her notepad as she spoke with Gideon. When she left the room it became quiet again. Aria was slowly unwinding the materials Dr. Sawyer had used to splint her arm. She pulled the arm free and tentatively stretched. Darren saw her grimace. Though the arm should be fully healed by now, he guessed she was remembering the moment when the bones were snapped.
Aria had been through a lot in the past few hours. Darren knew Aria extremely well and something just didn’t seem right with her story. He couldn’t ignore the feeling that she was holding back something.
The air around them began to shimmer.
Darren could sense figures just outside the conference room door. He was momentarily on guard, knowing it could be Collectors teleporting in. He was put at ease when the doors opened wide and three figures emerged. Romani entered first, followed by Brona. The third figure was not at all what Darren had been expecting. Darren had assumed another witch would be coming, not the hulking man who entered the room with them. Taking his hand in her own, Brona smiled. “Alpha, everyone, this is Bjorn, my twin.”
Darren stared at the newcomer. Though he stood a foot taller, Bjorn had the same unusual turquoise eyes as Brona. They also shared their fiery red hair. Bjorn’s was shaved on the side, and braided from the top of his head down past his neck. A thick red beard covered his jawline. Brona and Bjorn did have several striking similarities, though where Brona was delicate and beautiful, Bjorn was powerful and intimidating. He looked like something straight out of a Norse Viking story.
“Welcome to the Ulric complex.” Gideon stepped forward to shake the newcomer’s hand.
Bjorn returned the handshake. “Thank you for allowing me here.”
The group took seats around the table. Darren addressed the twins. “So how is it you think you can help us locate Nova?”
Brona spoke first. “Bjorn and I were both gifted with the Sight.”
“The Sight?” asked Gideon.
“Yes. In its simplest definition we are able to see and know things. This gift manifests differently in both of us.”
“Brona is able to see things from the past, present, and sometimes future,” Bjorn finally spoke. “This means messages can come to her at any time. She can also gain information through touch.” The uneasy energy that passed through the room was difficult to miss.
Brona quickly added, “I do my best to avoid seeing during everyday interactions.” She gave a nervous laugh. Everyone had obviously been thinking of any hugs, handshakes, or passing touch they had shared with Brona and no doubt wondered what she had gleaned from within their private minds.
“It’s something you can control?” Leah asked. The fierce woman’s dark eyes bore into Brona. Brona tried to hold Leah’s intense gaze but quickly looked away. “It’s not something that can ever be fully controlled, but with training it can be more manageable.”
Leah scoffed. “And you’re just now choosing to share this information with us?”
Bjorn’s deep voice carried through the room. “Privacy is important to Chosen witches, as I’m sure it is for lycans. I shall remind you that neither Brona, nor any Chosen for that matter, is under any obligation to disclose their abilities to strangers.” Leah had clearly hit a nerve and it was obvious Bjorn was feeling defensive of his sister.
Gideon spoke before the situation could escalate any further. “I’m certain Leah meant no disrespect.” He shot a disapproving look in Leah’s direction, and she turned her gaze to the floor in submission. “As I told Brona earlier, we are grateful for all the help we have received from your family so far.” He then addressed the pack members. “Bjorn is right. We are not expected to reveal our true wolf nature with someone we do not trust. We must earn the trust of our new allies and trust that they will share everything in due time. Your discomfort is not a reason to make them feel guilty for keeping personal information to themselves.” He looked back at Leah when he said that last part. Then, addressing the twins, he encouraged, “Please continue.”
Darren could sense the anxiety rolling off of the redheaded witch in waves. Despite her discomfort, she put on a brave face and continued her explanations. “Bjorn’s Sight manifests in a way that makes him valuable as a Tracker. He is able to gain Sight through objects. For example, he may pick up a hairbrush and glean information about the owner. He would be able to see what he or she looks like, the last time they brushed their hair, and often what they were doing just before and after using that object.”
“Impressive,” said Gideon. “That seems like a very valuable skill.”
The twins exchanged another long look. Darren sensed that they were communicating somehow. Brona continued, “As twins, we share some abilities and often work better as a team. In fact there are a few things we can only accomplish when we work together. In times when we can clearly see where a person is or has been, I can project Bjorn to the location. He’s often able to explore the area to gain more information. This has been invaluable over the years.”
Darren wondered about that last part. “What do you mean, project?”
“Astral projection.” Bjorn looked at Darren, as if measuring him. “Astral projection means Brona is able to send my non-physical form to a location. Think of it as a ghost walking around and looking at things. No one can see me, no one can hear me, and I can’t physically affect the area I’m exploring. I can bring information back for others who can get there to help.”
Across the room, Romani chimed in. “That is fascinating. So you can travel to places to do reconnaissance in essence, without the chance of being physically harmed.”
“Essentially, yes,” Bjorn answered.
“Are there any risks?” Romani asked.
The twins again looked at each other. Brona replied, “Too much time in the in-between could cause a rift in reality. If Bjorn is there too long, he risks falling to the Veil.”
Bjorn looked intently at Romani. “My grandmother told me much about the Romancellak Veil Walker. Perhaps if the day comes when I do overstay my welcome and fall to the in-between, I can count on you to pull me out.”
Romani appeared grim, but nodded once.
The pack’s Beta was next to speak. “While I know formalities and introductions are important, I think we need to get back to the task at hand.”
