Page 72 of A Touch of Stars and Stones
Ten steps back, but instead of the grinning smirk on his face, there’s a seriousness to it, like he’s realised something.
He pulls back further, giving me some much-needed space to take a breath, but I keep watching, a fool for not forcing my eyes away.
He licks his lips.
Stars.
“Bed,” he snaps, making me jump, and my eyes flare at him again.
“You need to sleep. After the Transference, you’ll feel tired and will probably sleep more. I’ll make sure you’re not late for training, though.”
He smiles and leaves me in the hall.
nineteen
. . .
Aten
“AGuard is arguably more powerful than any other Order,” Kamari states. “And a part of that is that the full extent of our power is guarded. That’s what the name refers to.” She’s been over this in our last session.
“I still feel as strong as I have my whole life.” Whatever power I was born with hasn’t left me.
“And you will. That’s a part of you, and why our powers can be so unique. Your father is who he is. Powerful. Lean into that, but don’t forget that it’s not only you who will have their latent power. Learn how to use that and your gifts together to your advantage. You will be enviable if you can master your mind.”
“Okay. Tell me, teach me,” I press. It’s my second meeting with Kamari, and I’ve only had a theoretical view of the Order I now call mine. I’ve never questioned the lack of information until now, never concerned myself with it because I was going to be the next leader of the Warrior Order. Now, I don’t even know how to control my gift. The confidence that my path was set is now the blind spot that causes all my frustration.
“What can you do now? What have you explored for yourself?” Kamari paces slowly around her ornate office like she has all the time in the world.
“I think clearer, predict moves in the ring, work out what someone is going to do before they do it.” I think back to all the physical sessions, and they are usually the same.
“You’re strategising, possibly a result of your father’s power.”
“It feels like I can shield, like my mind wants to protect itself.” I don’t tell her that I can hear thoughts or that I’ve heard thoughts when Ever’s around. Like last night.
When she told me she wanted to kiss me.
Fuck!
“What else?”
“Sorry.” I snap back out of the memory, and Ever’s voice in my head. “I err, I’m not sure.” Holding her gaze in the lie is harder than I expect as she bores her stare against mine, and for a moment, I hold my nerve. She can’t tell I’m lying. There’s no reported instance of that being a gift of the Guard, at least in what I’ve read. But the slant of her mouth tells me that might not be true. Or that her gift might just allow her to read me. She is the head of the Order.
“Your gifts may be subtle. You’ll have to learn to build them and work them like you would any other muscle. You’ll be able to feel more, and your intuition will be your greatest ally once you master it.”
I nod, knowing full well what I can pick up from others, or rather, one individual.
She tilts her head again as if she’s listening for something. “Anything else you want to tell me?”
No.
Absolutely not.
But I ask it anyway. “Can you read my mind?” I stand and turn away, trying to lessen the impact of that question.
“No. That is a very powerful gift. Even for a Guard. However, it’s not unusual for the strongest of us to pick up others’ emotions and their general state of mind.”
“What about hearing someone’s thoughts, as if they spoke to you when they only thought it?” A small but important difference.
