Page 139 of A Touch of Stars and Stones
“Possible futures,” I remind her.
I’m not ready to believe anything Ever sees is set in stone.
“We need to understand if she’s shown us anything that could be useful.” Her brows furrow, and she starts to pace again.
“She’s not a magical looking glass.”
“She is when you touch her. I said you could be powerful, and it could give us a huge advantage if you can learn to shape what and how she sees the future.”
“I can’t do that. That’s not how it works.”
“Oh? And here I was, thinking you were here to learn. Not tell me what is or isn’t possible.”
My jaw clenches shut.
“Do you really think that the extent of our power is reading people’s emotions?” Her tone shifts to one I’d better recognise coming from my father. “We are a weapon, Aten. We influence,misdirect, and sabotage. All with the power of our minds. You just need to accept that and practice. At all times, as I have said.”
“I am.”
“Good. Then you will have no problem mastering this with Ever and leading her to show us what we need.”
“What we need? Ever isn’t going to be used.” She looks at me then, and I realise I’ve fucked up.
Already.
“Do you think Azur suddenly thought he’d lead Ever into a maze in her mind? We guard ourselves, and we guard our minds so that we can lead where we will it to.” She stares at me as if waiting for me to catch on.
Have I been that short-sighted?Putting all the pieces of the jigsaw together, all the texts I’ve read, all the words I’ve heard, I realise Ever has been right. Everyone keeps secrets in this place.
“You lied,” I accuse. “I came to you for help, and you’ve consoled me with tricks and pieces of information, keeping what we’re really capable of a mystery to use to your advantage.” My words bite, and I can feel the strength in my muscles wanting to be set free.
“Did I?” She tilts her head and assesses me. “I never lied to you. You could be great. But your mind is weak. It needs shields and defences, and you need to start thinking a little bigger than reading emotions. You will have picked up people’s intent, a gut feeling from them. Look for more. Learn where their mind can take you and what they are hiding in the privacy of their thoughts. It can be like planting a seed and letting it grow into something of your making. So much potential.” She smiles, and a flash of cruelty and wickedness crosses her eyes, but it’s gone a second later.
And it sounds fucking terrifying.
This isn’t a side to her I’ve seen in the past, and it has me wondering just how honest she’s been with her magic and knowledge. The similarities to my father continue.
“You might want to go and have another conversation with your mother. She, after all, was a powerful Guard. Yet, nobody ever considered her.”
My mind rails at the thought of my mother being calculating and cruel, but Kamari’s right. Nobody ever considers my mother. My father and I included.
“And you?” I ask. She’s the head of the Order.
“Powerful, yes. Although perhaps I’ve played too well, for the teeth I possess have perhaps been forgotten.”
I take the warning as it’s meant.
“I’m not here to play games, Kamari. I came here for guidance. Not just for me. For Ever, too. But maybe I’m starting to see that nobody in the Orders wants to help someone with a power that could challenge you all.”
She stops at that, and I lock any defence I can around my mind, for whatever it’s worth. Her eyes flinch a fraction as she stares at me, and I feel it, that funny itch, the presence hovering like a strange aura.
“Ah, so, not just a pretty face. You’re learning. But not quite fast enough.” She gives me a knowing smile, and while there’s been no contact between us, I worry she’s been able to read everything in my mind.
“Training’s not a game,” I defend, my frustration rising with each beat of my heart.
“No. It is life and death!” she snaps. “Balance. After all, is that not what we are here for? Our divine duty, as bestowed upon us by Aslendrix. But do not discount the pull that power has. Or, how withholding that power can turn people bitter.”
“You’re talking in riddles, no better than my father.”
