Page 71 of Seducing Hope (The Hope Legacy)

I glance at Aaden, who nods. I’ll be damned if the SIP learns about my powers before they’re stable. Taking a deep breath, I launch into the details. “We called the four elements. Betty called fire and earth. I called air and water.”

Duncan grins. “That’s why you were wet. Your second affinity is water? That works well with air—I can teach you some good fighting techniques with those elements.”

Uncle Charlie’s face turns a deeper shade, hitting crimson—stage two. Instinctively, I leave out my meeting with the strange being and the gift of the key. “As discussed, you’re not surprised she has a second affinity?” Uncle Charlie asks Duncan.

Wait, they’d been talking about me? Typical.

Duncan nods. “In hindsight, I believe her instinctual fighting skills have always been linked to an affinity with air. She’s strong—normally, that leads to another element.”

“Makes sense,” Uncle Charlie says, his face lighting back to stage one.

“Right here,” I mutter, holding my hand up. They need to be reminded they aren’t in one of their private conversations about me.

Uncle Charlie sighs. “So what you’re saying is a previously impenetrable tribe bowed down to you and gave you access to their protected treasure? Then you used your newly-found magic and controlled another element?”

I bite my lip. “That about sums it up.”

He pinches the end of his nose and screws his eyes shut. “It strikes me as personal, Natia. You seem deeply involved, and are also working with Archan and his team. Have you figured out what he is yet?”

I shake my head. “No, and I’m not entirely sure of his motivations. But at least this way we have access to what they’re doing.”

“Which also means they have access to whatyouare doing, and knowledge of whatever is happening to you.”

“Better than them working against us.”

Uncle Charlie’s stare hits mine, as he seems to delve around in my head. His left eye twitches a frantic rhythm. He knows I’m holding something back, but he doesn’t push.

“Find out what that Jar is for, what Archan is up to, and who this Pan guy is.” We all nod—it’s a tall order, and Uncle Charlie knows it. “Contact me on my private line only, and if you need any further SIP resources or info, call me first.” He’s protecting me.

“Thanks, Uncle Charlie.” He gives me a tight smile, and the screen goes blank.

Duncan turns to me. “Why didn’t you tell Jed?”

I shrug. “He came for the Jar. The rest is private. Betty was showing me the cave, not anyone else.”

Zee rubs his head and scowls. “Why do you think she only let you in?”

“Maybe because I’m female; they seemed like a matriarchal society.”

Duncan tilts his head. “I hadn’t considered that.”

I shrug and glance around at the worried faces of my colleagues. Scrap that, I’m looking at my friends, people who worry and care about me, which makes my next decision easier. “I have something else to tell you.”

“Oh my god, you’re not pregnant, are you?” Zee snorts.

Rolling my eyes, I curl up on the sofa. “Before receiving the Jar, I had some kind of encounter… with something.”

Zee laughs. “Descriptive.”

“After we completed the ritual, I was in some sort of weird room—it felt like another world, actually. Anyway, he basically said I was being tested to receive my powers, I had some important decisions ahead, and sacrifices would be made no matter what.”

“Sounds like an ominous fortune cookie message,” Zee laughs, his nervousness bleeding through his sarcasm. In that moment, I realize we’re more alike than we care to admit.

“Also… he said he’s responsible for my powers.”

Duncan’s eyebrows shoot up, but he says nothing. I’ll grill him about that later when whatever thought process he’s having is complete—I’ll get nothing out of him until then.

“That confirms it, then… You’re linked to this—the Jar, Pan, mankind’s imminent destruction,” Aaden mumbles, nonplussed.

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