Page 17 of Behind Amber Eyes

My father’s smug face enters my vision. “Been a while since I’ve been able to get you off your feet. Guess I’ve still got it.”

I roll my eyes and sit up, rubbing my back absent-mindedly. “Keep thinking that, old man. You just got lucky.” I grab my father’s outstretched hand and stand up.

We’re about to start another match when I hear someone’s throat clear by the training room entrance.

At the sight of the intruder, my father immediately bows his head in respect, murmuring, “My Lord.”

He glances at me expectantly and I scurry to do the same.

The Top Elder smiles at us both, hands clasped in front of him. “I apologize for the intrusion. However, I come with reason.” He turns to me, and I have to stop a shiver from coursing through me at seeing those blank eyes. It’s such a deep contrast between his and Arman’s that it makes me feel sick. “Could I borrow your daughter for a moment, Amir?”

I can’t stop my eyebrows from raising in surprise, though the feeling is quickly replaced with panic. Does he know? I school my features; no reason to freak out just yet. I need to maintain my cool until I know what he wants.

My father blinks, also surprised, and then nods. “Of course. Amelia?”

“Yes, of course. I’ll just shower—"

“No need,” the Top Elder cuts me off, that weirdly polite smile still present on his face. “This will only take a moment. You will have time to finish your session.”

I glance toward my father, who motions for me to go with the Top Elder. I fight back a sigh and nod, following the Top Elder out of the room.

We are quiet for a few minutes as he leads me out of the training facility and into the back garden. Why do all these buildings have such extravagant gardens? They’re always so much larger than citizen gardens and contain flora from faraway places. I couldn’t even begin to wonder how the Elders obtain them.

“So, Amelia,” he starts, and any thoughts of gardening dissipate. “I want to talk with you about your future with the Elderhood council.”

Okay, that’s good. It doesn’t necessarily mean I’m out of the woods, but at least he hasn’t killed me or cast me out, yet. “Ah, yeah. Sure thing.” I inwardly cringe at how informal I sound.

He doesn’t seem to notice, or if he did, he doesn’t comment on it. “You’ve been progressing beautifully. I’ve seen the records your father has been keeping.” He stops at a bench near a group of peony bushes and motions for us to sit. “However, that’s not all you’ve been succeeding in.”

My heart skips a beat. What does that mean? Fuck, does he know? “Uh…sorry, my Lord, what do you mean?”

He chuckles and plucks one of the peonies from the nearest bush, stroking its fragile petals gingerly. “I am referencing your magic, Amelia.”

Fuck. I was so busy worrying about Arman that I forgot there’s another secret I’ve been keeping far longer. One that my father could be implicated in, as well. Suddenly, I feel odd, as if a presence is creeping along the edges of my mind, and this causes me to panic more. Is he trying to access my thoughts? And if he is, how can I even feel it? “My Lord—"

“Please, remain calm,” the Top Elder says with a raised hand, and the presence starts to recede. “I am not here to punish you, or your father for keeping this secret for you. From what I have seen, you have a gift, Amelia. A gift that will be very useful to the Elderhood.” He turns to me, letting the flower fall from his fingertips. “You may continue nurturing this skill. However, be mindful that I am making a one-time exception. Secrets are not something I take kindly to, no matter the reason.”

I swallow roughly, wanting nothing more than to squirm under his gaze, and nod. “Of course. I apologize, no more secrets.”

He keeps his gaze steadily on me, as if peering into my soul. I start to have that feeling in my mind again, but a bit more forceful. Just when my head begins to feel heavy, my ears pop and the Top Elder blinks in surprise. His gaze then turns to one of confusion, which quickly gives way to suspicion. Just as I begin to feel like I can’t take the scrutiny anymore, the polite smile is back on his face. He leans down to pick up the discarded peony. “That’s lovely to hear. Now, let’s get you back to your father.”

I smile, relieved, and nod before we begin back toward the training room. Whatwasthat? I’m now certain that the Top Elder was trying to enter my mind—I’ll need to internalizethatrevelation later; how often do they do that to us? —but even more importantly, hecouldn’t. Why? I may be good at magic, but there’s no way I’m good enough to fight off an Elder, let alone the Top Elder.

That’s when it hits me.

The necklace.

I subconsciously raise my hand to the small amulet against my chest, lightly stroking its form underneath the fabric of my training shirt. The Top Elder made no indication of noticing it, so that means that he can’t see it, either. Therefore, the magic in this bottle is strong enough to fool Elders and humans, alike.

But that’s not all it does. It doesn’t just make me invisible when needed or help me through the barrier. Itprotectsme. And not just from anyone. It protects me from Elders.

Why would Arman want to protect me? It makes no sense.

Another thing for me to ask the next time I see him.

Chapter 10

Itwirl the straw in my drink as Elliot regales his activities of the day. I’m pretty sure he’s talking about how his mother let him assist in her class and how it was a thrilling experience, but understandably my mind is elsewhere. As always.

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