Awaken - 4. Plans

I was surprised that this time I wasn't as scared of the dark alleyways that led to Talon's home. As I made my way back through them, I sighed. How was I going to explain this to my family? I had escaped in the middle of the night, stayed out until dawn, and now I was coming back with power. A power that'd never appeared in my family. A power I didn't know if I'd ever heard of. How had Talon's strange concoction forced this out of me? I'd been trying everything I could for years. On top of the thoughts in my head one kept popping up and drawing my attention to it. Talon had seemed like he couldn't get me out of his house fast enough. There had been fear and horror in his eyes and it had felt like a punch in the stomach. Is this what he felt like every day? People looking at him like there was something fundamentally wrong? His grey eyes kept flashing through my mind, widened, fearful. I sighed and shook my head as I made it out into the town square. I tried to clear my mind and focus on getting home. Sunlight was spilling over the town, chasing away the night's chill. I felt the warmth on my back and wondered if I was somehow connected to the sun. Was that the source of my power? Did it somehow choose me? A child who'd lived in my family's shadow my entire life?

Walking up our main drive, my heart sank when I saw someone sitting on the stairs leading into our home. As I got closer I saw tousled blond hair and resisted the urge to groan. Of course it was Lex. He stood as I approached, light sage vest contrasting sharply with his tanned skin.

“Kalian. Where have you been?”

“Did I miss something? Do you live here now?”

He frowned down at me, “Of course not. I'm supposed to be meeting Eon. I want to ask your father something.”

“Then why are you not inside waiting for Eon?”

He stepped closer, “I saw you were gone. Of course I immediately wanted to find you, to make sure you were safe, but I had no idea where to start.”

I stepped back, my eyes downcast, “How, pray tell, did you notice I was gone? I've told you before and I will tell you again, you are not charged with my care Lex.”

Lex sighed, pushing his usually neat hair back away from his face, “We'll see Kalian.” I stared at him for a couple seconds, confused thoroughly.

“What are you talking about?” He just shook his head and then froze. I cringed as his gaze focused on my face. He moved forward quickly, grabbing my wrist and jerking me to him.

“Your eyes.” I tried to look away but his other hand came up, gripping my chin and forcing me to look at him. I struggled against him, trying to pull away, “What happened to your eyes?”

“What's going on here?” I jumped and looked up the steps, Lex releasing my face from his grip as he too, turned. Eon stood at the top of the steps, his face blank, but my brother's eyes had landed on Lex's tight grip on my wrist. He calmly walked down the steps, taking the whole scene in. Lex let go of me fully and I resisted the urge to punch him in the face. How dare he man handle me that way? I tried as hard as I could to hold onto my anger as I attempted to ignore how shaken I was. No one had ever treated me that way. I had been physically unable to stop him and I hated how even with this new power I was weak. It was like I was back in the alley getting attacked by Sken again. Even when Talon had slid his powder-covered fingers over my eye and held me still I had never been scared the way I had just been. Even in the alley. My wrist and chin hurt from Lex's grip and I rubbed my wrist, horror filling me as I felt tears prick the corner of my eyes. A hand was on my shoulder and I stared up at Eon as he slowly moved between us.

“Explain yourself. What's going on here?” I was hoping Eon would lay into Lex. Berate him for practically attacking me.

“Your brother's eyes are a different color. Something's happened.” Eon turned and I met his gaze. His eyes widened and he shook his head in disbelief. I could feel Lex's eyes burning into me and I shuddered as I tried to ignore him and forget the feel of his rough fingers on me. Even now, I waited for my brother to say something to Lex about his treatment of me but he didn't. He never had. My entire life I don't think I remembered my siblings ever defending me and this time was no different.

“Father and mother will want to see this.” I felt myself literally sag. Why was it so hard for my family to see me as a person? If this had happened to Anika, Eon would've been livid. It was me, though, so who cared right? Little useless Kalian had probably earned this treatment somehow.

*

My parents didn't seem to know how to react. They sat behind an impossibly long table in the center of our great hall. With their position in the military and close relationship to the royal family, not to mention their incredible wealth, they acted as the lord and lady of our little town. Presiding over a mini court modeled after the royal one in the capital. My mother's hair was folded into an intricate up-do, small curls framing her face, and jeweled flower clips pinning the other curls up. Her eyes darted back and forth between Eon and me. My father looked endlessly tired, his hands folded on the table in front of him. He nervously twisted the end of his mustache, staring down at me, turning things over in his head.

“So, your eyes have changed color, you claim to have unlocked your power, but you refuse to show your own family.”

I looked down at the floor, running my thumb over the back of my hand, “I don't know how to control it and I don't want to hurt anyone.”

Anika barked a sharp laughed as she stormed into the room from the main doors, “You think you'll hurt us? So the runt now thinks he's the most powerful Magik user in Krinn? In Dimian? Or did you think the world little brother? Where did you suddenly get this power? Did you return to the lost one and work out some kind of disgusting deal to finally get a shred of power?”

I winced and the air in the room seemed to become heavier. I heard Lex's sharp intake of breath, “You went back to Talon?”

“Yes.”

I looked up at my parents, ignoring Lex as he moved up to stand next to me. Eon stood in front of me, on the lowest step that led to our parents' raised platform where their table sat, his arms crossed and his normally expressionless face troubled. Anika had moved up to stand next to him, sneering down at me. My mother looked furious and my father had sat up straighter, glaring down at me.

“What did he do to give you this unknown power?” my father's voice was steady, but I could hear the anger in it.

“A spell. He said it forced me to awaken.” The room exploded into chaos, everyone talking at once. My parents arguing with each other. Anika shrieking that I should be thrown back into The Shift with Talon. Eon was quiet, but regarding me with a cold edge to his eyes. Lex was babbling in my ear, his face also furious.

“Quiet!” my father boomed, silencing the room quickly, “Kalian explain yourself. I've grown tired of this conversation. You will tell us what's happened and you will show us this power. Or so help me I will send Eon and Mallex into that slum to drag Talon Verloren out of it. Believe me when I say I will force the truth out of that witch.”

I looked up at him and it's almost as if the words crawled out of my throat and passed my lips before I could stop them, “Then you'd be sending them to their death. You can threaten me all you want, but there's a reason why he's allowed to live peacefully in The Shift without being constantly harassed by you and the king.”

My father slammed his hands down again, “I will drag him out myself!” My heartbeat picked up. I thought Talon was powerful but my father had thirty years of military training and an entire lifetime mastering his power. Talon was strong but I didn't even know the extent of his power and he was still young. I could be talking him into a corner without realizing it.

“F-fine.” I cleared my throat and stepped away from Lex. I held my hand out almost shyly, suddenly aware of everyone's eyes on me, giving me their full attention. I reached out again and like before I felt the net of power rush to answer my call. My hand glowed for a moment before a narrow beam of light burst forward from my palm, bathing the room in light and heat. I felt the power roll over me and I let out a content sigh, feeling that puzzle piece fit into my very soul. I heard exclamation and I winced as the beam widened and my shoulder protested the strain as it tried to hold my hand up. It was almost too much, I was starting to lose control and the light was stretching out in jagged lines, pulling all my strength out of me. I did what I had before and let go of the net and as if it had never been there, the light disappeared back into my palm. I staggered slightly and almost fell, feeling arms haul me up. Lex's green eyes were filled with wonder and what I acknowledged, with a shudder, was greed.

“You're amazing.”

I regained my composure and pulled myself from his arms. Glancing around I took in the stunned expressions. Anika's face slipped into disgust and jealously and I grinned at her. At least she had shut up for once. My mother was stuttering, never one to be speechless and my father had stood. Eon had stepped closer and looked at me as if he'd never seen me before.

“We must figure out how to control your power, how to teach you to harness it!” My father had come around the table and descended the steps. He clapped me on the shoulder like I'd always seen him to do Eon, “We must find you a teacher. It will have to be someone as strong as you. I can't believe it! My boy! Mine!”

Everyone was talking at once again, my mother had come down, holding my hand, tears filling her eyes as she made comments about how she'd always known her baby was special. I suddenly felt sick. These people had barely treated me with kindness. My entire life I'd been an unsightly smear on our family portrait. To hear them now, you'd think I had never been pushed away in a closet to be forgotten. I'd never been hidden from the outside world with fear that I'd embarrass the family. I shook my head, stepping away. The conversation had shifted to my father basically appointing Eon as my temporary teacher.

“No, of course not. He must be sent to the capital.” My mother insisted, scoffing at my father.

My father considered then nodded, “We can't send him alone of course.”

“Well, obviously Eon and Anika would accompany him.”

“I'm not going anywhere with him. No one just gets a power like that. None of us have ever heard of anyone in our family having it. I'm convinced he did something with the lost one for it.”

“Silence Anika.”

“I will go. I've been meaning to ask you a question anyway Lord Alauis.” All attention turned to Lex and I groaned inwardly. No way I was going with him anywhere.

“Of course Mallex what is it?”

“I would like to ask for permission to court Kalian. I've wanted to for a long time now, even before he found his Magik. I would eventually like to ask for his hand.” I stared at him as my hands fell limp at my sides. That's what he'd been getting at earlier on the steps. He would've met no protest either had I been powerless. The black sheep of the family being wed to an incredibly powerful Magik user who was already among my father's most trusted? My father would've salivated. I was nauseous. I was going to get sick.

“Of course Mallex! Nothing would make me happier!” Anika had lowered herself to sit on the steps behind us, her face pale and pulled tight with shock.

“No.” Both my father and Lex looked at me, surprise and rage on their faces respectively.

“Surely you can't be serious Kal? There's no better match. You've known him almost your whole life and he's strong.” My mother's hand was playing with her ruffled neckline, confusion coloring her face.

“I'm not going to be married off to him.”

“I mean it would be strange to marry him to a man. His bloodline, our bloodline wouldn't be passed down that way.” My father twisted his moustache as he considered.

“Eon can marry then.” I crossed my arms over my chest. I could see Lex out of the corner of my eye as I turned more to my father.

“I don't need to go anywhere to find someone to teach me. There's already someone here in Krinn who can.”

“Who?”

“Talon of course. He's the one responsible for unlocking my gift in the first place.”

My father was shaking his head, “There's no way I can leave you to the lost one to learn. The Shift is not the place I will have my youngest son nurturing his amazing gift.”

“It's what makes most sense. I would be able to stay here close to home and I would learn from the only person who believed I could be something more than a forgotten member of a family who was long ago hidden away.” My father frowned and my mother winced as if I had slapped her. Eon turned his eyes to the floor, the corners of his mouth also turning down.

“He's right,” Anika said, standing and pulling magenta robes closer around her small frame, “it does make sense. One abomination teaching another.” She gave me one last disgusted sneer before flipping her long, scarlet curls over her shoulder and stomping out of the hall.

Lex finally spoke, his voice quiet and angry, “If we are to start the courting process it would be inappropriate for us to be on the road alone together.” I felt sick right away again and refused to look at him, watching my father aggressively twist his mustache.

“Would he teach you?”

“Of course. We're friends.” I couldn't tell if my father was happy with that answer or not.

“I will think about it. You may ask him,” My heart soared and I was filled with joy so suddenly it almost knocked me over, “However, there is a condition Kalian.”

My happiness deflated a little.

“If he is to teach you he must leave The Shift and teach you here. I won't have my child frequenting those dark alleys.”

“I c-can ask. If he says no-”

“Then you will be sent to the capital. Eon and I will escort you ourselves.”

“My lord, if I may-”

“Mallex this is not up for discussion. You were correct. If it gets out that you two are intended, I won't have my son's reputation questioned. Traveling alone with his future husband would send tongues wagging at court.”

“Why? It's not like I can get pregnant. Also, we're not 'intended' I'm not marrying Lex. I'd rather die.” I turned away, catching Lex's rage filled eyes, the corner of his mouth turned up in a hateful sneer. I made my way out of the room and toward the front door, my chest aching. What if Talon said no? What if Talon wasn't even strong enough to help me harness my power? What if he didn't even know how? That wasn't even touching on the fact that he'd have to leave his home in the shadows for me, someone he barely knew. How could I ask that of him? I sat on our front steps, letting my head fall into my hands. Lex had also finally made his move. If he convinced my father that we should wed he would finally be in control of me. The thing he had apparently wanted for longer than I knew. I had known he had taken a strange interest in me but over the two years that'd passed since I hit 18 it had blossomed into something that almost scared me. What did he want with me? Especially now that I wasn't a powerless child in everyone's eyes? I'd seen the greed in that sage gaze and I didn't trust him.

Someone sank down beside me and I was shocked to see Eon seated next to me, gazing out of the expansive front lawn.

“You're scared.”

“Yes.”

“You were bluffing the whole time weren't you? You have no idea if the-if Talon will help you.” I nodded and Eon continued looking forward, his shoulders slumped, “I don't know what Lex has planned for you, but I don't like it.” I didn't know what to say. This is the most I'd ever talked to my brother and his blunt honesty was refreshing compared to the earlier conversation. Eon rested his hands on his knees, drumming an off rhythm.

“Eon?”

“Yes?”

“I don't know what to do. What if he says no? I'll be hauled off to the capital and who knows what it'll be like there?”

“I think you're a couple steps ahead of yourself brother. First, ask Verloren if he'll teach you. Go from there before you run all of the more unpleasant scenarios.”

“Thanks Eon.”

He seemed to remember himself then and I saw him become embarrassed as he stood, “I have to practice. If you want to go ask him later I will accompany you if you'd like.” With that he strode away, off toward his practice grounds. I sat for a moment longer, watching his receding back. The last 24 hours had been the strangest in my entire life and I think I was still in shock. I stood, making my way to the baths.

*

I sank into the hot water, steam rolling through the room as I did. The bathroom was huge with multiple round tubs of aqua water, heated through some mechanism unknown to me. I wondered if maybe this was yet more alchemy that had never been explained. I sank even lower, going under the water and letting the heat from it warm my entire body. I surfaced, running my fingers through my hair, pushing it away from my face. I sighed and rested back against the tub's edge. My thoughts drifted back to Talon again, as they had been ever since I'd met him. What would've happened in that alley if I'd never met him? I shuddered at the thought. Whatever happened with him from here on out, there was no doubt that in a few short hours, he'd changed my life. In many ways, not just unlocking my gift. He'd talked to me in a way no one had. He'd focused on me and had listened when I spoke. I felt as though my parents didn't hear what I said. They listened to answer me, not to understand.

As I lifted my body out of the bath and wrapped a robe around myself, I caught my reflection in a nearby floor length mirror. I looked so small. Like a drowned rat. The fabric of my robe pooled around my thin shoulders and my copper colored hair hung limply around my face. I met my own gaze in the mirror and had a hard time recognizing my bright lavender colored eyes.

I shook my head as I made my way to my room, my robes clutched tight to my chest. I opened the door and slammed it, sinking onto my bed and holding the soft fabric tighter around my shoulders. I had to go back to The Shift and talk to Talon. I knew that much and Eon had told me to slow down but I couldn't help the thoughts swirling around my head. My life could change drastically either way. Either he would teach me or I'd be shipped off to somewhere I'd never been. I'd never left our town and I didn't know what the outside world was like or how they'd treat me.

Eon had said he'd go with me but I had no doubt that would put Talon on edge. They seemed to know each other already and there was already a deep resentment there. How did they know each other and what had caused this rift? Was it because the people around us had taught Eon that Talon's family was evil? I had so many questions about not only my life, but Talon's. Where had his scars come from? Where was his family? What had happened to cause them to flee in the first place and were any of the stories true?

I ran my fingers through my damp hair and set about getting dressed. I slipped a grey tunic over my head with some black linen pants. Stepping out of my room I felt eyes on me and turned, pushing the door closed. Lex stood across from my door, leaning against the wall. I sighed and glared at him, “What do you want?”

“If you're going to talk to that freak I'm coming with you.”

“No. You're definitely not.”

“I don't believe I asked. We should spend time together if we're to be married don't you think?”

“It's not going to happen Lex.”

“And why not? Your parents love me. Your brother is my best friend and your sister would love to take your place.” My heart sank as I realized what he was saying was true, “Now, let's go talk to your new friend.”