The Protectors: New Generation Book 1

41 - Wishes - Tallulah POV

No sooner did Tanner help me into the cabin from the training grounds, I hear what I know is coming.

"Tallulah James, what did I tell you?" Grandma shouts.

"Not to push myself," I mumble looking at the ground.

"You're on your own," Tanner whispers in my ear before turning.

"Oh no you don't. You stay right there Tanner Orson. We need to figure what is going on. Bloody hell, Tallulah is going to cause herself to burn out completely if we don't figure this out."

"Yes, Grandma Miriam," Tanner says before we follow her to the living room, which is suspiciously empty.

We go to sit down, but I'm jolted by Grandma's next question.

"Are you trying to kill yourself?"

"Um... uh..." is all that will come out as I finish sitting down.

"Keep it up and that's exactly what you'll do to yourself. No need for the rebellion to kill you, you could make their job easier."

My eyebrows furrow.

"Okay. Let's go over this again. When learning to use magic, you have to learn to take and use energy from other sources. You can't use only the energy you have within your body. If you do that, you can eventually drain yourself so badly that you can die."

A lump gets stuck in my throat. I open my mouth but no sound comes out. My swallow doesn't relieve my drying throat.

Grandma sinks into the chair next to the couch, and she takes my hands in hers. "There is still so much for you to learn. I know you are excited, but you have to have patience."

"There's still too much to learn," I grumble. "We won't learn enough before we have to face the rebellion if we don't push."

She shakes her head. "We need to be focused and diligent but not impatient and angry. Uncontrolled emotions can lead to your downfall if you're not careful."

"But ... but ..." I start.

She pats my knee. "Earth to Tanner," she calls out.

I look over at the pinkened cheeks of Tanner.

"Sorry. I've got a lot on my mind also," he says.

"Hopeful about how to help your cousin. Everyone is needed and important on this team."

I scoff.

"That's enough!"

My mouth falls open at Grandma's tone.

"Tallulah James, we've had this conversation. You can't judge someone if you don't know their story."

"I can't know their story if they don't talk about it." I smart off.

A loud exhale is heard from her. "You have a lot to learn love. You don't have to know a person's story to sympathize with them."

"I know." I sigh in defeat. "He just makes it so hard."

"Tanner, can you try and find out what's going on with Hunter."

"Sure." I hear from my left before movement alerts me he's getting up.

"I'll talk to you both later," Tanner says before footsteps are heard.

Grandma places a hand on mine, and I look up at her.

"Go back to your room. Relax. Figure out what's bothering you before it's too late."

Silence follows after she leaves the room, and at this moment, I don't think I want several pairs of eyes on me. I take this chance to escape to my room.