Shifted

Chapter 5: Dillon

I woke up the next morning to the sun peeking through the thick curtains. I always was an early bird and loved rising with the sun, I never wanted to miss anything. I looked over at Eleanor, who was sleeping hard in her bed, her necklace gleaming in the stream of sunlight. I got up and quietly changed my clothes, knowing Eleanor wouldn't wake easily. Addison was the one I had to be careful with; I never successfully snuck out of a room while she was sleeping.

Eleanor would likely sleep until noon, and I'd let her. I was eager to have a morning to myself to digest everything that had happened over the past two days. I slipped my shoes on and grabbed a room key on my way out.

As I walked through the lobby, I checked my phone again. I had missed calls from everyone in my family and a few friends in the States. I decided it was time to call my dad and just get it over with. He answered on the first ring.

"Briony, finally," he sighed.

"Good morning... Brody," I said shortly.

"Briony, don't do that. Just because our genetics are technically different, doesn't make me any less of a father to you," I heard the hurt in his voice. "Everything I have done for our family has been to keep you safe. I just did what I thought was right, which was keeping a promise to your mother."

"Sorry Dad, I just don't know why you couldn't tell us until a day before Elle's birthday," I said into the phone as I crossed the street to the college. Small groups of students passed by, and thankfully there was no sign of the drunk man from last night.

"Briony, you left the other night before I could finish telling you about our society... about our world. You missed an important detail, well, several important details," Dad continued.

"I don't know that I could have taken any more that night," I replied.

"I know, honey. I'm sorry, I know it's a lot to take in, but you must know more about Regulators and Shifters. Before I tell you though, have you met your Regulator? Addison mentioned he may have found you."

"Actually, yes. His name is Dillon, but Dad, he's kind of a wild card. I don't know how to read him, he's more interested in talking to Elle," I pictured his eyes again and remembered his soft laugh.

"Dillon? Did he say what his last name is?" Dad asked quickly.

"No, we've barely talked, but I'm supposed to meet him this morning," I explained as I walked into the college library. I followed the inviting smell of fresh coffee to a small shop at the front of the building. I scanned the room for Dillon but didn't see him yet. "I can't see his aura though, is that normal?"

"Yes, that's normal. Regulator's emotions cannot be shifted. So your abilities will be useless around any Regulator. You'll notice they don't give off auras and they won't be affected if you try to shift the mood of the room."

"I'll be able to change the mood of other people too? I thought I'd just be able to see their auras," I said feeling more overwhelmed.

"Like I said the other night, you're special. We knew from the moment you were born that you have a power that goes far beyond what typical Shifters can do. The fact that you can sense and see the auras around you before you've even had your power activated is remarkable."

"Ugh, Dad. I know you feel that way, but that's how you feel about all of us. Anyway, what was the important thing you had to tell me?"

"Well, Briony. I wanted to tell you a little more about your mother. Her name was Irie and she was a Shifter, like you. Irie and I met when we were kids and we were both raised in Iowa in a Reg Shift town. Which, as it sounds, is a town made up of all Regulators and Shifters. In those towns, we can live openly, not hiding our abilities," Dad continued.