Shifted

Chapter 14: The Truth

"Please, come in," the king requested. He offered me his arm, and I hesitantly obliged. If Dillon found out, he would lose his mind. As soon as I wrapped my arm around his, I immediately felt at ease and Dillon faded from my mind.

The room was beautiful and inviting. A small group was chatting quietly at a circular table in the middle of the room. There was a fireplace at each end, both crackling with warm fires. There were silver trays of food on a large table where the group of people was sitting.

My mind became fuzzy as we walked past the table. The group continued chatting and eating while we found our way to the opposite end of the room, but I could feel a few curious eyes on me. Declan sat me down in an oversized chair by the fireplace. He sat opposite to me in an identical chair.

"This is a special group of Mind Shifters, like yourself Briony," he gestured back toward the group. "They gather to train here each week. I asked them here today to speak about their progress at pushing the boundaries of their power. Some can do remarkable things."

"That's amazing," I smiled, assuming this is what he wanted to hear. My mind felt as though it was full of cotton at this point. I took a deep breath and sank further into the seat. The room was so warm and comfortable, I was beginning to forget why I was here in the first place.

"So, what have you been able to manage? That is, seeing as your abilities haven't been given to you yet," Declan led.

"I was able to Shift an entire mountainside just last week. It's kind of funny to actually say it, but there was a barn full of cows that were anxious about the thunder. My calm aura reached down what had to have been at least half a mile and it even affected the animals. The whole barn quieted as soon as my aura reached it," I spilled. As the words came pouring out, I felt so comfortable that I wanted to tell him more.

"Incredible," was all he said. He watched me in wonder, even though I wasn't doing anything. I didn't realize how truly eager he was to learn more until now. He smiled so charmingly and placed his hand on mine. Again, when he touched me, my mind became even fuzzier. It felt as though I had been drinking, if I were standing, I wouldn't be able to walk straight.

"What else have you been capable of?"

"Well, I can feel physical pain or pleasure from auras that touch me. It happened with Finn O'Connor. I noticed he was here the other day," I said, slurring my words. "He was anxious and concerned about something. His orange aura pushed out toward me and as soon as it touched my skin, I felt like I was being squeezed and suffocated. It also happened when someone else was really excited near me, his aura was yellow and buzzing like electricity. When it touched me, I felt like I was being shocked... but kind of in a good way."

Declan was practically gaping at me now, which seemed a little out of character for someone as poised as a king. He quickly composed himself and put his other hand underneath mine so that he was holding my hand in both of his.

"Are these things not normal for a Shifter?" I asked. Declan just looked into my eyes and smiled charmingly again.

"For you, these things are-" Declan started, but I didn't hear his next words.

The other people's auras in the room suddenly became brighter and more intense, which only meant one thing. A door near us banged open and Dillon stormed in. He had a look in his eyes that I'd never seen before.

Dillon grabbed my hand and pulled me up into his side. As soon as he touched me, the fuzziness left my head and everything in the room was crystal clear. The Shifters sitting at the table were all staring at us in confusion.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Dillon seethed through gritted teeth.

"I'm just getting to know the lovely woman you're about to be bonded to, son. Now please, let us honor our guests and take this conversation to another room," Declan said smoothly.