Empowered (Unbound, Book 6)

Chapter Two

I was barely getting over the fact that all I'd wanted to do was escape and had found a place no one could disturb me. How was I supposed to digest this? You are a leader and magic depends on you? Right.

"You're funny, Zach," I said, and snort-laughed. I wanted to believe more than anything that Zach was trying to mess with me, but I knew from the tingles coursing through my body that was likely wishful thinking.

"I wish I was joking," he said.

"How...?" I stood and turned my back to Zach, throwing my hands up and then back down so they hit my thighs. "Why do you and my mother insist on hiding things until it's too late for me to make my own decisions?"

"Nora—"

"Seriously, Zach!" I turned to face him, narrowing my eyes. "First, you guys didn't tell me about any of this"—I gestured around us— "and then I had to learn to use my abilities on my own, fight a battle that isn't mine, and discover everything I've learned so far about my mother's family on my own. Not to mention the blood connection to Calin—which reminds me of how Onyx and Opal were connected to us, actually—and now this. You're a leader. You took tests and didn't know it. I've tricked you into coming to another realm to cement your role as a ruler and restore the magic you stripped yourself of because you are responsible for everyone's ability to practice the Craft. Oh, and you're obligated to ensure the corruption ends. Sorry I didn't ask?"

"I can see that being your perspective, though it certainly wasn't the intent."

"No?"

"No." Zach shook his head. "The goal was to give you as much normalcy as possible for as long as possible. Your mother decreed it."

"I thought she hadn't cemented herself as a ruler?"

"Like I said, she was still a leader. The power she wielded was enough to force people to obey," he said. "Besides, it's the only thing she ever asked for, and I respected her too much to not abide her wishes until I could no longer do so because it left you in a dangerous predicament. Your safety was your mother's greatest desire. Even more, it is necessary."

"Why?"

"You are the last of your family, Nora. If you don't exist, neither does magic. Or the Kingdom, for that matter."

"Again, why? And how is that possible?"

"It's a long story."

"It always is." I sat back down and leaned forward with my elbows on my knees. "I have time and there is nobody here to interrupt us."

Zach looked back at me, silent, and raised his eyebrow.

A second later, my phone pinged with a notification. I watched Zach, hoping he'd elaborate, but he remained silent. Frustrated, I gave in and took out my phone. Nancy had left a few messages, asking if I was okay and to see if I was up for company, and there was one from Calin that I opened to confirm I'd read it properly.

Calin: Trevor is awake.

I read it one more time, then looked at Zach, my mouth parted. "I, uh..." I shook my head. "I have to go."

"What?"

"I have to go. Trevor is awake." I nodded a couple times, then stood, unsure where I should go to leave. I looked around and then back at Zach. "How...?"

"Nora, we have a lot to discuss."

"I know, but Trevor is awake, and I have a lot to learn from him too."

"It's more imperative that you learn your heritage and utilize the gifts within the Kingdom to help you be stronger."

"I need to know what Trevor does, Zach," I said and shook my head. "How am I supposed to learn anything if I don't have answers? I'll come back, hopefully knowing who I have to stop so I can train against them instead of expecting to fight everyone."