Gifted Ones

Chapter 19 Haven

I stand in another window of another hotel room, sunlight streaming down through the panes of glass. I feel agitated and worried about the Trial to come. The truth of our situation is a reality I just can't escape. We lost Nate and Margot within hours of each other, how many will we lose next? And who? Me? My father? Our leader Garret? Ditzy, enthusiastic Kara? Matthew, worried and concerned for everyone? Or Chase? Understanding Chase, who, out of every member of the Clan, really tries to help me and sympathize with my mom's death. He's so open and expressive in an all-consuming way that makes me jealous, honestly. I used to be free with my emotions, because I never really felt anything negative enough to not want anyone to see. But now everything I do turns me into an emotional mess. I don't want to be pitied. It makes me feel like there's something wrong with me, like there's something to be pitied for. Recently all I've been feeling is fear, shock, and grief.

I am worried about Chase in the upcoming challenge, though. I don't want him to die. I'm worried about the rest of us too. Even if I don't particularly like Annalise, I wouldn't wish death on her, or any member of the clan really. I can identify with Anne, the rage and pain that she felt at her brother's death. But it might not matter anyhow; our strongest member is basically out of the picture.

Joshua didn't regain consciousness the rest of the way to Amesbury, Wiltshire. My father concluded that the spell was mostly neurological. It targeted his nerves and his ability to access the casting energy portion of his brain. In other words, he couldn't move, much less cast spells. Dad says that, although he will eventually wake up, the spell will continue to eat at his casting abilities until we figure out how to stop it. Unfortunately, Chase doesn't have the training to find out how, and Dad's been out of the game so long he doesn't know he won't leave the poor man brain dead. In the end we decided that we need the help of the rest of the clan. Our Mages are dropping like flies. We need the other clan members' help, and soon, or the most powerful one of them all will never cast a spell again. In any case, the General's ploy succeeded. He can't participate in the next Trial in the state he's in now. A highly credible member of the clan is flying out here now to help him home. Apparently spells that mess with the mind and Gifts in particular are difficult to recover from. Joshua won't be able to cast for weeks, even if the Mages back home can help him.

We're going to leave for Stonehenge just after the last tour checks out, so about seven o'clock. I don't like all of this waiting around for something to happen. I want to just get this over with. And yet, at the same time, I could wait a thousand years to walk into another Trial room. My stomach does little flips just thinking about it.

"Hey!" Kara says enthusiastically, coming out of nowhere and grabbing my hand. "C'mon! Let's go!"

"What?" I ask, confused, before I'm being dragged down the hall with strength disproportionate to this small girl's height. I wince as her fingernails dig into my wrist slightly.

"Ouch! Where are we going, Kara?"

"Shopping of course!" She says like it's obvious, nodding at the clerk as we exit the hotel. "You didn't think I would make you wear my hand-me-downs the whole time, did you? I mean, they're too small for you! You can look so much better. I mean, when was the last time you touched a tube of mascara? Really? Don't worry, I can fix it. I'm an expert at this. Shopping is like my hobby. This'll be so much fuuuuun!!!"

I examine her outfit as she flags down a cab, taking in the striped pink shirt and white jeans ripped through from the ankles to the pockets and her multiple heavy gold necklaces. I think that her sense of style is just a little. . . Hectic.

She practically shoves me into the cab when it comes, ordering the driver to "take us to the nearest hot clothing store."

"What about Gabriel's men around here? Did Garret say that it's safe to be out?" I hiss to her as we start moving. She pouts at me and gives the Bambi eyes.