Empowered (Unbound, Book 6)

Chapter Nineteen

I found Zach in the first place I looked, initially believing if he wasn't there I could try validate what I saw by utilizing the wall. I walked in and paused, taking in the second chair and blank wall, then crossed the room to Zach.

"What are you doing?" I asked, nodding to the chair.

Zach moved the chair closer to the one that had already been present. He gestured for me to take a seat, then sat in the second chair, stretching his legs out in front of him.

I laughed and pointed down. "That looks funny."

Zach craned his neck and smiled. "What?"

I sat, shaking my head. "You. The suit. It's... odd. You used to dress up for those meetings, which I now assume were a ruse, but now it's all you wear."

"So?"

"So, right now I always think you are heading to a meeting and it looks really odd with your pant leg creeping up to show bright orange socks."

Zach laughed and shrugged. "I'm most comfortable this way and I like orange. I also like wine, so no, I was not attending meetings."

"Huh." I stared at him, nodding.

"I'm sorry we weren't upfront with you about that."

"That you lied."

"Yes." He nodded, then pivoted to the screen. "I figured, since you met Hera, you might want some history with visual aids."

"Visual aids?"

"Well, I doubt they'd allow anyone to watch their history—magic here stems from them and they can control it in theory—but they can't erase my memories."

"They can't control my visions."

"True," Zach said. "I thought seeing them and other points in your family history would give you insight into the way things have evolved and your abilities here in the Kingdom."

"It sounds fascinating."

"Not when you say that."

"No tone, I promise."

"But?"

"But I think it will have to wait," I said, leaning forward to rest my elbows on my knees.

"Why?" Zach brought his legs in and sat straight, keeping his focus on me. "Did something happen? An update?"

"I had a dream—or a dream, then a vision. I think."

"Explain."

"First, I... used the wall to spy on the High Council." I sighed, fidgeting my fingers as I looked down to my lap. "I thought I should look to know what to expect when I return to Wickenton."

"Why?"

"I dreamed of Calin and it made me think. I'm relying on Trevor being the lead we need to figure things out, but what do we do if that doesn't work? It's been days, and we haven't developed anything new from using him as a source. I am tired of the waiting game. I wanted to know what was going on."

"And?"

I sighed. "Nothing."

"You couldn't see anything?"

"No, I did. The Council literally has nothing, and someone else is missing. A girl. I tried to have a vision of the boy they still haven't found—the Council apparently thinks I can help because we found Carter and I... I'm pretty sure I had one of him before."

"Nora, I think I need you to tell me everything from the beginning."

"When I moved to Wickenton?"

"No. Your dream."