Keeper of the Lost Cities Story; The Lost Secret

Chapter 46

"How do you know that?" Kai demanded. 

Gisela sighed. "Unfortunately, I had to watch." 

Kai felt her stomach drop and nausea set in. Gisela had watched her father's death.

"Wh- why?" Kai asked. 

She shrugged, which looked like it hurt her. It made Kai wonder how much control she actually had over her order. 

"Umber wanted us there," She said in a strained voice. "She wanted everyone to know what happens to traitors."

Kai wanted to know why Umber had to show them that with her father as the victim. 

"What-what..." She took a deep breath. "What did he do to make her mad?" She asked. 

Gisela paused for a second, and Kai felt her eyes examine her and wondered if Gisela knew that she was on the verge of a panic attack.

"He wasn't loyal to our order," Gisela told her. "He didn't hold up his end of the bargain."

Kai didn't want to believe that. She didn't want to think that her father was ever even in the presence of these people, but she had to face the reality. Her father was a part of the Neverseen and she can't deny the facts. 

"Now for my favor," Gisela said, clearly she was bringing the conversation back to what she planned. "I need you to bring my son something." 

Kai visibly cringed. To bring Keefe something, she'd have to admit that she met with Gisela and didn't tell the rest of the group about it. 

Gisela looked at her knowingly. She obviously predicted that Kai wouldn't tell the others about her meeting, and it showed how much planning and observation the Neverseen did. Kai had to remember to ask Zayne about that later.

"Tell him that he needs to face his Legacy," She said handing her a little black stone. 

Kai opened her mouth to argue but Gisela interrupted her. 

"Just do it," Gisela said. "Face the consequences of your actions." 

With that Gisela was gone with the flash of a light, leaving Kai breathing harder than ever in the middle of the woods. 

Kai quickly sat down in the dirt, she couldn't feel her fingers anymore. This was a feeling that she was used to at this point. 

"Breath," Kai whispered to herself. 

Slowly but surely she regained feeling in her fingers and her breathing went back to a healthy rate, so she began her climb back up to the house.

As she got back, Kai saw the lights were on and a large group of adults were inside. She sighed knowing that she would likely be in a huge amount of trouble with the Blackswan for this. 

Everyone watched silently as she opened the door to the house and Kai had to mentally kick herself. Standing in front of her were three counselors. 

Counselor Oralie, Bronte, and Emery were all staring at her, their faces full of worry which matched everyone else's expression. 

Kai had met them before, at her father's Wanderling planting, but it had been five years since she'd talked to any of them. 

"Oh thank god," Linh cried as she crushed Kai in a hug. "We thought we'd lost you again."

All the adults seemed to sigh in relief, then proceeded to glare at her. 

"Miss Behar," Mr Forkle said. "I'm glad you're okay, but where were you?" 

Kai sighed and fidgeted nervously. "Well... the notes I showed you weren't the only notes that Gisela left in my house," she said quietly. "I went to meet with her."

The room was silent. Everyone seemed stunned and Kai finally had the chance to see who was there. Obviously, Tiergan, Tam, and Wyile were there but Grady, some guy who was just a floating cloak, and the counselors. 

"WHAT?" someone yelled. 

Surprisingly it was Tam.

"We were right next door to you!" He shouted. "You could've told us!"

Kai shrank back at his harsh words and she really didn't know what to do with his sudden anger. 

"What did she say?" Forkle asked. While Grady asked, "Did she hurt you?" 

Everyone began asking questions that Kai couldn't answer all at once. It was too overwhelming for her, she had just confirmed that Umber had murdered her father and everyone was yelling at her. 

Her silent crying stopped the questions, and she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. Kai glanced at who it was and saw Counselor Oralie looking back at her. 

Oralie's face twisted into a face that sort of described what Kai was feeling, meaning Oralie was reading her emotions. 

"You've been through a lot tonight," Oralie said. Her voice was soft and soothing. She sounded like some of the therapists Kai had visited when she was younger. 

"Yeah," Kai said sniffling. "Gisela told me that she watched Umber kill my father." 

The shocked faces were almost enough for everyone to forget that Kai had snuck out.