Statera - The Balanced One

Chapter Eight

We found Keitan's father in the kitchen. With what little I knew about the King of livestock, nothing could have prepared me for the bear of a man standing at a flour-covered counter, rolling out dough.

"Hey, Dad, we need to talk. You got a minute?"

"I already told you, Kei, eighteen is a big deal for gals and guys," Owen told his son.

"Dad, that's not what it's about."

"Who's your friend, Kei?" his father asked out of the blue.

It surprised me because he hadn't turned around to know I was there. Then it hit me. He's a lycan, so he would have sensed me before I entered the room.

"Dad, this is Zora Hunt, Diana Haile's niece."

Based on Keitan's posture and underlying formality, it was evident that no disrespect went on in this house regarding how Owen's children addressed him.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Zora. Kei talks about you non-stop, Sammy likes you, and, well, you are a ray of sunshine for your aunt," he said, turning with the broadest of smiles.

The mention of Sammy made me smile. Even after meeting Keitan's wayward sister, I'd never heard Samantha referred to as Sammy. Looking at Owen, it was obvious Keitan must take his looks from his mother. He looked nothing like his father. Owen seemed to be nothing more than a big teddy bear.

"Your Pure Form is a bear," I said absentmindedly.

"How did you know that?" Owen said as he pinned Keitan with an accusing look.

"Don't look at me. I didn't tell her, Dad!"

I stood still as Owen circled me, sending a feeling of unease coursing through my body.

"You look just like Colleen did at your age, and I'm assuming you are gifted as well. I can't convey the sadness the news of her death brought me."

"Actually, Dad, we need to talk to you about that. Zora's father also had a lucidum core, and Afflicted Lycans killed them both. So, I think Zora and her aunt are in danger."

Owen hiked a worried brow but remained a vision of controlled calm.

"I'd have to agree, Kei," Owen said, stroking his auburn beard.

"Well, my father told me these Lycans are actively hunting me—so I think it's a fair assumption," I said, looking between Keitan and Owen. "So what can be done about it? I am still learning what I'm capable of."

"You say your father told you this? Then I am guessing that is your gift? Being able to talk to the dead, um, I mean passed," Owen said, seeming uncomfortable.

"Yes, I have the gift known as testimony, one of the gifts from my mother's side of the family. I also have abilities inherited from my father's side, one of which is Spirit Speaking. It allows me to speak to my parents while I'm awake."

Owen glanced over at Keitan with a concerned look. The slight loss of his calm demeanor put me on edge.

"Yeah, Dad, I know."

I wanted to know just what it was he knew.

"You said you had gifts, as in plural, and then you said abilities, also more than one. The ripeness of your scent is like a beacon of lucidum energy," Owen explained.

"Dad is trying to say you're irresistible to an Afflicted Lycan. Once one has your scent, it will keep tracking you until an opportunity for core absorption presents itself," Keitan told me.