The awakening of the Tevas

Chapter 4: Red light

The beeping echoes in a shadowy corner. Very dim green flickering lights draw silhouettes on the walls, gracefully dancing, emerging and fading away. Subtle and enigmatic movements to the beat of synchronized heels.

"He's moving away," one of the figures said in a soft voice, almost like a coo. "Do you think it's worth the risk?"

The question hung in the air, there was only laughter, small puppet laughter that was lost among the electronic beeps of the computers. They said nothing, they just moved, like an animal waiting for its prey to be near. Four people can be glimpsed between blinks, standing, waiting perhaps, while looking at a point in the darkness.

"Bring her," a male voice broke through the background symphony and as if driven by that order, the figures said goodbye with a wide smile, leaving their teeth exposed between shiny lips.

***

I was getting ready to leave, Jenna had called back saying she was already with Alicia and Maria and that they were on their way to the club. I felt my body shake for a moment, walking into the lion's den, a media discord swirling in one place. The police, in their hard work of removing all those who wanted to go without much effort, let them be. In exchange they left a slight security, you can't trust them, there's no doubt about that.

If they wanted to catch someone who had manifested some power because of that power rush, they wouldn't be able to do anything and would only lose their troops. It's not something they want to risk for their meager salary. Nobody says that magic science will help you survive, it gives you just enough to do so. My father has always told me that those who are not selected by magic should adapt to science. I never had any interest in it, not until now. I would be like them, like those behind bars, without an escape, without freedom for years or even ever.

Being selected by magic. What would my father think of that? I wish I could tell him, or maybe not. A man dedicated to magical science would only use me as a guinea pig, to take advantage of me for a greater good? It was very difficult for my mother to convince him that I had no gift for it and that it was better to let me follow in her footsteps of being an artist. I didn't want to get involved, mother helped me run away, take refuge in music, but at what cost? My mother lost the ability to play again, her career fell apart like a failed spell and I couldn't fulfill the expectation of replacing her, I couldn't play the violin for her. Now this, a power that attracts despicable people forcing me to die and watch them die.

I was prepared and I had to stop thinking, focus on what I was about to do. I must learn, be able to control it at will to serve as protection and when I turned around I saw him. Geomar , who I wanted to save more than myself, was standing by the door, his arms crossed over his chest. His gaze was a whirlwind of emotions: worry, fear and a hint of anger. I knew he wouldn't understand, that he couldn't bear the truth I had discovered or at least that's what I wanted to believe. But I couldn't stay. Not when Geomar 's life was at stake.

—Ana, don't do this —Geomar pleaded . —Where are you going? You can't just leave without telling me. I feel like you're avoiding me and I think I have the right to know where my lady is going.

I stopped in the middle of the room, my eyes meeting his. I wanted to touch him, to hug him, but I couldn't, not now. I had to keep drawing that line between us. He's my bodyguard and I know he's just doing his job, there's nothing more between us than a working relationship.

— Geomar , listen to me —I said in a firm voice—. There is something you must know. What I do or don't do is none of your business.

Geomar frowned, confused. His fingers gripped the door frame as if he feared something would happen that I chose to ignore.