Sentry of the Arcane: Engulfed

Chapter Twenty-Two: Fitz

I finally realize that the memories that I'm showing Sophie also have to do with me transforming, and my eyes snap open. Paling, I reach forward and almost rip the disclosers off of the female Percipient's temples. My heartbeat increasing rapidly by the second, I gaze down at the black crystals in my hand. Did she see it? I ask myself. Does she know now..?

Still pale, I glance up to see Sophie blinking, clearly caught off guard. I feel guilt mixing in with my dread, and I can't help but ask, "What did you see?"

I have to know.

The female Percipient, still shocked by what happened, says that she only saw my memories until the entire thing turns white. That is, until that all played out again. Not missing the stutter, I internally frown. Memories that are projected only play once... and they don't stop at a certain point...

I pale even more than before, my muscles tensing up. Oh God, I think to myself.

She lied...

"What's wrong? Did something else happen?"

I glance up to see Sophie staring at me worriedly. I muster a smile to mask my own worry, dread, and fear. "No, nothing happened. We're alright," I assure her, wincing inwardly at how ironic I'm being. Something did happen.

I think my secret ability has been blown...

...

"But I know that something's off, and I don't know if she saw it..!" I say to Steven, late into the night. I had transmitted to him to meet me in my room a few minutes prior to my ranting, exclaiming that it was an emergency. And indeed it was. Running a hand through my hair, I continue pacing across my room. "Why did she lie? Why did she not say anything?"

"Fitz-" Steven begins to say.

"I didn't even realize that this would happen..!" I almost shout, pacing even faster. "I just knew that my dragon form's been affecting her more than I could've ever thought of!" I cover my face and groan, the sound coming out muffled. "And I know that you said that we shouldn't tell anyone, but I didn't think about this..!" I open my eyes and look at the forensic pathologist again. "What have I done?"

Steven points to my bed, telling me to sit. When I do, the pathologist then pulls my chair from my desk over to me and sits himself. "First of all, I didn't even think of this, so it's not your fault," he says comfortingly.

I start to interject, "But-"

He holds up a hand to pause me. "Also," he says, eyeing me in a way as if he's saying, "Be quiet and listen to me." When I stay silent, he sighs and adds, "I actually could've worded it better myself. I shouldn't have told you that I don't want anyone to know. You should feel free to tell anyone."

Looking down, I say in no more than a whisper, "But I don't want her to be scared to me..." I look up, my eyes widening considerably. Paling, I ask, "Wait- is she afraid of this?"

Sighing, the pathologist places a hand on my shoulder. "We can't know for sure..." he begins, making me dread where this will go. "...until you tell her what she needs to do," Steven finishes. "Everything she needs to know."

"But-"

Steven interrupts me. "But you don't have to," he quickly clears up, making me relax slightly. "Then again, she's going to find out somehow, and I think that you should be the one to tell her-"

"-before Aeron does," I finish for him. We both nod at each other, knowing that this has much more to do with than just Sophie. After a moment of silence passes between us, I furrow my eyebrows in thought. Frowning, I ask, "Wait- just who is Aeron exactly?"