Summer's Frost

Chapter 19

Later that evening

Waiting for Jack to finish talking with his father, Slick and I sit in my entry room. We don't talk, we don't move. Well, he could've moved, but I wouldn't have seen it. I tried to talk to him. I asked him if he knew who it was I saw outside, and how I knew he was there. This is the reply I got:

"I don't know, and I don't know. I think he's the one who did these things to you, and because of his magic on you, you have a certain connection that allows you to know when he's nearby."

At least I got a guess. Other than that, he wouldn't speak. I'd read, but reading requires -- wait for it -- seeing. And what do I not have? SIGHT. I can't see anything. I can't tell if it's light or dark out, what the colors around me are, if something moved nearby, if Slick somehow moved somewhere without me hearing, or anything. I can't watch the snow fall, or the liquid in my cup move when I tap the glass. I don't know if my eyes happen to be pointed right at Slick. I can't watch the sun set. I can only picture in my head what is happening in the land of the seeing.

Suddenly, my door opens slowly. "So? What did he say?" Slick asks.

"He, uh.... wasn't ready to back down from the threat of Summer's attack, just in case," Jack answers. He sounds unsure, but maybe he's just disappointed that he didn't succeed in persuading his father? "But I still can't let her leave."

"You can."

"No, I can't. I can keep an eye on her here" His voice doesn't raise; if anything he sounds like he's reminding himself, or repeating something.

"I can keep an eye on her when she's in Spring, I'll be with her."

"No. I need her here," Jack insists.

"Jack, what did your father say that made you so keen on keeping her hear?"

"Nothing! I didn't want her to leave before, and I don't want her to leave now."

"Why?"

"Because, she.... can learn her powers here. We can help her."

Normally, I might be flattered that someone would try so hard to keep me around, but this is different. The tone in his voice isn't the same. He wants me here for something else. "Your father doesn't want me to leave, does he?"

"No, he doesn't. Neither do I. You can no longer leave your room unless accompanied by me."

"What about Jade?"

"Possibly. She has to get permission first."

My temper starts to flare up. "You can't do this. You can't stop me from leaving here."

"I can, and I am." Without another word, I hear his footsteps leave my room and the door shuts.

"He can't -- they can't -- why-- I won't stay!"

"I don't know that we have a choice," Slick answers dully.

"Why are you so calm about this? Do you not have a temper?" I ask incredibly.

"I do. I just don't see the point in a temper at this point. He isn't here to yell at."

"But now we're stuck here. Doesn't that frustrate you?"

"Yes. Kassie, you don't seem to understand my line of work. I have to have complete control over my thoughts, actions, and emotions. I need a level head to think things through."

"May I ask what you're thinking through?"

For a moment, there is no answer. Then: "Oh, wait, you can't see me roll my eyes. By the way, I rolled my eyes."