The Gifted

Chapter 12

I wrapped my arms behind his neck trying to move even closer to him. I felt his hands slide down my back, stopping at the exposed skin above my waist; even that slight touch sent shivers down my spine. Finally we separated breathing heavy from lack of air. Making eye contact a smile took over Rivers face, his beautifully sculpted face.

"You are so beautiful," Rivers announced placing a hand on my cheek.
Relaxing into his touch I felt calm, the calmest I felt in a long time. Then out of the blue I remembered why I had wanted to find him.
"Rivers," I said looking into his eyes, "why didn't you tell me you were a Dartwood?"
He closed his eyes for a brief second, but when he opened them the deep blue was covered in a glaze of tears.

"Oh Rivers, what happened?" I asked pulling him into a hug.
He quietly sobbed into me for the next few minutes, until he pulled away and grabbed my hands.

"Come with me," he said pulling my into his room. It was very similar to mine, however, the bedsheets were black silk and there was a large, white rug on the floor. We walked out onto the balcony and sat down. Rivers hands were still holding mine, like he thought if he let go I would disappear.

"I didn't tell you because then I would have to explain many things that haunt me day and night." He said as his head fell down to hide the tears trickling down his face.
He then continued, " My mother and father they were killed 10 years ago, I was only ten at the time."
"Oh Rivers I'm so sorry," I said holding tighter to his hands.
"They-," he stuttered, "they were killed by my aunt, Pricilla. It was an accident she didn't know what she was doing but she drained them of their magic eventually killing them. It was a slow painful death, I have never forgiven her for it." Rivers stated.

Startled by what he said, it made me think of what I had done in class, was I capable of such a thing? Not knowing what to say I rested my head on his shoulder. He then wrapped his arm around my back in reply. No wonder he wasn't fond of his aunt, he had to live with the person that killed his parents for years.
"Rivers, why do you attend the academy, your 20. You should have graduated by now?" I asked him quietly.

Taking a deep breathe in he replied, "It's the only place I feel connected to my parents."
Suddenly it made sense, why he only came to some classes, why he had his own room. It made sense except, for why he had walked about of the forest, on one of the first weeks of me being at the academy. Deciding now wasn't the time to bring it up, I continued to hold Rivers as the sun fell behind the tree line and was replaced by the moon and stars.

Hours had passed meaning it was around midnight. Rivers and I had decided to have dinner own our own as he didn't want to see his aunt, he had then fallen asleep as soon as his head had it the pillow. I was now roaming the halls not having the need to sleep, I made a quick decision to exit the house and wander the backyard. The moonlight cast a glow over the garden which made it easier for me too see around.

I walked over to a stone bench that sat underneath an oak tree, on the verge of the forest line. As I lent up against the tree thoughts of my father swam in my mind. Oh how much I missed him, I was never even able to say goodbye as they never found the body. My Mum said that it must have been burnt in the car crash. The sound of leaves crunching pulled me out of my thoughts and made me sit on the edge of the bench.

"Who's there?" I demanded.
"It's just my, no need to worry," calmingly voiced Pricilla as she come out of the shadows into the light. "Couldn't sleep my dear?"
"No, I just have a few things on my mind," I stated not wanting to look her in the eyes, knowing she was the one who had killed Rivers parents.
"Ah, I assume Rivers must have told you?" She said taking a seat beside me.
"Umm yes he did," I quietly said hoping maybe she hadn't heard me.
"With having such a rare power it comes at a cost. I have lost many people I care about."

I then decided to tell her about my incident, "The other day in class, I didn't mean to but I drew everyone's power to enhance mine." I whispered feeling ashamed of what I had done.
Pricilla places her hand on my shoulder, "Lyra, there is no need to worry, I'll teach you how to control augmentation."
Looking up at her I said, "Teach me something now." I requested.
She paused for a second debating what I had said. "Ok," she said. "Take a deep breath in and close your eyes."

Doing that I continued to listen to what she said.
"Now relax your body and focus on the energy and auras around you."
Slumping into the tree, I examined the surrounded air and space to find anything. "Nothing happening," I whined.
"Just breathe It takes more than a minute," Pricilla instructed.
Closing my eyes again I focused on what was around me, I could heard the sounds of rustling coming from the forest, I could sense the presence of Pricilla beside me. Trying to go past what was around me I envisioned the house, I pictured Rivers lying still in his bed. I then faintly felt his aura radiating off him. It was warm and peaceful, but also was touched somewhat with loneliness.

I gasped opening my eyes, "I felt it, I felt Rivers aura!" I excitedly said to Pricilla.
A small smile crept onto her wrinkled face. "Well done, we shall continue in the morning, I must retreat back to bed." She said standing up and nodding me a goodbye. Watching her walk away I faced the reality that I couldn't dislike Pricilla anymore than I disliked myself, being that I was just like her. I hadn't killed anyone but I could have and maybe someday in the further I might.

Shutting my eyes I thought about my mother, my sister and brother, I hadn't spoken to them in a while. Every now and again one of them would text me updating me on their lives. Sometimes I wished I could go back in time and forget that I was gifted, forget that I held one of the most dangerous, rare powers there is. I sighed out loud reopening my eyes to the surrounding nature, I pushed myself off the bench, taking my time as I walked back inside. By the time I had cuddled up into the warm sheets of my bed, the sun had started to rise.

The following morning was routine, me and Rivers spoke brief words while eating breakfast. He then retreated somewhere in the large estate while Pricilla taught new skills and how to control my gift. Throughout the day I slowly learnt how to focus onto auras and identifying what gift someone they had. As that took the whole day to master it was late noon when we returned to the house; Pricilla liked to practice outside as there was a cleaner energy in the air or something like that.

Finding my way to my room, I caught the door of Rivers room close, I hadn't seen him for the majority of the day, my mind went to the kiss we shared yesterday. I wondered if his emotional state had any role in his emotions towards me. As the butterfly's rose in my stomach I knew that my feelings were genuine. Pricilla told me to leave the clothes I had brought in the dresser as I would be coming back each weekend anyway. As I was wearing the same dress as yesterday I only grabbed my phone and purse.

Satisfied that I had everything I left the room and closed the door behind me, turning around I contemplated knocking on Rivers door, would he think I was bugging him? Going against what I wanted to do I pulled my eyes away from his door and continued down the stairs to the car waiting out the front. I had learnt that the drivers name was Mark and that he was Rivers designated driver, of course he would have a drive, I thought.

"Hi, Mark," I said as I slid into the backseat of the black suv.
"Hello, Miss Black, will Rivers be joining us?" Mark questioned.
"Yeah, he's on his way," I stated buckling up the seatbelt.
Like clockwork Rivers exited the house and sat in the front seat of the car, we drove in silence for the whole ride. With Rivers sitting in the front and our limited interaction I wondered is he regretted the kiss, if he got caught up in the moment. Quietly sighing I fiddled with my fingers as we stopped to be let in through the gates. Instead of parking Mark dropped us off at the front of the school.

"Thanks Mark!" I chirped as I jumped out of the suv.
"My pleasure Miss Black, I will see you next weekend," and with that he drove off.
I could see Rivers standing beside me, I wasn't sure if I should engage in conversation or let him be. I got my answer when he gave a brief goodbye and hurried away.
"I never have any luck with men," I whispered to myself kicking a rock across the stone driveway. Not feeling like explaining everything to my friends I chose to disappear into my dorm room and tell them tomorrow.