The Gifted Ones

Chapter 1

He looks so beautifully peaceful, so utterly exhausted that Nova doesn't want to wake him. But they're under attack. He's the leader. He must be awake to give orders. So Nova does what she's been dreading doing. Nova walks up to Elei and gently places her hand on his arm. He wakes immediately, his eyes searching the room for any sign of danger. His beautiful blue eyes meet Nova's and he says softly, "What's wrong?"

"We're under attack, sir," she replies, her hand falling to her side as she stands up straight, her eyes on the wall.

"Have you already sent out soldiers?" General Elei asks as he stands from the old chair he fell asleep in.

"Yes, sir, and it looks like we're winning. I was ordered by Commander White to inform you that we are under siege." Stare at the wall. Don't look at him. Don't get stuck in his eyes again. Think of Adam. Think of your fiance. Don't get trapped in those swirling emotions that are the General's eyes...

"Thank you, Nova." He says her name softly, in a caring tone. Perfection.

Nova's voice catches in her throat and she just nods, unable to say anything. Think about Adam!

"Nova... Do you know what my Gift is?"

The general was referring to the Gifts that us humans have. Some are more like curses than gifts, and those are known as the Cursed Ones. They use their Curses for destruction of the human race, where as we, the Gifted Ones, use our Gifts to rebuild humanity after the Great War.

"Everybody knows your gift is strategy, sir," Nova replies with a glance toward him.

He shakes his head, his long jet black hair grazing his shoulders as he does. "No. I'm just very skilled when it comes to strategies. My real gift, or maybe a curse, is feeling someone's emotions when our skin touches."

"Oh." Nova's hand didn't touch his skin. Thankfully.

"May I try something?" he whispers, his eyes meeting Nova's.

"Sir, we're under attack..."

"Commander White can handle it."

"What do you have in mind?" She asks softly, her eyes being captured by his beautiful blue ones.

"I want to touch your skin... To test my ability. The only person I ever touch is Nevaeh... And I want to know what other emotions feel like. I'm sick of lust. It is a disgusting emotion."

Lust. Nevaeh is his fiance. Commander White. She doesn't love him, yet they are still together?

"Yes." Nova reaches out her hand and thinks about her love for Adam, her care for him, hoping to mask the desire she has for Elei.

Elei grabs Nova's hand gently, his eyes closed. He opens his eyes immediately. "What..?" He sounds surprised.

"What's wrong?" Nova asks, pulling her hand away in nervousness. What if he felt my desire?

"I...I can't read you. You are the first person I've ever touched, but not been able to read. Do you have a gift?" he says, looking at Nova.

"Um, not that I know of,"she replies, looking down at her hands in wonder.

"Nova. I wanted to see what you thought of me... Because I want you."

Her eyes meet his, shocked. "You...what? What about Commander White?"

"She just uses me to get a higher position. She doesn't love me, she loves that she has control over me. But no more. I will not live with her any longer."