The Gifted (Book 2 of Seer Series)

Chapter 8

My mom stopped in front of a closed door and looked at me. Worry filled her eyes, and I had a feeling that she did not want me to see what was behind the door. "Are you sure that you can handle this?" she asked, her voice leveled. "It's not going to be a pretty sight."

I bit my lip harder, and I nodded. I had no idea if I would be able to handle it or not, but I knew that Ruckur needed to see it. He needed to see what was behind the closed door, and I was not going to be the one to stop him. "Yes," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Thank you, Ruckur said, and I could tell that he was relieved. I know that this will be hard on you, but I appreciate you doing this for me.

You're the one that knows this better than others, I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I placed my hands behind my back and waited for my mother or Michael to open the door. If it gets too bad, will you...

I can withhold what you see from you, he replied with a hint of promise in his voice. You won't remember what you had seen after I completed my inspection and having you tell them. However, that is if you can't handle it. He paused. You never know, you might be able.

I didn't reply and watched my mother study me. I stayed silent and waited, not knowing if she knew that I would have problems with this or not.

However, with a single glance at Michael, she placed her hand on the door and muttered, "Lihono," and opened the door. Once she stepped in, Michael followed, and I trailed in last before the door closed behind us.

I bit my lip harder until I tasted blood when we were surrounded by darkness. Panic filled my body, but I didn't move nor make a sound. My breathing was slightly labored, but it wasn't enough to cause my mother to panic nor Michael.

It's ok, Ruckur soothed, and I relaxed slightly because I knew that he was still nearby. Say Felien.

Why? I asked, my voice shaking. I glanced this way and that. I couldn't feel my mother or Michael, and I had no idea where they were or if they were still here in the room with me. What is that supposed to do?

It'll give you night vision or vision like a cat, he replied. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and say Felien.

I took a deep breath and let it out, making sure to make no sound as possible. I closed my eyes and took another deep breath, trying to calm my pounding heart. "Felien," I said, my voice sounding too loud in the darkness.

Power filled the air around us while I called on my magic, and my fingers pricked and tingled at the power that I had. My eyes seemed to feel weirder, and I wondered if it was because of the spell or if it was because of something else.

Ruckur chucked. Good, he said. Open your eyes and look around you.

I opened my eyes and furrowed my brows. Looking this way and that, I saw clearly as if I had night vision goggles on. Instead of seeing all colors, I could only see things in green, some white, and then black, where there was nothing to see. Did I do this right? I asked, looking to my left and right and not seeing Michael or Mom nearby. I bit my lip again when a sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.

They left me. They left me in the dark with no way out and not knowing what I needed to do to survive this.

Yes, you did, Ruckur said, and I could tell that he was proud of me. Find an exit or something. I think your mother and Michael are testing your abilities.

I huffed and pursed my lips. They could've warned me, I muttered, and he hummed in agreement. I folded my arms around my chest and took a deep breath, and smelt something that smelled like peppermint. Smell that? I asked, turning my head in the direction that the smell was coming from.

Yes, he replied.

Should I follow it?

That is up to you, he said. I am just here for the ride.

I rolled my eyes but didn't respond. I looked down to see if there was anything in my way before I lifted my head and walked forward, following the scent. I maneuvered past columns that looked white to me, but I had no idea if that was true or not. I stayed on the path that I chose and followed the peppermint smell.

My whole body was tense, and I silently swore because I wished that I had brought a weapon with me. I knew that I could use fire as a weapon, but it did take a while for the magic to accumulate until it became fire.

Say Eirden if you need to, Ruckur said, listening to my thoughts. It's a shield spell, and it won't take that long for you to use. It'll block magic and then any weapon that is used your way.

I let out a small breath of air and nodded. Thank you, I said. I paused. Did you teach Mom some of these spells? I asked.

Yes, he replied. You are a little more grateful than she, he mused, and I rolled my eyes.

Haha, very funny, I said. I stopped when I reached the smell of peppermint and saw a door in my way. I cocked my head and studied the door, trying to see if there was any handle or if I had to use magic like my mother.

Say it, he said, and I huffed but nodded because I knew that it meant there was no handle.

So, I lifted my hand and closed it until I made a fist. My mark was visible and toward the door. I took a deep and let it out while I focused on my magic and said, "Lihono," and the door opened.