Soul Searcher

4-Learning Curve

I followed her from my bedroom and there were children of all ages running around playing with each other. It seemed like a nice little community, I stuck close to my mother's side and she was greeted by people who seemed to really look up to her.

"I found them...saved most of them from being executed by the board. Most don't have their full abilities anymore...Some of the younger ones I saved from making choices that would cause them to be stripped of their powers." She waved to the woman who was pregnant.

"This land is a neutral zone, the Board holds no sway here." I looked around at the people and there was a lingering sadness to their eyes.

"Why wouldn't Uncle Ben want to move here? Why would he keep me from you?" I asked as we walked towards the middle of the settlement.

"Because I think they hoped that as your connection to me faded and broke that you would come into your powers, that it would lift the bind that I had placed on you as a child...but that is not how magic works. It was bind to your emotions, thoughts, and actions. When your body felt like it was safe enough to have access to it that you were free from all the pressures in your life, it would come to the surface and that took longer than anyone could have suspected." I nodded and realized that when I had passed my exam I did feel free. I felt like I was able to actually breathe for the first time in a long time and I didn't realize the pressure I had been putting on myself until this moment. My mom smiled at me but her eyes held the same sadness. She seemed to understand what I was looking at.

"Lose your powers, your abilities...it changes a person. It is like losing half of yourself, and for some like me, they didn't just lose their powers they lost a loved one as well. It is truly like walking around a shell...but having you back gives me hope for the future. I am not alone any longer. I may not be able to be with your father...but I still have you and that is enough." She put her hands on my shoulders. And I felt steel grow under my skin, I would find him. I would bring him back. It might take me some time, but I am coming for you dad.

"Come, I have some people I would like you to meet." She lead me to an open field a group of people around my age was sitting around. I pulled up short and she looked back at me.

"Oh..I don't know how to explain this...I don't do well with other people...I have problems sometimes." She looked at me with a loving look that I didn't know that I needed but now that I was seeing it, I knew I would never be able to live without again.

"It's okay, you're safe here. No one will hurt you I promise." I looked at her and then back to the group of people who were now staring at us with curiosity. I nodded and took a deep breath. She lead me to the ground and I recognized one face. Grey. He had the same half-smile on his face now that he did when I was locked in my bathroom with him.

"Evelyn these lovely people will be your new coven, they will help you learn just as you will help them grow. You already know Grey," He gave a short wave and my other turned to another young man who looked like he was undressing me with his eyes.

"This is Victor," He stepped forward and held out a hand, that I hesitated before taking. His grip was firm but gentle.

"You can call me Vic, everyone else does."

"Literally none of us call you that Victor," The petite blonde with the ice-blue eyes that nearly rolled back into her head as she spoke. She turned to me with a smile.

"My name is Vivian. Victor is a pushover don't let him bully you." I nodded and the other blonde looked at me but didn't keep eye contact.

"That's Lilly, she suffers from extreme shyness. Don't worry she will warm up to you promise." My mother looked around and frowned.