Orelie

*28*

*28*

"M-me?!" I stumbled back a step. "Why would I be the reason you're researching Orelie?"

"Ever since I heard about you using multiple magics." He said softly. "But that's not the only reason. I've caught you staring at Myla and I. It's not the usual staring. You're focusing on something. My research brought me to a passage about Orelie and their Visions."

I gulped. "I stare off into space sometimes. Is that a crime?"

"It's not daydreaming." He said firmly. "You're trying to see something. You're seeing things about us. Just tell me the truth."

He moved and stood right in front of me. "Are you, or are you not, an Orelie?"

My heart was racing in my ears. I've never gripped my staff as hard as I am now. I was scared. He figured it out. All because of what I can do, and what I thought I was doing in secret. He's way more observant that I thought.

I lowered my head, my hair covering my face. "Please don't tell anyone..." I barely whispered.

It was silent for a long while. I was beginning to shake as it dragged on. What's he going to do? Will he keep my secret? Will he tell everyone?

"You're asking me to keep a secret, Orelie?"

"Sh! Sh sh!" I hushed him by covering his mouth with my hands. "Not so loud, please! I've already been hunted twice for who I am..."

Striker gently pulled my hands from his face. "Hey, it's alright. I promise I won't tell anyone. I was just playing with you. I didn't realize you'd been sought after before."

I nodded slowly and pulled my hands back. "Once by a Drake and Dwarf, the other by a Witch... I don't know what the other two were going to do, but the Witch was taking my blood, sweat, and tears for herself. Apparently, it's supposed to strengthen them."

"That's also why I have this..." I pulled up the sleeve of my cloak. "My blood is addictive to Demons. It also gives them a powerful boost, especially if they're a Blood Demon."

He gently brushed the hair from my face. "Your secret is safe with me. I promise not to tell anyone."

I gave a weak smile. "Thank you."

"Now," he clapped his hands, startling me. "Let's collect those flowers, yeah? I think we need a little pick-me-up after that. Come on." He waved me on as he started walking again.

I sighed softly and followed after him. I'm grateful that he'll keep my secret. I don't know what would happen if the wrong person found out. It could spell disaster.

In total, we picked two armfuls of flowers. We had to wrap them in a special cloth so the poison in the sap wouldn't come in contact with our skin.

Our conversation was lively as we headed back to the academy. I've never felt closer to Striker than ever. He knows my secret, and won't tell anyone. I trust him.

It's amazing how quickly he figured it out all on his own. I didn't even drop any hints, yet he picked it up in everything I said and did. I guess a naturally curious mind can be a good thing.

Striker brought us back to the Alchemy room so we could store his flowers. They were placed in a magically enhanced container that will keep the poison from getting out, as well as keeping any residual magic from getting inside.

"A graduate about fifty years ago made this container possible," Striker explained. "No magic gets in, no magic gets out. It's perfect for storing things that are magically sensitive. These flowers aren't, but they can be affected by magic, so better safe than sorry, yeah?"