Avenging Amethyst (Immortal Eyes) (14 page)

She tried to
hide a smile. "I just have really good intuition. I would think the same
thing if I were in your situation."

The more time I
spent around Riley the less I believed she was as young as she looked. She was
always so mature and calm about everything and it made her seem like how I
imagined a perfect mother would be.

"So, what
exactly is my power?" I asked. I knew it had a lot to with sensing things
but no one had told me the full details of it.

"It's an
enhanced power," Carson said, reading over his notes. "Most Lovac get
an exact copy of a power from another creature but sometimes it morphs or
enhances. It's pretty rare when it enhances this much though. All Zhulik have
naturally heightened senses but yours is so enhanced that you can feel it
resonating in your body but it doesn’t sound nearly as cool as it
actually is."

So it was a
Zhulik power, which wasn't as cool as having a demonic or fairy power but with
it being so enhanced made it rare and valuable.

"Well, I
guess I'll keep it then." It was a cheesy joke but it got a small chuckle
out of everyone.

"That
brings us back to our previous question. What do we do next?" Felix asked.

Carson was the
one who answered. "Well, in theory, you could start taking jobs and going
after Zhulik. I have no doubt you could easily take one down. You're power will
basically fight for you unless you become too tired or distracted but a hard
hit from your opponent will probably bring you right back into the fight."

"When―"
I started but Felix cut me off.

"She
doesn't know the proper procedure for any of the jobs though. She hasn't
learned how to properly kill a Zhulik either."

I had been about
to ask when I could start but this made me stop to think. I had no worries I
could pin a Zhulik down to the ground but I didn't know how to kill one. Or if
I even would be able to bring myself to kill, since they looked just like
another human-being. Then another thought occurred to me.

"How much
stronger than us are Zhulik?" I wasn't sure if I would even be able to pin
one down now.

"Quite a
bit. Our advantage is speed, not strength," Riley answered.

"So,
there's no chance I'd be able to pin one down to kill it? I would need to do
that while fighting?"

"Yes,"
Felix said. He gave me a curious look, not sure where my questioning was going.

"If that's
the case, then I don't know if I really will be able to kill one. I can't
control what I do when my power takes over. I just start moving but I'm
oblivious to what I'm really doing."

"I think
you need to learn to speak with your power," Carson said. "You need
to concentrate while your power is active and learn to control it. Felix
informed us that you were able to use your power to pinpoint exact locations
where people are using their powers. That's speaking with your power."

"And you
think I will be able to do that while I'm in the middle of a fight?"

"Anything
is possible."

I appreciated
Carson's optimism but I didn't share it with him. When I was fighting with
Felix I had no control over what I was doing and I wasn't sure I would be able
to concentrate when I felt like I was just stuck inside my head, watching a
movie of my body fighting.

"Aleksia
was able to do it. I'm sure you can do anything she did," Riley said.

I rolled my
eyes. "Are you sure she really existed?"

She nodded.
"Absolutely. She's practically a Saint in our culture."

"But
there's one thing she had that I didn't."

"What's
that?" Felix asked.

"She grew
up in this culture. She had all the training I don't have time for. She had a
complete understanding of this world. I don't. I don't know if I ever
will."

Felix and Riley
glanced at each other uncertainly. "Actually..." Riley started.

"Aleksia
was the last recorded Lovac to be born into a human world and be raised human.
Her situation was almost exactly like yours. I can’t believe I forgot
about her. For all I know, you could be her reincarnation," Rema said.

"Is that
possible?" I asked. I shifted uncomfortably. I believed in past lives but
I wasn’t sure I liked the idea of knowing who I could’ve been,
especially since something awful happened to her.

Carson stood up
and patted my shoulder. "Like I said, anything is possible. Now, if you'll
please excuse Rema and me, we have a council meeting we have to be to
shortly."

We all stood up
to take our leave but we weren't finished quite yet.

"What do we
do next?" I asked, hopefully for the last time.

"I'm going
to start looking for a job for you and Felix to go on together. In the
meantime, continue training. Go back to the gym and try to learn to control
your power. Felix," Rema turned to him, "start teaching Avery the
basics of taking down a Zhulik and proper procedures for most jobs. I will let
you know when I have something for you."

"I'm going
to find Axel and then we'll meet you in the gym," Riley said when we had
left the room. "I want to see how well her power works when going up
against multiple people."

Felix agreed it
would be good to test that out so we headed back to the gym. I faintly
remembered who Axel was from my first day here but I hadn’t spoken to him
since. I had seen him around but he always kept his distance. I had a feeling
that someone had warned him to stay away from me.

Felix and I sat
in awkward silence when we were back in the gym. We sat on the bleachers, a few
feet apart, waiting for Riley and Axel to meet us. The tension between us had disappeared
with all of the excitement of my power but it was back tenfold.

When the silence
was too much for me, I blurted out the one thing that was on my mind.
"Why did you kiss me, Felix?"

I saw him purse
his lips in frustration. I know he was hoping I wouldn’t bring it up, but
I had to know. "I shouldn’t have done that. For some reason, I have
a hard time controlling myself around you."

"Why?"

In an instant he
was kneeling in front of me. "I can’t help it. Ever since I first
met you, you’re the only thing on my mind. I’ve been attracted to
other Lovac before and even some Nesmyr girl’s but I’ve always been
able to control myself. I knew there was no point in starting anything with
them if we’d just have to end it the second one of us found a Dimidium. Except,
Riley has basically guaranteed you find a Dimidium yet you’re the only
girl I can’t control myself around."

He leaned in
closer and ran a hand through my hair, rubbing a strand between his fingers.
"I don’t know if it’s because you’re a Lovac I didn’t
grow up with or because you’re so unique. Or maybe it’s the cute
way you giggle when you’re nervous or your determination. There’s
just something about you that draws me to you and I can’t control my
emotions."

I took a nervous
gulp. The look in Felix’s eyes was as sexy as it was terrifying. He
looked like he was on the edge of sanity, and as a Lovac, that worried me. I
didn’t want to be the one to push him over the edge but I couldn’t
stop myself running my hand through his hair.

His eyes closed
in bliss and he placed his hands gently on my shoulders. It was my turn to take
control and as much as I loved the desperate passionate kisses, I knew we would
be interrupted soon. I leaned in and placed one gentle kiss on Felix’s
soft, warm lips and hesitated only a moment before pulling away.

His eyes were
still closed and I could see he was trying to control himself. Finally, he
sighed and opened his eyes. He held my gaze for a second before the gym doors
opened and he pulled himself away from me. I still had no idea what was going
on between us, but now wasn’t the time to worry about it.

"Sorry,"
Axel muttered, as he entered the gym with Riley. "We got caught up
watching an upper class Nesmyr yelling at a group of young Lovac. They used
their powers on him to make him do some pretty funny things."

"Remember
when we used to get in so much trouble for doing stuff like that?" Riley
asked Felix.

He gave a huge
smile. "Those were the days. When we were young and had no real worries.
It was so much fun to mess with the stuck up Nesmyr."

Hearing them
laugh about their childhood made me sad and jealous. They grew up with friends
and family. I had very few friends and never for very long and I only had my
mom. I loved my mom but I always wished I had more. I almost wish my mom had
let me be taken away from her. Maybe she would still be alive if she had. And
Felix and I would just be friends, instead of dealing with pent up emotions
about each other.

"Avery?"
I jumped as I heard my name. I looked up to see all three of them staring at me
with concerned looks.

"What?"
I asked.

"I asked if
you were ready to train," Felix said.

"Oh. Sorry,
I was lost in thought. Yeah, I'm ready."

Felix gave Riley
a confused look but she just shrugged and he let it go.

"I think we
should start simple, with only one person attacking and then increase it until
all three of us are. Maybe even add some of Axel's flame balls if you can
handle it," Riley said.

"Flame
balls?" My eyes were wide and for the first time since coming here I was
afraid for my life.

Axel laughed and
said, "It’s part of my power. I can manifest any of the four
elements and control them. Fire’s my favorite but don’t worry,
I’ll be careful with them. I wouldn’t want to ruin a pretty face
like yours." He winked at me and a sneer formed on Felix’s face.
Axel was flirting with me and Felix was actually jealous. Felix had probably
been the one to warn Axel to stay away from me. Riley just rolled her eyes.

"Wait,"
Felix said, his voice coming out with a hint of a growl in it. Axel didn’t
seem to notice and continued to glance at me from the corner of his eyes.
"I think we should make a plan of attack that she doesn't know about and
see how well she handles it."

"Good
idea," Axel said. "Let's go to the supply closet and have a
talk."

"I'll just
sit here and wait for you." I sat crossed-legged in the middle of the
floor.

"Good,"
Felix laughed. "We'll be back in a few minutes."

My heart jumped
a little bit at the smile he gave me before entering the supply closet. Once he
was out of sight I felt almost depressed. My feelings for Felix were
inappropriate but I couldn’t stop myself from wanting more of him and the
signs he gave me indicated he felt the same.

He
doesn’t really like you
, I heard the voice in my head say. I knew it was the darkness
speaking and I tried to ignore it. I shook my head, hoping that would clear my
mind.

He’s
just messing with your mind. He’s jealous that you’ll find your
Dimidium, so he wants to drive you crazy before you can. You have to kill him
before he hurts you. Kill him. Kill him. KILL HIM.

I almost
screamed in frustration but I didn’t want anyone to come running. I
didn’t want to be dragged into Carson’s office again for
counseling. I didn’t want anyone to think the darkness already had a hold
of me.

I concentrated
on blocking the darkness out of my mind and focused on the attack that was
about to happen. I knew the fight was practically staged but I wanted to see
how far my power could be pushed. I wanted to give it my best effort.

Just as I finished
blocking the darkness out, I felt that familiar burning in my gut. I glanced up
and saw Riley had come sprinting out of the supply closet. She reminded me of a
cheetah, in both speed and fierceness. She had a look in her eyes that meant
harm. It actually frightened me but my body was on its' feet in no time,
preparing to fight back.

When Riley was
almost on top of me I lunged at her, trying to take her down to the ground.
Somehow, she saw it coming and did an amazing front flip over me as I attacked.
I spun around to try to take her down again but she was already throwing a fist
at me. I managed to stop her fist in midair but she was stronger than me and
quickly broke free. She tried to kick my feet out from under me but I was
faster and hopped up to dodge it. I came back down with my fists flying and hit
her hard in the shoulder. Her face grimaced but she didn't make a noise and
kept going.

She was
incredibly fast. If I didn't already know what her power was I would think she
had the ability to sense what was coming next. She dodged a majority of my hits
but I still got her good in a few places. I don't know how I knew but after a
few minutes of this I realized I was going easy on her. My power meant to keep
me safe but not take down another opponent. Unless I told it to.

While still
concentrating on Riley's moves, I concentrated on my power, too. I actually
paid attention to what I was doing and what I needed to do next instead of
letting my power do all of the work. When I had been fighting Felix earlier, I
was so frustrated with him that I was able to make my power take him to the
ground so he would stop. This time I was prepared for the attacks and not
really frustrated with them, so I was just going along with my power. Now, I
was going to learn how to actually fight back.