Emerge: The Awakening (10 page)

“This concoction will save your life.”

“Trail mix?”

“It’s full of protein and calories and I added extra dark chocolate pecans. When you’re starved, grab a handful to tide you over. Let me know when you’re running low and I’ll get you a refill.”

“I’ll have to get a j-o-b just to feed myself. I can’t keep taking from your parents.”

“Sure, try saying that to Naeemah El Sadawii,” he laughed. “Trust me, you won’t win that argument. Besides, your free time is officially a thing of the past. Training is your new full time job.”

“It’s too much, Aidan. I can’t expect your parents to foot the bill for me too.”

“You seem to be doing better this evening?”  

“Well, I was feeling really sorry for myself, but then I remembered I have really great friends and I’m not alone. I just can’t think about anything else right now.”

“You’ve got this, Lex.” He grinned.

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CHAPTER

FIFTEEN

Allie knew she faced a lonely sleepless night and wasn’t looking forward to it. As she stowed her groceries at the back of her closet, she noticed a small leather bound book tucked in with the protein bars. A slip of paper fell from its pages.

Allie,

This history is vital to your education. I hope it will serve as a distraction on this first of many long nights. Please join us tomorrow morning when you are able. Don’t dwell on unpleasant thoughts tonight, my darling girl. You are so much stronger than you know.

Love,

Naeemah

“Just what I need.” She paced to the surround sound to sync her new iPhone. She launched the Spotify app intending to browse the playlists Aidan made for her. She smiled when she saw the one titled “First Night Alone” with Philip Glass’
Metamorphosis
leading the list. She curled up in her armchair beside the tall balcony windows. The moon was bright enough to read by, and the carefully selected book and music were a strong reminder that she was not alone.

She reverently flipped through the delicate pages of the priceless, illuminated manuscript and began to read.

Long ago, before the most primitive of mortal man existed, a mighty race of humans inhabited the earth.

In those days, the Power was pristine and the forest city of Indriell was the greatest in all the world. Governed by the beautiful Indriell Queens, the city prospered. Queen Fáelynn reigned for centuries, preceded by her mother, the Dowager Queen Alyvia and her mother, Celyn, and her mother, Ashlyn. All royal daughters of Indriell, ruling in an unbroken line of succession stretching back further than living memory.

As Queen Fáelynn’s reign drew to an end, she prepared to pass the kingdom to her only daughter, the Lady Eiselynn, First Princess and the fifth of her line.

She was a shy but powerful young woman who dreaded the day she would be coronated and forced to marry Lord Teigan. He was her equal in skill, but a man she could never love.

One morning, she rode through the meadows and came upon a young farmer. She watched as he called upon the Power to plow his fields. He was not strong, but the intricacy with which he handled his task was breathtaking.

She absently mimicked his simple manipulation, reaching out to his more refined touch. He saw her and inclined his head in respect, but continued working. Mesmerized, her curiosity grew and he responded to her inquisitiveness with his own. He was confused when she fumbled with the simple chore.

As their Power mingled, she felt a jolt of surprise from the contact that was far more intimate than anything she had ever experienced. His eyes widened in disbelief when her strength bolstered his, while his delicate simplicity corrected her firmer hand.

In that moment, she reached for him, knowing he was the one she would choose—had she a choice. She could see the same realization burning deep within his silvery eyes. As their Power flowed, isolating them from the world, an unbreakable bond formed between them. It was as if they had always belonged together.

For months, they met privately and their love grew strong. She knew Ían could be a compassionate ruler. Despite his limitations, he was capable of the most astounding feats. Somehow—impossibly—he was learning. She wanted to present him to the council as her equal, but she feared their response. As months passed, the Queen grew suspicious and sent Lord Teigan to follow the princess.

As Eiselynn retreated to their special meeting place, she was unaware that her betrothed and his manservant, Tomás, followed. When she eagerly leapt into the arms of her beloved, Teigan was furious to witness her betrayal. Heedless of the bond that united the lovers, he attempted to drag her home. Enraged, Ían stepped between them and a brawl ensued.

A powerful connection formed between the angry men. Ían felt a surge of strength rise within him but his opponent recoiled from the invasion, as if an agonizing pain reverberated through his mind. When the extraordinary link subsided, Ían rose, profoundly altered. Somehow, he had taken a portion of Teigan’s ability for his own. He swiftly brought the stunned man to his knees, thrilling at the strength that now made him Eiselynn’s equal.

As they fled, Teigan demanded his servant’s silence, but the incident intrigued Tomás. He had lived in subjugation all his life, treated like a beloved simpleminded child, never allowed to make his own decisions, while Ían had simply taken what he desired.

That night, Tomás discovered he was very much like Ían—he could learn.

For months, he practiced until he was prepared to choose his first victim. He preyed on those weaker than himself, and never failed to defeat them. 

Tomás took a few select individuals into his confidence and taught his secrets. For years, they worked together, traveling outside the city to select their targets, growing evermore powerful. They called themselves the “Enlightened” and were determined to usher in an Age of Reason.

Eiselynn and Ían were married and ruled together for many long years. The duel faded from memory and Indriell prospered under their reign, until the attacks on the nobility began. They immediately recognized the signs and grew nervous when murmurings of the Enlightened grew louder.

Soon it was unsafe to walk the streets of Indriell as this influential group called for the complete destruction of the nobility, claiming it was time for tradition to die in the name of reason and logic. Time to progress into an age where those who proved capable of learning and growing could be given the opportunity to reach beyond their common birth to become more than the simple minded servants of those born to better circumstances.

As this Age of Reason gained momentum, the city fell to the Enlightened. Eiselynn and Ían were hidden safely among their advisers, but the world was now at war.

New weapons were created with the Power, causing strange imbalances in nature. An odd illness spread among those exposed to these destructive magnetic forces.

For a century, there was little peace among the nations as the Enlightened fought for dominance in the name of their cause. Ían and Eiselynn chose to fight against the overwhelming, unnatural strength of the few Enlightened who had long ago become drunk with a Power that was not their own.

Years of war and violence took a toll, and the human race was in danger of extinction. The earth suffered greatly from the effects of such reckless warfare. Massive earthquakes fractured the land, creating huge oceans between kingdoms. Lakes and rivers dried up, leaving famine and hunger in their wake. Even time was disrupted by the corruption of the Power that was once so pristine. The slow tranquil days of the past, when the sun traveled leisurely across the sky, were no more. Now the sun and moon passed swiftly on their journeys, causing confusion among the living.   

Tomás took the throne for himself, murdering Eiselynn and Ían in a mad display of violent executions, but their young daughter, Alísun, survived to carry on in her parents’ stead.

In her grief, young Queen Alísun led her forces to victory, capturing the remaining Enlightened and ending the Great War. She was just a child; a child who knew nothing of the Power that should have been her birthright. 

Out of the ashes, the beautiful forest city of Indriell was rebuilt and life moved on, but many of Alísun’s generation remained feeble. Her advisers feared the years of violence had destroyed the gift.

On the dawn of her sixteenth year, Alísun’s Power awakened in a violent, sudden onset. A rare few of her generation suffered similarly and were limited in ways that baffled their parents, but many remained untouched by their heritage.

Alísun, and those like her, found a way to flourish despite their limitations, but the afflicted children were an anomaly and their lives were taken before they lived a single century.

For years, the births of mortal children escalated while the births of normal children declined. Alísun feared if this epidemic were left to spread, it would eventually leave them extinct.

She chose to banish the afflicted to the furthest corners of the world and within a few short years, the disease died out among those left behind and they finally began to grow in number.

Meanwhile, the banished mortals struggled under harsh conditions as they learned to survive on their own. Life was difficult for them and a hatred for their Immortal brethren was born.

As memory began to fade and young mortals no longer recalled their gifted ancestors, a select few Elders vowed to keep the hatred alive.

In time, the mortal race thrived as they learned a rudimentary way to survive as hunters and gatherers. Immortals withdrew from their once great cities to live among their cave dwelling brothers and sisters, watching over them in secret, protecting them with their powerful gifts. Those who hated the Immortals, hunted them, using their own weapons against them.

As Indriell dissolved into the stuff of legends, the rein of the Great Queens came to an end with Queen Alísun, the greatest of them all. Thousands of years have passed and the Immortal race still thrives, despite the damage caused by one man’s misguided pursuit of Enlightenment.

The Power is corrupted, and will remain so until a new generation is born with the strength of their ancestors, led by one with an unsullied, natural connection with the Power. His heart will guide him, giving him the restraint to wield his Power wisely. He will gather his equals and together they will stand against those who persist in the corruption of the natural order. He will be strong and fierce in his beliefs, and steadfast in his love. Born the second child of the seventh daughter of his line, he alone will possess the skills and the knowledge to heal what has been broken. He alone will have the courage to judge unbiased and mete out the ultimate punishment. Until the time of his birth, may we prepare the way and hope for the future of all the races of men.

—Book of the Indriell Queens – ca. 6000 BC

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CHAPTER

SIXTEEN

Allie dragged her feet up the steps to the cliffs above. They were waiting for her, but Eiselynn’s story left her with a gloomy sense of dread. She wasn’t in a hurry to hear more bad news.

As she climbed, she felt dizzy and stumbled to her knees.

“Allie!” Aidan ran to her side when she rounded the corner at a crawl. He was waiting for her on the steps.

“St-starving.”

“Didn’t you eat?” 

“Trail mix.”

“Not nearly enough. Sit,” he ordered. “I thought you might need this.” He handed her a foil wrapped plate.

The scent hit her and she ripped into the scalding hot omelet with her fingers.

“I know it’s unnerving to feel so weak in front of others,” he said as she gorged herself. She swiped at the angry, embarrassed tears in her eyes.

“Our friends can’t really comprehend this kind of ravenous hunger. It’s supposed to fade, but I’m nearly a year in and it’s stronger than ever.”

“I don’t mind you seeing me like this.” She rested her head on his shoulder, taking a deep shuddering breath.

“Coffee?” He handed her a steaming mug.

“How is it you always know exactly what I need? Is it your gift? Do you read everyone so well?”

“Just you.” He offered his hand, which was carefully wrapped in surgical tape.  

“Ouch.” She traced her fingertips over the bandages before taking his hand.

“Almost good as new.” He winked.

“So other than the freaky starvation, how are you doing?” he asked as they trudged up the last steps.

“Feeling a sense of foreboding, like the other shoe is about to drop and I’m not going to like it.”

“There’re a lot of shoes, Lex,” he sighed miserably, holding the door for her.

As they stepped into the bustling kitchen, she shot him a glare. “You didn’t tell me everyone was going to be here!” Not only was Aidan’s family present, but the room was nearly bursting with their friends’ families too.

“And they can all hear you,” he said dryly.

“Aw crap.”

“It’s okay. You’re allowed to be grumpy.” Quinn’s mother offered a hug. Allie pretended not to notice how fast Emma pulled away.

“Thanks.” Allie always thought she was beautiful before, but Emma was drop dead gorgeous now. As she gazed around the room at the startlingly young faces of her friends’ parents, she realized they were all striking in their own way.

Chloe’s parents, Jin Jing and Ming Lao, spoke with a young man she couldn’t place. It took a moment for it to click that it was Emma’s husband, Daniel. He seemed more like Quinn and Graham’s brother than their father.

I’ll never get used to that.

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“Alright, lay it on me.” Allie prepared herself for another life-altering-catch-her-up-to-speed discussion after a massive family brunch.

Gregg folded his arms across his broad chest, contemplating her with a frown. “You’re less cranky today, Red. But I’m afraid there are a few...distasteful aspects of our world we need to discuss before we can move forward.”

Aidan took her hand hesitantly. “Try not to break any bones today, will ya?”

“Har, har,” she muttered.

“Now that you’ve read our most ancient history,” Gregg began in a tone that indicated he was accustomed to being heard, “you probably understand the controversy between Teigan and Ían is only one account of the struggle for power. But it is important you know this struggle continues even today. Unfortunately, there are many who covet greater gifts than their own. However, our law forbids combat with the intent to take another’s ability. You must understand it is your right—your duty, to protect yourself when challenged by another.” 

“Combat? I have to learn to fight?”
Laws? They have their own government?

“Aye, I’m afraid so, sweetheart. Your training will begin immediately, but we’ll start with basic self-defense. Rest easy, a stolen ability is only desirable once it has matured enough to survive the trauma of an attack to manifest in another. You’re young, but you’re a powerful girl. I’m afraid you’ll become a target much sooner than most. Your gifts are your strongest weapon and greatest asset. It is your responsibility to protect your birthright,” he said passionately, with a spark of power in his amber eyes.

“Allie,” Daniel began hesitantly, “I hate to be the bearer of even more bad news, but I’m afraid we live very dangerous lives. We are a formidable race, capable of remarkable things, but we have weaknesses. And enemies. There are a group of mortals and Immortals who refer to themselves as the Coalition.”

“So, this group wants to take over the world, and they have a bunch of mortals to do their bidding?” Allie asked. It sounded scary, but not surprising.

“The exact opposite. The Coalition has a history almost as long as our own. Today, they have their hand in every major technological advancement. They have enormous political influence and a wealth of support from the private sector funded by old mortal families.”

“So the mortals are in charge? How does that work?” Allie frowned. It seemed impossible that powerful Immortals would allow themselves to be used.

“They know how to manipulate us. For ages, our enemy was nothing more than an unruly group of zealots. They believed our time had long passed and we shouldn’t be allowed to exist. They have since grown into something much more powerful. Through the years, they’ve hunted us and discovered our weaknesses, using them against us without remorse.”

“Have you ever noticed an unusual aversion to anything as a child? An unreasonable phobia?” Gregg asked.

“Remember the physics lab a few weeks ago?” Aidan prodded.

“With the magnets? You guys were cracking up because I can’t stand them.”

“You’re not alone,” Daniel continued. “We all have the same aversion, but a very strong magnetic force is quite dangerous. If you were to pass through such a field, it would sever your power, leaving you weak and vulnerable. For thousands of years the Coalition has created magnetized weapons, ranging from crude lodestone arrowheads and spears to high-powered arms with ammunition containing a liquid magnetic core. Their prisons are built along powerful magnetic fields from which we have little hope of escape. In the past, they simply captured and eliminated us whenever possible in their petty crusade. Since the seventeenth century, however, they’ve had a different agenda. They are organized now with the goal of gaining complete and total control over the Immortal race—not to eliminate us, but to use us.”

“When taken, if your gifts are desirable, they will use whatever means necessary to manipulate you into cooperation. If they deem you worthless, they will eliminate you if circumstances allow it. Many choose to join them willingly to avoid prison, or worse. Some hope for the opportunity to gain or earn their freedom, but most become nothing more than broken slaves used for their abilities.”

“For what possible purpose?” Allie asked.

“Supremacy. He who controls the Immortals has the power to command the world. The Coalition is to be feared, Allie. The more powerful you are, the more attractive you become to them. If they decide they want you, they will hunt you.”

“It sounds like you’re saying they can kill us.” Her brow furrowed in confusion. “How is that possible?”

Gregg sighed as he came to rest crouched at her feet. “I hate dumping this on you when you’ve never asked for any of it.” He clasped her hands. “We can regenerate from almost anything, but that doesn’t mean we’re invincible. Our immortality lies within the Complement bond. If you destroy that connection even for a moment, we can be killed. If Naeemah and I were captured and gravely wounded, our bond would be momentarily broken. In that single instant before regeneration began, we would be at our most vulnerable. If our hearts were removed from our chests and burnt to ash in a violent ritual…from that we could not recover. We cannot die naturally, but we can be murdered,” he said gently.

“Are there people who actually do that?” Allie recoiled.

“Unfortunately, such brutal executions are all too common,” Daniel said bitterly. “Which is yet another reason you must learn to protect yourself.”

“However, we have chosen to raise our children here on Kelleys Island for its obscurity,” Emma added. “The Coalition is not active here. They have headquarters somewhere in the city, but it is primarily an archive.”

“Aye, we have anonymity here,” Gregg added. “I promise you are safer from the enemy now than you have ever been. We will protect you as if you were our own daughter, but you simply must follow our rules.” 

“Immortality doesn’t come cheap, does it?” Allie shook her head sadly.

“Allie,” Ming Lao said, “I don’t know you very well, but it says a lot that you aren’t blinded by the lure of immortality. You will adapt, it will just take time to come to terms with our limitations.”

“Alright guys, you’re free for the rest of the morning,” Gregg announced. “We’ll meet at our usual time and place this afternoon. Allie, you’ll be with Nae today, and tomorrow you’re with me.” He grinned wickedly.  

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