The three of us looked at each other before I spoke, “Even if you haven’t tapped into yours yet, we at least know that it probably has something to do with concealment.” I looked around as I was thinking. “Maybe when we go to the librarian, we can try to test it out?”
He rolled his eyes. “I don’t even know how to access it. It’s not like there’s a handbook or anything to teach me.” He tried to make it seem like he didn’t care, but when I looked at his clenched hands, I knew he did. So, I pushed.
“Well, I know when mine first showed up, it was in a time of need. I felt like I needed to keep going. I couldn’t stop. I wouldn’t even if it killed me and then my muscles started to feel light and my body heated up.” I looked at Rykon to continue, since he was the only other one that knew a little of how his magic worked.
“Um…” he looked at me before he faced Ajax, “so mine works a little differently, but now that I think about it, it's kinda similar. When I go to sleep, I usually have something I’m thinking about. When I wake up, I remember a dream about that issue, this force pushing me to do something about it. It first happened when Mi-” He cut off, his eyes flicking to mine again, but I nodded for him, wanting to help Zayden and Ajax.
He blew out a breath. “When Mika first left. I had this sense that she was sad and in pain, too. When I thought about going after her, this force had me dream that someday she would be back.” He shook his head as he looked at the floor. “At first, I held onto that. It got me through the days, then I… I figured it was just a dream and to get over it.”
I had to remind myself that the guys didn't know that I knew who this Mika was and I just kept my mouth shut but I was having a hard time breathing. One side of myself, the girl named Mika, wanted to hug him and tell him that his magic was right. That I did come back, but the assassin Emerald shoved that girl down. Reminding her how they really felt about her now and that we didn’t have time for young girl crushes.
My voice came out shaky at first but I cleared my throat. “See? I think it comes when you’re in a high state of need or emotion.”
Ajax was staring at Rykon, contemplating what he said before he threw up his hands and shook his head as he stared at the ceiling. “Ya, that’s going to work. Put us intentionally in a dangerous situation where I need to save someone and hope that my magic presents itself.”
Zayden ignored Ajax’s outburst of negativity and said, “I know we need to get to the librarian. Maybe I can try to talk to some of Hemlock’s crew on the trip and see if they know anything more. They seem like a bunch that like to keep to themselves, so it will be a challenge.”
Rykon and I smiled at him before Rykon praised him. “That sounds like a great idea. Try to test it out.”
I followed with, “Just think about it this way, you’ve gone all your lives without this magic, or knowledge of this magic, and you’ve done fine. With or without your magic, we will succeed.” I didn’t want any of them to put too much pressure on themselves because I had a feeling that if they did, the magic would resist them.
Ajax’s arms crossed as a deep frown marred his face, and he looked lost. I didn’t like it. “Hey,” His gaze collided with mine, “if it takes something being dangerous for your magic to show, then it’s handy that you have a very good assassin with you. I can be the one that gets into trouble to see if we can push your magic out.” He opened his mouth to argue, but I lifted my hand to stop him. “I’m very capable on my own and I don’t need anyone to save me… but if it helps you figure out what is inside of you, I think it’s worth a shot… don’t you? You don’t want to waste a valuable tool at your disposal, right?”
His mouth set into a grim line, not liking my idea but at the same time not able to provide anything better. He suddenly stared into my eyes, searching them like he was sifting through my soul and trying to find my center. I wanted to shield myself from it as much as bask in it. He asked in a hushed tone, “Why would you do something like that for me?”
Because I love you.
That was what my heart said, what my soul cried out, what my body wanted to act out with him, but my mind wouldn’t let me. I started to think about how if I told them everything, then they would just go home, they would leave me here, and I needed them. Even more than that, Onisea needed Vance as King and to get Vance as King, I needed them to rally the people. The ones that don’t see or hear from the people up in the castle but are always the one that get the shit end of the stick from them. These three men were the leaders of the community, whether they saw it that way or not, and I needed them to back Vance. If I told them everything now, they could choose to renounce their support, and we would be fucked.
So, my mouth said what my mind decided, “Your magic can only help us with the battle that I am sure will come, even after we get this book. The nobility will have a hard time coming to terms with a new ruler, and I’m sure there will be resistance. If we work together, we can make sure that the damage is minimal to the people of Onisea, your people.”
I could tell that the answer wasn’t what he wanted to hear. I can see in his eyes that he understood where I was coming from and that I was right with everything I said, but he couldn’t hide that sliver of disappointment in my answer.
“Our people.” Ajax said, renewed determination wiped away any other thoughts on his face.
I gave him a small smile, the only thing that I could give him at the moment, as I nodded in agreement, “Our people.”
“Our people.” Both Zayden and Rykon said in unison. I looked over at them, their faces determined to get through this and get back home. Magic or not, they were still the heirs and their people needed them.
I turned and grabbed the pillows and blankets, passing them out to everyone. Well, everyone but Zayden as he was on the bed. “We should get some sleep. I don’t really know what to expect from Hemlock and her crew.”
Zayden called out, “Right? That girl has some screws loose, and that’s coming fromme.” As he emphasized the ‘me’ portion, we all chuckled. “But really, I can’t get a read on her…”
Rykon fluffed his pillow as he called out with a grin, “You mean other than her obsession with Em being her best girlfriend?”
I rolled my eyes and hit my head against the wall with a thud, “Uh, don’t remind me.”
Zayden turned onto his stomach as he looked at me, “I think it’s kinda cute. It’s like you girls can bond about mutilating bodies and which outfits make your boobs look big.”
I looked up at him confused, “I never wonder what my boobs look like.”
Zayden’s eyes looked down like he was feasting on my naked body. “That’s because your breasts are amazing in anything you wear.” I blushed a little at that because it was the first time anyone had complimented them. Ruby had nice big ones that made her look womanly and sexy. I always thought mine looked average, but that was because I was athletic, so I let it go. Having Zayden licking his lips as he stared at me made me feel feminine and beautiful.
“She’s also unhinged and can turn on you in a split second.” Ajax threw out as he gave Zayden the stink eye.
Shrugging my shoulders, I said, “I don’t think she will. I don’t know why I feel that way, but I trust my instincts. Now, some of her crew… well, that’s another story.”
Rykon settled in next to me. “I agree. That girl, Elisha, seems problematic, maybe Samlo too, but Talican, Kisha and the big guy, I think his name was Rath, seemed loyal to Hemlock.”
