Leo steps up to Victor’s side and speaks softly. “Superior Jackie is a traditionalist, and she respects those with abilities. Something to do with empaths is that they are superior to, well, superiors. Superiors do not bow or curtsy to anyone below them.”
“It’s almost like a monarch mindset, got it,” Victor mentions to Leo.
Leo looks up to ponder and nods. “Sort of. We’ll go over that later.”
Superior Jackie clasps her hands in front of her as she speaks to Victor. “I heard that your eyes started to glow when you were casting a spell. Can you describe what was going through your mind?”
“Well,” Victor starts as he looks around with everyone’s eyes on him. “Karl was standing behind me as I was casting an air bubble. Leo tossed a small fireball, and I caught it in the bubble.” Victor looks in front of him as he recalls the spell. He holds out his hands as he mimics the motions. “All I could think about was removing the air from the fireball. I could feel the heat and air being absorbed into my hands. I didn’t notice Karl standing in front of me. I heard nothing else except the air blowing around my ears.”
Victor lowers his handsand looks back at Superior Jackie. “As I continued to focus, the fireball extinguished, and then the bubble popped. I was excited because I felt I had finally accomplished something from my lessons. When I looked up, Leo and Karl were staring at me. They looked worried. That’s when they told me my eyes were glowing.”
Superior Jackie nods her head slightly as shehmmsto herself. She slowly turns around and walks back to her seat. While pondering, she crosses her arms and taps her index finger on her chin. Superior Jackie momentarily stops in front of the chair she was sitting in before turning back and sitting down.
“What are you thinking, Superior?” Akisha asks.
Superior Jackie sits back and rests her arms on the armrests. “Well, I’ve heard something about this, but I have never experienced it myself. It was just tossed around like rumors or folk tales.” She looks up at Victor and says, “Leo mentioned that you didn’t see anything glowing in front of you.”
Victor slowly shakes his head. “No. The only thing I saw glowing was the fireball.”
“He said your eyes were glowing white. You didn’t see anything white?” Superior Jackie asks.
“The only white I saw was the faded clouds surrounding the bubble,” Victor responds.
Superior Jackie leans to the side and looks at Madame Jeanette. “What say you, Jeanette? Have you ever experienced something like this before, where your eyes glowed?”
“No, I am sorry, Superior Jackie. I have never been told my eyes glowed nor seen someone’s eyes glow,” Madame Jeanette responds.
“You saw nothing in the premonitions with Victor’s eyes glowing?” Superior Jackie adds.
“No, nothing,” Madame Jeanette replies.
Superior Jackie lets out a heavy sigh and looks at Karl and Leo. “Did anything happen to the two of you when this happened? Did you feel weak or dizzy, like energy was being taken from you?”
Karl and Leo both shake their heads.
Superior Jackie leans her elbow against the armrest and rests her chin on her fist. “Well, I’m going to need to research the archives and maybe speak to the council.” She stands up and looks at everyone, “In the meantime, Victor will continue with his lessons. If anything out of the ordinary happens again, please let me know. I hope to have something soon.”
Superior Jackie walks over to Victor and gives him a gentle smile. “I don’t think there is anything to worry about, my young empath.” She takes his hands into hers. “It’s just, this is something new to us. To all of us. Plus, I have a feeling your lessons with Karl will be completed sooner than you think. I can sense that Air Magic will come easily to you.” She lets go of his hands, steps back, and curtsies again to Victor. “Have a good night, Empath Russo.”
As Superior Jackie exits, Akisha follows and stops at the door, looking over her shoulder. “Have a good night, boys. Keep me informed of any changes.” Akisha holds the door open, waiting for Madame Jeanette.
Madame Jeanette walks over to Victor and kisses his cheeks. “Get some rest,chéri. You have a long journey.” She gives Victor one more smile before she exits with Akisha.
Karl pats Victor on the back. “I better get going myself. As Jeanie said, get some rest, young empath.” He gives Leo a nod before taking his leave.
As Victor and Leo watch the door shut, Leo notices a worried look on Victor’s face. “What are you thinking?”
Victor takes a moment before looking at Leo. “Nothing.” Victor tries to swallow, “I’m going to get out of this suit and go to bed.”
Leo walks over to Victor and cups his hand on Victor’s cheek. Looking deep into Victor’s eyes, he says, “Everything will be okay, don’t worry.” He holds it for a few moments, taking in Victor’s gaze. Slowly, he glides his fingertips along Victor’s jawline to the tip of his chin.
Leo steps back, walks to the connecting doorway between their rooms, and closes the door behind him, but only halfway. Victor turns around and starts to get undressed as he walks into his bedroom.
After Victor takes a shower, he puts on some cotton shorts, crawls into his bed, and reaches over to turn off the lamp. He tries to fall asleep when he hears a door slowly squeaking open. Seconds later, there’s a light knock at the door.
Victor looks up and sees Leo standing at the bedroom door wearing a sleeveless shirt and pj bottoms. “Hey, did I wake you?” Leo asks.
“No,” Victor answers softly. “I can’t sleep.” Leo walks in and takes a seat next to Victor.
