Holy fucking shit! Why didn’t he tell me this before?My mouth popped open, and I just stood theirdumbfounded.
“Your essence”—he pointed to me—“is like the breeders. You can do what they do. I’m sure of it.” He finished and then just stood there, waiting for me tospeak.
He was the second person that day to tell me I was like the breeders. It was starting to irkme.
“You’ve known this the entire time, and didn’t tell anyone? Didn’t tell me?” I was actually more hurt than pissed, and it showed in myvoice.
“Remember, Iseethings. You weren’t ready, and you need Jeremy. Now the timing is right, and everything hasaligned.”
I wanted to argue, to lash out, stomp my foot, and throw a full-blown freaking twelve-year-old temper tantrum. But how could I argue with his logic? He somehow foresaw this moment, and this was the moment to tell me. Though I was still having a hard time believing I was anything like thosemonsters.
I settled for crossing my arms and nodding. “Okay, so whatnow?”
“Now the real work begins.” He smiled, following his typical Master Akivagueness.
I was about to press him for more when a massive headache rocked my world. My hands camp up to frame my face, and Master Aki wasted no time in starting his firstlesson.
“Kit, you need to learn to push thoughts out. You’ve always been good at projecting your own thoughts but never protectingthem.”
The pain ramped up a notch and my eyes watered. There was a breeder somewhere trying to killme.
“The breeders. They’re trying to make my life hell,” I said between gasps ofair.
Damien swam into view. “Are you okay?” He put an arm aroundme.
“She would be fine, if she would listen to me,” Master Akisnapped.
Anger rose up in me. “I’m trying the best I can!” I shouted, lashing out athim.
He wasgrinning.
“What?” Iasked.
“Your headache gone?” He lookedsmug.
It was. “How?”
He bowed. “You pushed. Use that anger, Kit. Just not on me.” Hewinked.
I did a full circle. “There’s a female somewhere around here,” I toldeveryone.
Damien pulled up his heat-scanning device and frowned. “I’m only seeing a few grunts about a quarter mileaway.”
My lips turned down as I glanced to Master Aki. “What’s goingon?”
He looked sad. “From this moment forward, the breeders will be looking for any way they can hurt you. No matter how far away you are, they will be trying to find you, harm you, and endyou.”
His words were so ominous that I half-expected to hear “dun dun dun” music in thebackground.
I swallowed hard. “Teach me what to do.” It was the same thing I’d asked him when I was twelve years old. A scared little girl with mental control powers she didn’t understand, and the spirit animal of a video game heroine on a murderousrampage.
He nodded. “First let’s get youhome.”
I sighed. He said that like it was an easything.
I had a feeling this was going to be a longnight.
Fourteen
