Problem was, I wasn’t sure if I could keep it.
* * *
Kallie didn’t mention our conversation after that. I thought she might say something in our demigod lesson the following week, but she didn’t. I couldn’t tell if she knew I was lying about my promise not to kill people.
It wasn’t that Iwanted to— but I would. If it meant protecting the people I loved and putting some dirtbags in the ground, I wouldn’t hesitate anymore, because I wasdoneputting myself and my friends in danger trying to keep my morals intact. This was prison. You had to do what you had to in order to survive. And sometimes, that meant becoming something you didn’t want to be, and choosing to kill, or be killed.
I put it out of my mind and focused on the lesson. We gathered in Hemlock’s secret illusion room, honing in on our demigod powers. Battle magic sparked in my fingers, and I felt the heat ripple up my arms. It was an Elf power I had yet to tap into, and it made me feel powerful.
“This has got to be it,” I said. “I’ve always been good at fighting. This must be my demigod power.”
“I’m not sure,” Takahashi said thoughtfully. “We should keep our possibilities open.”
He walked around me, while Kallie and Marcus levitated themselves around the room with their telekinesis. It was no surprise those two were meant for each other— their powers could be so similar at times.
They were supposed to be practicing simultension. They’d been trying to combine Kallie’s time powers with Marcus’s Seer powers to look into the future and influence future events. It wasn’t working, and they’d gotten bored. I wasn’t sure that was something we were capable of, even as demigods, but Takahashi insisted we try everything.
Ava sat near me. She was humming, so I knew she was deep in thought. She and Takahashi were both inspecting me, trying to figure out what the hell my demigod power could be.
Perhaps it’s best if we don’t force this, Oberi said.
“Easy for you to say,” I told her. “You’re not the one destined to save the world.”
She ruffled her feathers.Technically, since I share a soul with the two of you, and the prophecy is about you, it’s my duty to help.
“Then perhaps you can give us a hint,” I suggested. “You knew Ava’s power before the rest of us.”
That’s because she had already used it,Oberi said.I was able to sense the difference in her magic. I’ve told you before— I don’t know everything.
“Well, that’s helpful,” I said sarcastically. I was getting frustrated. We’d been at these lessons for weeks, and even Marcus was further along than I was. I mean, he hadn’t exactly figured out hisdemigodpower, but his warlock magic was improving.
“This is good,” Ava said. “If Oberi can feel our demigod powers once you use them, and she hasn’t felt yours yet, it means it’s something you haven’t used before. We can narrow it down.”
“So not battle magic, then,” I said in disappointment. “What if it’s not tied to my Elf powers or my Elementai powers?”
“Charlie,” Ava said softly. “I think we already know.”
I was drawing a blank. “I’ve tried everything. Earth. Air. Energy manipulation. Battle magic… wait. Strong Elves have unique powers. What if I have something like mind reading?”
“Maybe, but there’s one other thing we haven’t tried yet,” Ava said. “Illusions.”
My stomach dropped when she said it.No way. I couldn’t create illusions. Never in a million years. Elf illusions weren’t the same as fae illusions. They couldn’t become solid, which meant the magic was all in the visuals.
Ava must’ve noticed my unease, because she quickly added, “I have some ideas.”
“It’s not going to work,” I insisted. “Without being able to feel what I’m creating, I can’t do it.”
Those are strong words for a guy who’s destined to save the world, Oberi said.
“You think it’s so easy? Thenyoudo it,” I told Oberi. “You’re part of my soul. You have access to my powers.”
If I could, I would’ve already, just to stop your whining,Oberi said in a snarky tone.
“Ava-Marie is right,” Takahashi said. “Elf illusions may not become solid, but there are other elements to the illusion— scent, for example.”
I paused. Scent, I could work with. “I guess we could start there. I’m going to need some help from Kallie.”
“Did I hear my name?” Kallie and Marcus landed, though Kallie was so quiet on her feet I barely heard her. Marcus practically shook the whole room when he fell onto the floor. Rishi let out a scared yowl as he scampered out of the way.
