CHAPTER 5
Alya:
As soon as I arrive to the enclave, I am ready to spring into action, to clear a room, to approach the elders and maybe, just maybe, to get a little rest. What I didn’t anticipate was that the elders would approach me, I have never seen them anywhere other than the receiving hall and yet here they are, standing outside of my apartment facing me, while I am still a mess. I invite them in and feel embarrassed immediately, as much as I enjoy luxury, my recent travels have not left me much time for maintenance, my air conditioning vents smell stale from lack of use and my lounging room is covered with paperwork and files that have long been closed. I work up my nerve and finally speak when I realize they will not be sitting “To what do I owe the honor of your visitation?” they radiate power and take their time in answering, the first to speak – unsurprisingly, is Marcus, he has long been my favorite, he is the most approachable and I agree with him on almost all of our political issues. “Alya, please relax, you are not in trouble. We’ve come only to learn of the one you traveled with, we received word from your brother that he found her by following her trail of destruction and he met her at the closest port. We have heard she has received no formal training.” I begin to breathe lighter, they already know, I wish Ephraim would have informed me, but this does remove a great deal of pressure Julius seizes the opportunity to chime in and I am shocked to see a slight look of excitement on his face, usually when a being has lived as long as he has, they are unexcitable and have a constant look of stoicism plastered on their face “Yes, we have learned of her, but I do not see her here, is she not still with you?” he asks questioningly. I begin to lose my nerve again as I realize they don’t know everything “I had Ephraim take her to Levi’s home in the wood. She was in no condition to come here and I felt a strong need to prepare the court before bringing her here.” Julius look of excitement is now completely gone, he gestures with his hand for me to continue, I grab at the back of my mind to make sure I don’t leave out any details, I begin I find myself looking at the ground as I answer, unsure how exactly I can say it “I have never felt another being more powerful. When she is around, I lose focus, I read her powers and what is normally a hum is a loud buzz, she is projecting so much power and has no control over it. Not only was it difficult to focus mentally, but physically, my powers dampened, it took a full 14 hours to arrive here and by the second hour I had a full migraine and was barely able to stand. When we arrived, I was able to leave my boat for a short time and as soon as I got away from her I began to recharge and finally feel good enough to function. She is a kind girl, a powerful girl, but her lack of control at a place like this could cause absolute chaos.” Marcus got a troubled look on his face and nodded as if he was anticipating this “And what of your brother, Ephraim, how is he able to handle this?” I laugh and shake my head as I realize how absurd my brother will sound “Ephraim, is Ephraim. He feels her power as well, it baffles him and frustrates him. He views it as another challenge to surpass. He is existing on aspirin and frequent short breaks. But he believes as he trains her it will also be an opportunity for him to become even more centered.”
After a long pause, Guinevere speaks up, she is the oldest and some say the most powerful among all our elders, no decision is ever made without her approval and attaining her seal of approval is no easy feat she looks at the elders surrounding her and whispers under her breath “This is exactly what I was afraid of, the time has not come yet. She MUST obtain control over her projections before we bring her here or we will all be obliterated. Alya, you have done well. Keep her away for now, we can send guards and teachers to train with her and she can work with your brother in her spare time. As for Levi, he no longer stands beside us but he still may have some valuable skills he can impart to her, if he is willing to work with her alongside your brother and our trainers, he can come here for breaks, but until she has more control, she is not to be brought within a hundred yards of the facility.” I nod in understanding and find myself smiling, it is not often I am praised for doing right, I have a bit of a reputation for being the black sheep in our family. I realize quickly that they are already walking at their slow, deliberate pace out of my front door. As the door shuts behind them, I begin to lean into my wall, with no clue what to do, until I hear my phone ring and realize it is a good moment for me to call and inform Ephraim of what we must do, then I have to order some real clothes be sent to the poor girl and pack my bag in anticipation of rotating with Ephraim at some point, my head starts to pound at the thought of it.
The Fallen Ones Page 6