"That's exactly what friends are for, Runne.”
She looked at me with a small witty smile on her face.
"So, did you hurt him?" She asked.
“Who?”
“Zal.”
“How do you know?” John said. "Did you see anything?"
"Yes. Through the window,” Runne said.
I looked out the window and saw that the view to the pool was clear.
“Runne, look at me.”
She frowned, sighed loudly, released the chalk and sat on the bed, paying attention.
"Do you know what's happening to me?"
"Elizabeth, I said you would be powerful. You hadn’t believed me?
“Be more specific, please!” John almost screamed.
I looked at John with an angry look. He sighed and I looked back at the Runne.
"Elizabeth, I don’t like him very much.”
Runne looked like a child sulking because her parents took away her toy. I grunted, starting to get impatient.
"Runne, do you know exactly what happened to me?"
“I don’t know.”
“What do you know?”
"That you're special. Very special.”
“And what does that mean?”
"Elizabeth, I don’t have all the answers. And when it comes to this, I just feel things. I never actually saw anything. Can I go back to my drawing?”
I nodded.
“You were right. We won’t get anything here,” I told John. “Let's go.”
We left the room right away. I was frustrated and nervous. How did I not know what was happening to me? Someone had to know.
"Do you think the elders will know anything?" I asked.
“Maybe. Do you want to come with me?”
"They won’t mind?"
“Of course not. And if they do, I'll be more than happy to explain how you're one of us, too.”
I went down to the hall and stood there waiting for John. I was in the back of the room, where Isys always stays, but I couldn’t sit. I was too anxious. The looks in my direction also didn’t help. The strangest thing was that they seemed to look at me with admiration. It just made me more uneasy. John soon returned from his parents' room.
"We'll meet in the office."
“Who?”
“The Council and the Chosen Ones. Let's go.”
He took my hand and guided me into the office. The office was large, with a wooden table near a large window and an armchair that looked extremely comfortable behind it. A sofa occupied almost a whole wall. Some chairs were loose in the room. When we entered, besides the Chosen Ones, Rogi, Grace, Torim, some other people I didn’t recognize were there.
“Why are we even here?” Torim asked as we entered. "We haven’t lost another Chosen One, have we?"
"No, Torim," Rogi replied. “Something happened.”
"Didn’t you see what happened today? Liz kicked Zal’s ass” Isys said, sounding amused.
"I didn’t kick his ass, it was just a punch," I said, but no one seemed to hear me.
I lowered my head and went to sit on the couch, determined to keep quiet and listen to what everyone had to say. If they found out what was happening, I was more than happy not to be a part of the process.
"And how exactly did she do that?" Torim asked, looking at me for the first time. He looked baffled.
"That's the question of the hour," John answered sarcastically.
A few minutes passed, and everyone was still silent; some with their heads down, others facing each other. Torim rummaged through a pile of books on the table. They didn’t look confident.
"Does anyone have any idea what might have happened?" Rogi asked, looking around at everyone.
Most people shook their heads. I felt a hole forming in the bottom of my stomach. How the hell didn’t they know what was going on? If anyone could, it would be them.
"Are we sure this can’t be her power?" Grace said shyly.
"We know very well that if one Chosen One already has one power, another won’t have the same," Torim replied.
Maena looked at them all, looking focused. John was silent, looking at me with anguish now and then.
"It can’t be," Maena said, her eyes wide, looking at Rogi.
"How can you be sure?" He asked, heading for Maena.
"Because there never was one," she snapped at once. “It's a myth. A child's story.”
"Can anyone include us in your inner conversation?" Zal asked in his dense voice.
"Rogi thinks she might be an Aster," Maena explained.
They all looked at each other in surprise. Clearly, they hadn’t considered this possibility. I was anxious for an answer, but I wasn’t going to ask anything. They seemed very involved in the conversations themselves to notice my presence. The office door opened and I saw Runne enter. I was surprised that she had left the room without anyone having to drag her away, but she was more interested in the outcome of this conversation.
"But we've never heard of an Aster," Isys said.
“Because it's a legend. An old story people tell in Pacem.” Maena said.
"I told Elizabeth she would be powerful.”
"Is that what you were talking about?" John asked.
Runne didn’t answer. She just made an ugly face at John and sat next to me on the couch.
"If it's true, there's a way we can know," Zal said.
“I already said it can’t be!” Maena said. “It's impossible.”
"What is it, Maena? Are you afraid Liz will be cooler than you?” Isys said.
"Can someone please explain to me what's going on?" I said, standing up.
My tone wasn’t so calm anymore, which made everyone recognize my presence quickly. But they were too involved in the subject to be offended by my aggressive tone. John came close to me.
“What are you talking about?” I said when he arrived. "What's an Aster?"
"It’s a Chosen One like us, but a little different. Special.”
“How different?”
Everyone looked at me impatiently, as if I had to know all this. Isys smiled. She seemed excited about the idea. In fact, everyone looked lively. For the first time I saw in the face of these people something that wasn’t fear.
"An Aster can absorb powers," John explained. "And it can have many powers, not just one.”
"Do you think I absorbed Zal's power?"
"It's the only option," Rogi said, and turned to Maena. "Even if it seems improbable."
"You said we had a way of knowing," Torim said, turning to Zal. “How?”
"Well, we have two ways of knowing, actually. If she's an Aster, now she's as strong as I am since she took my power. She can try to use her power. Or you can try to absorb someone else's power.”
“Mine!” Isys shouted, jumping from where she was.
I looked at John. I felt dizzy. This all seemed surreal. The idea that being a Chosen One was still an option for me was no longer in my head, and here I am, finding that I can be one. And a different kind.
“I'll try the first option.”
"Liz ..." John began to speak.
“I'll be fine.”
"What if it's not an Aster?" You're just gonna get hurt.”
"And you know how this works?" I asked. "You know how I managed to absorb Zal's power, so that I can do it again now? Because I don’t know.”
John put his hand on the back of his neck, looking at the ceiling and thinking.
"Wait," John said after a few seconds. "You said you felt a strange shock when you touched Zal. Try again, touch Maena.”
Isys exhaled, going back to her seat.
"With all due respect, if it works, I don’t want to be able to read anyone's mind," I said, looking at Maena.
She glared at me, but seemed relieved that she didn’t need to cooperate with the test.
"You can try with me," John said, showing me one of those charming smiles.
"And miss the chance to hitch a ride with you?" I smiled. �
�Isys, come here.”
Isys jumped up and came to me smiling.
"Here we go," I said.
She held out her hand and I did the same. I looked around at the people who were staring at me. I touched Isys' hand slowly. Nothing. I took my hand and placed it over hers again. Still nothing.
"You have to concentrate," Zal said. "The way you concentrated during training. You really were trying to learn, to be better. Do the same now.”
I nodded slowly and turned to Isys again. I closed my eyes and touched her hand. A pulse went through my whole body, coming out of my fingertips. It made me pant and take a step back. John took me by the arm, straightening me.
"I felt it," I said, starting to smile.
Isys looked at me smiling, along with John and everyone else.
“Now try to use it!” Torim said looking excited.
I closed my eyes and my hand. I thought about the fire and immediately I began to feel a heat that seemed to slowly penetrate every cell of my body. I opened my eyes and stared at the palm of my hand. A flame burned. If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t believe it, because I felt nothing. I ran my other hand over the flame and was surprised that I didn’t feel my skin burning. I was sure that a silly smile was stamped on my face, but it couldn’t be any other way.
It was an incredible feeling. It made me feel powerful. I closed my hand and the flame went out. I heard a chuckle and looked at Isys, who was grinning from ear to ear.
“Magnificent!” Torim said, clapping his hands lightly.
Everyone had a gleam in their eyes. They looked at me with admiration. I knew it wasn’t particularly me, but it felt good anyway. John was looking at me with a smile on his face.
"I said you were special," Runne said.
"I didn’t need visions to know that," John replied, coming close to me.
He reached for my face and I turned away. John looked confused.
"You'd better not touch me. At least until I know if I can control it," I explained.
John didn’t seem to like it, but he nodded.
“That's incredible, Liz! You're one of us!” Isys said and hugged me. “Even more, a better version of us!”
Everyone else seemed to be deep in thought. Maena had an unpleasant look of jealousy. I ignored her and went to Runne.
"Did you know I was an Aster?" I said, kneeling by the sofa.
"No. From what I felt, I thought of it, but I wasn’t sure.”
"That's why you didn’t tell me anything?"
Runne nodded. I took the precaution of not touching her. Her visions weren’t something I wanted in any near future. She seemed to notice.
"Don’t worry, I won’t touch you, Elizabeth.”
“I don’t...”
"I wouldn’t want to be me either. You know, seeing what others don’t see is exhausting.”
Runne's dark circles weren’t as dark as before, but they were still there.
"You'll learn to control soon enough.”
"Thank you, Runne," I said.
I got up and went to John, who was now talking to the others.
"... and she'll be in more danger now than ever," John was saying when I arrived.
"What are you guys talking about?"
A heavy silence filled the circle of people. This couldn’t be any good.
“You can tell me.”
“The hunter. We don’t know exactly why he's targeting Chosen Ones, but if he knows we have an Aster now, you'll be in even more danger," Zal said.
"Child, understand. You're the closest to a miracle we've got in this doomed land,” Torim said. "He'll want you."
"It's not like there’s anything else we can do. I haven’t left this hotel for days, and I don’t think he would have the nerve to come here.”
Everyone nodded slowly, reflecting.
"I don’t think anyone should leave the hotel unnecessarily," Zal said. "It’s no longer safe for any of us."
"It's been like that since..." John began.
Zal looked at him, then lowered his eyes. John blushed at the same moment, embarrassed.
"Ever since Niko," Zal finished.
“Yes.”
This is no way to live. These people deserve more. More than spending the day locked in fear of leaving and not coming back any more. But we also knew nothing about this hunter, and not everyone could defend themselves, so staying at the hotel was really the best option.
"I think Zal's right," I said.
"Like I said, everyone was scared after Niko. No one leaves if not really needed.”
"Then we're safe," I said.
"For now," Rogi replied.
We spent just a few more minutes talking and we finished the meeting. Although the subject had turned dark quickly, everyone still came to congratulate me. They were excited by the news. I received a strong hug from each one before we left. Even Maena gave me something that resembled a hug. We went to spend time in the main hall and Runne returned to her exile. On the way back, Zal asked if I still wanted to train.
"Why wouldn’t I?" I asked.
"Don’t you think you’re safe?”
"Strength is not everything. I have to know what I'm doing.”
"You're going to do even better than I thought," Zal said with a grin of approval stamping his face. "We'll continue tomorrow."
"Are you afraid of a fair competition?" John said with a laugh.
Zal laughed out loud.
"You know I'm not afraid of anything.
We entered the hall still smiling at their jokes.
Since arriving at this hotel for the first time, it always seems that everyone has a reason to stare at me. The new girl, the girl who took a beating, and now, the girl who is different from all the others. I took advantage of the fact that nobody knew about this whole story of me being an Aster and went to sit on the empty sofa. John, Zal, and Isys accompanied me. I still felt a little out of breath, as if none of this was happening.
It seemed that their conversation was coming from another room. I stared at my hands, turning them from time to time, stuck in my own mind. I thought about trying to practice a little and raised my index finger. Quickly a flame began to burn on my finger and I let out a low chuckle. John looked at me and I made it disappear.
“What are you doing?”
"Nothing," I said, still smiling. “I was just practicing.”
“I get it. When I got my power, I didn’t walk one step. It kept appearing in places; scaring people. Many people at the hotel still don’t talk to me.”
John smiled as he remembered.
"Just try not to set the hotel on fire."
"I'll try," I said, smiling.
The rest of the day passed quietly. I was grateful that it seemed that no one knew what had happened. Throughout the day, the idea ofhaving powers was gradually being absorbed, giving me hope that things would improve. Hope I hadn’t felt since I had to leave Grandma.
When I went upstairs to the bedroom, Liam stopped me at the top of the stairs. John looked at him with the same angry expression he kept only for Liam.
"It's all right," I said. “You can go up.”
I couldn’t be angry with him forever. I was going to let him talk. John started up the stairs, reluctantly, looking at us. I kept in my mind something that John told me one night while I was crying. "No one will ever hurt you like that again." With those words, what Liam did to me didn’t hurt anymore.
“What do you want?” I asked, moving away a little.
"You can’t keep treating me like this. It's not right, Liz.”
"You're right," I said after thinking for a few seconds. "It's time we moved on.”
"Liz, I know what I did was wrong. I know that now. I also know that I don’t deserve your forgiveness, so I won’t even ask.” He reached out a hand toward me, but then pulled away. "But I'll ask for a second chance. Before I ruined everything, I was in love with you. And I think I still am.”
That surprised me. I thought Liam's grimaces towa
rd John were just jealousy. It never crossed my mind that he still liked me. I stared at him in surprise. For a second, I looked to the top of the stairs and saw John watching me. I came back to reality when I saw his gray eyes and his smile in my direction. Because now this was my reality. Those eyes that made me tremble were my reality. I was in love with John and Liam now was just a pain from the past. A pain that belonged to the past. But my reality included my new family, and whether I wanted to or not, Liam was part of it.
"Liam, I'm so sorry you feel like this..."
"I’m not sorry” he said, approaching me.
“But I am. Because I haven’t felt the same for a long time. I'm sorry. And I wish I could say that I want us to be friends, but it would be a lie. I have to trust my friends and unfortunately, I don’t trust you. But now we're part of each other's lives. We have to learn to live together.”
"I never meant to hurt you, Liz.”
"But you did it anyway."
“Is this because of John? Do you really think that conceited is better than me?”
Liam was now getting closer and closer to me, making me uncomfortable. I tried to keep a neutral tone. I didn’t want to leave the impression that he had some kind of power over me.
"No, this is not about John," I said softly. “It’s about me. But now he's a part of my life.”
"Don’t you miss us?"
Liam brought his face close to mine, taking hold of my waist. There was a time I would have lost it by having him so close to me. But now I could only think that those hands were not the ones I wanted there touching me.
I started to smile, putting my hand on his chest. I looked up. John was clenching his fists; I could see the tendons jutting from where I stood. I still smiled and shook my head at him, who relaxed his shoulders, but kept his fists clenched. The hand on Liam's chest began to push him away, leaving him with a confused expression.
"That doesn’t work on me anymore," I said, smiling. "It was a great side effect of being left behind. I meant it when I said I wanted to move on. But we can’t do that if you keep doing this.”
Liam took a step back, nodding slowly and staring at the floor.
“So, that's it?” Liam said.
“That’s it. We don’t have to avoid each other anymore. We’re good.”
"I wasn’t avoiding you.”
"I was," I said, smiling. “Have a good night.”
The Chosen Ones: Red Smoke Page 14