Trials of a Magical Life
Excerpt
Elinor ducked behind the building, binding her Powers tight. She didn’t want to interrupt yet; but knew if she didn’t read a Normal, they would kill the others before she could help. Seeing Duke walk into the building, she shook her head.
Sensing Oliver and Artemis, she opened a telepathic link. How much research did you do? Ellie felt Artemis’s shock, Oliver’s amusement.
This is our assignment. Why are you here? Where are you? Artemis looked around for the girl she had so much trouble with.
Now, now, celf, don’t take it personally. There are five Warren members waiting in the wings to attack. Again, how much research did you do?
Duke and Luka said it was a test run, Oliver cut in before Artemis could give away the positions. We did a cursory review of the building and the people assumed to be in here. And Ellie, I agree with Artemis. I want to know where you are.
Alright. Ellie uncloaked herself, tapping their shoulders. Placing her hands on them, she brought them back into the veil. Artemis looked around, shocked when she saw people walking by – as if they couldn’t see them.
Pulling her attention back, Ellie continued. Well, it’s a trap. So, we need to get Duke out and capture the others for Agency questioning. They are from the Warren group in Moscow. I need to know now if you will have trouble and end up sympathizing with them.
And how could we know that until we see them? Artemis snarled. How do you know that we weren’t the ones who set Duke up?
Easy. Unlike them, celf, your Power leaks as good. You struggled with some of the things you had to do – that’s why your aura is only a burnt orange instead of a rust orange. But theirs – can you not feel it? It’s seeping out, spilling like oil out of that warehouse. She shivered.
Show us, Ellie. Oliver’s calm voice flowed across the link, knowing that she wouldn’t understand that they couldn’t feel it. She flicked a look to Artemis before un-cloaking her eyes. She quickly covered her flinch at Artemis’s gasp and look of distaste. Oliver sent her a look of concern before concentrating on the scene in Ellie’s eyes.
It’s Dolric leading the group. Which means Jana and Alric are involved. Possibly Vedde and Bjørn. Artemis’s voiced strained as she worked to talk normally and keep the disgust out of her voice. What’s that coming off their bodies?
The evilness in their Power. That’s what I meant when I asked if you couldn’t feel it. Note the different colors. Dolric, his is a light blue outline. I’m assuming his power is of the telekinetic ability. Alric is related to him, but his is a darker blue, so more than likely he has the ability to manipulate water. Jana’s is a green outline, she controls that of nature. Vedde’s has a gray outline – she is medium, rather weak actually. Her body is already partly in the Spirit world; she must not have come back completely the last time she traveled. And Bjørn? His is a dark purple, meaning he is a foreseer, which is how they knew you guys were coming.
Is this what you always see? Artemis asked, wondering.
Ellie looked at her, confused. Aye, is this not always what you see?
Never mind that, Ellie. They know we are here and that you are here to help.
Shit. Oliver moved away, pulling out from under Ellie’s hand. She quickly reached for him before he could pace away and get out from the veil.
No. He can’t see us.
How? Artemis asked, curious. Artemis had never really considered what Ellie’s power was; she only knew that she had a lot of it and Ken had wanted her disabled. But seeing what she could see, she knew that Ellie was more powerful than even Ken had believed.
You’re cloaking us, much like you do your eyes. Oliver touched Ellie’s eyes. Smiling sadly, she cloaked them again.
But, you popped out of the veil earlier. Artemis’s stuttered, shocked.
Hmm, yes. Ellie smiled at Artemis. But I had matched my Power level to a Normal that lives in this building. He never saw us.
Artemis and Oliver looked at each other. I didn’t know that could be done, Oliver mentioned softly.
Ellie shrugged. I’ve only done it a couple of times. You can do it too – any one could – if you want it enough. But it hurts us too much. You have to separate your body from your Power which is why most don’t attempt it or even know it is possible. Now, they just captured Duke. I suggest we bring him into the conversation and the plan.
What is the plan?
Oh, did we not tell you? We go in, and fight. Ellie smiled, excited.
“I almost feel sad for them,” Oliver whispered to Artemis.