Reckless Magic

“And Lucan would kill me justbecause I look like my mother, although he thinks she’s dead?” I clarified.

“I am certain Lucan believes theyare alive; I don’t doubt he has ever given up his search. If he were to uncoverthat you were Delia and Justice’s daughter, he would not only have youtortured, but most likely use you to bait out your mother and father. If heever found out you had a twin brother, then I’m afraid all hell would breaklose.”

“Why? Why does it matter thatAvalon and I are twins?”

“Twins have always been rare withinthe Immortals, but since the King’s Curse they have been non-existent. With theold magic, twins were unparalleled for strength and power and on top of thatthey have a telepathic co

“How do I have all four types? Ithought intermarriage was forbidden or whatever?” I asked, changing the subjecta little.

“Let’s see, your grandfather was a Witchand an Oracle; your grandmother was a Medium; they also married in secret, butshe was later killed because of it. Justice, you’re father, was a Titan and hisfather a Titan, but his mother was a Shape-Shifter; something nobody knew untilthe fateful shift that began it all. That’s all four types and Avalon too; butyour strongest traits are Witch and Avalon’s are Titan, although we try to makehim play up his other ones. If he were to appear like a Titan, people would besuspicious why he isn’t with the Guard,” I lay back on the grass, unable to sitany longer and listened to the melodic tone in Amory’s voice.

“Ok, so now I understand why Ishouldn’t have interrupted the trial. But why didn’t you tell me all of thisbefore? If I would have known this, I wouldn’t have gone to all of the troubleof exposing myself. And Dream Walking to? Why didn’t you tell me that wasreal?” I whispered quietly, rubbing my eyes to keep them open.

A million stars lit up the nightsky; I pondered for a moment that although I was half way across the world thiswas the same sky I looked up to when I was home in the middle of America. Thenight was still cold, but the magic buzzing steadily through my veins kept myblood warm.

“I couldn’t tell you this beforebecause I wasn’t sure if you would be able to hide it from Kiran. I was afraidthat if he found any of this out that it wouldn’t matter if you came to Romaniaor not. I have been waiting for Kiran to discover you this entire semester andturn you over to his father, but I’m afraid I underestimated him,” Amory saidwith almost curiosity in his voice. “And the Dream Walking, I hoped it washarmless. I was afraid that if you knew too much, that if you protectedyourself from Kiran too much, that would also make him suspicious.”

“What do you mean?” I asked throughanother wide yawn.

“I think that Kiran has alwaysknown, or at least he’s known for some time. I’m not sure how he would haverecognized you, but after his reaction in the courtroom I am almost positive heis aware of your identity,” I perked up a little by Amory’s answer. If he knewthis entire time, why didn’t he ever say anything to me? Does that mean he wastrying to protect me this whole time?

“So he knew who I was, but didn’ttell his father? What does that mean?” I rubbed my eyes again, determined tokeep them open.

“I think it means he had the samereaction to you that his father had with your mother. He’s obviously hoping fora different outcome,” Amory replied, laughing a little.

“Star-crossed,” I mumbled.

“What’s that?” Amory asked,although I was sure he heard me.

“Nothing,” I answered quickly. “Ifyou were so afraid of Kiran finding out about me, then how come you had meenroll at Kingsley?” my questions would keep coming as long as I could stayawake. I finally had someone giving me answers, I was not about to give up now.But then I yawned again, and realized it was only a matter of time before I wasable to fight my exhausted body.

“I never would have had you come toKingsley had I known that Kiran would be attending. But by the time we got thecall about his arrival, you were already on your way to school. I had intendedto intercede, but I couldn’t get to you before your run in with Kiran in thelobby of the Administration building. After that I had to hope for the best andprotect you as best as I could. Kiran’s interest in you however, made me afailure as it turns out,” I expected Amory to be disappointed in what heconsidered a failure, but he sounded more entertained than anything.

“Why do you think he never told hisfather?” I asked again, not entirely sure what to think of the whole story. Iclosed my eyes, promising myself that I would stay awake and listen even if mytired eyes were shut.

“You said it best Eden….star-crossed,” and then I found the sweet surrender of sleep beneath a wideopen Romanian sky.

Chapter Forty-Four

Eden….Where are you?

Something stirred me from myunconsciousness. I fought wakening, and attempted to once again fall into thedeep abyss of sleep.

Damnit. Eden, where are you?

A sharper, irritated memory liftedme once again from sleep’s grasp. The memory felt strange, like it wasn’t mine,and even stranger like it was stumbling through a wilderness. I rolled over,and concentrated fully on finding sleep again.

Sticks and rocks jabbed into myside, poking through my oversized sweatshirt. My cheek was wet and grimy fromdamp leaves that had become my pillow. Gross.

I sat up; realizing the memory thatawoke me was not actually a memory but Avalon stumbling through the wildernesstrying to find us. I rubbed my bleary eyes surprised by the light of morning.The forest was brightened by daylight, but it must have still been earlymorning because the sun was just barely shining from the peaks of the easternmountain tops.

“Eden!” Avalon shouted through thetrees. Apparently he got tired of waiting for me to figure out where his voicewas coming from.

“Over here,” I struggled to shoutback through a hoarse and scratchy morning voice. I cleared my throat and triedagain, “Over here.”

I heard Avalon not far away, makinghis way noisily through the thick trees and underbrush. Someone was with him,although it was hard for me to determine the identity of their magic when Ifelt like I had just been run over by a bus. I was not sure how long I wasasleep, but it wasn’t nearly long enough.

I stood up to brush the leaves anddirt off of me. My legs and back were incredibly sore and I heard several of myjoints make a cracking noise as I fought to get to my feet. I didn’t have thepatience to deal with tired muscles and aching bones this morning; I sent mymagic surging through my body, heating my blood and relieving the tension in myexhausted appendages.

I felt instantly better, the magicdid its job and my bones and muscles felt better than normal; I wasn’t sure ifthere was any hope for my external appearance however. I did my best to pickoff the damp leaves and wipe away the dirt, but I began to think they hadbecome a part of me. I reached my hand up to the top of my head in an attemptto deal with my hair, but after feeling around for a few seconds, brought itback down. There was no hope. I wouldn’t be surprised if I had to shave it offwhen I returned to civility.