Her chest hurt as she waited.
“Your name is Emory Reia Fae. Your mother was Nei Fae and father, Roque Fae. They built our government and, through that, built the Academy, so we could live in a world where we learned to use our powers for the greater good to help protect our country. They strove for a free world where they could watch you grow and prosper. Their dream was shattered when all of that was stolen from them.”
Memphis looked lost in memory. “There was a student, Adair. We all attended school here together, but he grew to be ruthless, and above all else, power hungry. He killed your parents. He tore apart everything they had built, and he was about to end the bloodline with you. We were all best friends.” He stiffened. “Brokk and I couldn’t lose everything, and under the circumstances, you asked us for help. You asked us to save you. Brokk has the ability to travel through channels of time, and as you are aware, our world is full of surprises. We left you on Earth, stripped of everything you stood for... But, you were alive, and you were safe.”
Unaware that her mouth had been slightly ajar for the last minute, she shook her head. “Are you saying that I have fallen into a modern fairy tale? I was the royal princess whisked away, and you and him have brought me rightfully home to...to what? To fight in an epic battle? To restore harmony upon the land?”
A hard glint shone in Memphis’s eyes as a stillness settled over him. “You have no idea how much has been lost over the last six years. People have been slaughtered by the thousands because Adair didn’t deem them powerful or useful. Families and homes forever broken... We have been trying to build our numbers to stand up and reclaim what is ours.” He paused. “You always have been, and rightfully are, our leader. You have always been the key.”
Emory looked at the surrounding people for the first time since coming here. Most of them were young. There was no excessive talking, no laughter. They kept on task...whatever that may be. It was very military and echoed a hollow life.
It would explain the dreams.
Her life back on Earth was empty as well. Brought up in an orphanage, she had few friends, other than Moore, and she took care of herself until she came of age. She had always wanted more. Why shouldn’t she accept this life as her own?
“If this is true, will I start to remember them—I mean my family? My past?”
Memphis’s face softened. “It’s hard to know how your memories will come back to you. If I was to take a guess after the other night, they will sort themselves out in spurts, one coming clear at a time. It could be weeks, months, even years for everything to start to make sense. But I can help you.”
She almost didn’t catch the last sentence, and she snapped to attention as he uttered it, unexpected heat flooding her body.
Memphis leaned forward, urgency coating his words. “Emory, from the beginning of history, magic has been present in Kiero. Centuries ago, there was a capital called Nehmai were fey flourished, their magic blossoming across the land. The Warriors, an elitist army, protected the city from the darkness that tried to ravish Kiero. The great war of this world saw the city and the warriors destroyed, and the myth goes that their magic bled into the land, reblooming in humans in the form of special abilities. Your family was one of the strongest I have ever known, and your ability will help us have a chance against Adair. No one else can do what you can.”
My ability. What is he talking about?
Shock rippled across her skin, making her hair stand on end.
Holding out his hand, Memphis said, “Let me show you what I mean.”
It sounded insane. Every girl dreamt of a handsome mysterious man from her dreams saying that she was chosen for something to liberate their world. But she wasn’t one who trusted easily—or wasn’t softened by good looks. But her one weakness was curiosity.
With fire in her heart, she shot Memphis a hard glare before reaching out her hand, interlocking her fingers with his. Nothing happened at first, and a flush crept up her neck at the thought of noting how warm his hold was, making her uncomfortable. Then a slow, high-pitched hum started around them as everything fell silent.
Emory felt the pressure squeezing around her mind; it was sharp and probing. Then, everything exploded around her, and she couldn’t help but gasp. Hundreds, no thousands, of thoughts, conversations, and memories shouted at her all at once. With her eyes wide, her body went rigid.
“You just need to talk to her Brokk... Look at them over there...” Nyx’s voice sounded clear through the chaos, and Emory let go of Memphis’s hand. Panting, her body hummed from the adrenaline rush.
“What was that?!” Her voice was hoarse, her fingers still tingling.
“Your body will still be adjusting back, living in a world that has no magic, your ability disappeared. But in our world, the term for what you are is leech. If you maintain physical contact with anyone, you can use their power while they are left defenseless.” He said this smugly, his blue eyes alit.
Leech.
She turned the word around in her mind thinking of the possibilities. Something was tugging at the edge of her mind, and she sighed. Her body ached, and her heart throbbed. She was tired, overwhelmed, confused, and apparently had super powers. Warily, she eyed Memphis. “I don’t have a choice to go back, do I?”
Memphis studied her curiously from across the table. “Do you really want
