“I think many of you would jump at the opportunity, but I’m here to give you the full explanation of what happens to those with gifts.” Ms. White stands and moves to the board. She carefully writes out the five senses around the word GIFTS. “Sight, taste, smell, touch, and hearing,” Ms. White reads off. “These are the five categories that gifts fall into.”
Ms. White begins to ramble about how each gift is unique and while two people can have an enhanced sense of hearing one person may hear people better and one may hear animals better. In the end, she tells us that it is truly up to the skill of the gift holder to unlock the full potential of their gift.
Zavy’s hand next to me shoots in the air, “Have you ever met someone with a gift?”
Ms. White nods her head gently. “I’m getting to that,” she says and I see her face set in a solid blank stare. “You all know so little about gifts because you have probably never interacted with someone who had a gift. Have you ever found that strange?” Her words settle across the room and my skin begins to crawl. “This is because everyone with a gift is taken to live in the castle and work for King Renon.”
“My father told me if you’re taken in for a gift they kill you,” Miguel, one of my classmates says. The murmur of hushed whispers causes Ms. White to raise her voice to quiet us.
“Rumors are just that, rumors.” Ms. White clears her throat and I can tell these next words are hard for her. “The truth is, no one knows what happens to you when you get taken into the castle. I’ve heard stories of the gifted going off to fight in our wars to protect us. They use their powers to keep us all safe, and to keep the rule in Dather undisturbed.”
“But they don’t go willingly. They are forced,” Miguel spits back.
Ms. White simply nods her head. She knows that what he is saying is true and she doesn’t want to lie to us. “At the age of ten, which many of you are or are soon to be, you must be tested for a gift.” Ms. White’s words sound like a death sentence. I glance around the room and wonder how many of my classmates I won’t see again soon. How many of them have these gifts?
“So who did you know that had a gift?” Zavy asks again.
“My son,” Ms. White says softly. I tilt my head confused, I hadn’t known Ms. White was ever married or had kids. “My husband died in the Alignmass battles over 20 years ago, and in that same year my son was taken for his gift.”
“You don’t know what happened to him?” Zavy asks softly.
Ms. White silently shakes her head no. “I know he had an enhanced sense of sight. He was a Force Lifter.”
Chapter 7
When I awake I realize I’m alone. I roll onto my back, remembering what had happened last night. For starters, I finally figured out why Paylon is immune to my gift, and what gift Paylon has. The thought that he could control someone with a single touch makes my skin chill. That has to be one of the most powerful gifts, especially to King Renon. This information will definitely help me if we ever meet up with his search group in the forest. Zavy’s sarcastic comment is still echoing throughout my head, “You know everyone has a good secret.”
I unwrap myself from Alexander’s navy jacket and smile. Is there something going on between us? I mean the connection has always been there, but we’re practically strangers now. When I hear Toby’s laughter and catch a scent of freshly cooked meat all memories of Alexander and last night fade away. I drape the jacket on Alexander’s bed and grab my sword and bag. I make my way out of the bunker and across the clearing to join them.
When I reach them, I’m welcomed by a handful of ray berries and a couple pieces of meat. I sit next to Zavy and watch Alexander and Toby run through the forest. Zavy sees me looking at them. She leans over and whispers in my ear, “Don’t think I didn’t see you two last night. I know what’s going on,” I look at her and laugh, shaking my head no.
“Nothing is going on between Alexander and me, Zavy. I can promise you that,” I say and eat my breakfast.
We finish eating the meal in silence. Soon Alexander and Toby walk over and sit by us. I’m about to ask what we should do today when I hear the gallops of horses not too far off. Alexander and I leap up and draw our swords ready for the attack. We already know what we’re up against, but Zavy and Toby look at us confused.
“What’s that sound?” Toby asks, his voice shaking.
“It’s Paylon,” I say beneath my breath, as my mind is elsewhere trying to figure out a plan.
Zavy sends Toby down into the bunker for safety. As the gallops grow near I start working out a plan. I position Alexander to my left and Zavy up in a tree with the bow and arrow, with all three of us surrounding the bunker Toby is in. I’m about to tell Alexander that I am a Force Lifter and they just need to follow my lead, but the gallops are getting faster and louder by the minute so I don’t waste my breath.
Three large horses leap into the clearing with Paylon, Codian,
