Not wanting to give in, I try to stand, but it’s like my legs are ice. They won’t move.
“Just do it, Christina.” His eyes are kind for once and there is an understanding there.
Not able to take any more pain, I do what he asks. I push the raging tornado out. The air picks up and the ground rumbles. The tornado is huge. It’s several miles high and pure white. Hail beats down and the ground rumbles all around us, breaking in spots, ruining the grass. I keep my power centered and away from Luke and myself, trying to get the devastation just in one spot.
Granted, I could attack him right now, but I can’t just outright kill someone. He’s not attacking me and there would be no justification.
After several minutes, I drain my power enough that I can stand. When I do, I pull it back inside me. I don’t expect to see what’s left behind. The once-grassy area is now just dirt, torn up and frozen over. “Oh, my God.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. Think of it this way: someone will walk by and wonder what happened.” An envious grin spreads across his face. “They’ll wonder what kind of power left that.”
Someone with that kind of power shouldn’t cause that kind of destruction. They should be able to control the raging beast inside. Seeing his reaction to what I just did proves how I feel about the council. “What the heck is wrong with me?”
“Absolutely nothing, child. You’re magnificent.” His mouth is open and his body leans toward me. “You were just reacting to my power. Your dominance responded to mine and you had to let it out before you destroyed the house.”
At least that explains why my power surged even more around him when he used his. “Well, okay then. We need to get back to Dax before he wakes. There is no telling how he will feel. Becca was out of it at first.”
“Well, you’re right, but he should be in a better frame of mind than she was.” He steps toward me and his hand touches my shoulder once again. “He knows what he should be expecting.”
The world once again spins around and soon we’re back in the room. Dax is still out cold on the cot, but again, his chest falls up and down.
“While we wait, why don’t I take you on a tour of the mansion?” Luke holds his hand out and waits at the door.
Yeah, I’m not taking his hand. That’s just weird and creepy. I close my hand in a fist and hold it close to my body. “I’ve been to the mansion several times.”
“True.” He drops his hand and straightens his shoulder. “But you’ve only seen what we’ve allowed you to. I’m offering to show you what only the Elders are allowed to see and the most trusted Butlers.”
Huh, I'm intrigued. What all are they keeping hidden from everyone? "Sure, I'd love to see it."
He opens the door and motions me forward. "No time like the present."
I step through the doors and wait in the hallway, not sure which direction to go. Maybe this isn't the smartest thing after all. There is no telling what he's going to show me.
"Follow me." He brushes past me and walks down the hall and keeps going. He bypasses the door I used to always stop at to meet Margaret and continues down to the last set of doors. He opens the door and continues through.
Not missing a beat, I march along behind him. When I step through that doorway, I enter a room that is plush beyond my imagination. There is a huge light grey stone fireplace in the middle of the room and two light beige couches and loveseat centered around it. "Oh, wow. This room is amazing."
"Yes, it's the Elders’ room." He walks over and sits down on the couch and leans back looking at home here.
"Then why am I here?" That doesn't make any sense. Why would he show me this?
"Isn't it obvious?" He opens his eyes and raises an eyebrow. "We are down an Elder and you're the next in line."
"That's what Margaret said, but I find that hard to be true." That doesn't make sense. My parents were always assumed to be next in line.
"I know what you're thinking. Everyone assumed it would be your parents, right?" He sits back up and smooths out his shirt. "But the truth of the matter is every single member on the council has a special power just like you. We held your parents close because we had hints that you were different. Unique. Like us."
"That's what she said too." I don't understand it. They don't let others know their powers work different. "If you are so special, why do you keep it hidden?"
"Because people fear things they don't understand." He sighs and shakes his heads. "Look at how your parents treated you when they noticed your abilities. That's why we have to be smarter... stronger. That's why it's best for you to align with us. People like you. Who understand you."
In other words, manipulative and shady. Yeah, that's not in the cards for me. "What happens if I turn the opportunity down?"
"Don't be stupid. That wouldn't be good." He stands and paces in front of the couch. "Margaret told me she showed you the mirrors so you've seen what our world will become in just a few short months if we don't get our hands on these artifacts."
Oh, I remember all right. The mirror showed the end of the world of sorts. It was barren and desolate. She said it was due to Damien taking souls and not letting them go on to their afterlife. That's where Beth might be which makes me cringe. But I can't help to think that the council might have a hand in that vision.
"That's why you must step up and become one of us. Our kind of reapers do
