Lost in Embers (Rising From Ash Saga #1)

Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

M arcus Fawle is a man of average height, a scruff on his face, with light eyes and caramel skin. He and my father must be closer in age, but then again, what do I know about appearances anymore, and what does age matter? His salt-and-pepper hair is cut short to his head but still noticeable on his facial scruff. He appears to be ready for combat in the outfit he wears, with knives in little holsters at his side, none of which is hiding the fact that he’s completely jacked. His voice made him out to be a bit despotic, but he’s nicer than his voice conveyed.

“Ava!” He greets me with a hug and spins me around this empty warehouse. What is this place? Laila seems to be fine with this stranger grabbing me, but I’m still uncomfortable, so I tense up and an electric wave within me grows, and Marcus drops me and hits his knees to the ground.

“You are more powerful than last time. Jesus.” He looks up at me as he holds his sides.

I drop down to his level and grab his shoulders within my hands. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened. Can I get you anything?” There is nothing around this warehouse besides blank gray walls.

“It’s fine. I’ll be okay. I just need to wait for the shock to wear off. Last time I saw you was in the eighteenth century, and you were not this powerful. And to think you haven’t fully developed the powers yet…”

“I don’t understand. I’m sorry. All I know is what my father wrote me.” How am I to possibly understand everything that is going on? I try to express my concern as much as possible and let him know it is not my intention to hurt anyone.

“That is exactly why you were chosen, because you do not have an evil bone in your body.” Marcus musters the strength to stand to his feet; he keeps letting out groans, he’s in pain. “How can I explain this to you? It will be a lot to take in. Are you ready? I know you have been told a lot recently…”

“Yes.” I have never been surer of anything in my life. In fact, it is the only thing I’m sure of at this point. I want to know what is going on.

“Do you feel different, like a current is running through your body?”

“I do. It just started to happen after my birthday. Aidan told me I was knocked out for a few days, and when I woke up, I felt so different. There is an electricity running through my body.”

Marcus explains, “That’s your defense mechanism. It is why I just fell to the ground. I’m glad you have developed one. You do not trust me yet, which is understandable. Your body will give that away when you instinctively put up a block. This is new. You never had this before.”

“So, I will shock anyone who touches me?”

“Anyone you do not trust. You can learn to harness that skill like any other. I will work with you on that. We will also try to find out what other talents you possess. Tell me more about what is different since your birthday. Aidan informed me of some things when the change started happening…” He just glares at me, waiting for me to pour it all out.

My dad says I can trust him, so I go for it. “Well, I know I can take other forms, that was realized firsthand, and it’s how I got this cut.” I point to my forehead at the healing wound. Amazingly no one has asked me about it, probably just writing it off as a klutzy moment. Thankfully, it is chilly out so I can cover my bruises in sweaters, even though I’m burning up in them.

“The letter also told me I can see the good versus evil in people, which explains why I have always thought of myself as a good judge of character. Sometimes I see things, like dreams, then it is recreated. I have a hard time deciphering what they mean or if they will happen.”

“Well, Ava, this is a good start. We can harness your morphing and electric shock with some work. You have always been able to see the good and bad in a person, that is your birth gift, so it comes naturally to you. I cannot teach you how to control that, besides when you touch someone you need to focus on their intentions without seeming like you are lingering. You were a child the last time I saw you, and you were able to carry on a conversation with someone, touch them, see inside them, all while making it seem natural.”

He takes a deep breath in and still cringes in pain. “Come, let’s walk and talk.” He keeps his distance from me. Laila walks in between us, occasionally rubbing against his leg. This is odd for her, but she doesn’t seem overcome with joy either.

“As for your so-called ‘dreams,’ they aren’t dreams at all. They are all premonitions. You are seeing a glimpse into the future. This is a gift we are both new to. Very few people have this talent; I have not heard of anyone besides the Purecks honing this power. As far as I know, you don’t dream at all, but only a Pureck can give you the answer to that. My guess is there is something new in the works here that Mother Nature has yet to fill us in on. She’s sneaky like that. So, I cannot help to distinguish between the two.

“Your father told me he explained that when Cassiopeia dies, you will take over her powers, which includes foresight. When she enchanted you with these gifts, a little part of her might have been left behind, but I’m not sure why it is happening now and never happened before. You are stronger now. Since you have a bit of Pureck in you, you will be one with nature in all aspects.” His voice is so calm and patient, like he’s a teacher imparting wisdom on toddlers who don’t know any better.

“In a weird way that all makes sense, especially this morning when I went for a run. The leaves, trees, and even the dirt on the ground molded with me in a way. I touched the water and there was no ripple effect. I was a part of the water. That’s when I saw…” The visual in my mind stops me dead in my tracks. Those hideous creatures could haunt a soul.

“What did you see, Ava?” Leaking out of his mouth is genuine concern.

“These creatures, unlike anything I have ever seen before. They were on four legs, like dogs but had human hands as feet, with long, curly talons. Their talons were different colors each time I have seen them. They are large with big white fur and curly tails. They have dark black holes as eyes. Probably the most frightening thing I have ever seen.” I stick my tongue out and make a sour face.

“The creatures you speak of are called Huffnalgers, very vicious. Their jaws have the strength to kill any person in one bite. Anyone who crosses paths with this snarling beast is most likely not going to live to tell the tale. Their fangs hold a poison, that only a cure existed for in the old world. It is rare that you see them in these areas unless bid to do so. They cannot normally be controlled, but those who can control them have the Huffnalgers’ undying loyalty. How close were you?”

“Well, isn’t that nice. I was about twenty feet from them.” I try to make light of the situation and chuckle it off, but I’m met with an intense glare from Marcus that assures me this is not a joking matter. “At least I know I can outrun them. That’s what I did this morning.”

“Well, we can add that to your list of talents, because no one has been able to outrun a Huffnalger for well...ever, unless you are a werewolf, of course. I have to see you in action. Come with me.” I follow his instruction and walk cautiously behind him and skip over him talking about werewolves as if they actually exist.

“How is Aidan, anyway? We keep in touch, but he hasn’t been seen as much, well, since the last time you died.”

How comforting. What a great way to break the silence. I don’t answer immediately, since I’m now standing in front of what appears to be an indoor track. Does this warehouse never end? It seemed large from the outside, but not large enough to hold such contents.

“I didn’t realize you knew him like that. He’s good, I guess. I haven’t spoken to him since my birthday.” Just talking about it gets me up in defense. I want to be surprised he knows Aidan, but all shock value is gone from my life now, unless I were to see a werewolf run across the track.

“I have known him just as long as I have known you. It’s odd that you two haven’t spoken in so long. He did everything to track you down. You two are destined to be together, you know? Our own personal version of Beauty and the Beast,” he chuckles to himself. “So, it’s time to show me what you’ve got.” He shoves me out on the track, and like always, Laila follows me. He gives me no time to pry further into anything he said.

I snap my fingers and point to the field inside the track, and Laila abides by my instruction to go sit and wait. In the letter, my dad said Marcus would train me. I wasn’t quite sure what he meant, but I was certain some sort of physical exertion would come into play. I’m glad I put some workout clothes on. Taking the extra time to stretch and thinking of the distance I will be running is necessary. Slowly, Marcus tunes out of my mind; just time for me and the track. He can roll his eyes at my process as much as he wants, but it’s what I do.

Relaxed and where I want to be, my breathing is in sync with the steps I’m about to take. I’m off. Feeling at one with the wind blowing though my hair, once again letting it fall down my back, there is nothing stopping me here. My legs aren’t pushing to exhaustion like normal but gain more strength. A faint barking stops me in my tracks, and I stop to take a seat on the track.

Laila and Marcus run in my direction. With not a clue how long I ran for, I find it odd a crowd showed up. There are about ten people behind Marcus, running in my direction. Laila sits in front of me within seconds and bares her teeth, but not all of her hair stands up on end, which is a good sign. There must be someone in that crowd who is no good, I will have to find out who. She’s cautious around these newcomers, and I don’t blame her.

Marcus arrives in front of me first and takes a knee. “That was amazing, Ava. It appears your light follows you when you are running.”

“What the… What do you mean?” Scrunching my eyes together, you know, so I can hear him better.

I lean my elbow on my leg and place my hand on my face just as he’s about to speak.

“Your light. It is your aura. Truly beautiful. When you run that fast, it becomes bright and vibrant; everyone here could see it because we are trained. You managed to pull students out of class.”

They can thank me later, I joke to myself. It gives me comfort knowing there are more like me, learning to hone their skills. That is refreshing. I’m not alone.

“So, everyone has a light follow them when they run? Sweet! What does yours look like?”

“No. I have only seen it a few times. Your father had one as well when he was in human form running. Whenever he changed forms, it would be masked, which is a good thing. His is blue-and-white. Yours is white-and-light-pink, only the purest of people would have that kind of aura, like the Purecks. It’s only popular amongst Manayunks and the extremely gifted.” He hasn’t seen anything like this since my father, it’s written all over his face.

“I imagine it makes me more detectable if I run in human form, then? Maybe that’s why the Huffnalgers showed up? I’ve heard the term Manayunks before, what is happening with them?”

“Very well could be. You are your father’s daughter, quite brilliant. I don’t know how you are privy to the talks about the Manayunks, but someone or something is killing them off one by one that only a handful, and that’s being gracious, are left. It has frightened the Elders into recruiting much sooner, and testing for the strongest of us all, trying to spot unrecognized potential. I cannot say I agree with how the Elders are testing the students. It is a dome, with different planes and elements, meant for no one to succeed. Let me introduce you to the other students.”

They stand out of earshot, mindful to keep their space, until Marcus walks me over to them.

The other students aren’t as I would imagine students to be. There is only one young person in this group; she looks to be about twelve, with long, light brown hair, small green eyes, braces, perfectly shaped eyebrows, and a crooked smile. She and the other students stand midfield, but now knowing I’m not an intruder, they walk toward us until we meet in the middle.

“Ava, this is Brionna. Her father, John, and your father are friends. She has the power of flight. John arranged that Brionna always be protected by eagles, a perk of being a Manayunk.” He points to the young girl and butterfly wings appear from her back. They have black polka dots all over them with a background mixed in orange, yellow, red, and pink. Exquisite.

He rambles off other names as we leave the track and walk through old, small, dirty, dimly-lit corridors to a lecture room filled with posters on the wall. This room is immaculate and white, unlike the rest of the building. How am I supposed to remember all of those names?

The students take their respective seats in the lecture hall, leaving one open chair in the front for me. Eager to learn what this world has for me, I take my seat. The stares of everyone dart right to me. Laila can sense how the stares make me feel uncomfortable, and she jumps on my lap. I have to maneuver around her to even make eye contact with Marcus. With so many lingering questions, I raise my hand.

“Ava, no need to raise your hand in here; this is not a formal setting. If you have a question, just ask.” He's so sweet and willing to help me, I’m glad my dad wrote his number down for me.

“I have two questions: One, what is this place? Two, how much do you know about the term Shaddower ?” I’m surrounded by these people who know a lot more than I do, yet no embarrassment is found in my voice. I want answers.

“I will get to your second question in a minute. That is a good question, and no one here knows about Shaddowers, since none of them have one. This place is an asylum. A safe learning zone, if you will. Many like us are out living everyday lives, blinded to the fact they are being hunted because they chose to turn the other cheek. This place is open to all, minus Grimmers, as a way to train and learn to control our powers. We also go over ways to blend in. For example, you run warm Ava, as many of us do, but it is important to blend in. Wear a jacket from now on. It’s the little things.”

“As for Shaddowers, only powerful Manayunks have them…” I have to stop myself from raising my hand and yelling out another question. “Manayunks are the most powerful of our kind. They are the ones who have been here for centuries. Your father and Brionna’s father are both Manayunks, so Mother Nature created Shaddowers to make sure at some point there is a balance to all of us. There are many details we can go over about this later. ”

He answers my silent, unasked question: “You have a Shaddower as well, Ava. Your father was able to figure out who his Shaddower was, which only made him more powerful; he was able to play the Shaddower. Your Shaddower would have to be very powerful for your powers to be suppressed. Shaddowers hinder Manayunks from using their full powers, and oftentimes they blind them from the truth. They generally are deceptive and manipulative.”

“But are they evil?” A simple question with a not-so-simple answer.

“They can be, but they can also be good. Everyone has a choice to make in our world. Every breed of us can turn bad at any point, which is why we stress the importance to teach what is really going on out in the world.” He spreads his arms wide and does a slow circle where he stands and a hologram of asylums show up. “This is how we get the information out; what you choose to do with it is entirely your choice.” His hands come back down and the hologram disappears.

“I have a question…” The voice seems so familiar, yet I cannot place it. “How the hell is she supposed to compete in Mishkutou if she knows absolutely nothing?”

I turn in my chair to rip a new one to whoever is insulting me day one… and his eyes lock with mine. It’s the guy I saw standing in my bathroom, and boy does he almost knock me on my ass just as Aidan did. Our eyes lock, and the silence covers the room as we look at each other and try to figure out what the hell is going on.

“You…” My only response is soft.

“Yeah, it’s me. Now how the hell is she going to compete? She’s a huge liability to us all. I don’t want any injuries on my hands because she doesn’t know what the fuck is going on.” His friend next to him tries to ease his tension, but it doesn’t work, and they both leave the room on their own accord, mumbling to each other.

“What is Mishkutou?” my voice isn’t small, there is no shame, especially now that the asshat has been removed from the room.

“It’s a battle simulation to assess what someone’s strengths and weaknesses are in order to figure out where to place them in event of an attack. Or in this case, in preparation for what we know is coming.” Marcus’s voice is low and rumbled.

“What is coming?” I glance around the room, but it was the little girl’s voice that shocked me the most when she stated the blatant truth.

“War.”