“I think it’s dead,” I say. “At least I think that’s what the ash was on the ground in front of me.
“Wait, what vampire?” Alex interrupts, with that look on his face that warns me he’s about to go into “Protect Gemma at All Cost Mode”, so I quickly explain to him what happened and that I staked my very first vampire. And for the moment, he kind of looks proud of me, which is a first for me, from anyone. And it makes me feel kind of proud of myself, which is also a first.
Chapter 23
When we arrive at home, Aislin goes up to my mother’s to try and see if she can get the mark off her. After Alex gives me a brief lecture on being more careful with myself then tells me that he thinks that I should start training, to get a better grasp on my fighting skills. But then says that he wants Laylen to do it, not giving an explanation why. But I know the answer—because he’s trying to keep his distance from me.
So I agree and then go up to my room to change out of my pajamas and pull my hair out of my face. As I’m waiting for Laylen to show up, I decide to flip through the Foreseer book some more, to see if I can find the answer to the Purple Flame. It seems more important than ever now that I know the mark is traveling throughout the world.
But after searching through page after page, I grow frustrated and become desperate. I’m not sure if it’s meant for what I’m about to do, but I decide it’s worth the risk of trying.
“The Power of a Foreseer’s Mind.” I shut my eyes, focusing on seeing what I need to see, but am retaliated by light.
See past the light, see what you need to see. I’m not sure whose voice it is but I do as it says and look past the light.
The Purple Flame… the Purple Flame… the… Purple… Sharp pain erupts through my skull, like my head is cracking apart. I tip sideways on the bed and fall out of it. When I hit the floor, I slip deep inside my mind.
I’m energized, powerful, glowing. I can feel the energy inside me, about to combust and go out into the world. I’d be free from it and I realize I want to be free from it.
“Open your eyes, Gemma,” a familiar voice whispers.
I open my eyes and then step back. I’m in the City of Crystal standing in front of the massive crystal ball that’s about the size of a football stadium, flaring brightly within the enormous space of the cave. Attached to the crystal, solely by chains are people with tubes embedded in their skin, giving energy to the ball for the Foreseers.
“What you need is not in the book,” the voice says to me. “It’s in there. Touch it and you’ll see.”
I inch tentatively toward the crystal ball then taking a deep breath, I extend my hand toward it. My fingers are magnetized, begging us to connect. When I place my palm on it, the hot surface scorches my skin and a fire blazes through me. My heart slams against my chest as energy zips through my body, charging me. Powerful. I am powerful. I pull away and hold up my hand where a purple flame burns vibrantly in my palm.
“One of these days, you’re going to have to figure things out without me,” the voice says and this time I recognize who it belongs to.
I turn around and look behind me “Nicholas…”
I don’t see him but I swear I detect the faint lingering scent of flowers and rain.
I bolt upright, lifting my hand in front of me. There’s no fire burning from it, but I know what I have to do. I slip my shoes on and grab the Traveler’s Ball that was left on my bed with the note. Maybe I should say something to someone. It’d probably be better if I did. But I know if I do then Alex will put up a fight so instead I shut my eyes, grasping onto the crystal ball filled with rubies and a few seconds later, I’m there.
Chapter 24
I land gracefully at the City of Crystal in the cave that has a charcoal ceiling that maroon crystals dangle from. Beneath the translucent floor, there’s a midnight river flowing and carrying pieces of gold. And rubies wave across the snow-white walls.
I hurry and put the crystal ball into my pocket then sprint towards where the massive crystal ball is. My stomach churns as I enter the room and catch sight of the bodies strapped to the crystal illuminating with energy. Their eyes are shut, bodies still slack and lifeless. It makes me sick to see, but I don’t look away. I hold my breath and block out everything but the flaming crystal ball they’re attached to as I lean forward and place my hand to it, just like I did in the vision. Energy simmers through my veins and my heart accelerates so swiftly it aches inside my chest. It feels so different… like it’s sucking the life from me instead of feeding me power.
I can’t breathe…
It’s killing me…
I jolt back and gasp as my eyes roll into the back of my head and my body begins to convulse. The crystal ball starts to hiss and sparks shoot out from it and land around my feet like embers. I start to think about how stupid I am for trusting a vision put in my head by Nicholas, but then I see my hand and the Purple Flame burning from it.
“Thank God,” I say to myself as my body begins to calm down. I shut my hand as I distance myself from the crystal ball and the flame goes poof. When I open my hand again the flame ignites.
I’m in awe, opening and closing my hand a few more times before stopping in front of the door and taking the Traveler’s Ball out of my pocket. I cast one last glance at the people trapped to the crystal ball and tell myself that one day I’ll come back and free them, even if it means there will be no more Foreseers. The world can live without visions being read and will be better off too.
I smile at the thought and shut my eyes to leave this place. But right as I’m about to slip into the crystal ball, the door swings open and smacks me in the face. The crystal ball falls from my fingers and crashes against the floor, breaking the outer shell and rubies and water spills out onto the porcelain floor. Dyvinius enters the room wearing his silver robe that matches his eyes and a look that lets me know I’m in deep shit.
“Would you like to explain why you’re here?” he asks, staring down at the broken crystal.
“A… um… would you believe me if I said I was lost?” I said innocently with a shrug.
He stares at me blankly. “No.”
I deliberate my options. I could go all ninja on him, but kicking an old guy’s ass doesn’t seem right. So I let three seconds tick by, and then take off toward the massive crystal ball, hoping to wind around it and backtrack, then use my Foreseer power to get me out of here.
“Gemma.” Dyvinius’ calls out from right behind me. “I don’t understand why you’re running away from me.”
Bull shit he doesn’t.
I pick up my pace and smile when I see the door again. As I feel the power of the crystal ball fading, I decide there’s enough room between us and close my eyes. But my own power is absent.
“There’s no use trying,” Dyvinius says in his monotone voice. “I have the place on lockdown. No one may leave or enter, even with a unique Foreseer gift like yours.”
Dyvinius knows about my gift? This is not good.
I open my eyes, attempting to stay calm as I turn around and face him. “How do you know about my gift?”
He offers me a small smile as he stops in front of me. “You are your father’s daughter. How could I not know?” He turns around, his silver robe swishing lightly across the floor. “This way please. We have much to talk about.”