Powers of the Six

by Kristal Shaff

  Free Adamah from itself? Nolan waited for more explanation. Instead, the warrior stared into the darkness, frowning.

  The last time Nolan had fallen into this strange dream, his visit with Greer had been short. That brief moment had lasted nearly three days in the real world. This time, it seemed like hours had passed. Nolan sucked a breath. Crows! How long had he been unconscious this time?

  “Greer, why am I here?” Nolan’s heart accelerated. “Why combine these stones? What do you mean by combine, and what will happen if we don’t find the other two? How do you know so much? And why are you telling me all this?”

  Greer chuckled. “So many questions, Master Nolan.” He puffed his chest. “I believe you are here to save us all.”

  It was Nolan’s turn to laugh.

  Greer raised a brow. “Is it so difficult to consider?”

  “Yes, it is. I had no idea I could dream such a self-absorbed image of grandeur.”

  “Ah! So you do not believe I am real.”

  “How can I?” Nolan said. “I’ve never seen anything like you.”

  “At one time, we walked among you.”

  “What are you?” Nolan asked, adding another question to the long list.

  “You have asked me that question twice.” Greer inhaled a deep breath, his muscular chest expanding. “I am a servant to mankind, light created to protect Brim’s most favorite creation. I am a Guardian.”

  “Wait. You said you weren’t a Guardian.”

  “Circumstances changed my mind.”

  Nolan stared. “But Guardians are extinct.”

  Greer smiled, and one eyebrow rose over his white-orbed eye. “Perhaps we are, and this is truly only a dream.” Greer’s countenance changed. He glanced around and then stepped away. “Please forgive me, Master Nolan. We have run out of time again.” His image began to die away. “Until our next meeting.”

  Greer’s light faded into a darkness so thick and humid, Nolan felt as if he’d choke. Through the nothingness, a voice called out, faintly at first, then louder as his consciousness became reality.

  “Nolan! Wake up.”

  Nolan jerked awake, gasping. His eyes popped open to Alec glaring down.

  “I’ve been looking for you all morning!” Alec said.

  Nolan blinked, trying to clear the throbbing through his skull. Daylight filtered through the domed ceiling, and a chorus of birds tweeted above, as well as the occasional bird picking morsels off the floor. Nolan still lay in the temple, though it was too early for the sun to bring the Shay lights.

  “You told me you’d meet me at the practice field,” Alec said, “and now I find you here? What’s gotten into you?”

  Morning. He must’ve lain unconscious all night.

  Only one night.

  “You slept here?” Alec said. “By the light, Nolan, what were you thinking? It’s a good thing you weren’t killed by the Dor’Jan.”

  Alec was angry. The situation with Emery and Kardos had surely dragged him down. Dark rings circled his eyes, as if he’d slept even worse than Nolan. Sadness permeated Alec, too. Nolan could feel it in his friend. But Alec tried to hide it behind his anger.

  Alec flinched, his head whipping toward the temple entrance. “Someone else is here.”

  A strange ache pounded Nolan’s head. He groaned.

  Alec hesitated, still staring at the entrance. He turned to Nolan, helping him to his feet. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” Nolan staggered a few steps.

  “You don’t look fine,” Alec said. At least he wasn’t angry anymore; concern poured from him instead.

  Alec gasped, his eyes widening.

  Nolan slammed his eyelids closed, but it was too late. In the brief moment they connected, Nolan sensed … realization.

  “Crows, Nolan.” Alec grabbed his arm. “What was that?”

  “Nothing!” Nolan lied, squeezing his lids tighter.

  “Your eyes were purple.”

  “It must’ve been the light reflecting—”

  “Crows, Nolan. You’re lying!”

  Nolan turned before opening his eyes. “I’m going home. I have a headache.”

  Before he took a step, Alec appeared in front of him with Speed. The Shay of Empathy in Nolan responded immediately.

  “By Brim!” Alec said with a triumphant tone to his voice. “I knew it!” His emotions were quickly replaced by anger and betrayal.

  Nolan pushed by Alec, walking in determined, yet staggering, steps toward the exit.

  Alec appeared in his path again, anger still pouring from him. Then it slowly switched to confusion. “How in Darkness did you get Empathy? I mean … only the king …”

  Nolan wasn’t sure if it was from his new power, or from Alec’s revelation, but his head spun. His stomach lurched so hard Nolan thought he might vomit.

  Alec was there, supporting his arm and helping him to the side of the temple wall.

  What else have I gained besides these powers?

  The king had obtained an ageless life. Some even said he was immortal. The horror of that thought flitted in his mind, along with so many others, he could scarcely focus. Nolan lowered his head into his hands, the weight of this new power pressing on him even more.

  “The light,” Nolan said. “I stood in the light of Empathy.”

  “The light gave you a second Shay?”

  Nolan swallowed. By Brim, my head aches. “No. It gave me a third.”

  “Three?” Alec inhaled a quick breath. “You have Perception, don’t you?”

  He nodded.

  “Three Shay powers?” Alec’s confusion switched to a swell of excitement. “Well, it explains what happened to your eyes. I’ve been wondering why you haven’t been wearing your spectacles.” He motioned toward the light of Strength. “Would this one would work as well?”

  “This isn’t a game, Alec. I didn’t want these powers.”

  Alec held his hands in defense. “Okay, okay. Just wondering, that’s all.”

  He sat next to Nolan in silence. Nolan didn’t dare look at him; every time he did his friend poured out so many emotions it hurt Nolan’s head. Finally, he met his gaze and sensed a question on the tip of Alec’s tongue.

  “What?” Nolan said with an exasperated sigh.

  “It’s just … Well, I can understand how you didn’t expect the Perception power. But if you already knew what might happen, why would you step into the Empathy light too?”

  “I didn’t know if it would work.”

  “So you thought you’d give it a go, just in case?”

  The sarcasm was thick in Alec’s emotions. It gave Nolan an overwhelming desire to smack him. But as much as he hated to admit it, Alec was right.

  “No,” Nolan said. “It was because of Megan.”

  At first Alec was confused, and then realization—with a touch of amusement—took its place. Alec’s head was like someone flipping through a book while you were trying to read the pages.

  “Ah,” Alec said. “It makes perfect sense to me. Why, if I could figure out what Taryn was thinking half the time, I’d be tempted to step into the Empathy light as well.”

  Then his emotions shifted—hardened. “Or if it helped me understand my father. Emery seems to have this wild idea that he cares about me.”

  “You’re still speaking to Emery?”

  Alec threw his hands up. “Crows, Nolan. I have no idea what to think anymore. I want to hate him, but I can’t do it. Especially after everything he told me last night.”

  Turbulence emanated from Alec: sadness to anger back to sadness … then annoyance …

  Alec cleared his throat. “Seriously, Nolan. It’s a bit rude to use Empathy on someone all the time.”

  “What?” He hadn’t noticed. “Sorry. Just not used to it, that’s all.”

  Alec glared in warning. Nolan pulled back on his Empathy, and Alec relaxed a little.

  “And then there’s my father,” Alec continued. “He’s the most confusing of all. H
e disowns me one hour and gives me gifts the next.” Alec pulled a sword from his sheath. The pattern welded together resembled a flickering flame dancing to the point of the blade, the two different metals intertwining.

  “It’s great,” Nolan said.

  “I know. When we got back last night, I assumed he’d grab a sword and go kill Emery. Instead, he let Taryn heal him, and he started pounding on the forge.”

  He motioned toward his sword. “He’s been working on this one for quite a while. Usually, he curses up a storm and tosses it down. Last night, though, he didn’t say a word. He worked most of the night.” He touched a spot where one of the lighter metals swirled. “This metal is what was left of the sword Father found at the ruins.”

  Nolan blinked. “He … destroyed it?”

  A surge of disgust passed through Alec. “Yes. Afraid so. I guess the metal resisted him before he got his power. He worked all night on the nightforsaken thing, his Accuracy glowing the entire time. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he actually likes his Shay.” He shook his head. “And then he gave the sword to me.”

  Alec fingered the blade, tracing the patterns. Nolan had never seen such a beautiful weapon—although, Nolan hadn’t studied weapons in his readings at the manor. So he supposed his opinion didn’t matter too much. But he assumed this sword would put the king’s to shame.

  “I guess I’m pretty well numb to everything,” Alec said. “My father is a Shay user. If I can wrap my head around that, I can believe most anything.”

  “Is that why you didn’t act so surprised about me?”

  He tilted his head, smiling faintly. It was nice to feel gladness in his emotions.

  “You realize you’re doing it again,” Alec said as he pointed to his head. “Digging in my mind.”

  Nolan cringed. “Sorry. It will probably take a few days to control.”

  Realization washed over Alec. “Ah! So that’s why you hid inside for a week. To practice your Perception?”

  Nolan snickered but stopped abruptly when another pain stabbed his skull. This Shay would take some getting used to.

  “So what’s Emery going to say?” Alec asked.

  “About what?” Nolan asked as he squeezed his eyes closed.

  “About you having more than one Shay.”

  “He won’t say anything, because he won’t know.”

  “You’re not going to tell him?”

  “No. And neither will you.”

  “Won’t he like, um, know?” Alec asked. “Just by sensing you?”

  Nolan rubbed his temple. “Last time he dug through my mind to find my Shay. It’s not like he figured it just by looking at me.” He shuddered, remembering.

  “But he’s more powerful now,” Alec said.

  Nolan hadn’t considered that. But then he remembered last night, when he’d been searching Kardos. He’d stared at him and Kardos had squirmed. He had to dig around Kardos’s mind, too.

  “It will be fine,” Nolan said, hoping.

  “Nolan,” he said, “Maybe this is how King Alcandor gained his powers. And if that’s the case, maybe you can become as powerful as him.”

  Nolan started. “Crows! Why would I want that?”

  Alec shrugged with casual indifference, but his emotions soared with excitement. “Maybe you can defeat the king. Then if we’re lucky, you could take his place.”

  Nolan’s stomach dropped, and he gawked at Alec. How could he say such a thing? He must’ve been more sleep deprived than he’d let on. The idea of himself as king was the most ridiculous suggestion he’d ever heard.

  Nolan forced a laugh. “There is no way in Brim’s light I’ll be king. And besides, I’m done gaining powers.”

  “Why?” Alec said, his emotions smug.

  Nolan ran a hand over his chin. “It’s hard enough hiding one, let alone three.”

  “Then why hide?”

  “Because King Alcandor is the only other person with multiple powers. What would people think? If Alcandor started like me, then what will these powers do to my mind?” Nolan shook his head slowly. “I don’t know how many I can control. Three is bad enough. And if something happens …”

  Alec laughed nervously. “Surely, Nolan—”

  “We have no idea what multiple powers can do. The only reference we have is King Alcandor, and you can see what happened with him. Promise me, Alec, if I start to act evil or something—”

  Alec snorted. “You won’t act evil.”

  “If something goes wrong—”

  “Nolan, you’ll be fine.”

  “Promise me,” Nolan said. “Promise me you’ll stop me if I change.”

  “Change into what?”

  “A monster like Alcandor.”

  Alec stood, annoyance lacing his emotions.

  “Promise me!” Nolan said. All three Shay powers surged to life inside him. He inhaled sharply at the sensation.

  Doubt and disagreement clouded Alec’s emotions. He jerked his face away, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. “All right,” he said in a tense whisper, “I’ll club you in your sleep and tie you up if I see you acting strangely.”

  Nolan frowned.

  “That’s all I can promise,” Alec said, his anger swelling. “If you want to die, ask someone else to kill you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “I CAN PRETTY MUCH guess you’re bored without sensing you,” Nolan said.

  Alec sighed and stood. “Sorry. It’s just … well, I’m sick of sitting.”

  “I didn’t ask you to do this, you know.”

  Nolan had hidden in his house the week following his gain of Empathy. Alec visited daily, letting Nolan practice on him.

  “I figured the quicker you got over this, the quicker we get back to swords.”

  “You do realize I’ll have another advantage,” Nolan said. “I’ll be able to sense your fighting strategies.”

  “Oh no, you can’t. You can only catch emotions.”

  He had a point. More than likely, Alec’s emotion would be excitement during a duel. “Well, my Perception helped me defeat you last time.”

  Alec straightened in his seat, curiosity lacing his emotions.

  “Ah, that’s better. Was getting bored of your boredom.”

  “So you just made that up? To play around with me?” Alec’s emotions were amused.

  “Of course not!” Nolan grinned. “I won because I’d focused my Perception on the hilt of your sword.”

  “Ha! You are such a cheater.” Alec was impressed. “If you’re planning on hiding that Empathy of yours, you won’t be able to rake through everyone’s heads all the time. You’ve done it so much to me, I’m starting to get numb to it.”

  “But you’re such an easy target,” Nolan said. “You give me at least twenty different emotions in a matter of seconds.”

  “Are you calling me emotional?”

  “More like volatile. You’re about to burst apart like an overfilled waterskin.”

  Alec’s emotions rolled, from anger to amusement to curiosity. He shook his head. “Like that, I suppose?”

  “Exactly like that.”

  Nolan tuned his Perception outside and heard a crowd. It sounded like the village gathered at the hall. “Is there something going on today?”

  “Crows!” Alec said, surging with frustration. “Emery’s called a meeting. He wanted me to drag you there.”

  Nolan’s heart stuttered. He wasn’t ready. Empathy was the hardest one to control, because it took so little effort to use.

  “You have to come out sometime,” Alec said.

  “What if I make a mistake?”

  “The whole village has come. There are so many Empathy users, no one will notice who sensed them.”

  Alec was right. It would be the perfect place to try Empathy.

  And so they went. Nolan was both excited and nervous. As they entered the large hall, curiosity laced the crowd’s emotions. It was amazing to feel everything, all the energy in the room.
/>   “They’re all wondering what this meeting is about,” he whispered to Alec.

  Alec grinned wide. “And you didn’t want to come.”

  They took a place at the rear of the building, and a cool breeze blew through the open windows. He couldn’t imagine crowding together with his enhanced smell in sticky and hot weather. This place held, at least, two hundred people; they pushed the limits of capacity.

  He scanned over heads and found Emery and several others on a platform in front of the room. Megan stood between Flann and Emery, looking more beautiful than usual. He surged a little Perception and studied her more closely. The journey had deepened her complexion, revealing faint freckles across her nose.

  “I have brought you here today to discuss the further retrieval of the stones,” Emery said as the group trickled into silence. “From our recent experience, we can be certain the stones of Brim restore our true Shay powers. Certainly those of you with Healing and Speed are anxious to get your turn.”

  “True Shay?” a voice said.

  “What does he mean?” another asked.

  Several more complained, impatient, probably those tormented by the stones’ pull.

  A flare of light caught the corner of Nolan’s eye. He turned and gasped. Greer, the Guardian, maneuvered through the group, his massive form mingling with the crowd. None paid him any notice. Those who did only smiled and nodded as if he were one of them. Nolan pressed his eyes closed and shook his head. When he opened them, the Guardian was gone.

  “Are there any questions?” Emery asked.

  Hands shot into the air.

  Nolan searched for the Guardian, but he saw no one apart from the familiar faces of the villagers. His head throbbed with the increase of emotions in the room.

  The meeting dispersed, but Nolan barely noticed; instead, he scanned the crowd, looking for any proof that he wasn’t going insane. The image of the Guardian blazed in his mind. What is happing to me?

  Emery stepped from the platform, patting shoulders and shaking hands. His eyes would flare purple with each person, as it always did. He wanted to understand his people’s emotions at all times. He searched the crowd, and his gaze stopped on Nolan. Nolan felt Emery’s Empathy flare and fade, and then Emery pushed his way through the crowd in Nolan’s direction.