Second Sight (Hollows Ground Book 1)

by J. A. Culican

  “How much magic have you seen?” Kasik asks me.

  “Just what I’ve seen here. I’ve never known anyone who has magic,” I answer, still staring at the guard.

  “And yet you were born with it.” Kasik walks back toward me. “Arrum here holds the magic of Electrokinesis. He can manipulate any form of electrical energy.” Kasik tilts his head toward the guard. “With just a thought,” he taps his forehead, “he can will the energy to do whatever he wants.”

  Static fills the air as Arrum wills the energy in his hand to grow. His eyes light up gleefully as I take a step back, almost tripping over Luka’s prone position.

  “I don’t trust those who weren’t born a Shade. I especially don't trust those who have no control of their powers. Unpredictable,” his voice raises. “Unstable. Unreliable.” He takes a step back shaking his head. “Your gift is incredibly rare and quite powerful, but with your lack of training and deep-rooted fear, you're nothing but a liability. I’ve fought too long and too hard to leave anything to chance. I’m sorry my dear,” Kasik says with a sigh, “but today will be your last.” He nods to Arrum.

  “Wait!” I shout as I put my hands up in an instinctive attempt to block the blow.

  “You're the one with the fear!” Luka’s voice echoes through my strangled emotions. “You, Kasik, are scared that she just might be the one. You can feel her sincerity and honesty just as I can. She wasn't planted here by the Wraiths. She was ripped out of her home by me. I kidnapped her and brought her here to save us. Not for you to kill her.” Luka stands and glares at Kasik. “If you kill her, you may as well kill me.”

  I suck in a breath as Luka continues to stare down Kasik. What is he thinking? The heat emanating from Arrum increases as he waits for the word we all know means our immediate death.

  “Strong words.” Kasik once again walks down toward us and stops in front of Luka. “You feel much more than I. But I see the truth.” His long finger pushes under Luka’s chin, tilting his head back. “The Wraiths did not plant her here, but she is an outsider.” Kasik drops his hand from Luka and turns my way. “I do feel fear. I fear your loyalty to the Shades, for you have no reason except fear to be loyal and fight with us. You do not know this world or the magic that lies within, which also scares me. However, there is truth in Luka’s words. So,” Kasik turns back and walks up to his throne. “I will speak to my daughter about your future. The decision we agree upon will be the final verdict.” Kasik sits, back straight in his throne. “Guard, call for my daughter.”

  With a slight bow the guard closest to Kasik leaves the great room, the door slamming with a resounding bang. Silence surrounds us. Even the buzzing from Arrum’s hand has ceased as we wait for his daughter. Luka stands tall next to me, his death still invisible to me, which gives me a dash of hope.

  My hope evaporates immediately as a blonde-haired, green-eyed monster enters the room. Kasik’s daughter is Luna.

  The pounding of my heart rattles my frame as Luna traipses up to her father. Luna’s smile beams toward Kasik as she embraces him tightly. Sweat breaks out on my forehead. My imminent demise should be flashing before my eyes at any moment.

  Kasik turns Luna to face us, keeping an arm wrapped around her shoulders. “Daughter, I am so glad you were able to get here so fast. I have an urgent matter to discuss with you.”

  Luna’s eyes meet mine, a fatal glint sparkling within. “I wasn’t far. I had to check in with the business bureau on a permit. It seems some of our citizens are attempting to skate our laws.” Luna shakes her head. “Our laws are meant to keep everyone safe, I don't know why some think differently,” she muses.

  Kasik chuckles as he looks down at Luna. “Yes, my dear. There will always be those who struggle with what is right. It is why we must stay vigilant and strong. It is our responsibility to keep all Shades safe.”

  “Yes, father, I agree. I assume a similar matter is why you called me here.” A slight smirk forms around Luna’s mouth as she continues to stare me down.

  “As always, you're quite right.” Kasik beams down at Luna.

  “You know my take on lessers, father. We have enough mouths to feed; we can't keep taking in every being who holds any amount of magic. It's just not feasible―”

  “She isn't just any being. Her magic is rare. One we’ve been searching for,” Luka interrupts.

  Luna’s gaze shifts from me to Luka. If looks could kill, Luka would be no longer.

  “What he says is true. She holds the gift of second sight,” Kasik adds.

  “Impossible! Her magic is barely readable. One with that gift would shine brighter than anyone else here.” Luna squints at me as she assesses me once more.

  “She is untrained―”

  “You mean unstable.” Luna cocks her head at me. “Untrained magic is dangerous.”

  “I agree. However, Luka has brought up a point we must remember.”

  “Which is?” Luna inquires.

  “She holds the gift we’ve been waiting for. The one gift that could end the war with the Wraiths. The one gift that could keep all Shades safe,” Kasik explains.

  “And what of her family? They are not Shades, or we would know of her existence long before now if they were. Which leaves the Wraiths. A guise of innocence to use against us.”

  “Her family is neither. Of this, I am sure. Which also concerns me. Rogue magic.” Kasik shakes his head and walks toward us. “Such a shame such power was born within an unknown.”

  “Her loyalty will always be questionable. We must dispose of her. If the Wraiths find out about her, they will use her against us,” Luna declares.

  “We’ve been searching for so long for someone with her gift, and now that we’ve found her, you just want to kill her? I don’t understand. I would have never brought her here if I’d known the Shades were murderers,” Luka states.

  “Watch yourself Luka. You’re not in charge here.” Kasik points at Luka. “But once again, your points are strong. The Shades are not killers. We leave the killing to the Wraiths.”

  “She will betray us!” Luna shouts from the stage before us. “She does not know our world. She won't understand what we're fighting for.”

  “Then we show her.” Luka stares at Kasik. “Once Ela sees the world she’s missed out on, there’s no way she’d be anything other than loyal. It’s our duty.”

  “Duty?” Luna scoffs. “We don’t owe her anything. Not to mention we can't afford to spend the time on training her just for her to jump ship the second we need her help.” Luna shakes her head. “No. My vote is to end this today.”

  “I trust her. Let me show her around, teach her about Hollows Ground. It will cost you nothing,” Luka pleads. “Let me prove to you her loyalty.”

  Kasik studies me. With a sigh, he says, “A wild card is what she is. One who can change the future for good or evil. Our decision here will affect all, not just today but tomorrow and all time after.”

  “We can still win this war without her. Is she a chance we really want to take?” Luna pipes up from behind Kasik. “There is something about her I don't like.” She moves to stand directly in front of me.

  Her eyes blaze with anger as she feels her father shift his thoughts. Kasik just might give me a chance. I’ve had little interaction with Luna, but she’s been angry with me since she first saw me.

  “I feel her innocence in all things magic. And she has yet to lie to us.” Kasik says as he paces behind Luna.

  “We know nothing of her,” Luna sneers. “And you,” Luna points to Luka. “You know our laws, no outsiders without permission. She’s already convinced one of our most loyal to disregard our laws.” She turns to face her father. “Nothing good will come of having her here. This I feel, father.”

  “Another good point.” Kasik continues to pace, his long robe floating effortlessly behind him.

  “I know the laws and I apologize and accept my punishment for breaking them. But once I saw who she was, I knew she was the one. Kasik, I beg you
, give her a chance,” Luka pleads.

  “I want to believe the same thing as you, boy.” Kasik pauses his pacing and turns to face us. “I’ve dreamt of the day this gift would be granted to us,” he says with a sigh. “I just never imagined this circumstance. A rogue. An outsider.” Kasik steps up to me. “I want nothing more than to believe the fates dropped you here to save us. That you, dear, are the hope all Shades need.”

  “You can't possibly believe the fates sent her here.” Luna shakes her head at Kasik. “They would send us a gift from within.”

  “Unless it's a test? A test of faith.” Kasik grabs his daughter's hand. “My vote is for her to stay; you can keep an eye on her as close as you want.”

  “A test of faith,” Luna reiterates. “What if the test isn't from the fates? We have no idea where she is from.”

  “That is why you will keep your eye on her,” Kasik answers.

  “And what do we do with her while she is here? Throw her in the dungeons?” Luna’s smirk finds its way back onto her face.

  “Of course not. Luka will be in charge of her.” Kasik drops Luna’s hand and turns to Luka. “It will be your responsibility to care for Ela. But most importantly, you will be responsible for her training. We must know what she is capable of, and she must gain control of her gift. Her magic is still very immature; it will need to strengthen if we are to use her gift to end the Wraiths.”

  “And if her magic in untrainable and we find her useless?” Luna asks.

  “Then that day will be her last,” Kasik states.

  “And Luka?” Luna asks.

  “They will share the same fate as punishment for putting the safety of all Shades in danger by bringing an outsider to our home.”

  I drop my head to my chin. Considering I've never been able to control my curse, I know what my fate will be and now Luka’s, too. No way will Luka be able to train me. No way will I be able to help the Shades defeat the Wraiths. That just isn’t who I am. I hide, I run, but no matter what, death always finds me. Maybe this time, death will show me mine.

  Luka drags me out of the great hall and down the steep granite stairs as the guards retake their place by the large red iron doors. I stumble behind him in his haste to get away. It's clear he is just as scared as I am. His fate now lies with mine. If I fail, he dies. But if he succeeds, the Shades will use me as a weapon to destroy the Wraiths. It seems no matter what, my life is over, but I still have a chance to save Luka’s. Even if it was Luka who brought me here in the first place. He should have just left me in the park. It would have been better for the both of us.

  “This way.” Luka pulls me down a street lined with large oak trees.

  The new street looks like a residential area. No longer are there markets or even people. Stairs line the sidewalk leading to colorful doors, each with a different number. The street, however, is clear of any cars and noise, something abnormal in the city above us. The bright blue and purple sky still hangs overhead as we trek down the sidewalk.

  Luka pulls me to a stop and nods to a bright blue door with the number 46-15 on it. “This is my home. I have two bedrooms so you will have a space to yourself.” He pulls me up the stairs.

  With a swipe of his finger, his door unlocks with a click. I shake my head at the idea of Kasik watching every move Luka makes. I’m just glad they didn't equip me with a handy-dandy finger scanner. But then again, I'm sure Luna is watching me as we speak, lurking in the shadows.

  “Come on in.” Luka pushes his door wide open and flicks the lights on.

  I walk past Luka into an open living room, dining room, kitchen combo. His home is much larger than my one-room hole. The walls are painted light brown and a large leather couch sits in the middle in front of a huge television. A coffee table is in front of his couch with a bowl and spoon from what I can only guess was his breakfast this morning. His home is warm and welcoming, again much different than my own.

  “Are you hungry?” Luka grabs the bowl from the table and walks toward his kitchen.

  Slowly, I follow Luka into his kitchen and have a seat at one of his bar stools that surround his large center island. “Just a glass of water, please,” I answer as I continue to take in his home.

  Luka nods and grabs a glass, filling it from the filter on his fridge and placing it in front of me. Tentatively, I take a sip. The water tastes clean and smooth, with no aftertaste like I’m used to.

  “Your home is really nice. Mine is much different,” I say as I play with the glass in front of me.

  “Well, Hollows Ground is your home now. Once you pass your training you will be issued a home just like this,” Luka states as he takes a sip of his own water.

  “What if I don't want to stay here? I mean, once I pass can't I go home? I’m sure I can work for Kasik from there.” No way was I staying here forever.

  “No, once you become a Shade you will officially become a resident here.” Luka waves his hand at me. “And besides, you're not going to want to leave. This is where you belong.”

  Doubt that. No way will I want my every move watched. I’m used to solitude. I answer to nobody―well, except Ana. But even with Ana, I had a choice. I could leave whenever I wanted. Hollows Ground sounds more like a prison.

  “But you left Hollows Ground. I mean you were in the park. So, I will be able to leave, right?” I ask, thinking back to how we met.

  “Not right away. Maybe not at all. Only certain ranks are allowed above ground and even then, it's for a mission of some kind.” Luka shrugs his shoulders. “It's safer here; no one is looking to leave.”

  “How many Shades were born here? I mean, do they even know what's above ground?” Not that I really had anything waiting for me.

  “Almost all of our residents were born here. Rarely do we find ones with magic above ground. And those that are born here without magic are sent above ground at eighteen. Many of them become our eyes and ears to the outside world,” Luka explains.

  “So, you kick your own residents out if they don't have magic? Kinda harsh, don't you think?” Like, really harsh.

  “It's just the way it is. Our laws are meant to keep everyone safe. Those without magic don't belong here. And like I said, we don't abandon them; they work for us, keeping us updated with the world you grew up in.” Luka brings his cup to the sink, rinses it and put it in the dishwasher.

  I look down at the marble countertop and trace the design with my finger. Luka has no idea how much control Kasik and their government have over him. They are prisoners without even knowing it but I know I can't stay here. And it's clear Luka won't be helping me leave.

  “How about I show you your room?” Luka flashes those dimples at me again. “It has a private bath that I can honestly say rarely gets used,” he says with a chuckle. “Come on.” He waves me on as he heads down a hallway off the kitchen. “This here,” he points to a closed door, “will be your room. My room is at the end of the hall. Go ahead in, I’ll make us something to eat and then we can see about getting you some clean clothes.”

  The room matches the rest of Luka’s home. A large bed takes up most of the space with two end tables on either side. Across from the bed, two doors stand open, one leading to the bathroom and the other to a closet.

  “If you need anything, I’ll be in the kitchen,” Luka says as he closes the door with a soft click.

  I stand staring at the door, contemplating my next move. I can’t stay here, but if I leave, what will become of Luka? Will they kill him for not completing my training? Will they think he helped me escape? No. They’ll have to know he didn't help me. It’s clear Kasik knows when one lies or tells the truth.

  I rub my face roughly as I weigh my options. Mind made up, I drop my hands from my face and walk over to the sole window in the room. The window hangs maybe ten feet from the ground. I could definitely make the jump without getting hurt. But then what? I have no idea how to get out of this place and even if I manage to make it back to the tunnel unseen, how am I to get back up? It
doesn’t matter. I have to try. Who knows if I’ll be left alone again anytime soon? This is my chance.

  Pulling in a deep breath, I slowly push the window open. Every creak and groan pauses my movements as my breath catches. Once the window is open I exhale and remove the screen, placing it beside the bed. I stick my head out the window, looking both ways down the street. Just like earlier, the street is devoid of anyone. I steal one last look over my shoulder at the door separating myself and Luka and throw my legs over the window ledge. It’s now or never.

  Pushing, I jump to the sidewalk below. I hit the ground with more grace than I thought possible and take off running down the street. I decide to go the opposite way than we had come, knowing full well The Great Hall would be the other direction. I could only imagine what Luna would do with me if the guards find me lurking around.

  A noise behind me catches my attention. I leap over a set of bushes to my left and crouch low behind them. Two brown boots become visible through the branches. The owner of said boots stops directly in front of me.

  “Ela, get out of the bushes,” Luka’s breathless voice drifts to me.

  I sigh and hang my head. I managed to get a whole five houses away before being caught.

  “Ela,” Luka repeats.

  I stand and am met with the warmth of Luka’s brown eyes. Luka reaches his hand over the branches and helps me back over. We stand facing each other on the sidewalk, neither of us saying anything, Luka still holding my hand.

  “I will protect you. Keep you safe. Even if it's you I’m keeping you safe from.” Luka squeezes my hand as he speaks.

  “What if it’s safer for me to leave? Do you honestly think keeping me here against my will is protecting me?” I ask.

  Luka sighs and begins walking back toward his house. The warmth from his hand calms me a bit, but adrenaline still races through me.

  We stop in front of Luka’s stairs and he turns to face me. “Sometimes, the individual must be sacrificed for the greater good of all.”