Chrysalis: The Emergence of Emery (The Gifted Series Book 1) (7 page)

Elijah works his jaw, and I can feel his emotions warring with each other. “Michael is lucky Kade didn’t rip his arm from his body.” He shakes his head out and relaxes slightly. “Yeah, he probably didn’t slow time down as such, he’s just so fast. The reason you felt like everything was slow too is because you’re his other half like I said before you can take on his power.”

“But I thought I had to ask for his power, or he had to share it freely or at least agree to be my other half before we could exchange powers… or something. Damn this stuff is confusing. Now my head hurts.”

Elijah grins and ruffles my hair. “Okay Em, before you fall to sleep, the short version is that you do need to freely share yourself with your other half. Well, usually. Whatever is happening with you and Kade, there’s more to it. When he saw Zeit rip your top the other day he stopped, frozen. It confused me at first, but I think I’ve worked out that it was because he felt like he was a few seconds too late. Kade is never too late. I’m assuming that’s why Michael never got to touch your cheek. I have my theories and hopefully, in time I will get all the answers, meaning you will too. For now, though, my main concern is making sure you’re okay, training you to use your powers and generally getting to be the big brother that I’ve always wanted to be. Now sleep. Tomorrow is a new day, Emery.”

As his words drift down to me, I close my eyes, knowing that when I wake Elijah will be right there to make sure I’m okay. To watch over me. I’m not alone anymore, and that makes every other confusing and scary thing that’s happening right now seem perfectly okay.

Waking up this morning I feel different, stronger. My eyes scan the room almost expertly, noticing little things like the fingerprints on the door frame, or a smudge mark on the wall next to the light switch. It’s like I’ve been doing it for years. Elijah is asleep in the corner chair. I slide from the bed grabbing the blue duffle and make my way to the other bathroom, giving him peace, he needs the rest. I move through my daily routine quickly, digging around in the bag after my shower, I pick out black jeans and a red hoodie. When I’m finished I make a coffee and move to the balcony, opening the doors and stepping outside. I breathe in the aroma coming from my cup as I take in the dawn rising. It’s around five, and the sun is appearing behind a few scattered white clouds, making me think it’s going to be a beautiful day.

I slept well last night, apart from Elijah’s interruption. I actually fell asleep pretty early, it was about seven in the evening, so I’ve had nearly ten hours sleep. That has to be why I feel more alive. But there’s something else too, something stirring inside like I have a power that’s just waiting to be used. One of the strangest things about all of this is that I never would have recognized that feeling before, but now I can. I know something’s about to happen, I just wish I was more prepared for it.

The hotel phone rings causing me to jolt from my thoughts. I run across the room with such speed that I manage to knock a small table over on the way. Stopping abruptly, I stare down at my feet.

Did I move that fast?

I look back to the table now laying on the floor. It would appear the answer is yes. I shake my head and grab the phone.

“Hello,” I answer, sipping my coffee with a smile. I place my cup on the kitchen counter and fan my lips when I realize how hot it still is.

“Emery…” The voice is cold and dark, it makes me stop what I’m doing and immediately pay attention. Even through the phone line I can sense powerful evil, hate and viciousness.

“Who is this?” My voice is firm, and although he sounds scary, I don’t actually feel fearful. Maybe because Elijah is in the next room and I’m only talking on the phone, or maybe it’s because of whatever has happened to me.

“That’s right! You really should start asking questions little girl. You need to find out who your friends… and your foes are. One day, if you don’t die first, you’ll be expected to make a decision. You need to catch up quick.”

I take a breath in, then hiss out, “You still haven’t told me who
you
are.”

I hear his chuckle down the line and feel goosebumps slither across my skin. “I’m the other side to you. I’m the one they’ll say you shouldn’t want to be like, but I’m the one who’s free. I don’t have to contain my powers and I have no limitations. There’s a reason that you came into your powers late, Emery. When your brother starts digging you will find out. All the ones who knew are either on my side now, or dead. One day we will meet, Emery. One day.”

I hear a click followed by the dial tone, slowly I place the phone back in its holder. Now I’m even more confused. Picking up my coffee and clutching the warm cup in my hands, my goosebumps recede and I walk back out to the balcony.

“Emery.” I hear my name whispered and my eyes move instantly without my brain directing them. They travel straight to a man on the ground. We’re seven floors up, but I can see his smirk as he stares at me. Then suddenly he disappears.

“He found you,” I hear Elijah’s voice behind me, and although he must have just woken up, he’s completely alert and sounds concerned.

“Who’s found me?” I ask turning toward him. His eyes move over my face searching for something.

“There’s something different about you, Em.”

I nod. “Yeah, I know.”

Elijah’s eyebrows pull in, his unease is clear for me to see.

“You know? What do you know?”

This is a different Elijah to what I’ve seen before, he seems grumpy, annoyed… unsettled.

“I’m not sure what I know,” I tell him and he raises an eyebrow. “All right, that sounds stupid. What I’m saying is, when I woke this morning I felt different. Stronger. Like I have more power, but I don’t know why… or how. What I can tell you is that I saw that man’s face from up here. I’ve never needed glasses but even so, it’s a stretch to see someone’s face from seven floors up.”

Elijah taps his fingers on the doorframe. “You must have started building your basic powers, strength, speed, vision, that sort of thing. Either that or Kade is near. Have you seen him?” His head darts around.

“No, and it’s not Kade.” I blush looking away. “I feel him when he’s near.”

His eyes widen in surprise. “You do? You haven’t mentioned that before. I didn’t know you could feel him, too.”

Biting my lip, I sigh. “Yeah, I wasn’t sure what it was at first, but I’ve figured it out. I guess with everything going on I haven’t told you, but in my defense there are always more questions to ask, more things to find out. Every time something gets answered it brings another five questions, Elijah. At this rate, I’m going to be in a never-ending state of confusion and will have to always rely on someone else to keep me safe. I want to be able to keep myself safe!”

Complaining, I then drain the last of my coffee and move back to the kitchen to pour myself another cup. “You want?” I ask him lifting my cup.

“Ugh no, I don’t drink that crap.” He leans down and pulls a bottle of water from the small fridge.

“Okay. Back to the original question. Who was he?”

Elijah takes a few gulps, wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and shakes his head. “Sorry, Em. You do need to know, but there are two things I want to do first.” I cross my arms but say nothing. Elijah smiles then continues, “Training. First, you need to train. Secondly, to get to him, I need to give you a history lesson. Change of plans. Are you up for some home-schooling today?”

I feel a grin spread across my face. “That works for me,” I reply.

“Focus Em. Close your eyes and listen to my voice, feel the power, the life-force. It flows through us. For me, it’s like a zinging under my skin… find your own feelings, then let them bleed into you and simmer on the surface of your body. When you feel it take some deep breaths to make sure you’re calm, you need to control it. It will be the same for every power you have. In time, as your abilities grow, you’ll be able to choose the one you require on command.” He stops talking and I keep my eyes closed enjoying the silence.

I listen to my heart beating, it’s a slow steady pace and the constant noise is like a buzzing, starting in my chest, but spreading slowly through my body. As the buzzing expands with every heartbeat it quietens, turning into a continual hum. All of a sudden it stops, and I feel a cool balm wash over me. Then—nothing.

“It’s no use, Elijah, I can’t do it.” I sigh.

“Open your eyes, Emery,” Elijah whispers.

I do as he says and am shocked that the once dark room we’re training in is now lit up like Christmas. A bright blue light bathes the entire room. As I look down, I notice it’s coming from me. Pouring out of me.

“I’m the light,” I whisper gazing down at my body in absolute awe.

“You are,” Elijah replies softly. “This is what you do. Every time you use a power it will feel like this. As you train more you’ll be able to focus the light into one area, like just your palms, or eyes, or whatever body part you want it to come from. You will control it, guide it, and channel it. It’s not yours to own, it’s just
you,
an extension of you. If you always remember that then it will get easier. The power you need will flow from an instant decision in your mind. For example, if I want to use revive I don’t command it, my body just knows what it needs to do. This will help if you’re in a fight at any point because your reactions will be automatic. However, what we did today you need to practice, at least once a day, preferably more. When you’re better at controlling it, you won’t need to train in a dark room, but this is a necessity right now. We don’t want someone seeing your light.”

I smile at him. “Okay, so how do I turn it off?”

“Well, here’s the fun part. Say stop out loud.” He winks.

“Stop!” I command. Instantly all the light is lost and the room is dark. I hear Elijah shuffle over to the wall and then the room glows from the lamp. “How does that even work?” I ask throwing my hands out.

“Remember when I said our abilities are a part of us?” I nod and he continues, “Well, that’s why. You won’t have to say the word out loud in the future. Much like the way you use your powers, you just have to think what you need and it will happen.” I bring my hands out in front of me and turn them over and over.

“I can’t believe I have powers… Wait. What powers
do
I have exactly?” I question tilting my head toward Elijah.

“I don’t know. I mean you have Revive, that’s pretty obvious from the other night. Any other powers you get could come to you at any point. I think what I need to do is explain my powers to you. You should get some, if not all the same abilities as me. I need to explain some of Kade’s too, seeing as you can use them. However, I don’t know every gift he has. I’m not sure he knows every gift he has,” Elijah tells me scratching his head.

“Before all that, though, I need to go back to the beginning and explain the basics. Let’s go sit in the living room area. I’m gonna use the bathroom, will you grab me a bottle of water?” he asks walking away.

I make my way to the kitchen collecting two waters and take them to the sofa. I wanted so badly to get away from here last night, as far away from Kade as I could. But his reaction to Elijah has me all twisted up inside. Now I know what we are, what we’re meant to be, I’m not sure if I can be away from him myself.

Realistically, I need to talk to him, but he doesn’t seem up for that. So at the moment I’m stuck. I’ll have to speak to Elijah, get his advice, or maybe Sicily or Tess if they’re still talking to me. For now, though, I need to sit with my brother and listen to as much information as he is willing to impart.

“Thanks,” Elijah says as he returns, taking the bottle from me and sucking down half of it while lowering himself into the seat opposite. “Now, Em. You know and I know, that you like to interrupt. It would be great, fantastic in fact if you could keep your lips sewn together for just a little while,” he tells me placing his thumb and forefinger on the top and bottom of my lips and smooshing them together. He smiles before letting my lips go and continuing, “And let me get through information as much as I can. When I’ve finished you can ask me anything. Do you think you’ll be able to sit still and keep quiet?” He raises an eyebrow at me and smirks. I narrow my eyes back at him.

“Yes,” I grind out, pushing my nose into the air. He pulls in his lips and I see his shoulders gently shaking. I feel the laughter he’s trying to suppress, and it causes me to start giggling. When my laughter has died down I pretend to zip up my mouth, to which Elijah just rolls his eyes. “I promise,” I tell him without opening my mouth, so it doesn’t really sound like much more than a grunt.

“We basically have superpowers, over and above the normal human—”

“Like
Superman
?” I interrupt. “Sorry,” I quickly say, remembering my promise.

“No, to your question.
Superman
was an alien, Em. We’re human.” He pulls his hand down his face then continues, “Since humans have existed, so have we. Maybe we’re over-evolved, or maybe something happened to our ancestors. I’m not sure. It’s like when people talk about Jesus. Nobody alive today knows the truth, so everything comes from historical documentation. It’s the same with us. We don’t live forever, we’re not immortal, but we do have a slower body clock. So we often live until we’re around one hundred and twenty… well, if we aren’t killed before. See I’m not good at explaining this stuff.” He shakes his head and closes his eyes.