A Power of Old(15)

Hazel looked at the sofa and then at me. She nodded, and then walked slowly, coming to sit on the sofa that faced mine.

“This has happened before,” she breathed. “Tejus told me…but it was different…it was the marriage ceremony—it wasn’t meant to happen like this…”

I waited for her to take another deep breath, and then I interrupted. “You’re really not making any sense!”

“Sorry—I’m just…” She ran her hands through her hair, and I noticed they were shaking. “I’m crazy—I feel like I’m going crazy.”

She took another deep breath and then finally started to tell me the story. I sat there with my mouth open, disbelieving and overwhelmed in equal measure…and mostly thinking what a giant idiot Tejus was.

I leaned forward when she had finished, trying to touch her hand. She jumped backward on the sofa.

“Don’t! You don’t understand, Ruby—I’m so hungry.” Her eyes widened. “And you’re so…your energy is amazing—it’s like—glowing or something…”

Hazel trailed off and I started to feel flutters at my temple. I looked at Hazel in shock, but it was like she was no longer seeing me, but what was inside of me. Suddenly I cried out as searing pain shot through my mind—like a migraine, only a thousand times worse, and similar to what Jenus had done in the storm cellar.

“STOP!” I yelled.

Instantly the pain receded, and Hazel jumped to her feet, staring at me in horror.

“Oh, my God, Ruby, I’m so sorry!” she blurted out, already backing up toward the door. “It just seems to happen! I’m losing control…”

“It’s okay,” I muttered, clutching my head in my hands. Jeez, it hurt. “Don’t go anywhere—please.” I gestured for her to sit back down, but had to wait a moment before I could look up at her. It felt like little elephants were dancing in my skull and the light was hurting my eyes.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

“It’s not your fault. You can’t help it,” I replied, more for my own sake than hers. I really didn’t want to get angry at Hazel—it was the last thing she needed. All the same, I couldn’t help but wish she’d been a bit more cautious before jumping into bed with Tejus…I knew how she felt about him, but a bit of caution and fact-checking beforehand would have been good.

“Some first time, huh?” I half-smiled at her.

“Don’t,” she retorted. “I’m definitely not ready to laugh about it yet.”

“Fair enough. So—the syphoning…can’t you do it in a more…gentle way? Like Ash and Tejus can?” I asked hopefully.

“I would if I could, but I don’t know how. Tejus says it will be something I learn. Being able to control the hunger will help, but I don’t even know where to begin.”

I nodded. “Maybe getting you some food would be a good place to start?”

“Yeah. I’m just trying to avoid bumping into anyone—I don’t want to end up syphoning off one of the kids. I thought I might be safe with you, that I wouldn’t allow myself to let it consume me, but…”

“But it was a dismal failure,” I observed. “That’s okay—baby steps…baby steps and annoying ministers maybe? I don’t want to sound callous, but maybe there might be some of them you could practice on?”

I thought it was quite a good idea, but Hazel shook her head.

“You know I can’t do that,” she replied. “They’ll lock me up or something until I learn some self-control.”

“Ash would never allow that,” I pointed out.

“If Ash becomes king.”

“You knew about that?” I replied, surprised.

“I overheard Tejus telling the ministers.”

Suddenly everything clicked into place. “Right—Tejus did something completely unselfish and you…”

“Yep.”

“Okay.” I nodded. Then, seeing Hazel’s fed-up expression, I changed the subject. “Let’s get you some food and I’ll stop interrogating you.”

“That would be nice.”

Hazel’s reply was sarcastic, and it gave me hope. She might be a sentry, or have a sentry’s powers, but she was still first and foremost Hazel—Nevertide hadn’t beaten her yet.

We made our way down to the servants’ quarters, Hazel walking a few paces behind me to ensure that we didn’t physically bump into anyone. We passed a couple of servants and Hazel backed up against the wall, staring down at the floor. When we got to the kitchen she stopped me.