“We like it that way, thank you, Walker man.” I grinned at my father.
“So the marks I have will tell you which clan my father is from?” Fury asked.
“Yes. All seven clans have their own unique marks. Let’s see yours.” Josian flipped open the flat surface of his ring.
Sparkling yellow light reflected off the gray crystals and filled the space. Talina’s black tribal marks emerged, along with Josian’s red lace design. Fury’s marks were gray swirls, highlighted on her red skin and contrasting nicely with her pure white hair. Her eyes had widened as she watched the emergence of everyone’s mark.
Josian clapped his hands in delight. “You’re Relli, Grantham’s clan. He’s my oldest friend and a truly fair and kind Princeps. He will be so happy to meet you when he returns.”
I knew Grantham was off gathering his fellow Relli members and recruiting other clans to the final battle. I wasn’t sure a greater force would actually make any difference to our success or failure. But it couldn’t hurt.
Fury stood then, craning her neck to see her reflection in the small mirror that adorned the wall behind our dining table.
“In all honesty I’ve wavered between believing these stories and thinking you’re all insane.” Her dark eyes widened as she stepped back for a better look. “But these marks are ... incredible.” She faced me. “Why are you the only one who gets to have them permanently?” She turned back to the mirror, swinging her head left and right. “I want to see my marks all the time.”
I shrugged. “Probably because I’m super Abby. You know, we get all the best powers.”
Josian interrupted me, the smallest grin on his face. “The original seven Walkers had permanent marks. I believe that Aribella’s powers are tied to them – all seven of them – she seems to be able to channel large levels of energy but also access long-lost abilities. Her permanent marks have got to be an indication of her tie to the originals.”
Was that what the Seventine meant when he said I was one of the ancients?
Fury’s eyes flashed at me and for once it wasn’t anger that shone through but ... sympathy.
“I know what it feels like to be considered special and extraordinary and have a lot of pressure on you to perform these amazing feats.” She chuckled. “Like saving the world. I know that it’s definitely not as fun as it sounds.”
I swallowed loudly. Denial was a great friend of mine, allowing me to forget or ignore all the demands on me. I’d probably have an anxiety attack if I thought about it too much.
“I like to live in the now. I deal with things as they happen and try not to pre-empt the problems.”
Fury nodded at me, and then our little moment was over. She turned back to Dune and I could hear him commenting on her marks. He seemed to like them a lot. I shuddered, turning my hearing down. I did not need to know those things.
“Maybe she has some redeeming points hidden under all her nasty attitude,” Lucy muttered as she shoved half a melon into her mouth.
“It seems as if, whichever planet we come from, our halfling status has only caused pain and havoc. We’re all a little damaged.” Talina smiled. “It will be nice when we are a complete unit, strong enough to never have to cower down to anyone again. Never have to fear for our lives or sanity.”
Josian boomed out his laughter. “You’re strong enough for that already; there are very few beings, besides full-blooded warrior-trained Walkers, who could best you in anything.”
“What we really need to develop is that unprecedented level of arrogance all of you Walkers have. I think we do fine with powers. It’s arrogance we lack.” I wrinkled my nose at my father.
Josian nodded. “I like to think of it as confidence.”
“Where did Lucas disappear to?” Talina seemed to have suddenly noticed he wasn’t in the room.
I’d noted it as soon as we walked into the house, grateful for the reprieve from his presence. He made me think and feel things that were darn uncomfortable.
“He had to go back and check on the castle and his father,” Josian said, his expression unchanging.
Although he’d never said anything, I was under the impression he didn’t like Lucas.
“How sick is his father?” I realized that in all the time I’d known Lucas I’d never once asked about his father or family.
I felt a twinge of guilt. I really hadn’t been interested, and with so much going on there wasn’t time to dwell on anyone else’s problems. But it must be tough for him, knowing his father was sick and that the mantle of ruling First World was about to fall into his lap. No wonder he continued to run away with us.