Onbekend(93)

“I’ll take a guess. You’re the palace seer,” Leila answered.

“The tales told of you do not disappoint, young lady,” the man commented, in approval.

“I’m Gabor, and you’re Leila,” he said, while gently standing without disturbing the birds that were in the trees next to him.

“Why do you think my name is Leila?” she asked. When traveling on assignments, she had never told anyone her real name. To know the real name of a courier was deadly; if this secret got out, Leila would never be able to work safely again. Only her allies knew her name, and she had never met this man before.

“Do not worry, child, for I’m the only one who knows who you are,” Gabor reassured her. “Not even Anatolio knows. To him you were just a favor to an old man.” He chuckled to himself.

“So why am I here?” she asked.

“Just as I’ve been told, always direct.” Gabor smiled at her as he moved closer. Not knowing if he was a friend or foe yet, Leila took a step back. “It’s all right child, I’ll not hurt you,” Gabor tried to reassure her.

“If you mean me no harm, why would you bring me here by force, and then keep me in a locked room?” Leila asked cautiously.

“You’re free to leave at any time,” Gabor assured her. “I merely requested your presence and didn’t specify to Anatolio how to attain you.” Leila stared at his eyes as he talked. He wasn’t lying. Gabor tried to move closer again, and this time she didn’t back away.

“Would you like me to look into your future?” he asked, while offering her his hand.

“No, thank you,” she replied, without taking his hand. “I live only in the present.” Gabor slowly withdrew his hand. Leila didn’t want to offend the man, but she also had no desire to be told what she would do in the future.

Gabor returned to his seat on the bench between the two trees, disturbing the birds which flew to other trees in the garden. “Child, do you know why anywhere you go there’s always someone there to help you if you get into trouble?” Gabor motioned for her to sit beside him. Somewhat guardedly, Leila moved closer and sat down. Gabor continued, “You’re special. To the trained eye, you’re an easy one to spot. The aura around you is pure white, and it doesn’t change. Most people’s auras are different shades of color, and they change depending on the purity of their action. Yours, though, does not. When people come in contact with you, their aura becomes whiter in color to match yours. You have the power to change the world.”

“Then, you will help me leave?” Leila asked.

“I’d not turn you down, but first I must ask you,” Gabor paused to look her in the eyes. “How long will you run? You continue to punish yourself with these incredibly hard missions time and time again, but that won’t bring him back. Is it not about time you stopped running?”

Leila was tempted to look away. How did this man know everything about her? It had been four years since Erich died saving her, and yet it was a hard subject for Leila to hear spoken aloud. Had she been better at what she did, Erich would not have died trying to save her from a jail.

“I’m not running,” she lied, responding to his question.

“Just like you, child, I can tell when a person lies,” the old man moved to pat her shoulder. Leila quickly stood up before he could touch her. Her quick movement caught the old man off guard. “You can lie to me, but how long can your continue to lie to your heart?” He motioned for her to sit back down. “I have no desire to read your future; I already know what it is.”

But how? I did well not to come into contact with him. Leila examined herself to see if she could remember any part touching him.

“I know what can become of you. If only you,” Gabor started.

“I do not wish to know my future,” Leila said harshly. “I only wish to know where my friend is being kept, and then we can be on our way home. Thank you for your explanation of everything, but now it’s time for me to be on my way.” Leila didn’t like talking about herself, especially with a stranger.

Gabor slowly stood and walked to the door. He gave three knocks and the door opened. Anatolio stood before Gabor and bowed his head. “She wishes to be taken to the jail that is housing her friend Kay.” Anatolio nodded and walked back over to Leila.

“Child, don’t let your heart grow cold. The immense power you have in your innocence can be amplified a hundred times if you let yourself love again. Erich is gone. It’s not your fault. You may think you’re alone in your pain, but there’s another in just as much pain from being without love. I just hope that the day you see him you can recognize that you’re not alone.” Gabor smiled kindly at Leila. Anatolio moved behind her and grabbed her arms.