Reaching Retribution(58)

“Liam, what was your mother’s power?” I ask.

He starts shaking his head. “I’m not sure exactly. I think she had premonition. I think that’s how she was so good at knowing what everyone’s pendants should be, but she never told us specifically. Whenever Bragden or I asked her about she would smile and say that the secret was in the flame.” Hmm…the secret is in the flame…what does that even mean?

“Liam, what happens after this?”

“What do you mean?”

“You guys have been training for this your whole life. What about once this is all over? When this prophecy no longer matters? What happens after?”

“Life. Life happens, Ryanne. That’s one thing you can always count on. Life goes on. Whether you want it to, whether or not you’re ready for it, or whether you’re even a part of it, life goes on.”





Chapter Seventeen


We’ve been in this compound for too long. I’ve lost track of the days. I know we’ve only been here a couple of days, but I feel like it’s been forever. It’s weird how sudden my moods can change. Yesterday, I was completely fine. I sat in this cell with Liam for the majority of the day, listening as he told me his story. Today, I want to curl up into a ball and avoid everyone all together.

“Ryanne, you have to eat something,” Liam says. He pushes a plate of food toward me. Surprisingly, it looks good, but I’m not hungry. “You didn’t eat anything yesterday. You need to eat.”

“No, I don’t,” I mumble as I lean back against the hard wall. Ever since Dravin tried to get me to use my magic against the Gadramicks, I’ve lost all appetite and desire to try and break out of here. I know he’s just trying to train his men to fight against me, but I’m not going to give him anything else to use. All it results in is me getting punched, kicked, and knocked to the ground. My body is sore from all the bruises on me.

Just yesterday, Natasha came into my cell while Liam was out with Adam trying to get food for me. She pushed me against the wall and attempted to asphyxiate me. I was able to throw up a small shield, but I still felt some of the affects of her power. She laughed as I fell to the ground gasping for breath.

“Colton’s not coming for you, Ryanne. He’s probably moved on to the next girl by now, maybe my twin. He’s always had a thing for blondes anyway.” She stopped attempting to asphyxiate me the second the guard left her alone, but her glare remained the entire time.

I blink back into the present when Adam walks into the room and sits down on the floor in front of me. His emotions run into me. He’s concerned, worried, and angry at Dravin for letting the men hit me. I know that he’s staring at the bruise under my eye and possibly the dark one on my shoulder. “Ryanne, eat.”

“Nope,” I tell him.

“What’s wrong, Ryanne? Really?” Liam asks.

I turn and look straight at Liam. He of all people should know what is wrong. I don’t answer him though. Instead, I turn back around, lean my head against the wall, and close my eyes. Maybe I’ll see Colton again.

It’s been two days since I last saw him. He told me they were planning a rescue mission, but I really hope he listened to me and put that plan on the back burner for now. It’s not safe. Something is stirring. Everyone is antsy. Change is in the air; that much I know. I can feel it.

I wince as someone’s anger barrels into me. It didn’t bother me at first, but the longer I’m here the more their feelings are affecting me. “Are you having trouble controlling them?” Liam asks me. I nod. I try to siphon the feelings through me, but have trouble. They’re lingering. If I don’t get a handle on this soon, I’m going to start acting out their feelings. Considering how strong their emotions are, I know it won’t be good for anyone to be around me during that time.

“Controlling what?” Adam asks. Neither Liam nor I answer him. Adam may be acting nicer, but he’s still a Gadramick. “Let me help you.”

“Adam, please stop,” I lean forward and run my hands through my hair. Placing my head on my knees, I groan. “I can’t handle your concern.”

“I’m worried about you, Ryanne.”

“I know. I can feel that,” I look up at him, “but please stop. I can feel all your emotions and being around so many people at once is starting to hurt me.”

“Oh.”

I wince as another wave of anger crashes into me. I can feel a few Gadramicks yelling in the hallway. Three Gadramicks run past the door of my cell, probably going to break up a fight. A sharp pain spreads through my stomach when the noises in the hallway get louder. Crying out, I curl in half, grabbing on my stomach, trying to stop the pain.