Therian Promise(67)

“You’re afraid.” Carissa challenged her with a look. “It’s understandable, but that’s what this is. Good old-fashioned fear. You’ve always avoided change like the plague. You’re comforted by routines.”

Carissa was half right. She was definitely a creature of habit, but she wasn’t afraid of becoming an Omni Prime. She was afraid of being left behind. Being surrounded by power and people with extraordinary abilities left her feeling useless.

“Which part of your new situation upsets you most?” Erin pivoted toward Ava, her gaze filled with compassion.

Rather than toss out a random concern, Ava took a moment to analyze each element of the conflict, trying to prioritize their effect on her life. Then she realized the answer was in her reaction to the question. “I’m analytical. If I can’t weigh one thing against another and set priorities, I feel helpless. This situation isn’t only filled with variables, but many of those variables haven’t even been defined yet.”

Carissa shook her head. “You’re making this much too complicated. You need to trust yourself and the people around you and just enjoy the ride.”

“That’s your natural reaction to the challenge,” Erin said. “Your sister’s mind doesn’t work that way. In fact, I’d like to speak with Ava for a few minutes alone.”

“You’re dismissing me?” Carissa sounded shocked.

“More or less.” It was impossible to remain angry when Erin turned up the warmth in her smile.

Carissa huffed then pushed to her feet with a sigh. “Fine. I’ll go supervise the men.”

Ava waited until Carissa closed the door behind her before she spoke again. “She means well.”

“I know she does. She loves you very much, but you’re not Carissa. Your circumstances might be similar to hers, but you have different coping mechanisms. She relies on instinct while you prefer information.” Erin turned nearly sideways, bending her knee against the sofa’s cushion. “What else would you like to know?”

“There’s so much I still don’t understand. I’m not sure where to start.”

“Start at the top. What thought won’t leave your mind?”

Kyle’s images flared within her mind, but she quickly hid her smile. Kyle definitely bothered her, but it wasn’t the sort of bother that his mother could help her resolve. Carissa’s image slowly eclipsed Kyle’s and Ava felt a jolt of shame.

“Go on. Tell me what you’re thinking. I’m here to help, not judge.”

Ava looked at her new friend with narrowed eyes. “Are you the clan counselor or something?”

“At times. Maintaining an accurate history requires me to be more observant than most. Besides, I’m older than dirt.” She laughed. “Age brings with it wisdom, if we’re willing to learn.”

Heaving a frustrated sigh, Ava looked inward as she shared her thoughts. “I know Carissa wasn’t in control of a lot of what happened to her, but I can’t help feeling like she…”

“Stole your thunder?”

“I’m not even sure I want what she has.”

Erin’s brow arched and her eyes gleamed. “We’re being honest here.”

“All right. Who doesn’t want to learn that they’re special? That their ancestors were unique and powerful. Carissa has embraced our heritage with open arms while I’m too afraid to even think about it.”

Those perceptive eyes narrowed again. “Is that really what you’re afraid of?”

“Now that the ancients have Carissa, I’m afraid they won’t need me.” Something inside Ava released and she exhaled as tingles crept over her arms. How had Erin known she was internalizing this fear? Was she just perceptive as she claimed or did her Therian nature allow her to see what others could not? “Wow. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest. You should charge money for this.”

Erin wrapped her arm around Ava and squeezed her shoulder. “I don’t want your money, but I might be able to answer your question. Would that help you relax?”

“What do you mean? I thought I needed to be in the vault to determine if the ancients would accept me.”

“There are three tests used to determine if a potential Omni Prime is found worthy by the ancients. Two require you to be in the vault, but one can be conducted here. The test is not complicated and it can’t be faked.”

“All right. What do I have to do?”

“As you know, I’m the current Historian. I was taught the ancient language so I can make official entries in the sacred journals. Well, I keep a personal journal as well and once I realized many of my thoughts and observations could be potentially dangerous if read by the wrong person, I started using the ancient language for my personal journal as well.”