Page 123 of Hidden Kingdoms

“Well, looks like we’ll get to find out for ourselves.” With a flick of his wrist, his pipe disappeared, and he unfolded himself from the chair, crossing to the workbench that held the jumble of objects. Items shifted and rattled as he sorted through them, before he released a noise of satisfaction and turned back towards where I sat, a smile causing the lines at his eyes to wrinkle even deeper.

“I haven’t done one of these in a long time,” he mused. “But they’re always exciting.”

Seating himself, he placed the object he had collected on the table in front of us. It was a thick bronze tube no longer than a pen, the middle section bulging slightly. The whole thing emitted a faint humming sound that made my energy buzz in excitement despite its fatigue

“What does it do?” I asked, knowing I couldn’t take any more pain today.

“It’s an ergeia cognitio. It will give us a more accurate reading of your power level instead of you wandering around with no idea of your capabilities.”

Not taking my eyes off the little tube, I asked. “Will it hurt?”

“No, my dear. It is mostly used on children; it will not harm you.” I met his soft eyes as they creased with concern.

“He really hasn’t told you anything, has he?” Knowing exactly who he was talking about, I shook my head.

“Throughout our kingdoms, every Fae holds power—magik,” he started with a sigh, obviously taking pity on my complete lack of knowledge. “Our power level is determined from birth, with our element inherited from our most powerful parent, your power level will also roughly match theirs, too. Higher power levels tend to stay within families, the Royal Lines being the best example of that power hierarchy. There are other families who are, of course, powerful and forever looking to match their offspring with other high level lines in order to gain power.” I listened, desperately trying to keep up.

“Sometimes, the Goddesses have their wicked way with us and send an Anomaly. A child born whose power level hugely surpasses that of their parents and, though they are loath to admit, even some of those within the Royal Line. It is often detected quickly, as you can imagine, the things that little Fae get up to without addingvastamounts of power to the mix.”

“What happens to the child?”

“Nothinghappensto them, Elodie, but oftentimes it’s necessary for others to step in and ensure the child has someone to guide them in ways their parents cannot.”

“So, they’re taken away?” My mouth gaped with the image of crying children being ripped from their parents’ arms.

“They’re sent to a school, my dear. Or offered a place, though it’s down to them if they want to accept. It's merely a way for them to gain control over who they are. The power they can wield.”

“Right.” I looked again at the object on the table, glinting in the light. “What do I need to do?”

“Hold it in your fist as tight as you can and open your mind. Don’t fight against it. I know that may be difficult as an adult, but you are safe here.”

“I don’t know how well this will work, I’m not sure what I’ve even got left to test.”

“Just trust the process.”

Not exactly reassured, I slowly reached for the bronze tube and closed my fist around the cold metal, unsure at how my magik was pulsing under my skin. As soon as my fingers closed around it, it began to heat, moulding to my hand like I was gripping a lump of clay. It was strange but not unpleasant, and I flicked my eyes towards Arden to ensure that this was right. He nodded in approval as he leaned closer, and I allowed my eyes to close.

The heat from the ergeia cognitio radiated through my hand, as its own energy spread up me.

No, it was inside me.

It raced along with my own, who welcomed it with open arms—without the slightest hesitation.

This wasn’t the raging, feral energy that had fought against Healer Kale. The two magiks raced through me, my ownseemingly showing it the way to every part of me like some grand house tour it was showing to one of its friends.

Together, they found my heart, and I gulped down a breath as they engulfed it in their combined power. Raw energy filled me then, no trace of the exhaustion from fighting off The Darkness.

My eyes opened, fixing on my clenched fist, and where there had once been smooth unblemished bronze, the metal was glowing with hundreds of tiny symbols. The power grew inside me, my head light as the energy didn’t stop. The symbols grew brighter until beams of light shone from them. It was beginning to feel like too much, like my body wouldn’t be able to contain it.

If it kept growing like it was; could it rip me apart?

Before I could spiral from that thought, the connection snapped, and the ergeia cognitio was instantly cold under my skin. Gasping at the suddenness with which my magik had retreated, the bronze clanged against the table as it dropped from my grasp. I frantically reached for that store of energy inside me, shuddering in relief when it answered my call.

The symbols were no longer visible, yet the metal had formed in the imprint of a fist, rivets and dips marked where my hand had fit around it perfectly. Slowly, it smoothed itself out, the room far quieter than it had seemed a moment ago.

“You’ve done well.” Arden’s voice was soft. “How do you feel?”

“Tired.” I forced my heavy eyelids to stay open.

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