Page 21 of Unseen Eye
A soft knock on the door jolts me from my thoughts. I turn to see a young woman standing in the doorway, carrying a tray of food. Her blonde hair and striking green eyes, just like Garet’s, meet mine.
“You must be starving,” she says gently. “I’m sorry I didn’t come earlier.”
I nod, realizing just how ravenous I am. “Thanks,” I respond, my voice softer than I intended. I guess the hunger is doing abetter job at keeping me in check than my normally sarcastic self.
She walks over and places the tray on a small table beside the bed. The aroma of the food makes my stomach growl. “I’m Leigh, by the way,” she says with a warm smile. “Garet’s sister.”
I blink, the memory of my earlier conversation with Garet flooding back. “You’re the one who healed me,” I say, my voice carrying a hint of awe, and maybe a touch of desperation for answers.
Leigh nods, her smile widening. “Yes, though if Garet had brought you a few minutes later, I might have been performing last rites instead.”
I shiver at the thought. “Well, thanks again,” I say, this time with genuine gratitude.
Leigh sits down in a chair beside the bed, her expression turning serious. “It was the least I could do. Garet was frantic when he brought you in. He cares about you a lot, you know.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, that’s sweet. And here I thought his way of showing care was through a masterclass in secrecy and deception.”
Leigh’s eyes soften with sympathy. “He was trying to protect you. This world… it’s complicated and dangerous.”
“So I’ve gathered,” I mutter, picking at the food on the tray. “But it doesn’t make it any easier to accept.”
Leigh reaches out and places a hand on mine, her touch warm and reassuring. “I understand. It’s a lot to take in. But you’re strong, Eva. Stronger than you know. Not many people would have survived what you went through.”
I look at her, raising an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Because I’m getting pretty fed up with everyone acting like they are an expert in my life. How can you possibly know how strong I am or what I’ve endured? You’ve only seen me on my worst day, and I’m still figuring it out myself.”
Leigh’s gaze becomes more understanding, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “Fair point. Maybe I don’t know everything about you. But from what I’ve seen, you’ve handled a lot with remarkable resilience.”
I look at her, seeing genuine kindness in her eyes. “How did you heal me?” I ask, curious about this strange new world.
Leigh leans back, her gaze thoughtful. “Healing is part of our family’s legacy. Eldorin was the god of healing and insight. We’ve inherited a fragment of his power.”
She pauses, her gaze thoughtful. “Healing requires more than just touch; it’s about channeling the aether. The aether is the energy that flows through everything—the pulse of the world itself. To heal, we focus all our intent and energy on the person in need, connecting with their essence and understanding their wounds, both physical and emotional.”
Leigh’s eyes soften with empathy as she continues, “It’s about guiding the body’s natural healing while amplifying it with our own energy. It’s a delicate balance, and it can be draining, especially with serious injuries. But it’s a duty and an honor to use this gift—to ease pain and help restore what was done.”
I nod slowly, absorbing her words. “So, Garet—does he have healing abilities too?”
Leigh shakes her head. “No, his talents lie elsewhere.”
Changing the subject, Leigh continues, “In our adolescence, our power is raw and untamed. It’s not until we are older that it begins to take shape. The power chooses us, not the other way around. We spend decades learning to master and refine it.”
“Decades?” I echo. “How old are you?”
Leigh laughs. “Much older than I look,” she says with a wink. “I’m one hundred and seventy-three.”
I almost choke on my surprise. “You don’t look a day over twenty.”
Leigh chuckles. “We age differently, thanks to our heritage. It’sone of the few perks.”
I shake my head, trying to wrap my mind around everything. “So, what else is different about Astermiri?”
Leigh’s eyes light up with pride. “Astermiri is a land rich in history and magic. Eldorin’s influence still lingers here—ancient libraries, forgotten knowledge, and rituals passed down through the centuries. The air itself hums with magic, and the people carry the weight of their ancestors’ legacy with pride.”
I raise an eyebrow, curiosity getting the better of me. “What about the other kingdoms?”
Leigh leans forward, her gaze steady. “Each one has its own soul. Skorda, with its endless forests, is a kingdom shaped by agriculture. Coire is a land of warriors, their fortresses as formidable as their battle skills. Catalpa was a kingdom of magic and art—where the pursuit of beauty and knowledge were one and the same.
“Catalpa was?” I question, noticing Leigh’s expression falter.
