Page 55 of Unseen Eye
Izzy snorts. “He wishes he was, but alas, he’s not.”
“Now, now, Izzy, don’t be jealous,” Theo says slyly. Looking at me, he continues, “I can sense and create runes.”
“I don’t understand,” I say. “Can’t everyone see runes around us?”
“Exactly,” Izzy drawls as we near the dining hall.
“Sort of,” Theo explains. “Anyone can see runes, but not everyone can instantly know what they mean or manipulate them. Take my sword, for example.” He draws it from his waist,revealing intricate designs on the hilt and blade. “To you, this might just look decorative, but when I summon it, it can do different things.” He points to one etching that resembles fire. In an instant, the blade is engulfed in flames. Before I can blink, the flames vanish, the blade turns to stone, and then it shines as if made of diamond.
“We get your point,” Izzy says, clearly getting impatient.
“That’s awesome,” I comment. “Can you do it on any surface?”
“I sure can,” Theo remarks, clearly proud of himself.
We fill our plates with a bounty of food before finding an empty table. I take a bite of the pancakes I saw the cooks preparing earlier and let out a satisfied sigh. They taste as good as they look. It dawns on me how little I’ve actually eaten in the past week, as if on cue, my stomach grumbles.
Theo laughs, commenting, “I might not be the only one going for seconds.”
Changing the subject, I ask, “Where’s Callon this morning?”
“Where isn’t Cal?” Izzy remarks through a mouthful of food. “Trust me, it’s easier not to keep track of him. He’ll just show up eventually.”
“So dramatic,” Theo says, taking a bite of bacon. “Knowing Cal, he’s probably dealing with the aftermath of yesterday’s attack. Like a good prince.”
“Yeah right,” Izzy snorts. “Since when does he act like a prince? Half the time I forget he’s the heir.”
“Really?” I ask, finishing off my glass of orange juice.
“Oh yeah,” she says with a grin. “Except for occasionally bossing us around or making smart-ass comments, he’s a pretty normal guy.”
“I mean,” Theo comments, “I’d be a bit of a know-it-all too if I had his power. The last documented person with a ley line affinity was from the time of the gods. That’s pretty fucking badass. He can boss me around all he wants.”
Theo tries to swipe a piece of bacon from Izzy’s plate, but she smacks his hand away. “Anyway, after breakfast, let’s see if you and Izzy can work on that light-wielding of yours. I’ve got some important general stuff to handle, but I’ll check in on you ladies later.” He starts to get up but turns back. “Don’t summon the light without me, Eva. I’d hate to miss it.”
Izzy throws her fork at him, which he catches and sets down with a grin. “And Ingrid thinks I am the one without manners?” He complains, walking away.
Izzy and I laugh, finishing our breakfast, and helping ourselves to more bacon.
Not long after, Izzy leads us back to the war room we were in last night.
“I thought we were working on my affinity,” I say, confusion seeping into my voice.
“Theo said we were training your affinity,” Izzy corrects, a playful smirk on her lips. “I simply said we were training.” She shuts the door behind us with a click.
“So, what are we working on?” I ask.
“Easy,” Izzy says, plopping down in one of the chairs and resting her feet on another. A bruise has started to form on her cheek where I managed to check her with my elbow earlier. As if reading my mind, Izzy adds, “Your face isn’t much better.”
She stretches out lazily across the chairs.
“Anyway,” she continues, “Growing up, we’re always taught to use lesser magic before our affinities show up. I see no reason why we shouldn’t start there with you as well. So lock the door,” she says with a teasing grin.
“Wait, you can do that sort of thing with magic?” My excitement bubbles up unexpectedly. “It can’t be that simple.”
“Oh, but it is,” she counters, completely unbothered. “Watch.” Her eyes flicker with a subtle glow, and she focuses on the door, the lock seeming to bend to her will. With a delicate flick of herwrist, the lock clicks into place.
“See? Easy!” To prove her point, she unlocks it just as effortlessly. “Now you try.”
