Page 12 of The Discovered
At the sound of footsteps, I whipped around to face Daelon, who studied my face with just a hint of worry. He straightened, his features tensing at my no doubt bewildered expression.
“Yes?” His right eyebrow shot up.
“I thought I saw someone out there, but I’m not sure,” I said, peering out the window again. The trees swayed slightly in the wind, and a hawk flew in the distance to land on a jutting branch.
Something flashed in Daelon’s eyes. Concern, maybe. “That’s impossible.”
“But—”
“You’re probably paranoid right now. Which is perfectly understandable after your nightmare. The witch realm can be highly… impressionable, especially by someone as powerful as you. Your thoughts, and especially your emotions, can have a tangible effect on Aradia’s physical reality. Don’t let it go to your head. The cabin and its surrounding land are heavily protected by multiple spells. I’ve completely masked your power. No one can find you here.”
I was skeptical still, but his words seemed to resonate. If the power mirrored my own, maybe it really was just an extension of myself—the darker part of myself—the part I feared loved this power despite the pain it had caused in my life. Or maybe it was just the nightmare resurfacing to haunt me.
“Okay,” I finally said, but I was still going to keep an eye out.
Daelon visibly relaxed. “Have you eaten?”
“I don’t eat breakfast. I drink it.” I gestured to the coffee.
He scowled. “You need your strength, Áine.”
“You can’t control everything,” I snapped. “I’m sure caffeine will be more than enough fuel for ninja warrior witch training.”
Daelon looked like he was debating on whether or not to force food down my throat, but he settled on a slight roll of the eyes and a disapproving look.
“Come on, then.” He spun on his heel and walked away. “Ninja warrior witch training,” he muttered under his breath, chuckling quietly.
I smiled, feeling a bit triumphant in amusing him. He led me past the kitchen, past my room on the right where the door was ajar, and then past a closed door further down the hall to the left that I figured was his. The home opened back up again in design, with the far wall in front of us made completely of glass, overlooking a vast deck with a firepit and seating. There was a bar with tall barstools, another seating area, and possibly more space that wrapped around where I couldn’t see. It seemed like a home I figured celebrities owned—sleek and modern, yet comfortable and built for entertaining. Yet, it was just Daelon and me here.
He stopped in the hallway just before the vast, open living room. To our right, a door. I peered past his frame when he opened it and saw stairs leading down into darkness.
“Yeah, I don’t know about following a stranger down into a dark basement,” I said. “Talk about Serial-Killer-Victim 101.”
Daelon snorted. “Do I really strike you as a serial killer?”
“Ted Bundy was attractive and charming. Appearances are of no consequence.” I sighed, then followed him down the steps. He probably had no idea who I was talking about.
“You think I’m attractive and charming?” Daelon threw me a wicked grin as we descended, though his eyes told a different story, as if he was surprised… and maybe a bit hesitant.Nervous?He didn’t seem like the type to get nervous.
I rolled my eyes. “Well, that isn’t exactly what I said,” I stammered. “I think you’re difficult and confusing.”And attractive, yes.
“Right back at you, little witch.”
Before I could remind him that I could kick his ass, we’d reached the bottom of the stairs to a breathtaking basement. I gasped audibly to see that the glass wall from above extended below, revealing that the house was built on the side of a hill. The glass was clear, letting in an abundance of soft, natural light. The basement itself was mostly bare, with some plush gray, low-seated chairs in the corner, wooden flooring, and pillows, mats, and black storage containers off to the side. There was a closed door underneath the stairs, which I assumed led to more rooms, given the size of the upstairs.
“Not really what I was expecting,” I said.
Daelon grabbed two of the pillows and set them in the middle of the floor, gesturing for me to sit across from him.
“Most of your training will take place in your mind,” he said with a shrug.
I scrunched up my face as I plopped down on one of the pillows. “Well, that sounds boring.”
“We’ll get to the fun stuff soon enough.” The corners of his mouth tipped upward, scanning my body for a moment. His eyes lingering a second longer than I expected. “That shirt makes your eyes look… very green.”
“Are you complimenting me?”
His eyes hardened. “Possibly.” He allowed a ghost of a smile on his lips. “Are you going to be cooperative now?”
