Page 42 of Anatomy of the Immortal Species
Mikhail shook his head. “That scum definitely has more sources than we realise. Plenty of beings saw you at the Council.Someone must have talked.”
She lifted her chin to add a bit of height. “So, what do I need to do to not seem like a fraud?”
Golden flames flickered in Mikhail’s eyes, and the corners of his lips curled up. “Do you really care how you appear to others?”
Amelia was pressing too hard against the edge of the desk behind her.
I care about how I appear in your eyes.
She immediately cursed herself for the thought. It shouldn’t matter whether he saw her as a worthy Oracle or not.
Nor should his proximity raise goosebumps across her skin.
“Develop your skills. Give yourself time. And patience. In the immortal world, things often happen slowly. Your power grows with your confidence and diminishes with your fear,” Mikhail said.
Her shoulders sagged. “It’s hard to feel confident when I have no control over my powers.”
He stared at her, a thoughtful grimace on his face. “I can’t help you with mastering your visions, but there’s someone who might.”
15
Constantine studied the new Oracle. When Mikhail had called him with a few minutes’ notice, demanding his presence, he hadn’t imagined she would be here. The transformation to immortality hadn’t changed her much – she still looked like the same petite blonde he remembered from her first appearance at the Council. But while every step back then had been filled with uncertainty, now her movements were well-controlled, her features composed, and her blue irises even more intense.
The Oracle’s scent lingered subtly in the air, faint enough that few beings could identify her as anything more than a New Generation immortal of unclear origin.
Constantine was somewhat surprised by her return to the building. He had thought her smarter than that.
They were in a small office with a wooden desk and a few scattered chairs. Amelia took a seat, her blue eyes stark against the dark curtains behind her.
Constantine gestured around the room. “Care to share the reason for this cosy gathering?”
“Amelia needs help to master her abilities. I’d appreciate it if you could talk with her.” Mikhail towered closer to her like a bodyguard.
She nodded. “Mikhail explained that when you absorb someone’s soul, you learn everything about them. You can see their memories and feel their emotions.”
“That’s right.” Constantine pulled up a chair to sit across from her.
“I’m experiencing something similar,” Amelia continued. “Every time I try to access this knowledge, I’m overwhelmed by a flood of sounds and emotions. All I perceive is complete chaos. Can you teach me how to control it?”
He studied her for a long moment before responding. “Are you sure you want to burden yourself with so much emotional junk?”
Amelia’s eyebrows shot up. “I don’t think I have a choice.”
“Why not?”
“I was given this title, and—”
Constantine snorted. “The title isn’t given, it’s earned. It’s your choice whether to fight for it or not. Whether you want to be the Oracle or not.”
She frowned.
“I suppose when you’re ready, you’ll start to understand. Sounds like you’re taking this Oracle business a bit too seriously, huh?”
“The Creator told me I lost my parents to become what I am. To understand loss and pain…”
“Of course. Power without compassion is evil.”
“There is no power. If I can’t control the Oracle within me, then my family died for nothing.”
