Page 52 of Ghost
Between the two of them, she looked more fragile than ever.
An uncomfortable feeling began to stir in my chest. And it wasn’t because she was being held and comforted by two others. With our history, there was no room for jealousy between us.
No, this was something entirely different.
I hated seeing her look like that—terrified and unsure. As if she believed she’d be left behind.
That would never happen. I couldn’t explain it, but there was something between us. An understanding I’d never felt in this lifetime.
It didn’t matter if she wasn’t the xing. I’d never leave her. I needed her. And that was all that was important.
“The xing is what weare—the four of us.” Damen slumped into Julian’s abandoned chair and took off his glasses. “I planned on explaining after this job, but I suppose there’s no choice. Now, it might be unbelievable, but we are connected in—”
“Julian and I already went over that. And about the inheritance of abilities. We didn’t have a choice, we needed to clear up a terrible misunderstanding,” I interrupted, not wanting to waste time. “And we also went over your bond with Kasai.”
Damen shot me a curious look, most likely wanting to know the nature of the misunderstanding. But I would get him up to speed about our perceived occupations later.
And, also, Damen would be very interested in learning about his virginity.
“She doesn’t know about the xing, or about groupings.” I gestured to the four of us.
Damen seemed taken aback, but regained his composure quickly enough. Her eyes, filled with expectation, being trained on him gave him the courage to continue.
To explain our curse.
“Alright,” he sighed. “To put it simply, all manner of supernatural abilities are grouped within five different categories. The first long-standing civilization who classified these groups in a time-proven manner was ancient China. So we still use there naming conventions and references today.”
“What are those categories?” Bianca asked, tilting her head. So far she didn’t seem perturbed.
“The categories are based off the wu xing, also known as the Chinese Five Elements. You might have heard them referenced in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The philosophy is used in Acupuncture and other alternative medical approaches. The elements themselves are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.”
Her brows furrowed, and she frowned. “I’ve heard of this before. But I don’t understand how this relates to the supernatural.”
Damen’s lips quirked as he touched the bridge of his glasses. “Have you ever heard of Occam’s Razor?”
“The simplest explanation is the best explanation,” Bianca answered without hesitation.
“Then consider that the origins of abilities are simple, and easily grouped and explained,” Damen responded. “All paranormal skills are inherited from one of five types of energies, which are made up of those five elements.”
She opened her mouth, but Damen held up a finger. “Also, consider this too. We know the paranormal exists. We also know that society considers the supernatural to be pseudoscience. But now you know that there are people more aware than you thought. Keeping that in mind, there’s only one explanation…”
He trailed off, giving her a chance to answer. And there was no doubt a theory was already forming in her head.
After a moment, she didn’t disappoint. “There is a scientific basis for how humans have abilities, and that knowledge hasn't been made public. If it’s been hidden, then the government is involved. If that’s the case, then people in high places are involved too. Is everyone a part of this, like a conspiracy?”
Damen was quiet a moment before he responded, “Notallpolitical leaders, or corporate owners, or scientists, are a part of this. But a good many are.”
“Why?” She had stiffened at Damen's last sentence, and a sense of distress crossed her expression.
“Why, what?” Julian's brows furrowed in concern, and I knew this topic was distressing for him. Especially considering her medication, and the medical community’s involvement.
“Why does it have to be a secret?”
Julian exchanged a look with us. He was scared. He didn't want her to know, not yet. And from the look on Damen’s face, he didn't either.
Bianca knew next to nothing about the non-magical world, no thanks to Finn. It might frighten her to find out about the way the real world ran. For example, if she knew those with abilities like ours were still hunted and killed…
It was true things were better than they used to be. But it had taken a long time for our people to gain security. And that peace was fragile.
