Page 76 of The Magic of Betrayal
I smiled at him, once again speechless at his thoughtfulness. "Thank you."
He cleared his throat and got right back into teacher mode. "One, in order to hide your demon appearance, just calm yourself and focus on hiding your demon form. Shifting is tied to emotion, so if you get too worked up on any emotion, you're more likely to shift. Especially at first, because you're still learning. The more skilled you become, the easier it'll be for you to quickly shift and also repress your demon form if you so choose.
"So, let's try. Take a deep breath, focus on hiding your demon form. Close your eyes if it will help you concentrate," he encouraged and I let my eyelids flutter shut.
I noticed the steady pumping of my heart, the rustling of the pine needles all around us as a breeze swirled through the forest, Bram's scent. Picturing my horns, wings, and tail, I imagined them disappearing. Hiding.Hide!I ordered and opened my eyes to Bram clapping.
"Great job, tiny warrior. Look at you, in control of your own shit." He grinned and I beamed back. I was on a fast track of no return with his crazy ass.
"What's next?" I bounced on the balls of my feet, excitement flooding my senses.
"I know we discussed this a while ago, but demons don't have a specific affinity like you. Although, we do have basic powers that every demon has. Then there are specialties, and you can have more than one, or you could have none. It just depends on the demon in question. There is shapeshifting, which means you can alter your appearance to anyone else. Now, before you ask, everyone in Besmet usually takes preventative measures to ensure nobody can steal their appearance, but it happens. There are charms, usually worn on the person, that blocks a shapeshifting demon from being able to copy their identity. Obviously, this is a power I possess since I was able to parade around as Johnny," he explained and I nodded, desperately trying to remember everything he was telling me. I was gonna need a serious notebook.
"Next, there's dream walking. Another specialty I possess. I'm able to move from my dreams into someone else's. I suspect this is an ability you have as well since the first couple of times you astral projected, it was while you were asleep. I believe it was just your powers not knowing what the fuck was going on and that's how it manifested. Just like with shapeshifting, others can protect their dreams from walkers by symbols, charms, spells, and a whole slew of other things," Bram explained and then chuckled at my wide eyed look.
"You following, princess?'
"Yes, it's just fascinating and I want to remember everything though I already feel like my brain is about to explode," I admitted. "But please, continue. Tell me everything."
Bram sat down and tugged me down so that we were sitting across from one another. Guess there was quite a bit more to know.
"So, these next powers are incredibly dangerous. Biokinesis, which is the ability to psychically manipulate someone's anatomy, physiology, or internal body regulation. It's somewhat similar to Fischer's affinity, though he can alter, erase, and plant memories. I once saw my father make someone's heart burst within their chest just by narrowing his eyes," Bram cautioned, another warning to never underestimate King Thane.
"Telekinesis is the ability to manipulate inanimate objects. Like that creepy kid in the Matrix who bends and twists that spoon with his mind? Telekinetics can levitate objects, move them, warp them, whatever they want. Demons also have our own version of seers, they harness the specialty of clairvoyance and we call them that exactly. Clairvoyants. Aside from being able to do basic demon powers, if a demon is given the power of clairvoyance, that is their only specialty. It's rare, and incredibly dangerous in the wrong hands.
“Perhaps the most risky of all though? Deal making. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and there are demons who thrive off of others’ willingness to do whatever it takes to get what they want or need. Poor demons who cut a deal to make sure their children are fed, demons who get too deep into gambling and cut deals to try and work their way out of their debts... a lot of deal making demons run in gambling circles. The stakes are always high and the deal maker almost always wins. But just like any other kind of gambling, it sometimes becomes an addiction," Bram explained and I felt a shiver run through my body.No deals. Never make a deal with a demon, Saige. No. Matter. What.
"Wow," I muttered, feeling one hundred percent overwhelmed.
"Feel free to ask me anything as you think of it, okay? I want to tell you anything and everything you can think of," Bram grabbed my hands and squeezed them reassuringly.
"And you don't think I'm going to lose my green magic?" I swallowed roughly, not prepared to hear any answer other than no.
"Not a chance. Your magic is linked to your soul, Goldie. It's who you are as a being. If anything, it will be stronger now. The reason you were killing plants before was because of all the changes going on with you behind the scenes. We can practice a little soon, but first, I want to teach you something else that's very important," Bram smiled widely and my heart raced a little at how beautiful he was.
"Okay, what did you have in mind?"
He smirked, standing and extending his hand to tug me to my feet.
"Flying," he told me conspiratorially.
My mouth opened and he wrapped his arms around my waist and jumped up, his powerful wings beating against the air as we rose toward the sky.
"Oh my moons, oh my stars, oh my gods," I chanted as we went higher, well above the trees now and the whole of Naryan spread out below us. There were rivers and streams that intersected all across the terrain and it was beautiful.
Bram was chuckling at my theatrics, his hold still tight on my waist. Was he going to release me up here?
"I'm not gonna let you go, don't look at me like I'm a monster, Goldie. I'm going to hold onto your waist, I want you to extend your wings out, like mine. They will take over, it's like when you stand to walk, you don't think about telling your legs to do it, they just do," he encouraged and I did as he asked.
Looking back over my shoulder, I admired my wings in the sunlight. They were a gorgeous light green color and Bram was right, they did kind of resemble leaves with how the darker emerald color worked its way through them, like veins in a leaf. They were so thin, sunlight came through them with ease, but they were damn near indestructible. I knew, because I'd tested out trying to tear them in private. I needed to be sure I wasn't going to get in the air and have them blow out like a failed parachute.
"They're gorgeous, just like you." Bram kissed my throat and I swallowed my fear, working up the nerve to try and fly. The wind caught my wings and pulled us higher, making me squeal and Bram barked a laugh.
"Good, now flutter them. Like this," he demonstrated and I copied. We were doing it.
"I'm doing it!" I screamed and he smiled, pulling his hands off my waist.
"Wait, wait!" I started dropping down to the ground like a rock.Fuck!
