Page 30 of Mortal Magic (Shadow Shifter)

“Well?” Colton asked.

“She is a descendant of the priestess. Just as strong as Dannika, and that is surprising. Her gift is different though. Foreshadowing, but not. Can you explain it to me?”

“It was different this last time. Almost like I was evolving. Being close to Dannika connected us and our abilities, if that makes sense.”

Anaisa nodded. “It does. Tell me how your ability feels?”

Riley took a deep breath. “Sometimes it’s like looking through another person’s eyes. This is when I see events that happen in the future. Other times I’m watching things unfold as if I’m in the room. Those times I’m watching things as they happen.”

Anaisa placed her tea on the table. “The first is foreshadowing, which is Dannika’s gift. The second is astral projection, which I believe is your gift. The question is, how are you connected to Dannika. Why are you able to use her gift, and she yours?”

CHAPTER18

Riley’s eyes widened. “You think I am tapping into Dannika’s gift?”

Anaisa nodded. “You don’t see a Rolodex of images like Dannika does. I think you have tapped into her ability in the past. Your gift was undeveloped until you connected to Dannika. I think she will be able to utilize yours in the future. The question is whether this will be true for all descendants of the priestess that become shadow warriors or if there is another reason for your connection.”

Colton frowned. “It has to be their connection to the priestess. What else could it be?”

Anaisa grabbed a new teacup and filled it from the pot. “Riley’s connection to the portal is stronger than Dannika’s.”

“Why would that be?” Colton asked.

“It could be because there are two female shadows, her demon blood, or her specific bloodline.”

Colton’s eyes narrowed. “Her specific bloodline?”

“The shadow clan is always so focused on the priestess; they forget there are other human bloodlines with gifts. It’s possible that a powerful human psychic passed their gift onto Riley, and it was strengthened by her shadow ability.”

“We are investigating Riley’s heritage now, but so far there is no connection to the priestess.”

Anaisa took a sip of her tea. “There is, you just haven’t found it yet.”

Colton glanced between Anaisa and Riley. “Do you know if there are any repercussions from a demon turn?”

“I attempted to find an answer to that question as soon as Raine told me about Riley. Unfortunately, there has never been a successful demon transition,” Anaisa said.

It was slight, but Riley detected the waiver in her voice. “Never?”

Anaisa took a deep breath. “I consulted my forefathers in the veil. During the original demon invasion some men survived the transition, but became unstable in the weeks following their attack. They fed indiscriminately and had to be put down.”

Riley swallowed hard. “How long before they started to show signs of instability?”

“Not long. A week or two.”

Colton squeezed Riley’s hand. “Did these men display any early warning signs?”

“Shadow fledglings require sleep. These men did not. Also, they were required to feed right away. Shadows typically consume the remnants of their human blood, giving them a week or two before they are required to take sustenance. That was not the case with the demon turned.”

Ice skated down Riley’s spine. “I had to feed right after I transitioned.”

Colton turned to her. “You fed on a rabbit. That is barely a meal.”

“I’m not tired. I haven’t slept since my transition,” Riley said.

Anaisa placed her teacup on the coffee table. “These men were insatiable. I agree with Colton a rabbit is barely an appetizer for a shadow warrior. It’s too soon to know if you will have any adverse effects.”

“Is there anything we can do to ensure Riley doesn’t run into any problems?” Colton asked.

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