She nods sharply. “So, unlikely. But again, I did not see the exact placement nor the vision. Deidre may be able to tell you at least some of your reading in the coming days as she recovers. And if not, we will try again soon.”
“Thank you for explaining. Very few have been willing to explain things here and it’s…unnerving.”
“It is the role of your Drak and your caretaker to instruct you of our ways. If they are not doing their job at guiding you properly, we can intervene.”
“No,” I whisper. “That’s not necessary. It’s just a lot.”
She nods. “It is. Many are not ready for details when they enter our community for the first time. Much of our customs are foreign to them. Our rituals are for our community’s protection, as well as guidance on how to proceed with our individuals. We have avoided many large conflicts this way. Sometimes, we have been able to save lives. You will learn more as time passes, and I am confident you will eventually come to agree with us—that you are blessed to have been chosen.” She squeezes my knee gently.
I take a sip of the bitter drink she calls wine and keep my fear buried deep.
“Until thatpoint, if you have questions, please feel free to ask. Any of the seers would be happy to illuminate.”
A calming warmth fills my chest. She is so kind.
Her smile soaks through my skin, seeping down to my very bones.
“Can I ask one more thing?”
“Of course.”
“What is the Ancient One? I thought he was a god but?—”
“Oh, not quite. Nihil is our god. The Ancient One is a living being who communes with the gods. While he lives, we have connection to Nihil. He often slumbers in his communing with Nihil. It is his power that protects us. It is his wisdom that guides us.”
“Will I ever… see him?”
“Unlikely. He only rises to speak to the high priestess and to meet with the Mavdrak—the highest commanders of our military.”
“I see. Thank you for explaining.”
“Such a lovely girl,” she says, brushing my hair gently. “Your destiny will be of legends.”
Suddenly, coldness drops over my body like a rush of water, but I am entirely dry. My mind is frozen, lost in a sea of nothingness. Numb. I am stuck staring at the seer.
I blink, and the feeling subsides.
I breathe heavily, looking around, and find my Dread standing in the doorway, his eyes harsh, his body language tense.
“You have a very special Drahkita,” the seer says. “We all see it so clearly.”
His eyes narrow.
A long moment of silence stretches, pulsing with waves of tension I do not understand. Finally, though, my Dread holds out his hand to me.
My eyebrows rise, and for the first time, I consider how much I wish this could be real. A man who wants me, protects me. Chooses me.
But that is not what this is.
I am property.
I take his hand with a mixture of disgust and relief.
We are quiet during the long walk back to the dwelling. He does not speak until the door shuts behind us.
“What happened?” His voice is gruff.
I swallow, unsure how to answer that. Unsure how much to trust him. Will he cast me out the moment he realizes I’m going to be more trouble than I’m worth?
