Lord King (The King)

“I’m sorry, Jeni, but there is no instruction book for being a Seer. Each must discover their unique gifts and master them out in the world. You have a strong ability to see the truth, so turn it on yourself. If you cannot, it means you are not ready.”

So, basically, the Seers didn’t want to help me because I was supposed to help myself, and that would only happen when I was ready?

“This is stupid,” I said. “I don’t want to go through life feeling like I’m a jack-in-the-box, waiting for something to pop out. It’s also stupid that you guys refuse to help me—like my suffering is some rite of passage.”

“But it is. And when you’ve lived, learned, and accomplished all you can in that life, you will be given another. Here. With us.”

“I don’t even want to be a Seer. I wish I were born normal.” So far it had only brought trouble.

“Never say that, Jeni. Never think that. You are powerful—more powerful than you know, and the universe is always listening. The gods are always listening. Your wish just might be granted, and then what? Do you want to end up like Mia?”

“You mean resting peacefully?”

“You think she is truly at peace, separated from her people?”

So she wasn’t? “I thought she was dead. Dead dead. Crossed over.”

“There are many places the dead go, Jeni. Not all find peace. That is why we are blessed as Seers. We are guaranteed a place among our sisters. We can continue to learn and evolve. We watch over our descendants and serve a purpose.”

I wasn’t sure that sounded good. “And if I don’t want to live forever?”

“All will be revealed when you are ready. You are not ready. For the time being, you must earn your stripes and serve your purpose. You must start pushing yourself to learn the intricacies of your powers.” She paused. “You will need them, Jeni. There is much work to do.”

“In the meantime, while I’m figuring out the blessed nature of my ever-loving blessed gifts, I need help finding King. Some guy just showed up and said he’ll kill King if I don’t give myself to him and make lots of babies.”

“Ah. The man Ariadna warned you of, which she should not have done. You need to learn to trust your instincts and yourself.”

“You’re not going to help me find King?”

“I suggest you make yourself a cup of tea and find a quiet place in your mind. The stress is bad for the baby.”

So she knew. Which meant they all knew. Why did it surprise me? I guessed because they hadn’t mentioned it. Seemed like a big deal.

“Goodbye, Jeni.”

I blinked and found myself lying in bed, the sun peeking up over the horizon, shining through a space in the curtains.

I slugged my way through my sleepy fog and found my way downstairs. There was an assortment of teas and coffee on the kitchen counter. I went for the decaf green tea. In the fridge, I found bottled water and some champagne. No food. But why would there be? King hardly ate, and I highly doubted he was the cooking type.

I microwaved a mug of water, popped in the tea bag, and went outside to the enclosed patio. Just beyond the glass windbreak, miles of turquoise Florida water shimmered under the morning sun. I popped down on one of the lounge chairs and held my mug in my hands to keep them from shaking. Nerves. A lot was riding on getting this right.

Okay. Blank mind. Blank mind. I exhaled slowly, clearing my head of every thought except one. Where are you, King? Show me.

I let my mind wander, praying something would come to me. Where are you, King?

Nothing.

Goddammit, Jeni. Come on. Clear your head. Think of King. Reach for him. I set my mug on the ground and sat up. Maybe if I thought of us, of our connection, I’d get something. Hell, the guy’s soul is anchored to me. I didn’t control it, but the Seers had tethered us.

Come on, creepy shadow. Bring me to King.

My bones jarred against my skin, and I felt my mind soaring in the clouds, totally weightless and free. I was nothing and nowhere, spinning in the air with just my thoughts. But where was King? I needed to find him.

Like a rope had been tied around me, something pulled me back down to earth.

I found myself in a room. The walls were dark, and an oil painting of a woman in a big lacy dress hung just above the fireplace. King lay in a big bed with red velvet curtains and white sheets. Where was this place?

I scanned the room, looking for some clue. Maybe an envelope or newspaper. Or—a pale arm, a woman’s arm, slid across King’s bare chest. I couldn’t see her, though; the curtains blocked my view.