“Now to recap, let’s have everyone in the room who’s an Original, raise their hand.” Knox smirks, raising his hand in the air proudly, and when Zayne doesn’t do anything, Knox quickly nudges him. Zayne whips his glare in his direction rolls his eyes, and slowly raises his hand.
“But that’s not all, folks,” Knox smirks as he motions for me to raise my hand as well. If what they’re saying is true, then that would make me one too, wouldn’t it?
The knock on the door may have interrupted our little story time, but it wasn’t just a story. This nightmare I have been living is real. Jasper is real, and he is holding my sister’s soul captive in exchange for my own. But now, after all this, would I be willing to give that up?
I am an Original.It’s a declaration to myself, as I, too, raise my hand in recognition. It's nice to finally have some sort of framework for everything that has been happening to me, but a tear escapes me as I think about my sister’s situation and I lower my hand again. Suddenly, I can feel Knox's hand on mine, and I look at him. The questions are still spiraling out of control in my mind.
“Myssa? Are you ok? I know this is a lot to take in.”
I look up at Knox and then at Zayne. Knox’s forehead is creased with concern and sympathy, but Zayne’s scowl is confusing. I follow his glare to where Knox’s hand is on mine. Could he jealous? I shift slightly, taking my hand out of Knox’s and wiping away the tear that escaped.
“I’m ok. It’s just a lot.” I look between them both again, asking the most important question of all.
“So, what now?”
Zayne’s focus from before has changed, his demeanor softer as he looks at me.
“First, we need to help you learn the balance between your emotions and their tie to the frequency. You are able to not only shift easily into Aetheriem, but you can pull another Original with you. That can be a unique advantage, but it can also put you right in the path of Jasper.”
I tilt my head slightly furrowing my eyebrows. If all three of us are Originals, why would I be able to do something different?
“Ok. I’m sorry. I guess I’m a little confused. Can’t any Original end up in Aetheriem whenever they want? Also, what do you mean bypull with me?”
He shifts awkwardly before standing up and striding to his desk.
“No, not all Originals can go through the frequency. Some Originals go through their whole lives not knowing who they truly are. We really don’t know a hundred percent how it works. There are certain areas that have a strong connection to the energy of the frequency that makes it easier. That is the reason we picked this particular building for this nightclub.”
He pauses, smiling. Knox nods in agreement.
“Transitioning is taxing. Most originals can only transfer once in a day. From what I heard, you can transfer multiple times in one day. You are definitely special,” he says.
“I’m not special, trust me.” How can he even think that? I’m just a regular girl who has an ordinary job and lives a mundane life.
“I’m just…me.” My confidence falters a little because his words hit me as I realize how much the last six months have affected me. Losing Nicole was more devastating to me than anything I have faced in my life. I know I’m not special, but the girl I once was, the outgoing, free-spirited me, is a shell of who she used to be. I was hiding in my apartment and living my life on repeat.
I was only just starting to feel a little bit like myself lately. But he doesn’t know that.
Zayne walks over and crouches down in front of me. His hands rest on the couch cushion on either side of me, his warm stare fixated on my own. I try to swallow.
“I beg to differ,” he says softly.
His words bring a sudden flush to my whole body. As I stare longingly into his eyes, he appears conflicted. I look down at his lips, trying to will them closer to mine.
Just when I think it might happen, I hear a loud drawn-out sigh next to me, snapping me out of the trance I was just in.I look over at Knox, who’s clearly irritated that he just had to watch our interaction. He rolls his eyes dramatically while Zayne stands back, leaning on the chair.
“Ok, Romeo,” he jests, “what's the game plan here?I can get started with helping Mys…”
But before he can finish what he’s saying, Zayne is quick with his rebuttal.
“I think the best solution right now is for Myssa to come stay with me.”
“What?” both Knox and I say in unison.
“Yes, I think it's wise for her to be with me. If Jasper comes back in her dreams, if she slips to Aetheriem without knowing, she’s gonna need help,” his firm words leave little room for debate.
Knox and Zayne continue to disagree, but I can’t help but be a little excited. Maybe this attraction is as strong for Zayne as it is for me. I’ve thought about him since the first time I saw him in the elevator. There is definitely something there between us.
Isn’t there?
