Page 13 of Lost and Bound

“A Nom?”

“Nomina Sacra. You don’t possess enough other in your bloodline to define you as a specific supernatural, like a shifter or a demon, but you still hold an important role in our society. At Thales, we will teach you how to harness what you have and show you how to fulfill your role in our society.”

“My role?”

“We have all been blessed in some way. Some of us can shift, others can use the earth to conjure winds or magik. The gifts that are bestowed on us are endless and ever-changing. What doesn’t alter is what we use our gifts for—peace and harmony above all else. You’ll learn everything you need to know.”

He stops out the front of a dormitory. “I won’t come in as I’m expected at a staff meeting, but I trust you will find your way from here.” He passes over a plastic card. “This allows you access. Because you’re joining us partway through the semester, you’re going to have to work hard to catch up. I’m confident you’ll be fine. In truth, you’ve caught us a little unaware. Of course, we have new students appearing as they come into their power, but we haven’t had a Nom come from the other side of the wall before. You’ve been assigned room twenty-one. Second floor, last room down the end with the others that haven’t been commissioned yet.”

“Commissioned?”

“Nothing to worry about, really. Commissions are one of those continually changing situations. Now, Maya, I am afraid I really do have to run. Don’t forget to check your device for updates.”

He’s gone before I can utter another word, leaving me with no fucking idea what I’m doing here. Or what I’m walking into.

CHAPTER FIVE

A DIFFERENT LIFE

I guess the intent of the lock on the door and the card system was once a precautionary measure, but now I’m not sure the door would even keep the weather out. The latch hangs at a right angle, and there’s a hole in the wood, like something went straight through it. Pushing the door, I wait for it to open fully before stepping inside.

The inside of Nom House is empty; except I know I’m not alone. My senses are tingling. My father drummed into me at every chance that I had to trust my instincts, and right now, they’re screaming I’m being watched.

Before I can take another step or look around, my vision narrows. A shiver tracks down my back, like a ghost walking over my grave. The last time I felt like this wasn’t that long ago, it was when I saw Williem and his soon-to-be wife in a vision. My hands move into the same position of their own accord, and sit cupped together as if I’m getting ready to receive something.

My fingers fade from view, and where they were, a distorted image takes their place. Once again, they become like a screen with a run of images, and though it makes no sense, it’s all I can see.

I watch as a guy, about my age, stands in front of me. His defensive posture is as obvious as his red hair. The dark hoodie he wears amplifies the night that shadows him, and there’s a gale-force wind whipping around us. I can actually feel the wind blowing against my face. He’s furious, yelling at people I can’t make out, then he spins around and faces me. The stranger’s eyes are a soft violet color, full of friendship, condolence, and heartache. “Come on, Maya, we’re not staying for this. I’m taking you home.”

It’s so real, I feel my stomach drop as his emotions radiate into me, bringing a sadness that hollows out my chest.

And then, as quickly as turning a television off, the vision disappears and I’m left looking at my empty hands.

A noise from above makes me look up, and I’m shaken when the same guy I just saw leans over the balustrade from a few floors up.

“Well?” He grins, his lips pulling into a half-smirk.

“Well, what?” I ask suspiciously, wondering if I’ve fallen victim to the concussion they warned me about.

I shake my hands out and crack my neck, willing myself to wake up, but it’s kind of obvious I’m awake and what’s happening is actually real.

The guy keeps watching me, almost as if he’s waiting for me to say something. I’m not sure what. We stare at each other until it’s awkward, and then he rolls his eyes and smiles brightly. “Look at you go pretending you didn’t just see something. You’ll fit in just fine. Are you staying there or coming up?”

“I’m still trying to figure out if I should. Have you seen the door?”

“Have you seen the other students at Thales? Doors aren’t going to do shit to keep them out.”

“You’re the first student I’ve met.”

“Must be your lucky day, then.” He grins again.

“Looks like.”

He suddenly closes his eyes and rubs his temples before they pop back open a second later. “Let me guess, you’re in room twenty-one?”

My head is pounding, and it makes it hard to figure out if he’s making fun of what just happened to me or if he’s being nice. I climb the stairs because regardless of what kind of person he is, apparently my room is where he is waiting.

Two flights of stairs take longer than they should, not because I’m unfit but because my body decides now is the time to start hurting. He waits for me on the landing before moving down the corridor.