Myriad

Regina sat on the settee, holding one of Kalin’s hands between hers, trying to get a vision. She said she could get a better reading if she was touching him. She had giggled after she said it, then settled down and began working. She’d been trying to get a reading for some time, while he just sat there, staring at her.

He tried to ignore the flutter in his stomach as he watched her, hoping more than anything his hand wasn’t sweaty. He wondered if she could get two visions about Myriad in a row.

She opened her eyes, looked at him, and released his hand. “This isn’t working. I’m not in the right… space. Maybe you’d better go train with the others.”

His heart fell. He looked down, stood, and walked towards the door to the garden, but Regina called to him before he reached it.

“I’ll talk to you later,” she said, smiling at him.

He nodded, smiling back a little, feeling slightly better. He walked outside and saw the others standing in the center of the garden, talking. They turned and looked at him as he approached, growing silent. He felt slightly nervous, but still walked towards them.

He saw a small pile of weapons—knives, swords—on the ground, and for some reason, felt the urge to pick one of them up. He veered towards the weapons, then leaned down and picked up a sword. He held it in his hand, then he snapped out of it. He was standing exactly where he was, holding the sword, but Kalin had no idea how he’d gotten there. He looked at the others in confusion. The last thing he remembered was walking into the garden. He dropped the sword in surprise.

“You’re not going mad—I made you do that,” Alfred said, moving towards him. He placed a hand on his shoulder. “I wanted to show you how easy it would be for someone to control your mind. I’m experienced, mind you, but so is Myriad. I’m going to do the same thing again, but I want you to resist.”

Kalin looked at him in surprise, then back at the others, who waved to him and went inside.

Alfred moved back a bit and crossed his arms.

Kalin stood there, feeling like an idiot, not knowing what he was waiting for. He bent down and picked up a sword, then kept waiting.

Alfred stared at him. “Kalin.”

He looked at Alfred, looked down at the weapon, then realization hit. He put it down gently. “This is going to be harder than throwing fire, isn’t it?”

Alfred smiled. “Just a little. Be patient. We’ll try again.”

***

Three hours passed, and Kalin was having no luck. He felt it would be better if he just held on to the sword, but Alfred assured him it would work out.

He sighed. “Alright,” he said, “but could I pick up something lighter than this? My arm’s getting tired.”

Alfred shook his head. “Kalin, look at me. I want you to really concentrate. I’m telling you I’m going to put a thought in your mind, and you’re still not resisting it. You won’t have that benefit in a fight—Myriad will just tell you to pick up a knife and slit your wrists, and you won’t even know he’s doing it! Concentrate on shielding your mind. Focus on not being manipulated. No one can make you do anything if you don’t let them.”

He chewed on his lip, finally starting to see what Alfred wanted from him. He nodded. “Alright,” he said, “but just give me a moment. Let me think.” He lowered his head and shut his eyes. Instead of trying to listen for Alfred’s thought in his mind like he had been, he imagined his mind was made of steel. He imagined a fortress nothing could get through. He felt the stir of his power flowing through him, creating the steel walls to shield him. He locked down the entrance to his mind.

Kalin opened his eyes and looked at Alfred, but this time he wasn’t waiting to be controlled. He stared, and Alfred stared back.

There was a long moment of silence, and then Alfred nodded.

Kalin took a huge breath, then fell to his knees, grasping his head. He had an enormous headache and could almost taste metal in his mouth. He took more deep breaths, shaking. “I don’t think I can sustain that for very long,” he said, slowly rising to his feet.

Alfred clapped a hand on his back. “It’s only the first day. But you did it, Kalin. I couldn’t get through. And if you did it once, you can do it again. Go and rest, now. You’ve earned it.”

He quietly walked away, still shaking slightly, and returned to the house. He was pleased to see the others had food on the table, as he felt he needed something to replace his energy. He quietly sat next to Regina and reached for some bread.

Everyone was mostly silent. Kalin ate the meal of chicken and vegetables quickly, relieved for the warmth the food provided. He gradually felt like his usual self and sat back, full. He hoped he could rest that evening.

“What’s your favorite animal, Kalin?” Mark asked, breaking the silence.

Kalin frowned. He didn’t like the look in Mark’s eyes. “I don’t like animals,” he lied, knowing that wouldn’t work.

Mark grinned. “I think you’d make a good cat.”

***

Kalin walked into his room much later that evening, exhausted. He’d spent the last three hours trying to shape-shift into a house cat and for the most part only managing to grow fur or a tail. He’d had success at the end, when he became so frustrated with Mark and the whole process that he somehow transformed into a raging lion. He flopped backwards onto his bed, smiling at the memory of the frightened look on Mark’s face. That would teach him to say he wasn’t catlike enough.

He rolled over onto his side, waving his hand at the candles in the room, making them all come alight. He abruptly sat up, shocked he’d finally done it, when there was a knock on the door. He straightened his clothing and tried to tidy up his messy hair. “Come in,” he said nervously.

The door opened and Regina walked through, closing it a little behind her. She took a few steps forward, then looked at her hands. “I just wanted to say good night,” she said softly.

He looked at her, wishing more than anything she was sitting beside him, and then he rose and moved towards her. He stood in front of her, so very much taller, and she met his gaze. He smiled. “Did you see anything else?”

She shook her head.

“No, not today. How was your training with Mark?”

He frowned. “I don’t think I like him very much,” he said, and Regina giggled.

“He’s actually lovely. I know you really do like him. He’s just working you too hard right now. But we need to prepare you. Remember, things will work out. I just know it.”

Kalin stared at her. “But—but how do you know it? I know you trust your visions, and I believe in you, but I wish you could tell me more.”

She bit her lip, looking at him with concern. She reached forward and touched his arm. “I will tell you more, I promise. But I can’t yet. It’s not time. Kalin, I promise you’ll be okay. That’s all I can say for now.”

She stood there for a moment longer, then reached up and kissed him on the cheek. He was surprised, but that feeling was immediately replaced by the urge to put his arms around her. He resisted, but he did gently touch her face, moving aside a few strands of her hair. She gazed at him, her lips slightly parted, her eyes so dark and full.

He sighed. “Alright, Regina. I’ll wait. But I’m dying to hear this secret of yours.”

She smiled at him, then turned and walked from the room. She shut the door behind her, and Kalin gazed at it, his heart filling up. She was so sweet. And beautiful. And kind. And gentle. And intelligent. He smiled ruefully, knowing he was starting to fall for her. He got changed and cleaned up, then crawled into bed.

As he shut his eyes, thoughts of Regina crossed his mind, images of holding her, kissing her, being close to her. Developing feelings for someone right now was probably a bad idea, but he didn’t think he could help it. She was already starting to enter his heart. He felt his magic flowing through him, his heart coming alive, a result of his life changing so dramatically. His magic was part of him now. He was being his true self. And maybe, maybe, he’d found a new love.

He’d never been in love before.

His magic swirled and pulsated inside of him as his heart swelled. He felt connected to the world, bigger than himself, more than himself. He felt stronger, braver, more free.

***

Myriad closed his fist around the black crystal, a cold smile crossing his lips. He opened his eyes, glaring at the room before him. Got him.