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“Well, for one thing, the miraya – that’s what we call people who may one day become a goddess – they never have key spirits. No matter which key carrier in their family dies, the key never goes to them. It prefers to seek out a person outside of the family, which is obviously a great loss to the family. And the miraya can read the language of the goddesses. They‘re also able to sense and track down other goddesses.”
I look at him in astonishment. “Then why did you have to test her? If she’s a miraya and not a key carrying candidate, then what were you doing there?”
“It’s customary for the Council to send someone independent to evaluate whether the person really could be a miraya. Because until then, it’s just the family’s claim. You can imagine what it means to have a potential goddess in the family. It comes with massive respect and a certain degree of power. So we have to carefully examine whether there’s any truth to the claim. My job wasn’t just to see if Claire could be a potential goddess; I was also there to assess whether the first signs of a change in her character had started to show. The goddesses have no empathy; they’re not capable of feeling love or compassion. Often, they behave almost robotically in their everyday lives. They dutifully fulfill their responsibilities but without any passion or feeling. Anyway, that’s not the case with Claire – at least not yet. We have to wait and see what her future holds. But right now I can say it looks good. She has a real lust for life and good insight into human nature – which is also a sign that she’s a goddess, by the way. They’re masterful at reading facial expressions and body language – they have to be to find their victims. But there comes a point when they can no longer truly feel these emotions. Claire’s also a really fast learner, especially with languages. She’s physically fit, and she can sense when a key spirit is nearby. All signs that don’t necessarily mean anything on their own, but taken together they paint a clear picture. And that’s what I told the Council. Claire is most likely a miraya. And that’s why she’s here now. She’s being directly integrated into our world in the hope of keeping her on our side. The more she feels she belongs and is part of our world, the harder it will be for the evil to take hold in her. And obviously, it means we can also keep a close eye on her and intervene at the slightest sign of a transformation.”
I’m honestly amazed to hear all this. It sounds like a horrible life. All those expectations piled on you, and the pressure not to disappoint your own family.
“What if her powers don’t develop and she doesn’t become a goddess?”
“Then she goes back to her family. But the next step is for Claire to undergo a test to determine once and for all whether she really is a miraya.”
That reminds me of my own test, and I shudder with dread. I nestle up to Ayden and try to push the memory of it out of my mind.
“I hope they don’t make her suffer,” I whisper. “Nobody should have to go through that.”
“It’s a different test from the one you had to do,” Ayden explains.
Right, and I guess they wouldn’t allow any harm to come to her. How often does it happen that a potential goddess is born into a Council family? It must be like hitting the lottery jackpot. They would never expose such a precious jewel to any danger. Claire has obviously enjoyed certain privileges in her life so far, and I guess that won’t change now that she’s here. But still, it seems like a very high price to pay.
Chapter 28
Going back to the Fabrici house was hard – especially after feeling transported to another world in Ayden’s arms. But I’m so glad we had that time together, and it made it much easier to endure my training last night. Even now, I feel buoyant and can’t wait to get to school. I open the door, step inside, and practically fly along the corridors. Ayden and I agreed to meet outside one of the common rooms and then to go to biology together. I scan the corridor, watching the other students drift pass me, and wait. I keep checking the time. Ayden’s now pretty late. The minutes slip away, and I’m thinking we should be slowly making our way to class by now when I finally see a figure striding quickly down the corridor. He did come after all, I realize. Then I frown because Ayden’s not alone – Claire’s by his side. She’s sticking really close to him, and they appear to be deep in conversation.
As they approach, I hear her voice. “I don’t get it. Why don’t you want to come? You normally never turn down a chance to have some fun.” She puts her hand on his arm and looks at him imploringly. “It would mean a lot to me. I barely know anyone here.”
“Claire, I already told you, I’m not interested in parties right now. I have other priorities.” As he says this, he looks straight at me.
It doesn’t escape Claire, and she frowns disapprovingly. “I’m not asking you to ditch your girlfriend. It’s just one evening. Surely you can spare me that.” A little crinkled line appears between her eyes, indicating her displeasure. “Anyway, your father said you’re supposed to look out for me and help me settle in here. Come on! We always have so much fun together.”
Ayden sighs quietly, frees himself from her grip, and says, “I’ll think about it, okay?” It’s pretty obvious that he’s just saying this to get her off his back.
Claire knows this too. But judging by her expression, she’s not about to give up. She assumes a more friendly expression and smiles sweetly. “Bring your girlfriend too,” she suggests, to my surprise –presumably grasping at the straw that she’s saved as an absolute last resort.
“Like I said, I’ll think about it,” Ayden replies, taking me tenderly in his arms. He kisses my hair and asks, “Everything okay? How was it at the Fabrici house?”
“I got through last night’s training okay. At least I wasn’t poisoned this time,” I say with a smirk.
The bell signals the start of classes.
“Claire, we need to go,” says Ayden.
She nods brightly. “Sure, I’ll see you later.”
With that, she turns and walks off down the corridor. I glance after her. I still find it hard to believe that this young woman, who looks like a normal girl, is supposed to be a budding goddess of destiny. But that’s just it: a goddess’ powers or her mindset just by looking at her.
Ayden wasn’t at afternoon training. He had to go straight to a meeting with the hunters after class and couldn’t even join me for lunch.
Kate comes out of the shower. She didn’t do well in training today and was lectured several times by the teachers. I want to say something comforting to reassure her, but I can tell that wouldn’t help right now. Her face is shadowed with anxiety, and I wish I could do something to ease it. But I don’t know if her memory loss really is related to her gift. All I know is that I don’t have that problem. I searched for answers in the Fabricis’ library but couldn’t find much information on the gifts.
“You want to watch a movie?” I suggest. “Or go into town?”
She loves San Francisco, and every time she gets to show me a new corner of her city, she blossoms. Maybe it will help this time too. I know I’ll get into trouble if I show up late at the Fabrici house, but maybe it won’t be too bad. I recall the overhead conversation between the Fabrici men: carrot and stick.
She looks at me with a pale face and shakes her head. “That’s sweet of you,” she begins, managing a faint smile, “but I have homework to finish, and then maybe I’ll go with Gray to one of the training halls. Mr. Laydon and Ms. Rupert are right. I’m letting myself go, and I need to train harder.”
“I could help you.”
“No, I need to be able to do this alone. But thanks for the offer.”
