Chapter 324

Chapter 4

** Harper’s POV **

“Open your eyes,” Sage says so softly that I only just hear her.

My eyelids flutter open, and I have a moment of panic as I adjust to my new vision. I can still see Demi’s light and the tendrils that reach out to her bonds, but my vision is not as it once was. I can see Demi’s shape clearly, she is a white glow in a dark world. The ball of energy swirls in her centre.

“Look around, Harper, try to find the door,” Sage whispers.

I try to take in my surroundings. I can see Sage now. She shines as brightly as Demi, but everything else is black.

I know what direction the door was in and I turn my head towards it, trying to make out its shape. As I focus, the rectangle outline comes into sight. It’s almost like trying to see through water in low lighting.

“The more you practise this, the easier it will become to see your surroundings. Now blink the sight away as you pull your gift back into your chest,” Sage says.

I focus on shutting my gift back into its metaphorical box, and I blink my eyes. With every flutter of my eyelids, my vision returns. The black and grey of my surroundings slowly blossoms with detail and colour. Demi’s bright red hair replaces the glowing white outline I had seen moments before.

“Well done, Harper. I think you are going to be a very easy student to work with. Now tell me, how many bonds did you see for Demi?”

Demi squeezes my hands and I can tell she is apprehensive. I look at her and smile, hoping to reassure her.

“Three, I think.”

“Oh, thank goodness,” Demi breathes and I release her hands.

“Will we find out if you were correct when I read her. I want you to accompany me whilst I follow the tethers to her bonds. You will see that I am able to navigate the world around me whilst using the true sight. It takes some practice and is easier if you know your surroundings already. Silence also helps to keep focused. If your attention slips, you can lose sight of the world around you and it expels a lot of energy. If that happens, you will need to restart the entire process, which requires some time to recuperate.”

“I’ll start trying to learn the layout of this place,” I nod.

“Yes, you should. You need access to all areas. Sometimes we find bonds in places we least expect them. I will ensure you have permission for you and your bonds to access areas that are usually off limits to students, so you can learn the layout safely,” Sage says before reaching out and taking Demi’s hands.

Sage closes her eyes and smiles. “You were correct. Demi has three bonds. Whilst I follow the tethers, I want you to observe my actions and how others respond to my presence. Remember to remain quiet whilst I give this my full attention. If you have any questions, you can ask them afterwards.”

“Okay,” I say softly and then give Demi an excited smile before I watch Sage intently.

When Sage opens her eyes again, they are the same milky white that they had been earlier. I resist the urge to shudder. A huge part of me is glad I won’t ever have to see myself this way, and I hope it won’t freak my bonds out. I wonder if it works with sunglasses on? That’s a question to ask Sage later.

Sage releases Demi’s hands and turns towards the door. I move in front of her to open it and Sage moves with such grace that she appears to float. I wish I had a pen and paper to write my questions down as we go, but it’s too late now.

Deacon is still up on the stage talking, but when he sees us he falls quiet and holds up a hand for silence. A gesture he’d already explained to us during his speech.

All eyes shift to us as we make our way through the hall. I watch as students react to Sage’s appearance. Some look horrified and scared, others seem curious. My eyes meet Archie’s and he gives me a smile. He doesn’t look scared by Sage, which is good.

Sage stops beside a row of students and moves her gaze to them. As if rehearsed, the males all stand and file out of their row to line up in front of Sage. She moves down the line and then stops in front of a boy I don’t recognise. When she places a hand on his shoulder, he smiles shyly at Demi before moving to stand behind her. They’ve definitely been practicing this whilst I was in the back room with Sage.

We begin to move again and follow Sage out of the hall. She navigates the stairs with ease and then walks around a building towards the combat fields. I have watched my dads train here with my brothers a few times. As we approach, I see two of my dads are now here training students. Axel lets out a low whistle and holds up a hand the way Deacon had. The students stop sparring and a small group of them rush to the front of the field to line up. I assume these are the unbonded.

My eyes scan the students and my heart pangs at the sight of Dillon standing with the unbonded. I know technically he’s unbonded, but it still hurts to see him stand here, waiting to see if he has been chosen for Demi when I know he is mine.

Sage moves towards him and my heart pounds in my chest. I wasn’t wrong about him, I’m sure of it. Dillon is my bond, not Demi’s. She stops right in front of him.

Dillon’s eyes meet mine and I can see the worry and confusion in them. I shake my head, refusing to believe what I am seeing.

Dillon is mine, and I want to shout it. I want to scream at Sage that she is wrong.

Sage tilts her head slightly, and Dillon takes a step back, shaking his head. My lungs seem to seize, stopping me from drawing a breath as I watch on in horror as Sage lifts a hand and reaches towards Dillon.