Page 5 of Professor and the Seer
He looked younger than his forty-some years when he shrugged with his hands shoved in his pockets. “It’s kind of obvious the way you’ve been avoiding me.”
“Because I want to prevent what I saw coming true.”
A smart man, he quickly grasped the one thing I hadn’t mentioned. “You’re with me when it happens!”
My lips twisted. “Yes.”
“Are we old and grey?”
“No, why?”
“Because I have it on good authority that I’ll live a very long life.” He tried to offer a charming smile, but when I refused to relent, he turned serious again. “Why would you assume it’s your fault?”
I opened my mouth to reply, only to slam it shut.
He went on. “Who’s to say it’s not a random act of violence? Maybe it has nothing to do with you at all. Could be my enemies coming after me.”
“Your enemies?” I couldn’t help an incredulous note. “You’re a historian.”
“Exactly. I dig into the past, something that upsets groups with certain beliefs and families with secrets to hide. Could be I stumble across something sensitive and someone tries to shut me up.”
I’ll admit that hadn’t occurred to me. The fact he died in my presence, I’d always assumed I was the cause. “Why are you so determined to help me? You said it yourself. I’ve been an aloof bitch.”
He winced. “I would never call a woman that. Everyone has a right to choose who they wish to converse with.”
“You’re being too nice. I wasn’t. I intentionally avoided you.”
“With reason.”
I scowled. “And here you are being nice again.” It annoyed me because it made me like him. I didn’t want to like him.
“It’s how I was raised, so if you have a problem with it, you’ll have to take it up with my family. In the meantime, this help you need… What happens if I say no?”
“I don’t know.” A hated admission.
“If you ask someone else, will they die too?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t see my own future often.” Not to mention, seeing as how I needed arcane help, I found myself limited in choices as to who I could enlist for aid.
“Since you asked me, and not Bane or your sisters, I’m going to assume this has to do with my historian skills. I will further deduce that you’re seeking help in understanding what happened to you when the portal opened and how to control this increase in ability. Perhaps you’d also benefit from working with someone knowledgeable in the past who might act as a guide.”
My lips clamped tight.
“Your expression seems to indicate I’m right.”
My head ducked as I whispered, “Everything is screaming at me, and I feel like I’m going mad.”
“Sounds awful.”
My lips twisted. “Welcome to my life, only it’s even worse now.”
“Bane was saying something that resembled lightning came shooting out of the portal when it opened. It must have been an arcane boost that elevated your powers.”
My nose wrinkled. “I’d have rather it took it away like it took Bane’s Warden curse.”
“Given your sisters also got leveled up, I can only assume it has something to do with those markings on your bodies that match those on the pillar holding the portal.”
A pillar that I’d touched, only to have it give a cryptic message. Lies began the treachery. Jealousy kept it captive. Love will set it free. The last part was the only one that made sense, as Bane’s love for Enyo led to him abandoning the portal, allowing it to open. What did it free though? Did I carry something evil inside me?