Interference: Book One Read online

  “Keep trying, Mercy. If it were easy, then you would’ve already found it when you were younger. Some spend their entire life trying to master the very thing that makes them who they are. It takes years of understanding and patience that someone has ripped away from you.” He stood to leave. “I’ll give you some privacy. We have therapy scheduled tomorrow—we can try again.”

  “Dr. Lee?” I called out.

  He tilted his head in question. “Yes?”

  “What is your gift?”

  Grinning mischievously, he said, “Subconscious interference.”

  It hit me. So, that’s how he knew about my nightmares. My eyes narrowed, and he grinned mischievously.

  “Goodnight, Mercy.”

  . . .

  Sleep had never been a friend. Even as a child, I would lie awake at night dreading the possibility of another nightmare. That night was no different. When I wasn’t counting sheep, I searched tirelessly for my fuse. I needed a little spark—a hint to lead me in the right direction. There was nothing. My body relented to exhaustion a couple of hours before sunrise, and I slept through breakfast. A dip in the bed caused me to stir.

  “Wake up. We have training to do.”

  My eyes squinted and I struggled to focus on Neela. Her excitement was obvious and I grinned at the contagious energy.

  “You’re going to help me figure this out?” I asked.

  She nodded. “I am.”

  “You have quite a task ahead of you.”

  “I’m up for it,” she assured me. “We all are.”

  “We?” I already knew the answer to that question, but I needed her to say it.

  “Myself, Nora, Ren, and Drake.”

  How did they talk Drake into helping? He’d made his wishes known the evening before.

  Neela knew me all too well. “He wants to help you, Mercy.”

  “I’ll take all the help I can get. Let me clean up, and we can get started,” I said.

  “Dress comfortably and meet me on the roof,” she called out.

  Dr. Lee explained I needed to calm my inner emotions and relax to use my gift. So, before I walked out of the room, I took a few minutes to breathe and stretch my wound-up body. I wanted to soak up the knowledge, experience, or anything else my friends could offer to help me understand the ability I was born with.

  An uncomfortable silence surrounded me as I walked out onto the rooftop. Bare, except the four serious-looking faces that sat beside the track. Choosing this area for that reason was smart—everyone had a class or session elsewhere, so they wouldn’t be a distraction.

  “Alright, let’s do this,” I called out with more excitement than I felt.

  “Have a seat, Mercy.” Neela pulled out another chair and motioned for me to join them. “Let’s find out how much you know before we start.”

  “Yeah, sure. That makes sense.” The seriousness of the group heightened my anxiety.

  “Fitz said he explained some things last night, but I’m not sure how in-depth he went. We have a few questions for you, that way we’ll have a starting point,” she explained.

  “Okay. . .” My mind instantly wanted to know how much he didn’t tell me.

  “Don’t be nervous, Mercy. We’re here for you, remember?” Ren smiled at me with that smug grin of his. “How many gifts do Regalians possess?”

  “Six, but typically one gift per person. Except for Aadya—she has three,” I answered like a proud student.

  “Good. Name them.” Ren’s head tilted back, eyes squinting while he focused on my response.

  I thought back to everything I’d seen and heard over the past week. “Dr. Lee has the gift of subconscious interference, and I witnessed Elise turning back time. I remember hearing the term sensory interferer on the subway with Drake that day. Fitz thinks I’m capable of energy and elemental interference. I’m not familiar with the other one.”

  “Wait. Fitz thinks you have two gifts?” Nora looked skeptical, but Neela nodded in agreement.

  “Or more,” I replied.

  Neela explained, “I witnessed the rain and wind change based on Mercy’s mood more than once. We saw what she did to Cassie on the tennis court.”

  I cut my eyes to where Drake sat quietly, but he didn’t react.

  Nora couldn’t contain her enthusiasm, she grinned brightly and sat on the edge of her seat. “That’s amazing. I’ve never met someone with more than one gift before.”

  Ren raised his hand to halt the discussion, trying to get the lesson back on track. “Mercy, the six gifts of interference are time, subconscious, emotion, sensory, psychokinesis, and elemental. I’m elemental, Nora is emotional, Drake is sensory, and Neela is psychokinetic. You have a wide variety of power and experience here to guide you.”

  I took in every person surrounding me, seeing them with fresh eyes—a new perspective. Remembering the warmth flooding my body when I received a hug from Nora. Or the group of Custos going blind when they went up against Drake. The realization of the truth brought so much clarity to my time at Fremont.

  “We want you to sit in the center so we can surround you with our magic to force yours to the surface. A gift like Nora’s could help calm your emotions so you can focus on the spark,” Neela assured me. She watched as if she expected this to be too much for me to handle.

  “What happens . . . I . . . I just don’t want to hurt anyone,” I admitted.

  Ren chuckled as if that was absurd. “What makes you think you could hurt us?”

  “Did you see Cassie’s face? And before that, I cut my mother’s fingers off.”

  The silence around the group made me wish I’d kept that last one to myself.

  “One step at a time, alright? I promise we’ll go slow,” Ren told me.

  Neela directed me to a chair in the center where I sat with sweaty, clenched fists. I had to remind myself that they were my closest friends—my support system.

  “Close your eyes and try to unwind,” Nora whispered.

  Breathing in and out slowly, I tried to block out any outside noise. If you’ve ever been to New York, you know how difficult that can be. To my surprise, the cooing of the pigeons dissipated, and the sirens were no longer wailing down the street. What was happening? Then it hit me—Drake had blocked out the surrounding distractions with sensory interference.

  The rushing of blood and pounding of my heart was louder than anything else around me. I searched for my center, my purpose. Again, I came up empty. This time, an awful throbbing pain started in the back of my skull and made its way forward. I opened my eyes, throwing my palms up on the side of my head.

  “It’s no use,” I admitted. “I can’t do this for five minutes before I get a migraine.”

  Neela leaned forward, her forehead wrinkled with concern, “Mercy, it’s been over two hours.”

  “Hilarious. I literally closed my eyes a few minutes ago. I felt Drake filter out the noise level, and a calm came over me—there was nothing after that.”

  Neela nodded. “Yes, Drake and Nora did attempt to help, but look at them. Do they look the same to you?”

  I glanced over at Nora, and the black rings that now rimmed her eyes were not there a few minutes ago. Then Drake beside her, covered in sweat.

  “Is that what happens when you use your gift? I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

  “Nature always takes in return, but we bounce back quickly. It’s worth it if we can help you,” Nora said with a kind smile. She leaned forward, “Close your eyes again, I’d like to try something. There could be a component of your power that you are missing or haven’t discovered yet. We’re going to try to direct you.”

  I closed my eyes, and like before, the noise drifted away, and the fear of failure eased from my mind.

  All at once, their hands came in contact with my shoulders, arms, and knees, and I felt a surge deep inside of me. They were using their power to feed mine, and it made me hyper-aware of my surroundings. I could feel a warmth traveling in from every limb, especial
ly on my right knee. A burning hot sensation that wasn’t unpleasant, just louder, caused my pulse to skyrocket. My body reacted differently to the touch, and I fought to dampen the effects.

  A flame flickered. A small orange flash that happened so fast, I almost missed it. Dr. Lee was wrong, this wasn’t a connection between my heart and mind—the source was rooted deep in my heart. And it wasn’t a fuse—it was a fire.

  I stood abruptly at the realization, and Nora watched with a pleased expression, “Nice work, Mercy. Now that you found it, let’s learn to control it.”

  I looked to my right, determined to know who my body responded to so fiercely. I should have known. Drake’s dark eyes met mine, and we took a deep breath in sync. The connection broke as Ren spun me to face him.

  “This is freakin’ awesome, Mercy. Tell us, how did you finally do it? Did you feel one of us lead you, or did it just happen?”

  Glancing back at Drake, I remembered what he said to me on the rooftop last night. He wanted me to move on. He already had a girlfriend.

  “It just happened, I guess,” I lied.

  Neela beamed. “Whatever sparked it, the hardest part is over. Now we can move forward with your training.”

  “It’s strange, Dr. Lee kept referring to my source as a fuse or spark. It was buried deep inside my heart, and it was nothing like a fuse.”

  “What did it feel like to you?” Nora asked.

  “A flame. A tiny flame that roared when linked with everyone’s power.”

  “Wait, a flame? Like the one on your back?” Nora asked.

  “You have a flame on your back?” Ren asked, intrigued.

  “An Allegato mark. Show them,” Nora said.

  Excitement ran through the group. All except Drake, who appeared agitated and determined to stare a hole into the building under his feet. I turned and pulled the back of my shirt up so they could see the mark.

  “We never got around to discussing this last night, so I still don’t know what it means,” I explained.

  Silence and nervousness surrounded me, overpowering the anger radiating from Drake. I pulled the back of my shirt down and turned to face them. Considering how quiet everyone was, I thought they may have left.

  “So? What does it mean?” I asked.

  Drake’s eyes narrowed angrily, but Ren seemed rather proud.

  Neela spoke softly, “Allegato marks represent one of the six gifts, Mercy. For example, sensory is represented by an eye. An hourglass for time. Elemental has always been represented by water. I’m not saying your mark doesn’t symbolize the elements, I just haven’t seen it before.”

  “Nora, you said something about Rage Fire. What does that mean?”

  “I’ve not been able to find the exact history of it, but I’ve seen a picture in an old Regalian text my grandmother kept. Apparently, it hasn’t been seen in over a hundred years.”

  “So, what? It portrays our gifts? You said yourself that I may have an elemental gift. Maybe that’s what it symbolizes.”

  “It doesn’t represent your gift,” Neela explained. “Allegato is another word for attached. An Allegato mark represents the gift of your soul mate.” Everyone stood very quiet. “We wear the mark of our other half, Mercy.”

  Her explanation sunk in. It meant I belonged with someone, the soul mate for my power. The flame represented someone else’s gift. Drake was a sensory interferer, and my mark symbolized fire. My stomach dropped, and I fought tears.

  Neela’s arm wrapped around my shoulders, and she whispered softly in my ear, “Not here, Mercy.”

  I tucked my emotions away, and my eyes dried immediately.

  “I think it’s another way to represent the elements,” Ren said with satisfaction in his voice.

  Having the gift of elemental interference, he would think that.

  The scraping of metal on concrete interrupted Ren’s opinion. Drake’s chair slid back as he stood and stomped off toward the stairwell without another word.

  “I’m going to check on him,” Nora said.

  “I need to go also, I have a meeting with Fitz.” Ren leaned in and kissed me on the cheek before he left.

  Lovely. Now he thinks we’re betrothed.

  I turned toward Neela, something from yesterday weighing heavily on my mind. “Your mark is an eye. It’s sensory, isn’t it? You’re mated to a sensory interferer.”

  She didn’t want to answer. She knew I’d be upset.

  “That doesn’t mean I am supposed to be with Drake, Mercy. There are hundreds of Regalians out there with sensory interference. Just like it doesn’t mean you are meant for Ren.”

  I nodded my understanding, but my heart mourned. I wanted it to be Drake.

  “Drake knew about your mark. When I realized yesterday that your Allegato wasn’t sensory, I gave him a heads up. That’s why he was so angry last night. I didn’t want him finding out in front of everyone else—that would’ve been cruel,” she admitted.

  “Are you happy that I don’t wear his mark? You carry it, maybe that eliminates me as competition.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “You’re upset. You don’t mean that. Plus, it doesn’t work that way. If we were meant to be together, there would be no competition.”

  My anger deflated. I knew she wasn’t that type of person, but my frustration wanted to lash out—punish someone. “I’m sorry. I’m confused and disappointed.”

  “I know you are. I’ve seen the way you look at each other and I was hopeful for you both. Now that Regalians are so spread out, some never find their other half.”

  “Does Drake have a mark?”

  “If he does, he’s never shared.” She honestly looked disappointed for me. “Give Ren a chance, Mercy. If he’s your other half, you may not have sensed it yet, because you’ve been so caught up in Drake.”

  I knew her words made sense, but something told me it wasn’t Ren.

  “Alright, Neela. I’ll try.”

  . . .

  Ironically, I slept very well that night. The training exhausted me mentally and physically. My eyes opened the next morning—my vision crisp and clear. If I focused, I swear I could hear the sound of the steady beat of Nora’s heart. A sense of change washed over me, as if I’d been reborn. I took a quick shower and stepped into my favorite jeans and a tank. I left my hair down and had just walked into the bedroom when Nora peered at me with tired, narrowed eyes.

  “You have a visitor at the door.”

  “Who is it?” I asked.

  “Ren.”

  There it was again, the confusion and disappointment that my heart wouldn’t relinquish. You promised Neela you would try.

  Pasting a smile on my face I didn’t quite feel, I opened the door to a smirking Ren. His eyes sparkled with mischief.

  His presence confused me. “You’re here early. What’s up?”

  “There is somewhere I’d like to take you.”

  My eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Are we allowed?”

  “I got permission to take you to breakfast, but we have to come straight back,” he explained.

  “Getting out of Fremont for a bit sounds wonderful. Let me grab my jacket.”

  I stepped back into the room, pulling the hoodie from my closet. Nora didn’t comment, but I didn’t expect her to. She knew I struggled with Ren. He offered me his arm, and I took it graciously. As I closed the door, we turned and immediately ran into Drake, his posture tense as if ready to pounce.

  “Sorry, man. We’re heading out for breakfast. Can I bring you back something?”

  “No, thanks. I’ve lost my appetite.” Drake circled around us, seemingly annoyed with life at the moment. I understood.

  The bite of the morning air hit my face as we exited the guild. Conversation didn’t flow as easily with Ren. Every time I considered asking a question, I changed my mind, trying to come up with something more interesting. Pigeons broke through the uncomfortable silence as I focused on the uneven cracks in the sidewalk beneath our feet. Most businesses were still clo
sed, although the bagel carts were full steam ahead. It was a peaceful morning.

  We walked a couple of blocks north and stopped in front of a store decorated in pink and teal. “You will never find a better blueberry scone in all of New York. The owner is originally from Nebraska and grew up in a family of bakers.”

  I looked up at the feminine pink striped awning, and the swirled teal letters on the window. “Arin’s Bake Shop.”

  “It’ll change your life,” he told me.

  My eyes widened and I grinned at his enthusiasm. “I’m hard to impress, you know.”

  “I’m up for the challenge.” Ren smirked as he held the door open for me.

  We chose a seat by the window, and a young woman with her dark brown hair in a loose bun greeted us from the counter. Her bright green eyes stood out against the coral pink of her dress. After discussing the latest menu options, she persuaded me to try her famous scones with a seasonal spicy mocha. The woman knew her way around a scone. She continued bringing out samples of her latest creations, coercing us into trying the sweet delicacies. The atmosphere was an escape from the hustle of the city streets, and I hadn’t been that relaxed since I arrived at Fremont. Ren’s eyes studied me, deep in thought.

  “What?” I asked with a mouthful of scone. “Do I have something on my face?”

  “No.” He grinned. “You’re at ease. No tension, no confusion, or anxiety. I didn’t think you could be more beautiful, but I was wrong.”

  My coffee mug froze against my lips. Had anyone ever said anything like that to me before? I didn’t remember it if they had.

  “Wow, Ren. That is very sweet. I’m not even sure what to say.”

  “You don’t have to say anything. I’m just glad you’re here.” He smirked as if he were proud of himself.

  I glanced away from the intense scrutiny of Ren’s gaze.

  Say something. Change the subject.

  “Tell me about yourself. Your family and where you grew up,” I told him.