Page 9

Chapter 9

I pulled out my phone and rang Melva’s private number. It was early afternoon, and I’d no doubt missed her lunch hour, so I didn’t expect her to answer promptly, if at all. I was ready to leave a voice message when the call connected.

‘Hello, Amber,’ she said in a mysterious voice. ‘I’ve been expecting your call.’

I rolled my eyes. ‘Knock it off. You knew it was me because of caller ID.’

I heard the smile in her voice. ‘That too. You’re coming to see me.’

It wasn’t a question but I answered it anyway. ‘Yes.’

‘Perfect timing. My 2pm appointment has just left and I’ve nothing until 4pm.’ She said the last words with a weird emphasis.

‘Ok-ay. We won’t be there that soon because we’re still in Scotland. Are you free this evening? ’

‘From 7pm,’ she confirmed.

‘Great.’ I cleared my throat. ‘We need to talk about my prophecy.’

‘Yes. Thank the Goddess.’ She sighed happily. ‘The relief … it’s amazing. I’ve been dragging it around for years. The weight of it…’

‘What?’ I asked in confusion. ‘How is a prophecy heavy?’

‘It’s metaphysically heavy. There’s a reason we’re supposed to record the prophecies in the Hall of Prophecy,’ she explained. ‘When we recite a prophecy, it clings to us. Every day that it’s attached to us, it uses our strength to remain here in this realm, in our memories. When we place the prophecies in the orbs, their link with us dissipates and frees us. It’s like constantly walking around carrying a heavy rock, then you set it down and your arms feel floaty and light. When I agreed to keep your prophecy, I had no idea it would continue to grow or how heavy it would become. I’ve been looking forward to this day with all my heart, even with the consequences.’ She hummed happily.

‘Why didn’t you say anything?’ I asked, aghast. ‘I would have heard the prophecy sooner if I’d known what it was costing you to hold it.’

‘You weren’t ready to hear it and it wasn’t ready to be spoken. But I’m glad that today is the day. I’ll see you later, perhaps earlier than you think. And Amber?’

‘Yes?’

‘I regret nothing.’ She hung up.

I rolled my eyes. ‘Why do Seers always try to be mysterious?’

‘What did she say?’ Oscar asked.

‘She said she’d see me later and that perhaps I’d arrive earlier than I expected. I said we’d be there for 7pm.’

‘I doubt we’ll get there any earlier, not with this traffic.’ Oscar gestured at the slow-moving vehicles in front of us. It was going to take us a while to get from Edinburgh back to the Home Counties.

Bastion frowned. ‘What?’ I asked.

His expression cleared. ‘Nothing.’

If I’d had Jinx’s lie-detecting skills, I’m pretty sure they would just have pinged. Bastion was keeping something from me.