Page 13 of The Human Element (The Human Element Collection #1)
Many oracles did similarly, as it wasn’t the easiest service to get the word out about, considering the critics of the practice in modern-day culture versus how accepted and notable it was in the past. Today, many saw it as more of a hack-show, rather than a true, relied practice.
Either way, typically you needed another business venture to maintain in today’s world; it wasn’t like in ancient Rome when being an oracle was a sought after affair, one that came with prestige and power.
Oracles in the past were often treated like royalty, seeing they possessed a skill that held grave consequences and greater opportunity for reward if divined correctly.
Kings and nobles favored oracles in their court—believing they brought about good fortune or dictated when bad fortune was on the way for them personally, or for their reign.
It wasn’t until the rise of “witch hunts” between the 15th to 18th centuries particularly, when being an oracle took a sour turn—more often than not, brandishing you as a demon worshiper or an incarnation of the Devil.
Despite the false blame and ensuing paranoia from humans, most true oracles were rarely detected, and merely staged deaths, moved kingdoms, or took backdoor dealings rather than remain in the public eye.
Although not as many as there were before, many oracles still use their abilities throughout the world-but it’s a much more secretive practice.
The ones who couldn’t adapt to the change from near-celebrity status to hidden transactions, or be able to find a modern-day equivalent to a notable figure, either stopped practicing or committed suicide—unable to cope with contemporary notions in today’s society.
Daemon’s eyes narrowed in the direction of a pudgy man standing behind a dusty countertop. Upon hearing the door open, the man looked up cheerily from what he was working on, expecting a customer. His eyes showed fear the moment he realized who it was.
“Daemon! Gosh it’s been awhile, eh? How honored I am to be in your presence again, old friend.”
The man’s voice trembled and he quickly stowed whatever it was he'd been tinkering with. He had a large, round face with eyes that were much too small for him, and a bulbous nose atop a smile with several crooked teeth. He wore a black robe that had silver etching in it in strange letters and markings. Magnus changed so much since the time he helped him escape Belgium. Then, he was wearing regalia that shone brightly in the sun. And was at least 50 pounds lighter. Daemon was glad to see that all the time hadn’t changed his fear from him, at least.
“Yes, it’s been awhile, Magnus. But I’m not here to play catch up with you. I need to get some answers.”
Magnus nervously wiped his hands on his robe and scurried around the counter to stand before them.
“Answers, huh? Well you know I have never been much good at uh…getting answers. I don’t know how much help I could be to you!”
Daemon glared at the man, who was a good foot shorter than him, as Daemon walked towards the nearest shelf on his right, picking up an odd looking figurine and inspecting it before setting it back down. Putting a hand in his pocket, he turned and faced him.
“I am not sure how much help you’ll be either. You know my situation, and therefore, you’re my best shot at getting some insight. Why don’t you take us some place more private, and start paying me back on that debt you owe me, hm?”
Magnus reluctantly nodded and quietly walked them through a secret door that was covered by vines that hung along the wall behind the counter, to a small den area beyond the main storefront.
There were pillows and rugs that didn’t match lining the floor.
Tattered drapes hung from the ceiling, and the overwhelming aroma of recently lit incense filled the air with a sweet, almost suffocating scent.
Magnus fumbles with a few of the pillows, pretending to clean up briefly before Daemon gives him a forceful look, finally settling himself on one of the cushions, holding his arms out to invite them to do the same.
“Can…I interest you in some tea?”
Magnus for the first time noticed Lorelei, and his gaze lingered on her for longer than Daemon was comfortable with.
“No. We don’t have time for that. What do you know of Armageddon, Magnus?”
Magnus’ eyes went big as he finally understood why they'd come. His eyes darted back to Lorelei and he was quick on his feet.
“I...I know what you’re doing, Daemon. There’s been a lot of talk the last few days. If I get caught helping you, they could kill me.”
Daemon’s patience was now wearing thin. Of course he heard what was happening.
This wasn’t, however, a good sign. If rumors of what Daemon and Lorelei were attempting to do were reaching people such as Magnus, they needed to move fast. The danger was rising with every moment they spent figuring out their next move.
Daemon spoke next, a growl underlying his words, “And I will kill you if you don’t.”
He felt Lorelei look at him, but he didn’t want to look at her face.
He knew if he did, he may lose his edge, and now was not the time for that.
They had to get answers. He waited momentarily for his threat to sink in and watched Magnus thinking through what he should do, before settling back down on the cushion.
“Alright. Fine. But there isn’t much I can tell you.”
With this, he looked directly at Lorelei.
“It is true, you are the only one who can stop humans from dying in this war. But it has always been known that only you can reveal how to do so.”
Frustrated, before Lorelei has a chance to respond, Daemon nearly growls at Magnus.
“We already know that part. That’s really all you can give us? There’s got to be more you can tell.”
Magnus hesitated and returned his attention to Daemon. He sighed and closed his eyes; he was divining. After several minutes, Magnus opened his eyes and spoke.
“The future is unclear right now. And I honestly don’t know how Lorelei is meant to learn what she must. Is there something you’ve noticed, my dear? Anything you can think of that lingers in your mind’s eye?”
Lorelei scrunched her nose in thought, he'd noticed it was a go-to reaction when she was struggling with something—something she couldn't quite place in her thoughts.
He watched her features curiously, wondering what might be going through her mind, and reflected how absolutely adorable the expression was.
Tentatively, Lorelei answered.
“Actually…I mentioned a dream to Daemon when we first met. I didn’t go into detail, but he wondered if…if my dreams were somehow prophetic. Is that something that could be helpful to me?”
Magnus looks at her with excitement, rather than hinting at any facet that what she said was crazy.
“Dreams! Yes, my dear, yes! Dreams are far more powerful than we really know-most humans are able to recall dreams like a past memory, or even a future event.
Yet, many humans do not have the in depth connection with their Higher Self, the part of you that is beyond the human ego-the one that connects you directly to your soul's greater knowledge.
It's the one most closely connected to the source of the Universe and the connection we all share. Oh my dear, please tell me this dream so I may see to decipher it.”
Lorelei’s breath hitched, but she recounted the recurring dream she had throughout her life.
Told of the pyramids, how she needed to open them, how she never got to the part where she saw what happened next, and that the last time she had this dream, Daemon appeared in it-although she wasn’t sure who he was until they met that night in the pub.
Magnus listened fervently, and Daemon watched the excitement on Magnus’ face turn to concern.
He paused only a moment after Lorelei finished, Daemon could feel the sudden silence that sat in the room around them.
When Magnus eventually spoke, the look in his eyes that previously filled with delight, was now replaced with dread.
“It seems to me…that you are the makings of a proper Seer. You, although completely unaware, have an adept connection to your Higher Self; your intuition is nearly so engrossed in your very being, it’s practically palpable in the air around us.
When you were speaking, the energy around you shifted.
I am quite sure even Daemon felt the energy fluctuation… ”
Daemon nodded; he had felt the shift. Energy in the Universe can be changed and adapted and it can elevate or lower in relativity to each individual, or to the cosmic energy that all life shares.
Each person’s energy level or their ability to handle energy, varies from person to person.
Some are more keen and aware of it. Highly empathic people especially, are incredibly affected by the energy of others and the environment of the world around them.
You might be sitting there and out of nowhere, a wave of sadness hits you, and you call your friend to ask if they are alright.
They tell you their spouse has left them but they hadn’t told anyone yet—that’s to this effect and also encapsulates how in tune some are with their intuition.
When Lorelei finished her dream description, something about it triggered a sense of power that radiated throughout the room.
It made Daemon’s heart rate escalate, he’d never been around a human who caused such elevation in energy, even with a common discussion of a dream.
Eyeing Lorelei, the curiosity mixed with distress made Daemon yearn to hold her hand again, to give her a reassuring squeeze, but he dared not.
They didn’t know each other that way. He wouldn’t cross that boundary. He couldn’t.
Magnus continued on with his explanation.