Page 15 of Unseen Eye (Aetherian Chronicles #1)

I watch as Garet leaves the room; the tension hanging in the air like a storm about to break.

His footsteps echo down the hallway, fading into the distance, but the whirlwind in my mind remains.

I press my forehead against the cool windowpane, staring out into the dawn, desperate for a semblance of calm in this chaos.

Aetheria. Gods. Magic. Darkness. It all feels ripped from the pages of some forgotten myth, yet here I am, trapped in a narrative far beyond my understanding.

Astermiri looms around me, a living testament to everything I thought was just legend.

My old life feels like a quaint fairy tale, blissfully ignorant of the truth lurking beneath the surface.

Garet’s revelations loop endlessly in my mind.

The gods were real. Eldorin walked these very halls.

The other kingdoms—Skorda, Coire, Catalpa, Soala—all bear the weight of divine legacies.

The enormity of it all is suffocating. And Morosith, a god consumed by darkness, his abyss swallowing light and hope alike.

The image of that nightmarish war, the gods’ final sacrifice to seal away such evil, gnaws at me.

I look down at my hands, still trembling from the memory of the light that burst from them.

It wasn’t a trick of the mind; it was as real as the air I’m struggling to breathe.

Garet’s words ring out, stark and unrelenting: “Humans don’t make light appear out of their hands.

” So, if I’m not human, then what am I? The question churns in my gut, a terrifying and absurd riddle.

And Kendry... The ache of his loss is a constant drumbeat, echoing through every corner of my mind.

His smile, his unwavering presence—they haunt me, lingering in the spaces where comfort once resided.

He died protecting me, but from what? The truth?

The truth he decided I wasn’t ready for.

The truth he kept hidden for years, assuming I couldn’t handle it.

Did he know all along? His skill, his stories—were they all carefully crafted lessons, preparing me for a world he refused to reveal?

Anger and sorrow churn inside me, a storm of conflicting emotions.

How dare he. How dare he make that choice for me.

To leave me fumbling in the dark, vulnerable and unprepared.

His secrets weren’t a shield; they were a prison, locking me away from the knowledge I needed to survive.

He thought he was protecting me, but instead, he left me to face this nightmare alone, blind to the dangers lurking in every shadow.

The puzzle pieces scattering before me, elusive and incomplete. The gods, the kingdoms, the ever-looming darkness—how does it all connect to me? And that dagger, glinting with dark purpose—why did that man have it? What role does it play in this unfolding nightmare?

I feel the weight of Garet’s expectations, his silent plea for trust amid the wreckage of deceit.

But how can I trust him—or anyone—when the ground beneath my feet keeps shifting?

My world has been turned upside down, leaving me with a storm of questions.

What does it all mean? Fury simmers beneath the surface as I grapple with his claims of protection.

Was it truly for my sake, or just a means to drag me back here for another interrogation?

Did he know something about me—about the flickers of power that danced just beneath my skin?

Why me? The foundation of trust we built is shattered. Can it ever be rebuilt?

He insists he made an effort to protect me, and—grudgingly—I have to admit he did save my life.

My mind churns, torn between gratitude and suspicion.

The questions pile up, each more unsettling than the last. Am I merely a pawn in some larger game?

Did he genuinely care for me, even while living a double life?

These thoughts are forcing me to rethink everything I once held true.

I glance back out the window at the serene landscape of Astermiri.

It’s beautiful, but it’s not home. Providence, with its familiar faces and places, feels like a distant dream.

I worry about Nessa and Finn—are they safe?

Do they know what’s happening to me? Did they ever know the truth?

I sigh in frustration, hating that I’m questioning everything now.

Driven by a sudden urge, I approach the door, testing if it’s unlocked. No surprise, it’s firmly shut. “So much for not being a prisoner,” I mutter sarcastically, rolling my eyes at the irony that clings to this place.

Taking a deep breath, I try to steady my racing thoughts. Whatever happens next, I need to stay strong. I don’t know what the future holds, but one thing is clear: I can’t afford to let my guard down. Not now. Not ever.

My thoughts wander to the mysterious man from the other night, who, despite my denial, actually saved me.

Apparently, I’m now helpless enough to need saving by two different men in twenty-four hours.

Not exactly a skill I was hoping to develop.

That night feels like a lifetime ago, a memory obscured by darkness.

I wonder if he knows what happened in Providence.

What if he’s connected to it? What if he’s a part of Morosith’s army, since his blade was laced with dark magic?

I briefly entertain the thought, but dismiss it.

Something tells me he wasn’t responsible, he wasn’t evil.

A soft knock on the door jolts me from my thoughts. I turn to see a young woman standing in the doorway, carrying a tray of food. Her blonde hair and striking green eyes, just like Garet’s, meet mine.

“You must be starving,” she says gently. “I’m sorry I didn’t come earlier.”

I nod, realizing just how ravenous I am. “Thanks,” I respond, my voice softer than I intended. I guess the hunger is doing a better job at keeping me in check than my normally sarcastic self.

She walks over and places the tray on a small table beside the bed. The aroma of the food makes my stomach growl. “I’m Leigh, by the way,” she says with a warm smile. “Garet’s sister.”

I blink, the memory of my earlier conversation with Garet flooding back. “You’re the one who healed me,” I say, my voice carrying a hint of awe, and maybe a touch of desperation for answers.

Leigh nods, her smile widening. “Yes, though if Garet had brought you a few minutes later, I might have been performing last rites instead.”

I shiver at the thought. “Well, thanks again,” I say, this time with genuine gratitude.

Leigh sits down in a chair beside the bed, her expression turning serious. “It was the least I could do. Garet was frantic when he brought you in. He cares about you a lot, you know.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, that’s sweet. And here I thought his way of showing care was through a masterclass in secrecy and deception.”

Leigh’s eyes soften with sympathy. “He was trying to protect you. This world… it’s complicated and dangerous.”

“So I’ve gathered,” I mutter, picking at the food on the tray. “But it doesn’t make it any easier to accept.”

Leigh reaches out and places a hand on mine, her touch warm and reassuring. “I understand. It’s a lot to take in. But you’re strong, Eva. Stronger than you know. Not many people would have survived what you went through.”

I look at her, raising an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Because I’m getting pretty fed up with everyone acting like they are an expert in my life. How can you possibly know how strong I am or what I’ve endured? You’ve only seen me on my worst day, and I’m still figuring it out myself.”

Leigh’s gaze becomes more understanding, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “Fair point. Maybe I don’t know everything about you. But from what I’ve seen, you’ve handled a lot with remarkable resilience.”

I look at her, seeing genuine kindness in her eyes. “How did you heal me?” I ask, curious about this strange new world.

Leigh leans back, her gaze thoughtful. “Healing is part of our family’s legacy. Eldorin was the god of healing and insight. We’ve inherited a fragment of his power.”

She pauses, her gaze thoughtful. “Healing requires more than just touch; it’s about channeling the aether.

The aether is the energy that flows through everything—the pulse of the world itself.

To heal, we focus all our intent and energy on the person in need, connecting with their essence and understanding their wounds, both physical and emotional. ”

Leigh’s eyes soften with empathy as she continues, “It’s about guiding the body’s natural healing while amplifying it with our own energy.

It’s a delicate balance, and it can be draining, especially with serious injuries.

But it’s a duty and an honor to use this gift—to ease pain and help restore what was done. ”

I nod slowly, absorbing her words. “So, Garet—does he have healing abilities too?”

Leigh shakes her head. “No, his talents lie elsewhere.”

Changing the subject, Leigh continues, “In our adolescence, our power is raw and untamed. It’s not until we are older that it begins to take shape. The power chooses us, not the other way around. We spend decades learning to master and refine it.”

“Decades?” I echo. “How old are you?”

Leigh laughs. “Much older than I look,” she says with a wink. “I’m one hundred and seventy-three.”

I almost choke on my surprise. “You don’t look a day over twenty.”

Leigh chuckles. “We age differently, thanks to our heritage. It’s one of the few perks.”

I shake my head, trying to wrap my mind around everything. “So, what else is different about Astermiri?”

Leigh’s eyes light up with pride. “Astermiri is a land rich in history and magic. Eldorin’s influence still lingers here—ancient libraries, forgotten knowledge, and rituals passed down through the centuries.

The air itself hums with magic, and the people carry the weight of their ancestors’ legacy with pride. ”

I raise an eyebrow, curiosity getting the better of me. “What about the other kingdoms?”

Leigh leans forward, her gaze steady. “Each one has its own soul.

Skorda, with its endless forests, is a kingdom shaped by agriculture.

Coire is a land of warriors, their fortresses as formidable as their battle skills.

Catalpa was a kingdom of magic and art—where the pursuit of beauty and knowledge were one and the same.

“Catalpa was?” I question, noticing Leigh’s expression falter.

Leigh’s face falls slightly, her gaze distant. “That’s a story for another day,” she says softly, changing the subject again before I can press further. “You’ll need to explore the crystal caverns of Astermiri. They’re breathtaking, with walls that dazzling with light.”

I blink, intrigued by the mention of something new. “Crystal caverns?”

Leigh nods eagerly, her eyes brightening once again.

“Yes, they’re deep within the foothills of the Silverpeak Mountains.

The crystals there are said to have magical properties—nothing like the energy we channel, but something that resonates with the world around them.

They glow with a soft light, almost as if they mimic daylight, casting a warm shimmer through the caverns.

It’s one of Astermiri’s hidden treasures. ”

As Leigh describes the crystal caverns, a sense of wonder and curiosity begins to build inside me once again. Despite everything that has happened, there are so many wonders to discover in this new world. It’s a reminder that amid the, there is also beauty and mystery waiting to be explored.

I listen intently as Leigh shares more stories of Astermiri, each tale painting a vivid picture of a land shaped by ancient magic and legendary history.

For a brief moment, the chaos and drama that dumped me here start to fade into the background, replaced by thoughts of glowing crystals and ancient secrets.

Maybe this place isn’t all bad… for now.

Eventually, Leigh glances at the clock on the wall. “I should go now,” she says regretfully. “But I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” she adds.

“What’s tomorrow?” I ask, my voice tinged with apprehension. Given my track record, I’m not sure if I can handle more plot twists.

“We explore Astermiri,” she says with a toothy grin, her excitement contagious.

Her enthusiasm lightens my mood, and I find myself looking forward to the distraction. “That sounds... nice,” I admit, managing a small smile.

Leigh walks toward the door. “Oh, and I almost forgot—if you need anything, a guard will be stationed outside your door. Don’t hesitate to ask him.”

“Thanks, Leigh,” I say, trying to sound sincere, but I can’t shake the nagging feeling that I’m becoming less of a guest and more of a well-fed prisoner.