Savannah was waiting for us in the dining room. "Good morning!" Her small teenaged body was glowing like fresh white snow. "Hungry?" She waved her hand towards the full table.
"Who cooks all this?"Â I asked, as I sat down in front of a huge platter of pancakes.
"I have a staff that works behind the scenes to create all the wonderful meals we enjoy." She poured milk into her coffee cup. "They travel with me where ever I go, cooking and cleaning, and maintaining upkeep on the houses. I would be positively lost without them."
I glanced at Dustin, but he was busy filling his plate with an array of pancakes, eggs, bacon and toast.
"Eat up, Katie." Savannah urged me. "You will need all your energy today." She poured syrup on her huge stack of pancakes.
I felt a lump form in my throat. Why was I so nervous? My stomach started rolling over itself, as I tried to focus on breakfast.
Dustin looked up sharply and met my eyes. "Are you okay?" His voice weaved into my mind.
I nodded, and tried to calm my racing heart. "Just a little nervous about today." It was like the first day at a new school. I had no idea what to expect.
He reached over and squeezed my hand reassuringly. "I'll be right next to you, the whole way."
I forced myself to take a bite of my eggs, as Savannah watched me intently. I knew she could hear our mental conversation, but she didn't let on. "I had Kaitlyn pick you up some new clothes from town." She looked over at me.
"I have my own clothes."Â I replied, more petulantly than I intended.
"I know, but this way, you won't be hindered by the past memories that may be linked to the items you have already worn. It's just a precaution." She said, simply.
"Okay, I understand." I relented, pushing my plate away. Couldn't even wear my own clothes? Sounded like the first day of a new reform school.
"I put them on your bed. If you are ready, why don't you go put them on and we will get started." Savannah finished her coffee and stood up. "I'll meet you in the library."
Dustin rose to follow me.
"Dustin, I'm going to work with Katie alone for the first few days. I need her complete attention and having you there will be a distraction."
I shot him an uncomfortable look, but he smiled reassuringly. "No problem. I'll be in the Post-Modernist room if you need me." He hugged me and headed towards the stairs.
I sighed and followed him up the stairs, towards my room. Kaitlyn had bought me three pairs of black yoga pants and three plain white t shirts. I was glad that I was at least able to wear my own underwear. That was where I would have had to draw the line.
I changed and headed down to meet Savannah in the library. She was sitting in a big arm chair, thumbing through a book. She glanced up when I entered the room and smiled. "Katie, sit down for a minute. I think we should talk before we get started."
I sat in the chair opposite her and crossed my legs in front of me.
She put her book down and leaned forward. "I know you are nervous and I don't blame you. But if this is going to work, I need you to trust me. So, let's take a few minutes and get some of your fears out on the table."
I shifted uncomfortably. "I'm not sure how to explain it."
Savannah reached for my hand and looked in my eyes. "You don't have to say anything. Just let me listen to your mind."
I felt instantly calmer as she probed my inner thoughts. "What do you see?"
"I see an amazing young woman with power that she can't even imagine. I see images of things you have seen, and images of things that you have yet to see. I also see fear. But once you come face to face with all of your new self, that fear will fade. I want nothing more than to help you dispel that fear. Do you trust me?"
Her kindness radiated through me like sunshine as I nodded. "I trust you."
She pulled her hand away and settled back into her chair. "I think we are ready. Our first lesson is to teach you how to control your subconscious. Everything hinges on your ability to function inside your own mind. I want you to get comfortable, and close your eyes. Focus only on my voice. See the inside of your mind as an empty slate. Can you see it?"
I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes as I cleared my mind. I tried to create an empty space behind my eyes.
"Now see yourself in the empty space. Only you, no one else. Look around and see the emptiness. Feel the power of your solitude."
Her voice weaved its way into my mind, as I realized she was no longer speaking out loud. I stared around me, trying to get comfortable with the dark recesses of my mind.
"Now, you are going to practice staying in this state for an hour. Nothing else in your mind but you. Look around and get familiar with the space. If anything tries to enter your subconscious, immediately remove it."
I pushed all other thoughts far away and concentrated on the empty space. It only took a few minutes before thoughts began trying to enter my mind, but I promptly cast them away. I allowed myself to feel the freedom that came with my clear subconscious.
I pushed through all the stress that had built up over the past few months. Fighting with Dustin, fighting with Anya, being attacked and waking up a completely different person. Everything that attempted to enter was shut down. It was only me.
"Very good."Â Savannah's voice startled me.
I opened my eyes and looked up. "Has it been an hour?"
She nodded and smiled. "How are you feeling?"
"Oddly clear."Â I admitted.
"Would you like to try a vision block?"
I felt my pulse quicken. "Do you think I'm ready? The last time I destroyed your foyer." I really needed to get a price range on replacing those things.
She laughed. "I know you are still upset about that, but I promise, material possessions can be replaced. What's important is making sure that you can face those visions without fear. I'll give up all my vases to see you accomplish that."
"Why do you want to help me so much? You don't even know me." I didn't mean for it to sound rude, but where I came from, nobody did anything without a reason.
"Katie, do you think Magic Casters are born knowing how to use our powers? I went through quite a few vases before I could cast properly. It may have been many years ago, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was frightening, but I was lucky to have people who cared about me enough to help lead me through to the other side. It's my turn to give it back. You are a part of Dustin now, which makes you part of my Line, and that makes you family."
"Do you really think I can make it through this?"Â I whispered.
"If you really want it, there's nothing you can't do."
I took a deep breath. "Okay. Let's do it."
She leaned forward and reached for my hand. "Close your eyes. When I touch you, I'm going to send you a vision, and I want you to block it as soon as you feel it coming. See the empty room, then mentally build a wall to keep it from entering your mind."
I closed my eyes, and felt her hand settle over mine. The familiar pain shot through my head, as I struggled to keep my mind empty. The room transformed into a huge church, and I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up into the kind eyes of a priest. "Katie, where are you?" Savannah's voice wove into the vision.
The priest began to waver, as I pushed my mind to build the block.
"Clear your mind." I repeated. I closed my eyes and focused, and when I opened them, I was back in the library, my mind clear and empty.
"Excellent work, Katie." She leaned back in her chair and watched me for a moment. "What did you see before the block?"
"I was in a church and there was a priest..."
Savannah nodded. "That was my father."
I looked up sharply. "I thought your parents were Casters?"
"They were. Don't look so surprised. Divinity comes in many forms, and my father was quite divine."
"Are your parents still alive?"
Her Aura began to shine brightly. "They are. Possibly some day you will find yourself in England, and in need of a priest. Now, shall we try it again?"
I settled back in my chair, and cleared my mind.
Author's Note: Katie's starting her training. Do you think she's going to be able to master her new 'gifts'? Comment below because I'm dying to know what you think!! Luvs as always!! AMð