ORDER OF SEVEN by Beth Teliho

Author:Beth Teliho [Teliho, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, South Africa, psychic, Fantasy
ISBN: 9780986157714
Publisher: Branches & Ink Press
Published: 2015-04-07T04:00:00+00:00

•◊ 15 ◊•

SIBLING RIVALRY

Nodin calls at seven to make sure I’m awake. My body sags with fatigue. I could sleep another eight hours.

I meet him in the lobby with all my things at ten past eight. He tells me I look like hell. I tell him to piss off.

We decide to eat breakfast at the nearest IHOP before picking up Baron for a final round of practice.

Nodin orders coffee, eggs and pancakes. I order orange juice and an English muffin. The waitress brings his coffee, steam rising off the surface. He takes a sip. “Ben called me this morning.”

Terror grips me. How strong is Ben’s connection with me? “What did he have to say?”

“He won’t be able to meet us today.”

Relief loosens its death grip on my spine. “How come?”

“It’s just bad timing for him. He’s got karate tournaments all weekend.”

I nod. The waitress brings my orange juice and English muffin.

“But...”

I glance up at him. He’s had his eyes on me way too long. My whole body is mummified in dread.

“He’ll be able to make it to Odessa next week with Baron.”

I exhale. “Good. I’m glad.” I sip my orange juice. “Anything else?”

Nodin shakes his head and inspects the food the waitress just delivered. “Nope. Nothing.” He takes a bite of pancakes and stares at me with an indifference that’s unsettling as hell.

Fuck. They know.

•◊•◊•

We arrive at Baron’s for practice. My stomach is in knots, not only because it’s my last day with Baron, but because of Nodin’s behavior. I don’t know what’s worse, the fact that I’m pretty sure he knows I got hurt last night by doing exactly what we were told not to, or the fact that he’s not bitching me out.

We switch to the Jeep so Baron can drive. As usual, I reach from the backseat and place my hand on Baron to ease the energy, but this time there’s more to that agenda. I have to try and read Nodin. I need to see what he knows.

I arc when our skin meets. Images and feelings flood my mind, but they’re all Baron’s. I mentally reach for Nodin but all I’m sensing is an overwhelming calm and strange visuals. I glance at him; he appears asleep. “Nodin,” I say softly.

He doesn’t respond.

I give up and decide to dip back into the luxurious warmth of Baron’s thoughts. Nodin sleeps until Baron parks at the trailhead. This isn’t like Nodin. I’m unnerved.

We pass the stream and go to the tree I used the day before. I lay my hand against the bark.

I’m at the naming ceremony again, sending the scary man uneasy glances. The woman squeezes me and tousles my hair, whispers something in my ear. This time, I hear it.

“Tanda ny, mi sita, Tanda ny.”

I know this is supposed to comfort me, but I don’t relax.

The speaking man stands and silence sweeps over the group. He looks at me. The woman nudges me to stand. I don’t.

The speaking man bellows, “Manda.”

I stand.

He points his stick at me and says my name.

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