The Crystal Keepers by J. M. Arlen

Author:J. M. Arlen [Arlen, J. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Amazon: B09TX3D4JX
Goodreads: 60551303
Published: 2022-03-18T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24. Training Day

Shawn felt consciousness return in a warm daze. His limbs were tingling with a sinking relaxation. He could hear the sound of birds, sunlight flooding into his room from the open shutters beside his bed, reaching shadows across the far wall. For half a blink Shawn thought he was back at home, in his own bed, but he quickly realized he wasn't - he was in Talmoria, in Agatha's cabin, surrounded by people and creatures that wanted to see him dead.

Shawn rubbed his eyes and groaned. He stretched his stiff limbs back to life. He felt strange. His thoughts were foggy, and he had a pounding headache that felt as if someone had tried to scalp him during the night.

The images of the desert and the snowy forest flashed before his eyes. He could still see the sight of his own dying body bleeding red across the snow. It had been so vivid and realistic, it was hard to discern the difference between what he saw and reality.

Shawn slid the deerskin blanket off to the floor. The window had been open all night, and the forest outside was glowing with a hazy aura in the light from the golden sun. He took a breath and tried to clear his thoughts.

Shawn went to the door of his bedroom and opened it. Sitting before him at her table, he saw Agatha.

"Good morning!” she greeted, “Let me get you some tea."

She sat up from her chair and went to the fireplace, filling a second cup from the steaming cauldron.

"No," Shawn replied. “I don't want any.”

Agatha didn't respond. She brought the mug to Shawn, forcing it into his hands.

“Do you want to learn how to use your powers or not? This is the way. Now, drink.”

Shawn glared at the tea in his cup, then back to Agatha. He wondered if his hallucinations had been somehow connected to drinking this strange tea. It made him angry to think she would do something like that. And for what reason?

“No,” Shawn said, forcing the cup back into Agatha's hands.

Agatha looked displeased. Her demeanor was almost dangerous as she swirled the yellow liquid with a broken smile.

“Overuse of these powers can take years off your life, Shawn. They're really quite volatile. It’s why we must take every precaution available when preparing for what's ahead.”

Shawn wondered if this was a good idea. Maybe Manie was right. Maybe Milly did mean for something else to happen when they arrived at the Skyward Stairway.

Manie came out from the second door to Shawn's right, her hair a frizzy blue mess. She yawned, and as her eyes found Shawn, her expression turned to a smile. He was silently alarmed to have her so near after seeing himself be killed by her hand, hallucination or not, but he was still somehow glad to see her. She could make him feel at home with just a glance.

“Good morning,” she said in a drowsy murmur. “How are you feeling?”

“I'm okay,” Shawn said. “How about you? You look like you slept well.

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