Fractured (by N.O Darling) novel Chapter 323

Chapter 3

** Harper’s POV **

“Harper, would you like to come with me? Your lessons start today,” a female voice whispers, startling me out of my thoughts.

I turn to see Sage standing beside my seat. How had she snuck up on me without my notice?

Other students turn in their seats to look at us and I feel a flush of embarrassment creep up from my chest to my cheeks.

Great…So much for trying to fit in as a regular student. I’ve just become the centre of everyone’s attention.

I look at Archie, who smiles and gives me a nod of encouragement. “I’ll catch up with you later,” he whispers.

“As most of you will be aware, strong seer abilities are rare and for the first time in over thirty years, we have a student that potentially has the gift. To master this gift, she will need to practise. So this year two seers will read you. I expect you to be patient and treat Harper with respect as she perfects her skills,” Deacon says to the room, and I cringe.

I can feel every eye on me and quiet gossiping assaults my ears as I follow Sage towards the front of the hall. I have never wished for the ground to open up and swallow me whole this much in my entire life. This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen. I bet I’m as red as a tomato.

Sage leads me to a small room behind the stage and I feel as though I can finally breathe now I’m out of sight.

“I’m not sure I am cut out for this,” I say as I wait for the pounding in my chest to calm.

“It can be intense, I know. Having a gift this rare is always going to draw attention, but I promise, it gets easier. Some of your peers may be jealous, and some will fear you, but most will respect you. After all, without your gift, future generations may not find their bonds.”

Sage gives me a soft smile and reaches out to take my hands in hers.

“What are you doing?” I ask, tempted to pull my hands from her reach.

“Relax. I saw you search for your bonds earlier. Tell me, how many bonds did you identify for yourself?”

“Two, I know them both.”

Sage nods and then grips my hands a little tighter before closing her eyes. I watch in silence as her eyes flit behind her eyelids. When she opens them again, the blue has faded into a milky white, and even the black of her pupil has gone, replaced by a very pale grey. It’s the most terrifying thing I have ever seen. I really hope that is now how I look when using the gift.

“Interesting,” Sage hums, and then blinks her eyes until her normal eye colouring returns.

“Why did your eyes go like that?” I ask, unable to keep the tremble from my voice.