Blue Violet - By Abigail Owen Page 0,11

Griffin said. He leaned against a chair crossing one ankle over the other.

Ellie bit her lip. “She thought about today?”

“Yeah. She sees relationships between people. She saw strong relationships between herself and you, as well as between Alex and you. But she didn’t think about the specifics. They did seem to be positive relationships in her mind, though.”

“That’s a relief.” Ellie smiled, and then gave her brother a very direct look. “Why did you listen in on the entire family tonight?”

“Because when I felt that shock earlier today, I also managed to hear a little of Adelaide’s thoughts when you touched her. And what I heard made me think that she was beginning to wonder about you.” He dropped into the chair he was leaning against and propped his feet up on the coffee table, looking deceptively relaxed.

“Oh.” Ellie cringed.

“Exactly.” He gave her that utterly Griffin look that she hated…a look that stated quite clearly here you go again, Ellie.

“…So I figured a little reconnaissance wouldn’t hurt.”

Ellie waited a second for him to continue. “And...?” she prompted when he remained silent.

“Well, the mother’s name is Lucy. She and her husband Hugh are te’sorthene”

Ellie’s eyes lit up at this bit of information. Her mind reeling. Ellie remembered her mother telling her about te’sorthene as a child. The word literally meant a friend bonded by heart or sprit. But the Svatura used the term to refer to what equated to soul mates. Rare, because of how few Svatura existed, but more common in their large clan due to sheer numbers. Te’sorthene was supposed to be a pre-destined bond between two people that was elemental, almost physical. Most of the mated couples in their tribe were te’sorthene.

In Ellie’s experience, if Svatura were lucky enough to meet their te’sorthene, their fated mate, it typically happened much later in life—if ever. Te’sorthene seemed to only occur between Svatura. It hadn’t been known to happen between Svatura and humans. But people with their abilities were few enough in number that many married humans rather than waiting on the somewhat remote possibility of meeting their te’sorthene. That decision was a personal choice.

Seeing that he’d lost her attention, Griffin cleared his throat, and she contained her excitement with some effort.

“They’re Adelaide and Lila’s parents.”

“Not Alex’s?”

“I don’t think so. Her power is a very subtle one, but one you need to be very aware of,” he warned. “She can somehow see a person’s essence, who they are, and their intentions. With Svatura, she can see that they are gifted.”

Ellie wrinkled her nose. She was going to have to avoid Lucy.

“Right,” Griffin agreed, as he’d followed the path her mind had started down. “I think I can help you with that.”

Ellie tilted her head quizzically. “Have you decided to start helping me now?”

She caught a resigned look in his eyes, before he masked it with a mischievous quirk of his mouth. “How else am I going to make sure you don’t give us away too early?”

Ellie played along and grinned back, but that flash of apprehension in her brother’s eyes bothered her. Plus, he was still blocking her from seeing his thoughts. Something he only did when he knew something he didn’t want to share. Something that had him upset.

Griffin continued, “It seems like Lucy used her power to gather the family together. With her cunning sense of intuition, Lucy somehow knew when she was faced with one of their kind. She could sense their intentions and the heart of who they were. Everyone but their daughters she’s added to their group gradually.”

“Who else?” Ellie leaned forward, fascinated.

“There’s a woman named Charlotte Pierce. Her husband’s name I didn’t catch. They’re te’sorthene as well. There’s also another boy around Nate’s age whose name I don’t know either.”

“Jeez. Two sets of te’sorthene in such a small group. That’s incredible!” Ellie bounced in her seat in her excitement, knocking her homework onto the floor, which she then leaned down to pick up.

“Three sets.”

Ellie froze where she was, bent over the scattered papers on the floor. “Wait… what!?!”

“Adelaide and Nate as well.”

“Holy cow! I… I can’t believe it!” Ellie blinked. The odds of that many te’sorthene pairs happening in such a small assembly of Svatura were inconceivable.

“Did you figure out any other powers while you were listening?” Knowing that would be a huge help in her quest.

“Only one…Mostly, they were all concentrating on their discussion. But Charlotte has the ability to teleport. Although, as far as I can tell, she can only go short