Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters - Bella Forrest Page 0,65

times before.

Anyway, Naomi had inspired me to do some experimentation of my own. Ordinarily, the specterglass showed signs of spirits and spiritual activity, as well as the faint glitter of non-humans who’d been touched by Chaos. There was room for one more lens in the brass frame of the specterglass, which was where the other one would come in. If my assumptions were correct, the specterglass would act as an atomic booster of sorts to the Pelios Lens, letting me see the emotional residue of a Purge beast as it clung to the lasting traces of Chaos in the air. The only trouble was, the subtle shimmer of a Purge beast that wasn’t ancient was barely perceptible through the specterglass, so I’d have to search as carefully as possible. I hoped I could use my invention to track down the Fear Dearg before anyone else got hurt.

A few minutes later, I reached the lookout spot where Genie and I had found the weakened pixies. I paused there for a moment, looking out at the churning sea. This was the place I came to in order to think about my work problems and iron out the kinks in my research. Now, standing here, my research and my work were the furthest things from my mind. As was my status quo, I could think of little besides Genie.

I either have to do something about it or give up the idea of being with her altogether. The lookout spot did its simplifying work as well as ever, as the two options came into my mind with impeccable clarity. I couldn’t keep letting my nerves, my fear of rejection, and my stupid shyness stop me from asking Genie out. To keep skirting around things wasn’t fair to either of us. The fact of the matter was, I couldn’t let go of the idea of being with her.

And if that wasn’t my answer, then I had no right to call myself a scientist. The lookout spot had spoken; it was time to stop being a coward about it.

But first, I needed to see if these lenses had anything to show me. Giving Persie and Genie some good news would be an ideal excuse to see Genie again, an opportunity to put my money where my mouth was.

Slotting the Pelios Lens into the frame of the specterglass, I lifted the combined forces as close to my eye as I could while keeping my glasses on. I scanned the area, focusing mainly on the spot surrounding the gorse bushes. I narrowed in on the shrubbery, squinting hard. A feeble glint of something hovered in the air above the bushes, but I wasn’t sure if I was just seeing what I wanted to see. There was only one way to find out. Stepping closer with the dual lens glued to my right eye, the weak glitter shone brighter and brighter, until I could make out wispy dreads of purple undulating through the air.

“That’s it,” I whispered. “These are the dreads I’ve been looking for.” And, unbidden, I thought, I wish Genie was here to laugh at my terrible Star Wars joke.

I sent a quick text to Genie and Persie: I think I’ve found something important at the lookout spot, with regards to the kidnapper. Will report back when I return to the Institute.

I pocketed my phone and lifted the lens again, following the trail of wispy strands farther down the cliff path. I was definitely going to get eye strain after this, but I didn’t care. I would endure that and more if it meant I could get justice for Persie and ease Genie’s worried mind.

What if she wants to know more about my family again? The story was too depressing, and I didn’t want to think of bad memories when I was with her. I only wanted to see the good in the life I had now, the life I’d built for myself. And I didn’t want to keep evading the truth, either. I had lied to Victoria with alarming ease, but Genie was different. She had a way of opening me up, cracking my defenses, making me want to say more than I’d done in years.

The lies had worked before, but should a relationship start on those terms? Probably not. And if she found out later, her faith in me would be shattered. I could tell her the truth and trust in her brilliant mind and good heart not to judge me as others might. But