Endeca (The Escapism Series) by Maria Dee Read Free Book Online

with my mind?” I muttered sarcastically.
    “There’s no point.  You haven’t reached your full potential—you need a jolt of sorts.”
    “Maybe I’ll be struck by lightning and my powers will be released,” I offered, snidely.
    “That could very well work,” he replied, grimly.
    I cringed in recollection of Caleb…was he trying to give me a jolt of sorts ?
    My skin prickled from head to toe once Viola laid eyes on us. She winked and walked away inviting us to follow along.  She continued down a path toward Winter’s College where she turned to face us. “Edric, are you matriculating here as well? I have bad news for you. Admissions are no longer accepting.” Her wide, evil grin was displeasing.
    “You need not worry about me.  I can always make a position pop up—yours for one,” he sneered, “What do you want, Viola?”
    “You know,” she hummed, floating closer to him.
    “The queen exonerated her.  You can’t be here,” he hissed in frustration.
    “Edric darling, I’m not the only one.” The sun glistened against her long black hair and her constellation of orangey-blue eyes weren’t as threatening in the day light; her eyes were defined this time in blue with fine spokes of orange.
    “I’m standing right here!” I replied, annoyingly caught in the middle of two heated, powerful TheoDiplozoes aka immorta of Endeca. I was a part of Endeca although not immorta, but apparently ripe for the picking.
    “Now Xenia, have you reconsidered immortality? It wouldn’t only close the portal, but it’d allow for many great things to transpire.”
    Edric averted his eyes from Viola, pressing his arm against mine. ‘ She possesses psychic abilities and with the summoning of Endeca, quite powerful searing. Never look into her eyes for more than a few seconds, she…’ He moved his arm as she crept closer, suspiciously.
    “I should get going.  Can’t be late for my first lecture,” she said, casually.
    “You should highly reconsider leaving, Viola …indefinitely .”
    “Or what?” she challenged continuing, “You look dead tired, Xenia. Trouble sleeping?” she smiled sinisterly before leaving.
    “What did you say about eye contact?” I asked, sheepishly.
    “She can tap into your subconscious if she holds your gaze. You’d know—it’s intense.”
    Crap.
    “How long can this tapping in last for?” I asked, clearing my throat nervously.
    Edric heaved a sigh, grimacing, “When?”
    “I didn’t know. It was at the grand summoning.”
    “How long did she sear you for?”
    “My memory is pretty hazy…maybe for a few seconds.”
    “Okay, that’s not too bad. It may last a day or two—can’t be sure.”
    “ Great . Between the attempted flooding, alleged electrocuting and sleepless nights, I could only imagine what the others have in store.” I wondered why I had entrusted my home to Edric. It was a leap of faith on my part, maybe even his. He said he wanted to repay me & maybe this was what he meant—protection.
    Edric winced at the thought.
    “Quick recap, Caleb and Viola have it in for me. What about the others? What are their names?”
    “There’s Sebastian, Castiel and Daisy, all of whom are far more worrisome than these two, unfortunately.”
    “If that’s the case, why aren’t they popping up to torment me already? Is this some kind of sick game to them?”
    “They’re meticulous, Xenia. They hunt and gather information from people of interest first.”
    “You mean, they could be watching me this very second?” I asked, yielding to a wave of paranoia.
    “No, I’d be able to sense them as should you by now. Oddly enough, Daisy wasn’t at the summoning. Nyxta likely cut you slack because of her absence, but have you felt any changes?” he asked, noticeably agitated.
    “Nope,” I lied. I didn’t want him to know of my recent power surge in the event he turned on me.  I needed some hidden ammo for the time being, even if it meant straying from the truth a