Ordained by Devon Ashley Read Free Book Online Page A

forget a few things, particularly when we’re young.”

 
    Chapter Nine

    He sat behind his desk, watching Valerie stare indifferently at him. For almost twenty years, he had been meeting with her on a scheduled basis. She was pulled from normal duties at the age of seven once her advisor, Roger, realized she had the ability to see the future. Her cognitive visions frequently included death, vampires and a demonic monster known only to the staff of the Order. Needless to say, the visions terrified her and caused her to recoil into herself. Moore was ashamed to admit it, but her withdrawal from her peers had worked to the Order’s advantage. They spent years aiding her to focus her ability directly on the hunters.
    During the past twelve years, Valerie had predicted and prevented six premature deaths, including one suicide. The deaths caused by Eraticus were unavoidable, and to his surprise, kept quiet. At first she mentioned them in detail, horrified by what she saw. She knew every gory detail that awaited that particular hunter, but she never told them. Perhaps it was her lack of friendship with them, perhaps pity. But Moore suspected it was the ordeal of having to explain to the hunter how they would die, for they surely could not escape it. Felix, Jennifer, even the death of his own hunter, Amanda, was described to him prior to their demise. The nightmares that followed for him couldn’t have possibly equaled the horrendous pictures flashing before Valerie’s eyes. Amanda’s death particularly scarred him. She never again described the deaths related to Eraticus - and Moore never again asked.
    The week’s session was once again fruitless. As desperate as he was to learn the fate of his organization, he considered himself lucky. No visions meant no deaths were upon him. Perhaps having Abigail around would help after all.
    “Until next week then, Valerie. Thank you,” Moore said while recording the findings in the journal.
    Jayden opened the door and Valerie left, glaring suspiciously at him. He closed the door behind her.
    “Sir, if I may speak freely?” asked Jayden.
    “Certainly, Jayden. What troubles you?” Moore answered, continuing to write in his journal.
    “I’m not quite certain Valerie is being completely honest when she reports her findings. She’s behaving rather…odd, lately. Keeping more and more to herself.”
    Pot calling the kettle black , thought Moore. “Valerie has always been a loner. As for her reports, they have lessened, but they have proven correct nonetheless.”
    “I find it disturbing that she’s seen nothing about Abigail. It is within her power to see future images of hunters. Why, during all these years, has she never seen anything on Abigail?” Jayden questioned.
    Moore paused. This too had crossed his mind recently. Just as Abigail’s survival these many years perplexed him, so had Valerie’s inability to envision her. He had highly suspected that if Abigail could prolong her life, most likely she could keep her aura hidden as well. The most obvious solution to both questions was a magical one. However, this was not a theory he felt Jayden was privileged to. Lincoln perhaps, but certainly not his meager assistant.
    “I’m not ashamed to admit that I do not fully understand Valerie’s ability. Maybe she did see Abigail and just didn’t realize who she was. I’m sure she has visions about people and events that have nothing to do with our organization.”
    His expression gave him away. Obviously, he didn’t agree with Moore’s assumptions. “If you would like, I could keep a closer eye on her for you.”
    Moore closed the journal. The front cover read Valerie Whitney in delicate calligraphy.
    He was unsure of Jayden’s obsession with Valerie, particularly with Abigail sharing quarters within arm’s reach. She was clearly the hunter of concern for every other adult within the manor.
    “Unnecessary. She’s hardly seen outside her room. It would be difficult to