The Prophecy by Melissa Luznicky Garrett Read Free Book Online Page B

just hoped the anxiety I was feeling didn’t show on my face. I tried to
imagine what I must look like and then concentrated on not looking that way,
but also not looking too disinterested either.
    “What
are you doing?” Shyla hissed at me.
    “Nothing,”
I whispered back. “What do you mean?”
    “You
look like you’re about to pee your pants. Or worse. Relax, will you?”
    “I’m
trying.” I took a deep breath and settled for looking as neutral as possible, but
all I really succeeded in doing was fidgeting in my seat.
    Shyla’s
hand shot out and grabbed my knee. “Hold still. You’re making me nervous.”
    Jasmine,
who’d been conveniently absent while we set up for the meeting, sauntered
through the door with her friends Astrid and Will. The three made their way to
the front row and found seats right in the middle—the best view in the house.
Then they sat whispering and occasionally throwing glances our way. I looked
away, intent on not paying any attention to them, and yet my eyes kept
wandering in their direction.
    Caleb,
who’d gone off with Adrian for apparent male-bonding, showed up a few minutes
later. He shook his head like a dog and then ran his hand through the spiked
ends of his faux-hawk. Nodding at Shyla and me, he started to make a path down
the outside aisle toward the front of the room.
    Charley
suddenly grabbed his arm and then leaned in close to whisper something in his
ear. His face hardened, and then Charley let go and walked away. Caleb took a
seat next to his sister, keeping his eyes down.
    Within
ten minutes, every seat was full. Just as I had feared, people began to pile in
and stand elbow-to-elbow along the perimeter of the room. I could have sworn
they were all staring at me.
    “Isn’t
this against fire code?” I whispered to Imogene, who had taken the seat next to
Shyla’s.
    Before
she could answer, Charley stepped in front of the crowd and clapped her hands
to get everyone’s attention. “Members of the Katori tribe, welcome.” She smiled
as she looked around the room. “I’m pleased at such a large turnout as we come
together to welcome back old friends.”
    Shyla snorted
under her breath and a nervous giggle escaped my lips. Imogene and Meg shushed
me from either side.
    “It is
my pleasure to introduce Sarah Redbird, daughter of Melody Redbird and the
granddaughter of our late friends Daniel and Anna. Please, let us welcome Sarah
into our fold as the newest Spirit Keeper.”
    Some
people clapped, while some sat in silence, unsure about whose side they were on.
Or maybe it was just my imagination.  
    Charley
continued. “Through Shyla Hunt, the all-powerful and merciful Spirit Leader, Katori,
saved this child and blessed her with the honor and duty of being our next Spirit
Keeper.”
    I was just
thinking she had a knack for theatrics when Charley turned to me, her arm
outstretched. “Sarah, stand up and give us an example of your abilities. I’m
told there are some aspects of your powers that are already very great for
someone so . . . inexperienced.”
    My eyes
widened. Surely I hadn’t heard her correctly. “Pardon me?”
    Charley
and I locked eyes, and for a brief moment anger flickered in her expression
like the wavering flame of a candle. “Stand up and show us what you can do,”
she said through her teeth.
    Clearing
my throat, I rose on unsteady legs. I made the mistake of looking at Jasmine,
who was staring back at me with a sneer on her face. I wished I had practiced
using, rather than suppressing, my powers. I would have loved to blast Jasmine
out of her chair right then. That would have really gotten the crowd’s
attention.
    “Whenever
you’re ready,” Charley prompted, a tight smile on her lips. Directly to my
right, Meg reached over to give my hand a reassuring squeeze and then quickly
let go.
    I mentally
ran through the list of my limited powers. I’d already tried manipulating Water
that morning and pretty much failed. Wind seemed beyond my