The Cypher Wheel Read Free Page B

pulled out of her parking spot and then carefully put it
in gear before driving down the driveway and off the property. She
could feel the tingle of the wards as she pulled onto the road.
Something she had never felt before. She sucked in a breath and
looked at Faen who was watching her carefully.
    “You felt the wards?” he asked.
    “Yes. I've never felt them before.”
    “As I assumed,” he stated. “All your senses will be
heightened. You have been sheltered in the house with just your
father and me since getting all this extra power; you became so
used to our energy. You may feel a little bombarded out in public.
Just take it easy, you will get used to it.”
    “Oh, and you didn't think to warn me about this
before?”
    Panic started to rise within Faedra again. What on
earth was she going to have to deal with on top of trying to
control the fire? She wasn't even sure she could keep that under
control, but she hadn't considered that she would have to deal with
anything other than that.
    They drove in silence for the few minutes it took to
get to the church where they were going to pick up Jocelyn and
Etyran. The two of them had taken turns to visit her throughout her
self-imposed quarantine at the house. Unfortunately, she had not
been able to see her other two friends, Amy and Zoe in all that
time. Her father had used the excuse that she had Glandular Fever
and was not to see anyone. She had kept in contact with them
through phone calls and e-mails, but she missed hanging out with
her human friends and hoped to be able to do so now. They
were so 'normal' and she ached to feel that way again.
    She shifted her thoughts back to driving as she
pulled up to the church. Faedra saw Jocelyn and Etyran waiting for
them outside the ancient wooden gate that was the entrance to the
church grounds.
    Jocelyn gave her a big beaming grin as Faedra pulled
up. She was about to lean forward to open the back door, but Etyran
beat her to it and opened the door for her.
    “Milady,” he said as he gestured for her to get in
with a sweep of his arm.
    Jocelyn blushed bright red at his gesture and gave
him a fidgety curtsey in response, before sliding herself onto the
back seat. Etyran closed the door behind her and ran around the
back of the car.
    “Hi, Faedra,” Jocelyn sang as she settled in behind
Faedra. “This is so exciting isn't it? I'm so glad you decided to
come and do this with us.”
    Faedra was about to respond when a wave of energy
slammed into her as Etyran settled himself onto the back seat and
closed the door. Her eyebrows shot up and goose bumps flashed up
her arms. She turned her head, giving each of them in turn a
considering look.
    “What?” Etyran said. A look of puzzlement washing
over his features when he saw the scrutinizing look he was
getting.
    She turned her look to Jocelyn, who gave her an
equally puzzled look.
    Faedra gave her head a quick shake to push back the
feeling before blustering a quick greeting.
    “Something wrong?” Faen asked when Faedra returned
her attention to the front of the car.
    She gave him a quick sideways glance. She cautiously
evaluated the surge of energy filling her, scared that it may be
something bad. Then she realized just what it was that she was
feeling and a huge smile crept across her face.
    A crease formed in Faen's brow. Puzzled at the
absolute joy filling the Custodian's features. It was something he
hadn't seen for a long time.
    “Nope. Nothing wrong,” Faedra answered, the smile
still plastered on her face.
    Faen opened his mouth to say something else, thought
better of it, and closed it again.
    “Let's go, shall we?” Faedra said as she put the
indicator on and pulled out onto the road.
     
     

CHAPTER THREE
     
    The journey into the city was filled with chatter
about the upcoming treasure hunt. It was a bright spring day, with
not a cloud in the sky. There was still a nip in the air, requiring
the use of a lightweight jacket, but it was the kind of day