A Glimmer of Hope (The Avalon Chronicles #1)(40)

“That’s not especially Victorian.”

Rosa glanced down at herself. “Ah, modern clothing. Looks like a lot really has changed. The spirits can wear the clothing of the current period, same as our speech patterns. I think it’s meant to make it easier for the umbra to adjust to what’s happening to them.”

Layla turned back to the window. “So, I just think about moving the metal around this window and it should move?”

“Picture it in your mind. Picture what you want to do, and then do it. It’ll become easier over time.”

Layla pictured moving the metal frame and immediately felt a connection to the metal. It was as if they were two magnets attracted to one another. She turned her hand and found a connection to the metal blocks that had been soldered onto the runners years earlier. Another slight movement of her fingers and the solder in the runners melted, and the metal blocks fell out of the runners, allowing the window the freedom to slide. The window slid open at high speed, slamming into the stop that had been placed at the top and bottom of the frame. A remnant from days gone past when opening windows wasn’t forbidden.

Layla turned back to Rosa as the door burst open and Diana stormed in. “What happened?”

Layla pointed to the open window. “I had a headache.”

Diana walked over to the window and stared at the metal runners. “I didn’t think these were meant to open.”

“Must have been defective. Once it started, I couldn’t stop it from slamming into the stops. Sorry.”

Diana’s serious expression softened. “That’s okay. Did you sleep well?”

Layla sat down in the pink leather chair next to the window, and immediately decided that sitting in it was better than having to look at it. “As well as can be expected, I guess. How long do I have to stay here?”

“A few days. The doctors want to make sure you’re okay.”

Layla looked out of the window. “Do you think Elias will come for me, then?”

Diana was silent for several seconds before answering. “In hospital? I honestly don’t know. I know it’s easier to defend you from here than from your home. Once the doctors give you an all-clear, we can always move you to a more secure location.”

“I just want to go home.”

“I know.”

“I’m not hurt. I feel fine.”

“You were kidnapped and held by a group of psychopaths. They murdered your friends, and managed to hurt you. You arrived here covered in blood and had a bullet wound. The doctors want to know how you’re doing, but they’ll also want to know how it managed to heal so quickly.”

Layla opened her mouth to speak, but said nothing.

“It’s okay, weird shit is sort of my job specification. Healing a bullet wound isn’t anything I haven’t seen before.”

“How?”

“It’s probably best you just concentrate on you for now. Don’t worry too much about the world around you. But just know this: what you can do now is incredible. It’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Layla maintained eye contact with Diana. “What do you know about it?”

Diana smiled. “There are more things in heaven and earth, Layla, than are dreamed of in your philosophy.”

“You’re quoting Hamlet to me? That doesn’t exactly have the happiest ending.”

“It was the first thing that popped into mind. I always liked the play, saw it not long after Shakespeare first put it on.”

“That’s over four hundred years ago.”

Diana shrugged. “I like to moisturize.” She winked and walked over to the door. “Like I said, you shouldn’t be afraid of your new powers. Just accept them. It’ll make life easier, I promise.”

Layla took a shot. “Did you accept yours?”

“I’m not an umbra, Layla. Not even close. When the doctor comes, tell him the truth about the wound. He’ll know more about your circumstances than you could possibly imagine.” Diana opened the door. “And, yes, I accepted them. I love everything about what I can do. Except the shedding. I’m not such a fan of that. Call if you need anything.”

Diana walked out of the room, closing the door behind her, leaving Layla staring after her. She wondered what Diana was, and exactly how many others were like her. It was odd discovering that something you thought was unique, wasn’t. She sat for a few minutes before going to the door and opening it, catching Diana mid-bite of a bacon sandwich.

“Can I have one of those?”

Diana swallowed the mouthful and nodded. “Sure. Anything else?”

“Something to drink that isn’t lukewarm water?”

“Coffee?”

Layla nodded. “That would be amazing, thank you. And some fruit. Apples or oranges, just something to snack on.”

Diana smiled. “Anything else on my shopping trip?”

“I have university work to do. It needs to be handed in next week, and I can’t do it sitting here.”

“We’ll talk to your university and get you an extension. These are exceptional circumstances, and I think a few of our people turning up at the university will be able to convince them to grant you an extension. You’re in your last year anyway, yes?”

“Yes, my dissertation is on the application of different compounds in nanotechnology.”