I Can Hear You by Hannah Davenport Page B

my transport crystal and forbid me from entering the human realm again.”
    “What are you taking about?”  Human realm, what?  He wasn’t making any sense.
    He stared at me before slowly asking, “What has your mother told you about me and my people?”
    “What do you mean your people?”  When he didn’t readily answer, I said, “She didn’t tell me anything, she died when I was four.”
    He closed his eyes before slowly opening them again, “I’m so sorry, Ambriel.  Okay, tell me what you know, what’s been happening.”
    I took another breath before spilling everything to the man claiming to be my father.  “All of my life, I’ve been able to hear thoughts, everyone’s thoughts.  After moving from foster home to foster home, Sarah, my foster mother took me in when I was fourteen.  A few weeks ago, my friend Becky wanted me to go to the city with her.  I didn’t want to.  All those thoughts pouring into my mind gives me a headache, but I went anyway.  I watched as some demon creature fought with some warrior-built guy with glowing eyes.  Since then, I’ve seen them everywhere. Mom always told me to ignore them, to pretend they weren’t there.
    One night, I dreamed about mom.  She told me we were going to see a lady named Zira.  The next morning, I tried to find her and when I did, she said she was a witch. I didn’t believe her at first.  Anyways, she gave me a necklace and told me to never take it off.”  I laughed like a crazy person and then continued, “My best friend Becky took me to a different city for my eighteenth birthday.  She took me to a dance club where she was kidnapped and murdered, which was completely my fault.  I was just at her funeral where a bunch of demon creatures and warrior men starting chasing me.  As I held my comforting stone, I wished that my mom or dad were here to help.  And here you are.”  It all came out so fast and I held my breath as I waited for him to call me a liar.
    I could see the anger on his face; I just didn’t know the cause.  Keeping an even tone, he asked, “May I see your comforting stone?”  I reached into my pocket and pulled it out, showing it to him.  “Where did you get this?”
    “In the alley where my friend was kidnapped.  The police were everywhere but I watched the fight at the end of the alley.  Someone dropped this.  When I picked it up, it made my hand warm and tingly.  I couldn’t leave it behind.”
    “I see.  May I see your protection necklace?”
    “I don’t want to take it off.”  I lifted the charm up for his inspection.  His eyes grew wide and he pursed his lips.
    “And this Zira, she put the necklace on you before you turned eighteen?”
    “Yes.  She told me to never take it off.”
    “I’m sorry, Ambriel.  There’s so much you should have been taught.  I’m going to tell you a story, a history lesson, and then with your permission, I’m going to test your power.”
    “What power?”
    He grinned, “Let’s talk about that in a minute.  Pay attention, okay?”  I nodded.
    “There are three realms.  One is your human realm. This is the Cusaleon realm and then there’s the Santiarn realm.  You’re human, I’m known as a Cusas and the demon creatures, as you call them, are the Santiarns.  The Cusas are a peacekeeping race and often protect humans.  The Santiarns are evil and like to wreak havoc upon the unsuspecting humans.  For some years now, the leader of the Santiarns, Ornias, has tried to take over the human realm.  He would like nothing better than to rule all three.  However, he cannot enter our realm without someone with Cusas blood helping him.  Only the Cusas can enter this realm.”
    “But I entered it.”
    “Yes, you did.”  He smiled at me.  “That’s another reason why I know for sure that you’re my daughter.  I met your mother many years ago.  It was against our law to interact with humans but I couldn’t resist the pull I felt toward Amaya.  I