Return To Pandora: Book 1 in The Pandora Series by Kayla Smith

again, do you understand me? We will find a way to keep that from becoming your fate.”
    “How were they able to block our powers?” Zack asked after a tense silence filled the room.
    “Those trees that they had you secured on, they have magical properties that stop one from using their abilities no matter how strong they are. They chose those woods for good reason, it’s the only area around the castle that has those trees left in it. The Queen had them all taken down, so no one would use them against her.”
    “What are they called?” I asked curious.
    “Adstringo Magicus,” she said. “It means restrict the magic. It was given the name when someone used the tree to get another person killed after they realized their powers didn’t work while in contact with them. That happened hundreds of years ago, but those trees are very popular when raising your children and teaching them when they can and cannot use their powers. Or when someone is very ill their bodies will make their powers go haywire and injure the people who are trying to help them.”
    All we did was nod our heads. I mean what was I supposed to say to that? Ok thanks for the Pandora lesson 101 it’s been helpful. Now I know to avoid those trees.
    “Ok so what’s the plan with Josh and Leah? They are eventually going to stab us in the back, what do I do about them now?” I know she said act like nothing has changed but I can’t do that and she knows I can’t either.
    “I know it’s hard. So go on like nothing has changed.” With that she stood up from the table and walked back upstairs.
    “Great,” I muttered under my breath.
    “We still have twenty minutes to finish eating before we leave and make our way towards our impending doom.” Zack said trying to lighten the mood. “I’m wicked sore and you know what? I hate you for it.” He said hitting me in the shoulder. “Not all of us heal quickly like you do. I bet you’re not even sore at all.”
    He was right, I wasn’t and I went through a hell of a lot more than he did yesterday, with being thrown into trees and walls and my hands lighting up with fire.
    I just shrugged my shoulders and said, “Oh well, maybe your finally getting the workout you deserve,” and I nudged him in the arm. I turned around and started to eat my now cold breakfast and chugged down my now cold coffee.
    ****
    Today Olivia had different plans for our training which I was grateful for. She took us back to that empty field and we ran our four laps, after that she had us doing our crunches and all the endless exercises we did every day before we started our power training. Today we had everyone try to move their backpacks they had brought along with them.
    “I know you don’t have your powers yet, but sometimes they come in early, especially if you need them. So if you try to use them early and continue to try them daily they might just make an early appearance,” she said to the upset looking faces of the kids that didn’t have powers yet.
    I knew Leah had them or that she should be getting them because in my dream her powers were strong. We just had to get them out of her first. So when I told Olivia I wanted to try and get their powers out sooner she was happy to help me out with that.
    “Okay, first group is Josh and Leah. You two will be together always practicing together and trying to get your powers to emerge sooner. Next we will have Shanieza and Elizabeth and the same goes for the both of you, the more you practice the better chance you have of them coming forth sooner. Zack and Jackie you two have practiced your powers together already and since you are the only two with them you will remain partners, for now,” she said looking pointedly at me.
    I couldn’t help but wonder if she knew that we were trying to separate ourselves from them. I mean they were supposed to be our help when we get to Pandora and now I don’t even know if I can trust any of them.
    “Okay,” I said.
    Even though we