I snorted. "You are welcome to help. Obviously I don't know what to do."
"You have more abilities than you know. I told you that before."
"Yeah. I'm figuring things out."
"You need to smarten up. I thought it amusing to visit you—it was my first one. With so much of my magic being used for the Kingdom, I'm tired and do not have the energy to waste continuously coming to you. I told you about having unrealized abilities, and you are getting it?"
"I—"
"Did you or did you not discover a list of people tested?"
"Yeah, I identified the children the Council violated. All of the people who were taken were from the list except Jacob as far as I can tell."
"The people. Why were they taken?"
"For their magic."
"Then why aren't you using the list of abilities instead of focusing on the people?"
"I'm sorry?"
"I tell you that you have abilities you don't know about and the community continues to deteriorate while you wait for them to be triggered."
"Uh, no. I just caught Luna and Mr. Corbin. If you see what is happening, you know I haven't been sitting around."
"You are working harder, not smarter. We both know they aren't the real problem," Hera said.
"What do you suggest?"
"Use the list, Nora. You know from that the abilities people can have. That list can help guide you through the process of elimination."
"Like what? Try use those and see if I have it? The only extra ability I've triggered is deflection."
"Are you sure?" Hera raised her eyebrow at me and pushed herself to standing. She turned to face me, keeping her gaze down to where I was still sitting on the bench.
"Wouldn't I know?"
"Zach is who realized you have deflection. You didn't realize."
"Can't you just tell me what you know? Then I can practice what I haven't realized myself."
"I had a hand in creating the rules regarding spirits not sharing what they learn after they die."
"You aren't dead."
"But I see as much as the dead do."
"Okay, so I use the list to determine what, if any, abilities I have." I threw my hands up, then smacked them down on my lap. "Then what? What does that matter if I don't know what the person I have to find is capable of?"
"Abilities aren't just to ensure children are stronger than parents. Each ability gifted has a purpose. Right now, that is broken," she said. "I believe you have a great purpose, Nora. Enough to balance the actions of someone terrible enough to steal another's magic. You have probably used many of your gifts without even realizing it because they are triggered when you most need them."
"And since they are already triggered, I'd be able to use them if I try those on the list."
Hera nodded. "You've made some big decisions today. You are on the path of discovery. Now you just need to be sure you are ready. The person you seek is strong but will never be more so than you are if you ensure you know yourself. If you do not realize your own capabilities, you will not succeed."
"That's not ominous." I rolled my eyes.
"Nevertheless, it is the reality."
I looked at Hera. "Can't you help me?"