This was Emily’s last chance. Today was her 30th birthday, and if her power did not present itself today, it likely never would. She came from a long line of Bearers of elite strength. It was well known that those whose powers presented later in life were the strongest, but even this rule had limits. To be a non-Bearer would be a disgrace. She would be disowned, or worse…

She pushed the thought from her mind. She had to believe that her powers would emerge today, and she would join the Bearers ranks. It was what she trained for her entire life. There was no alternative, so she refused to waste time worrying there could be.

Emily glanced in the mirror in front of her, studying her straight, chestnut brown hair. It fell in thin sheets to her waist. She ran her brush through the strands a few more times, watching them catch the light with a subtle red glint. Her pale skin contrasted sharply with her dark hair, her deep set brown eyes filled with weariness, puffy bags beneath them betraying her fitful sleep the night before. She elevated herself on her toes and leaned closer to the mirror, her short, thin stature making it difficult to see herself clearly.

Sighing, Emily set down her brush and headed for the door. She could delay the day no longer. As she stepped into the hallway and made her way to the main living area of her parent’s house, she could hear her mother fussing and servants hustling about. They were preparing for her special day. Her parents had no doubt her powers would come, and they were determined to celebrate the coming of them to the fullest. Emily, on the other hand, would much rather crawl underneath a rock than be the center of such fanfare.

The whole Principal would be there, sitting, waiting for the magical moment rarely captured as public spectacle. This was the Bearer bestowing of the century, or at least that’s what everyone had convinced themselves as the years streamed by and Emily showed no signs of Bearing. For most Bearers, the process was slow. Early on, it becomes apparent they have certain aptitudes. For example, those with the ability to control water were always drawn to it from an early age, and took to it like, for a lack of a better expression, a fish to water.

Emily knew she did not have this power. Water was one of the many things that terrified her. Most people expected her to be like her parents, who were both telekinetic Bearers. Among the more powerful Bearers, they could move objects with their mind. After years of training, combined her parents were an elemental force that could literally move mountains.

However, Emily had never displayed the normal signs. Objects were never affected by her moods, she could not hear inanimate object as some telekinetics could, and no matter how hard she stared, she couldn’t even lift a spoon. Perhaps the fanfare would be her farewell party, and she would depart the Principal to join the Baren. It was rare offspring of Bearers were born Baren, but not unheard of. However, the Baren never produced Bearers. Ever.