I swallowed the lump in my throat as I clasped my hands. I couldn't imagine Lyle trying to hurt himself. What had this place done to him? My heart felt cold at the next thought. What would this place do to me?
"Before he entered the final Choice was the last time I saw him briefly return to his full self."
Claire took a deep breath. "He said, 'Tell Addie I'm so sorry.' Like he had before, but this time he added, 'Tell her I would have chosen differently, if given the chance.'"
The pain returned to my throat. I tried to restrain it, but I couldn't. Tears welled in my eyes, rolling down my cheeks with each blink. After everything, Lyle still thought of me. He wanted to change his choice. How I wished I could go back in time and convince him to choose another way.
I buried my head in my knees, squeezing my arms around my legs. I could tell Claire was unsure of how to react. Thankfully, she sat still and let me cry.
I wanted to see Silas. With Lyle gone, he was all I had. Whenever my nightmare threatened my dreams, Silas was there. Whenever I was hungry, Silas made sure I ate. He had comforted me and helped me all those years when no one cared. My heart ached as I choked out more tears until I had nothing left. I'd lost Lyle. I'd lost Nana. I'd lost Silas. I'd lost everything.
If our parents hadn't died, Lyle wouldn't have had to care for me on his own. The thought wove a strand of realization through my mind before adding another. If he hadn't had to care for me, he wouldn't have felt desperate to leave. My blood heated as I continued connecting the series of events. If Lyle never felt desperate to leave, he never would've met Schism. If he had never met Schism, he would never have walked through that red door. If it wasn't for that red door, Lyle would've never traded his heart for this choice. And if he had never traded his heart for a choice, he would still be with me.
The final realization clicked into place, and my heart pulsed with fury. Who was the one who taunted everyone at Heart Reign to make a choice? Who was the one who stood directly in front of Lyle at Heart Reign, coaxing him to trade his heart for the unknown? Who was the one who had haunted me for years in my sleep?
Schism.
I unraveled myself from the ground, standing with a new flame to fuel. Clenching my fists at my sides, I gritted my teeth.
A few feet away, a blood-red door appeared out of thin air. Claire looked up; her lips parted as her brows shot up.
"Whoa," she said, putting away her snack. "That was faster than I thought."
I was too angry to answer her. I stared at the door, remembering the first time I had seen that shade of red—at Lyle's Heart Reign. Because of that door, Lyle was gone.
Rage burned through every part of me, unleashing something I never knew was inside. My blood boiled beneath my skin, and my heart thumped wildly. My pulse pounded between my ears as a different emotion took over. I clenched my teeth as I thought of every moment of fear I had experienced, every second I was without Lyle. The heat in my chest increased as I glowered at the blood-red door before me. A small warning whispered through my thoughts, saying I should lock down this feeling and control it. But unlocking my wrath felt fantastic, and I was tired of being sad.
I wasn't sad, not anymore.
Chapter 19
"Addie," Claire said, cautiously stretching her hand toward me. "Calm down."
I jerked away from her, ignoring her words. Stalking toward the door, I was ready to avenge my brother for all the pain and torment he had experienced because of one person’s prompting. There was only one thing on my mind: Schism. His name tasted like bitter fruit poisoning my lips. Everything bad that had happened in my life was his fault. If it wasn't for him, I would have Lyle. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be in this hell. He had to pay, and I would make him.
A red tint, like a shade, dimmed my vision, coating everything crimson.
"Addie," Claire repeated in a worried tone. "You need to keep your head."
The scarlet tint grew more vibrant across my eyes as I remembered every sleepless night, every empty morning without Lyle.
"Open the door, Claire," I growled.
With a sigh, Claire pulled out her keys, flipping through them until she held the one bearing the head of a bear. She placed the key in the lock. Before she turned it, she looked at me hard. "Don't be stupid, Addie."
I narrowed my eyes at her. I wouldn't be stupid. I didn't know what I wanted in going through the previous doors, but this time I did. I didn't want happiness; I wanted revenge.
Claire shot a glare back at me and turned the key. The door swung open with such intensity, it sounded as if it hit an invisible wall, causing a loud crack to reverberate through the forest.
Without another word, I stomped through the doorway, ready to destroy anything that stood in my path.
The door slammed shut behind me as I readied my stance for battle. I stood seething, but nothing attacked me. In fact, there seemed to be nothing around at all. I shifted my eyes, searching the dark abyss. Nothing.
It wasn't until I took a step that a bright light from above shined down, revealing a dirt floor with a large white circle traced into it.
I was suddenly hot, beads of sweat forming at my brow, as I stared at the white circle, unsure of what to do. My heart pulsated into overdrive as it thumped loudly in the satchel. The red thickened over my eyes. I needed revenge and didn't care how I got it. Heaving in rage, I stormed over to the circle.
"Didn't I say your time would come, little Addie?" The mocking voice of Schism Breaker rang through my ears, bringing me back to the day I first met him.
I growled as the red tint outlined Schism's taut chest and muscular arms in a bloody shade. The dark hair on his scalp gleamed as I directed my glare toward him.
"What do you want?" I spat at the demon.
"I believe I should be asking you that," Schism said, cocking his head to one side with an arrogant grin. "You're the one who summoned me here." He took one step into the circle. "I must say, I never thought you would invite me into Ira's Vindicae." Giving me an innocent smile, he asked, "What have I done to upset you?"
Baring my teeth, I snarled and began to charge into the circle when Schism held up his hand.
"Proceed with caution, little Addie. Once you enter Ira's circle, you cannot leave until you win."
All rational thought fled from my mind, the veins in my neck pulsing along with the revenge pounding in my heart. Sweat rolled down my temples as I continued toward the circle.
Yet, before I crossed over the white barrier, the gentle voice echoed in my thoughts.
Run, Addie, it whispered. Run.
But I didn't run. I wouldn't run. Not this time. I had suffered too much because of Schism. I could never erase the years of torment I had endured from the people of Barracks, but I could make him pay for starting it all. Pushing the voice away, I crossed the white line, not caring about the consequences.
A too-wide grin spread across Schism's face, causing my fury to turn cold.
"Oh, you silly, stupid, little girl," he said, his voice beginning to intertwine with others. "You’re so naïve, just like your brother."
At the mention of Lyle, my rage turned full-force, and I charged at Schism, wanting him to choke on his words. Seconds before I reached him, he was gone.
"Did you really think you could seek your revenge on me?"
I whipped around, ready to charge again, when I stopped dead in my tracks.
Schism's pale, smooth skin transformed into a color deeper than the abyss surrounding us. His eyes shifted from black to a bloody shade of red as his body stretched higher and higher until he was at least nine feet tall.
My heart froze, my limbs paralyzed as I took in the transformation. Swallowing hard, I tried to take a step back, but my foot stopped just before it hit the white line, as if it had created a barrier.
"I told you," Schism said as he leaned toward me. "Once you step in, you can't leave until you win."
I placed my hands behind me on the invisible cage, realizing ther
e was no escape. I clenched my fingers in front of me, the terror overwhelming my heart as I breathed deeply. What had I done?
Schism rushed toward me, extending his arm to reveal a set of long, black claws. Piercing pain shot up my arm as his claws dug deep into my flesh. I cried out, paralyzed in terror and leaning against the invisible shield.
"Scream, little Addie," he murmured with satisfaction. "Scream. No one can hear you."
As he retracted his claws, I clutched my arm against my chest. The opening between his long legs yelled escape, and I dashed between them.
But as soon as my frantic retreat led me far enough away, I slammed into the barrier of the circle. I didn't have time to blink before Schism was there. It took all my strength not to cry out again as he sunk his sharp claws into my leg. Bile and bitter blood coated my tongue as my teeth dug into my lower lip. Tears rolled down my face, but I stayed silent, unwilling to give Schism any more satisfaction.
When he retracted his claws once more, I let out a gasp and crumpled to the floor, whimpering in fear. There was no way I was going to make it through this Choice alive.
I was stupid for not listening to Claire. I couldn't look past my rage to see that she was trying to protect me from this. Now, I didn't know if I would ever see her again.
The pounding of Schism's footsteps vibrated against the invisible cage around us. Acting on instinct, I rolled away, narrowly avoiding another encounter with his claws. I knew there was more to Schism than his beautiful appearance. My heart had felt it long ago when I was a child.
While he had monstrous abilities to slay his opponents, though, I had nothing. No weapon, no defense. Only my wrath, and even that was gone now. But there had to be something I could use to protect myself.
I rolled again to avoid his claws. The pain in my arm competed with the pain in my leg, and I gritted my teeth, trying to hold back my cry.
Clutching my injured arm, I made an attempt to stand when the iron scent of blood hit me hard. Puddles of red mixed with the dirt on the ground, creating a revolting sight. I looked down at my thigh, my vision blurring as I stared at the canyon-like gash Schism's claws had left behind. I wasn't going to win. I should have listened to the voice and run while I still had the chance.
As if the Heavens heard my thoughts, a light began to form at the base of my feet. Like new-fallen snow, a beautifully crafted sword materialized atop the blood-stained dirt. Wincing, I carefully reached down and grasped it with my hand. It was sturdy and strong, but light enough that I could wield it easily. The only people I knew who had held weapons were Governor Willow’s men, and those blades were only used for intimidation.
My fingers brushed against the emblem before they wrapped around the golden hilt. It was a circle with a line running through it, almost as if it had been slashed in half.
Before I could ponder it, a loud roar cried out from the far side of the circle. I whipped my head toward the noise, realizing too late what my self-doubt had cost me.
Like leather sails, a pair of gray, decrepit wings loomed over Schism’s shoulders. The gust from their beating slapped against my face. Not having any other option, I gulped down my fear and lifted the sword over my head, hoping the instincts that had saved me before would save me again.
Schism let out a horrible laugh. "I see you've received some help. Something your brother never got. How I enjoyed his screams every time I sliced open his pathetic human skin."
Fury rose in me once more, but this time it was different. My vision didn't turn red, and my thoughts weren't cloudy and filled with ideas of murder and revenge. Everything was crisp and clear.
I looked at the sword grasped in my hands. Its luminous tint blazed through the dark void. Fear trickled into my heart as I felt the power flowing through the metal into my hands. The power was so ferocious, I almost dropped the blade. But it didn't feel evil, as if it was trying to devoid me of life like the siti. It was the opposite, like it was purifying my rage and using it to strengthen me.
I looked down at my injured leg, surprised to find my thoughts about the sword were correct. While the gash was still there, the bleeding had slowed, each cell of my body slowly working to clot the wound. Gripping the hilt with both hands, I raised the sword high above my head, knowing someone or something had given me more time.
I straightened my shoulders and held my chin up. Although the monster, with his long claws and sail-like wings, was terrifying, a peace overtook my mind as images of all those who had been swayed by Schism’s lies flickered through my mind. The baker’s daughter, who had traded her heart the year after Lyle, had meant to marry the year following her Heart Reign. And Headmaster Clive’s son, who we all thought was going to trade his heart for wealth, had also traded for an unknown choice. My jaw clenched as I recalled the stories of their trades. They were the real victims, cheated out of their most valuable possession by a creature who cared nothing for them.
Pure white light erupted from the satchel, merging with the blade. The hilt cooled beneath my grasp as the weapon glowed.
"I will defeat you, Schism Breaker," I said in a voice much more valiant than I actually felt. "But not for my own revenge."
For years, I had wanted to destroy the beast who had taken my brother, but I had been too fearful to face him. Now, I knew that the monster in front of me was only a pawn, a distraction from the real monster behind the destruction in my life.
"If not for your own revenge, then who's?" Schism snarled, extending his long claws as he flew high above me, ready to dive.
Taking a deep breath, I stared straight up at Schism, righteous rage beating furiously in my heart. "Everyone else's!"
Schism let out a bloodcurdling roar before tucking his wings against his body and diving straight toward me.
I held my stance, not breaking eye contact with the black mass. Could I die? Yes. But would I die? Something told me that I wouldn't. Not yet.
I knew there was an extremely high possibility that I would lose the battle of Ira's Vindicae. If I failed, I would be stuck within this door and become a siti forever. I would never find out if Lyle was still alive. I would never see Claire again and help her find her heart. I would never see Nana again and tell her how happy she made me. I would never see Silas again and tell him how much he meant to me. Everything they had done wouldn't matter anymore. But there was still one thing I would be able to do to help them all. I would do everything in my power to destroy Schism, once and for all.
As my fingers gripped the sword tighter, the emblem lit up, glowing brightly to match the brilliant blade. Once the monster was close enough, I swung with all the strength I had. Every muscle in my arms burned as the blade made contact with Schism’s iron body. A loud roar erupted from his black lips, amplifying as it rebounded against the walls of Ira’s Vindicae. My breath quickened as I dropped to the ground and covered my ears.
As I crouched, one of Schism's clawed hands landed in front of me, black blood oozing from the freshly severed wrist. I stared at it, wide-eyed, before I looked at the sword. Did I just strike Schism Breaker? An energizing warmth radiated through my body, filling me with a power I never knew I had. Relaxing my muscles, I readied my stance to strike Schism once more.
But he was too quick. With his other clawed hand, Schism swiped it across my chest, cutting the strap of my satchel. The bag fell to the ground, the white bundle rolling out into perfect view of the monster.
Chapter 20
I rushed toward the bundle, only to be blocked by Schism's monstrous body.
"I know it's in there," he growled, standing over the white bundle, mesmerized by it. His chest heaved as he spoke. "I can feel its power."
The rhythmic beating of my heart pulsed through my thoughts. What did Schism want with my heart? And why hadn’t he taken it already?
Schism stood still, his red eyes gawking at the bundle below him. He began to bend down, but then reared back, growling.
Why was he acting like that?
Not wan
ting to waste another moment, I carefully raised the sword again, using the distraction my heart had given. But as I lowered the sword, Schism broke his gaze from the bundle and flew high into the air, my blade missing him by inches.
I grunted at my slow reflexes and lifted the sword again, ready to finish him off once and for all. But Schism didn't dive this time. He grasped his handless arm and stared down at me as if I was the most repulsive creature he had ever laid eyes on. He looked like he wanted to finish me off but couldn't.
"This isn't over, little Addie. The next time we meet, I will be able to hold your heart." Flapping his wings, Schism roared once more and disappeared from the white circle.
Confusion wove through my mind as I watched him disappear. Why couldn't he touch my heart?
As soon as he vanished, the barrier around the circle evaporated, allowing me to cross over the white line. I breathed a sigh of relief before dropping the sword and rushing to my heart. The white fabric surrounding it was more shredded and soiled than before, but my heart was still intact and undisturbed. I didn't want to think about what could have happened if Schism had been able to take it.
Crouching down, I winced at the pain in my leg. Though the bleeding had stopped, the ache burned. I gathered my heart back into the satchel and tied the severed ends together as best I could.
As I stood to leave, the twinkling of the sword gleamed in my peripheral vision. I had expected it to disappear with Schism, but it was still lying in the mess of black and red blood. Limping over to where I had dropped it, I stared down at the weapon, I stared down at the weapon, studying the metal in the light beaming down from above. The overall design of the sword was simple, but there was beauty in that simplicity. The iron of the blade extended past my arm and seemed to weigh several pounds. Hesitantly, I reached down and grasped the hilt, whipping the sword around like a true swordswoman. The blade moved swiftly, feeling lighter than air. Like my arms or legs, it felt like an extension of my body, moving and gliding with my thoughts.
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