Heartbreaker

by V. Romas Burton

  As I watched the thief leave the tent, I replied, “Not everything is as it seems.”

  Tick.

  Tock.

  I tensed. The ticking had only just fled my mind. Why was it returning?

  Just then, a deep moan rang through the tent, and everyone froze.

  “It can’t be,” Bocaj said before the tent flap flew open, and a bronzed man holding a spear rushed in.

  “Magister Bocaj,” he breathed, his shoulders heaving as he knelt before Bocaj. “We must hurry, the gray creatures are attacking in force.”

  My gaze darted from the messenger to Bocaj. Gray creatures? I sucked in a breath. The siti. They were ravaging Obesque, too?

  Bocaj cursed. “I thought we had rid the desert of them.”

  “I, too,” the messenger said, standing quickly. “But we can’t hold them for much longer. They’re coming this way.”

  The moaning bellowed closer.

  “Go,” Sirhc commanded. “I’ll be right behind you.”

  Bocaj summoned his flail and followed the messenger out of the tent.

  Sirhc turned to us. “Take as many provisions as you need, but leave as soon as you can.”

  “But we can help,” I said, holding my rod. I didn’t want to leave the Magisters to fight the siti alone like I had to in Dunsque.

  “No,” Sirhc barked as he tied back his braids. His spiked stick shimmered into his grasp. “Bellata, they are here for you. To stop you at any cost from reaching the northern Lands. If you unite all Twelve, Ophidian is finished.”

  “He’s right, Addie,” James said, as he quickly threw a pouch of dried fruit into his bag. “We need to keep going.”

  “Take Romen with you if he allows it!” Sirhc shouted as he sped through the tent flaps.

  The tent quieted, and James, Silas, and Claire waited for me to make a decision about our next move. I hesitated, hoping that Damien would’ve joined us by now. But the siti groans were coming closer. We had to leave.

  Squaring my shoulders, I nodded. “Claire, pack as many herbs as you can find. James, continue to find food.” They both nodded and hurried off. Strapping my satchel across my chest, I gripped my alme and turned to Silas. “Let’s get the thief.”

  Silas and I rushed out of the tent. We searched all around but couldn’t find Romen anywhere. Suddenly, a flash of golden light shined before us, and Romen appeared.

  “I hate using my own power,” he grumbled, bringing a hand to his head.

  “What was that?” I questioned, raising my alme in defense.

  “Where were you?” Silas asked at the same time, already wielding his sword.

  “Settle down,” Romen grunted as he blinked rapidly, then shook his chestnut locks.

  Black siti blood caked his clothes as he sheathed his blades behind his back.

  “Were you just fighting the siti?” I asked, my gaze traveling over his shoulder to find a group of siti, barely noticeable, on the horizon.

  “ ‘Just’? No. An hour or two before? Yes. But since I’m not connected to Regno anymore, it’s hard to keep the timeline straight.” Romen smacked the side of his head before focusing on us. His golden eyes glowed brightly. “I cut the group down to half the size it would’ve been. At least they’ll be able to take care of the monsters by themselves.”

  My lips parted to ask him to come with us before he held up his hand.

  “Sirhc told you to try to get me to come with you, and the answer is no.” Romen closed one eye, then the other. “Well, not yet.”

  “How did you know that?” I stammered.

  Romen fiddled with the black sphere on his belt before pulling out his pipe. Striking a piece of flint on a nearby rock, he lit the pipe. He sucked in a deep breath and blew out a light-blue puff. His shoulders relaxed.

  “Can’t tell you, but you need to get out of here.” Romen sauntered to the edge of the tent and slumped down before sucking on the pipe again. Closing his eyes, he tilted his head back as a yellow cloud escaped his lips.

  “You don’t seem in a hurry,” Silas remarked.

  “Silas,” I hushed before turning to Romen. “Romen, please, we really need your help.”

  The thief cracked open a lid, the golden glow of his iris dimming. “Not yet. But we will meet again soon.” He closed it again. “Possibly.”

  I cocked my head as Silas started toward the tent. “Come on, Addie. He’s not going to help us.”

  “You go ahead. I’ll be right there.”

  Silas paused before he stomped through the flaps.

  “You’re going to have to talk to him,” Romen said as soon as Silas left. “There’s more to his story than you know, and what he’s about to face is no small feat. A darkness is gnawing at him, and if he's not careful, it will consume him whole before he can fulfill his purpose. He’s teetering on the edge of evil.”

  I stared at the spot where Silas just stood. Something bad was happening to him. All the times his eyes had turned black, his emotions were out of control, and his violence was rash. My heart throbbed. I wanted to take Silas’s pain away but didn’t know how. “Why won’t anyone tell me how to help him? How to protect him from Ophidian?”

  Romen blew one last cloud of white from the pipe before hooking it on his belt. “You can’t know all your burdens at once. If you did, you wouldn’t have the strength to carry them.” As he stood and brushed the golden granules from his legs, I wondered how a thief could have gained so much wisdom.

  With his usual hard appearance back on, Romen held the tent flap open. Claire and James hurried out, their bags stuffed with supplies while Silas stood back. His throat bobbed; the black veins were spreading further up his neck.

  “If you two are finished, we’re ready to head out.” Silas pushed through Claire and James before stalking past me.

  “Hey,” Claire called after him. “You know, we’ve all had to deal with Ophidian at some point. That doesn’t mean you have to be rude about it.”

  James gave a tired sigh, ushering her away from the tent before they caught up with Silas. “Come on, Addie,” he said over his shoulder.

  Plunking my rod into the sand, I angled toward the thief. “Are you sure you can’t come now?”

  Romen held the disc on his belt, rubbing his thumb over the smooth metal. “Not now. Maybe soon.”

  A loud siti moan pierced the air, and my gut lurched. Were Sirhc and Bocaj okay?

  Romen’s smirk disappeared as he unsheathed his black blades and pointed me away from the fight. “Time is running out, Bellata. You must go. Now,” he commanded.

  Nodding, I turned and joined the others before Romen’s words hit me. All those times when the Magisters and Eman had said time was running out, I thought they were hurrying me along. Now I realized that what they were saying was the truth. Time was literally running out, and I had to stop it.

  Chapter 33

  The once-scorching desert air was now almost as cold as Barracks. The cutting wind chilled my skin, and I shivered, missing Lyle’s sweater now more than ever.

  I made my way to the front before rifling through my satchel, the golden leaf from Valde shimmering at me as I found the book.

  The invisible quill sketched the Lands of Decim as it had all the previous times. As it drew the desert sand around us, I realized just how close we were to Regno.

  Thinking back to everything Bocaj and Sirhc had said, I recalled that Regno was where Ophidian had first entered Decim. Because of that, it was the Land that was most overcome by darkness. I couldn’t help but think about the timeweavers who lived on Regno. What would happen if Ophidian fully controlled them?

  The quill continued to sketch the desert of Obesque, and then the beginnings of the Lomen River.

  “What does it say?” Claire asked, joining me. By her laced fingers behind her head and easy gait, I could tell her talk with James had brightened her spirits.

  I placed the book in her hands, pointing at the northern river. “We have to go that way.”

&nbs
p; She nodded, then handed it back to me. “So, Damien. It's weird to call him that, by the way. But what do you think about him leaving?”

  Closing the book, I placed it back in my satchel before I rubbed my eyes. “I don’t know. I was hoping he would have shown up by now, but I do understand why he left.”

  I assumed that when he offered to help Silas deflect the arrows from us, he had forgiven Silas for stabbing him. But I can’t say I was surprised when he didn’t follow Silas to find us in Perda Forum.

  Claire dug through her bag and pulled out her water sack. After a long gulp, she replied, “Me, too, but I have a bad feeling.”

  “Yeah, so do I.”

  “What do you think about the thief?” she asked, offering me a handful of nuts.

  I placed my rod in my other hand, taking the snack. “I’m not sure about him, either.”

  Romen had saved Nana’s heart, so he had to be working for Eman, right? Sirhc and Bocaj seemed to trust him. I hoped I had made the right decision in trusting him, as well.

  “I’m sure we have nothing to worry about,” I continued, trying to change the subject to something lighter. “How’s my—er—your heart holding up?”

  Claire snorted, pointing to her chest. “This thing has been nothing but trouble. All I do is feel,” she said with disgust while making exaggerated hand motions. “I feel sorry for the people in Decim. I feel worry for you. I feel desperation for Lyle.” She scoffed, throwing her hands in the air. “I have too many emotions, and I can’t control any of them!”

  “You’ll master them in due time,” James chuckled from behind us.

  “I’m not so sure, Grandpa.” Claire shook her head as she slowed her steps to walk beside him.

  I listened to their conversation until what Romen said about Silas resurfaced in my thoughts: he’s teetering on the edge of evil. I knew Ophidian was doing something to Silas. He had to be. But what was the Beast doing, and how?

  With the siti following us, Dacenda couldn’t be far behind. I had to talk to Silas before things got worse.

  I halted my steps. “James, could you lead us for a bit?” I held out the book to him.

  James’s ice-blue eyes studied my face before he nodded and took the text. “Of course, Addie.”

  He and Claire continued their conversation as they strode in front of me while I waited for Silas. Ever since I had taken the lead, he had been lagging behind.

  My nerves danced in every direction as I watched him march closer. Why was I nervous about talking to Silas? We had been together for so long; I didn’t think I could get nervous around him anymore. But I knew Silas was different now. I had tried to think he was the same Silas as before, but I was beginning to realize that Silas, my Silas, was gone.

  “Hey,” I said, noting his quick, harsh steps as he kept his hands firm in his pockets. The sword thwacked against his thigh.

  “Hey,” he replied but said no more.

  As we walked together, our feet crunched simultaneously through the golden sand, scattering the grains like twinkling stars as the moonlight glazed across them. The thunk of my alme sunk into the sand after every few strides, filling the heavy air between us.

  My mouth went dry as I met Silas’s gaze, and I focused on the edge of my tunic. The golden leaves were beautiful. And the fabric was softer than Lyle’s sweater. At long last, I found my courage and began. “I wanted to apologize.”

  Silas didn’t respond, and I didn’t dare glance over at him, so I continued. “For not telling you about Romen in the woods earlier. He said he would kill you all if I didn’t come with him. I didn’t know if he was bluffing or not, so I went, wanting to keep you safe.” I watched the sand tumble down the dunes, the cool winds whipping the granules in every direction. “I know I should’ve told you sooner, but it seemed like you already had so much on your mind that you wouldn’t tell me,” I added. “I didn’t want to add any more to your load. Plus, I didn’t know if Romen would come back and threaten me again.”

  “It’s not that I won’t tell you, Addie,” Silas said sharply before his tone softened. “It’s that I can’t. I made an oath, and I can’t break it. I know you’re not happy about it, but it’s already done. Please, let it go.”

  Pressing my lips into a tight line, I neither confirmed nor denied that it bothered me. Of course, I wasn’t happy. Silas was happy, then he was angry, then he was confused, then he was loving. He ignored me, then he wanted to talk. How was I supposed to handle all his drastic moods?

  Silas reached up and rubbed the back of his neck as he laughed nervously. “You just proved that you're not happy.” His voice then turned serious. “Addie, you know how I feel about you. And I’ll do whatever it takes to save you from that monster. Especially since it’s my fault, you’re linked to him.”

  My irritation flared, and I stopped. “You keep saying that, Silas, but your actions say the opposite.”

  Silas glared down at me with contempt. "Addie, you don't understand."

  Things had been strained between us for a while now, and I had tried to patch them up, but maybe I wasn't meant to. All his outbursts and demands were wearing on me. I had tried to explain what I went through in Ophidian’s Realm so he would tell me what was going on with him, but he still wouldn’t confide in me. All Silas had done was take, only wanting me to give.

  He doesn’t want to divulge his secrets. Doesn’t he trust you?

  I couldn't hold back my anger and frustration any longer. "I understand that you made an oath and can’t remember everything about your past.” The words were rattling out of my mouth so fast I couldn’t stop them. “But your reactions to everything are all over the place. You're happy one moment, angry the next. I don't know how much more I can handle.” I threw my hands in the air. “Silas, you attacked Damien. What if it was Claire, or James, or me? What if you had killed him? What if you had killed me?” I pointed to myself. “I need to unite the Twelve Magisters."

  After the words left my lips, I finally understood what was going on. Though I cared for Silas and wanted to be with him, I wanted to keep my heart for myself.

  Silas stilled, the night wind whipping his blond strands back and forth. “And it's always about you, isn't it?"

  "What did you say?" I asked. Sand crunched between my teeth as I clenched my jaw.

  "It's always about you, Addie. 'I'm the one Eman chose,'" he mocked, the black veins in his neck bulging with each word. “‘This is what I need to do.' How many times have you said ‘I’ since we left Ramni? If you're really the one Eman chose, why do you need the rest of us?" His hands clasped into fists as he shot the accusation at me.

  Fury burned in my chest, blood roaring between my ears. The voice I had been hearing all this time spoke again. I had been trying to ignore its taunts and questions, but I couldn’t anymore.

  Eman did choose you, my pride encouraged. Didn’t you just get the allegiance of two Magister's because you fought in Ira's Vindicae?

  And what has Silas done besides keep secrets from you? My rage intervened. If he really cared for you, he wouldn’t have kept them from you.

  One more emotion that I hadn’t realized was present, reared its ugly head. He seems to have trusted all the Magisters with his secrets. Why not you? You’re the prophesized warrior, my envy whispered.

  "You didn't have to come," I growled back, allowing myself to fully fall into the tornado of emotions, unable to control them churning in my heart. “It probably would’ve been better if you didn’t. No one would’ve been hurt by your hand. Why do you think Damien left?”

  Silas lowered his stance, and his eyes blackened instantaneously. He unsheathed his sword, bathed in blood-red flames, and charged at me.

  I threw my satchel down. I didn't care that a darkness was consuming him. I didn’t care that a darkness was consuming me. Silas may be a skilled swordsman, but I was the Bellata. He wouldn't defeat me.

  My alme bled red, matching the crimson of Silas's sword. My vision swirled with jade, and my he
art hardened in pride toward the man I thought I loved.

  "What the—" James turned before we charged straight at each other.

  An explosion of ruby light permeated the night sky, sending Claire and James flying on their backs.

  The spears of the rod unleashed, clanging against the metal of Silas's sword. I jerked back and jabbed the pointed end at him. With a snarl, he blocked my attack, returning with one of his own. I dove to the ground, barely missing the strategic move.

  We engaged in a merciless fight, far more severe than the one I had endured with Bocaj. But this fight was different. Silas had always been there for me; he had always been my friend. But now he had turned into my enemy.

  Lunging from the ground, I swung the rod at Silas's middle, causing him to jump back. He was too slow, and my blade sliced through the fabric of his shirt, barely scraping his chest. An animalistic roar escaped from his throat before he lashed out again. Pain sliced into my shoulder, and I cried out, my alme dropping from my grasp. The metal from the sword detached from my skin, causing fresh blood to spill to the sandy ground. I reached for my alme, but Silas kicked it further away, pinning me between his feet.

  "Addie!" Claire yelled, jumping up.

  Panting, I looked up at Silas, my emerald vision clearing and the rage fleeing from within me. But what stood in his place wasn't Silas, but a monster. His eyes had blackened completely. The veins throughout his entire body were stained obsidian, a plague beneath his creamy skin, poisoning his body, mind, and heart.

  James and Claire's footsteps rushed closer, but I didn't move. Silas loomed over me, the tip of his sword above my mark of the Mender.

  "Now," said a voice that wasn’t Silas's, but the Beast’s. "It’s finally time to rid this realm of its Bellata." Silas swung the sword up, bringing it quickly down on my beating heart.

  I squeezed my eyes shut, anticipating the pain, but the blade never came. Opening my eyes, I gasped as Silas gripped both hands over the hilt, pulling it away from my chest. His muscles bulged as he lifted it higher.

  "Move, Addie." He struggled to speak, but I recognized the gentle tenor as his own.