by Valia Lind
"What city are we in?"
"Saint Petersburg."
"Florida?" The air doesn't feel quite like Florida air.
"Russia."
I gape at his retreating back for a second, before Letty comes up beside me and pushes me forward a little.
"We have outposts all over the world," she whispers, keeping step with me, with Mitch bringing up the rear. "This one is far enough from everything that we should be safe here. For the time being."
I'm not even going to question it. At this point, I really should be ready for everything. Eric leads us through one of the doors on the left and after a quick dark hallway, we're in a very large and open room. My eyes try to take everything in at once. The stations to my left where people are practicing creating tornadoes over bowls of water. The area down ways in the middle that set up like an obstacle course, with mats and punching bags, and ropes overhead. There are some wall climbing on the opposite side, with come ridiculously difficult dips and turns.
"What is this place?"
"A training ground and a home."
The voice comes from my right and I turn to see a man about my dad's age step out of yet another hallway. His hair is grey, but it makes him seem more attractive somehow. He's dressed in a button up shirt and slacks, a bit out of place in what kind of is a gym. He intimidates me right away.
"Welcome, Cordelia Keller. My name is Thomas Simmons, but you may call me Tom." He reaches out a hand and I take it, shaking it quickly. These people are very up on their manners, that's for sure. "I take it there were no major issues?" This is directed over my head, so Eric is the one who answers.
"A few. But with her help, we managed to get out."
"Help?"
"Magical help." That brings Tom's eyes back to me, as he studies me curiously.
"Interesting," he finally says, cocking his head to the side. "You shouldn't have any magic."
"Sorry to disappoint," I shrug, trying to keep my annoyance at bay. I don't like being looked at like something to study, and this man is doing just that. Part of me understands it, but the other part is rebelling against it. But I guess I should be a little nice, since these people are supposedly halting me.
"Not disappointed," Tom replies, his eyes ones more on my own, "Just very curious."
"You mean because the binding tattoo should still be doing it's job?"
That shocks everyone into silence. Just the fact that I know the tattoo exist is a huge taboo. But the fact that I am aware of it's capabilities? That can make a lot of people unhappy. So I decide to go for the kill. I raise my right arm, my finger on the top of the tattoo. Slowly, I trace it's shape, even though it's invisible to everyone else, but me.
"It's a very lovely key, with a barbed wire infinity symbol at the top. Don't you think that's a little much for a tattoo that's not visible to anyone?"
I smile sweetly at Tom, his expression a mixture of impressed and concerned. Which is understandable. I am breaking a lot of rules here.
"This is why they want you," Eric steps up, reaching for my wrist. His fingers hold it gently, almost like he's trying not to break me, and the move is so uncharacteristic, it overshadows his words for a moment. My skin burns from his touch and when I glance up, he's staring at the skin, as if he's willing himself to see the ink.
"What do you mean?" I feel inclined to ask, jerking his attention back to my face.
"If you can see the tattoo, and use your magic, that puts you in a very rare power category," Eric replies, his voice low.
"He's right," Tom continues, "It makes sense why they want you."
"Right, the followers of the king," I say, right as Eric drops my wrist, moving a safe distance away. I'm not sure why I think of it that way. It's as if a few feet is where he can stand without experiencing whatever he experiences when he's in my proximity. I would know because I feel it too.
"I still don't have all of my power," I add, because even though I don't trust these people completely, I need to know if they can help me get the binding removed. I need my magic at full power, whatever comes next.
"I think we can help with that."
Chapter 13
They can't.
Tom has tried a few spells, but it's like the tattoo is infused with magics he knows nothing about. It's very frustrating. The only thing that seems to be responding to any of this is my mood. Which is pretty crappy at the moment.
"I don't think this is going to work," I snap, as another wave of magic washes over me. It's as if a blanket was placed on my shoulders, I feel the slight weight of it, and then it's gone. "We're going in circles."
"It is very peculiar," Tom comments, from his position near the table with a number of books. From what I've gathered, he's on the Council, and a powerful witch in his own right. He has the magic to unbind me, it's just that I'm not responding.
"Maybe we should rest a bit, and then get back to it," Eric speaks up, pushing away from his position against the wall. He's been a steady presence here, just as much as he was in prison. When he mentions rest, my body seems very receptive to it. I don't even know what time of day it is, but it feels like I've been awake for a number of them.
"You're right. You should get some sleep before we continue this," Tom says, before waving his hand in the general direction of the exit. His office is large, mostly filled with stacks of books, and he's already sitting down at his desk, when I turn to follow Eric out of the room.
"I'll take you to your quarters."
"How very official sounding."
Letty and Mitch disappeared at least an hour earlier, and I wonder where they went. Eric seems to be closest with Mitch, although him and Letty have an understanding as well. It must be nice to have your friends watching your back. That ever present pang of pain resounds in my heart and I push the emotions down before they can overtake me.
Eric doesn't comment, but it seems as if he can tell what I'm thinking. And feeling. I don't press the issue right now, instead, I let him lead me to a room on the upper deck of the warehouse.
That's what this place is on the inside. A large central area for training and classrooms on the second deck for other types of learning. The third floor area is dedicated to offices and common areas and the fourth is where everyone sleeps. When I asked what the building looks like from the outside Tom showed me a picture of a standard type apartment structure, about twelve stories high. The magic keeps it looking normal, while the inside is an entirely different world.
"Here you are," Eric motions towards an open doorway and I step in tentatively, unsure what to expect. I find the place about ten by ten, with a bed on one side and a table and chair on the other.
"These are pretty standard for everyone," my ever present shadow comments, then walks over to the door near the desk. "You have your own bathroom. Meals are served in the dining room. There should be clothes in the dresser."
I turn, finding it resting at the foot of the bed. It all seems surreal, even as I look around at it. Maybe it's because I spent the last month in captivity, my mind automatically goes to the darkest place and thinks this room just looks like another version of that.
"You're safe here," Eric says over my shoulder, and I glance over to find him standing in the doorway. "You can lock the door from the inside. I'll come get you in a few hours. Get some rest."
He doesn't wait for a response, shutting the door softly behind him. That's when I realize I'm alone for the first time in weeks. Letting some of my magic seeps out, I get a feel for the place. And when I walk over to the door and turn the knob, it turns easily, swinging the door open.
I shut it once again, clicking the lock into place. That small sound of the mechanism brings tears to my eyes. Before I think too much of it, I unlock it back up. Then, I'm crying and I can't seem to stop it. Sliding down against the floor, I hold myself around my waist as I let the tears pour out. Everything I've been holding out for week, I let free.
I cry for my friend. I cry for my family. I cry fo
r the mess my life has become and for the loss of the dreams I once had. When I can't seem to cry any more, I lay there, giving myself the time to feel. For the first time since it all began.
Once I'm showered and dressed in the softest tank and shorts, I tumble into bed headfirst. For a second I think it might take me a while to fall asleep in this unfamiliar place. But I'm dreaming before I realize what happened.
Kelsey left her wallet in my car. As usual. It's our movie night out and I leave her in line as I jog back across the street and the parking lot behind the diner. She pulled a muscle in training earlier in the day, so I decide to be nice.
"Can you grab my chapstick too?" She calls as I leave.
"Kels, seriously," I laugh, but I nod anyway. I really should've checked she had everything with her before we got out of the car. But my mom called and I was too preoccupied with talking to her to remember. My eighteenth birthday is in a little over three months and with that comes a lot of responsibilities. So of course, she's worried.
The street is pretty full of people, but once I hit the parking lot, it's almost empty. Except for the cars. Quickly, I weave in and out of the aisles, to my car parked halfway down the lot. Most of the time, our small town is just the perfect size. But when the tourist season hits, it becomes more difficult to find parking. Or seating at regular events. But it's not like we'll be here much longer. Once Kelsey and I are eighteen, we leave for the academy. I can't wait, that's for sure.
Unlocking my car, I grab Kelsey's wallet and chapstick from the center console. She's the one out of the two of us who actually carries a purse, but she has a tendency to dump everything out when she's looking for one thing. In this case, I remember her looking for her phone. Shaking my head, I lock back up and head toward the movie theater.
Halfway there something makes me pause. A shift in the air around me, a heaviness that wasn't there before. Spinning in a circle, I try to see if I can spot what is setting my alarms off. But it's just a parking lot full of cars, nothing more. That's when I hear it.
The screaming starts and I don't hesitate. Sprinting toward the movie theater I round the corner just as a blast of magic hits me. I fly back, landing against a car, before rolling down and slamming against the ground. The wind gets knocked out of me, and I'm slow to get to all fours. There is a dull hum in my ears, making everything sound far away and through a tunnel.
After what seems like an eternity, I manage to get to my feet, stumbling forward. This time when I round the corner, I have my magic at the ready, but still hidden. People are running through the streets, screaming and calling for help. I can't see through the throng of people, but I push away from the building, and keep moving forward. Whatever that blast was it drained me pretty efficiently. Even though I can feel my magic, it seems the weakest it's ever been.
That's when I see her. Kelsey is laying near the entrance of the theater, with a few people beside her, while most continue running around like they have no rhyme or reason to their actions. At first, it doesn't register, what I'm seeing can't be true. I call out to her, but through the commotion, no one can hear me. When I finally reach her side, I drop down beside her.
"Kelsey! Kels! Wake up. You're okay. You're okay."
My hands roam over her body, but I can't see where the wound is because she's covered in blood. I'm crying now, trying to find a way to put it all back inside of her, but I'm no healer. I don't even know where to begin. I scream out for help, but no-one is there. Glancing up, I try to find some sort of a starting point when I see him.
He's on the other side of the street, leaning against the wall in the shadows, watching. His eyes trained on me and I can't quite see his exact look, but he doesn't seem happy. If he caused this madness, he should at least look smug. But he doesn't. Something isn't right.
"I'll be right back," I mumble at Kelsey, getting to my feet, but before I can move another blast of magic hits me, sending me against the wall. This shock is even bigger than the last, and it takes all of my will to stay awake. I think this is it. I've met my end. But then my mind clears and I slowly roll over on my back to look up at the overhead ceiling.
Then, a different kind of shouting fills the air, as I finally get to my knees and scoot over to Kelsey. She stares up at me, her gaze completely blank and my whole world becomes this moment. My best friend, dead in my arm, her vacant eyes starting up into mine.
"Get away from her right now," a voice sends a command, but I have no idea who they're talking to. "Cordelia Keller, stand up, with your arms at your sides."
Glancing up I notice a group of Enforcers have gathered around us. Most of the people have been herded off the street, with just us left.
"You have to help her," I mumble, holding her tighter. "You have to help her."
"Cordelia Keller, stand up, and move toward us with your arms at your sides."
Then, someone is behind me, pulling me roughly to my feet and I'm being torn away from Kelsey. My screams fill the now quiet street, and then I realize a binding is being placed on my wrists.
"What are you doing? Help her!"
"Cordelia Keller, you are under arrest for a dangerous misuse of magic, which has resulted in the death of one of our own."
"What? You have to be crazy! It wasn't me. I didn't do anything!"
As they drag me away, I scream and plead with them, but it's no use. The last thing I see is Kelsey's dead eyes and her broken and bloody body.
That's when I wake up screaming.
Chapter 14
Strong arms encircle me, holding me down as I thrash and scream. The pain of loss and the anger I feel are all meshing into one strong emotion. Something is trying to hold me down and I reach for my magic, just as I hear his voice.
"Cordelia, it's me. It's okay."
It's my name on his lips that finally brings me back to reality. Raising my head, I see Eric looking down at me, as he holds me in his arms. The fight goes completely out of me and I slack right into him. He keeps me upright, holding me tighter and I grip his shirt in my fist.
The emotions are still so high within me, I can't seem to catch my breath. I squeeze my eyes tightly, hoping to disperse the images and it's only when I hear Eric's soft murmurs that I do.
I'm not sure how long we stay like this, him on my bed, me in his arms, but my heart rate slows down and my tears dry and then I'm me again. Pulling back slowly, I keep my head down, entirely too embarrassed by my behavior. Or my response to him.
"Sorry. I didn't think these would come back." I say, still not meeting his gaze.
"You've had the nightmare before?"
"It's always the same one."
I scoot back against the head of my bed, wrapping my arms around myself. This is the most vulnerable I've ever been and I can't bring myself to look at Eric.
There are some things I just don't do. I don't lose my cool and I don't show my weakness. Or if I ever do get angry, it's with a very specific purpose. Not like this, not this out of control.
"Want to talk about it?"
This does make me look up at him. The gentle side is really throwing me for a loop. Sure, he's shown kindness to me before. But he's usually so much more standoffish. I can deal with that. I can't deal with this. Yet, I speak before I think too much of it.
"It's always the same two dreams. The first one is Kelsey's death. The second is..."
"You going after that man."
"You know about it."
"I know what's been written in a report. I'm not sure I trust it anymore."
I think that's the most open he's been with me. Admitting doubts is a step into the vulnerable direction, and I can tell he's not comfortable with it. But maybe I need to talk about it as much as he wants to hear what happened. It's not like I've actually told anyone about it, not really. The Enforcers wouldn't hear of my side of the story, my parents weren't really allowed to see me. Once I went after the man responsible, no one wanted to know what I had to say.
So I begin to speak. I t
ell him about the movie night tradition and how forgetful Kelsey was with her stuff. When I get to the part of the attack, it takes me a little longer to get the words out, but I do. And at least I don't cry.
"When they took me away, he was still there," I say, remembering, "He stood in the crowds, as the Enforcers fed some lie to the humans about what happened. And now that I think about it, I think..."
"I think I was supposed to die that day too. It makes sense, now that I know about the hit list. He tried blasting me that second time and almost took me out. But somehow the magic saved me."
Eric doesn't comment, giving me the time I need to process it. I can't believe I didn't think about it earlier. When I was first told about the hit list. But it makes sense.
"Were they after me the whole time?" I ask, sitting up straighter, as it dawns on me.
"We have no idea."
"That's not a no." I say, running my hand over my face and pushing my hair back. "Maybe Kels was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe it was about me the whole time."
"You can't blame yourself for the actions of others."
That makes me pause, because he says those words with the knowledge of someone who understand it on a personal level. I study him carefully, looking for signs of the same hurt I carry, but he's a stone wall. He only ever lets me see glimpses of what's behind that tough exterior. I could really use some pointers from him on how to stay so shut down. And I don't mean that in a mean way. I need to learn to guard myself even better.
"It doesn't matter. Because what I did next sealed my fate."
"What did you do?"
"I escaped custody and followed a trail of magic right to that man's next target."
"How?"
"I used a spell. Kelsey's...Kelsey's blood was still on my clothes and I reversed the magic attached to it for a location spell."
