by Nina Walker
“Well, it’s a good thing you’re a red alchemist,” Richard said. He turned to the camera. “As you just witnessed, red alchemy, when used on blood, can be very useful.” He paused for dramatic effect and my blood burned hot. “It can be used to control the mind.” More silence. “Jessa is very special. She is our only red alchemist and that makes her our most powerful alchemist. Can you think of anyone better suited for the throne? To not only protect Lucas, but to aid him in leading this kingdom one day? I certainly can’t. We are all very blessed to have Jessa as our future princess and one day, our queen.”
The group applauded, the cameras zoomed, the lights just above them burned my eyes but I stared into them anyway. I couldn’t bring myself to smile. I finally looked past the lights to the audience. A mix of trepidation and fascination had filled the expressions of any spectators who didn’t know about my magic before today. The alchemists and officers, however, glowered at me in the way they always did, like I was the odd one out.
“That’s all for today,” Richard said. “Be sure to tune into our next exhibition. It will be broadcasted live from the palace in one week’s time. We have a very special surprise for you that I am positive you won’t want to miss. Goodnight all.”
I waited until the cameras powered down, then I whirled on Richard. “What was that?”
“Explain yourself, Father!” Lucas said at the same time.
Richard held up his hands in surrender, but his eyes were awash in power. He walked over, squatted down, and smiled. His eyes flicked back and forth between us. His face shifted to the same threatening expression I knew well. “Jessa, my dear girl, you couldn’t have handled that better if I had told you what to do. You see, there was a lot of sympathy for Celia still, which didn’t look good for us, so I needed to squash that. And at the same time, I needed the people to see you use your red alchemy, but in self-defense. That would be considered proper, and well”—he paused—“justified.”
He straightened up and patted Lucas on the head. “Good job picking this one, son. You were right. She’s perfect.”
Rage poured over me like boiling water. This man was crazy! And way too smart for his own good. He would never stop manipulating people, never stop hurting whomever he needed to get what he wanted. The worst part was, there was nothing I could do about him. My chest rose and fell with my angry breaths as the thoughts circled through me.
I caught Lily’s “I told you so” expression. She was still sitting in her spot. Never once had she moved. She raised an eyebrow and cast me a knowing look. I nodded. I understood now.
Do you have something to say to me? Lily asked. The telepathic link between us pulled like a tight string.
I smiled, and for the first time that day, I actually meant it.
Tell your boyfriend I’m not going anywhere. I’ll help you. I’m in.
13
Sasha
I knocked on Mastin’s door for the tenth time that day. Okay, I pounded on it. But I was not very happy and wanted…no, I needed, an explanation.
“Not right now,” he called out.
“No!” I knocked harder. “I need to talk to you right now, Mastin.”
“Hold on.”
“You’ve been avoiding me all day and I’m sick of it. Let me in!”
No response. I wiggled the handle but it was still locked.
“That’s it,” I muttered, employing a dash of yellow magic and breaking the lock with a quick snap of my wrist.
I flung open the door. “You better have a good explanation for what you did last night,” I said, bounding into his room. He stood by his closet, a towel wrapped around his waist, and from the looks of it, nothing else. I swallowed, fighting the blush that blossomed on my cheeks.
He glared, but I barely noticed, too busy staring at his six-pack. Sometimes I annoyed myself. Why was I looking at his abs? It wasn’t like they were all that special. They were amazing, but so were about a million other guys. Whatever. I huffed and crossed my arms over my chest, tapping my foot.
“Did you break my lock?” he asked, incredulous.
“Get dressed.” I turned around so he could have a bit of privacy. And because I needed to get a grip. His room was perfectly tidy, as expected. I blew out a breath.
“You did, didn’t you? You broke my lock with your magic. This is what I’m talking about, Sasha! You’re going to do something at the wrong time in front of the wrong person and get yourself killed.”
I glowered at the white wall, listening to him rifle through his clothes. “Serves you right for locking me out all day.”
“It’s Saturday,” he said. “I’m off work. I don’t have to talk to you if I don’t want to.”
Oh, excuse me!
I flipped around. “Am I work to you?”
He chuckled low but didn’t reply. Apparently, he was far too busy buttoning his jeans and pulling a t-shirt over his stupid head to be a grown up and have a conversation.
I stomped over and shoved him against the wall. That got his attention. His eyes flared. “I don’t want to fight you,” he growled, staring down at me, “but I will if I have to.”
“And how did that work out for you the last time?” I scoffed, referring to our first meeting where I’d beat him with my magic. We both knew he couldn’t fight me. I’d always have the upper hand and I didn’t care what kind of guns he had—I had yellow alchemy.
I took a half step back, the proximity beginning to cause me to lose my train of thought.
You’re mad at him. That’s why you’re here, nothing else. Focus.
“Why did you sell me out last night?” I peered up into his green eyes, hoping to find a suitable answer in their depths. But they were masked and shrouded in secrecy, like they always were.
His jaw ticked as his eyes narrowed.
For the last week I’d been invited to shadow Nathan everywhere and give my input in meetings. I loved it! I was proving myself to be invaluable. And when it came to training, I was showing everyone on base that I could hold my own and then some. And the best part was that my magic was stronger than ever. Each time I used it, it grew. It felt so good to be myself in an environment where I could actually make a difference. It was only a matter of time before I’d be allowed to fight in the war.
But last night, during a fighting session, Mastin had downright refused to spar with me. When nobody else would either, I’d found out he’d threatened anyone who would. No one wanted to cross Mastin, not only because he was talented, but because he was the General’s son. I’d been left without a partner.
“It’s simple. You shouldn’t be training with us.” He shrugged.
“Says you.”
“Not just me. Says most of those guys. Do you keep forgetting that alchemy isn’t very well accepted here?”
“I’m trying to change that!”
“No, you’re trying to convince my dad to let you play soldier so you can run off to the war. This is serious, Sasha. You’re here to be safe, not to get yourself into more trouble.”
I folded my arms, the black active clothes that Melissa had found for me stretching with the movement.
“Oh, so that’s what this is about? You’re afraid I’ll get hurt? Guess what, Mastin? I never asked for your opinion. I can make my own decisions.”
He fisted his hands and stepped close, leaning his face closer so it was only a couple inches from mine. “Just because you can fight doesn’t mean you should fight.”
“Why do you even care?”
“Because you’re going to get yourself killed!” he yelled.
Silence stretched between us, the room growing hotter by the second.
He moved back to lean against the wall, his chest rising and falling in heavy breaths. Then he squeezed his eyes shut for a few moments. “I just don’t want to see another one of my friends die, okay?”
I could understand that. I could even respect it. But it didn’t change the reality of our situation. I shook my head.
“
This is bigger than your fear. Your country needs me right now and, quite frankly, so does mine. You’re just going to have to trust me. I know my limits.”
“Don’t you get it?” he said in a strained voice. “War isn’t a training drill. It’s not a situation where you can choose whether or not you’ll be the one to get shot. Nobody wants to die, but thousands do. What happens if you’re one of them?”
My anger began to dissipate. I turned around, really checking out his bedroom. I’d been so hyped up, I hadn’t had a chance to take it in. But the room was similar to mine. Nondescript. Neatly decorated. No personal effects.
This wasn’t his childhood home.
Or maybe he’d never stayed in one place very long. Something about it tugged at me, a lingering sadness. Even I could think back fondly on the Resistance camp and consider it as home. And that too was gone. But maybe it was okay. Maybe home wasn’t a place. It could be a person. Tristan.
I still had Tristan.
“I’m sorry,” I said, turning back to Mastin and talking as calmly as I could manage. This wasn’t some passing fancy. I was serious about everything, just as much as any one of those soldiers out there, and he needed to understand. “Nothing you say or do is going to stop me. I’m going to continue to work with your dad and as soon as I get the chance, I will be first in line to get out there and fight. It’s who I am. I’m a fighter.”
The energy between us softened. He nodded once and then strode toward me, pulling me into a tight hug. The animosity dissolved like ice in sunshine. “I don’t think you know how much you matter to me,” he muttered, his voice a tender vibration against my body.
But I did know.
Heat radiated off his entire body, drawing me in. He smelled like the clean shower intermixed with his own spicy scent. The mood in the room shifted, like a cloud passing over the sun. I tensed. My stomach dropped. Heartbeats sounded in my ears, picking up speed. He leaned back to peer into my eyes, searching for something. He must have found what he was looking for because the next thing I knew, his warm lips covered mine.
I couldn’t allow myself to react, to give in. I pushed him off and took several steps back, wiping my mouth and staring at the hardwood floor.
“What’s the matter?” he winced.
“I can’t.” The image of Tristan on the beach was all I could see. And my promise to him. Because as much as I was attracted to Mastin, it was Tristan who felt like home. That had to mean something.
Promise me you’ll wait for me.
“You want to, though, don’t you?” Mastin stepped closer, his eyes studying me for cracks.
But I couldn’t answer. I didn’t want to hurt him. I didn’t want to hurt Tristan. And most of all, I didn’t want to lose myself in something that would only end in heartache. I’d had enough of that in my life.
I was here to fight. That was all. Maybe one day, when all this was over, I’d be able to find it in my heart to love.
“We need to stay focused on what matters most.” I strode toward the door. Swinging it open, I walked through, leaving him behind.
He called after me, “That’s what I was doing.”
“Do we send out a call for more alchemists?” The man’s wrinkly red face lit up with the idea. “We could offer to pay if they come forward. Then we’ll train them, of course.” He motioned across the table toward me. “Sasha can do it.”
Thanks for offering my services. I rolled my eyes.
“Like that would ever work,” Mastin replied.
“It’s worth trying,” the man shot back. Lip curled, he glared darkly at Mastin like he was the ultimate traitor to America.
“Mastin is right,” Nathan said from his spot at the head of the conference room table. “This country hasn’t been very kind to alchemists.”
That was the understatement of the year.
“It’s going to take some time before anyone willingly gives themselves over to us, especially if they know it’s to fight in the war.”
We sat around a long table, windows on one side that overlooked the base, stark white walls on the others. We’d been brainstorming ideas to combat New Colony’s alchemists for the better part of an hour. So far, nobody knew how to stop the havoc they were wreaking on the frontline. The only logical explanation was to fight fire with fire. But how, when I was the only willing alchemist they had at the moment?
“What about the kids?” the man asked. “King Richard uses kids, doesn’t he?”
I turned on him, shocked at his horrible suggestion. Did he want to send children to war? He sat at the other end of the table, second in command to General Scott. He was a weathered man, with a red face and judgmental eyes. “King Richard trains the kids in his palace, and they stay there until they’re initiated as a Guardian of Color, usually around age eighteen.” I said. “Have you seen any children out on the frontline?”
There was a stilted pause as the man regarded me coolly. I’d forgotten his name, but now I wished I had it, just so I could put a name to this face I hated.
“No, you haven’t,” I answered for him. “I went through hell because of that King, but I can say even he wouldn’t send children to the slaughter.”
“It was just a suggestion.” The man glared.
“And anyway, what do you mean, ‘what about the kids?’ What are you talking about?”
There was a heavy silence. “You don’t have the high enough security clearance to be asking about it,” Nathan finally said.
I looked him up and down, no longer believing what I was hearing.
“Screw security clearance. I think we’re long past that.” He’d been taking me to meetings with him all week. Now he wanted to shut me out?
I glanced around at the others in the room, but they also avoided my weighted stare. It also wasn’t lost on me that I was the only woman in the room. Finally, it was Mastin who had the nerve to meet my gaze and when he did, he grimaced and shook his head.
“You have child alchemists locked up, don’t you?” I snapped.
“It’s not what it sounds like,” Nathan Scott grumbled. He fiddled with some of the paperwork in front of him for a moment.
“It’s not? It sounds like you had all the alchemists locked up and you sent the ones you deemed old enough to work with me, and the rest you left in some kind of prison. Young children, am I right? And probably some elderly alchemists, too. You only sent the most able-bodied up to Canada.”
Silence.
“And you call King Richard the monster,” I huffed, standing. The chair scraped across the concrete floor, echoing. “I’m not helping you until you give those people a real life. Locking them away just because they’re different is wrong and you all know it.”
I slammed my weight toward the door. I’d had enough of this too small room, filled with too big egos. They thought they could get together and somehow save the world with their idiotic backwards ideas? Not likely.
“Just hold on a second, Missy.” The man who’d originally suggested that kids be used in war stood. His face had transformed from scarlet to plum as he met me at the door, slamming his palm against it before I could leave.
Oh, you do not want to try me, old man!
“It’s only been very recently that some people in this country have become accepting of you alchemists,” he said, spit building in the creases of his thin lips. “There’s still plenty of us who find it unnatural and evil.”
I scowled, my temper rising. “Oh, plenty of you, huh? Great to see you leading a military that’s going to lose to a bunch of those evil alchemists. Now, get out of my way before I physically move you.”
“Are you threatening me?” he snapped. “Are you hearing this?” He looked around the room. “She’s threatening me. Me, a two star General!”
I laughed, beyond done. I didn’t care how many stars were in this room. These people weren’t going to get anywhere with such terrible attitudes toward alchemy. I pushed past the guy, shoved him hard, and reached for the door, but as
I was about to go through it, it opened and a blast of air conditioning washed over me.
Hank strolled in, followed by Tristan. My mood lightened and I squealed. I didn’t know which one to hug first. I froze, letting their presence settle over me, then I dove for Hank.
“You have no idea how much I’ve missed you, kid,” he said, wrapping his arms around me. His scruffy facial hair rubbed against my cheek.
I breathed him in. “What are you two doing here?”
“About that…” He smiled, and stepped aside. “It seems you’ve been causing a bit of a stir on this base. Can’t say I’m surprised.”
Tristan chuckled.
“Well, we’ve also been in quite a few meetings lately,” Hank’s voice trailed off.
A barrage of security streamed in, and we shuffled to the side. Tristan sidled up to me, nudging me and smiling down. Our eyes connected, and any lingering effects of anger melted away. We turned back to the door and I watched, transfixed, as an elegant, older woman in a black pantsuit sauntered into the room. Everyone stood.
“Madame President,” Nathan said, eyes wide. “It’s an honor to have you here. I must say, we weren’t expecting you. We can move to a bigger room if you’d prefer.”
“Oh nonsense, this is fine.” She shrugged and slid into the closest empty chair. “I know my trip to your base was unexpected. But my new friends Hank and Tristan here have been talking with me at length, and we decided it was high time we all got together and figured out how we’re going to end this ridiculous war that New Colony has decided to launch on American soil.”
Since cheering would probably be frowned upon, I shot the room a wicked smile as I followed Tristan and Hank to the last of the empty chairs.
I’d quickly learned to call this country America, not West America as I’d grown up doing in New Colony. As far as these people were concerned, New Colony had seceded from them, but they were still proud as ever of their heritage.
Studying the American president, I felt myself wanting to like her. She looked so put-together and smart in her black suit. A knowing twinkle filled her eye when she talked, her white hair cut into a professional long bob that bounced when she moved her head. Her presence commanded the room far better than anyone in here, and with attendees such as these, I was impressed.
