“Can’t Bariv feel her through the Veil?” Sam’s fingernails had dug deeper into the skin of his palm over the last hour. “I mean, he can feel new sorcerers all over the world. Can’t he find one girl?”
Rona’s voice was tired and full of grief. “No. Bariv is able to detect new users of the Veil. He tracks fluctuations in the Veil. There is too much magic here. Always.”
A brilliant idea popped into Sam’s head. He wondered why no one had thought of it yet. “What if everyone stopped using magic? Couldn’t he find her then?”
Rona looked at Sam with kind eyes. “A fine idea, but it is not just people who use the Veil here. Everything that springs from Her is in constant harmony with Her for survival.”
Daphne directed her light into a small hollow in the earth made from an uprooted tree. Save for a few scuttling insects, it was empty. “What if we can’t find Cassiella tonight?”
Rona did not hesitate. “Then we search until we do.”
Daphne lowered her eyes toward the ground. “But what if…”
Rona halted. “What?”
The words burst forth from Daphne. “What if the hole ended up outside of the protective borders?”
Rona sighed, sending his light skyward, which caused a few creatures to scurry off and make a mumbling sound, their furry bodies retracting into the canopy. “Don’t think I haven’t thought of that. If she does not show up by sunrise, I will go into the vortex after her.”
“I’ll do it.” Sam tried to sound braver than he felt. “Right now.”
Rona placed a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “Very noble of you, Sam, but while it’s dark out, it would be very dangerous to take that chance. We will wait until first light and, if you like, we can go together.”
Sam nodded. “But what’s so dangerous about the dark?”
“The dark is a wonderful place to hide,” Rona sent his light into a crevice made by a boulder that had been rolled out of the ground. “And a terrible place to be hidden.”
“But why can’t we just let the protective borders down and all go check together?” Sam did his best to sound inspiring. “We could get a whole team together.”
Rona turned away from Sam, staring off into the woods. “We only open the borders if it is of the utmost necessity. If we do not find Cassiella tonight, it will be considered.”
“But if we all go together—”
“Sam,” Rona’s voice was soft but firm, “it is something that you cannot understand.”
Sam clenched his second-skin into a fist. “Because of the Tembrath Elite?”
Rona tried to hide his surprise, but Sam heard the change in the tone of his voice. “Who told you about them?”
“The Mystics.”
Rona sighed. “They have always been too quick with their answers.”
Sam stifled a yawn. The day had taken its toll and his body begged for some rest. “At least they were honest with me.”
“There is a balance between the need for honesty and for caution.” Rona stepped around a patch of quilted moss. “A balance that they often tip.”
“Yeah, well, why shouldn’t I know?” Sam fell in at Rona’s side. “It’s not like I want to join up with them.”
Rona nodded but kept his eyes forward. “I know, but they are not what you should be worrying about right now.”
Daphne performed a grip, and the earth absorbed the puddle blocking their path. “We should focus on finding Cassiella.”
A change in the sky filled Sam with relief. “I think we just did.”
Above them, dazzling words floated over the Chinese-looking characters, bright enough for everyone in the entire area to see.
CASSIELLA IS SAFE NOW
AND WITH THE PYX CLAN
Rona bowed to the letters. “She always comes through.”
Sam let himself finally breathe again. She’s safe.
Daphne ran over and hugged Sam tightly, her silky hair brushing against his forearms. He inhaled her scent and thought it was the most wonderful smell he’d ever come across. A shiver ran through his body. Did she actually did find the amorberry?
Rona looked up at the stars. “I think it’s time we have a nice, long sleep.” He winked at Sam. “I think we can let lessons start a little late tomorrow.”
“Sounds good to me,” Sam said as Daphne broke the embrace.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Daphne gave Sam a bright, but tired, smile.
“But,” Sam stole a quick glance at Rona, “I was thinking we could do something.”
She raised an eyebrow and gave Sam a “you-must-be-joking” look.
“I mean, now that Cassiella’s found,” Sam lowered his voice, “do you want to come—”
She turned away before Sam could finish his sentence. “I’m going to find Cassiella.” Daphne bowed to Rona. “Goodbye, Master Rona.”
Rona returned the gesture, and Daphne took off toward the town.
Sam sighed. “At least Cassiella’s safe.”
“And that is what matters.” Rona gave him a smile filled with relief.
Sam felt the fatigue tugging at him again. “I guess I’ll turn in for the night as well.”
Rona stared into the distance. “I trust you know your way back?”
“You’re staying here?”
He nodded again.
“Alone?”
Rona smiled and shook his head no.
***
The town had a peaceful aura around it. Even though most people had gone to sleep, Sam could almost feel the good cheer resonating in the air. That is, of course, until he reached his room. Of all the people to find there, Sam couldn’t think of anyone he would’ve liked to see less.
Petir leaned against the pillar, waiting for Sam. His dark attire stood out against the sandy stone.
Sam’s good mood took an immediate turn for the worse. “Not now.”
Petir didn’t scoff or snort or even huff. He just looked at Sam with steely eyes. “I have something to tell you.”
“What, that you’re sorry for being a prick to me?”
Petir’s expression remained serious. “You deserve every bit and more.”
Sam went to pass him, but Petir stepped in his way.
“I’m not in the mood for your attitude right now,” Sam loomed a good six inches above Petir. “Get out of here.”
Petir clenched his teeth. “Don’t you want to know what happened to Cassiella?”
As tired as Sam was, he did in fact want to know. “You saw her?”
“Yeah. Right here, as a matter of fact.”
Sam was baffled. “What was she doing here?”
“She wouldn’t say. Mostly she just cried. She wouldn’t even open her eyes and look at me. She was probably coming to tell you off.”
Sam felt the anger rising again. He was getting tired of all of this. “For what?”
Petir’s hand started to shake. “For leaving her in the hole.”
“What do you mean, ‘leaving her?’” Sam’s jaw tightened. “I had to go get help.”
Petir’s gaze was unyielding. “That’s not what she told me.”
“Well, that’s what happened.”
Petir blocked off his path again. He held his leathery second-skin up and pointed at Sam, his hand shaking with cold fury. “She said you were the one who created that hole.”
Sam’s body went rigid. “What?”
“Cassiella told me that you tried to do some grip to impress her, but instead you created that thing.”
Sam grabbed the front of Petir’s robe. “That’s not what happened.”
“She said she tripped and fell in.” Petir grabbed Sam’s wrists. “She ended up outside of the borders, but then jumped back in and came out on our side again. She said it only took a moment, but when she got back, she saw you running and called to you, and you weren’t even running toward the town.”
Sam felt a pounding in his head. He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself, but he could feel his a
nger growing, calling forth a furious energy that surged through his body.
Sam opened his eyes at the sound of Petir’s yelp. Petir stared at the red blisters covering his bare palm.
Sam shoved Petir away. “That’s a lie!”
Petir held his injured hand against his chest. “I talked to May. She said she’d seen a hole like that before. It can only be created from power magic.”
Sam’s head throbbed with thundering intensity. “Shut up!”
Petir turned away, keeping his hand pressed hard against his robe. “Better be careful; we usually cast out people who do power magic. I’m sure May is deciding your fate right now.” He stormed into the night.
The room was dark and Sam was in no mood to say something nice about May. He blindly pulled out his second-skin and forced it over his hand. It felt cold and alien, like the deep anger that churned within him. The ground under him started to shake, and the snakeskin felt different on his hand; instead of conforming perfectly to his fingers, it pulled tighter in places and seemed rough to the touch.
Why can’t the damn room just have a light switch?
A shock rippled within the snakeskin. Out came red beams that attached to the ceiling, hanging there like fluorescent streamers that kissed the room in a red glow.
Why would Cassiella lie like that? I thought she wanted me to stay. And May—how could she just expect me to keep living here forever? She took my freedom away. They’re all liars.
He wanted out. Plain and simple, he wanted nothing more than to go back to the way things had been before that last game. Back to his old life…
He snatched up the letter from his parents, ripping it open. His mother had written in her usual flowery handwriting, full of praise and kisses, about how proud they were of him for being selected for the special football camp, and how his father just couldn’t stop bragging to all their friends. It said how much they missed him, and how much they couldn’t wait to go see his first professional game.
Sam crushed the paper in his fist before casting it to the floor as the anger within him grew. More lies. His mind flashed to the woman whose daughter he’d hurt. Is the little girl even okay? He didn’t know—didn’t know if he’d seriously injured yet another person. The stupid Veil had come into his life and messed everything up.
He hadn’t asked for any of this! He’d been on his way to becoming a star. Rage seethed inside him, and his hands shook with frustration as little red flickers fizzled at the ends of his fingers.
Another letter stared up at him from his hammock, crisp and clean. As he ripped it open and pulled out an official-looking document, his heart began to pound; embossed in the top right corner was the logo of his first-choice college football team.
Dear Sam,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to—
He almost dropped the letter as he scanned the rest of the information with wild eyes. All his anger deflated, replaced with joy. His dream—all there on a single piece of paper.
He’d done it.
“They want me.” The letter shook in his hands. “Full ride.”
He felt like shouting it out, and then realized he was in a dark, ominous room… all alone. No one in the entire town would care about this—about what this meant to him. Well, Glissandro might, but who knew how he felt after their last encounter. Sam was on his own.
I’ve got to get home. Pulling out the diamond Bariv had given him, Sam clutched it in his second-skin and held it up. The diamond refracted the red light into pale little slivers that danced along the walls. Sam looked deep into the crystal. If he could turn the diamond back into coal, then he was free. It represented what kept him their slave: the threat of hurting others, really hurting them. If he could control his power, then he could go home and play football for the rest of his life. No being held hostage, no lying sorcerers, no worrying about if he would spontaneously combust… just football.
He curled his fingers around the stone and concentrated. If this worked, it would be the last thing he’d ever have to do with the Veil. After this, he’d never hurt anyone with magic. If he could harness the power, then he could banish it deep inside him, send it somewhere dark, where it would never get out again.
Energy rushed through his grip. His fingers closed tighter at the thought of all his future fans… the parties… the women. His knuckles creaked. Meat… fast food… real beds. Vibrations traveled through his arm, sending his entire body into violent shaking.
Coal. Turn to coal. Set me free.
He pictured the lumpy black rock Bariv had pulled out of the ground.
Bariv. Liar.
The stone shifted in his grasp, sliding across the scaly skin, rotating in his fist, burning within the grasp of his second-skin.
Coal. Coal.
Something definitely was happening. He squeezed his eyes shut. He knew he could turn it back. The Veil struggled against his fingers, but he held tighter, controlling Her. He ripped into Her, making Her do it. She tried to escape but he refused to let Her go. He didn’t care anymore. He didn’t care whether it was the wrong way or the right way. It was his life: She wouldn’t control him. He would control Her. He was strong enough.
The stone throbbed as though trying to escape, but Sam wasn’t about to let it go. A strong jolt passed through it, and the heat disappeared as it stopped moving. Sam opened his eyes. He retracted his fingers and revealed what lay in his palm.
A black lump of coal.
Victory filled his heart. I did it! He could control Her. He was finally free.
The coal disintegrated. A layer of ash coated his palm, dulling the little stars. He blew on his hand, and most of it puffed away. He rubbed the remainder against his pants.
He made his decision.
Finding his cleats in the corner of the room, he put them on. The laces still tied themselves, but Sam wasn’t thinking about magic. He was thinking about the cheering fans, college girls, parties, and fame.
He’d never feel lonely again.
Sam scooped up the college letter and headed out.
He knew exactly what he had to do. He couldn’t get through the borders, but he could go through the vortex. Petir had said that Cassiella had ended up on the other side, so that was exactly where he’d go.
Bright plants and drapes lit up the now silent structures of Atlas Crown. It looked even more beautiful now that Sam had made his decision.
Just like when he’d met Glissandro, he focused on his destination, the pile of rocks deep in the woods. He felt the Veil and again forced Her to obey. An icy feeling dragged from his second-skin to his feet, and again, a light blossomed beneath him, although this time it was dimmer. He ran with the light as his guide.
Sam was thankful no one wandered around at this time of night; he didn’t want to see anyone he knew.
It would be awkward if he had to say any goodbyes.
It didn’t take long to find his way back. The moonlight acted as a beacon, working with his own magic, leading him to the pile of rocks. And there, only a few yards away, was the vortex—his way out.
RIIIIIBIT.
Sam startled back as a lion-frog jumped off the rock pile, nearly hitting Sam’s face before landing not-so-gracefully on the ground and hopping off into the bushes.
He thought about when he had first come through the pillar, and that feeling of being watched struck him again.
“Who’s there?” Sam’s voice was gravelly and low.
Again, no one answered, which made Sam feel even less at ease. Someone was definitely out there, hiding in the brush.
As the lion-frog made its final jump, Sam saw them again.
Black swirls hovered over the bush, making their way toward the nearest tree.
“I don’t care anymore, Bariv. No more games! If you have something to say, then say it!”
Hearing an abrupt movement in the bushes behind him, Sam twisted around. Something black moved against the silhouette of a tree.
“Play
your games with someone else! I’m done!”
He took a running start and jumped into the swirling vortex.
***
There he is, Vigtor felt the corners of his lips pull into a smile, just as expected.
The boy tumbled out of the vortex and landed clumsily on his feet. He was large for his age, very muscular, and surprisingly still wearing a football uniform. Vigtor looked over at Jintin, who nodded.
So, this is Sam. The key to getting through.
Sam’s second-skin twitched at his side. “Who are you?”
“Sam,” Vigtor kept his voice calm, “my name is Vigtor, and unlike everyone in there, I am going to be completely honest with you from the beginning. But first tell me, were you followed?”
“You’re them.” Sam’s eyes flashed from Vigtor to his companions. “You’re the Tembrath people.”
“Elite,” Crom snarled.
Vigtor knew it’d been a mistake to bring Crom along. “Sam, this is very important. Were you followed?”
“No, but—”
“Good.” Vigtor beckoned Sam forward. “We need to move right now. I’m sorry I don’t have time to explain things to you right away, but I promise, as soon as we get back I’ll answer all of your questions.”
“You know,” Sam gave a derisive snort, holding his ground, “that’s the exact same thing that May said to me when she took me there. I don’t want to join your group, so let me get going.”
Vigtor considered harnessing Sam’s mind. The boy will be more useful—more powerful—if he does it of his own free will.
“Sam.” Vigtor kept a soothing tone. “You have been lied to and brainwashed. I’m the only person who can get you home. I’m sure that soon, someone will realize that you are gone, and they will come after you. They’ll hold you in there forever when they catch you.”
Masters of the Veil Page 27
