by L. M. Fry
Julia’s hackles went up. She didn’t know this man. He could have been Slammy Magee’s minion sent to assassinate her. She wasn’t going to just fall into his trap.
“What if I don’t?”
The white robe looked at her through half-lidded eyes. “Listen, kid. Just come on. I don’t want to drag you out.”
“I’d like to see you try. Do you know who I am? Do you know what I’m capable of?”
Her voice came out stronger than the confidence she felt. She hoped that he hadn’t witnessed her useless display during the tribunal. She hoped that he didn’t know aether was out of her grasp within the confines of the cell. She hoped that he couldn’t tell how scared she was. A sly smile crossed his face. He yanked on the chains.
“Are you going to give me a sniffle? I saw your little display, so stop stalling and move.”
She wasn’t going to give in. “I’m the daughter of Lazarus Killian and a warrior of the Order of the Azure Serpent!”
When she stood her ground, he sighed. He reached for her arm, but she side-stepped him and elbowed his back. She didn’t need her power to outwit him. He fell to the floor. She ran to the door, where a dozen white robes waited. She did a quick mental head count. There were too many of them. Defeated, she put her shackled hands in the air. The first man exited the room, holding his ribs and glaring at her.
“I’ll go peacefully,” she declared.
The white robe growled, picked up the chain, and pulled the chain hard enough that she fell to her knees. The others stood by and watched. She was on her own. Julia regained her footing and prepared for a fight.
“Halt! What is going on here?” Parmelia’s raspy, but firm voice said.
“Ma’am. The girl has been called to the leader’s office, but she is insolent and refused to come,” the white robe mumbled.
His arms dropped to his side, and his face turned bright red. The others backed away. Parmelia squinted at the men. Julia was relieved to see that the woman still held some authority in the tower. Parmelia smelled like gardenias. When she touched Julia’s cheek, a memory of white flowers in a woman’s hair flashed through Julia’s mind. Julia flinched away. The old woman sighed and turned to the white robes.
“I’m here to speak with the girl. You are dismissed.” Parmelia shooed the men away.
The injured one hesitated. “But Ma’am… she’s dangerous, and I was told to take her—
“Don’t be foolish. She’s a child. And I will speak with her for a moment.”
The white robe handed Parmelia the chain and left. Parmelia put her hand on Julia’s shoulder and ushered her back into the cell. Julia thought about fighting, but her instincts told her to stay and hear the woman out. Even if she could easily overcome the old woman, she didn’t want to hurt her. Julia had no choice but to go along.
“We don’t have much time. I called in a few favors to gain access to you, but once they find out I’m here… Well… we must speak quickly. There is much I need to tell you.”
Parmelia dropped the chain on the floor without securing it. She also left the door open a crack. Sweat beaded Julia’s brow, and her legs itched. All she had to do was knock Parmelia over and run. Julia could walk right out the front door, but she stayed.
“If you people think you can keep me locked up, you’re mistaken.” Then what am I doing? Run, Julia. She scolded herself.
Parmelia turned and chuckled. “You remind me of your mother. She was just as rebellious.”
Julia’s tough charade faded. She swallowed a knot in her throat. “You knew my mom?” Her mother was long dead; so how could this woman know her? Her curiosity sparked, and all thoughts of running disappeared. “Who are you?”
Parmelia took a deep breath. “I wanted to meet you under better circumstances, but… this is how it will have to be. I am your grandmother. My daughter, Juliet – your mother – married Lazarus.” Parmelia wiped a frail hand across her face.
“Why should I believe anything you say?” Julia hissed.
Parmelia continued on, as if remembering a dream. “You should know that I was there the day you were born, and both your mother and father were so happy and in love with you.”
Ha! Julia knew she had to be lying. “You must be confused. That doesn’t sound like my father at all.”
“He… changed soon after your birth. The previous leader of the Order, your paternal grandfather, was obsessed with Danu’s power. That obsession poisoned Lazarus’s mind and killed your mother. I was told that you and your mother died in an accident.”
Julia paced the room. Her mind and heart were torn in several directions. She still had a family. She had a grandmother – who had believed for sixteen years that Julia was dead. The thought scared, delighted, and angered her at the same time. She stopped in front of the old woman.
“And you just believed him? Did you even try to learn the truth? Wasn’t there a funeral or something? You could have asked to see the body, or… I don’t know.”
Parmelia looked small and fragile, wringing her hands. “There were no funerals. No bodies. After Juliet’s death, Lazarus declared war on the Elders and shut us out of Subterria. Our spies discovered a plot to murder the families of Valera and Theo. Victoria exiled her family on Aetherland, and Marjorie chose to hide her family in the human world. Aether fractured. If I had known, I would have fought for you. You’re my grandchild.”
Parmelia stood on shaky legs and held her arms out. Julia hesitated. With one kick, she could escape the old woman and run away. She could hide in Subterria or live in the human world. She didn’t owe Parmelia or anyone else anything. She was strong. She was smart. She didn’t need anyone.
A salty taste touched her tongue. Tears streamed down her face. One step was all it took, and Julia fell into the woman’s arms and cried.
The footsteps outside the door came too soon. White robes flooded the room and split Julia and her grandmother apart. Griping the doorframe, Parmelia fought to stay a few seconds more. The men took her away and locked Julia inside. Her grandmother’s voice shouted in Julia’s thoughts.
We’re going to fight this. We’ll get you girls out as soon as we can. Watch over each other…
Chapter Two
Valera
Without the other girls, Valera felt lonelier than ever. When her mother had come to her, she thought that everything would be okay. She was wrong.
“You are coming home with me.” Victoria had grabbed her arm and rattled the chains around Valera’s wrists.
“But, I though… I’m a prisoner. They aren’t just going to let me go…”
“I’ve made a deal with the Elders. We’re leaving.”
Valera’s hopes grew. She hugged her mother, although Victoria didn’t return the gesture right away. Valera didn’t care. Her mother was there to save them. Valera, Theo, and Julia still had a chance to be free. Victoria patted Valera’s back and stepped back.
“Now that this nonsense is over, everything will get back to normal. We’ll get you back to Aetherland and put this whole mess behind us.”
Valera wasn’t exactly eager to go back to the way things were, but maybe she could change her mother’s mind about keeping her locked up on Aetherland Isle. She’d been set free once, and didn’t want to lose it. Besides, she had Gideon and the girls now. If anything her time away proved that she was just as capable as her brother Victor. She’d survived being kidnapped. She’d been to the human world and come out unscathed. She’d helped take down Marcus.
“Yeah, back to normal. Theo will be with her parents again, and I bet Julia will like the island, if she’ll give it a chance.”
Surely, Julia would see some merits to Aetherland Isle. She’d be free to do as she pleased, within reason of course. The three of them could learn to control their powers together.
“Theo? Julia? You misunderstood me. We’re going home. Those other two are not my problem.”
“We can’t, Mother—
Victoria lifted Valera’s tangled hair from her
shoulder and scoffed. “What an unruly mess. When was the last time you brushed it?”
Valera pulled away from her mother, yanking her own hair in the process. “Mother, listen to me—
“Really, you need to learn to take care of yourself. Look at your clothes. You’re beginning to look like an airship pirate. You’ll be wearing proper dresses from now on.” Victoria pinched the stained white fabric of Valera’s sleeve and scrunched her nose up as if it were a dead skunk.
Pressure built up inside Valera. Her hopes unraveled. Her mother had no intention of freeing her. She wasn’t there out of love and concern. She just wanted control over Valera’s life. Valera pulled away from her mother’s grip, mussed up her curls, and erupted.
“Mother, I’m not leaving Theo and Julia behind! They’re my sisters…. And… I like dressing like a pirate… I am a pirate… a deviant… criminal… PIRATE! And I won’t put my hair into scalp-numbing buns ever again. I like my wild hair. It suits me, Mother. Why can’t you see who I really am?”
Victoria’s fair-skinned face went from pink to red to purple. Her jaw clenched, and her hands fisted up. Valera had pushed her mother too far. She retreated to the back of the cell. After a few sharp, hard breaths, Victoria’s natural color returned. She adjusted the high collar around her neck and smoothed out her bun.
“If you turn your back on your family again, I won’t help you. I’m leaving in an hour. You have until then to change your attitude, or I’ll leave you here to rot with those other two.” Victoria’s voice was cold and rigid.
Valera opened her mouth to say something, but the words caught on her tongue. How could her mother do this to her? She knew she had made some questionable choices lately, but she never imagined her mother would abandon her.
“Think carefully, young lady.”
Her mother refused to look into her eyes. Victoria yanked on her black gloves until her fingers were so far into them that the fabric strained against her nails, and stormed out of the room. The reality of Valera’s situation came crashing down on her. Being free and releasing Danu became distant memories. She was in chains, unable to reach aether, and alone. Slinking down the wall to the floor, Valera curled up in a ball. The shackles around her wrist made her skin itch. The chill of the cement floor seeped through her bones. She cried.
Valera, are you there? Theo whispered in Valera’s mind.
A spark of hope rose within her. Valera sat up and closed her eyes. Aether was out of reach, but her friends weren’t.
I’m here! I’m so glad to hear you.
After all that yelling, you were so quiet that we thought your mother murdered you or something. Julia quipped.
Valera wiped her face with the back of her hand. A twinge of embarrassment shot through her. They must have heard the argument.
How much did you hear?
I stopped listening after you yelled pirate. I’m not a snoop, you know, Julia laughed.
Yeah, right. You’re hilarious, Julia, Theo added, joining in. We didn’t hear much, Valera. Is everything all right?
Valera sighed, No, she may as well have murdered me. Then I would have been better off. She wants to take me back to Aetherland.
Danu’s ass, how does she plan on doing that? Julia swore. Parmelia said we’re stuck in here.
You are stuck in here. She made a deal with the Elders, but it only extends to me. I told her I’m not going.
Are you crazy? You have to go. Both Julia and Theo’s voice screamed in her head.
No, I don’t. I won’t leave you behind.
Valera was growing tired of having people tell her what she had to do. She knew they meant well, but it didn’t matter. She would make her own decisions from now on. Still, having Julia and Theo with her lifted her spirits. Together, they’d find a way out of the situation. The girls grew quiet. When her mother came back in, she’d try to reason with her. Surely, she’d see the logic in keeping the girls together. Either way, Valera’s mind was set. She was staying.
The hour passed in a blur of voices from the other two cells. Valera was too busy organizing her thoughts to listen in. When her door swung open and her mother again filled the frame, Valera stood up and faced Victoria. She crossed her arms and prepared to have a calm, adult discussion with her mother. But before Valera could open her mouth to speak, Victoria shook her head. She didn’t even ask Valera what she’d decided.
“Your mind is made up then? So be it.”
The door slammed shut and her mother left. Just like that, Valera was forgotten.
She just left me here… no goodbye... no ‘I love you’… nothing.
I am sorry, Valera. This is my fault. If I hadn’t lost control…well you know. Julia almost sounded sympathetic and remorseful – almost. Valera heard a quick chuckle, and then Julia quipped, Welcome to Alcatraz!
What’s Alcatraz? Valera asked.
A human prison in Califor— . . . never mind, a bad place, Julia groaned.
Valera looked at her chains and huffed. Well, Alcatraz or not, this sucks!
Valera, you almost sound human! Theo chirped.
Oh, no, don’t even go there. Valera laughed. It’s pretty clear that I’m meant to stay in Aether. I didn’t do very well in the human world.
That’s the truth! Julia’s voice chimed in. Considering you nearly burned down Colorado, maybe it’s for the best that you’re locked up.
Funny, Julia. Valera yawned. Hey, how are we able to talk, but I can’t touch aether?
I’ve been trying to figure that out since we got put in here… so far, I have no idea, Julia grumbled. Oh well, I don’t know about you two, but I’m tired.
Valera lay on the floor and tried to get comfortable. The cold made her muscles sore and her bones ache. The metal cuffs were like ice blocks around her wrists. She tried in vain to soak in aether and feel the warmth that it brought. Whatever curse was on the cell made it impossible. She fell into an exhaustion-fueled trance, where she dreamt of the great white tundra. A familiar voice called out to her as it did most nights.
Daughter, release me… So much pain…
Then, a new image flickered in her mind. Danu showed her a united Aether, rejoicing that the goddess was free. Valera felt an overwhelming sense of peace and joy. In her dream, the sun rose above the horizon, blinding her eyes. A pain shot through her thigh.
“Wake up. Dr. Lawless wants to speak to you,” a white robe grumbled inside her cell.
The door was open, flooding the cell with light. Valera rubbed her face with her hands. The white robe grabbed her arms and pulled her to her feet. She shrugged out of his grasp. Taking a deep breath, the salty smell of aether washed over her like a wave of warm water.
“No need to be a jerk,” she griped, soaking all of the warmth from aether that she could.
A loud thud came from the hallway, and another white robe flew backward across the doorway. Valera smiled. They must be trying to wake Julia up as well. And, this guy thought Valera was grumpy in the morning. Ha! He left the room for a second, and Valera heard a ruckus. Purple sparks lit up the room. Theo. Valera stepped into the hall. With the aether overflowing within her, she heated up the chains around her wrists until the metal became pliable. They fell to the ground with a plop. White robes surrounded her, and she prepared to attack.
“Fascinating!” A man’s voice cooed behind her.
She swung around ready to fight, but the man held his hands in the air and smiled. He wasn’t a typical white robe. He wore a lab coat instead of the robes, and his greying hair stuck out in all directions. The white robes moved in around her.
“Stay back. I warn you,” Valera muttered.
“Enough, of this. Leave them be,” the man in the lab coat ordered.
The white robes backed away, but stayed close. Theo and Julia came to Valera’s side and stood facing opposite directions. Sparks crackled from Theo’s hands, and Julia’s fists turned white. The man seemed thoroughly intrigued.
“May I?” he asked, pointing
to Valera’s hands.
Valera looked at her wrists – nothing seemed remarkable to her. The man held his hand out palm up and stepped toward Valera. Julia nudged her side.
“Don’t trust these people,” she hissed. We should try to get out.
Theo retorted, And go where?
Oh, I don’t know… to release Danu like we planned, Julia snapped.
I want to release her and stop the nightmares as much as you do, Julia. But we don’t even know where the tomb is.
Valera smiled, remembering her dream.
What are you grinning at? Julia hissed.
Last night I dreamt that Danu united Aether. It felt wonderful, Valera sighed.
Listen, Theo groaned. I’ve heard of this guy before, he could help us. I think we should go along with it.
Why would we do that? Julia scoffed. We can’t trust him or anyone else in this place.
For one, he called off the guard. Valera held her hands out. “I guess.”
He held her forearms and examined both sides. Pulling a pair of thick spectacles over his eyes, he got a closer look. He grinned and released her.
“Absolutely, amazing!”
Valera frowned. “What?”
Thinking she had something on her, she checked her arms. There wasn’t anything on her skin.
“You didn’t burn! Not even a scorch… simply fascinating.”
Julia scowled at the man and took a step forward. The smile faded from his face, and he stepped back. Even he seemed afraid of her. With her fists high, she blocked him from Valera.
“Who are you?” she seethed.
His shoulders dropped, and he cleared his throat. “I am Doctor Ellwood Lawless, of course.”
“You study Danu,” Theo muttered.
You know him? Valera asked.
The man perked up, put a hand on his hip, and puffed out his chest. “Yes, you’ve heard of me then. I’m not surprised really, my exploits are known far and wide. Why even some among the human…”
He droned on, but Valera stopped listening.
Theo’s voice popped up in her brain. His apprentice was my “trainer” in Aetherland, while you two were gallivanting all over the world. That guy was annoying, but this guy could help us find the tomb’s location.
