The Chronicles of Winterset: Oracle

by K. G. Reuss

  “You found me,” I whispered when I’d cried myself out. “Who are you, Calix?”

  “I am a Guardian, Ana. I am a Silent Sentry.”

  “What is a Silent Sentry?” I asked sniffling.

  “It’s one who possesses an immense amount of magic. It’s my job to guard, to stand watch. I had to find you. Winterset is falling apart. War is ravaging the land. Zaros is going nuts trying to find you because he, too, knows you’re alive. I wanted to get to you before he did,” Calix said, hugging me closer to him.

  “And the Nihilist?” I ventured, recalling the shadowy man from my visions.

  “He is one of the two. He is of Shadow,” Calix answered stiffly.

  “And me? Am I of Light?” I asked, a memory stirring in my mind from a time when I’d had too much to drink.

  “You are absolutely Light, Ana,” Calix answered, kissing my forehead.

  “If the shadow one is called a Nihilist, what am I called, if all of this is correct?”

  “The Oracle,” Calix said softly, looking down at me. “You are the foreseer, the one who will predict the tide of war, who will guide the king’s hand as he attacks his enemies. You are the bringer of life. Coupled with the Nihilist, the destroyer, the bringer of death, an undead army can be amassed that will be expendable. It will not matter how many are lost in battle because more can be pulled from the peaceful slumber of death. This is why Zaros needs the Oracle. Not only are you his sight, but you are also the key to the vast army he needs to overthrow the kingdoms of Winterset.”

  I shuddered at his words, my body trembling as I tried to come to terms with this new and very terrifying reality, confirmation of my dream. I was being pursued by many. This frightening new reality made me tremble and I felt my knees shake violently as I tried to rake in a deep breath.

  “Are you OK?” Calix asked gently as I wiped faintly at my brow.

  “I don’t know,” I murmured, feeling lightheaded. “I think I need to sit down.”

  Calix guided me to the sofa, where I sank down and closed my eyes.

  “Is he bad? The Nihilist?” I asked after a few moments of silence.

  “Why do you ask?” Calix asked carefully.

  “Because when I see him in my visions, he looks so sad. I don’t think he wants to be doing the Master’s bidding. I think it kills him inside.”

  “I don’t think he has a choice, and death and darkness are all he knows now,” Calix answered softly, pulling away from me. “I think he’s been doing the Master’s bidding for so long, he doesn’t know what is right and wrong anymore. So yes, he is bad, but only because it wasn’t his decision.”

  “That’s sad,” I said, sighing. “Do you think I can save him? Because I want to save him, Calix.”

  “Do you now?” Calix murmured. “It is only logical you would since you are his other half, the one he is destined to be with. You are not whole unless you are together. But know this, Ana, maybe he doesn’t want to be saved.”

  “Everyone wants to be saved,” I countered, sitting up and looking him in the eye. “And I’ll do it. I’ll save him if it’s the last thing I do. No one deserves to be controlled.”

  “Then we should probably start working on your abilities,” Calix said, smirking at me. Only this time, there was a sadness behind his eyes. “You can’t go fighting the bad guys without being able to wield your magic.”

  Chapter 29

  Calix filled me in on some other things as I sat with him on his couch that afternoon. He told me the Nihilist and the Oracle were able to control the four elements completely, but other Fae were also able to control the elements, though never all of them. He said he had the ability to control water and could make ice, but was unable to use wind, fire, and earth. His abilities made him an asset to his realm of Xanathar, which is why he was held in such a high prestige among his people. He told me how once the full power of the Oracle, me, was awakened on my eighteenth birthday, I would be able to come together with the Nihilist and we would be able to control a fifth element known as Void.

  When I asked what that was, he gave a low whistle and told me to imagine utter darkness with all the things I feared writhing inside it. That it was the place of death, the place where lost souls go when they die. I grimaced and didn’t question it anymore, hoping maybe I could save the Nihilist before we were united and forced into an eternity of servitude to the Master.

  “How do I bind to the Nihilist?” I questioned as I followed Calix to his front door.

  “What?”

  “You said on my eighteenth birthday I could come together with the Nihilist. What did that mean? How would I do that?”

  “It’s a sacrifice you have to make to him. You accept him as your other half. He will take care of the rest,” Calix said, not looking at me as he spoke, which made me think he knew more than he was letting on.

  “Yes, but how?”

  “You give yourself to him. He accepts you. There’s an exchange between the two. According to what I’ve studied regarding it, you don’t need to be willing in the exchange once you’ve accepted him.”

  “That’s not very helpful,” I grunted. “I just don’t want this guy to find me, bump into me in the grocery store, and bind himself to me.”

  “I’m pretty sure that’s not how it happens,” Calix said with a light chuckle.

  He opened his front door and then turned abruptly back to me.

  “Ana, those things last night, they weren’t good things; do you understand?”

  I nodded my head, knowing full well how bad they were and what they intended to do to me. I couldn’t bring myself to tell Calix about the vision I’d had of the king. There was so much I didn’t know or understand and yet, and something in the back of my head told me to keep my mouth shut at least until I had a chance to absorb it all.

  “I want you to be extra vigilant, and please, if you need to go anywhere, call me. I don’t want you to ever be alone again. We’re a team now, got it?”

  “Got it,” I replied. He turned away and I followed him out to his car and got in. When we got to my place, he walked me to my front door and looked down at me.

  “Be careful, OK? I’ll be here to pick you up at eight. I promise.”

  “OK,” I replied, looking up at him. I had the urge to kiss him, but I thought better of it, something still nagging at me in the back of my mind.

  “Oh, and Ana? Watch out for people you think you can trust. Not everyone is what they seem.”

  Calix walked away without another word, and I stood there watching him go, wondering if this was the beginning of the end for all of us as his words rang in my ears.

  Chapter 30

  I took a shower and then lay down on my bed, desperately wanting to fall asleep and wipe some of the exhaustion out of my mind. Now that I knew I wasn’t crazy, I had a lot more on my mind, like how to find the Nihilist and save him, myself, and the entire realm of Winterset and how to avoid those who wanted me dead.

  I grimaced as I dozed off, wondering how in the world I was going to pull off that feat.

  When I awoke, it was from a seemingly comfortable sleep, something I hadn’t enjoyed in a long time.

  I got up and saw I had a text from Mel.

  Are you sure you don’t want to ride with us tonight?

  I knew they had all pooled their money for a limo, and I frowned as I thought about the fun I’d be missing hanging out with Mel in it. Then I remembered Kellin, Courtney, and Sasha would also be there. That helped make my decision a lot easier.

  I’m sure! Thnx for asking!

  I went to my closet, pulled out the red silk dress, and stared at it for a moment before putting it on. It clung to my slender body in just the right way and I really felt beautiful in it. I sat down in front of my mirror and began the task of putting my makeup on.

  By the time I was done, I looked like I’d just stepped off a modeling runway, and I couldn’t help but smile at my reflection. I looked nothing like I typically did. I had swe
pt my hair half up and let the rest cascade in soft waves down my back, then I’d sprayed myself with some shimmer spray so my skin glistened beneath my bedroom light. I finally pulled on my high heels, put in the small teardrop earrings, and stood up.

  “Here we go,” I muttered, looking into my mirror.

  The doorbell rang at that moment, and I glanced at my clock. It said eight exactly. I had to smile at his punctuality.

  I walked from my bedroom, making sure to turn out the light. I went carefully down the stairs and saw Calix standing at the bottom, talking to my parents with a smile on his handsome face.

  He was dressed in all black, even his dress shirt. The only pop of color on him was his red tie. I could see the hint of his tattoo peeking up through the collar of his shirt and I felt a thrill of excitement course through me at the sight of him.

  He was gorgeous.

  My mom was staring at him with rapt attention and I knew she was appreciating how he looked. Even my dad seemed impressed.

  When they caught sight of me descending the stairs, they all drew in a collective breath, and the smile on Calix’s face broadened.

  “Wow,” he said as I stopped on the last step and he offered me his hand. “You look breathtaking, Ana.”

  “Thanks,” I said, blushing.

  “Honey, you look beautiful,” my mom said, teary-eyed. I smiled at her sadly, wondering if she had ever had any intention of telling me I was adopted. The thought made me sad.

  Calix squeezed me gently around my waist as the sadness flooded through me, and I knew he was sensing my emotions like he said he could.

  We smiled for my mom’s camera, and eventually, my parents let us leave the house. Calix escorted me to the car, where I slid in as he closed the door. When he got in, he turned to me and smiled.

  “Ready?”

  “Yes,” I said, forcing a smile.

  We pulled out of the driveway onto the road, and it wasn’t long before Calix began to talk.

  “Don’t let any of this bring you down, Ana. I know you’re sad about your parents, but remember, they love you,” he said, reaching over and squeezing my hand. I gazed down at his hand over mine and the beautiful corsage he had placed on my wrist at my parent’s.

  “Calix?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Did you want to go to homecoming with me because I’m more of a duty to you than … than someone you like?”

  Calix was quiet as he drove and he finally pulled over to a curb and put the car into park.

  “Ana,” he said gently, turning to face me. “I wanted to go to homecoming with you because I’m interested in you. I shouldn’t be, but I am.”

  “Really? Even though I’m some Oracle and destined to help destroy the world?”

  “Especially because of that. It makes you more interesting,” he said smiling at me. I nodded, accepting his answer, and he squeezed my hand again before putting the car into drive and heading to the school.

  When we arrived, Calix came around the side of the car and helped me out.

  “So I was thinking,” he said as I wound my arm through his.

  “What?”

  “Well, with the impending end of our world, maybe you and I should start practicing a bit. You know, get you in tune with your abilities so should anything happen, you will be able to properly defend yourself.”

  “Do you think something is going to happen?” I fretted, stopping and staring up at him.

  “I think anything is possible, and we should be prepared for it,” Calix said gently. I nodded, knowing exactly where he was coming from. He was right. And if I were being honest, I was a little curious to learn what I could and couldn’t do. I was really interested in seeing him in action again too, truthfully.

  We made our way into the beautifully decorated gym amid stares from our classmates.

  “Everyone is looking at us,” I whispered to him.

  “Let them,” he replied with a smile. I grinned back at him forgetting all about our troubles and wanting to enjoy this night with him.

  “Ana! You look amazing!” Mel greeted me with a hug.

  “Thanks,” I said hugging her back. “So do you!”

  “Let’s go dance!”

  Before I could reply, she had pulled me out to the dance floor. I laughed and joined her, forgetting about all my problems. We’d danced through at least four songs before I felt warm arms encircle me from behind. I didn’t need to guess who it was. His presence overwhelmed my senses.

  “May I have this dance, Princess?” Calix asked, his breath tickling my ear. I nodded as goose bumps flooded my skin.

  He pulled me close, and I relaxed against him as we moved slowly to the music.

  “This is my first high school dance,” he mused.

  “Don’t you have dances where you come from?” I asked, looking up at him.

  “Princess, we don’t even have cars where we,” he corrected me with raised eyebrows, “come from. We used to have dances, but the time for them has long passed what with all the warring. There is nothing left to celebrate.”

  I frowned, my heart aching for the people of Winterset.

  “You know when I said you were absolutely Light?” Calix asked after a moment.

  “Yeah?”

  “I meant every word of it, Ana. There is so much peace and goodness coming from you, your light blots out everyone in this room. It’s intoxicating. Don’t ever lose that, OK?”

  “I’ll try,” I whispered, staring up at him.

  “Promise me,” he urged. “Don’t lose yourself in the madness that lies before you. In the Darkness. If you become lost, even I won’t be able to save you.”

  “I promise,” I agreed, swallowing hard, wondering if I could hold out through it all.

  We danced through the remainder of the song in silence, the warmth of his body radiating through me. When it ended, he went to move away from me but I grabbed his hand and pulled him closer, not wanting him to leave.

  “What’s this?” he asked, a tiny smile on his lips.

  “One more?” I asked hopefully.

  “For you, anything,” he answered, and we danced through another song, this time, his strong arms wrapped tightly around me. When it ended this time, he kissed me tenderly on my forehead and walked away. Where he was off to, I had no idea, but he disappeared into the darkness.

  “Oh my God, Ana! Calix is so into you!” Mel said, coming to my side and squeezing my arm.

  “You think so?” I asked, turning to her.

  “Without a doubt!” she exclaimed. She grabbed my hand and I danced with her again. We were having fun; more than I thought I’d have. A slow song started again, and Chad weaseled his way between me and Mel so I stood awkwardly off to the side, wondering why Calix hadn’t returned.

  “Dance with me?” Kellin’s soft voice asked.

  My attention snapped to the side and I saw him standing beside me, his blond hair disheveled and his blue eyes sad. Sighing, I nodded and allowed him to steer me out to the dance floor.

  His hands slid down my waist as I placed mine on his chest. I secretly wondered if Courtney was nearby, waiting to scratch my eyes out.

  “You are simply breathtaking tonight, Ana,” he sighed, his eyes drinking me in.

  “Thank you,” I murmured.

  “Are you having fun?” he asked, looking down at me.

  “Yes,” I answered. “Are you?”

  “No,” he replied. “It’s been hell, actually.”

  “What do you mean? Is your date that bad?”

  “Of course she is,” he remarked. “She’s not you.”

  “Kellin—” I started, but he shushed me.

  “Listen, Ana. I screwed things up between us. I know that. You may not ever want to be my friend again, and I guess I deserve that after what I did. I just want you to know I’m here for you. There’s a lot going on that I want to tell you, but can’t. It’s important for you to know I’ll never hurt you again if you just give me another chance. I kno
w you like this Calix guy,” he said desperately. “But please, Ana, reconsider. Please. I don’t beg, but I’m begging you. Come with me. Choose me! I will keep you safe and make you happy. I swear it.”

  “Kellin, if you’d have said this to me only a few weeks ago, things may have been different. Now you’re saying these things to me after leaving me in the middle of nowhere and while your girlfriend watches us from across the room. You don’t see anything wrong with that picture?”

  “You’re right. I’m an ass,” he sighed. “But I can fix it. I don’t like Courtney, Ana. Honestly, I’ve never liked her.”

  “Then why be with her?” I asked, bewildered.

  “Because I was afraid to be with you,” he replied painfully. “Because I didn’t want you to hate me. If I could tell you everything, it would make this so much easier. Then you’d understand.”

  “I won’t be around forever, Kellin,” I stated sadly, knowing that at any moment, I’d be embarking on my journey to save a world I barely knew anything about, to save some man I felt drawn to in a vision, or if my visions were correct, running for my life because some kingdom wanted me dead.

  “What does that mean? What are you talking about?” he pressed, pulling me closer to him.

  “It means there are things happening outside of here that need my attention, and I have no choice but to do as I’m asked,” I replied, not sure how to word it so I wasn’t saying things to him that I shouldn’t.

  “Asked or commanded?” he demanded, stopping our dance. I looked up at him, confused, and then it dawned on me. He’d said some really odd things to me over the past few weeks. And at the party last night, he’d called Calix a Xanatharian. I’d been so caught up in everything, I’d failed to remember it, but now that I was standing there facing him, I was almost certain he knew more than he let on.