Eternal

by Grant, Alasdair

  Why did that thought pop into my head? I lean against my locker and rub my eyes, still not sure if these feelings for him are my own.

  Twenty-six, twenty-two, fourteen. I work my locker combination and lift the handle. When the door opens, something falls out and flutters to my feet.

  Glossy photographs. These aren’t mine. Who put them here? I gather the three photos off the floor and curiously examine them.

  When I see the first picture, my heart stops.

  It’s an image of me stepping off the school bus.

  I quickly shuffle through the remaining pictures. Lily in her hospital bed. A snapshot of Mom, unlocking her car door in the university parking lot.

  “Is that your Mom? You look just like her.”

  Derek staggers backward as I spin in one of the Wind Dance movements, striking him squarely in the jaw.

  “Ow.”

  “Oh! Oh! I’m so sorry!”

  “It’s all right.” He grasps his jaw and gingerly moves it from side to side. “I shouldn’t talk over people’s shoulders like that.”

  We move a few steps apart and stare awkwardly at each other.

  “You must have been practicing those kung fu moves,” he says.

  I’m not sure how to react until he grins.

  “Speaking of which…,” he says. He holds up my library book. “You left this in the Quad yesterday.”

  “I…I forgot about that. Thank you.”

  I quickly take the book and put it in my locker.

  “So that’s your mom?”

  I stare at the picture which is now half-crumpled in my right hand.

  “Yes.”

  “You have her eyes. She’s very pretty. Like you.”

  I feel a warm blush rush to my face.

  “Some people think we look alike,” I mumble.

  “You do. You could be twin sisters if she were younger. Anyway…” Now he’s looking embarrassed. “I just thought you’d want that book back. Library fines are a pain. You probably don’t want any of those.”

  “No. Definitely not those. Thanks again.”

  Derek nods, hesitates a moment. My heart beats a strange rhythm in my chest.

  “I almost forgot,” he says. “I didn’t just come over here to return your book. I, uh… Well… Yesterday, you know how you left early?”

  I nod. How could I forget?

  “Well, um, Mr. Carlson assigned partner reports in World History. I hope you don’t mind, but I volunteered to be your partner.”

  There it is again—the strange rhythm in my chest.

  “That…would be great.” I allow myself a self-conscious smile. “When’s the report due?”

  “Monday.”

  Monday? I’ll be gone the whole weekend for Yeye’s funeral.

  “There’s a problem,” I say. “My great-grandfather just died. Our plane leaves tonight, and we’ll be out of town until sometime Sunday afternoon.”

  “I can meet Sunday. If that works for you.”

  “I… Sure. That would probably be okay.”

  “Do you have a cell number? So I can text or call you?”

  I get a scrap of paper from my locker and write it down.

  “Super! You’re sure you don’t mind having me for a partner? Because if you do…”

  “It’s no problem. Thanks for choosing me.”

  We stare nervously at each other for several moments, unsure about what to say next. Derek speaks first.

  “I should…let you put your stuff away. I’ll see you in chemistry.”

  “Yeah. See you there.”

  I don’t remember the pictures until he’s turned and walked twenty feet away. The warm, dizzy sensation I was feeling drains out of me, cold dread flooding back.

  I stare at the pictures again. He’s sending me a message. The Eternal Emperor wants me to know he owns Harold Chin’s mind. He’s watching me and the people I love. He can hurt any of us anywhere, anyplace, anytime.

  “Not if I get you first,” I whisper.

  And I will. Somehow. He wants Jade and me to be the girls from his stupid prophecy? Fine! I’ll make Anqi Sheng’s prediction come true!

  FORTY-SIX

  四十六

  JENNA

  Usually Lily’s mom would offer me a ride home, but she’s sitting in the hospital with Lily so I take the bus again. I feel safe enough on the bus surrounded by gossiping girls and obnoxious boys, but I’m the only one who gets off at my stop. The neighborhood feels uncomfortably abandoned today. The only noise on the street comes from the school bus with its grinding gears and hissing hydraulics. Even that fades as it rumbles out of sight.

  This is where I was standing when he took that picture. But it can’t be too recently because I haven’t come home on the bus since the day I gave Lily her blue cheongsam with the straw hat. I nervously unzip my bag and pull out the photos. That’s exactly when he took the picture. I see Lily’s sneakered foot stepping out of the bus behind me.

  But the other pictures aren’t that old. The one of Lily could have been taken yesterday. I shiver when I think of him being in the same room with her. What if he goes back and turns off her oxygen? What if he does something even worse?

  I feel frightened and frustrated and angry. I want to make him suffer the way he’s made me suffer. I’ve never felt this way toward anybody. It’s wrong to long for vengeance, but I can’t seem to stop myself.

  It’s one block from the bus stop to my house, but today it feels like a ten mile hike. The entire time I’m walking, the back of my neck prickles. My eyes dart side to side, searching for danger. Halfway home a bird flits over my head, and I jump sideways and jam my ribs against a parked car’s mirror. I’m still hurting when I unlock the front door, but I’m so relieved to be safely home I quickly forget the pain.

  After locking the deadbolt and security chain, I lean against the door to catch my breath. Mom won’t be home for at least another two hours, so if the Emperor wants to come for me, now’s the time.

  “Stop thinking that way!” I chastise myself. I throw my textbooks on the kitchen counter and go to my bedroom. Mom will want to know I’m here, and, almost on cue, my phone chimes to announce her text.

  Are you home? Are you safe?

  Yes, I answer.

  Don’t answer the door, and don’t answer the phone unless you know the person who’s calling. Text me or call me if there are any problems!

  Only Mom sends perfectly spelled text messages with proper capitalization and punctuation. I swear she was an English teacher in a former life.

  Okay, I text back. Luv you!

  I love you, too.

  I flop down on my bed. There’s something hard under the pillow, so I sit up to look under it. A bar of light falls through the partially closed window blinds, reflecting off something smooth and metallic. I cry out and flinch away from the crossed kitchen blades.

  I never had a chance to return them to their drawer. The last time I touched them was to wad them in the bedspread and hide them in the closet. Something catches in my chest. I’m not sure if it’s a scream or a hysterical laugh. Terror squeezes my heart until a different emotion breaks loose.

  “Leave me alone!” I shout. I take a breath, snatch up both knives, and lick my dry lips. “Do you hear me? Stay away from me and my mom, or…or…I swear I’ll find a way to kill you!”

  After this outburst, my throat constricts again. I hear my pulse roaring in my ears, but the house itself remains uncomfortably silent. He’s trying to terrorize me again—trying to make me feel like even my own home isn’t safe. His plan is working beautifully.

  But I can’t allow him a psychological victory. I won’t let him win! I’m going to remain calm and form a plan. I take a slow, deep breath to clear my mind, and I get to my feet. The first thing I need to do is make sure he isn’t still lurking somewhere in the house. Clutching the knives tightly against my chest, I cautiously search my bedroom.

  There’s no one under the bed or in the closet. He
’s not hiding here. I just hope he’s hard of hearing, because my thundering heartbeats and shuddering breaths seem to shake the house. Even the carpet’s fibers are traitorously whispering under my feet. I might as well be riding a stampeding buffalo.

  I work my way from one end of the house to the other. He isn’t in the bathroom, Mom’s bedroom, or any of the closets. The kitchen and living room check out, and the garage is clear. I return to my bedroom, shaking, and curl up in my purple beanbag chair. So much for remaining calm.

  He’s made it perfectly clear he can kidnap and torture me whenever he wants, so why hasn’t he already done it? I can only think of two reasons, and I don’t like either one. The Eternal Emperor is either a twisted sadist or he’s waiting for something. I don’t know which answer frightens me most.

  I wish Anqi Sheng and Xu Fu could be here now. They’re the ones who started this thing. Them, their Five Amplitudes, and that stupid prophecy! I’d have a few choice words for each of them if they were here to listen.

  Xu Fu. An electric tingle prickles my flesh. Of course! Why didn’t I think of it sooner?

  The codex in Master Ning’s library. The old book in Yeye’s apartment. The prophecy could save Jade and me, and the Fifth Amplitude can save Lily. Xu Fu knew both of these secrets. Maybe he said something about them in his writings.

  I have to find out. I have to get that book ASAP. Either I do or Jade does. One way or the other, we’re running out of time.

  I pace around the room, agitated and excited. Mom and I are leaving for Yeye’s funeral tonight. If I can get her to take me to Yeye’s apartment, I can have the book by Saturday afternoon.

  But will Jade and I last that long? Can Lily last? Every second that ticks by pushes her a little deeper into Death’s cold grasp. If I don’t weaken that grasp before it becomes unbreakable, she’ll join Yeye in eternal sleep.

  Sleep. I need to take a nap. If I go to Jade’s world now, she can read the book. She knows how important this is. She has to do it. She owes it to Lily and me.

  I feel a quick stab of shame. It’s wrong to lay a guilt trip on Jade when she’s already beating herself up about this, but I don’t take the hurtful thoughts back. Lily’s existence is at stake.

  “The codex,” I whisper. “It holds the answers. Go to Master Ning’s library. Read it, Jade.”

  FORTY-SEVEN

  四十七

  JADE

  I want to help Jenna and her Lily. I really do. But the bathing hall attack has made a trip to Master Ning’s library next to impossible. My Lily now refuses to let me out of her sight.

  If I told Lily what I want to do and why, she would accompany in a heartbeat, but too many people have already been hurt or endangered by my decisions. If I take this risk, I have to take it alone.

  Lily, meditating beside me, makes an exasperated sound.

  “Is something wrong, Student Lily?”

  I open my eyes. Lily and Mistress Song are staring at each other.

  “We’ve spent two entire classes practicing meditation,” Lily answers. “And several hours meditating on our own time. I have a candle’s image burned into the backs of my eyelids. I know meditation is important. I know we need it to strengthen our amplitudes, but isn’t there anything practical you can teach us at this stage?”

  I hold my breath and wait tensely for Mistress Song’s terse response. Luckily for Lily, Mistress Song is the most patient teacher at the academy.

  “What do you consider as being practical?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe something to be used against the Eternal Emperor. Something we could use against any enemy.”

  “Such as controlling another person’s mind?”

  Lily looks uncomfortable. “Yes. I suppose that would be a start.”

  “And you think there are quicker ways to achieve such skills.”

  It’s a statement, not a question. Almost a gentle challenge.

  “All I’m trying to say,” Lily hurriedly replies, “is Jade and I have been practicing meditation since before we came to the academy. Boys our age are already learning mind control and telekinesis. I’m pretty sure we’re both ready to move on.”

  Mistress Song moves off her pillow and seats herself in the lotus position.

  “Please observe.”

  Lily and I exchange nervous glances. Mistress Song doesn’t explain what we’re supposed to observe. Rather, she closes her eyes in meditation.

  Lily frowns. I squirm uncomfortably. Then I notice something odd. Water is appearing out of nowhere, pooling in Mistress Song’s cupped hands.

  It slowly fills her palms, spills over her fingers, and spreads across the floor toward our knees. We back away from it.

  “Touch it,” our teacher commands.

  I hold back, but Lily tentatively dips her finger and watches in amazement as moisture drips from her fingertips.

  “What does it feel like?”

  “Cold,” Lily answers. “Cold and wet.”

  “Are you certain of that?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Suddenly the water bursts into flame.

  Lily yelps and frantically attempts to shake it off her fingers. Flaming beads bounce across the floor. Mistress Song’s hands are now wreathed in fire.

  “The Second Amplitude is powerfully suggestive,” Mistress Song says, opening her eyes.

  The liquid spilling from her hands has become lamp oil. It encircles all three of us, enclosing us in a wall of fire.

  “It can deceive more than your eyes. It can overcome the senses and affect your body’s physical responses.”

  The flames and the oil vanish. Lily holds her fingers and we both stare in horror as painful blisters form on them.

  “Any second-rate practitioner can use amplitudes to visually distort reality,” Mistress Song says. “If you wish to conjure spiders and yellow snakes, that skill can be accomplished in a few short weeks. But if you intend to stand against the Eternal Emperor and survive, you’ll need skills that only a select few students have the aptitude and patience to master. Perhaps I’ve misjudged what you’re capable of.”

  Her quiet chastisement seems to sting Lily more than the blisters. She stares at the floor, shame-faced. Then she shakes her injured hand, prods one of the watery bubbles on her fingertips and winces.

  “These are real,” she whispers. “Normal illusions don’t do this.”

  “I’ve never been accused of generating normal illusions.”

  “How is it possible?” Lily asks. “Will you tell us?”

  “High-level Second Amplitude illusions deceive more than your sense of sight. If the sensory stimuli are powerful enough, the body’s cells can be deceived into reacting the way they would to the real thing.”

  Lily stares at the blisters again, fascinated.

  “I apologize for that,” Mistress Song says, her voice softening. “I would have reduced the force of my amplitudes had I known yours were so sensitive. Usually it takes many years of training before amplitude reception is as highly developed as yours seems to be.”

  Lily self-consciously lowers her head again, perhaps not sure how to accept this compliment.

  “Come with me,” Mistress Song tells her. “Tonight’s lesson is over. I have some ointment and bandages by the wash basins.”

  Class is dismissed. I edge toward the exit, and neither Lily nor Mistress Song notices me as I make a split second decision and slip out of the pagoda. I’m already fabricating my story as I shut the door quietly behind me. I’ll tell Lily I had to get to a lavatory and couldn’t wait until Mistress Song finished bandaging her fingers. If I hurry, I can get in and out of Master Ning’s library and be back to the dormitory before Lily starts searching for me.

  The campus seems darker than usual, and the High Master’s pagoda looks threatening. Its windows are as dark as the Emperor’s soulless eyes. I shudder at the unfortunate comparison. I almost reconsider my brash plan until an image of Jenna’s Lily in her hospital bed reminds me why I h
ave to do this.

  The kitchen door is the Pagoda of Reason’s least exposed point of entry. Night’s shadows linger darker there. The other advantage is it’s only visible from the Pagoda of Sublime Enlightenment.

  I think about the placement of the other four pagodas. I didn’t realize it until now, but all five kneel in a pentagonal shape around the High Master’s central pagoda. Five pagodas. Five points of a star. Like the five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. It’s no accident. The campus was planned this way, but I have the funny feeling I’ve seen this particular arrangement somewhere else as well.

  I’ll have to think about that later. Right now I need to concentrate on getting the book. Fingers trembling, I reach under my inner sash and remove one of the two tessen. I wince at the abrasive sound of splintering wood as the fan’s sharp blade splits the door’s painted frame.

  Did anyone else hear it? I crouch against the wall, scanning the curving paths and sloping lawns. I half expect Lily and Mistress Song to step out of the Pagoda of Sublime Enlightment to investigate the noise, but the night remains silent except for my frightened breathing.

  Tucking the tessen back into my sash, I turn and carefully pull the splintered door pieces apart. There will be no hiding what I’ve done from any close inspection, but if I wedge the door shut when I leave, days might go by before anyone comes near enough to notice.

  I swing the door outward, hesitant to step inside. The pagoda’s dark interior threatens to swallow me.

  “Be brave,” I whisper. “Be brave for Jenna’s Lily.”

  Mistress Yi escorted Lily and me out this door the night the dream hunters arrived, and I remember seeing a match holder and small lantern on the counter to my right. I force myself farther into the darkness, find the matches, and fumble with them until I’ve lit the lantern’s kerosene-soaked wick. The kitchen fills with bright illumination, and I hastily dampen the glow.