The Fire Eye Chosen_Sequel to The Fire Eye Refugee

by Samuel Gately

  “That’s not what I had in mind,” Enos protested.

  “Then change your mind, Enos.”

  Owen stepped up and grabbed Kay’s arm in a vicelike grip. He leaned in so close his beard nearly touched her cheek. “You do not speak to Enos Melor like that!”

  He turned to Enos to say something, but was interrupted when Kay seized his wrist. She twisted it sharply, feeling the strength she’d been gifted by the Fire Eye coursing through her. Owen fell to the floor with a yelp as Kay stood over him, holding him tightly in a wrist lock, pressure one hair short of snapping his wrist into pieces. Enos and the other Wrang were stunned, unmoving.

  Kay leaned in over the soldier, whose face was nearly pressed to the ground, and gave his wrist a tweak that caused him to let out an involuntary moan of pain. “Are we finished here?” she asked. She could feel a heat to her breath, a fire raging inside of her. There was a long, tense silence, before Owen nodded.

  Kay looked up as the other soldiers returned, releasing Owen. “All clear?” Without waiting for a nod, she turned back to the entrance. “Good. I’ve wasted enough time here. I need to get back to Yamar.”

  There was confusion as Enos hurried to catch up to her, leaving Owen to pull himself to his feet, quietly rubbing his pained wrist, face flushed with embarrassment.

  Enos was hustling next to Kay, his eyes wide. “Where are you going? We’ve got them. It’s over. You should—”

  “The sun hasn’t even set yet, Enos. This is the Night of Centuries. It’s barely begun. There are more weapons hidden in the shadows. Ewan’s killer is out there, laughing at us all. And the Gyudi still hold at least three of mine.” She gestured at the detained youth in the hall outside the library, who gave her a dark smile as she passed. “You heard him.” With his hair pulled back, she could see the gaping wound which had once held his left eye. “The darkness is coming.”

  Chapter 33. On the Palace Steps

  As she stepped back outside, Kay could again feel the power of the Fire Eye growing inside of her, smoldering like a flame. The crowds of people streaming towards the Palace for refuge were thicker than before, as was the black smoke now pressing in on all sides. Even the islands of high land had fallen into the black ocean. The hill the Palace sat atop was surrounded, and the smoke crawled up the streets, ever rising.

  There were still hundreds of buildings with upper floors above the smokeline. Many had flashing lights. It took Kay a moment, as she looked out on the sea of blinking lights, to recognize they were sending ma-lumens signals, trying desperately to communicate. She didn’t need a working knowledge of it to readily grasp what message those above the smokeline sent towards the Palace. Help us.

  “Kay!” Abi cried from the other side of the stream of people making their way into the Palace. She swiftly weaved through the crowd, her long skirts bunched up in one hand. “I’ve been worried sick,” she said when she reached Kay and folded her into a hug. “I was hoping you’d show up.”

  Kay returned her smile. “I was hoping you’d be here.” She never truly felt safe among the Dynasty crowd without Abi by her side.

  “Yamar’s over there.” Abi’s face showed concern. “Something’s wrong with him.”

  “I know, let’s go talk with him.” Kay allowed Abi to lead her back across the crowd, counting on Enos to follow with his soldiers, which he did.

  Yamar was sitting up, leaned heavily on one hand as a doctor cleaned the blood off the back of his head. He gave a look of relief to see Kay, which only deepened when he realized Enos was just behind her. Kay stepped aside, allowing Enos to sink to his knees next to the Wrang Captain, his deathsworn and mentor, and hug him.

  “I’m sorry to have left your side,” Enos said. “Kay had pressing business.”

  “She always seems to,” Yamar replied. He still looked awful, pale and weak, but managed a wan smile for his protégé.

  As the pair continued talking in a lower tone, Kay felt Abi’s eyes on her and turned. “What?”

  Abi smiled. “This is the first time I’ve seen you looking better. I was half expecting the next time I saw you, your entire body would be painted black and you’d be missing a leg.” When Kay smirked, Abi laughed. “I see you took my advice about easing up on the makeup.”

  “I’m glad you’re here.” Kay’s voice grew serious. “I’m going to need you tonight.”

  “Of course,” Abi said. “Whatever you need. I can get you up to at least the twenty-fifth floor. Whose ear are you looking for?”

  Kay stared at the rising ocean of black. The crowds filtering in behind her were tapering off. As the smoke rose, blanketing them in darkness, everyone was trapped where they were. When the smoke finally retreated, Kay guessed they would find thousands just around the Palace grounds, having been left blind with no other option than to sit and wait once they realized the smoke was neither fatal nor a precursor to fire.

  “I’m not looking for anyone’s ear,” she replied. “I’m after a few heads.” She found Devero Tower on the horizon. No lights shone forth from that particular structure, seeking help from the Palace. Her enemies patiently waited for the Dynasty to burn.

  Kay stepped forward to the bottom of the stairs. She stood at the front of the Palace crowd, facing the threatening head of the smoke crawling up the road. She looked out on the city, plotting her course, visualizing the path ahead. “I need Joah,” she said.

  “I’m here,” came a loud, clear voice from the crowd. Kay gave a sigh of relief as she turned to see Joah approaching. Jenna Weiss was with him, her parents and sister just behind her. “Sorry we’re late. It got dark early tonight.”

  As he took his place next to her, Kay slipped her arm around his waist, giving him a sideways hug. She glanced back at Jenna and smiled. “You are so getting a raise, Joah.”

  “About time,” he said. His smile slipped and Kay saw the weariness on his face. He held two knives, which quickly vanished as he looked around and realized he was carrying unlicensed blades in the presence of the Dynasty. But not before Kay saw they were both bloody.

  “Trouble on the way?”

  “The Chosen attacked Weiss manor. Most of the Wrang had already left. It was tough going for a while, but I don’t think Jyurik sent his finest.”

  “I worried they might.” Kay looked back again to Jenna and her family. “Thanks for keeping them safe.”

  Joah nodded, then went to introduce Jenna to Abi. Kay fell silent, staring out on what remained of the city. The black waterfalls were harder to see with the sky so dark, but they were still going strong. She estimated they had maybe two or three minutes before the smoke reached the Palace entryway.

  Kay turned back to the group. Jenna, standing nearest her, gave a shy smile. “I’m glad you’re safe,” Kay said.

  “Likewise,” Jenna said.

  Jenna’s parents stepped forward, grabbing their daughter’s arm and firing an offended look at Kay. “Come, Jenna, we need to get inside.” They had clearly decided to double-down on their anger with Kay and Bola went as far as spitting on the ground in her direction. They turned and nearly ran into Enos Melor. Both gave an audible gasp and immediately dropped into deep bows, faces red with embarrassment before the child ruler. Enos stood stiff and resplendent in his fine robes of Dynasty red, flanked by Wrang guards. He ignored everyone else, busy scowling at Joah.

  “Abi, Joah, wait here a moment, please,” Kay said. “And don’t let Jenna leave. I need something from Yamar.”

  Kay shuffled past the confused Weiss family and Enos. She climbed the stairs and stood next to Yamar. He was clinging to consciousness by a fingernail. “How are you?” Kay asked.

  “I can’t see.” He waved a hand in front of his face. “Sometimes I can, then I can’t.”

  “You need rest. And that will fade.” She thought of something the Pathfinders had said. “The darkness is coming, Yamar. Jyurik’s Night of Centuries. It may seem an eternity. But when it clears, you’ll find me with a fire waiting.”

/>   “I love you, Kay.”

  Kay winced a bit, wondering how many overheard that declaration. “You’re also hallucinating and out of your mind.”

  “I’ve loved you for years.”

  Kay was abruptly scared, scared in a way she hadn’t been since the snake had come for her and broken her arm. She didn’t know what to do with this sudden gift, this sudden burden. Oddly, the one she wanted comfort from the most was the very one who scared her so deeply. She could just lie down on the steps next to him. Let the darkness fall over them. Hold him until he could stand again.

  She was surprised at how tempting the thought was. It called to her, as the fire had called to her before she’d tamed it. The Palace would be safe. They wouldn’t have to watch Devero Tower burn. It could be someone else’s problem. Memories ran through her, thoughts of running into Yamar’s eyes in the tunnel, so close and piercing. His stance as he called out the Gyudi to face him. His back to her, feigning indifference, but even then she could have felt the love rolling off him in waves, a different kind of waterfall, a different blinding smoke. One she still hadn’t seen long after it had blanketed her. What did that say about her? And what of this feeling within her now? It was foolish to fall in love with someone simply because they love you, or think they do. Yet her gaze lingered, the memories trailed like her fingers on his bare arm.

  She leaned in close to his ear. “I can’t say that back to you, Yamar. But I’ll be thinking of you. You’ve been very brave. Be safe.” Kay kissed Yamar on the side of his head, then reached into the folds of his black garment and pulled out his Wrang badge. She stuck it in her pocket. “I’ll return this soon, my brave champion. And when this ends, you’ll find me with a fire waiting.”

  “Don’t go back out there,” he said, reaching for her sleeve.

  She gently caught his hand and lowered it to the cold stairs. “Your job is done. Enos is safe, for now. My charges are not. I’m still needed.” Kay stood, ignoring Enos’s eyes on her, and walked back towards Joah and Abi.

  The three formed a small circle and it felt as though they were alone, despite the passage of an increasingly frantic crowd. The smoke crawled ever closer. “Joah,” Kay said, “I need to go to Devero Tower. Will you come with me?”

  “You need to ask?” He touched the pockets on his black coat which hid blades.

  “No, I suppose I don’t. How many Chosen did you kill at the Weiss’s?”

  “Three. A fourth ran.”

  “Did any of them have a blackbird tattoo on their neck?”

  “I didn’t think to check. This is Marlo Lammet?”

  “Yes, he’s one of the Atoned. If we can, let’s try to get him home alive. He may have sacrificed an eye, and a good part of his sanity, but he’s still on our list.”

  As the rising smoke covered their boots with creeping black tendrils, the front of the Palace fell silent. The blinking lights of the buildings in the distance carried on, those remaining growing increasingly frantic as their brethren fell below the smoke. Behind them on the steps, the Weiss family and the Wrang were clearly eager to get inside. Yet none would move with Enos still alternating between staring at Kay and glaring at Joah.

  “I don’t think your boyfriend likes me,” Joah said quietly.

  Kay buried a smile. “He saw me leaving his fight with you. Remember? Night of the Opening? He thinks we’re an item. But take it easy on him. He’s been okay today.”

  “What about Yamar?” Joah asked. “He doesn’t look so good.”

  “He saved my life.” Kay stared at the advancing smoke. The air felt charged with energy. The silence was its own darkness. The crowd had surrendered to the idea that the darkness was coming. They were readying themselves to wait it out and hope for the sun to return. Kay was readying herself to enter it. She looked back at the Weiss family. “Will Jenna say yes if I ask her to come with us? I think we’ll need her.”

  Joah nodded slowly. Kay, seeing the reluctance on his face, said, “Don’t worry, we’ll keep her safe.” Kay called Jenna’s name loudly.

  Jenna saved Kay from testing her willingness by stepping forward and taking her hand. “Whatever you need.”

  “Absolutely not!” Mylor Weiss exclaimed, moving towards his daughter. “We’re going inside.”

  “Sorry,” Kay said. “I need her help. And I don’t work for you anymore. In fact, I never really did. I was working for her. Mina,” Kay said addressing Jenna’s sister, who stared on, worried, “I’ll keep your sister safe.”

  Mylor turned to Enos. “Surely, my Lord, you won’t allow this.”

  Enos ignored the sentiment though he ordinarily would have found outrage in the demanding wording. Owen Loric, who had returned to his side, shot a look of fury at Mylor. Enos’s voice was sad as he addressed Kay. “Where are you going? You won’t come into the Palace?”

  “I’m needed elsewhere, Enos. And you have to stay here and keep the Palace safe through this dark night.” Kay turned to Abi. “You too, Abi. I need you here.” She thought about the blinking lights over the ocean of black. “If everything works out, I’ll be sending a message. I need you to make sure it reaches the right ears.”

  “Kay, don’t go,” Enos pleaded.

  Owen was just at his shoulder. “Shall I stop her, my Lord?”

  “Don’t flatter yourself,” Kay replied, turning away from the Palace. She took Joah’s left hand and Jenna’s right and drew them beside her.

  “But you can’t go anywhere,” Enos protested, voice shrill, gesturing towards the thick wall of smoke which was practically on top of them at this point.

  “Watch me,” Kay replied, and led Joah and Jenna into the darkness.

  Chapter 34. To Devero Tower

  Within a few steps, Kay, Joah, and Jenna were completely enclosed in smoke. It felt surprisingly weightless. Each breathed normally. The smoke’s one and only effect was to render them blind to the world around them. Jyurik had managed to drag the darkest night down from the sky and spread it across Celest like a blanket.

  Kay stopped and drew the others around her. Time seemed to slow in the darkness after the blur of faces and voices from the Palace. But Kay had lost time in the black before. “We’ve got to hurry,” she said. “Are we far enough away from the Palace?”

  “Far enough for what?” Joah’s voice came from the darkness, just feet away. “Kay, we might as well be across the Sea of Colors. No one can see a thing.” There was a pause. “What exactly are you expecting us to be able to do in this smoke?”

  “Hunt,” Kay replied, raising a hand. She drove the smoke back from the trio, creating a pocket of clear air. The same trick she’d used to clear the trails of smoke from Jyurik as he’d attacked her during the Kallaha Test. It came far more easily now. It was still black as night in the small cave she’d made, but then she flipped her hand up and produced a flame. The black walls of their space lit with the orange glow of her spark. Joah grinned. Jenna gasped.

  “So we can see our feet,” Joah said. He looked around in a circle, doubting expression on his face. “Finding our way to Devero Tower will be impossible.”

  “You worry too much, Joah.” Kay turned to Jenna, whose face was pale as she stared at the hovering flame in Kay’s hand. “I owe you thanks, Jenna. Your bravery gave us a chance. You led us to them, exposed them with that single line of blue paint. Now that we’re above ground, though, we can follow a different line.” Kay motioned with her hand, summoning a set of flames as she had in the tunnels below. They took shape as another set of guiding lights, leading off into the black smoke away from the Palace. “Follow the path, Joah.”

  Joah gave her a curious look, then began walking down the hill, setting the line of flames to his right. Kay effortlessly shifted the pocket of clean air along with them as the women followed. It rolled along the cobblestones at their feet, bringing light to the lonely darkness. After they reached the bottom of the hill, Joah glanced back over his shoulder. “How long have you been hiding this one?”

/>   “Just a few hours, Joah. Just a few hours.” They carried on in silence. The streets were completely still, the only motion the shifting cloud of smoke around them and the flames dancing off of it. “You remember the Fire Creep, Joah?”

  “Shit.” Abruptly each of Joah’s hands held a knife. “He’s not here, is he?”

  “He’s dead, Joah. I killed him. You forget?”

  “I’m done taking anything for granted around you.” He kept his knives out as he began walking again.

  “Still dead, far as I know. And I know better than anyone.” She thought about the spark inside her, the one she’d taken from him to supplement her own. “You were there for the final fight, the night he took Enos. You remember how much stronger he was that night?”

  “I had my eyes on the third man. But the Fire Creep certainly gave the Pathfinders and the Wrang a lot of trouble for one man.”

  “I think I’ve got what he had. And I think it’s getting stronger.” She looked forward grimly. “Knowing what’s in front of us, we’re going to need every ounce of it.”

  Joah didn’t turn, but Kay could see his nod. As she watched his back, she closed her eyes for a moment, imagining Ewan walking beside them, the long stride he never lost to aging. There’d been a relentlessness to the way the Farrow policeman had walked. A sense of inevitability, such a commitment to his course you knew he couldn’t be swayed.

  The fire Kay held in her hand faltered a moment as a swell of grief passed over her. Ewan had died without any of them by his side. She wondered on Jyurik’s words. He’d said Ewan looked almost happy to die and be released from his burdens. The frustrating part was that she’d never know if it was true. She’d missed her chance to know more of Ewan. Any search for further clues would be Kay talking to a tombstone. Fucking Jyurik. He was out there somewhere. She’d get to him soon enough.