by Brindi Quinn
“Ugh!” I let my disappointment show.
“Did he mean the exit is in this room?” asked Scardo.
“It would seem so,” said Nyte.
It was Ardette’s first encounter with the Spirit of In-between. He stared at Kantú, and his jaw twitched.
“Well, that was . . . uh . . . incredibly weird. So, your friend’s finally gone batty, has she?” He said, brushing a feather out of his hair. “I always knew she was a little off but . . .”
“Can it!” Grotts’ reaction was fierce. He rushed to Kantú and helped her sit up. She blinked around the room groggily.
That is when things started to get out of hand.
“An exit?!” All at once Rend threw her arms into the air. “Where is it then?!” She started frantically rushing about the room. “We need to get out of here!” Her voice came out in a crazed screech.
What the?
“Cousin, calm down.” Nyte ran to her and tried to sooth her, but it was no use; she clawed at his arms like some rabid animal.
“Hey! Where’s my chimbree?” Kantú turned on all fours and started digging fervently through the pile of feathers surrounding her. They flew into the air around her, masking her in a tumulus cloud of white.
You too? She really DID look batty, flouncing about like that.
Grotts let out a grunt and buried his face in his hands.
“Grotts?” I reached out to pat his back, shielding my face in my other hand from Kantú’s wildly flying feathers, but was quickly distracted by something way more disturbing.
Ardette had started to laugh at nothing. I looked at him with wide eyes, for he appeared quite insane, slumped against the wall, his head thrown back in wild laughter.
It was scary.
We were all near our breaking points.
“Miss Heart.” Scardo seemed to be one of the only sane ones left. “It told you to open it with fire. A song, maybe?” He eyed our companions warily.
“Yeah, probably. There is an ariando for fire . . . but what good would that do?” I looked around the room.
“We have to try something. You can put it out with water if it goes awry, correct?”
“That’s true.” I looked up at the light orb that had dimmed. “I don’t know if I have enough power left, though.”
Nyte, who was still wrestling Rend, looked over his shoulder at us.
“Use me,” he said.
‘Use!’ cried my veins. “Are you sure?”
He nodded and then released Rend, who fell to the floor, hugged her knees, and began rocking. Nyte ignored her and walked in front of me.
Is this it? I finally get to use it again? I was ashamed at the way I wanted to use him for the high, but I had to. I told myself it was for the good of the guard, but I knew – I knew how selfish I really was.
Nyte reached out his hands and stared down at me. I shivered and pushed my palms against his.
Composure. Composure.
I thought the words to myself, certain that I’d otherwise faint in ecstasy while glorious warm energy poured into me from his hands. I was finally getting to use the warmth I’d craved.
His spirit. I hungrily consumed it and started the song.
“Fire’s breath of efreet’s beak,
Within this space a havoc wreak.
Incineration born in holy ground,
A cleansing flame to here be found!”
Wind swirled around us, making the erratically acting guard stop their crazed behavior at the powerful scene. They all watched in wonderment as a flame lit and grew above our touching palms.
I pushed the flame into one hand, turning my palm up to balance it, but kept my other palm pressed into Nyte’s. I focused our energy and brought the flame against the wall, searching for some clue. Nyte entwined his fingers in mine, and I gasped at my speeding blood. The flame surged in response.
Composure. Composure.
I struggled to keep my nerves in check and focus my attention on the flame – which was hard to do with Nyte’s hand in mine. I didn’t want to bother with the flame; I wanted his warmth for myself, but I managed to resist the urge. I took a deep breath, and the flame died back down to a more manageable size.
I searched the wall frantically, not sure how much longer I’d be able to share his warmth without completely stealing it for myself.
You’re acting like a lunatic! Don’t take more than you need!
But it was hard to listen to my own scolding; I gave myself some, and the flame died a bit.
“Miss Heart, over here!” Scardo had joined in my search, and he now pointed to a small etching on the wall opposite the tunnel entrance. It was the only symbol in the room.
“What . . . does . . . it . . . say?” I fought to get the words out.
“I don’t know!” He let out a yelp. “Miss Heart, release it! You’re going to get hurt!”
I shook my head and pulled Nyte along with me over to the symbol. He followed, but his fingers fell limp in my grasp. I looked up at him, and let out a cry when I saw that there was a strange, vacant expression on his face. He stared back at me, but it was completely blank; his dark green eyes were now dull brown, lacking their usual spirited vibrancy. It was like he was a shell, entirely lifeless.
“Nyte!” I yelled. What’s it doing to you?
But the flame flickered and nearly went out when I shifted my concentration to him.
Ah! I’m sorry, but I have to keep going!
It was affecting him, but I had to bring the flame to Scardo before it died out, or it’d all be for nothing. Though my heart cried out for him, I couldn’t let myself abandon the task.
I pulled him along and struggled to concentrate. He mindlessly followed my lead, but it was killing me to see him like that. There was the wall, but the fire was dying again because I was worried about Nyte. It was no use.
I was about to let the song fall completely when, out of nowhere, Grotts grabbed my wrist in one of his massive hands and yanked me over to the symbol.
With my remaining strength, I threw my hand against the wall and pushed the flame into the symbol. It glowed orange and made a crackling sound as the energy seared through it. The etching cracked in two, and the wall split along with it. It crumbled to the ground, but I wasn’t worried about that.
Nyte.
I cut myself off from his warmth, and we collapsed together. I was weak. I could barely hold my own head up, but I patted his cheek feebly with my fingertips.
“Snap out of it,” I whispered, panting.
He didn’t respond. He just stared straight ahead. His eyes were still murky brown. I let my head fall into his chest, unable to hold it up any longer.
“What did you do to him, witch?!” shrieked Rend. She ran to us, seething, but Ardette jumped in front of her and held her back.
What did I do to you?
“I’m sorry,” I muttered. My words were barely audible as everything went black.
Chapter 18: The Crystals
Something was wet.
Is it raining?
Another cold drop hit my forehead and slid down my cheek.
Tears? Is someone crying?
“Aura. Wakey, wakey.”
It was Kantú.
“Are you crying?” I asked, still half-asleep.
“Crying?” She chittered. “No, silly.”
I opened my eyes as she flicked some more of the canteen’s water onto my face. I wiped it away and sat up. We were in our tent.
I groaned. It seemed I was always waking up in these situations.
“Don’t worry, you didn’t miss much!” she said, helping me to steady myself. “Right after you fell asleep we came out here and pitched our tents.”
“Out here?”
“The wall crumbled, and there was a hidden staircase!” She leaned in excitedly. “And the neatest part is that when we started up the steps the wall rose again behind us!”
“The wall?” I tried to remember what had happened. “Nyte!” I suddenly b
olted up and started out of the tent.
Kantú grabbed my ankle. “Wait, Aura! Your clothes!”
I looked down.
Oops.
“He’s okay, don’t worry.” She threw me my cloak.
I had to see for myself. I got dressed and rushed out of the tent.
“Where . . .” but I couldn’t finish the sentence; the surroundings were too breathtaking, too alien, for me to say anything more.
Am I dreaming?
The ground sparkled brilliantly. The terrain was rocky and mountainous, and everything was silvery white, covered in a light frosting of snow . . . but the air wasn’t cold; it was actually quite hot.
That’s strange . . . How had snow come to be under such circumstances? I reached down and felt the ground. It was rough under the warm ‘snow’.
“It’s not snow,” I muttered, picking up a handful of the fine dust that was more like white, sparkling sand.
“Nope! It’s crystals!” Kantú bounded out the tent behind me and wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Crystals?”
I looked closer. The crystal sand covered the ground, but there were also clear gems of varying sizes scattered about. I picked one up.
“It’s beautiful.” I held it in my hand and let it reflect the light from the morning sun.
“And look at that!” said Kantú, tugging on my hand.
I scanned the horizon.
“Are those . . . trees?” I asked.
She nodded. Indeed, translucent crystallized trees dotted the landscape. In place of leaves, icicle-like crystals dripped from their branches.
“Are they alive?”
She shrugged.
“This place . . .” I swiveled my head around, trying to take it all in. Everything glittered like some forbidden ice kingdom.
“Quite the reaction. It’s like watching a child discover rain for the first time,” said Ardette mockingly.
I whirled around. The rest of the guard was eating breakfast on the opposite side of the tent, and they were all watching my reaction between bites. The discovery of their audience immediately made me self-conscious.
“Can ya blame ‘er? Remember the first time you came ‘ere?” said Grotts, smirking at Ardette. “What was it ya said exactly?”
Ardette shot him a look of warning and said, “That’s quite enough, thank you very much. Point taken.”
Scardo let out a low, hissing laugh.
Just behind them was a pile of silvery metal pieces covered by the crystal sand. Strangely shaped and bent, they appeared to be parts to something, but it wasn’t like any ‘something’ I’d ever seen.
“What’s that?” I asked, eyes wide and forgetting my embarrassment.
Grotts and Scardo looked at Rend nervously. She scowled.
Sacred knowledge?
“Machines,” answered Ardette boredly, “from the time of you-know-what. Just old scrap metal now, really.”
Scardo winced at Ardette’s obvious lack of respect for the secrets of Yes’lech. Kantú looked at Grotts inquisitively, but he looked away and pretended he hadn’t noticed her gaze. She stuck out her bottom lip.
Machines? From the time of steamed mekanix?
I walked over to examine them but stopped halfway. I’d become so overcome with curiosity at the mystical Crystallands, that I’d forgotten to ask Nyte how he was . . . and to apologize for straining him with the song. I turned away from the machines and for the first time realized that Nyte wasn’t with the rest of the group.
“Nyte?” I checked again just to be sure that the stealthy Elf wasn’t hiding behind some rock or corner of tent. “Where is he!?”
“Ah, yes. Your boy. He fought a good fight, but in the end, he lost. We shall remember him with the fondest of-”
What!?
“Ardette!” Kantú walked over and hit him on the head. “Stop it!”
“You’ve grown quite feisty, haven’t you, little one. Just what I like.” He smiled at her, and his teeth reflected the morning sun almost as brightly as the surrounding crystals.
She giggled and swished her tail around the Daem’s neck. His charm had gotten to her yet again.
“He is in there,” said Rend quietly, gesturing to the other tent, “but do not bother-”
I didn’t wait for her to finish; I was too anxious to see for myself that Nyte was okay. Impulsive, I bolted into the tent and scanned its interior.
I found him lying in a mess of blankets. Was he awake?
Making my footsteps light, I carefully walked over, not wanting to disturb him if he was sleeping.
His mossy hair was disheveled, and his eyes were closed. I examined his sleeping face and smiled.
He looks so innocent. And then my eyes trailed lower. Oh! You’re-!
And my cheeks grew hot when I saw that he was shirtless, the only thing covering his tan chest a light sheet and the familiar pendant. I still couldn’t remember where I’d seen it before.
“Ah! Sorry!” I whispered too loudly. I turned to leave, embarrassed that I’d barged in, but –
“Wait,” he murmured.
“Oh!” I turned back to him. “You’re awake?”
He opened his eyes and smiled, and relief fell into me when I saw that his irises were once again deep green.
He was back to normal!
He sat up, and the blanket fell loosely around his waist.
“Ah!” I turned away again. It was too much. Too much! I was going to explode!
“What is it, Miss Havoc? Oh! I am sorry.” I heard him shuffle a bit. “There.”
I cautiously looked over my shoulder at him, afraid to see something I shouldn’t. But when my eyes fell on him again, I laughed. “You look like a toddler with a blanket.”
The white sheet was wrapped over his head and around his body. He clutched it shut in front of his chest with one hand.
“Does that look suit me?” he asked, grinning.
“Mmhm.” I nodded. “It’s kind of cute.” I said the words, not really considering that they were bold.
His eyes widened. “Cute?” He blushed and looked away.
Ah! Why did I say that?! Cute?! Recover, recover!
“Er, what happened? Are you all right?” I asked, trying to sound normal.
“Oh, that.” He brought his eyes back to mine, and his expression turned serious. “I . . . I blacked out.”
“You blacked out? Like you collapsed after I did?”
He shook his head. “The last thing I remember is the fire sparking above our hands.”
But that’d been when-!
“Your eyes! They were different then! They weren’t like they are now.” I examined his irises, growing a new appreciation for their liveliness. “They turned brown.”
“Brown? That is worrying.” He furrowed his brows.
A thought occurred to me. “Do you think those other times you blacked out were because of a songstress too?”
“It may be so.”
The Mystress herself?
“I don’t know what happened,” I said, ashamed. I did that to him. I caused him harm when he was just trying to help. And the worst part is . . . I liked it. I liked using his spirit. What’s wrong with me? I closed my eyes. “I am so, so sorry.” My voice was a whisper. “I didn’t mean for you to get hurt.”
“No!” The vigor in his voice made me snap my eyes open. Nyte shook his head. “Do not apologize. When you use my power I . . . like it.” He dropped his eyes shyly.
He likes it? My heart raced like he’d just told me an intimate secret. He likes it. Why does that make me feel so dizzy? That’s because . . .
“I do too,” I whispered.
His face lit up, and he grinned again. “You do?” The news had revitalized him.
I nodded. “But it also scares me.”
“I scare you?” He played offended, but his twinkling eyes gave him away.
“Not you, me. When I’m using your power, I get this feeling . . . like a hunger.”
/> “A hunger?”
“How do I put it? It’s like I want to . . . consume you; your spirit. All of it.” The words felt shameful, but I had to let him know, so I let them flow freely. It’d be better when it was all out. “It’s a struggle for me to let your power go to the song. My first instinct is to take it for myself.” I stared at the ground. “I really do sound like some evil witch, don’t I?”
“No, you do not.” He clutched the blanket tighter. “I do not mind . . . because it is you.” He looked away sheepishly. “I also feel I am partially to blame.”
“Hm? How so?”
“You have a hunger? Well, I fear I have been feeding you against your will.”
“Eh?! Feeding me?” What did that mean?
“Whenever I touch you, I get an impulse to transfer some of my power into you. At first I tried to resist it. When we captured you, I fought it, but some slipped through; and now it is too difficult, so I do it every time. This impulse is hard to explain. It does not happen with other people.”
He was giving me the warmth?
All that time, the warm sensation I’d felt whenever we touched was something he’d been consciously giving to me. Goosebumps rose on my neck.
“It might be because you are a songstress,” he continued, “or it might be because I . . . I . . .” He was thinking hard about something.
Say it.
“I-” But as he was about to finish his statement, he leaned forward, and the blanket slid down, again settling on his waist. Once again my eyes were drawn to the pendant.
I dropped to my knees beside him. “Where did you get this?” I asked, grabbing it in my hand and cutting off whatever it was he’d been about to say.
“What?” He looked surprised. “Elder Pietri gave it to me. Why?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“I was so certain . . .”
But our conversation went unfinished. Just then there was the sound of crumpling canvas, and the tent flooded with light. It was Rend. Apparently, she’d decided we’d been alone long enough, and she’d just thrown open the tent’s door-flap.
“How indecent! What do you think you are doing?” Furious rantings erupted from her mouth like deadly arrows whizzing through the air. I ducked to avoid their unseen poison.
