Into the Dark (The Conjurors)

by Kristen Pham

  “Chern?” Kanti said with disbelief. “I didn’t even know he had a power.”

  Yes, he can bend the laws of physics. I sense much power in him. I wonder if he has any idea how much, Azra added thoughtfully.

  In the distance, Valerie heard the sound of bells that seemed to be moving closer. Come, it is time for the ceremony to begin.

  They left the tent and saw Conjurors walking down the street in a long line. Most wore the long robes of the Oracle, but some, like Azra, were Conjurors from other cities who had sensed Pythia’s passing and had come for the funeral.

  At the front of the procession, six Oracles, each wearing a different color robe, held a platform that held Pythia’s body. Sibyl fluttered above her mother, her face now calm. She saw Azra, and she nodded to her. Azra returned the greeting, and Valerie saw tears standing in her eyes. The procession reached the pool, where light from torches flickered on the water. The platform was placed on the pool, and Azra moved closer, her hooves making no sound. Valerie and her friends followed.

  Azra made her way through the crowd and, as she did, her words filled the minds of everyone who had gathered to say goodbye to Pythia.

  Pythia was my oldest friend. She was by my side when we first imagined this world. Her sense of honor and capacity to love have been my inspiration, and I often think of her when I make difficult choices. She was a powerful, wonderful person who valued integrity above all.

  She accomplished so much in her life. But the memory that is closest to my heart has nothing to do with her power as an Oracle. When we first came to this world, my husband died. I lost the love of my life, and also became the last of my kind, with no chance of ever having a child of my own. Pythia stayed with me for many years as I worked through my grief. She helped me to see that devoting my life to shaping the Globe would give me purpose and be my legacy when I die. Without her love and guidance, I don’t think I could have survived. I will carry her memory in my heart forever.

  When Azra had finished, one of the Oracles who had held Pythia’s platform began to speak, telling a story about how Pythia had comforted her when she first came to the Roaming City as a novice. One after another, the Conjurors shared stories about Pythia, some profound, some funny, all showing what a loving and ethical person she was. It was many hours later when the last person shared her story. Then quiet fell over the group.

  After a long pause, Sibyl spoke. “My mother was ready to leave. She had taught us all she knew about prophesying, and she left us with her code of honor to guide us in our future. We honor her memory by keeping that code alive.” Then she fluttered over to her mother and kissed her softly on the cheek. “Farewell, dear mother.”

  The crowd began to hum softly, and Valerie felt herself join in. The platform holding Pythia began to rise higher and higher in the sky. When it reached the top of the pillars, it paused for a moment. Valerie felt the tears in her eyes spill over.

  She looked up, and the twinkling stars seemed to welcome Pythia. She was leaving the Globe, but her journey wasn’t over. And then, Valerie let her go. The platform vanished.

  To her surprise, Valerie was able to sleep that night. She woke up the next morning feeling emotionally exhausted, but without the despair of the day before that had made her feel so hollow inside.

  Kanti was still sleeping, so Valerie left the tent as quietly as possible. Outside, Cyrus was watching the sunrise. She sat beside him. After a long moment, he spoke.

  “You said yesterday to Azra that you drive everyone away. But that’s not true. You never drove me away, and there is nothing you could ever do to make me stop being your friend. I thought you knew that.”

  “But I did drive you away, by not believing in you. Even at the hospital, I thought you were imaginary and told you to leave me alone. It’s my fault that we weren’t friends for all those years.”

  “I didn’t leave because of anything you did wrong. I left because I had to. There is a guild rule about when human children can no longer see their imaginary friends. Otherwise the child might be perceived as mentally unbalanced. Do you know how heartbreaking it was to leave you? You called for me all the time. I would have broken the rule and visited you anyway, but they threatened to take the charm that protected you. Then I could never have visited you again.”

  Valerie listened intently, and she had the strangest feeling in her chest, like her heart was expanding. Cyrus hadn’t abandoned her after all, like all of those foster parents who had promised that they would come to see her but, after a visit or two, had disappeared from her life. He had always been her friend, even though she hadn’t known he was there.

  “I really missed you,” Valerie murmured.

  “Me too. That’s why I used to visit you in your dreams sometimes, and we’d go on adventures, like the old days.”

  “No wonder those dreams always felt so real!”

  A shadow flickered on the sand, and Valerie saw that Sibyl was approaching them with Azra by her side. She carried something in her arms. “I hope I’m not interrupting,” she said hesitantly.

  “No, of course not,” Valerie said, and she felt some of her guilt return. “I-I’m so sorry for what happened.”

  But Sibyl shook her head. “It wasn’t your fault. It was her time to leave us. Anyway, I brought you this.”

  Sibyl unrolled a scroll that she was carrying. Written in beautiful calligraphy was the prophecy that Pythia had delivered to Valerie. The words were written in gold, and the edges of the scroll were decorated with pictures.

  Valerie realized that she hadn’t thought about the life-changing knowledge that she had learned the day before at all since Pythia’s death. Remembering that somewhere out there, a piece of her family was still alive, warmed her heart.

  “Oh Sibyl, thank you.”

  “What will happen here, now that she’s gone?” Kanti asked, stepping quietly out of the tent.

  Sibyl sighed. “A new leader will be elected. I hoped for a period of mourning, but Putrefus is campaigning already.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Kanti snorted in disgust. Valerie shook her head.

  “He is very gifted in prophesying. Maybe he would be the best leader. But everyone will have a chance to weigh in. We have many choices before us. I believe the days ahead will be very busy, between prophesying for our visitors and selecting a new leader.”

  “Good luck,” Valerie said, and she reached out to squeeze Sibyl’s hand. But Sibyl pulled her into a hug, whispering, “You are not to blame. I am grateful to you.” Then she released her and said, “I have a feeling I will see you three again.”

  “Well, you are an Oracle, so if you have that feeling, I’m guessing we’ll see you soon,” Cyrus quipped.

  Chapter Twelve

  Kanti breathed a sigh of relief when Azra told them of a quicker way back to Silva - one which didn't require the use of the Arden rollercoaster system. Azra led Valerie, Cyrus and Kanti into the desert, and no sooner had they left the outer boundaries of the Roaming City than it disappeared behind them. Valerie glanced over her shoulder for one last look at the city that had changed her life, and it had vanished. She wondered if she would ever return.

  After walking a short distance, they reached a place where a rectangular patch of air, about the size of a door, flickered. It looked strangely out of place against the monotonous sand and sky that stretched as far as they could see. When they drew closer, Valerie could see through the flickering door into what looked like the blurry inside of a room with stone walls.

  Azra stepped confidently through the door, and Cyrus and Kanti followed her as if crossing through a place where space had been bent was the most natural thing in the world. But Valerie paused before stepping through. Was there any chance that she could get caught in there, trapped between two places? It was too late to ask Azra now.

  “Come on, Val!” Cyrus called through the window, his voice sounding muffled.

  Valerie held her breath and stepped through. For a mome
nt, she felt as if she was being pulled in two directions at once, and her vision swam. But seconds later she stepped into a room with vaulted ceilings and walls were adorned with maps of the Globe.

  The tension left Valerie’s muscles as she realized that she made it through safely. Azra noticed, and her eyes became apologetic. I should have explained to you that this was the door Chern created for me so that I could travel to the Roaming City so quickly. It must have been rather nerve-wracking to step through without any warning. But you are safe in my office now, so you can relax.

  “I’m sure it’s completely safe,” Valerie said as her eyes adjusted to the room. She noticed that in addition to Azra, Cyrus and Kanti, Chern also stood behind the desk, gnawing at his fingernails and looking even more anxious than he had when she first met him in the Contego guild.

  “Well, that’s not precisely true. There’s always a chance that the threshold will collapse on itself with someone inside. The person would literally be torn to pieces,” Chern said.

  Valerie felt her stomach flip and decided she was glad that she hadn’t learned that piece of information until it was too late.

  One-in-a-billion chance of that happening, though, Azra added. It’s one of the safest ways to travel, though Chern here is the only living Conjuror who has the ability to bend space. Chern blushed at the compliment.

  Still, Valerie hoped she would never have to travel that way again, especially since Chern was the one bending space. He was so shaky that he might accidentally make a wrong movement and trap her inside. He clapped his hands, and the flickering window disappeared with a loud crack that startled everyone, including himself. Valerie couldn’t help grinning – she had never met anyone so jumpy.

  Thank you for your help, Chern. I will not soon forget it.

  He bowed low to Azra. “Always at your service.” Then he hesitated, adding, “However, helping you may make me a target to the Fractus. In fact, they could be on their way to my house now.” Valerie noticed that his hands started to quiver from fear.

  I will call one of the Round Table Knights to guard you until we are certain that you are safe, Azra promised. Then she turned to Valerie and her friends. Now, you three had better return to your dorm. Dulcea was frantic when she discovered your note. You should let her know that you’re safe as soon as possible. We will talk about what you learned in the Roaming City when you have had a chance to rest and I return from a trip to see a friend who may have some of the answers that we seek.

  Valerie saw Azra glance at Chern, and for a moment she sensed that Azra didn’t want to speak of what had happened in his presence. It made sense, Valerie reasoned, because Chern might let something important slip in a moment of panic and the wrong person could overhear. So she repressed all of her burning questions for Azra about the prophecy for now, but she hoped she wouldn’t have to wait much longer.

  Valerie, Cyrus and Kanti trudged back to the dorm, exhausted from everything that they had been through and dreading Dulcea’s scolding.

  “The real question is, what do we do now?” Valerie asked, as much to herself as to her friends. “Waiting around for Azra to get back is not going to help Henry.”

  “I’m outta ideas,” Cyrus sighed. “That’s the problem with prophecies. They’re never straightforward. For once, how about a simple ‘Henry’s living at 222 First Street, Oakland, California’?”

  “I still can’t believe he’s your brother!” Kanti exclaimed.

  Hearing Kanti call Henry her brother brought the joy of the discovery rushing back to Valerie's heart – she really had a brother, joined to her by DNA. She felt almost dazed by the news. “For so long, I’ve thought I’d never have a family. Now I have a brother! I wonder if he’s older or younger than me.”

  A strange look passed over Kanti’s face. “I wonder…Valerie, when’s your birthday?”

  “April 5, why?”

  Kanti turned pale, and her eyes filled with a strange glitter. “Your Henry and my Henry are the same after all! His birthday was April 5 too.”

  “Twins,” Cyrus said, awe in his voice.

  They had reached the outside of their dorm, and Valerie gripped the railing on the staircase. She and Henry had shared a womb. A piece of a puzzle fit into place. Not having a family had always made Valerie feel so torn apart inside, as if a part of herself was missing. With Henry in her life, maybe she would finally feel whole.

  Before Valerie could respond to Kanti’s revelation, a thin man with hollow cheeks and sunken eyes who was walking down the empty street stopped in his tracks. He paused for a moment, and then looked straight into Valerie’s eyes. Her heart seemed to slow down, and she clutched her chest, unable to breathe. Yellow-eyes had found her. Again.

  “Val? What’s wrong?” Cyrus said, trying to shake her out of her trance.

  She tried to tell him, but her breath hitched as she struggled for air. Yellow-eyes smiled slowly at her, and said, “Found you.”

  “We need to get inside, NOW,” Kanti said, yanking Valerie into the dorm. Valerie couldn’t stop staring into his yellow eyes until the door slammed closed.

  Cyrus hurried to the window. “He’s gone. Who is that guy? Do you two know him?”

  “He’s been following me around for years. He’s after me,” Valerie said, still stunned.

  Kanti began to tremble.

  “Do you know something, Kanti?” Cyrus asked.

  “His name is Zunya, and he’s a wanted criminal in Arden,” Kanti replied. “I met him once, when he visited my family. He kidnapped a girl who worked for my mother, and then disappeared. We found out later that he’s one of the Fractus. And not just any member – a vampyre.”

  Cyrus’ jaw dropped, and Valerie sank to her knees.

  “That’s not all,” Kanti continued. “A few years ago, in front of hundreds of witnesses, he turned someone into a vampyre against their will. As punishment, his powers were taken away by the justice council. But what they didn’t know was that when a vampyre’s powers are torn from them, it has a strange effect. They start being able to absorb other people’s powers.”

  “You mean like that power-eater that Shade used on us?” Cyrus asked.

  “Yes – he’s the one who invented the power-eater. I think Shade and his gang work for Zunya.”

  “And now he’s after me,” Valerie whispered.

  “We have to report this to the Knights and the Contego,” Cyrus said.

  At that moment, the door burst open with a bang, and Valerie jumped a foot into the air. Dulcea stormed in. “There is NEVER an excuse for what you three did! I haven’t slept a wink since you left. Do you know what kind of people hide in the fringes of the forest of Arden?”

  “Actually, yeah, we met this gang–” Cyrus began, but he quickly shut up when Kanti shot him a look.

  “A gang?! You’re lucky to be alive! I ought to lock the three of you up for the next year.”

  “Look, we’re really sorry. But you’re not going to believe what just happened. Valerie could be in–” Cyrus started to explain about Zunya, but Dulcea interrupted him.

  “I don’t want to hear it! I don’t want to hear anything from the three of you right now.”

  “But–” Cyrus began.

  “Not now, Cy,” Valerie said. She had been in enough trouble with her foster parents to know when to stay quiet. Who knows – if Dulcea was angry enough may she’d kick them out. And Valerie didn’t relish the idea of living on the streets again – even on the Globe.

  “This will never happen again!” Dulcea ranted. “The three of you are forbidden to leave the dorm without signing out and saying exactly where you will be going to and when you will be back. And for the next month, you are not to go anywhere other than your guild without my express permission!”

  “A month!” Cyrus cried.

  “I’m not done. You will clean each and every bathroom in the dorm for the next three weeks by hand – no magic.”

  “Oh, eew,” Kanti said.

  “G
o to your rooms, right now. I can’t even look at you.”

  “But Dulcea, we need to go–” Cyrus began.

  “Not another word,” Dulcea interrupted, her voice trembling.

  Valerie saw the tears standing in Dulcea’s eyes, and guilt hit her like a punch in the stomach. Dulcea really cared about them, and they had scared her. Despite all that, she hadn’t so much as threatened to send them away. Valerie felt that she had been ungrateful, repaying Dulcea’s kindness by sneaking away without talking to her first. “I’m going to make this up to you,” she murmured to Dulcea before heading up the stairs to her room.

  That night, it took Valerie a long time to fall asleep. By the light of Cyrus’ flower, she read her prophecy over and over until she knew it by heart, but she still couldn’t glean any clues from it. When she shut her eyes, the golden letters floated behind her eyelids. But as much as Henry’s fate preoccupied her, the last image that she saw before she entered the world of dreams were a pair of yellow eyes.

  The next day, after getting grudging permission from Dulcea, Valerie walked to the Round Table Knights guild while Cyrus and Kanti went to the Contego to alert them to the fact that Zunya was projecting to Earth. After much discussion, they realized that they couldn’t tell anyone that Zunya might be after Valerie without revealing that she was from Earth.

  For protection, Valerie carried her sword, Pathos, with her everywhere she went. She noticed people looking at her strangely as she carried the naked weapon around the streets of Silva. When she arrived at the Knights guild, it was bustling as usual, full of Conjurors of all ages practicing their skills and taking lessons.

  Valerie wandered around and soon found Gideon teaching what looked like a karate class full of Knight apprentices a few years younger than she was. He nodded to acknowledge that she had arrived, and motioned her to join in. He said little, demonstrating graceful martial arts forms that the class mimicked.

  She fell into a rhythm, and her body moved naturally through the forms. She experimented with allowing her power to supplement her strength, and then stopping the flow of magic so that she was relying only on her own body and mind.