Alterni

by Sunshine Somerville

  Esme’s hand continued to vibrate, and she shook her arm to make the vibrations fade. She suspected several layers of skin had burned away, but there was no time for self-inspection. Owen was still passed out.

  “Owen!”

  She hurried over to kneel by his side. Owen’s mangled leg bent at wrong angles, and his arm was soaked in blood from long, gushing cuts. Esme now saw a spindlox stinger poking out of his mashed leg.

  Oh, shit. The spindlox that latched onto his leg must’ve stung him before he killed it. Well, that might’ve been a blessing – their stings numb you temporarily, right? If Owen couldn’t feel his leg when this happened… I better leave the stinger in, or he’ll lose more blood… Where are the other cavali?

  “Help!” she screamed into the dark trees.

  No one came.

  Esme’s head swooned, and she reached up to caress the injury. When she pulled her hand away, blood dotted her palm.

  I’m going to pass out. I have to get Owen where they’ll find us.

  She rose to her feet, staggered a step, then bent to grab Owen’s shoulders. She dragged him with all her strength back out of the trees and onto the riverbank.

  “Help!”

  Esme sank next to Owen. Her head ached, and her vision blurred. The alterni couldn’t move any farther, and she slumped over beside the king.

  Esme woke on a medical bed in a bright room. She wore a hospital gown and a thin blanket pulled to her chest. Her hair was dirty and flat against her cheeks. She tongued a cut on her lower lip. Esme sat up and winced, her whole body sore. Her head felt even worse, but the pain was dulled by the recognizable sensation of potent meds. Esme noticed a small Band-Aid on her forearm where an IV must’ve been – that explained the drugged feeling. A large bandage on her right wrist and hand exposed only her fingers. The thickest part of the pad covered her palm.

  How bad did I hurt my casting hand? That could be a problem…

  She turned her head to the side and saw her castorca on a bedside table. A guest chair sat beyond this table, and someone had left an overnight bag from her house. A pair of sandals sat under the chair.

  I must be on the Capiti’s medical floor. They wouldn’t leave my castorca in the open otherwise.

  “How are you feeling?”

  Esme jumped at the feminine voice and looked across the room. When she saw the woman who’d spoken, her eyes widened in alarm. The woman wore the white robes of the conjuri as well as a white head covering similar to a nun’s veil. Her attire wasn’t the troubling part. It was her blood-red eyes and albino-pale, flawless, ageless skin that made Esme’s pulse quicken.

  Vampire.

  The woman understood Esme’s silent fear. “I see they haven’t told you about us healers yet.” She folded her hands as she walked to the foot of the bed. “My name is Daniet. I’m the healer who’s attended to you.”

  “You’re…” Esme tried not to be rude and gave the woman a quick smile. “Are you saying that all the Order’s healers are…”

  “Vampires? Yes. But you needn’t worry. Our pureblood ancestors made a vow when petitioning to stay in this world, and we haven’t fed on humans for two thousand years. Now we only use our gifts for healing.” Daniet indicated the IV stand she’d been taking care of.

  Esme realized what this meant, and she could no longer hide her alarm. “You gave me your blood? Does that mean I’m going to-”

  “No, no.” Daniet smiled, which exposed long incisors, and she held up a pale hand. “This world’s magic broke the curse on our blood, so we can’t turn anyone. Vampires in this world reproduce…the old-fashioned way, if you will.”

  Esme couldn’t think what to say. “Oh.”

  I really need to read about the other races. Fairies are all female, vampires are doctors, nymphs are…well, nymphs. By all the gods, what else don’t I know?

  Daniet smiled, perhaps seeing Esme’s confusion. “Our blood does have healing properties. I promise I’ve done you no harm. You’ll suffer no side effects. My blood’s already healed many of your wounds, as I’m sure you can tell. Even that nasty burn on your hand will heal soon.”

  “Oh…” Esme looked at her bandaged hand again. “Thank you. Sorry if I’m being rude.”

  “No offense taken. This is a strange world, and you’re still new to much of it.” Daniet smiled good-naturedly. “From what I hear, you’re getting the hang of things faster than most. The cavali told us what you did tonight.”

  Esme didn’t know what to say, so she smiled.

  Daniet gave a small bow. “I believe someone will be in to take you home soon. I must go see to other patients.”

  “The king?” Esme asked with remembered concern.

  The vampire shook her head, causing her veil to pull and expose long white hair beneath the covering. “No, I’m not assigned to King Owen. He has many healers with him now. I’m sorry, but while I’ve been attending to you I haven’t heard how he’s doing.”

  “Oh. Okay. Thank you, Daniet.”

  The healer smiled and, after another bow, exited to the hall.

  Beyond the door, she heard Thaddeus’s deep voice talking to Daniet. A second later, the door opened wide and Hakim strolled in, coming to stand at the end of her bed.

  Esme made a face at him. “Shouldn’t you knock? I could be naked in here.”

  “Nothing I haven’t seen before, remember?” He grabbed the foot rail and leaned forward with a relieved smile. “Glad you’re okay, alterni.”

  She tried to read his expression. “Owen?”

  “Alive. The healers have him in an isolated chamber down the hall.”

  “Why did no one bother to tell me your healers are vampires?”

  “Sorry.”

  Esme sighed. She’d have to re-evaluate what she’d heard of these healers who used magic on the sick, injured, and wounded.

  Maybe I’m a vampire fan after all.

  “How is Owen?”

  “Still unconscious, but that’s partly the healers’ work to keep him sedated. His leg is busted in three different places. His arm was…” Hakim made a face like he might be sick, but he pulled himself together. “No worries. The healers say the damage isn’t beyond what they can fix.”

  “How long will it take them?”

  “A few days, maybe.”

  “A few days? But he looked so-”

  “The Capiti’s healers are the best in the world.” Hakim grinned. “The best in any world, I’d wager.”

  “I guess so.”

  “It could’ve been worse. Owen’s been banged up before, so the healers are quite familiar with how to repair his body.” Hakim studied her face. “You okay? The team told us about the felicox corpse they found. How did you…”

  Esme looked at her bandaged hand. “I started a normal slicing spell, but I drew in more magic than I’ve ever felt. It was… It was so strong.”

  “Must’ve been.” Hakim gave her a weird look. “Nobody’s ever used a hand spell that effectively against a bigger malevolenci species. On a spindlox or chiroptorx, sure, but… You sliced the felicox in half.”

  Esme didn’t understand how she’d done it either. She shrugged and lifted her bandaged hand. “Burned like hell. I’m not surprised people don’t try it more often. I’m certainly not in a rush to welcome that pain again.”

  Hakim blew out his lips like Owen might’ve done and backed away from the bed. “Well, I’m just glad you’re okay. Roman said you can give your report in the morning, since you’re not likely to forget anything with that crazy brain of yours.”

  Esme rolled her eyes and looked at her bag on the chair. “So I can go home?”

  “Yeah, Thaddeus is waiting in the hall. Go home. Get some sleep.” Hakim smiled. “Good job out there. Owen owes you his life, I think.”

  She smiled back at him. “Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  Hakim motioned with the weird hand gesture he’d used a few times now.

  “What is that? Are you trying to do a sp
ell?”

  Hakim laughed and looked at her in surprise. He made the hand salute again. “You don’t have this on your Earth? We learned it as boys in school. It means you promise, like giving your word.”

  Esme shook her head with a grin. “We have the Boy Scouts, but it’s not the same.” She lifted her arm and a few fingers in the salute from her world.

  “Huh.” Hakim smiled and walked to the door. “Another thing to add to your file.”

  Once he was gone, Esme tossed the blanket off her legs and swung around to stand. The floor was cold, but she walked to her bag and pulled out clothes. As she disrobed, she took care not to aggravate her sore muscles and damaged hand.

  How much worse would I feel without vampire blood? Can they really heal Owen that quickly?

  Frowning, she dressed. Once in linen pants and a form-fitting tank top, Esme slipped into the sandals. Then she lifted her castorca off the side table and slipped it into her pocket. After a final look around, she grabbed the now-empty bag and opened the door.

  Thaddeus stood on guard right outside.

  “Teddy! I mean… Sorry. Good to see you, Thaddeus.”

  The big man wore his usual stiff suit, but he looked down at her with the closest thing he had to a warm smile. “I’ll allow it just this once, miss. If you’re ready, the car is downstairs.”

  Esme followed him to an elevator. Thaddeus was never one for small talk, and Esme wasn’t up for faking cheerful conversation. They rode the elevator in silence all the way to the garage.

  When the doors opened, Esme saw that cavali filled the garage. They looked as tough and intimidating as ever, but every single warrior went silent as she and Thaddeus stepped out of the elevator.

  Great.

  Esme swallowed but kept walking, and the cavali parted to let her through. Then Max Hoffman started clapping, echoed by Dax, and soon the whole crowd was cheering.

  It was the first time she’d ever felt like the hero in a sports movie. Esme froze as all the cavali smiled and clapped. For her. She looked back at Thaddeus and saw him standing with a grin on his face.

  “Alterni!” shouted a woman over the applause.

  The cheers died down, and the smiling cavali dispersed to return to their duties. A few patted her on the back before hurrying to their vehicles. Esme gave them weak smiles of thanks, took a breath, and turned to see who’d called for her.

  Lexi, dressed in street clothes, sauntered over and stopped in front of Esme. She smiled, which caught Esme off guard more than anything.

  “Well, alterni, I’d say you proved yourself tonight. Closed the rift, killed a felicox, saved the king…”

  Esme tried not to worry at this last part. “Yeah, but Owen…”

  “He’ll heal. The vamps know what they’re doing.” Lexi looked at her with curiosity a moment, then gave a nod. “Let’s go for drinks. I’m buying.”

  “Oh, I…”

  Thaddeus, never far, stepped beside Esme. “The king’s ordered that I’m not to let Esme out of my sight. I-”

  “Great,” said Lexi without missing a beat, “then you’re our driver.” She gave Thaddeus’s arm a pat and headed in the direction of his car.

  Thaddeus looked at Esme.

  She shrugged up at him. “I’m not arguing with that woman. Besides, you heard her – she’s buying.” With that, Esme also gave Thaddeus’s arm a pat and led him to the car.

  An hour later, Esme wondered if this bar had been used as the archetype for the summono stage. Fortunately, this bar was populated by people not her twins. And she didn’t have to make her own drinks.

  Lexi drummed her fingers on the wooden bar they sat against. “Another round?”

  Esme looked at the remaining elven whiskey in the glass before her. “No, I should’ve stopped two ago.”

  “Suit yourself.” Lexi twisted on her barstool and waved for the bartender’s attention. She held up her empty martini glass.

  The nymph bartender had been through this exchange with Lexi before and knew what to do.

  Esme looked down the bar. Seated at the end, Thaddeus kept her within sight while allowing them privacy. Lexi had insisted Thaddeus have a drink, and a cocktail with a bright pink umbrella sat on the bar in front of him. When he saw Esme watching him, he toasted her and took a polite sip.

  A radio commercial ended with, “Peppermingles. So fresh, you’ll want to share the sweetness.” Then the radio went back to playing an unfamiliar country song.

  What does that ad mean? Are Peppermingles mints or sweets? Why would you share a piece of candy? Gross.

  “The spindlox I understand,” said Lexi, returning to their conversation about Esme’s first battle. “What nobody gets is how you killed that felicox. You said it was a hand spell? But hand spells usually don’t do that much damage to bigger malevolenci. What’s your secret?”

  Esme sighed.

  Why is everyone so amazed by my ability to use magic? Isn’t that what we alterni are supposed to do? I’ve read the stories – I know alterni before me have been impressive too.

  Esme took a sip of whiskey. “Do I have to recount the whole attack? I won’t forget anything, so can’t you wait until I give my official report to Roman tomorrow?”

  “I’m your boss, and I want to hear it now.” Lexi took a drink of her fresh martini and hesitated. “Well, I’m sort of your boss. Or maybe we’re equals… I’ve never sorted that out with any of you.”

  Esme chuckled and pinched between her eyes. She was definitely starting to feel the effects of the whiskey, plus she was exhausted from the day. “Can’t we take a night off?”

  But Lexi was too interested, and she turned on her barstool to face Esme. “Benja and Davis said they’d never seen anything like it. They said you split the felicox in half. How? I’ve never heard of anyone able to do that. Not your other alterni, certainly. Not even Roman or Ada.”

  Esme looked around at the other bar patrons, who were Order members and therefore didn’t think this conversation was weird. Actually, from the looks she was getting, Esme realized they did think she was weird.

  Is my magic really stronger than everyone else’s? Even stronger than Roman’s? Is it just because my memory of spells is perfect – I cast them exactly right, so mine are more powerful? No, that can’t be it. Don’t get cocky, alterni. Don’t you dare get cocky!

  She shrugged, convincing herself everyone was overreacting. “It was a hand spell. I don’t know why it was so strong, but I’m glad it was.”

  Lexi took another sip of her martini and leaned an elbow on the bar, facing Esme. She pointed at the bandage on Esme’s hand. “Looks like it had side effects, though.”

  “Yeah… The magic’s vibrations burned right through me.” Esme looked at the bandage.

  How’d I do it? Really, I somehow pulled in that much power by accident… If it’s not because I’m so super awesome, then why the hell was the magic so strong?

  Esme eyed the other woman, who’d turned out to be more approachable than expected. “I honestly didn’t do anything special. It was like the magic… I don’t know. Any idea why my casting’s so powerful?”

  “Not a clue.” Lexi shrugged and took another drink.

  Unlike the feeling she sometimes got with Roman, Owen, and even Hakim, Esme believed Lexi didn’t know more than she was saying.

  Hmm. Is that because there’s nothing more to know, or is Lexi not privy to whatever the higher-ups know? I need to watch them more carefully. But why would they hide something from me about the magic I’m using to help them?

  Esme took a drink and changed the subject. “So how’s police work?”

  “Busy. Owen’s been distracted lately, hunting malevolenci and overseeing your training.” Lexi made a waving gesture to show she didn’t blame Esme. “With Owen away from the station, there’s a lot left to me.”

  “You seem good at it, from what I’ve heard. Or do you prefer training would-be cavali? Not that I was a great student, but that certainly wasn’t your
fault.”

  Lexi grinned but tapped the stem of her glass in thought. “Training novices is fulfilling, but there are older and tougher cavali to take care of that work. I like being a cop. Order life can be exhausting after a while. I like having my own thing in the normal world. I like pretending the world is normal, with normal bad guys to stop.” She looked at Esme. “I imagine you think I’m nuts. For you, the allure of paranormal comrades and hunting demons is still fresh and sounds like an adventure. But…”

  The face of the roaring felicox flashed into Esme’s mind, and she blinked it away. “No, I get it. Since coming here, I’ve had several days where I’ve wished it wasn’t real.”

  Lexi studied her. “Ever consider going home? Forgetting all this?”

  “A few times,” Esme confessed, “but your world needs me. Whenever I debate over talking to Roman about sending me back, I realize I’d hate myself if I left.”

  “Except you wouldn’t remember us. You’d live guilt-free in your magic-less, demon-less world.”

  Esme thought on this, as she had before, but shook her head and took another sip of the best whiskey she’d ever tasted. “Nah, I’m staying.”

  Lexi smiled. “Cheers, alterni.”

  They clinked glasses and took a moment with their drinks.

  Are we friends now? I thought she hated me before. Maybe that was because of the whole Owen thing. Or, you know, because I sucked so hard at cavali training.

  Esme sighed. “I haven’t seen you lately at the Capiti.”

  “That’s because you’ve had your nose stuck in those books. And, like I said, I’ve been busy picking up the real chief of police’s slack.” Lexi crossed her fingers and half-joked, “Here’s hoping Owen goes full-time king soon so I get that promotion.”

  Esme laughed, but then she wondered. “Wait, is he considering that?”

  “He’s talked about stepping aside since your seventh alterni. With the malevolenci out of control like this, Owen thinks he should focus on his real job.”

  Esme thought on this.

  Now that I’ve proven myself, I bet Owen and I will hunt malevolenci every night…