Prophecy of the Seer

by K.N. Lee

  The fairy nodded, smiling as she seemed to imagine what Lilae spoke of. “That does sound lovely. This cold in the air makes me want to sleep as well.”

  “Yes,” Lilae said. “We should rest, actually.”

  “Big day tomorrow,” Jaiza said. “We still have a bit of a journey to make it to the palace.”

  “Why don’t we ride that dragon of yours?” Risa asked. “She’s big enough to carry us all.”

  Lilae jumped as the talisman stirred against her chest.

  She shook her head. “Runa says there are too many of us. She can carry two, maybe three.”

  “Ah,” Risa said, brows furrowed as she sharpened her sword. “Seems we’ll be walking then.”

  “Yes,” Lilae began. “But, we’ll get some horses and make better time.”

  Risa nodded, and pulled the blanket over her head. “Sleep well then.”

  Nani curled up on a cot low to the floor as Jaiza fell into a quick sleep that left her soft snores mingling with the crackling of the fire.

  Lilae sighed, and returned her gaze to the flickering flames.

  Within them she found peace. She relaxed her shoulders, and watched as they wavered and sparked. For a moment, she thought she saw a figure within them, and leaned in closer.

  Her heart began to thump as the flames parted ways and revealed the image of someone—someone familiar.

  There, in the flames, stood a woman made of fire—a woman who closely resembled Ayoki.

  Lilae gasped as the figure turned its gaze to her, and vanished within the flames.

  A wave of worry filled Lilae’s gut, and her cheeks heated with warning.

  She knew it then.

  Ayoki was lost to them, and she was determined to bring her back.

  17

  Two swords lay crisscrossed on a red blanket outside the temple. The sisters sat upon black sand, in a circle around them.

  Sister Evaline emerged from the temple to the brightness of the moon. She walked slowly, a thin black candle in one hand, and a thin white one in the other.

  She glanced at the altar the sisters had spent the day prepping and setting up.

  There were crystals that shone and glistened, rolls of dried herbs, sage and lavender twined together, a fire, and feathers from several species of birds.

  “We are ready for the ceremony,” Sister Odette said, motioning toward the sacred circle.

  Evaline nodded, a bit weak, but sustained by the strong surges of energy coursing through her veins.

  “As am I,” she said, a smile coming to her lips.

  Sister Odette stood before her, searching her eyes. She was slightly older, perhaps by a decade, with oak-colored eyes, thin lips that barely covered her teeth, and brown hair.

  She placed a hand on Evaline’s, the flame of the candle rose in height.

  “Did everything go well with this one?” Odette asked. “Are you sure you’re ready?”

  Evaline’s smile faded, and her voice turned cold. “Find a place in the sacred circle, Sister Odette. Perhaps you could learn a lesson from what I have planned for tonight.”

  Dressed in a white gown instead of her usual black, she’d been in darkness for most of the day, lost deep within her shadows.

  To face one’s shadows was the dreaded rite of passage each Bellen must face to truly embrace the magic given to them.

  Evaline had faced hers many times since her youth, and no matter how certain she was that they were perfectly embodied, new ones emerged, prepared to eat her soul and destroy her.

  She recalled several instances where she’d be forced to go within, to fight the darkness before it could control her.

  Bellens weren’t inherently evil. Quite the opposite.

  They spent their lives battling and taming their power, and sharing it with others so as to keep the intense form of magic alive.

  A true Bellen never fell prey to their inner darkness. Shadows sought to bring all beings down, casting them into sorrow or malaise.

  That was the way of the other races, who knew not how to work with the natural-born darkness.

  A true sorceress mastered it, made it bend to their will, to create perfect balance within.

  Light meets dark.

  It was the only way to truly embrace the gift they’d been given.

  The full moon awaited, prepared to give even more gifts—more strength to her and her kin.

  She embraced the white light of the moon as it beamed down on her. She smiled upward at its brilliance.

  When she first discovered that humans and most of the other races couldn’t truly see the crystalline rays trickling downward, she’d been appalled. It was a powerful discovery, to learn just how truly special she was.

  Even when her mother had beat it into her that she was anything but special.

  Being born to human parents, her journey to her advanced level had taken a difficult route, but—her master saw the potential.

  Sister Eloni always seemed to know who was worthy to be awakened, and who was to be left in the cold.

  Evaline’s skin tingled beneath her gown, and thirst left her throat dry.

  She’d fasted the night before and the entire day, cleansed and purified her body.

  But, tonight, she would feast.

  She proceeded down the path and toward the swords. Once she knelt before them, a sister placed a thin strip of cloth over her eyes, blindfolding her.

  The space between her brows ached, but she persevered, willing the pain away.

  She sucked in the night air, and held it for as long as possible, ignoring the screams of her lungs.

  Her human body had been modified, upgraded, and strengthened long ago, and as she held in that precious breath of air, her mind shifted to the sky above.

  The clouds were sparse—she could feel their powdery texture—but she pulled them closer. The air was sweet and humid, and as she released that breath of air, it cooled.

  “On this night, under the light of the full moon, I release all that no longer serves,” she said, and the other sisters repeated her words.

  “On this night, under the light of the full moon, I claim all power hidden from me,” she said, and again, the sisters repeated in unison.

  “On this night, under the light of the full moon, I call to me the strand of our lost sister.”

  The sisters repeated.

  Evaline lifted one of the swords, sliced a lock of her hair, and tossed it into the fire.

  “And, so it is.”

  The rise of voices at the final incantation resounded through the entire temple courtyard and the surrounding burroughs of Avia’Torena.

  The moon glistened, and as she tilted her chin upward, gentle rain began to trickle downward.

  The soft raindrops rolled down her face, and soaked her dress, making it cling to every crevice and crease.

  When she removed the blindfold, she watched as the other sisters held up their shining bowls to catch the rainfall of the full moon. Raw power would be bottled and stored on this night, and after the sacrifice to come,

  Evaline would bathe in it.

  18

  Peace.

  It didn’t come easy, if at all.

  But, there were precious moments when Kavien could chase it, and that usually came when he sat in silence, quieting his mind, and locking the internal voices away.

  If he could live in that slip of space where he was truly free—truly at peace—he would give it all up to do so.

  Green fog mixed with deep blue and purple, surrounding Kavien as he sat with his legs crossed in the dark room within his mind. The silence was delicious, intoxicating, and allowed for him to speak her name and feel the sensation of her essence radiating along his body.

  Lilae.

  Wheels of time spun in his awareness, and sought her out.

  Memories of his mother sitting him down, and teaching him all she knew about her own power came to him, and brought a smile to his lips.

  She was better at this than h
e’d ever be, for it was her only gift—what she’d been practicing and building on since she was a little girl. While Kavien had several gifts, it was impossible to strengthen them all to the same level.

  The swirling colors shifted direction, flowing like the wind, and Lilae’s image was presented in the form of a shadowy figure.

  He tensed, almost afraid to get his hopes up that it was really her.

  It felt like her. He knew the very distinct energy that made her special. Lilae reminded him of the deepest of loves, and excitement.

  She reminded him of home.

  Her face was pressed into the shadow, and morphed into the same shade of red and gold of her hair. He began to shake, eager to reach for her. He restrained himself, for breaking his focus would erase the connection.

  Therefore, he waited, watching as her features began to form in the smoky mist.

  “Master,” a voice called, breaking him from his moment of peace.

  His hand shot outward, before he could stop himself, and he caught whomever dared to disturb him by the throat. Opening his eyes, he glared at the woman he now held immobile in his grasp.

  For a moment, she didn’t look familiar. More like a blurry vision from a dream, or an apparition. For a moment—he wasn’t sure if she was real.

  “Lilae,” he called.

  She took a step away, but met his gaze.

  “Come back to me,” he said, reaching for her. “Only I can protect you from what is coming.”

  She stared at his hand, and just as she began to accept his grasp, a loud voice broke his focus.

  “Master!”

  The fog cleared, and he squeezed his eyes shut to clear his vision. Once he reopened his eyes, Rakhi’s frightened eyes met his.

  His hand was wrapped around her throat, and he’d lifted her a few feet into the air.

  Stunned, he dropped her back to the ground, and stood.

  Raking his hand through his hair, he watched as she fought to catch her breath. Instead of watching her struggle, he bent to help her to her feet.

  “What is it?” he asked, the moment she stopped coughing.

  She regained her composure, and bowed to him.

  “You know better than to disturb me when I’m tapped in,” he said, fighting against his regret for hurting her and his rage for losing the connection with Lilae. It was the first one he’d had in ages.

  For a moment, he could almost touch her.

  “Master,” Rahki said, her voice hoarse. “Apologies for interrupting, but there is a problem.”

  Kavien lifted a brow. “When isn’t there a problem? What’s so significant you had to come now?”

  “Wexcyn has left,” she said, and he tensed. “And, has taken Faira with him.”

  “What?” Kavien asked, alarmed.

  What would Wexcyn want with his most trusted Seeker?

  It came instantly.

  Of course.

  It was just that. She was a Seeker and could sniff out those with special abilities better than anyone he knew. Kavien had been using his harem of extraordinary women to work on his behalf for years.

  Now, Kavien just hoped that his weapon would prove worthy once set loose.

  A slow smile came to his lips. What he had planned would surely be his demise.

  But, he no longer cared.

  He left the palace and began out to the jungle, when the sound of unfamiliar voices cut through his thoughts.

  Turning, Kavien’s brows rose as he watched Sona approach. She smiled, all smug, and self-assured, and he wanted nothing more than to send her back to Oren where she came from.

  But, his urge to grimace waned as he turned his attention from the stunning Tryan woman to the bright glow coming from her hand.

  “I’ve got it,” she said, her grin widening. She then held out her hand and revealed a talisman. “I’ve brought you a dragon.”

  19

  Lilae awakened with a start, gasping for breath. Her heart thundered in her chest, and nearly drowned out all sounds.

  Kavien.

  She could still see him—feel him.

  She clutched her throat and opened her eyes to his image flickering before her. The chill in the air barely cut through by the faint warmth of the fire going strong in the hearth at the back of the room.

  Liam stirred in the bed beside her, and peered at her in the faint light cast from the fire.

  Having snuck away in the night to his room, Lilae had fallen asleep much easier with him by her side. Not even Rowe’s snores could disturb her peace.

  But—this—Kavien infiltrating her dreams was an entirely different matter.

  Liam touched her arm, and she flinched. It stung her flesh in a way she’d never experienced. Instead of the peace she’d normally felt, the sensation made her coil away.

  What has Kavien done to me?

  He’d stripped her of ability to resist, that’s what.

  “What’s wrong?” Liam asked, sitting up.

  She pulled her legs into her chest, and wrapped her arms around them. Chin on her knees, she shivered.

  “He found me,” she whispered, unable to shake the eerie sensation that clung to her entire being.

  “Who?” Liam asked, withdrawing his hand, and waiting patiently for her reply.

  For a moment, he’d been in her psyche, in a place beyond space and time. She could still smell him, and feel the all-encompassing sensation of his presence.

  She’d never met anyone with the sheer power that could be felt whenever he was near. There was no mistaking when Kavien was near. His energy spoke for him unlike words ever could.

  Liam was all thunder and electricity, and gentle like summer rain.

  But, Kavien—he was like fire, and force, and rage—like her, and his energy wasn’t easily shaken off.

  “Kavien. I saw him,” she said. “In my dreams. But, it wasn’t a dream. It was real.”

  “How does he have such a hold over you? We need to ask Delia how we can sever this connection for good.”

  She nodded. “Yes. I’ll ask her in the morning.”

  She shrugged off the blankets, and stood, stepping into her boots. She pulled her cloak from off the back of a chair, and secured it at her throat.

  Liam began to stand, and she held out a hand.

  “No,” she said. “I just need a moment.”

  She left the warmth of their room, and walked down the creaky hallway to the stairs. The inn was silent at that hour, and she was able to slip out of the front door and into the chill of the the snowy midnight.

  Once outside, she stood before the inn for a moment, turning her attention to the bright full moon ahead.

  The clouds seemed to part to reveal its beauty. The stars shone and flickered against the dark sky. She left the front of the inn and walked toward the garden in the center of the main square. There, it was calm and serene, and smelled of frost flowers that shot up from the dark soil with jagged leaves of purple and white.

  She sat on a stone bench and stared at them, hoping to reclaim her sense of peace.

  The blooming flowers resembled ice, translucent and cold to the touch.

  “Nice night,” a voice called from behind her. “Isn’t it?”

  Lilae turned to see Risa and Jaiza standing there.

  Relieved, she allowed herself to relax.

  “What are you two doing out here?” Lilae asked, as they sat on either side of her on the bench.

  “Thought we told you,” Risa said.

  Jaiza smoothed her wild hair. “We aren’t letting you out of our sight.”

  Risa took Lilae by the hand. She softly ran her fingers across the back of Lilae’s hand. “Not again.”

  Lilae smiled, and rested her head on her sister’s shoulder. Though a wave of sadness left her choked up, she couldn’t help but be grateful for the knowledge that they were truly her blood.

  “I miss him,” Lilae said, with an inward sigh.

  “Who?” Jaiza asked.

  Risa gave her ha
nd a squeeze. “Father,” she said, softly.

  Lilae nodded, and sniffled.

  “Oh, yes,” Jaiza said, looking toward the sky. “Father.” She tugged at the ends of her blond braid and furrowed her brows as she tilted her head. “He’s always with us.”

  “What do you mean?” Lilae asked.

  “In our hearts—in our blood. What’s dead is never truly dead, Lilae. Just look into your heart, and there you will find him.”

  Her words left Lilae speechless. She looked to her sister with widened eyes, and a ghost of a smile came to her lips.

  “That was beautiful,” Lilae said.

  Shrugging, Jaiza pulled her boots on a little more snug. They must have heard her leaving and hurried out to catch her.

  “Its the truth,” Jaiza said. “I feel him there, whenever I allow myself to slow down and clear my head. Its like—when I ignite my Focus. Everything slows down and I can truly see and feel the target. It heightens the senses, allows me to see what might have gone unnoticed otherwise.”

  Lilae wiped her cheek as a tear fell. Then, she closed her eyes and searched for Pirin—hoping to find that familiar sense of him she missed so much.

  Just as the thoughts in her mind began to quiet, a loud roar broke her from the silence.

  Ducking, she shot a glance toward the night sky.

  Her blood ran cold and a shiver raced up her spine.

  It took only moments for the city to stir awake. Lilae slowly stood, and had her attention diverted by Nani darting through the sky to land by her side.

  Her big eyes peered upward. “What are they?” Nani asked.

  Lilae began to run back to the inn for her sword as Risa answered the question.

  “Well,” Risa said, pointing upward to the women who had assembled in the sky, floating like ghosts in the wind. Several clung to the walls of the buildings, scanning the city with glowing eyes. “That…is what we call witches.”

  Nani’s mouth formed a circle and her brows lifted. “Oh,” she said, and twirled a lock of her hair around her finger. “I see why your people fear them.”