You Are Mine

by Janeal Falor

  With two glasses squished in my palm and the plate of food in the other, I set off to find Katherine. I traverse the stairs I stood on earlier. A woman coming down smiles at me, and I think there's hope of conversation, until her husband rushes her off toward the dance floor, which has just begun to glow a faint blue. I sigh and continue upward.

  When I get to the top, I go to the doors, but a clang stops me. As I turn toward the gathering, the room falls eerily silent save for the music.

  Warlocks, cloaked and hooded in black, form a wide circle around Zade. I was wrong. It doesn't matter what others think of him, of course Father wouldn't take the price off his head. My stomach cramps.

  Smoky light moves from one cloaked figure to the next. Zade is encircled by the warlocks. Trapped. A few people are caught with him.

  “Our quarrel is with the Envadi,” a raspy voice says. “The rest may leave our circle unharmed.”

  The trapped people hesitate a moment, their shadows enhanced by the glowing floor. Zade says something I can't hear. A man steps forward, hesitates in front of the light a moment, and crosses the spell. When nothing happens to him, the others scurry.

  Zade stands alone.

  “You've broken too many of our ways and have no right to free a woman,” the voice says. “For that, you will die.”

  Chapter Forty

  The plate and drink I forgot I was holding crash to the floor, soaking my feet.

  For a moment, Zade looks at me. In that brief moment, my heart feels as if it's been ripped from me. I've failed to help save him.

  “I haven't broken any laws,” he says.

  “You break the spirit of the law. Too many people have complained. Now those gathered will see you pay the price.”

  They step closer to him, light fanning out from their circle toward him.

  “No,” I whisper. I can't watch this happen.

  The crowd is knotted together, especially thick at the bottom of the stairs, preventing my running to him. Watching, but not anxious to be close to the action. They were so eager to talk to him before, was it all for show? Why doesn't anyone help him?

  Waverly spurts from the crowd. Maybe she'll be able to distract them until I can get there and help. Though I don't know how I'll help. She dashes toward the circle. One of the robed men's hands darts out and knocks her to the ground. He zips a dark spell at her. She tries to curl away from it, but it slams into her back. Her body goes limp. She doesn't move. Is she dead?

  “Don't hurt anyone else.” Zade throws his suit coat on the luminescent floor, his gaze avoiding Waverly's motionless form. “I'm the one showing women they have a chance at freedom.”

  One of the cloaked figures growls. The spell creeping toward Zade intensifies. Suddenly it bursts, springing for him. An azure light zips from Zade's hands, surrounding him, shielding him in a dome from the attacking spells.

  The steel light smashes against it, sparking. The warlocks raise their arms. The spell crashes and pounds against Zade's shield. A loud creak sounds. A fissure appears in the dome. The gray light pounces on the crack.

  He's not going to make it. I can't just watch. I've caused it. I'll stop it or die trying. The knot of people is still too much to get through. They're tightly packed, standing as far from the fray as they can while not leaving the room.

  Blast.

  I kick my shoes off, pick up my green skirt, and dash for the railing. Without stopping to think, I thrust myself onto the railing and propel myself as far forward as I can. Toward Zade. I don't have to reach him, I just have to get close enough to cause a distraction. Maybe more if I don't die.

  Air rushes past, my dress flapping. The engagement ceremony flashes through my mind, but I shove it away. A few faces of the crowd turn toward me as I hurtle down. Then a few more. And more. I'm almost to the ground. Tucking my legs and arms in, I brace for impact.

  An amber light shoots from somewhere in the crowd. I plead it's not for Zade. My plea is answered. Instead, it sails toward me. Just before I collide with the floor, the spell reaches me, cushioning me. It lowers me several feet until I'm lying on solid ground.

  I don't have time to stop and think. Something digs into my leg. I roll over, jump to my feet, and rub the new bruise, wondering what to do next. The bruise is covered by a bulge on my leg. My gun.

  My legs shake as I pull myself to a standing position. I reach my hand in my pocket.

  “What are you doing?” someone asks.

  The owner of the voice is behind me a bit, to the right. The Grand Chancellor's son, Nathaniel and his intended. Why is he so close? Another anxious to see Zade die? Ignoring him, I pull out my gun.

  The crack in the dome surrounding Zade is widening, right above his face. If I was next to it, I could slide my hand through and touch him. He's sweating under the blue light. Someone from the crowd behind me shoots a burgundy spell. The crack widens. Suddenly, the room plunges into darkness, save for the lights of the dueling spells.

  It can't wait any longer, a hex is going to get through. My hands shake as I lift the gun. They're shaking too much. I'm going to miss.

  I point the gun at the hooded figure closest to me. I take a breath and hold it. I squeeze the trigger. The gun recoils in my hand. A crack sounds through the room. I missed.

  Except the gun is still spelled to show where the bullet went. The tan light nicks the warlock's arm. He drops his hands, weakening the light attacking Zade. His hand darts out of his robe and touches his arm, it comes away darkened with liquid. He whirls toward me, bloody fingers stretched out toward me.

  I haven't saved Zade, only caused us both to die.

  The other robed figures hesitate. Maybe it will be enough to give Zade a chance, even if I'm losing mine. I wish I could see their faces. Know who's trying to destroy us. I aim at all of them one-by-one, starting with the figure facing me, quickly firing until I've used my other five bullets.

  None of them hit an attacker, but it distracts them. Their spell weakens as they look for the commotion. The crack in Zade's shield shrinks, though he looks weaker than before. A bright green hex goes flying toward him and slips through the crack, slamming into his leg. My chest tightens as Zade lets out a growling yell.

  Out of nowhere, a yellow spell zips from beside me, toward the attackers. Nathaniel stands next to me, hand extended. His fiancee stands by his side. They're going to help? A cry comes from the crowd. I look up just in time to see a black-tinged, crimson spell flung at me. I flinch.

  A whimper from the side. Nathaniel’s fiancee is on the floor. He crouches over her. One of the attackers moves toward us. Without a thought, I yell and leap for him.

  He stops, but I don't. I force all my momentum into slamming my gun on his head. It hammers into him. We fall to the floor, his hood opening in the process. Father. I just hit Father.

  For a moment, I can't move. He's unconscious. How many times has he done something similar to me? Deal with him later. I roll onto my back. He stays motionless.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I see another attacker racing toward me. I turn to hit him or trip him or throw my gun at him. Anything, though it'll be too late. Before I can decide which to do, an aqua spell blasts into him from behind.

  He searches for his foe. Zade's free, already casting another spell toward him, the other hooded figures are gone. The last one runs for the door, casting a tan wall behind him.

  Zade saved me. Green spells fly from him, but hit the fleeing warlock's wall without doing a thing. Others from the crowd move to help, but it's too late. The attackers are gone.

  Zade follows, but he's limping so bad there's no chance he'll catch up to them. He needs to come back here where it's safe and someone could look at his leg. Before I can go after him, Chadwick does. His servant should be able to bring him back. I search for Waverly, but don't see her on the floor where they left her. Did someone move her? Is she still alive?

  A crowd of people have gathered around the fallen girl. Father is still beside me, seve
ral warlocks guarding him. I'd rather help the girl than deal with him. I heave myself off the ground and move toward her.

  The crowd parts, not wanting to be by the girl with the gun, I suppose. Nathaniel is on the floor next to her. I kneel by him.

  “How is she?”

  He shakes his head.

  I reach for her. Her skin is cold. Her chest isn't moving. Dead. She died because I stood up for Zade.

  Why did they have to do this? I glance behind me, where I left Father. He's stirring, but Councilman Daniel, along with other warlocks, still stand guard. That will be sufficient, for now. I focus back on Nathaniel.

  “I'm sorry I couldn't do more.”

  “Don't be. You're not the problem here. Someone else is.”

  “What is the meaning of this?” The Grand Chancellor shouts from above us, his white hair glowing under the lights, but his dark beard making the bottom half of his face seem too disappear. I swallow and stand.

  He says, “I'm enjoying the gardens for a moment and someone kills my son's intended? Who has done this?”

  The crowd parts away from me. Someone turns the electric lights on. The Grand Chancellor stares at me. Realizing I still hold the gun, I shove it back in my pocket and bite my lip. Can he tell she didn't die from being shot? Will he use it as an excuse to tarnish my newly freed state?

  Then I realize he's not looking at me, but past me. I turn. The crowd didn't part to show me, they parted to show Father standing with his hood pulled back, a bruise forming on his head beneath strands of white hair. A bruise I caused.

  “You're a part of this, Councilman Stephen?”

  Father looks at me a moment. An expression crosses his face I don't recognize. He gives his attention to the Grand Chancellor. “I am.”

  “Why have you destroyed my son's possession?”

  Possession? She was a person. Someone must have cared for her more than as a plaything.

  Father puts his palms together in front of his chest. “I didn't mean to. We were only trying to get rid of the Envadi. Ever since coming here he's caused trouble. My reputation and daughter have suffered because of him.”

  The Grand Chancellor's voice is low. “This is because of Chancellor Zade?”

  Councilman Daniel is close by. I catch his eye hoping he will defend Zade. My doing it would make things worse, but if he did it, it may help. Hope fills me as he steps forward.

  “Grand Chancellor, if I may. There have been rumors that there's a price on Chancellor Zade's life. He's done nothing to break our laws. In fact, I think tonight has made it clear he's gone out of his way to follow our laws even if he wants things done a little differently.”

  Just then Zade limps forward, pale with dark circles under his eyes, Chadwick behind him. “We lost them.”

  Please don't take this out on him. I want to go to him, but my presence would only make this worse.

  “Lost who?” The Grand Chancellor says.

  “The rest of the warlocks that attacked me.” Zade's voice is strained, like just talking is an effort.

  “How many were there?”

  “Seven, counting Councilman Stephen.”

  The Grand Chancellor says, much too calmly, “Who are they, Stephen?”

  Father clamps his mouth together.

  “Did they kill my son's possession because they were here for a bounty on Chancellor Zade's life?”

  Still, Father refuses to answer.

  “If that's the way you want it. Anyone found even discussing the price on Chancellor Zade will meet the fate I'm about to deal you. None shall break our laws. Councilman Stephen, you are stripped of your title and holdings. Your things will go to Chancellor Zade since he is the closest living warlock.”

  My breath catches in my throat. If my family has to have an owner, none would be better than Zade. It can't be true.

  “I believe, sir,” Zade interrupts, “that the closest free family member is Serena.”

  The Grand Chancellor's mouth shrinks into a tight line. Did he just say what I think he did? Am I—? Could I—? Will I not only get to be with my sisters, but take care of them? Protect them? Or will the Grand Chancellor keep them from me?

  Councilman Daniel steps forward. “If the law from earlier holds, then he's right. She has all the rights of a warlock. Everything would go to Serena.”

  Another man from somewhere in the crowd hollers, “It's true.”

  “Can they do that?” someone nearby says.

  Everyone waits for the Grand Chancellor. My chest tightens. My sisters and mother. I might actually be in charge of them. My hand forms a ball and I put it to my mouth. Silently, I will him to uphold the earlier law.

  He scans the crowd, pausing longer on those who gather around Zade. His lips turn down slightly. “It is as you say. The law stands. All of Councilman Stephen's holdings go to—” he waves his hand at me. He turns to his son and dead future daughter-in-law. “Someone clean this mess up.”

  He storms from the room. I'm stunned into disbelief.

  Those gathered begin talking. Several men help Nathaniel with his dead bride. Zade motions more servants over to help and talks with him.

  Suddenly, Waverly is at my side. “Too bad I got knocked out when the fighting was just getting started.”

  “Waverly, you're all right.” I'm more relieved at her safety than I expect. I may want her far enough away that Zade can't be in love with her still, but apparently I don't want her harmed.

  “Course I am.” She rubs her temple. “Except for a headache.”

  “A little headache never got you down.” Zade limps the rest of the way to us and gives her arm a squeeze. “Glad you're okay.”

  She gives him a smile. “You, too. I was afraid they had you.”

  “Not me.”

  “You're hurt though,” I say. “Let me look at your leg.”

  “I'll be fine. Chadwick will help me with it in a minute.”

  Waverly purses her lips like she wants to say something but doesn't.

  “Perhaps he should look it over right now.” Because Zade truly doesn't look well.

  “In a moment. I'm more drained than anything else.” He takes my hand. “I'm glad you're not injured. When I saw you fly off the balcony, I thought you were going to die or be seriously hurt.”

  I glance at the floor. “I couldn't let them kill you without doing something.”

  “Those shooting lessons I gave you were worth it.”

  “I think it did more damage when I used it to knock out—” I'm not ready to think about him yet, “someone out. But when I jumped from the balcony, before I crashed to the floor something stopped me. A spell. Do you know who cast it? Was it Councilman Daniel?”

  “Don't know. I didn't see.”

  “Is there a way to discover who it was?” I say. “I'd like to thank them.”

  “Just a moment, I'll see if I can find out.” An almost invisible pale purple light comes from him.

  “Thank you for helping him,” Waverly says.

  So she can marry her love, the spy. At least I'll be with my sisters now. And I won't have to worry over their punishments. “Of course.”

  “I can't say exactly who it was,” Zade says, not looking at me, “but I can tell you one thing.”

  “What?”

  “It came from that corner by the red flowers.”

  “Well, whoever it was, I'm grateful to them. I suppose we should help the guests get settled.”

  And once they're settled, I'll try to figure out what it means to be free, to have responsibility over my mother and sisters, and that Zade is still alive. The price on his head maybe not be completely gone, but hopefully close enough. I move to help, a bounce in my soaked feet.

  Chapter Forty-One

  Curled up on the floor of the study, I stare out the picture window. Though it's been three months since the ball, it still feels like a dream. The sun is bright outside, warming the room. I keep waiting for someone to come in and punish me for something. But no on
e will. Not even my perpetually gloveless state is commented on.

  With father locked away, no one is punished in this house. No one will ever punish my sisters again while they're under my protection. And I have what I wanted. My freedom. Except it still feels like something is missing. Something achingly big.

  “Serena?” Cynthia stands at the door. “Waverly and Zade are here to see you.”

  Once I'm over my shock, I say, “Send them in. You can come, as well. Wait, why don't you get Bethany first. I'm sure she'd like to talk to them.”

  She smiles, bigger and brighter like she does now that father doesn't control our lives. Something is changing with her. “I will.”

  After she leaves, I can't help but let my nerves take over. I haven't seen them since we left the day after the ball fiasco. The day I was supposed to marry Zade. It's been so long I was sure we'd become nothing but a distant memory to them.

  Without an introduction, Waverly and Zade enter. Zade is still limping, though not as noticeably. Chadwick insisted he get a healer for it, but all the healer said was that it is an injury he will always carry. It hurts to watch him walk, to know his releasing me is partially to blame for the injury.

  I can't bring myself to get off the floor even though it's not proper. To stand and show how easy it easy for me, something he'll never have again. As long as mother doesn't see me entertaining this way, I doubt anyone in this house will care. Outside of the house, well, I don't want to venture too far yet and push the bounds of my freedom.

  “Please sit,” I say.

  Waverly perches on the closest chair, but Zade surprises me sitting on the floor beside me. His nearness is both entrancing and disturbing.

  “How have you been?” I ask.

  “Fine,” Zade says.

  “Bored,” Waverly groans. “And he is too, even if he won't admit it.”

  He shrugs. “I guess I got used to having you and your sisters around.”