by Aimee Moore
There was silence for a scant minute.
“Does it hurt?” Dal asked me in his language.
I repeated the Kraw word for hurt, unsure of what it meant. Dal whispered the translation to me, and my mind went to the stinging cold across my back. He knew.
“No,” I lied.
“I must see,” Dal said in Kraw.
I didn’t hesitate. When Dal told me to remove clothing, I did, with trust and curiosity. Perhaps Kraw had a pull to them that brought these moments to heart pounding intensity between us. Perhaps I was losing my mind in this hut.
I raised the ripped back of my sack shirt, revealing my dirty back and the side of my breast. I stole a glance at the human, who was sitting up and giving us the most unusual look.
I looked away from him, watching the dirt in front of me as my mind's eye illustrated where Dal's hands were tracing on my back. Warmth flowed through me as Dal pulled at a few places, causing the stinging to fire up anew. His deep breathing brushed my muddy skin, sending tingles of awareness down to my belly.
Dal's large hands came to my sides and spanned most of my ribs, one of them resting against the exposed part of my breast, and he turned me slightly to get a better look at my injuries. Heat throbbed in my body, and the tingling in my breasts begged to be rubbed by Dal's large hand. My face warmed at the realization.
“They are not deep,” Dal breathed behind me, brushing a warm, calloused hand down my back, well below the injuries.
“Do what now?” I whispered in Kraw, not quite sure how to word my question.
Dal's hands left my skin in a whoosh of cold air, and my shirt was pulled down with gentle slowness, covering me once more. “Be careful. You will heal,” he whispered, speaking in Kraw.
“Careful?” I asked in Kraw, sitting against the wall with ginger care.
Dal's gaze warmed to me. He whispered the translations and I nodded, distracted by how long his black hair was getting, falling over his face now and again.
“Will not pass again. You... protect.” I finished the sentence in my language, not knowing the word for protect in Kraw.
“I am to be killed,” Dal said without emotion, settling against the wall next to me.
I frowned, not understanding the wording. There were fifty-four words for death in Kraw language, each unique. I took this one to mean maimed without emotion, as opposed to offered as a sacrifice, killed in passion, offed by accident, maimed in glorious battle, or any of the other words that existed.
I switched to my language for a time. “No, Patroma said your life belongs to me, and I say it was always yours, and so you live.”
Dal looked at me, eyes traveling between my own before switching to Kraw. “You have saved my life.”
“For now. And now we are met,” I said in Kraw, meaning to say that we are even. Dal got it, and gave me a genuine smile. I switched to my language, gesturing at the weapon with my chin.
“And now you can kill anyone who dares act against us. Although, Patroma said that we have nowhere to run,”
“She speaks truth.”
“—and if you act dishonorably then the clan will kill you and do what they wish with me.”
Dal's muscles bunched as a stiffness rolled off of him. He stood and retrieved the weapon. To a human man, it would have been a large sword. To Dal, it was less than impressive.
“I am to be your guard with this?”
I shrugged.
Dal whipped the sword around with a deft skill that surprised me, aiming it at the human male who now shared a prison with us. The man backed against the wall and glared.
“You taught it our language. Did you teach the foul witch back there, too?” The man growled at me.
“She already knew it,” I said.
“But you taught this beast our tongue. The betrayal to your race runs deeper than the blackest depths of the oceans on our crumbling planet.”
Guilt lanced through me, and I looked away from the disheveled man. He was right, I had promised to give my power to the enemy in exchange for Dal's life.
“You will hold your tongue, or lose your life,” Dal said in a low, dangerous tone.
I returned my gaze to the scene. The human smirked. “Your mistress has instructed me to teach your traitorous friend to use her gift. How am I to do such a thing if I am dead?”
Dal leaned closer, menace rolling off of him. “Did you not hear that I am a traitor as well? I care not of Patroma's wishes. Do not sway my hand.”
The human's face went blank as Dal backed away, retreating to a far corner of the hut to perform more of his strange exercises. The Kraw ignored the two humans in the room as he began his grueling exercise, and the human and I looked at each other.
“I am not a traitor,” I said to the man. “I have no intention of serving any Kraw.”
“And yet you trust in that one to serve you,” the man said, gesturing behind me with his chin.
I scowled. “I trust that one with my life, because he’s the only one who has respected it. The rest will burn when I learn how to control my power.”
The man tilted his head at me for a moment before straightening with a nod. “I am Mindrik. My gift is water.”
“Seraphine. I am told that my gift is fire.”
“Told? By whom?”
I glanced at Dal, wondering how to word my odd situation. Dal was breathing hard with his exercises, completely ignoring us. His dusky skin shined over bulging muscles as he worked, and I found myself wanting to trace a finger over the beautiful lines of tattoo caressing each peak and valley.
“Seraphine, by whom?” Mindrik pressed, tilting toward me to get my attention.
I turned back to Mindrik. “By Dal.”
“What is a Dal?”
“Him. They can see our gifts.”
“What are they?” Mindrik whispered, brow furrowed at Dal.
I shook my head. “I don't really know what Kraw are. But they have senses we don't. And apparently I have all the right parts for them to... not think us so different.”
“My lady, I mean no offense, but I do not see how any creature would want to venture under your skirts in that state.”
I gave Mindrik half a smile. “Good,” I whispered.
Mindrik gave half a sigh. “Well then, let's get this over with. Where were you raised?”
“Lambston.”
Mindrik scoffed. “A Gifted in that tiny hovel of a village?”
“Apparently so. We were a farming village, the wool we sold was so fine that it went as far as the capital. Where were you raised?”
“The university, of course.”
“Where did you come from originally?”
“Have you never met a Gifted before?”
I turned away. “No. I didn't even know that I had this power until Dal told me.”
The human sighed. “Gifted are given to the university at a young age, and we begin our training before we can even count.”
“How do they know you are Gifted?”
“It's in my blood, of course.” Mindrik sat tall.
“And what happens if you get to the university and show no talent whatsoever?”
“Then they send me home and charge my parents a fee. However, that was not the case with me, and I have shown much promise.” His arrogant tone chafed me.
“How did you end up here then, oh promised one?” I asked.
Mindrik narrowed his eyes at me. “The Kraw took the university months ago. We put up a rather admirable fight, but with the Kraw numbers it was a massacre, and I was fortunate that they did not kill me. I have only just arrived, and now I wonder if they were not so merciful after all.”
I looked Mindrik over. “But you're not... dirty. Thin, yes, but still clean.”
Mindrik sighed. “Seraphine, you did not lie when you said you had never met a Gifted before.” And with that, Mindrik stood and performed a strange gesture with his hands. Water began to coalesce out of the air, and Mindrik pulled it into his clothing a
nd hair.
He closed his eyes and appeared to enjoy whatever the water was doing as he commanded it. Then in one swift move, Mindrik gestured the water away and it sloshed at his feet, leaving him dry and clean. Mindrik raised his arms as if he'd just performed a trick.
I glanced at Dal, who frowned at Mindrik before resuming his exercise.
I turned back to Mindrik. “So you can bathe yourself?”
Mindrik scowled. “I don’t know how you are to become my student if you cannot even appreciate the simplicity of a Gifted bath.”
“I've never seen it before.”
“Here, let me show you.” Mindrik began to call more water, and it clumped together in front of me before I realized what he was doing.
“No!” I dashed away from the water.
Mindrik let the water drop in a muddy splat. “My dear woman, I've seen pigs cleaner than you. How can you not want a bath? All females like to be clean.”
“I'll be clean when I'm good and ready. You keep that to yourself,” I said.
Mindrik shrugged. “As you wish. Now then, show me what you can do so far.”
“Well, not much,” I said, stepping forward.
Mindrik gestured for me to get on with it before crossing one arm over his body and resting his chin in the other hand. I raised my palm and showed him the few sparks that Dal had helped me accomplish. When they had fizzled, Mindrik frowned.
“Well, get on with it.”
“That was it.”
Mindrik covered his face and blew a large sigh out of his hands. “This will take years.”
“We don't have years,” I said.
Mindrik tapped a finger on his cheek as he considered me. “You're right, we don't have anything anymore, we're already on borrowed time in this stinking pig pit of Kraw.”
I glanced at Dal and thought I saw a small smile curl at his lips.
“Very well then. Sit.”
I glowered at Mindrik's command, but did as he said. He hiked his robes up a few inches and sat in front of me, our knees touching. I flinched away, glaring at him.
Mindrik held both hands up. “Nothing harmful, I assure you. Even if I found country bumpkins desirable, we've already established that I have no interest in mud trolls, remember?”
I nodded, grateful for my shield of mud.
“Now then, raise your hands like this and place them against mine.”
I did as instructed, resting my palms against Mindrik's.
“Hold very still.”
I frowned. “Why? What is this?”
“A test.”
“Of what, exactly?”
“Your abilities.”
I let a long breath out of my nose and gave a curt nod.
“Close your eyes,” he said.
I did as asked. And within moments, a gentle pulling sensation started behind my navel and traveled up my veins. It was curious, I'd never experienced anything like it before. The pulling sensation continued to draw away from my body, and up my arms. Before it fluttered to my fingertips, the sound of steel rang through the air, and Mindrik's hands were gone.
I opened my eyes, and Mindrik was on the floor, staring wide eyed up the blade of Dal's sword.
“Tell me why I should not end you,” Dal growled.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Mindrik said, glaring at the sword.
Dal pressed the tip into Mindrik's neck with gentle force, driving the point home. “Do not make the mistake of thinking that you are sharing a cell with a mindless beast, human. If you try to take from her again, I will end you.”
I gasped.
Mindrik glared up at Dal. “She doesn't even know how to use it and she promised it away to Kraw. She has no right to it.”
Dal pressed harder, and Mindrik sucked in a hiss of a breath as crimson pooled around the tip of the sword. “Next time, human, I will not stop. I will drive this blade into you so slowly that you feel my heart beat in the cold steel. You will die begging.”
And with that, Dal removed the sword and stalked away, resuming his exercise.
I scowled at Mindrik, who glowered at me, rubbing the bloodied spot on his neck.
“I trusted you,” I hissed.
“You told the foul demon in the hut to kill me, and you expected to trust me after that. You are a fool, Seraphine.”
“I am surviving.”
“Barely.”
I glared. “Well it looks like we are both barely surviving together now, so you might as well get used to it. And the sooner you get over your wounded pride, the sooner we can escape.” With a huff, I got up and padded over to Dal, who was doing more of those exercises on his hands and feet, his back as a plank.
I didn’t ask for permission; I sat on his flat back, pulling my knees up and resting my chin on them. I stared at the wall as the world rose and fell. Dal didn’t say anything to me, only continued his exertion.
“You're raving mad,” Mindrik said.
“She is useful,” Dal said with a grunt, “you are dishonest.”
The strong muscles of Dal's back bunched under me as we rose and lowered, and I gave his back muscle a covert squeeze of gratitude without looking away from the wall.
“I am surviving,” Mindrik said.
“Poorly,” Dal grunted.
“I'm sure you'll understand if I'm not so anxious to trade away my soul to the devils who tore my world apart.” Mindrik’s voice held such a vehement hatred that I wondered how he could stand being in this hut with Dal.
“Your world had devils long before Kraw came,” Dal said with a heavy breath.
I listened to the exchange. Did I sound this petulant at first?
“You know nothing of my world before you destroyed it,” Mindrik said.
“Kraw know many worlds,” Dal gave a grunt as he raised again, “yours is not so special.”
“Okay, enough,” I said, cutting off Mindrik as he opened his mouth to speak. “We need to cooperate if we're going to get out of this hut.”
“And go where? Surely you've noticed that there's only frozen desperation for miles,” Mindrik said with a sardonic expression.
“Sera will learn fire,” Dal gave another grunt as the world lowered, “you have water,” the world rose again, “and I find food.” Dal lowered. “We have all we need.”
“So the beast is saying that when you learn fire, we can leave.”
“Dal is saying we will have all the tools to survive once I learn fire.” I looked over at Mindrik, who was frowning so hard that his face was puckered into a raisin.
“It will take years to teach you. You would do better to give your power to me, I can control it and keep all of us safe.”
I laughed. “You called me a fool for trusting you once, Mindrik, what makes you think you get to call me a fool again?”
“I wish to escape as much as you.”
“Then prove it. Teach me.”
Mindrik gave a sly smile. “You trust me enough to let me teach you?”
“No. I trust Dal, who very much wants to kill you. I also trust that you do not want to die. Therefore, you will teach me without dishonesty.”
Dal's shoulders gave a slight shake, and I looked down to see silent laughter on the Kraw's face. I looked back up at Mindrik, who was curling his lip in distaste.
“You are a fool to trust a Kraw.”
“I've been a prisoner with this Kraw for months and he has only shown me kindness. I've been a prisoner with you for less than an hour and you have already insulted me and tried to take what is mine. I am no fool.”
“We shall see, Seraphine.”
I let off a heavy sigh into my knees, wondering if I should just give up all hope of learning my new power. Dal seemed to have gotten a handle on it, guiding my thoughts and feelings, giving me an idea of how to channel the writhing heat within me. Perhaps he could teach me the rest in time. I looked down at the hulking man under me, still rising and lowering.
“When you're ready to give up your pretty mount
, we can begin the first part of your training,” Mindrik said in a bored tone.
I smiled down at Dal, who was ignoring most of the chatter, and unfolded my legs, stepping down. Dal resumed his exercises with just one arm. Mindrik was kneeling in the middle of the hut again. I knelt in front of him, wiping my expression blank and keeping my distance.
“Summon your little sparks again,” Mindrik said.
I did as he asked, raising my palm and bringing the writhing heat within me to my hands.
Mindrik nodded. “Well, at least you have that. I cannot speak for fire magic, as mine is water, but the magic flows within your veins, yes?”
“Burns,” I said, searching for that heat once more. Yes, tiny pops of heat seemed to explode within my skin.
Mindrik rubbed his chin, the scant bit of facial hair he managed to grow on his weak chin making a scratching noise. “Hmm, interesting. And when you call it to your hands, it does that. Where else have you called it?”
“Where else?” I blinked.
“Yes, Seraphine, you can make it come out of any part of you. Spread your filthy toes and make sparks. Go on.”
I straightened my legs before me and wiggled my toes, pushing the writhing heat within me to each toe. Sparks leaped between each toe, fizzing out when there were no more toes to tickle. I smiled.
“Yes yes, very well. Sparks are sparks. Show me fire, Seraphine.”
I furrowed my brow. “I'm not sure how.”
Mindrik ran his hands though his hair, rubbing one hand down his face to puff his cheeks into his hand. “Years,” he said to himself.
“I learn fast.”
“We'll see.”
By the end of the day, I could still do little more than call sparks, albeit, more vibrant sparks. My head was muddled and tired, and my body even more exhausted. Learning was not for the weak.
As the hut darkened and the air cooled, the delicate lace of frost that heralded night began to creep up the walls. Mindrik curled up on one side of the hut, scowling at the way I was leaning against Dal for warmth. Though I disliked the man, I didn’t wish to see him perish.
“Will you not be cold, Mindrik?”
“I would rather be cold than surrender another need to one of those beasts.”
“It gets colder in the night, and you will not sleep well,” I said.
