by Hanna Peach
Tobias suddenly looked incredibly sad, the light almost fading completely from his face. “Normally I would ask Lukas to use his Animale and his animal friends to help, but…”
Lukas and Ana had been inconsolable and had kept to themselves since losing Ky. Jordan felt his chest squeeze at the memory of Ky’s smiling face. Ky, who had become like a little brother to him as he had watched him grow up. He forced himself to focus. No time for grief. Focus on the living. Focus on the now. One thing at a time.
“I don’t think Lukas can help this time, Alyx. At the moment I am not sure that either of the communities will want to spare their Animale as they are being used so vitally for communications at the moment. Does anyone else have any ideas? Any Animale friends or familias we can trust?”
“That’s okay,” said Alyx as an image of a swift came to mind. “I think I know where to get help.”
* * *
“You have got to be kidding me,” Jordan practically yelled at Alyx.
Alyx watched Jordan running his hands through his hair as he paced in the compartment. After the meeting had adjourned and everyone had filed out, he had taken her aside to ask her what her plan was. Needless to say, he was not happy after hearing what she wanted to do.
“I am not letting you go find the RaceKeeper alone.”
Alyx bristled. “I’m perfectly capable of doing things by myself.”
Jordan looked like he was about to argue back when he paused and she saw his face soften. When he spoke she could hear his voice rumbling with passion. “Alyx. You are the strongest, most capable warrior I have ever known. I would never, ever want to suggest otherwise. I know you are perfectly capable of facing the RaceKeeper alone. But think strategically. Think like a flock leader. Would Symon ever let his warriors patrole alone? No. You are always in pairs. Why?”
He grabbed Alyx’s hands with his. Then he leaned in towards her, pushing lightly against her hands with his. Instinctively, she pushed back to match his pressure.
“Together,” he said, his voice low, “we cover each other’s weaknesses and we create a combined strength to form something…stronger. Together, we are more than when we are alone. Together we are…better.”
She froze as a lone thought appeared in her mind, adrift like wood floating in a rolling sea.
“The one who makes us better than when we are alone.”
Where had she heard this before? Alyx blinked and dropped her gaze from Jordan’s green eyes blazing at her.
She looked at their hands gently pressing against each other forming a peak and realized that their bodies were forming a kind of triangle. Both taking and giving weight and support to each other, forming a stronger structure.
Another thought appeared. “You don’t have to do everything alone.” Alyx knew this was something that Jordan had said more than once to her. And she had said it back to him.
She looked back at Jordan’s face. The last of her anger faded when she recognized the concern that underlay his features. It had always been there, she realized. Even as his face shone with anger, the anger was just a mask for the care underneath. Why had she not seen this before?
“There is someone else – a friend – who I want to talk to as well,” she explained. “He might be less inclined to talk around a person he doesn’t know.”
Jordan grinned. “Please. Everybody loves me.”
Alyx had to fight not to roll her eyes.
“I promise I’ll behave,” he said.
“Okay. You can come with me.”
Chapter 11
Israel felt himself draw away from the nothingness. Back to this strange nowhere-place, lit up only by his awareness.
Alyx. She was his first thought.
He pushed out again to try and feel her. The absence of her presence caused a panic to jitter through him. He moved towards the edge of this place. He stopped when he came to that wall, that invisible wall. He knew Alyx would be on the other side. He had to get through this wall. He had to get back to her. He drew back his fist. He froze when a male voice spoke from behind him.
“Don’t.”
Israel spun, his fists flying to guard his face out of instinct. “Who’s there?”
“Relax, Israel.” That voice…that irritatingly familiar voice…
“Elder?”
“Indeed.”
The darkness seemed to clear a little, and he could see the figure of the old Seraphim he met in China, gleaming with light as if it was shining from within him. Everything else remained dark, though. Was this really the Elder? Or his imagination?
“Where am I? What’s going on?” Israel demanded.
“What do you remember?”
Israel frowned. What did he remember? Alyx. The image of her cat-like green eyes came into his thoughts. Then the exchange at Remembrance Park. Alyx had risked her life for him – again. She had pretended to be him, wrapped in her mirage magic, so that Samyara wouldn’t really have him when they “exchanged” him for the lives of the four Seraphim. And Adere.
Adere. He had kissed her. His “act of love” to try and banish her demon possessor. But it hadn’t worked. Then…something happened... He had grabbed Adere. He remembered a sharp pain in his shoulder.
The knife…the darkness.
Israel felt cold. “Am I…dead?”
“No. The knife was poisoned. You’re in a kind of deep unearthly sleep while your body tries to hold it off. Like death but not quite.”
“So…how are you here? Is this is a DreamScape?”
The Elder smiled. “We can call it that, if you like.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Alyx came to me, asking for my help in finding a cure for your poison. I told her what I knew. She is now trying to save you.”
“Alyx…” Israel’s voice trailed off. The feeling of her name rolling off his tongue sent an ache through him. He wanted so desperately to touch her, to tell her that he was here… What if he never woke up? What if he never got to see her again? He pushed these thoughts away.
“Why can’t I reach her? Our bond…it feels…” Israel couldn’t say it. The bond felt broken.
The Elder nodded grimly. “I doubt that the Guardian-bond is broken, it will just feel like it while you are…here.”
“And for her? Does she feel its absence as well?”
“It is very likely.”
The thought that she may slip away from him sent a rush of fear through his soul. “If she can’t reach me, how come you can?”
“I have been alive since the dawn of time. My DreamWalker powers can extend to…this place. But even this is a dangerous and strenuous feat for me.”
“How do I get back?”
“I’m afraid it’s not up to you. It’s up to her.”
Israel growled in frustration. Alyx. Saving his life…again. There had to be something he could do to get himself out of here…he glanced back at the invisible wall and placed a hand on the surface. He imagined Alyx standing on the other side with her hand pressing back in a mirror image.
He gritted his jaw. He had to get back. He had to. There had to be a way past this wall. Perhaps he could punch through it?
“Don’t do it, Israel.” The Elder’s voice cut through his thoughts.
“I have to go back. She needs me.”
The Elder sighed. “She needs you alive. This is the safest place for you now.”
“And I do what? Just wait around here until she rescues me?”
“You won’t be sitting around. You have work to do,” the Elder said. “We must be ready should she succeed.”
“Ready?”
“I am here to help you continue your training of your gifts. Should she succeed in waking you before…” He stopped what he was about to say. But Israel knew what was coming next…before you die. “In any case, you must be ready. This will not be the greatest ordeal you will have to face.”
Israel stared at the Elder. His eyes were kind yet firm. This Elder, he knew things…b
ut Israel knew better than to ask. This Elder never gave away anything he didn’t want to.
“Are you willing, Israel?”
“Sure, let me just check my schedule…” Israel tapped a single finger to his chin. “Nope, still in a coma.” Israel shrugged. “Why not? It’s not like I have anything else to do.”
Chapter 12
Alyx and Jordan moved through the forest on a small rocky island in Halong Bay, Vietnam. The water of this bay was a shimmering mirror reflecting many other islands, haphazard piles of rock, sand and trees fringed with clusters of sleepy junk boats. It was a perfect spot for a race. To Alyx, the air smelled salty, but underneath she could detect the faraway smokiness of fish roasting over sweet coconut husks.
“You’re not seeing the RaceKeeper first?” Jordan asked.
“No,” Alyx said. “I want to see my friend first.”
It had been a while since she had checked in on Sparrow. She felt guilty about this, but things had been so crazy that she hadn’t had time. She hoped that Sparrow wouldn’t be too upset with her.
“So who’s this friend?”
She was about to reply when a dark shadow swooped in front of her. She heard Jordan’s blade sing as he pulled it out of its sheath.
“It’s okay, Jordan. It’s just Piki,” Alyx said as she recognized the chirping bird.
Piki flitted around her head, obviously excited about something, before settling on Alyx’s outstretched fingers. Alyx pulled at the Animale bloodink on her ribs, and his chittering became something she recognized.
…so worried about you. Have been trying to find you and imagine my shock when I came to your human-nest and found it burned to the ground.
“I’m sorry, Piki. I didn’t mean to make you guys worry. I came as soon as I could.”
Piki tilted his head at Alyx. If she didn’t know any better she would say that he was frowning at her.
Sparrow was losing his mind about what might have happened to you. He tried to break his bracelet, which got him into a lot of trouble. But you didn’t hear it from me. You know what he’s like.
Alyx’s heart lurched when she thought of the RaceKeeper punishing Sparrow. She should have come sooner. “I promise I won’t say anything.”
Piki turned his attention to Jordan. Who is this other wingless bird? Another Alyx?
“No, this is Jordan. Piki, I don’t have much time. I need to see the RaceKeeper and I need your help.”
You can have my help. Anything. But you can’t see the RaceKeeper.
“Why?”
I’ll let Sparrow tell you. Piki hopped on her fingers. Wait here. He chirped again as if to emphasize his instruction. Then he flew off through the trees.
“What just happened?” asked Jordan.
“I think I just got told off by a swift. They have something that we need to hear before we see the RaceKeeper. We have to wait here.”
“They?”
She told Jordan about Sparrow and Piki in hushed tones as they waited.
Minutes later, little Sparrow came bounding through the trees behind Piki. Alyx had to hold back a smile. Someone had obviously given the boy their old long-sleeved shirt. The sleeves were so long that it fell over his hands, even as he kept pushing them up. He seemed to remember himself when he saw Alyx and slowed his pace, forcing a coolness to his face.
Piki landed on Alyx’s shoulder as Sparrow approached. He stopped when he spotted Jordan.
“Who’s he?” Sparrow squinted and pointed a crooked finger at Jordan.
“He’s a good friend of mine, Sparrow. I trust him with my life. Anything you can say to me, you can say in front of him.”
“That’s an unusual name, Sparrow,” Jordan said, and flashed him what Alyx had come to think of as his disarming grin. “Your parents chose well.”
Alyx cringed.
“My parents are dead,” Sparrow snapped, causing Jordan to shuffle with uncertainty. Sparrow ignored the hand that Jordan reached out to him and turned back to Alyx, frowning. “You shoulda come sooner. Piki was so worried. I had to put up with him chattering away and being all nervous. I could barely get any work done.”
“I promise you that I came as soon as I could.”
“I heard The RaceKeeper talking to a bad man. A really bad man. I sent Piki out and when Piki returned without you and all he brought back was a burned piece of wood, I thought…” Sparrow paled.
“It’s okay. We’re okay. I’m sorry I made you worry.” Alyx lightly brushed Sparrow’s head. “What happened? Who was this bad man?”
Sparrow nodded as he composed himself. “An Elder named Michael.” Alyx’s blood turned to ice. “He has put a price on your head. A big one. A lotta gold. The RaceKeeper has ordered his guards to capture you on sight. The RaceKeeper instructed me to tell him if I ever saw you around here.”
Alyx cursed silently. Her most lucrative source of information had been cut off.
Jordan shifted forward, his muscles tensing as he scanned the trees. “And would you?”
Sparrow scowled. “I ain’t no rat. Alyx is my friend. I would never tell on her. Even if they beat me again and again.”
“I believe him, Jordan. Please, back off,” Alyx said. Sparrow looked smug.
Alyx could see the flash of emotion across Jordan’s face. Then it was gone. He nodded once. “Very well. If you trust him, I do, too.”
“How do you feel about dealing with the RaceKeeper?” she asked Jordan.
“They’re also looking to bring in any of your known accomplices,” Sparrow continued. “Most likely this tagalong,” he jerked his head towards Jordan, “is on that list.”
So much for sending Jordan in to squeeze information out of the RaceKeeper. Looked like they had to rely solely on Piki.
“Thank you, Sparrow.” Alyx bent down to the boy and, before he could protest, gave him a quick kiss on his forehead. “What would I do without you?” Sparrow blushed. “I need Piki’s help with something. I hope you don’t mind if he comes with us for a while?”
Sparrow shrugged. “Sure. Saves me feeding him, I guess.” But she could see the wrinkle of hurt in his face that he couldn’t come with them, too.
They said their goodbyes and took off into the air. Alyx glanced back to see Sparrow watching them, a sight made more sorrowful by the drop of his lips and his sleeves so big they swallowed his hands. She made him a promise in her mind. Soon I’ll take you from the RaceKeeper and you’ll never have to come back.
* * *
Jordan, Alyx and Piki stood on the edge of the forest surrounding Michaelea. Being this close to her old home, Alyx felt her whole body erupt into a jangle of nerves. She tried to ignore it and focused on explaining what she needed from Piki.
Piki chirped. How do I know what the one you call Mayrekk and the one you call Michael look like?
“Well, Mayrekk has…” Alyx trailed off as an idea struck her. “I could show you.”
Alyx ran her fingers over the inside of her left forearm where the remains of a tattoo inked with Moloko’s blood lay as a reminder of her failed plan to capture Samyara. Alyx closed her eyes, pulling at the blood. It misted through her like steam, warm and moist. Immediately her mind began to fill with anxious whispers. She tried to ignore them and focused on Mayrekk’s face, not as it had been in his DreamScape, weak and dulled, but as she remembered it, bright and alert.
Jordan made a small noise. And she knew her idea had worked. Her face had miraged over with Mayrekk’s.
She swallowed and cast her mind to Michael’s icy features. A chill settled in her bones and the frightened whispers grew more frantic, threatening to distract her completely. His image blurred in her mind. She felt the last of the blood begin to draw away from the tattoo. This snapped Alyx’s focus back, and Michael’s features cleared. She felt the mirage over her face shift to reflect the image held in her mind. The last of the magic burned up in her blood and she could feel the mirage fading.
Alyx opened her eyes. She spoke to Piki usin
g Animale. “Mayrekk was the first one, Michael was second.”
Piki chittered in acknowledgment and flew off into the canopy towards Michaelea.
When Alyx turned to Jordan, she could see the strain on his face. “You could have warned me about what you were going to do.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it would upset you like it has.”
Jordan pulled her against him and leaned his chin on her head. “I’m not upset, beauty. I think it just shocked me, that’s all, seeing Michael’s face again…”
Alyx leaned against Jordan’s frame, letting him support her, grateful that he had convinced her to let him come. When she exhaled she felt as though she was almost melting into him.
All they could do now was wait.
* * *
Piki flew to Mayrekk’s hut, where Alyx had told him to check first. Swooping around the thatched roof, he saw nobody standing guard. Flying low, he landed on the sill of the only open window. The air inside stank of blood and infection, which caused his feathers to ruffle in fear.
A moan came from inside, but Piki could not see who made the noise past all these shelves and things. He had to be sure it was Mayrekk. But every one of his instincts told him not to enter.
Piki chittered nervously to himself. Alyx was brave enough to save me from the eagle. Piki must be brave to help Alyx.
Steeling his courage, he puffed his chest out and dove into the hut. Piki followed the stench through the jumble of shelves like oddly shaped tree trunks.
In the back corner of the hut Piki found Mayrekk lying across a small bed, partly covered with a sheet. His face was pale and gaunt and etched in hurt. Piki wished there was some way he could reassure this Mayrekk-creature. At least he was alive.
Piki made his way back out of the hut and up to just above the canopy. He flew towards the main buildings of Michaelea.
As he flew over the city, there seemed a great energy vibrating from the inhabitants. Piki likened it to when the seasons were changing and Piki and his brothers and sisters began to feel the pull to travel to warmer airs. There was always a great energy that built as they twittered and fussed around until they all took off in flight. These wingless creatures below all seemed excited about something.
