I followed behind Gemma with little opposition. She held onto my wrist the entire time, tightening her grip if I ever fell behind. For a woman, she proved to be stronger than most I knew. As for her abilities as a mage, I hoped to never see the full extent. Though rumors spread about the Council, no one ever mentioned them being corrupt. Perhaps she had a personal vendetta to settle with the Nasso family. Numerous people in Isaak’s family had never met me, but I had not forgotten her mistaking me for Claire. I still had no idea who she was or why she was important, yet I remained with no way to ask for more information.
We arrived at the front of the castle, and Gemma opened the double doors. We walked through together as if I had any choice. Servants passed us, greeting Gemma but never questioning my existence. To them perhaps I looked like the prisoner I really was. We continued forward across a white rug until we reached a large staircase. One step at a time Gemma and I climbed it. Each step reminded me I distanced myself from home. I wondered if Mother noticed my absence, but Gemma had already poisoned everyone’s minds with lies.
The staircase creaked on the last step. It deposited us in the middle of a long hallway, both sides containing numerous doors, all of them closed. I saw no other sign of another councilor or someone who might help me. Gemma nudged me to the right, and we passed several rooms. The sound of men’s laughter filled the silence, but it seemed to come from within one of the private rooms.
I listened to Gemma’s footsteps and watched the way she moved. While my voice was rendered useless I thought of other ways to stop her. If I could take her down she held the key to returning home. The task sounded easier in my head, but challenging an advanced mage was no task taken lightly. It required time and patience; two skills I lacked the most currently.
Reaching the end of the hallway, Gemma stopped in front of the second to last door on the right. She unlocked it and dragged me inside with her, then quickly shut the door without causing too much noise. A large bed in the center of the room was covered with blankets and pillows. A small black cat lay at the end of the bed sleeping. A journal laid on the vanity along with a jewelry box. High heels filled the left corner of the room, and books filled the top of the chest in front of the bed. Enough wood covered the floor for me to dance across the room, but my eyes fell on a window. It remained closed and at the far end of the room. I quickly stared at the cat, hoping Gemma would forget about the window’s existence.
Gemma paced back and forth, stopping briefly at times to observe me. At last she stopped in front of me and said, “Your name is Claire Kanelos. Remember that name, you will hear it often. Tonight, if you play your part, you will live to tell the story. If you don’t, I’ll tighten the fabric around your neck.”
She approached me with her hand held out. I backed away, slamming my back into the door. I held my hands against the door, trying to force magic out of them. Nothing happened. Gemma snickered at my attempts. She waved glowing hands over my face, continuing downward as she seemed to outline my entire body, murmuring words throughout the process. I stood helplessly, not knowing if this magic would harm me. Once she finished with my feet, she stood up again and touched a strand of my hair.
I did not feel any different, but when I advanced forward to look in the vanity, my jaw dropped. My hair had returned to its natural brunette color.
Gemma offered no more answers. Instead, she stepped outside and shut the door behind her.
The doorknob turned, and I collapsed on the bed. This was worse than anything I had imagined.
Chapter Four
On the Prowl
I waited in silence with nothing but the comfort of my own breathing. My voice remained bottled up, trapped somewhere unknown. The thought of being mute for my entire life frightened me more than death. I wanted to believe no one could be heartless enough to kidnap me. People were not born evil; it was their actions that changed them. Gemma’s actions showed little room for compassion. I was the stem of a rose, entirely naked and vulnerable. The desire to scream made the silence even more unbearable.
I quickly rushed to the window and tried my luck at opening it. A string of pain rushed through my fingertips when my hand touched the glass. I backed away, holding the hand to my chest. Without magic, I remained powerless to undo the enchantment. I already underestimated Gemma’s powers, and now the hope of escaping seemed like a naive wish.
It was easier to imagine her responsible for this than consider someone else working with her. My family was not worth money, despite Mother’s leadership over Rajoor. Her money was depleted from my schooling, her adventures, and Isaak’s absence. As soon as Gemma returned I planned to confront the misunderstanding between her and I. She had the wrong woman; I did not belong here. The document asked for my audience in front of the Council, and a witness did not belong trapped away in a room.
The door creaked open, and I rushed to sit on the bed as if waiting like an obedient dog. No one ever trained for life as a prisoner, but misbehaving in front of my capturer was no longer an option. Without magic or a voice I needed to regain my freedom.
Footsteps approached me, and I looked up into the eyes of a stranger. Clear black eyes stared back at me. His chestnut hair flowed past his shoulders, and his tan soft skin offered warmth into the cold room. Like Gemma, he gawked at me as if I was a princess. His eyes lowered to the cuffs, and he frowned. While these mages had yet to show the full extent of their powers, this man might be my savior. I did not know why he arrived, but his anguished face played in my favor.
The man, seemingly frozen in time, asked, “Claire?”
Rolling my eyes, I wanted to scream. I wanted to shout, “no, I’m not Claire!” Instead I glared at him and pointed to the fabric around my neck. His eyes widened more as if seeing me in pain also conflicted with him. Perhaps his agony revealed more about who Gemma wanted me to be. Claire shared the same last name as the head councilor, Jhase. She held importance in Ninomay, but somewhere a mistake had been made.
I needed this man on my side, and I would do anything to gain his trust. Though Gemma had enchanted the fabric, I remained hopeful he could undo the spell. One could not simply undo another mage’s work without proper experience and knowledge. Ninomay was the largest of the three islands, filled with the best schools and mages. No one was more capable of doing this job than the man standing before me. Without knowing the full consequences of asking for the stranger’s help, I prayed for pity or dumb luck.
He stepped closer and extended his hand, brushing it against my face. I trembled but tried to remain still in case he planned to assist me. I refused to be treated like this and play “my part” as Gemma had asked. I sought only the Council’s verdict on Ren’s actions and a safe return home. How many more times would I be mistaken for Claire? Whatever relation she held to Jhase she must also be close to Gemma, but nothing justified my imprisonment. Rich or not, my life mattered as much as Claire’s.
“Forgive Gemma, she is quick to use magic before words. I’ll remove it from you... if you’ll allow it,” he said. I nodded eagerly, praying I had not fallen into a sick trap. He reached toward my neck and touched the fabric with his hand, murmuring under his breath. It fell to the ground, and I gasped as if I had been struggling for air.
Holding out his hand, he said, “Declan Michelakos at your service.”
I forced a weak smile and shook his hand. His palms sweat, and I wondered what caused him anxiety. Unless he released me from captivity, I realized he might also intend to mislead me.
“I am Clara Nasso of Rajoor. There’s been a terrible mistake. I must speak with the Council immediately,” I replied firmly.
Declan chuckled. “Of course. You really have no idea how special you are, do you? I’ll explain everything tonight, but first you should see this.”
He withdrew something from his pocket and handed it to me. A golden heart locket rested in my hand. I opened it to see a black and white image of a woman inside. Her appearance drew me in closer; it seemed iden
tical to mine. Her hair and facial features proved alike to mine, even though she wore elegant clothing. Was this the woman everyone had mistaken me for? Why did she look identical to me? I had no siblings to speak of, and Mother had not been in another relationship since Isaak.
“This is... Claire?” I stared at the photograph, focusing on her face. That matched the shape of mine too, and I questioned the coincidence. However, I gathered no reasons to trust anyone here. Mages outside of Rajoor were known for practicing illusion magic, and this might be nothing more but a trick. Gemma already proved she could change my appearance at will. This image changed nothing, and I wondered how this man could also justify Gemma’s extreme measures.
“Yes. I hardly wanted to believe it myself, yet here you are. Gemma told me everything about you was identical to her besides your hair color. Claire and I are to be married in a month. If anything has happened to her...”
His voice trailed off, and I returned the locket to him. I did not know Declan or Gemma, and they risked their jobs because of their actions. His mentioning of Claire being in danger caught my attention. This explained why Gemma changed my hair back to its natural color. They wanted me to play the role of Claire who presumably was not here.
“Any time a man tried to control my life he has ended up in prison. And I’m sure you know where criminals are sent to rot. Either help me or I’ll find my own way.”
“Clara, your only hopes of escape are through me. Gemma is determined to delay anyone noticing Claire’s absence. I need your help tonight. Follow our lead and by morning you will be speaking with Jhase. It’s only one night, what’s the harm?”
He offered a warm smile, though it quickly dissolved into a frown. More quietly he added, “Do you truly believe I would hurt a woman who looks like my future wife?”
With that he turned away, whistling a tune, as he exited through the door. Once again I was trapped and alone. Though Declan seemed more sincere than Gemma, he was no better than her. He did not undo the cuffs restraining my magic nor free me of this room. An accomplice could be known as many words, but to the Council I would ensure Declan was known as exactly that. I wanted nothing to do with these people or Claire. Though a lot of questions remained, I worried more about my own safety.
Declan mentioned explanations being given tonight, which gave me time to plan. Despite my current situation, this room had belonged to someone before I arrived. After everything I experienced in life this imprisonment would not defeat me. Mages across the three islands relied heavily on magic, but no one knew of my lessons in living without it. I thought about our creator, Circe, and how her magic aided her in times of need. She also used her wit to defeat her enemies, and I hoped mine would be enough to overcome this challenge. Declan seemed more forgiving than Gemma, but neither of them deserved my trust. Everything from this point forward would require strength and determination.
“Circe, please give me guidance to escape. I need to find a way home...” I whispered. Ironically tonight I felt more alone than I had each time Mother left for another exploration. Mother held a grudge against Ninomay as if the island itself had caused her harm. She forbade me to visit it, and she never made any effort to travel here either. In her eyes the Council was misleading and full of heartless mages. Alas her paranoia had not saved me from this misfortune, and she had no reason to search for me yet.
Quietly I paced around the room, examining everything in sight. The image of Claire remained in my head as I approached the vanity and sat in the chair. A small portrait behind the vanity showed an image of Claire and Declan holding each other. This image being in color confirmed Declan’s story, but I continued with my search. Gemma and Declan expected me to play the role of Claire tonight. If she held such importance I assumed she hid a weapon in her room. I stood up and scanned everything more carefully.
Memories seemed scattered around the room, reminding me I did not belong here. Perhaps Mother had her reasons for never visiting Ninomay. My wrists itched, but I couldn’t fully scratch because of the cuffs restraining my reach. I was willing to do anything to escape from this room.
Another picture laid on the nightstand beside the bed with Claire and an older man, whom I assumed to be her father. I touched the edge of the picture and wondered about the different lives we led. She had people who cared for her, willingly committing a crime for her sake. Where was she now if not with her family and friends? In every picture I had seen she offered the same warm smile.
I leaned against the wall, letting out a long sigh. My thoughts clouded my ability to focus. Images of Claire did not escape my mind. Pictures told the stories of her life I did not know about. Could it truly be coincidence this woman shared my appearance? I rubbed my temple, forcing myself to refocus on the task at hand. Claire was not here to help me in my time of need. Whoever she was, no matter her significance, I was not a part of her story. A terrible misunderstanding left me in no better situation than Claire’s current one. The Council had power and numbers; they could find her without imprisoning and kidnapping an innocent citizen. I refused to be trapped; I was a bird prepared to spread my wings at a moment’s notice.
Cautiously, I approached the dresser and opened the bottom drawer. I rummaged through Claire’s undergarments, throwing them aside nonchalantly. No one ever said I could not tear this room apart, and I had no intentions of stopping. Clothes piled up on the floor until at last I reached the bottom. In the far corner I noticed a glimmer, and picked it up. A thin dagger shined in my hand. It was the most beautiful weapon I had ever seen. I gripped it tightly and began the process of returning Claire’s items to their proper place. The drawer looked perfect within minutes, and I shut it as if it had never been touched. I leaped onto the bed and lay down, hiding the dagger behind my back. The next person to walk through that door was mine.
Killing was never anything I had imagined for myself. Mother rarely spoke about death whereas Isaak’s past had been engulfed by it. I had no experience with killing, but my capturers left me with little other options. They tried to leave me defenseless, but soon they would suffer the same as me.
My entire body shook—a sensation I had not felt in years. Maybe I was too weak to carry out my plan, but Claire had unintentionally given me the key to survival. It was as if she was here in the room, handing me over the dagger.
Use it. Show them you’re in control. I imagined her saying those words, though her voice remained a mystery to me. Once the door opened judgment would pass, determining if I was ready to fly or fall.
Chapter Five
The Real Me
The door creaked open, and my heart pounded against my chest. My whole body countered against me, momentarily refusing to move. Though I had hoped for Declan, I had the pleasure of meeting again with Gemma. She stormed in the room with a fancy gown in her arms. This was my moment, and I quickly sat up and leaped off of the bed. I ran at her, raising the dagger above my head.
The gown fell to the floor as Gemma pushed me backwards. I crashed into the bed, and she swiped her hand to the right. I was knocked off the bed and landed on the floor beside the gown. Groaning, I glanced around for the dagger, but Gemma quickly retrieved it. She stepped closer to me, breathing heavily like an animal. Perhaps she was a mix of the hunter and the animal. Never before could I recall a time I had been beaten so quickly. The mages in Ninomay proved strong and unchallengeable. Until my own magic returned, I treaded in deep water.
“Finished?” Gemma wiped the dagger against her dress and continued to hold it in front of her. Her eyes narrowed down on me. “With luck the gown should fit you. Will you need undergarments as well?”
“What if I can’t do this?” I asked like an innocent child. My stubbornness had gained me nothing with Gemma, and thus I attempted a different approach. I refused to be a prisoner in this room and especially to them. While Declan offered me comfort in finishing this deed, Gemma continued to demand without compromising. In Rajoor we bargained for food and clothing, but here
I haggled my life away. If I held no advantage over my enemies I needed to ensure a fair deal. One night away from home would not be the end of the world. I had lived through my fair share of bearable miseries.
Gemma pushed back a strand of her hair and chuckled. “I have ways of forcing you, Clara. I don’t want to, but I will if I must. Magic on this island is stronger than yours at home. I am not a force to be reckoned with.”
Whether she bluffed or not, I could not decide. Her expression remained emotionless. Stories and older mages warned us that Ninomay mages practiced heavy magic. They trained with famous mages, and they did not rely on spell books. In Rajoor mages used their magic to work and survive everyday life. Everyone worked to maintain their powers, and we kept spell books at the ready. The only threat Ninomay had was in Shadowland, an island south of here. Their mages used their powers in its most raw form commonly known as black magic. Though highly illegal in most forms, the Council had formed a treaty to maintain the peace. Perhaps some form of black magic was my only hope, but alas I considered it unlikely to meet a Shadowland mage here.
Gemma advanced toward me, and I picked up the gown and stood frozen in place. If she would not offer me a deal this was my chance to propose one. She seemed like a smart woman, and I hoped she would grant me safe passage home once I committed to their plan.
“If you want me to pretend to be someone I am not, I have my own requests. After tonight’s events you will return me to Rajoor,” I said. Whether this was possible or not, I could not be certain. In this world everyone paid a price for their demands. Though the Council needed me for Ren’s trail, I no longer wanted to stay in Ninomay without someone I trusted. Whether that person was a family member or a local from Rajoor did not matter to me. Once reunited with people I grew up with, they would not let harm befall upon me.
Clara and Claire Page 3
