by HR Moore
Marcus' anger kindled and Anita knew she had to defuse him. 'I'm sure your mother's really looking forward to seeing you after all the excitement of the last few weeks,' she said, drawing his attention to her, placing a hand on his thigh.
The distraction worked, Marcus' energy mellowing a little, but it wasn't enough to make him let it go.
'And it's only for the weekend,' she continued, leaning into him. 'We'll be back before you know it.' She smiled, trying to look something like an innocent puppy. It worked, his energy returning to more normal levels.
'Okay, fine,' he said, relenting, leaning in and giving her another, much longer kiss.
Under normal circumstances, Anita would have gone a deep shade of puce, and everyone would have taken the piss out of them. But everyone, including Bass, who had suddenly found the table in need of careful study, realized that Anita had adverted a crisis, so they sat in awkward silence.
'Why are you going to Kingdom?' asked Marcus, his tone edgy.
Cleo jumped in, Anita grateful this time, as the table's focus shifted away from her.
'Alexander has some business stuff to do, Bass is going to see someone to talk about energy, and I'm going to see my dad. Dad's a trader, so he's been out in the Wild Lands for ages and I can't wait to see him. He's very fond of Anita, so she's coming along for the ride.'
This wasn't entirely true. The way it had really happened was that Cleo had told them she was going to Kingdom to see her dad. Alexander had said he was going too, and asked Bass if he wanted to come along to meet some energy guy. Bass had jumped at the chance, and Cleo had announced to the table that Anita would be coming along for the ride. Cleo's motives were never pure, but Marcus didn't need to know that.
Marcus lost interest as Cleo started rabbiting on about the commodities her father traded and how he was hardly ever in Empire any longer.
Marcus put his arm around Anita and pulled her towards him. The message was clear: she was his, and Alexander had better not forget it.
CHAPTER 11
By the time Friday rolled around, Anita was glad at the prospect of a break from Marcus. He'd monopolized her time since learning she'd be going to Kingdom at the weekend. He'd come to meet her every morning to walk her to the observatory, had spent time in the observatory asking questions about what exactly it was she did, had walked her home every day, and had insisted she spend every evening with him, meaning she'd had to cancel her lessons with Alexander.
Anita loved spending time with Marcus, but she was starting to get claustrophobic, and was looking forward to the weekend away.
Friday afternoon eventually arrived and she was full of excitement as she got in an energy car with Bass, Alexander and Cleo (with Marcus there to wave them off, of course). The back seats were arranged so some faced forwards and others backwards, so they chatted easily all the way to Kingdom.
After several hours, the tension of Alexander's proximity now almost unbearable, Alexander cut across the conversation. 'There it is,' he said, gesturing out of the window at the first glimpse of Kingdom.
Anita felt him watching her as she saw it for the first time, knew he could feel her energy soar. The city's silhouette, despite the distance, conveyed a magnificent power that made the blood race around her veins.
Kingdom sat just above the sea, a cluster of soaring spires and elegant outlines, with a wall around the city that seemed to hug it to the coast. In its center rose three imposing spires, dominating the rest. They belonged to the temples, their sheer dominance impressive even at this range.
Whereas Empire had a stately, romantic quality, Kingdom had none of that kind of charm. It was majestic yet harsh, untold opportunity radiating from within its walls. But it also felt dangerous, like the opportunity came with a risk, like you'd never be totally safe there, never mind who you were.
This was Anita's kind of place, where a challenge waited at every corner, and those who fought the hardest won the day.
They raced towards the city, then through the gates, flying along the ancient streets, Anita straining for a glimpse of the Relic as they passed the colossal temples.
'Don't worry,' laughed Alexander, 'we can go and see it tomorrow.'
They carried on through Kingdom, past a wide array of spectacular looking shops, restaurants, and houses, until they passed out through the gate the other side.
Anita looked at Alexander, confused. 'We're not staying in Kingdom?'
'Afraid not. My family rank privacy over convenience, so our residence is just outside. We'll be spending most of our time in the city though.'
Anita was disappointed to be leaving before having a chance to explore, but couldn't wait to see Alexander's house.
A couple of miles outside Kingdom, the car pulled through a pair of understated gates onto a sweeping drive. It swung in a wide arc, revealing a grand house, large but not vast, covered in magnificent purple flowers. Anita's energy soared when she saw the house and Alexander's responded when he sensed her reaction, his energy tinged with worry.
She turned to face him and beamed, Cleo and Bass making appreciative noises. 'It's beautiful,' she breathed, before turning her head to the other window. Lush, green lawn rolled from the front of the house all the way to the top a shear drop into the sea.
Anita froze, eyes wide, all color draining from her face. 'Alexander…' she said, feeling sick, then stopped, lost for words.
He studied her, his energy nervous. But before he could respond, Cleo broke the spell.
'In the name of the Gods, Alexander. That is bloody glorious,' she said, looking in the same direction as Anita, out over the sea.
Although the sea itself provided a stunning, theatrical backdrop, what had caught Cleo's attention was the view across the bay, of Kingdom. It was breath-taking. Kingdom looked like it belonged in a snow dome, a perfect city contained within a neat, protective wall.
But Anita couldn't focus on that. Her pulse hammered in her ears…this was…how was this possible? Why hadn't he said anything…? Apart from the city, which didn't feature, this place was identical to the cliff in her mind.
* * * * *
To Anita's surprise, she was afraid. She had never been here before. How was this place in her head, and why without Kingdom?
Alexander studied her, then sent a nudge to the edge of her energy field, but it had no impact. Anita's mind raced. Was it someone from Alexander's family who'd put the cylinder in her head? Was that how the cliff had got there? Did Alexander know something? Had he brought her to Kingdom under false pretenses?
They pulled up to the front door, Cleo talking at a hundred miles an hour about how wonderful the house was, but nobody was really listening.
They climbed out of the car to be greeted by the housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson, who ushered them inside. They entered to find themselves in an enormous, glass-topped atrium that basked an internal courtyard in light.
Alexander didn't give them time to dwell, whisking them away from the feathery space to show them to their rooms. They climbed one side of a double staircase, turned left at the top, and followed the corridor to the end. Alexander opened a door to reveal Cleo's gargantuan quarters.
'You'll be in here, Cleo. Your bags should already be waiting for you. We'll see you downstairs for supper at eight. Hopefully that should give you enough time to freshen up?'
Cleo barely heard what he said. She was preoccupied with the extravagant four poster bed and view over the bay. 'Uh-huh. Yep, sure thing. See you downstairs,' she said, not even sparing the others a glance.
Alexander dropped Bass off in the room next to Cleo, before leading Anita over to the other side of the house. He opened an understated door into a smaller, but truly beautiful room.
Anita, who had thought nothing but suspicious thoughts since she'd seen the view, softened as she took in the proportions. It was big, but not ostentatious, full of gorgeous draped fabric. It had a weightless, carefree, quietly opulent air.
The floor to ceiling windows let
in so much light that the room basked in a golden hour glow. Through them, Anita had an uninterrupted view over the perfectly manicured lawns. They skipped to the edge of the cliff and then jump off into the sea below. But the jewel in the crown was the sight of Kingdom, seeming to levitate above the sea.
There must be so much power in the city, thought Anita, that it wouldn't be surprising if it was suppressing its energy, propelling itself off the ground.
Alexander had been watching Anita as she took in the room and the view. 'Anita,' he started, hesitantly, 'I'm sorry.'
She turned slowly to face him, quizzing him with her eyes, energy furious, but didn't say a word.
'When we arranged to come to Kingdom,' he said, 'I knew I had to tell you. I was going to tell you in our next lesson, but Marcus hasn't let you out of his sight long enough for me to get anywhere near you.'
Anita could see Alexander was telling the truth and could feel it in his energy, which he was making no attempt to hide, but she wasn't ready to let him off the hook quite yet. 'Why didn't you tell me when we first meditated to the cliff?' she asked, her tone neutral.
'I don't know,' he said. He paused…embarrassed.
The impervious Alexander, embarrassed.
'I thought you'd be suspicious if I told you, that you wouldn't trust me. I have no explanation for how the cliff got into your head; I have no idea why it's there. And I thought it best to keep anything personal out of our lessons. You know how Marcus feels about us spending time together; can you imagine how he'd react if he found out one of the places in your head was here?'
'How would he find out?'
'You might have told him.'
His words were matter of fact, they were like an arrow through her arm. Not a fatal blow, but painful; he didn't trust her.
'I need time to get ready for dinner,' said Anita.
Alexander looked for a moment like he might not leave, then whirled around, gliding back through the door, energy suppressed so Anita couldn't read it.
Alexander opened the door next to Anita's and entered his room, resisting the urge to slam it closed behind him.
* * * * *
As eight o'clock neared, Anita left her room and went to find Cleo. She tiptoed past Alexander's room in her gold sandals and a floor length goddess gown she'd had to buy especially for the occasion, and went in search of her best friend.
Anita got to Cleo's room just as Cleo was coming out. She looked spectacular, as always, in a floor length silk chiffon dress that wafted around her legs. 'Hey,' said Anita, 'you look amazing.'
'Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself,' she said, feigning surprise.
'Very funny.'
'Ready to make our grand entrance? I think the boys have already gone down.'
Anita nodded, turned around, and headed for the staircase. They made their way down the sweeping stairs and into the atrium, where the others were already sitting, sipping spectacular looking cocktails from crystal glasses. The men stood up when they entered, Anita thinking how funny it was that getting dressed up could bring out one's best behavior.
Alexander stepped forward, grabbed the two remaining cocktails from a silver tray, and handed them to Anita and Cleo. Cleo walked off to admire a large piece of art.
'Anita, this is Anderson, he's a Relic specialist,' said Alexander, introducing her to a tall, skinny man with a mop of ginger hair. 'Anita's an energy specialist. She works in the observatory with Bass,' he said to Anderson.
Anita blushed. 'I'm not sure I would describe myself as a specialist,' she said quickly, 'but I do work with Bass, who definitely is one. You're a Relic specialist? How interesting,' she said, deflecting the conversation away from herself, 'I had no idea such a profession existed.'
Anderson's energy turned shifty, and he couldn't hide it from his face. 'Well, it doesn't really, not officially. The Descendants, specifically Austin, banned it a few years ago…not sure why…but they tend to let me get on with it.' He smiled a smile that said no more questions please and turned to introduce his wife. 'Anita, this is Bella, she assists me with my research.'
'Hello,' said Anita, warmly. Maybe she could make friends with Bella, who could shed some light on what exactly a Relic specialist did. 'It's so nice to meet you. We're going to see the Relic tomorrow…why don't you join us?'
Anderson looked shifty again, like he was trying to find the right way to say no, but before he could, Bella said, 'Yes, of course; it would be our pleasure.'
Anita knew from Bella's guilty energy that she had an ulterior motive, but Anita couldn't care less.
After another lethal-yet-delicious cocktail, Mrs. Hudson ushered the group into the dining room. It was like the rest of the house; large, spacious, light and sophisticated, but not in any way grand or stuffy. The parts of the house Anita had seen so far would fit on a mountain top amid the clouds, and the dining room was no exception.
Anita found herself between Alexander and Anderson at dinner. She pointedly turned away from Alexander, shutting him out of the conversation. She was still hurt that he didn't trust her and had no intention of making life easy, not for a little while anyway.
The meal was delicious and they were just getting onto a spectacular cheese course, when Bass said, 'Anderson, if I'm not mistaken, you used to study energy, especially energy transfer? What made you change your focus?'
Anderson smiled, his energy pleasantly surprised. 'Yes, I did. I worked with your father at one point; I spent a great deal of time at the observatory when I was younger. Energy transfer and destruction are fascinating areas. Of course, there's no way to truly destroy energy, you can only hinder its transfer from potential to actual, divert it, or find ways to use it up.
'Energy transfer is a much more delicate topic. I studied it for years, but interest waned with its diminishing use. It's how people used to transfer secret messages…'
'…hang on, what?' interrupted Cleo, shocked at the sudden swing to her specialist subject. 'What do you mean people transferred secret messages? Who did, and why?'
Anderson waited for a few moments, clearly hoping someone else would step in and explain. Nobody took up the reigns, so he continued. 'A few decades ago, the world was a dangerous place. Peter was born into the Body bloodline and, as he was a man, this caused widespread disruption, panic, conspiracy theories, prophecies that the world was now doomed…
'Powerful factions began to form. Some rallied behind the Descendants, believing they would find a way to free the world before Peter ever came to power. Some turned to the academics for answers and funded research into the Relic and the energy. And one group formed with the aim of keeping the energy steady, so we could go on with our lives regardless of what happened with the Relic.
'This group was called the Institution and they were particularly elusive. They took great pains to hide their work from anybody and everybody, but especially from the Descendants. They had a significant disregard for the establishment, of the opinion the Descendants weren't doing their bit to free the world.'
Anita shot a look at Alexander to see how he was taking this slight, but his face was as steady as his energy.
'But,' said Anderson, 'as I am sure you can imagine, views questioning the authority of the Descendants were seen by many as treason. The Institution had to operate in the shadows, passing messages carefully and without evidence between members.
'To do this, they used energy transfer to pass secret messages, planting them into the brain of another, the message taking the shape of a brass cylinder.'
Anita went cold. The Institution used brass cylinders…
'When the person next meditated,' said Anderson, 'they would come across the brass cylinder, open it in private, and respond in the same way. Nobody to this day really understands how it's possible, hence the research.'
Anita knew from Cleo's energy, not to mention how still and upright she had grown in her seat, that she had hundreds of questions she was dying to ask. Instead, she nodded along with everyone e
lse, pretending to understand exactly what Anderson was talking about.
'Everything eventually settled down,' said Anderson. 'I think people got tired of having to look over their shoulders, and people started to use brass cylinders to store energy instead. Either they would store information and memories that they wanted to share with people, or information and memories they wanted to hide.
'The fascinating thing about this, was that if someone stole a cylinder containing someone else's memories, the energy would strain to get back to its rightful owner. This breaks all the rules we understand about how energy works, which is why it's a topic that lures so many academics; it's truly baffling.
'I used to study energy transfers of this sort, however, I came across the idea that sending the Relic back to the Gods could have something to do with energy transfer, so turned my attention to the Relic instead.'
'How did you come across the idea?' asked Anita, captivated like everyone else, except Alexander, who was observing Anita.
Anderson closed down as soon as the words were out of Anita's mouth and she immediately regretted saying them. Alexander came to her rescue. 'Poor Anderson. He was invited for a friendly dinner and has ended up doing a post-dinner key-note. Time for coffee and nightcaps in the library.'
Anita shot a grateful look at Alexander, then followed the others out of the dining room. Something interesting definitely going on there, she thought, as she entered the library and helped herself to a walnut liquor on the rocks, in a beautiful crystal tumbler.
Several hours later, after Cleo and Bass had retired to bed, Bella announced it was time for her and Anderson to leave. They thanked Alexander for a wonderful evening, and he got up to show them out, leaving Anita alone in the library.
Pent up after skirting around the edge of so many interesting topics, Anita left the library and headed to the cloakroom. She selected a floor length, black cloak for herself and a floor length, red cloak for Alexander. She swung her cloak around her shoulders and fastened it using the ornate broach attached to its neck before heading for the front door.
