Chapter 12 #2
“The Pax is stronger together, and we’ve been able to prove that beyond a doubt by living in peace with one another.
Our combined strengths are what allowed us to break out of the realms who used and abused us.
We’re going to need that strength again in the coming months.
” I paused, noting that no one’s attention had strayed.
“If you have any clues or ideas about what happened today, please don’t hesitate to come find me, or any of the other faction leaders if you’re not comfortable talking with me.
We’re all in this together. Please don’t go it alone.
I do not want to lose any more of you.” I choked on the last word, turning toward my exit.
My heart was still pounding in my chest. I never enjoyed giving speeches or feeling like I had to mistrust my own people.
I needed to get into the office so that I could break down in peace.
I had to stay strong as a leader, even though that was the last thing I wanted, but our people needed someone to look to for hope amid this attack.
I never wanted this role, just the peace that came from it.
I was met by Aibell and Ionia as I got into my office, and I cursed under my breath.
It wasn’t their fault, but I needed to be alone to process.
The people outside were coming to terms with the fact that we weren’t as safe as we thought we were, and those old habits of fighting for our lives were coming back to us as if they’d never left.
We all knew that there was a possibility of war again, but we’d never expected it to be this soon, and not a threat on this level.
I sucked in a deep breath, relaxed my shoulders, and pushed off my impending panic attack for just a little while longer. I didn’t know how much longer I would be able to do this without losing my shit on people who didn’t deserve my wrath. “Hey, friends. What have you found out so far?”
“The sprites are spreading rumors about this being an inside job. You know how the sprites are. We love to gossip and cause mischief. I’m working to separate the facts from rumors,” Ionia said, flying to perch on one of the many tree limbs scattered toward the ceiling of the office.
“The last thing we need right now is a mutiny based off a game of telephone. Can you check in with them and figure out what they want to stay quiet until the facts come to light?” I asked as I rounded my desk to sit down.
As Ionia left the room, Aibell’s gaze pierced into me, lips tight. She was pissed, and we really didn’t need a banshee screaming for retribution just yet. She was trying to contain her rage until we knew where we could direct it, and she was struggling. I got that.
“I went to the scene of the crime with one of our portal masters. While they managed to detect that portal magic happened there, they were unable to determine who opened the portal. They said that the signatures weren’t something they’d ever felt before.
It was strong magic. They believed that either it was a new player on the board, or a band of people together were able to open the portals.
They’re heading to other factions as we speak to see if the signatures match,” she said.
I’d never heard of anyone being able to combine their magic to open portals, but I guessed anything was possible.
There had been rumors floating around since before my existence that alchemy, the study of changing the properties of metal into something else, could solve the issue with portal jumping.
The belief by fanatics was that if metals could be turned to gold and other chemical properties, that they just needed to study the chemicals produced by portal magic to be able to open one.
When the portal opened at the construction of the Arch, it had reignited the desire to study alchemy again.
There had been alchemists studying the theory for so long that it had kind of become a joke in supernatural communities.
The Super Collider designed by humans to study the Big Bang was the closest thing to alchemical science that had produced any modicum of results, but still no portal.
I shook off the thought. At this point, it didn’t seem possible that modern technology or alchemy would be able to break that barrier. I said as much to Aibell.
“I think you’re right, but you should still bring it up to the rest of the factions. Maybe someone here will have more insight than we currently do,” Aibell replied, sitting down in the chair in front of my desk.
“Will do. Our first steps, however, must be to interrogate everyone who is at the Pax. This is going to be a long day. You realize it’s nothing personal, but I would rather start with you.
I need someone here who can detect lies and/or force folks to speak the truth.
Do you know who is on campus today?” I asked.
It seemed silly, since Fae could not tell lies, but we had become adept at using language to say nothing at all.
Aibell nodded, and I let out a sigh of relief. “Good. Now please leave me for a little bit. I need some room to breathe for a minute.”
I closed the door, then slid down it as the tears began to fall down my cheeks.
I pulled myself into a fetal position, wishing I could be vulnerable enough with anyone to break down and be held.
Instead, I tried to have the quietest panic attack I could so that I wouldn’t inconvenience anyone investigating the murder of one of my own people.