Chapter 15
This plane of existence is simply one of an infinite number. Pockets between life and death are passages between worlds where up is down and down is up, and the rules that we cling to matter not at all.
A THEORY OF EVERYTHING BY THEODORE REGENT
Five hooded figures floated a foot above the floor surrounding us, their presence bringing a fresh chill to the chamber, which intensified the power of my primal fear. I breathed through it, reminding myself that they weren’t here to hurt me, that I hadn’t committed any crimes. Yet.
“By the Trinity, we are blessed,” Heidi said, her voice coming out smooth and confident—completely at odds with her tense form. “And by the Trinity, I beseech you to aid this woman in reclaiming her connection to the Weave.”
“We know what you want,” they said in unison.
Their words echoed through the chamber with an otherworldly timbre that made my stomach hurt.
“We know why you are here. We remember what was done. But can it be undone?” They floated back a few steps, and shadows rushed forward to cover them as a strange green light bloomed around me.
Where was Heidi? I couldn’t see her anymore. Couldn’t see anything beyond the blinding green light.
“Anamaya Onyx, daughter of Ariana Onyx, blood of Dharma Onyx, the chosen betrayer. You seek to be blessed?”
“Yes. I do.”
“You deem yourself worthy?”
“I do.”
“Liar,” they hissed. “You do not feel worthy. You deem yourself as broken. Undeserving.”
Phantom fingers gripped the back of my skull, and a strange pressure resonated through my head. They were trying to get inside. To read me.
No. “No!”
The pressure released.
“Why not? What are you hiding, hmm?”
“I’m not the one floating around in a hooded cloak.” Fuck, fuck, fuck. What was I doing? Shut your mouth, Ana.
“You’re afraid, and so you lash out.”
I took a slow, steady breath, then spoke, keeping my tone even. “I’m not afraid of you.”
“No?” The lights died again, and when they flashed back on, a horrific, elongated face loomed inches from mine—lips peeled back from blackened gums and inch-long, yellowing teeth. An aged, browning blindfold covered its eyes, below which rested two crimson slits for a nose.
Those slits widened and contracted as the thing inhaled. A fist of terror formed in my belly, stealing my bravado and leaving me limp and weak-kneed.
The lights flashed off, and when they turned back on, the face was gone.
My chest trembled, but I held my ground. “You’re not that scary.”
Raspy and chilling laughter surrounded me. “We like you. You have backbone. But we can tear that backbone from your body if we wish. We can strip your skin from your bones and use your essence to feed the glorious Weave.
“We can do all those things. But not today. Today, we grant you clemency… a reprieve from carrying the burden of the chosen betrayer. You will taste the power of the Weave.”
A strange sensation spread across my thigh, tingling and jarring. I slapped a hand to it. The sensation almost echoed what I remembered of pain. It was gone too soon for me to examine closely.
“The mark has been lifted,” they said. “But the veil remains—for now. A precaution while the Weave tests how you will fit into its web. It may grant you protection in this time, or it may not. Your connection will be fully restored in two blessings. You will take the first blessing with the Unwoven, and if you prove yourself thereafter and pass all classes, you can return to us on the Weaver Moon, to be made whole. Fail, and forfeit your chance to be restored.”
The light dimmed, and icy fingers ran up my arms and along the back of my neck. “But be wary. Be aware. Be vigilant,” they whispered. “The earth senses all but cannot speak. Much is hidden in memories lost, but eyes born of ancient power can see.”
“What? What does that mean?”
“We have said more than we should. More than is permitted. Go now.”
The lights went out completely, and when they came back on, I was standing by the hearth in Trinity Tower.
Heidi leapt up from her armchair, her gaze sweeping over me. “You’re all right?” she said in a rush.
All right, but bloody disoriented. “Yeah…I’m… I’m good.”
“They let you return,” she said softly, giving me the impression she was speaking more to herself than to me.
From what the Unwoven had told me, there were rumors of students going to see the Weavers and not returning.
Mainly students who’d transgressed in some way.
But considering they’d sent me down there to find out what could be done to lift the ban on my power, I hadn’t expected my survival to be in question.
“Are you saying there was a chance that the Weave Watchers wouldn’t have let me come back?”
“Who knows? But they found you worthy, and you’re here. Although I must admit, I panicked a little when I was ejected without you.”
I swallowed past the thrumming pulse in my throat. It was over. I was fine. “When were you ejected? When the lights went green?”
“The lights went green?” She frowned. “Not to my knowledge. You stood beside me while they spoke through the tunnels and told us how to restore your power.”
“That’s all you heard?”
“There was more?”
The rest had been for my ears only. A riddle that I needed to file away for later examination. “Nothing. It was all just so strange.” She continued to look probingly at me. “So, how many times have you been down to see them?”
She blinked sharply and looked away. “A few.”
“But this is the first time a student has returned,” another voice said.
“Libby!” Heidi snapped.
“What? It’s true.” Libby flicked her tail, peering up at Heidi. “It makes you sad, and I don’t like it when you’re sad.”
Heidi sighed, then crouched to stroke her cat. “I was worried about how this meeting would go, but all is well.”
“So, the whole feeding students to the Weave Watchers thing is true, then?”
“Most rumors have some element of truth to them.”
Her words hung between us, leaving me to wonder how much truth was in the rumors surrounding Dharma. I’d find out soon enough.
“When’s the Weaver Moon?” I needed to know when I’d be fully restored.
“A little over three months. It’s a powerful time for Arcanus and Therianthropes.” She smiled tightly. “But you’ll learn all about that once you begin your classes at Trinity next month.”
“I’ll have classes here?”
“You’re Arcanus, so of course you will join us for classes once a part of your power is restored. You’ll begin with Arcane Botany and Mental Defense Against the Echoes, among other things. But for now, we should get you to class. Mistress Selethis does not tolerate tardiness.”
“It’s fine, I can find my own way. The ports should have my signature by now.”
“Are you sure?”
Her concern unsettled me. Especially since she’d had no qualms about using her magic to choke me during the Perculiari Petitione. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
She blinked sharply. “Excuse me?”
“You’re an Embercrest. A coven leader. Most high-level Arcanus hate everything associated with the Onyx name.” I arched a brow.
She pressed her lips together. “Truth be told, if we were anywhere but Nightsbridge, I would never associate with you. But Nightsbridge is its own ecosystem, its own little world, and we do what we must to maintain balance. Like it or not, you are part of that balance.”
“Not everyone feels that way.”
“Then they are fools. Bigoted and small-minded. Give it time. Meanwhile, be wary.”
The Weave Watchers’ words filled my mind. But be wary. Be aware. Be vigilant…
“You can use the port on the first floor,” Heidi said. “It will take you to the bridge.” She headed for the exit. “I’ll see you soon, no doubt.”
I took the stairs two at a time, eager to be out of the tower and as far away from the hearth and catacombs as possible.
The port on the first floor was an arch built into the wall with several colored crystals embedded into the stone beside it. Which did I press? Ah, there was a plaque with codes printed on it: Solarium, the East and West Quads, the bridge, and the North and South Borders.
I tapped the sequence for the bridge, but nothing happened. I tried again. Still nothing. Dammit, had they not added me to their database yet? Or was I doing it wrong?
I went to try again, and a hand clamped down over my mouth. “Let’s see you talk your way out of this one.” Viola rasped in my ear.
I twisted, trying to gain leverage to elbow her in the gut, but invisible bands held me firm, locking me in place, making it impossible to break free. The bitch was using a spell to immobilize me.
Tristen rushed forward and tapped the crystals, lighting up the port.
“Enjoy playing with the ratakan.” She shoved me into the blue haze.
The world tipped, and power fizzed over my skin. I landed on my hands and knees, sinking into something cold and wet. Icy wind slapped my cheeks as I raised my head to face the biting swirl of a bitter wind that cut through my wool coat and blazer and swept under my blouse to frost my skin.
The portal crackled behind me, still active.
I scrambled up and ran toward the blue haze, but it winked out before I could reach it, leaving a free-standing stone arch in the snow-covered clearing.
“Shit!” I pressed my palm to the single crystal embedded into it. Nothing. “Fuck!” They hadn’t added me, and Viola had taken advantage of that. Had the attack been opportunistic, or had they known I wasn’t in the system and waited for a chance to ambush me?
It didn’t matter. They’d pay for this regardless. But first, I needed to get back to campus.
I couldn’t see the Academy from here. Just snow-covered land and trees in the distance. I rubbed my arms and stamped my feet to generate heat.
What crystal combination had Tristen pressed on the port? If I could remember, then I may be able to figure out where they’d sent me, which would help me work out which way to head. It was still early morning, and the sun was making its ascent. Rising in the east, so west would be—
A dark shape bounded out of the tree line—then another. And another. Three hulking forms charging at me.
I caught the glint of red eyes and the flash of brown fur, and as they grew closer, the gleam of elongated yellow front teeth.
Enjoy playing with the ratakan…
My heart swelled and slammed into my chest because I knew what they were.
Humongous rats.