Chapter 30 Anastasius
I paced my room, my gaze straying to my bed every so often, imagining every night that Claeg had spent there that I hadn't told him everything. I ran a hand through my hair, tussling the braids over and over. They whipped about my shoulders as I spun around, wearing a path into the stone floor. Days had passed, and each day that Father didn't find the draconis I knew I should feel a little lighter. They had gotten away. Soon, they would be in Circulus territory or perhaps they fled overseas. Safe... I should feel relieved. I didn’t. I was too selfish for that. I missed Claeg.
On the fifth morning since Claeg escaped, I sat in the council room with my father, Amartya, Mateo, and Thyia. Hariasa and Calian were still searching the Neutral Strip for Claeg, but by now they would all be long gone. Yet my father still sat in his chair with a smug grin. Like he knew something I didn't. It made my stomach roll.
My mother was talking about restarting the patrols for resource gathering. I should be paying more attention, but worry stole my focus. What if Claeg hadn't made it? Would my father even admit to capturing them? I cursed under my breath, immediately realizing my error. If Odon had caught Claeg… I needed to ensure he wasn't keeping my Selected from me. I shuddered at the thought of what he would do to Claeg.
“Anastasius?”
I jerked my head up at Thyia addressing me. My cheeks flushed from being caught with my head wandering. I hummed, raising my eyebrows.
“How would you suggest we distribute and ration the remaining magic? Should we focus on finding the witch or building up our resources?” I swallowed, blinking at my mentor. It wasn’t often my opinion was sought out despite my position among the councilors. It wasn’t surprising to find Thyia voicing the question, though. She tried her best to involve me when she could, allowing me to speak my mind. “Or perhaps you have other ideas?”
I gave her a small smile of appreciation, not wanting her to feel her efforts to involve me were wasted. “I find it unlikely that Hen—the witch,” I clarified for those who hadn’t gotten to know her like I had, “—remains in the Neutral Strip. She has either been captured by the Circulus or returned to her homeland,” I began. That was the truth, too. I had urged her to go home, but the look in her eyes as she had wished me goodbye spoke of her plans to go to the Circulus. Thyia gave me an encouraging nod, but the rest of the councilors watched me skeptically. “I suggest we all return to our old way of life, reserving magic for the sick.” I didn’t utter my other, more progressive thoughts—that we should open talks with Thana for peace. Nor did I confess my dreams of exploring what laid beyond the sea.
Mateo snorted. “You would give up the luxuries you’ve come to take for granted and give it to the sickly?”
I nodded enthusiastically, looking around the table. While Thyia’s expression was approving, Amartya scoffed and Mateo shook his head, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest. Odon’s expression was speculative, but I knew the look wasn’t what I hoped for. Rather than seeing him contemplate my suggestion, he appeared to be conniving, conjuring the best way to manipulate the situation for his gain. His eyes lit up, and he pressed two massive hands together, drumming his fingers against each other. Slowly, all eyes turned to their De Vita, waiting for his decision. A deadly smirk stretched across his face, revealing teeth in an almost-snarl. It was an effort not to recoil with dread and disgust. Instead, I blinked at him blankly, not giving my father the satisfaction of knowing I feared his power.
“Son, you disappoint me with your low ambition and your willingness to accept a life resigned to the olds ways.” His words cut, but I didn’t flinch away from his verbal lashing. “Although you are misguided in your beliefs, I am merciful and always willing to guide and correct the next De Vita by whatever means necessary. So, let this be a lesson to you.” He was fully snarling now, bathing my spine in ice. “We shall not decrease our patrols to search for the witch. After Oriana has become Chosen, if the witch has not been found, we shall capture and Save the Circulus until they give her to us. Even if we have to Save every last one of them, we will not concede what is ours.”
Mateo nodded eagerly while Mother just pursed her lips, but Thyia gaped at my father openly. The move didn’t surprise me, but his next words struck me hard: “Anastsius, you will lead the hunt to find the witch with Calian after Oriana becomes Chosen.”
“Father, my duty lies here, attending to the sick,” I protested. There was a reason I had dedicated my life to healing rather than hunting. Seeing others hurt… pained me like nothing else could.
He paid me no mind, addressing Mateo. “Double the daily patrols. Bring in as many Circulus as you can find, and if you discover the witch perhaps I will gift you one of them as I did your sister.” The man’s eyes lit up, greed evident in the way he licked his lips. My stomach twisted and flopped about like a fish in the heart of the Sand Eye. “This council is dismissed.”