Kaizen
My anger roared with absolute hatred as I followed Calum through the bustling market, cursing Levon and promising to skin him alive if he let anything happen to her while I was away.
The town was alive with people dressed in pastels, their clothes fluttering as they carried bags of goods, while the poor withered in the corners, their eyes hollow and pleading. Streamers of spring flags fluttered lightly in the breeze, casting intermittent shadows across the cobbled road. The air was thick with the rich aromas of spices, mingling with the earthy scent of fresh produce and the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers.
With my hood pulled low over my face, I stayed within the shadows of the alleys, sharpening my focus on Calum. Watching him turn down a secluded alleyway and vanish from sight. I quickly moved into the daylight, my steps silent and calculated as I blended seamlessly into the clamor of passing carriages and the din of the market, along with the chatter and laughter of pompous aristocrats.
I stalked into the alleyway, pulsating with a rage that threatened to consume me. Calum wanted to start work within the Onyx Market, but I knew I had to keep him alive. We were so close to getting her back that we couldn’t risk anything now. I wouldn’t allow it, even if that meant keeping a possible threat.
The alleyway opened into a dim, rank part of town, a stark contrast to the lively, bright market. My eyes scanned the open area, taking in every detail, every shadow. The atmosphere was heavy, the air thick with the stench of decay and neglect.
The buildings here were dilapidated, their walls covered in grime and graffiti. The ground was littered with debris, and the few people who moved about did so with furtive glances and hurried steps. The alley led deeper into this forsaken part of town, where light barely penetrated, and the air felt stagnant.
I moved cautiously, my senses on high alert as I watched the dim light cast eerie shadows, and every sound seemed amplified in the oppressive silence. There was no trace of the fresh fragrance of spring here, only a murky odor reminiscent of the tavern Calum had taken Eliah to the other day.
I could still feel her smooth yet calloused hand in mine, unable to resist the urge to touch her…just for a moment. Anger still radiated through me that Calum had taken her there and allowed her to have one of the strongest drinks, knowing full well how important her meeting with Levon was. His sabotage was transparent, and I wouldn’t let all our efforts be ruined by a mere drink. Eliah's slender frame couldn't afford to be inebriated, and I was keenly aware that Levon had a facade to uphold with Jesri, even if things went awry.
I clenched my teeth in frustration as Calum's voice echoed through the foul-smelling area. He was laughing with someone who remained stone-faced, unimpressed by Calum's charm. I crept forward, watching as the tall man usher Calum into a crumbling brick storefront that looked like it had never been repaired after the Creos Civil War. Bricks still crumbled around its exterior, and the clay roof barely held together. The only thing that appeared intact was the door, which slammed shut behind them.
The sight of the decaying building filled me with unease. Its facade bore the scars of past conflicts, a stark reminder of the turmoil that had once engulfed this place and the thousands who had withered away because of Xaldruk and his legion.
I forced the memories out of my head as I approached cautiously. My senses heightened, but I did not allow myself to open the power gate. I scaled one of the crumbling buildings as the sun descended, casting glowing oranges and pinks across the sky. It was one thing that was beautiful here, but it also indicated the start of the party that Calum should be at.
I perched at the top of another crumbling building, nestled in a spot that gave me a clear view through their watery, firelit window, offering the best vantage point. I inhaled deeply and carefully opened my power gate enough to enhance my hearing.
"Now, what do you mean he knows something?" Growled a voice thick with menace as if it belonged to someone who perpetually held a cigar in his mouth.
"He is right here and can speak for himself," Calum retorted sharply. "And yes, I've got a lead on a potential Magic."
The gruff man let out a guttural laugh, audible even from my perch without enhanced senses. "So, you, Lord Jesri’s kin, are willing to give information?"
"Oh no. I'm not giving anything away unless there's something in it for me," Calum shot back, his tone dripping with disdain.
A tense silence hung before the gruff man spoke again, his voice low and dangerous. "Fine, spill it. What do you know, and then I'll decide."
Calum's laughter turned bitter. "I'm not one to be na?ve," he taunted.
"What do you want?" The man snapped, his impatience evident.
"I want in," Calum declared with cold determination.
My jaw clenched fiercely, grinding my teeth together as fury surged within me, restraining the urge to strike him down then and there. I couldn’t inform Levon until this entire ordeal was over and Eliah was safely away from the Archenons, knowing that even though Levon could put on a face, he wasn’t good enough to hold back his temper which would ruin everything.
"Geisha," I swore under my breath.
"And what exactly do you have?" The man demanded, his voice now a menacing growl.
"I said I have a lead, didn't I?" Calum spat.
"I need more than just a lead, boy!" The man bellowed, the sound of his hand slamming down on a table echoing through the conversation. "I need proof. We can't afford mistakes anymore, especially not when it involves someone like Lord Jesri, boy. Too many eyes," he added darkly.
"Fine, I'll get you your proof," Calum replied sharply, his tone now edged with a hint of sinister determination, yet I heard his pulse heighten and wondered if he had the guts to do it.
I shut my power gate, observing from above as Calum scurried away. The light was fading into an inky indigo as I leaped from roof to roof, barely making a sound while keeping pace with him. We reached the market, now lit by firelight and sparsely populated. A few scattered people milled about, some ladies snickering at Calum, who eyed them with pleasure before jogging down to a store with a bell that dinged as he entered.
I quickly slid down a pipe, jumping from one rafter to the next before rolling to the ground without a sound. Calum emerged with a brown bag and began walking swiftly back toward Jesri’s estate, nodding to several ladies and men as he passed as if nothing from his previous encounter had happened.
It was dark by the time we arrived at the estate, the crowd from the party still bustling with activity. I reached into my mind, feeling my tether to her pulse with life, and relief washed over me. Scanning the crowd, I spotted Levon chatting with other lords and ladies that Jesri had introduced him to. Calum slipped into the back of the estate, his form visible through the illuminating crystal windows. I waited, watching and scanning for any larger threat than the boy Eliah called a friend.
As the night went on, people began to depart, the stars twinkling to life above. Eliah walked inside after speaking to several maids who were cleaning up.
I had always been so close to her, felt her cry and mourn, felt her joy and infatuation. Yet, I had never been able to touch her, to mourn with her, to tell her she wasn’t alone. To tell her that her mother had loved her so much and had never wanted to let her go.
I squeezed my eyes shut, unwilling to let the memories sweep back in—the pain, the anger, the relentless guilt of knowing I had failed my queen. The weight of it all threatened to crush me, but I couldn't afford that guilt now.
I sucked in a breath, forcing myself to stay present as I watched Eliah slip out with a dark shawl wrapped around her shoulders, now dressed in her training attire. She moved with a grace that spoke of how well she pieced herself back together every time Jesri laid a hand on her, taking me to my breaking point to not throttle him. Wishing I didn’t have to go along with Levon’s plan and that I could just take her, train her, and keep her safe. But there were only a few of us left, and we were nowhere near strong enough against Xaldruk without her.
As she disappeared into the woods, I quickened my pace to keep up with her, adjusting my eyes to the darkness. My heart pounded with a mix of urgency and anger. I vowed to protect her and intervene if it became necessary, not daring to let her out of my sight. Not now. Not ever. The thought of losing her—of failing again, was unbearable.
I pushed forward, determined to protect her, to make up for the past with her mother, and to finally prove that I could be the high guardian she needed.
“What took you so long?” Calum’s voice pierced the darkness, instantly flooding my being with fire. How did he get out here without me noticing?
“It’s not midnight yet, and I’m not going to wish anyway,” Eliah lamented. I could feel her pain—dreams and wishes that never came true because they already had; she just didn’t know it.
Calum laughed as he walked closer to her. “Glad you’re enjoying the shawl.”
“Please tell me you didn’t skip the entire party just for this?” Eliah remarked, her voice laced with annoyance.
“Oh, I had other important matters to attend to.”
So help me, if he laid a hand on her, I won’t be able to hold back from killing him right here.
“Important?” Eliah laughed. “What could possibly be more important than a party with plenty of ladies who—”
Her words were cut off as his lips pressed against hers. A snarl escaped my lips as I watched her melt into him, her breath hitching before he kissed her again. My heart pounded in my chest, and I couldn’t stand the sight of him touching her or her responding to him. Rage surged through me, and without thinking I snapped my power gate open, sending a controlled wave of energy toward them. It was soft enough to avoid hurting her but strong enough to force them apart. I flexed my jaw and clenched my fists, struggling to reel my anger back in as I saw Eliah and Calum stand back in confusion and anger.
“ What was that ?” she hissed, her eyes wide with irritation.
I saw the malice in his eyes, the malicious smirk forming on his lips, realizing I had just given him the proof he needed. I swore under my breath, watching him smirk only boiled my blood even more. In my fury, I stepped forward onto a stick that snapped loudly in the eerie quiet of the forest.
I cursed as they snapped their heads toward me, but I was already out of their line of sight, stalking to their left. Calum raised his finger to his lips as they both listened intently. Eliah shifted her gaze toward me, and the determination in her gray eyes flooded me with pride. Even though she looked small, she wouldn’t back down from a fight. My mind flashed back to her solid punch to that disgusting man’s nose in the tavern, and I couldn’t help but grin.
Opening my power just a fraction, I allowed my eyes to adjust to let her see me…just for a moment. I blinked as her eyes locked with me. I swallowed hard before I shut my power gate and moved back into the shadows.
As if summoned by the universe, a fawn stepped into the clearing, its presence almost symbolic, reminding me of our duty to protect and restore balance. The delicate creature stood still, its eyes wide and curious, seemingly aware of the tension in the air. It felt like a sign from the Cosmos, a reminder of the stakes and the urgency to return home. The universe knew how difficult this was and how much it needed us to succeed and protect what remained.
Eliah, still focused on where I had been, eased her posture as she turned her attention to the fawn. I took a deep breath, calming my racing heart.
“Scared of a fawn?” Calum teased her before she shoved him away and walked toward her wishing tree as he followed suit.
I sat and listened, seething with anger at each of Calum’s ridiculous notions. My patience wore thin until I could no longer contain my fury. In an attempt to distract myself, I opened my mind to scan for Levon, hoping that his plans for tomorrow's evaluation were in place. The thought of having to be locked up before sunrise only added to my frustration.
My breaths came in heavy, angry huffs as I struggled to maintain my composure. Each word out of Calum’s mouth felt like a provocation, pushing me closer to the edge as he begged her to stay, knowing full well she had an important evaluation tomorrow. I clenched my fists, the urge to lash out and throttle him was nearly overwhelming.
Desperation clawed at me. I couldn't let my temper jeopardize everything we had worked for. Levon's plan had to be flawless, and I needed to keep my focus. Yet, the thought of being locked up and caged like an animal gnawed at my sanity, knowing very well that Calum would do anything to find proof while I was helplessly trapped and could do nothing to protect her.
I bit down on my frustration, forcing myself to remain silent, hoping that morning would come quickly and bring some semblance of order to this chaos and bring us one step closer to finally getting her back.