Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Ifall back into the upright posture he told me to hold and try not to think about what just happened. Nothing, really. But was it nothing? My heart is racing, only because of the scent of a man? A delicious scent I want to bury myself in, but still…
I give myself an internal shake and go back to the mindful breathing. It takes a little longer to refind my focus, but eventually the world fades away, as do my thoughts. The steady pull and release of air flowing in my lungs is the only thing that exists.
I inhale a faint scent of pine and snow, but my mind doesn’t really register it for what it is. Not until someone shouts my name and my eyes burst open, heart in my throat.
Aramis crouches in front of me, an apologetic expression on his face. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” his voice is warm, tinged with amusement. “I was just wondering if you wanted to grab something to eat.”
It feels like I’m trudging through mud and I’m unsure if my head is actually attached to my neck. Only after a couple of seconds, his words register. I look around, noticing I’m all by myself, Conláed nowhere to be seen. “Where is everyone?”
“The class is over, it has been for nearly an hour. Con always trains after his class, but he eventually had to leave too.”
“Why didn’t he say anything?”
“He tried to reach you, I suppose you were too focused. I mean, I have been here for fifteen minutes and you only heard me because I was shouting your name.”
“Oh.” I look down at my lap, my cheeks turning pink. Why do I always have to be the odd one out?
“Hey, don’t worry about it, it isn’t a bad thing. Con said it means you're very disciplined. You must’ve slipped into a deep meditative state, did it help clear your mind?”
His green eyes seem lighter today, more the shade of sage. I think about his question and to my surprise, the answer is yes. My mind feels a little less burdened than it did before.
I nod, and he offers me a gentle smile. “Are you ready to go?”
“If I can get upright, then yes, I am ready.”
Even though I only ran for a couple of minutes, the soreness in my legs makes it feel like I’ve been running for hours instead. Aramis stands fluidly and offers me a hand. I hesitate a second before I take it.
My hand disappears in his and the second we connect, warmth travels up my arm, spreading towards my chest. It feels like what I imagine stepping into a sunbeam would feel like after a long cold day. It’s very tempting to close my eyes and soak it in. Does he feel it too?
Aramis pulls me up effortlessly, but my blood pressure isn’t cooperating and black dots blur my vision. Once I feel a little steadier I let go of his hand and walk on wobbly legs to where I left my shoes.
We leave the magnificent dojo behind and reach the restaurant sooner than I expected. The warmth is immediate, carrying the scent of roasted vegetables, fresh bread and something sweet that lingers in the background.
As we wait in line, I look around to see if Sirelle is here. I spot a couple of students who were in the dojo, some offer me a smile or a wave. My eyes find Conláed next, who sits with who I assume are his friends, not noticing me at all. I wish he did though.
I pinch myself and turn away, and go with a fresh pumpkin soup and some toast for today. Yet even though my back is turned to him, the urge to gaze at him is overwriting all my common sense. Stupid hormones.
I ignore it and sit down across from Aramis. I glance around once more. “Have you seen Siri?” I ask, stirring the creamy soup in front of me.
He doesn’t answer immediately, weighing his words. “If she’s not in the greenhouse, she’s probably at the temple. Don’t worry about her, she is fine.”
“You have a temple here?”
Aramis nods. “Yes, it is —” Pounding footsteps halt next to our table and Aramis looks up, smile disappearing. “Aiko?”
The woman’s black hair is cut just below her jaw and her upturned grey eyes are full of worry. “I’m sorry Aramis, but…” she quickly glances my way before turning back to him. “There’s an emergency at the Sanctum.”
He watches her for a moment, calculating how severe the situation could be. “I’ll have to excuse myself, Maily. I do apologise —”
“Hey, don’t. If someone’s in need of your assistance, go help.” He quickly rises, gathering the food on his tray. “Don’t worry about it. Go. I’ll handle this.”
He offers me a grateful smile and rises. “Maybe it’s a good time to pick the lessons you want to follow. I’ve already made a list and shoved it underneath your door.”
I almost forgot I have the liberty to choose how to spend my time. “I will, thank you.”
He nods once and runs after Aiko, disappearing in a blink of an eye. Damn, he moves so fast. Without Aramis sitting in front of me, no one blocks my view of Conláed. And to my biggest surprise, he is watching me. But as soon as my eyes find his, he looks away and ignores me for the rest of my meal.
Once I’m finished, I gather Aramis’ food and ask the staff if they can save it for later. He has barely eaten anything.
Since I haven’t showered yet - and I feel like a sweaty, smelly mess - I go back to my room to freshen up and change. After that, I pick up Aramis’ note I left on the desk and go over the lessons I can follow here.
Out of the long list he wrote down, I am allowed to select four subjects for now, with the possibility of adding more later on. And although I have a hard time with choosing for as long as I can remember, this is somehow an easy choice for me.
I have already enrolled in training with that arrogant man and I really enjoyed the greenhouse of Professor Bloomhart and Siri, and being able to create ointments and tonics out of plants and herbs seem like a pretty handy skill to have.
I’m not sure what I can expect from Astronomy, yet I conclude my selection with it. Sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.
And when I’m done with that…I don’t know what to do next.
Aramis hasn’t returned yet, I’m not even sure if he will. And who knows how long this emergency will take. I look out my window. I could go to the greenhouse. Maybe Siri’s there, or Professor Bloomhart could educate me on a certain subject.
I leave the room, nearly forgetting my coat and descend the stairs on trembling legs.
Who even runs for their entertainment? My upper thighs don’t know how to function anymore.
Walking through the snow will be even harder now that my muscles ache with every step I take.
But, movement should help with the soreness, or at least that’s what I’ve heard.
I try to remember which path I followed with Siri and am proud when I succeed. The trees become fewer and the open passage towards the greenhouse comes into view, no other students to be seen. I don’t mind though, I enjoy the peace and quiet.
Maybe I can plant some things today, or read some more in Professor Bloomhart's tome, or —
A rustling sound breaks the tranquil silence.
I stop mid-step, my breath caught in my throat and look to my right. I scan the trees, but see nothing out of the ordinary. It probably was a squirrel or a deer. I continue walking, tempering my paranoia.
A headache stirs at the base of my skull, I’m not even sure where it comes from, the fresh air normally does wonders for my head.
And although I try to blame the uneasy feeling on a skittish animal, my senses remain on high alert and every whisper of wind through the branches, every crunch of snow sends a ripple of tension through me.
I shouldn’t be scared here, I am safe, nothing will —
A scream shatters the fragile silence.
I freeze. That was definitely someone in pain.
I leave the path behind and sprint into the woods, my legs burning in protest. The voice inside me tells me to hurry up, while the other screams at me to stop and turn back around. But I cannot stand by when someone is in need, that is not an option.
I try to make as much noise as I possibly can, hopefully scaring away any lingering predators. When I’m out of breath, I halt and look around. But no one’s here, no animal or anyone wounded. Not even a hint of a fight.
I run around aimlessly like a chicken without its head. I know I am wasting time, this person could already be dead.
“Shit.”
A tug inside of me tells me to turn around, that’s when I see a mark on the bark of a tree. I trace the wet, red mark with my finger, already presuming what it might actually be and when I catch the iron scent, I’m certain it is blood.
I walk around the tree and steady myself, afraid of what I might find. Scarlett drops are scattered around the small clearing, the red in stark contrast against the pristine white snow. I crouch down at the scenery in front of me. Blood. So much blood.
I’ve seen this before, the memory fresh in my head. A puddle of blood on a dirty cafeteria floor, Amira’s lifeless body cradled in my arms. My chest tightens, my breath laboured by the memory alone. I rise and turn back around.
A groan cuts through the air.
Someone is still alive. Mai, what are you doing?
And with that thought I move forward, following the gruesome trail as my heart beats rapidly in my chest. Tree branches have broken, someone dragged itself forward through the snow, causing even more blood to flow.
Please be alive, please be alive, please be —
Another groan echoes in the woods, this one very close to me, and I bolt. In my haste, I nearly stumble over him.
The snow is drenched with so much blood, the red looks close to black. The man lies in the middle of the gruesome scene, eyes closed and his skin as pale as the landscape surrounding us. I fall to my knees next to him, placing my fingers at the pulse point in his neck and wait.
One.
Two.
Three.
There, a faint trembling beat against my fingertips and adrenaline rushes through me. “Hang on.”
I think he is a little older than me, but it’s hard to tell when his skin is drained of any colour. His dark curls are dusted with frost, eyes remain closed and his clothes are in complete shreds.