Chapter 35
Seph
The soldiers marched in perfect formation. It was eerie.
We were in the lower levels of the compound, on a training field carved into the base of the mountain and surrounded by jagged rock.
I had received a note telling me to come down.
And now I could see why.
Ash walked behind me, keeping close, with Sy on my other side.
I hadn’t seen Dev.
I told myself I didn’t care.
Kieran was running drills up front. He was dressed simply, in fighting leathers and hard boots.
I followed a narrow path up to where Elliot sat, overseeing the army of soldiers.
A table sat beside him, laid out with a small buffet of food.
Ash was into it immediately. Sy remained still, watching the progress.
I could see a second troop with Sable at the helm practising combat.
Jess was in the front line, looking fierce. Her red hair, normally wild and free, was plastered tightly to her forehead. She was in full fighting gear.
She moved like fire — wild, bright, impossible to ignore.
For a moment I frowned.
“Good morning Seph,” Elliot said, without looking at me.
“Morning, Elliot.” I replied tiredly. I gestured to Jess.
“Jess is training to be a warden then?”
“It’s a valuable position. The wardens are our strongest fighters.”
“I see,” I said, watching her. She was practically glowing with each kick.
Sable called out each command and the fighters answered. The symmetry was immaculate.
In that moment, I felt a little smaller.
“So,” he flicked his gaze my way.
“You want to yell at me too?”
“Would it make a difference?” he asked quietly.
“It would make me feel shitty, if that helps.”
Ash shoved a plate of food in front of me. I picked at it, barely tasting it.
“So, what is this?”
“The events at the airstrip showed me the Libertarians are more organised than we first thought. So, we will be pushing training harder.”
“I would like to train too.”
“I thought you might. But Sable,” he gestured to my sister, “seems to think you would be better in a one-on-one capacity. So, starting today, if you’re willing, Dev will take you for training.”
I paused. “Does he know that?”
“He will. After your visit with Gideon, it became clear he’s willing to take you into danger. The least he can do is prepare you for it.”
“Great,” I sighed. “So, I am his punishment.”
“Is this a problem?”
“Nope. Not for me. Dev, on the other hand.”
Elliot studied me. “He’s good at what he does.”
I looked out over the soldiers, at Kieran’s calm command of the men. “They all are, it seems.”
“What about me?” Ash asked, his mouth still full of food. “Can I train Seph too?”
Sy turned towards us then. “I require your services, air mage,” he said.
Ash gaped, egg falling from his mouth.
“What do you mean?” I asked him.
Sy approached me calmly, like he had a gravity all of his own.
“There is something I must find. An old text. But the place is far from here. I need someone to assist me in its retrieval.”
“So why can’t I go?” I asked.
“No!” Ash exclaimed.
“Absolutely not!” Elliot snapped.
I looked at both of them, irritated. Then back at Sy.
But he was shaking his head also. “I’m sorry, little one. I cannot take you with me. It would be too dangerous.”
“Then you can’t go.” I snapped.
“Seph,” Sy sighed. “It will only be a few days and we will both return. I promise.”
“A few days is enough for anything to happen. Ash just got back!” I exclaimed.
“I told you I was okay, Seph – “
“But I am not! You cannot keep leaving me! You can’t!” I gasped. Ash reached for me, but I flinched back.
The hurt in his eyes almost stopped me.
“No! I’m so sick of this.”
“How important is this text?” Elliot asked Sy.
Sy slowly turned towards him. “Very.”
Elliot and Sy watched each other, unblinking. Then Elliot took a breath.
“It will be fine, Seph. By staying here, you will be protected.”
I just glared at them all and shoved my plate away. Ash looked so wounded I almost broke.
“Protected. Great. What else is new.”
“Seph – “
“Just leave me alone, okay?”
I stormed off back into the compound.
Sy followed me.
As I stalked back into my room, he stepped in behind me.
“Little one, you appear distressed.”
“Do I?” I snapped. “I can’t imagine why.”
“I do not do this to hurt you.”
“Then why do you have to go, Sy?”
He sat on the bed, touching the blankets uncertainly.
“I have lived many years. I know the signs when things are changing.”
He gazed out the window towards the mountains. “I sense it once again.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means the balance is shifting again. I can feel it in the world the way the sea feels the moon.”
“And this book will help you?”
“The book contains ancient prophecy, spoken by my ancestors and recorded for this very purpose. But the book is not easy to find. That is why I must go.”
“Why do you need to take Ash?”
“Because he will be needed. I am sorry this does not make sense to you.” He met my eyes.
“Please understand, it pains me to leave your side. I would not do it if there were another way.”
“I won’t go if you need me to stay,” Ash said from the doorway.
He stepped in, his hands in his hoodie.
I fought to stop my lip from trembling. I caught the way Ash looked at Sy with pure reverence, like Sy was a god.
And who was I to take that away from him?
“Will you come back to me?” I asked, my voice small.
Ash crossed the room to me. “Always.”
I scrubbed the tear away angrily. I looked at Sy. “Both of you.”
Sy softened slightly. “I promise.”
I stared at them both. “I’m going to hold you to that. Do you understand?”
Sy smiled and it changed his whole face. “I expect nothing less.”
“Elliot said you’ll train with Dev. Do that and you won’t miss us at all,” Ash said.
I already miss you.
I swallowed. “A few days only.”
“We will come home to you as soon as we can. Please, stay safe.” Sy said.
I stepped into him and let him put his arms around me. It felt right in a way I had never felt before.
Like Sy was home.
Ash placed his hand on my back. I twisted and kissed him quickly.
My mouth opened to utter the three words that sat on my tongue, but something stopped me. Maybe it was the look in his eyes that told me he felt the same.
Maybe it was because he was leaving.
But I stayed silent.
“A few days,” I repeated.
The words felt thin in the air between us.
Even then, it felt like a lie.