18. Jax
18
JAX
J ax raised his head.
Sweat covered his sore body.
The bed of leaves he laid on felt itchy against his skin, causing him to sit up completely.
He looked over to an unconscious Lea. He had an inkling of guilt that trickled into his heart, but it wasn’t enough to stop him. He frowned, brushing her hair away from her face, hoping she would wake up. He knew he had to go through with it when she didn't.
With the heaviness that weighed on his heart, he brought himself to his feet and went to Lea’s house.
He stopped at a large Wisteria tree where he had folded his clothes and laid his bag on top. As he picked up his items, the sound of the illegal potions rattled at the bottom of his bag.
His heart sank into his stomach.
“Remember what you’re doing this for.” He seemed less convinced in his mind than he was before. “Rich and powerful men don’t have consciences.”
Once he reached Lea’s home, he sneaked in through her window, which was left slightly cracked open for her to return after their run. He quickly found her travel pack already laid out for her to take tomorrow morning.
Someone stitched old clothes together with care to make them.
“I bet her mother stitched that for her.” He quickly shoved the thought back down into the depths of his mind. He couldn’t afford to become sentimental now.
Jax reached into his bag and grabbed the two glass potion bottles with his hand. He watched the way their forbidden liquid swirled within. “Strange. This decision feels so monumental but so simple… So easy.”
He shoved the bottles into the bottom and wedged some of her clothes between them so they didn’t clank together and arouse her suspicion. As his devious hand slithered out of her bag, he felt her potion book sitting precariously in the middle. He pulled it out, running his fingers down the worn spine.
“How often did she open this and carefully write out every recipe? How painstakingly she must have worked to perfect her craft.”
Jax knew he had never been so dedicated to anything. Anything he wrote was just a poor imitation of what she was capable of. He hadn’t thoroughly thought through what would happen if she wasn’t there during the meeting with his potential potion’s agent.
His thumb pressed into the book's pages, prying it open to the middle.
“I need something foolproof… Something to show him I’m worth taking a risk on,” he whispered.
This was the greatest transgression he would commit against her—one he knew he wouldn’t recover from.
“She was right in the end. I became a monster just like my uncle.”
He tucked the book behind him and slipped into the night, ensuring no one would ever know he was there.
I woke up in my room.
Every inch of me was sorer than I expected.
I barely rolled onto my side, breathing in the scent of Jax everywhere. It was so strong that I thought he was still there, but my room was empty. “Hm?”
I raised my head to make sure. That was when I caught a strong whiff of his scent in my hair.
It’s me. I smell of him.
I lifted my forearm to my nose to confirm.
My chest fluttered.
His scent being everywhere was just further proof that last night happened.
I threw myself back onto the bed and kicked my feet with excitement. All of a sudden, I didn’t care how sore I was. I checked the time and realized I would be late meeting with Jax and Zane. I dragged myself out of bed, planting my feet on the floor before quickly getting ready.
Good thing I already packed everything I needed yesterday!
I left my room, and Mema stood in the kitchen, tending to the flowers on the windowsill. I stopped for a moment, basking in the view of her.
I’m doing this for you, Mema. I’m going to become someone great and give you everything you deserve.
She turned to look at me and smiled. “Leaving so soon. I was hoping we could have breakfast together.”
“I can’t. I’m already late.” I frowned at her apologetically.
“Never mind that, sweet girl.” She threw her arms around me, squeezing me tightly before pulling away once she caught my scent. She tilted her head but didn’t say anything. “Just be safe out there, Lea. The world is often not kind to people like us. You have to be cautious of everything. I couldn’t stand losing you too.”
“I know, Mema! I’ll be okay. I promise. I’ll have Jax to protect me.” I couldn’t hide my delighted smile.
“Of course, dear.” She held my face. “Do you have everything you need? Perhaps we should make sure—give your bag one last look over.”
“Really, Mema. It’s fine. Would you just relax?” I laughed it off.
She wasn’t usually this clingy, but this was the first time I was traveling so far. “Alright, dear. I’m sorry. I’m just trying to look out for you.”
I didn’t blame her at all for being worried.
“Go out there and make your parents proud.” Her voice quivered as she spoke, indicating she was holding back tears.
“You don’t have to cry. I’ll be home before you know it. We’ll be together eating dinner again in no time.” I squeezed her cold hands with mine.
She nodded as a tear escaped her eye. “You had better go before I drown us both.”
We both laughed, and I leaned in, kissing her on the cheek before hugging her tightly. “Love you, Mema.”
There was nothing more curative than a hug from my grandmother.
Any lingering worry or inadequacy I feared I might possess disappeared with a simple hug.
“I love you, dear… More than you’ll ever know.” She loosened her arms, and they dropped beside her.
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I quickly blinked them back.
I gave her a quick wave and a goodbye before I left.
This is good. I’m running towards my future. From here on out, things are going to get better. I can just feel it!
I reached the edge of the village and found Jax and Zane waiting for me.
Zane was the first to notice me, and I raised my hand, waving at them. He waved back, but I was puzzled when Jax barely looked at me.
Maybe he’s just tired. We were up really late last night.
“Are you guys ready to go?” My eyes flitted back and forth between them.
Jax brought himself to his feet and smiled but averted his eyes from me. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“That doesn’t sound like the confident Jax we know and love.” Zane punched his arm and laughed.
Jax responded with only a shrug as he rubbed his arm.
“Maybe he has cold feet. You watch. Once we get to the portal, he’ll feel much better.” I stepped in between the two since Jax looked like he needed a moment. “As for me, I feel like my stomach is full of butterflies.”
Zane turned his full attention to me and gave a dashing and warm smile. “You look good this morning, Lea. You’re practically glowing.”
My face turned red, and I turned away quickly so he couldn’t see. “I went for a run last night. It was—invigorating.”
I peeked over Zane’s shoulder at Jax, who was staring at me from the corner of his eye.
He looked away as soon as our eyes met.
He is definitely acting weird. Did I do something wrong?
I tucked my chin down and dropped my sights to the floor.
“We better get a move on then.” Zane ushered us onward, and I was more than grateful for it.
I didn’t want to stand in that embarrassing moment any longer.
LEA
I t was half a day before we finally reached Kronos, the closest traveling outpost to Dask.
Although it wasn’t technically a city, there were so many shops outside the outpost that it might as well have been.
The merchants we passed were trying to sell things from clothing to snake oil.
Zane, Jax, and I just kept our heads down, hoping to reach the outpost portal without being stopped by anyone.
“Hey there, little miss. I have something here that might be of interest to you.” A tall man stepped before me, cutting me off from Zane and Jax.
He held a trinket out in front of my face, twirling it between his fingers.
It hung from a chain and almost looked like a watch, but it had moving mechanisms I’d never seen before.
“No, thank you. Please let me pass.” I ducked my head further down and stepped around him.
“Are you sure? This little trinket can alter the course of your future.” He almost seemed to be laughing at me with his growling voice.
Zane jumped in, grabbing my arm and pulling me away from the man. “Come on, it’s just more snake oil.”
Zane was pulling me away, and I got a good, long look at the man with tan skin and a white scar running across his face.
His eyes looked like pure silver, and his teeth were sharp.
I can’t say I’ve ever seen anyone that looked quite like him.
He watched me in the same way that I watched him, and I couldn’t help feeling like he knew something about me that I didn’t know about myself.
What an unsettling man.
“Are you all right? Stick close to me. You’ll meet far worse than merchants along this route.” Jax warned. Those were the only words he had spoken directly to me all day.
I was grateful to hear them because he was beginning to make me feel like a ghost. I did just as Jax ordered me to. I walked, sandwiched between him and Zane.
A few merchants looked my way but wouldn’t dare bother me again.
Mema was right. I need to be more careful out here.
We had finally made it through the merchant strip and reached the outpost's entrance, a large metal gate.
Three men stood on either side of the gate, all dressed in the same pewter blue armor.
“We wish to access the Federation of Setas through the Kronos Key Portal. Anzul Peigue granted us a special audience.”
“State your name.” One of the men on the right demanded.
“Jaricn Ransom. Zayden Willow. Aleandra—” Jax did as he was told and started stating the names but got stuck on mine.
Does he not remember my last name?
“Nadir. Aleandra Nadir.” I answered for him.
Jax looked over his shoulder and me, furrowing his brow.
“Fee.” The guard on the left held out his hand.
Jax pulled out a purple velvet bag and dropped it into the guard’s hand.
The guard then disappeared through a small door beside the large gates, leaving us waiting outside.
Zane turned to check on me, and I gave him a confused look. “I’ve been through these a few times before. It only takes a moment. Don’t worry.”
A screeching sound tore through our conversation as the gates started opening.
I watched the metal gears at the top, which turned with great struggle to open the heavy gates.
“Welcome! My name is Anno Blanc.”
My eyes looked at the man dressed in a long blue cloak.
The finest material I’d ever seen made up the cloak.
The man was older and portly, greeting us with a smile and his arms outstretched.
“Friends, please don’t dally. The finest mode of transportation on this side of the territory awaits you.”
Other than his ostentatious personality, he seemed harmless.
We followed him inside, and one guard walked behind us.
“Now tell me, friends, have you brought any illegal contraband to transport through the portal today? I should tell you that illegal potions, works, or ideas are strictly forbidden. The safety and sanctity of this portal is in the very capable hands of BPR.” He waved his arms about as he explained.
I was too busy looking around at the grandiose halls to answer.
Jax spoke up first, “We don’t have anything of the sort. We are simply seeking passage.”
“Wonderful, but I hope you understand we cannot simply take your word for it. I’ll have my men quickly go through your belongings and ensure everything is tip-top. After that, you’ll go to the Federation of Setas.” He explained while pushing open too heavy wooden doors.
Inside of the large room was the Key Portal.
I was amazed at the opulence of the golden gears spinning parallel and adjacent to each other.
A loud whooshing sound echoed through the tall room from the spinning bands of gold.
Every time the golden bands made contact, purple and blue electricity cracked between them.
It must take an immense amount of magic to keep this thing running.
“This is incredible,” I mumbled, but it caught Anno’s ear.
“Indeed it is. This must be your first time seeing a Key Portal in person. It certainly is something to behold!” He turned to admire it as well.
The middle of the portal looked like it held all the stars in the galaxy.
I only wish Mema was here to witness this spectacular site. I was distracted by one of the guards walking up to me and holding out his hand expectantly. I realized he was waiting for me to hand over my bag.
He all but plucked it off of my shoulders.
I watched as the other guards searched Zane and Jax’s bags and then returned them.
“All right. You two can go on ahead.” Anno waved them along.
I looked away from the guard for only a moment to see that Zane stood at the bottom of the steps, looking at me, waiting for me to join them, but Jax turned his back to me and walked up the steps toward the Key Portal. I thought it was strange at the moment.
Why isn’t Jax waiting for me?
“Sir.” The guard called out to Anno, and I turned to see him holding two potion bottles filled with liquid.
“Where did you pull those from?” I looked at the guard with accusation in my eyes.
“Ma’am, this was at the bottom of your pack.” He threw my things on the ground and handed the potion bottles to Anno.
“That’s impossible. I didn’t pack any potions.” I didn’t even recognize what those potions were. I had never made those colors before.
Anno narrowed his eyes at me, and his once joyful smile fell from his face.
I watched in horror as he opened both of them and swirled them around in the bottle, smelling each one.
Anno quickly recapped the bottles and handed them to the guard, covering his nose. “As we suspected, you were trying to transport illegal contraband through my Key Portal. I should have suspected you cretins from Dask are all the same. Guards, seize her!”
I felt the cold metal of the guards' armored gloves bite into my arms as they held me back.
My body began to shift purely out of instinct, but the guards slept heavy metal cuffs on my wrist, which suddenly zapped the power out of me.
Now, as hard as I tried to shift, I couldn’t.
I looked down at the heavy metal handcuffs to see them glowing blue.
Everything around me was moving both fast and slow at the same time.
I couldn’t catch my breath, let alone catch a thought. I was still trying to figure out how those potions ended in my bag. I had never made an illegal potion in my life. I was always so careful…
Zane rushed forward, grabbing Anno and begging him to recheck them. “She would never do something like that! There has to be some kind of misunderstanding.”
My focus wasn’t on Zane, however.
My eyes gravitated toward Jax, who stood before the Key Portal, watching me from the top of the stairs as if he knew what would happen.
He didn’t open his mouth or say a word. It was as if he knew what was going to happen.
“Jax?” I could barely breathe, but I managed to utter his name.
The way he looked at me was cold, as if he was looking at some stranger off the street.
It was only then I realized… he never cared about me. It was all a ploy to get me here today. He was trying to smear my name so that no one would believe me when I told them what he did.
Guards dragged me away, and only Zane yelled for them to stop.
“What are you going to do with her?” He had to be physically restrained by another guard.
“The punishment for attempting to transport illegal contraband is usually only a year, but lately, they’ve been putting people away for ten, sometimes twenty. Who knows. They'll put her away with the potions she brought for the rest of her life.” Anno folded his hands into his sleeves.
Zane’s face went white upon hearing that.
I looked back up at Jax, who looked tormented by that information, but there was nothing he could do about it now.
There was nothing any of us could do about it.
I could plead my innocence to the gods, but no one would hear me.
No one could save me.
But I promised Mema I’d come home. She’ll be waiting for me.
Hot tears began pouring down my cheek as they dragged me away.
How could he do such a thing?