Chapter 20
twenty
. . .
Aten
After being left alone for far longer than I’d ever allow a prisoner back in Kirrasia, Crimson and I were shown back to the cage in the mountain. We both comply, although I see the urge in every muscle of Crimson’s body to fight against it. But we’re following her plan.
Play nice. Gather as much intel as possible. Bide our time to allow Ever to learn how to get us all out, because neither Crimson nor I are going to win against Fenix.
Only, there’s a real fear now, sitting in the pit of my stomach, along with the vision of Ever’s body laid out in the snow and bleeding onto the ice, that we might not be the same versions of ourselves when that happens.
After today, and feeling the complete lack of control, not only over my body, but my will as well, I know there’s no guarantee what Fenix will do, or how he’ll use us. I thought there would be nothing that would make me pick up a sword and aim it at Ever with the intent to draw blood.
Crimson, yes. Me, never.
But then, the overpowering sensation wormed and burrowed into every part of my body, overriding my own power, and severing my ability to command myself.
All the skill at blocking Ever out, and keeping a shield around my mind, offered no level of protection or barrier.
It was as if Fenix saw the walls I’d built were made of paper and set a match to let them burn.
What’s to stop him from doing it again? What’s to stop him from making it worse or harder?
Crimson told me not to dwell on it. To heal and conserve my power. To practice my influence on her. But how could I not be terrified? That’s not the extent of my fear, though. If he’s got that much magic and control, surely that’s an indicator of what Ever is capable of?
Her eyes turned so black, it was like Aslendrix herself stole all the starlight from the sky and painted her eyes with the darkness left. Whatever she was doing, it was something that was a part of her, and only growing darker.
I lie back on the new cot that appeared in the cell while we were otherwise occupied. Crimson has one, too, set up next to mine with hardly a foot between them. They were placed towards the back of the cave, along with a small lamp with a candle burning inside. A couple of spares sit next to it.
It’s something.
Maybe tomorrow we’ll get to wash up.
“Let me check your cut.” Crimson gives up her vigil at the bars and turns towards me. Despite the early evening and the sun not having set, it’s dark enough to need the candlelight.
She was right about the strange healing. Sure, I’m not leaking blood anymore, but it doesn’t feel good or strong. Like the fibres of my skin haven’t knitted back together, and they’ve only been helped along, still weeping from being severed apart.
Crimson lifts the lamp, and I move my dirty shirt for her inspection.
“It’s not right, Ten. Same as my wrist. They haven’t healed us, not properly.
” Her eyes scan my wound, and I tense as I shift up onto my elbows.
The pull of the muscle screams along the section of skin Ever nicked.
“I’m assuming they can’t heal us like Perrin or the other healers, rather than that they don’t want to help. Otherwise, why try at all?”
There’s no point in answering her. She’s right. And we can’t do anything about it. I’d rather be half healed than still be bleeding.
I sense her frustration gathering like a storm, rolling in and ready to crack. To her credit, she doesn’t strike. “I’m taking the lamp. I refuse to think there isn’t a way out of here.”
“Crim, wait.”
But she’s already gone. Once she’s got a thought or idea in her mind, you can rarely shift her direction.
I spend the time alone to focus on my own energy reserves and try to find the connection between me and Ever.
It’s there, a tie, telling me she’s present, but after earlier, and what we attempted with sharing her memories without the bridge of touch to help, it feels like that’s all I can rely on without her being physically nearby.
I drag myself up and stand at the gate to look up at the sky as soon as the sun has dipped beneath the horizon.
The light lingers, but I wait as it darkens before my eyes, throwing the outline of the trees into ominous silhouettes.
The guard, ever-present and just out of reach, is here as he has been since we were escorted back.
Night comes, and at some point, when I can see Aslendrix in the sky, Crimson returns. The candle is burnt out, and she doesn’t say anything, just lies down on the cot next to mine.
Food and water are delivered in the morning, earlier than we wake, but there is no summons to train—a small mercy. It also means I can’t check up on Ever. The connection could be stronger today, but I don’t force my thoughts to her.
By mid-morning, Crimson is going out of her mind.
With nothing to do, she’s left to dwell on all the choices that led to this.
I can feel her emotions, rising and falling just as quickly.
We can’t practice or spar in these tight quarters, and neither of us is healed enough or well enough to, either.
So, we wait.
Food. Water. No conversation with the people who drop off our rations. They both wear a necklace, not hidden well enough beneath their clothes, so I assume they’re Kirrian, either given duties here in Nehandun to help and support the people, or rallied by Fenix and those he follows.
We wait.
There’s a white light, a familiar glow as night arrives, reminding me that the full moon will be soon. But as I wait, a shadowy figure slips from the darkness towards the gate locking us away.
“What are you doing here, Kalan?” It’s hard not to recognise his stance and stature.
“I thought I’d come to check in.”
“You sold us out to Fenix,” Crimson accuses, marching right up to the bars. I’ll feel sorry for him the next time she’s loose with him.
“Did you really think I’d be able to walk you right into their camp, grab Ever, and leave?” His laughter is far too loud not to draw attention, but he doesn’t seem fazed.
“So why are you still here?” I don’t need the answer because I already know.
Ever.
“Did you have anything to do with her being upset a few nights ago?”
“How did you…” He narrows his eyes at me, and I just shrug. So, he’s the cause of what I felt. At least, what he said was.
“She didn’t take your talk well, then?”
He bristles then and turns away from us.
“If you’re staying, which side are you on?” Crimson calls.
Kalan pauses and turns back to us. “Not as simple as that, deary.”
“Might not be simple, but we need to know, if it comes to it, which one will you protect? Because she’s not going to do what they ask willingly. You might not be able to keep them both safe.”
I wait for his next move, but he just stands, motionless. I edge a whisper of power towards him, wanting to pick up on what he’s feeling more than anything else. Influencing him or even getting inside his mind without being noticed is a challenge I’m not ready for here.
Just like before, there’s no sense of emotion from him. I’m reading nothing.
“Keep yourselves alive. In case you’re not keeping count, the full moon is in two days.
You’ll have to be prepared for a fight after that.
If I know the Usher, he’ll be waiting for his chance.
The new moon will give him a shot for Ever to pull magic from Novandia.
Fenix will be back in a couple of days.”
“I’m prepared for a fight.” I know it’s coming. I only wish there were more time to recover.
“Any tips, Kalan, because I have no confidence in the healers keeping us alive for that long,” Crimson asks.
“Do as he says. But remember, his dominant power is from Novandia. Ever’s is from Aslendrix.”
“So?” Crimson’s hands wring the bars as if she’s imagining them around someone’s neck.
“So, he’s only deadly during daylight.” And with that, he walks off into the darkness.