Chapter 6
Wake up.
Huh?
The now familiar sensation of a drug being pumped into my IV port rushes through me.
Fight. Stay awake.
I can’t tell if it’s my own brain talking and I’m delirious, or it’s…Amirene?
Fight.
Yes, yes.
I urge my Lumina to act.
—Please go destroy that repulsive oily magic they injected into my veins. Lumina, please. I need you.—
I don’t just visualize the sparkles this time; I desperately claw through every cell looking for Amirene’s power.
Deep in the center of my chest, where my dead spark used to live, there’s a small simmering pool of lilac-colored fire.
I pull at it, dragging it around my body as a shield.
It’s weak, but it’s there.
Thank Gods.
Thank Amirene.
Keeping my eyes shut tight, I begin to focus on what’s happening around me.
“She’ll be fully susceptible to however we wish to…program her.”
That’s Janine Hart’s voice.
I hear a clanking of metal draws. “Now, a dose of stimulant, and you’ll see just how clever this spellwork is.”
“Yes, Mother.” Wes speaks in a cold monotone.
Seconds later, I’m injected with more fluid and a metallic, electric taste surges into my mouth.
Lightning strikes deep in my chest, and I can’t help but gasp aloud as my heart beats frantically, like it’s trying to escape my ribcage.
Liquid fire gushes through my veins.
I suck in a long, deep breath as I suddenly feel as though I’m floating and then.
Bam.
Against my will, my eyes fly open.
“Welcome back, Theodora.”
Shit.
Janine Hart looks down at me, a gleam in her eye. “Let us begin. Wesley, dear. Fetch the file.”
—Don’t do it, Wes—
I can’t move my head to follow him, but I hear the snap of the folder.
“You will both cast alongside me.” she commands.
Without another moment, they begin to chant.
I feel the cold, slimy magic pressing against my Lumina barrier.
Do not let that shit in.
Wes’s mother is using an ancient language. It’s powerful. I feel the words trying to slice through my skin.
The spell tells me to forget the last two days.
NO.
The language urges me to keep all the Conclaves' secrets.
NO NO.
It tells me that I need to serve the Conclave, willingly.
NO NO NO!
I’m dizzy, I feel like I’m going to puke. Shit.
FIGHT!
My heart races and the palms of my hand itch. The Lumina guarding me begins to wane.
Tears pour down my face. I’m going to fail. I can’t do this.
The whole world is going to be corrupted because I can’t manage to fight off this one spell.
A hideous chemical smell enters my nose. What now?
The doctor is shaking some powder over my face. I clamp my mouth shut and deny myself oxygen until I can’t any more.
I inhale and the dust stings. I start to cough and choke. I can’t breathe, my lungs are going to explode. A silent scream echoes in my head.
Wait, it’s not silent.
My scream echoes around the cold room and my vision darkens.
Slap.
A hand smacks me hard, walloping my cheek.
“COME BACK,” a voice calls. Who? What’s happening?
Air.
I suck in a deep lungful then exhale. My eyes begin to focus.
Once again Janine Hart's face hovers over me. Her eyes seem almost a solid black.
I let out an involuntary moan as she reaches down a hand and strokes my cheek. “Ah, there you are. David, release the restraints.”
My head is spinning.
Spinning.
I lean to the side and vomit.
“You’ll feel better momentarily, dear.”
Slowly I begin to feel a little more, not exactly normal, but less like I’m dying.
“Get her water, Wesley.”
Water. Yes. I need water. More than I’ve ever needed something in my life.
A hand helps me up to sitting. With my wrists now unbound, I take the paper cup.
“So, my dear Theodora. This is a new chapter for you.”
And now I need to act.
“Yes, ma’am,” I mumble through chapped lips.
Dr. Hart claps her hands. “See, Wes? Placid and docile. She’ll become our fattened calf, isn’t that right, Theodora?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I repeat, internally shuddering at her words.
“So, tonight you will return to Validus Vale. Once there, you are to be a good student, stay out of trouble and do anything that Wes tells you to do. Understand me?”
“I understand.”
“Good girl. I also don’t want you fraternizing with lower levels. Your ally is Wesley. Also Jordan Singleton-Smith and Cosmo Drakeward.”
“Wes, Jordan, Cosmo…” The words echo around my head. “No lessers.”
“Excellent.”
“May I ask a question, doctor?” the lab tech asks.
“You may.”
“Would you consider adding a baseline command? Something to fully test her regulated behavior? For example, tell her to slice off her own finger…”
Janine Hart sucks in a breath. “Enough. Go clear away the equipment.
“Yes, Doctor, I’m sorry.”
She returns her attention to me. “Wes will show you to the bathroom, get cleaned up.”
I continue with my bland expression. “Yes, ma’am.”
Janine Hart opens a door. “There is a fresh uniform for her in my office, Wesley. See she smartens up. We’ve an ascension to attend.”