by Holly Evans
The desire to run bubbled in the back of my consciousness; it ate at me. I took a big gulp of my coffee and tried to push it away while telling myself that I was still sane. There was a solid, known cause for the feelings in the back of my mind. Outside sources had confirmed as much. I was sane. I kept reminding myself that we would resolve the problem. I was going to be ok.
Quin said quietly, “Talk to me, Evie. You're worrying me."
I gave him a half-hearted smile. “I'm worrying myself."
I enjoyed the coffee for a couple of minutes while I tried to gather my thoughts. There were surprisingly few people in the underground section of the Starbucks that was conveniently sectioned out. The decor was very typical for the brand, but the ceilings were arched much like the interior of one of the churches. It would never compare to Elise's, but it was a pleasant change of scenery.
I said quietly, so the small group of students crowded around the table on the other side of the room couldn't hear, “I can feel desires and emotions other than my own."
Quin frowned. “You can feel... him? I suppose Kadrix did mention as much, what does it feel like?"
I looked away and said softly, “Quin, I really don't want to be a guinea pig right now."
He squeezed my hand. “Sorry, sorry, that was very inconsiderate of me. Are you ok? Is it pushing you to do anything... predatory?"
I shook my head. “No, I just have the desire to run. It's there behind my own thoughts, a bizarre niggling want that won't quite go away."
He pulled out his phone, his fingers flew over the screen. It lit back up showing a text response had come back in under a minute. "Kadrix says it's normal and expected."
I raised an eyebrow. "What did he actually say?"
He smiled at me and read from the screen. "It's a normal part of the bond, what does she want? A gold star?"
After a night of tossing and turning, I woke up restless. The desire to run hadn't left me. I felt lost. I needed to run, to find my place in things. To stretch my muscles and feel the power there. Quin grew gradually more concerned over the day. He kept asking if I knew where the hound was or if I could feel anything about the second one. I couldn't bear it any more. I gave in to the feelings, the need. I hoped that it would lead me to him, as he was the only one who could give me some much-needed answers.
I'd headed all the way out to Holešovice and the large park there. It was where I'd been pulled. I took a deep breath and allowed the need to take over. My feet carried me along the tarmac paths, down the gentle slope and along the main path that would eventually lead to the lake. The trees around me were bristling with bright green buds, desperate for a clear day to make them unfurl and embrace the sun. The grass was short but determined, a soft canvas covering the open ground between me and my destination.
I pushed myself harder, the adrenaline and endorphins beginning to filter into my system. Even on the cool spring day, the park was populated with lots of people: mothers with their prams and pushchairs, rollerbladers enjoying the long flat paths, dog walkers giving their dogs some much-needed exercise. I finally went up the steep hill through the denser woods, over the bridge with the option to head back into the city.
The flood of positive emotions was tainted when Matyas and co. walked over to me. They spread themselves out forming an arc around me, making their intent very clear. I stood tall and put my shoulders back; I wasn't going to be intimidated.
Viktor spoke. "What happened with that hound?"
His accent was thicker than I'd remembered. I glared at him and stepped sideways to move around them.
"I told you what happened, don't push me."
I didn't appreciate them doubting me; it led nowhere good.
They exchanged a look before Matyas said, "We're watching you."
I let out a harsh mocking laugh. "Oh really? Your lives are so boring you have to follow me around? Now be good little boys and deal with the shades instead of wasting my time."
Viktor clenched his hands into fists but stepped back to give me room. I jogged off past them to the tram stop near the peculiar fairground for small children. I knew they were watching me, and it pissed me off. It also concerned me. I didn't know what would happen if they found out I was bound to a hellhound. Would I be treated like the other creatures of the city? Would I be relegated to the supernal community? I gritted my teeth. I wouldn't allow it to happen. I was better than that.
We got word that the shades were around the big tourist spots: Old Town Square, the Charles Bridge, Malá Strana, and the castle. Fortunately for the other hunters, they seemed to just be causing mischief. Quin filled me in after Dimitri rang him trying to convince him to help. I was growing tired of them, and my plan to be more friendly wasn't looking like such a good one after all.
The need to run evaporated by early evening, but the need to find it, him, grew. I needed answers.
Quin couldn't bear my pacing around the living room any longer and took me back to Kadrix's lab. The elf was still poking at something that was bubbling and smelt oddly of cherry blossom and green tea. I thought that showing some interest in his work might get him on my side.
When I asked what it was, I was expecting him to say a protection salve or some such; Instead, he shook his head and said, "Tea, I'm rather thirsty."
I returned to pacing, although it was much more difficult when I had to wind my way between the tables and piles of books.
"What do you expect me to do?" Kadrix asked while drinking some of his tea.
Quin looked over to me.
I said, "Give me some answers. Tell me what the fuck I'm supposed to do."
"I'm an alchemist, girl. Not a demon, or a witch. You could have asked Serena, if you hadn't have killed her."
"She tried to kill me,” I snarled.
"Evie, Kadrix is trying to help you."
I didn't appreciate Quin's firm tone.
Kadrix stood and said, "You are feeling the hound’s stronger emotions and desires. It's quite normal. If you could gain the strength of mind to stop panicking and focus, then you'd be able to track him down the same way he did you. Then you could interrogate him instead of me."
I bit back my curses and said, "Thank you. Kadrix."
“It really wouldn't kill you to open your eyes and learn some manners, Evelyn. There are a lot of people who help you."
"I grow tired of your condescension, elf. You are my alchemist, not my father or teacher."
"Evie!"
I was surprised by Quin's outburst. It was unlike him to raise his voice.
"Kadrix has been very good to both of us over the years. You're being infantile and ungrateful. Do I need to remind you again that you wouldn't have found me without his help? Nor would you be nicely healed from those injuries you incurred. A little gratitude really wouldn't go amiss."
I took a deep breath and set my shoulders back as I held the elf's strong eye contact. "Thank you, Kadrix. As Quin said, you have been good to us. My apologies for pushing."
I left before he could make a sarcastic retort.
I was growing weary of Quin taking the elf's side in things. He was my twin, we were inseparable. He remained with Kadrix as I walked out into the cool night air. I opted to wander across the Charles Bridge and walk some of the way home. I needed to clear my head.
I'd entirely forgotten that the shades were around the Charles Bridge. I wandered past the crystal shops and other tourist shops. Some of the local garnet jewellery caught my eye, but none of it was to my taste. I wasn't one for jewellery anyway. I’d much rather someone gave me a pretty blade than a sparkly gemstone. I turned away from the gemstones and walked down to the tower marking the entrance to the bridge.
A small group of dark forms huddled next to the tall stone tower; they didn't quite look right. One of them turned to face me. It was covered in black, including a hood, but its eyes glowed a soft red. A pair of tourists walked by them. One of the shades crept up behind the woman and pinched her ass. The woman yelpe
d and slapped the man she was with, much to the hilarity of the shades. They cackled and slipped away to the bridge proper. The sun was setting; they were in their element with the darkness and shadows. The man was still trying to explain that he'd done nothing wrong when I passed them. I almost felt a little sorry for him.
I leaned against the wall of the bridge and watched the shades have some fun while I allowed my mind to settle. They weren't my problem and they weren't killing people, so I took the amusement where I could get it. Their mischief was simple, whispering odd things in people's ears, making them jump, and picking their pockets only to place the wallet at the base of a statue ahead of them. The people were a little freaked out, but it would only bring in more tourists eager to see the ghosts and mischief makers of the bridge.
While I understood that I should have been more polite to Kadrix, Quin's defending him was grating on my nerves. We'd been through everything together; we were supposed to be a united front. Especially when disaster struck, which it certainly felt like had happened. I gazed out along the river and looked over the bridges further downstream before I moved to the other side of the bridge to gaze at the castle and the vineyards. Lights had been placed around the perimeter to highlight the castle in its splendour as it watched over the city below.
A calm finally began to settle over my mind. Elise hadn't been concerned about the situation. I had to trust in her and her lady. I didn't have any other option, really. The walk along the rest of the bridge was without incident as I allowed my mind to play over the situation at hand.
Quinn still wasn't home when I got in. A quick check of my phone showed that he hadn't texted, so I looked around the kitchen in hopes of finding something worth cooking for him. He'd pissed me off by siding with Kadrix, but he was my brother, and I shouldn't have snapped at them. He was certainly the cook, though I dabbled here and there when I wanted to give him a break. His way of poking and exploring meant that he created some wonderful dishes. His passion for life, for learning, was intoxicating, yet I couldn't quite share it.
When he walked in, I had a spaghetti Bolognese simmering on the hob; it was a simple dish and one of the few that I could cook to any edible standard.
"That smells amazing, Evie."
I had to smile. That was quite a compliment, coming from him. I leaned back against the counter and prepared myself for the upcoming conversation. There was a lot that needed to be said. He shuffled his feet a little before he set the table.
He finally looked at me and said, "So... Kadrix has offered to teach me alchemy. I mean he already teaches me little bits, but... teach me teach me."
I'd never been interested in dealing with magic; I saw it as a dangerous and dark art. Alchemy was technically a separate field, but it wasn't something I wanted any dealings with. Quin, however, had been fascinated since he was a little boy. I opened my arms and pulled him into a tight hug.
I held him by the upper arms. "I'm proud of you."
I meant it, too. I wasn't keen on the path he was walking, but he worked hard and Kadrix wasn't one to take just anyone under his wing.
Quin's face lit up, a grin spreading across his face. "Thanks, sis, that means the world to me. I was expecting a big fight."
I gave a small nod and served the food. My little world was changing at a break-neck pace. I had no choice but to roll with it and hope for the best.
Quin talked animatedly about the things Kadrix had taught him thus far; he seemed to have the good sense to focus on things that could help us, and I was grateful for that.
Once he'd cleared the plates, he said, "I'm sorry for how I was at Kadrix's. I was too harsh on you."
I sighed heavily. "I understand."
I feared that I understood better than he did. The way he looked at Kadrix was evolving, and Kadrix had been quite clear in his intentions. He couldn't keep the grin off his face.
I sat on the sofa next to him and said, "Quin, I know you're really excited, I understand this is an amazing opportunity for you, but be careful. Kadrix is still an elf, and alchemy is still dangerous."
He squeezed my hand. "I'll be careful, sis. Promise."
His grin never faltered. I wanted to talk to him about the bond with the hound, but I had nothing new and it seemed cruel to break his happy haze.
A pang of loneliness overtook me, and I couldn't tell if it was my own or the hound's. I bid Quin a good night and headed to bed to try and clear my mind. Kadrix had told me to focus, to calm my mind and stop being so selfish. The ‘selfish’ remark had stung; I did everything I could to keep Quin safe, to protect the humans. I pushed the thoughts aside and took a deep calming breath. Focus didn't come easily. Meditation had never been my forté, but I resolved to learn. What option did I have?
I woke up to my phone ringing somewhere on the other side of the room. I peered at the window. The sun had barely risen; I shouldn't have been dealing with people that early. Elise's soft voice answered me; an abomination had shown up back at his former home in Prague 4, Florenc. His family was freaked out, but he'd vanished not long after he showed up. She felt that Quin and I should accompany her to speak to the family and give them some answers. I cursed the gods under my breath; they could have had the courtesy to give me another hour’s sleep.
Quin was infuriatingly awake and bubbly when I stumbled out into the living room. I glared at him, but soon smiled when he handed me a freshly made plate of pastries; he was too good to me.
"Who was on the phone?"
I groaned and filled him in on the conversation with Elise.
He bit into a warm croissant. "Any idea what these abominations are?"
I shrugged before finishing my pain au chocolat. "The one that died in Elise's church kept talking about a group of women, so that suggests witches are involved."
"Mhm."
My boots were causing me some trouble in my half-asleep state. I leaned against the wall while I pulled them on.
Quin continued, "So... the timing would suggest it's that new coven Serena was terrified of."
I won the battle with my second boot and slipped my blades into their sheathes.
Quin eyed them and said, "Are you sure that's necessary? We're going to a human home."
I gave him a dark look and said, "Always be prepared."
He rolled his eyes and pulled on his jacket. The buzzer rang; Elise was just on time.
She greeted Quin with a tight hug. I was glad to see her in normal human attire; I didn't know how they'd have reacted to her with her usual electric-blue lipstick and flowing white dress. The pale blue jeans looked great on her, as Quin clearly noticed, too. I shoved him and gave him a warning look; Elise was absolutely out of bounds. If nothing else, she wasn't allowed to have a relationship with anyone; her goddess would send someone to her when she was ready and not before.
The air was crisp and damp as we walked down the road, past the ivy-covered walls and old metal gates. A touch of pink clung to the edge of the horizon, a reminder of the fact that I should have been in bed.
"So... why are we needed at this little meeting?"
I tried not to push Elise; her word was absolute when her goddess was involved. Priests and priestesses were respected by the entire supernal community, human and otherwise. They had a direct line to their respective deity. Even the fae, who didn’t deal with the gods, respected that. That didn't mean that I had to agree with it, as much as I tried to trust her. A small frown caused creases to form around her eyes and mouth.
“I'm unsure. My lady wasn't very forthcoming on the subject."
Frustration welled up inside of me but I pushed it aside; I'd learnt long ago not to bother pushing the point.
“Did Evie tell you that Kadrix will be teaching me alchemy?"
Quin was practically bouncing.
Elise smiled and gave a small nod. “She mentioned it very briefly. I'm pleased for you."
An uncomfortable silence grew between us as we approached the edge of Florenc. Elise tensed every
time I went to ask her something relating to the visit; I had no idea what I was supposed to do. While we were human, I'd grown up feeling and thinking there was a distinction there. They were innocents, hidden from the truths of the world. We were hunters and a priestess; we'd grown up in full knowledge of what was around us. That weighed on us and put us in a very different position; it separated us from them. Our parents had home-schooled us and we'd never had any normal friends. It was something of a bitter reminder of what I'd lost, of the potential life I could have had.
Elise broke the cycle of dark thoughts that had begun to swirl around my mind.
“This is the address."
The dark brown door was unassuming; the more communist-style building blended in with those around it. Elise pressed the buzzer; an older woman answered. Mrs. Perlová. The door buzzed and we walked into the slightly run-down building; Mrs. Perlová was waiting for us at the far end of the hall. Her eyes were red and puffy, her dark hair a little frazzled. Sympathy filled me, she must have suffered greatly. I offered her what I hoped was a friendly smile; fresh tears started tumbling down her cheeks.
She ushered us into her flat. Pale cream tiles covered the floor. The place was spotless, but well lived in. She offered us tea, which we gratefully accepted as we squeezed onto the very soft grey sofa. Everything about the flat was well loved and carefully taken care of. A painting of the Charles Bridge sat on the off-white wall near the door that I had to assume led to a bedroom. The poor woman came in looking even more flustered; she handed us black tea with a slightly shaking hand. Elise tried to soothe her, but she shook her head and sat in the tan armchair opposite us.
“Do you know what happened to my husband?"
I looked to Elise; what were we supposed to say?
Elise smiled sweetly and said, “Unfortunately, we don't have the details. Did he say anything while he was here?"