“I understand.”
“Also just know you are my primary objective. Regardless if others are in danger getting you to safety comes first, whether or not you agree, that’s how it’s going to go.”
“Okay, I hear you.” I answered him begrudgingly.
“But we are going to be smart about this. Let’s test something here.”
He gathered magic around him and covered himself in a dome-like sphere.
“Tell me when you can’t see me anymore.”
“Um…sure?” I didn’t fully understand what he was going for, but I nodded and kept looking at him.
The magic around him intensified. The dome around him started to look like ice, distorting his image at first. But I could still see his outline. The magic changed, from feeling warm to barely having a feel at all. The outline of his image also started to change to a blur of colors. Then Loic had completely vanished.
“And you’re gone…” I said.
“Good,” Loic reappeared in a flash, patting me on the head. “I’ll keep myself hidden, so use this if you want to see where I am."
He reached into his pocket but stopped as I stepped closer to him.
“Wait, but how?”
“There is a way to cover myself in more magic to hide from Formless. You being able to see them is similar to how they hone in on magic users. Formless gather a level of magic and use it to hide themselves from those who aren’t attuned with that level of sight. I figured out I can use that same ability to my advantage. Plus, if we run into one that’s smart enough to read your expressions that could be trouble. If they can follow your line of sight to me that can be problematic as well.”
“So, you can hide yourself so that even I can’t see you?”
“Yeah. It’s hard to pull off.” He paused and rolled his eyes. His voice grew cockier in tone. “For most magic users anyway. It has come in handy many times, but Chase discovered one way the illusion can be broken. Looking glasses.”
“So, mirrors.” I shivered a bit at the thought. “I’ve actually wondered about that. Why can you see the Formless in mirrors?” I found myself asking my question originally for Chase a few days ago. No one’s life was in direct danger now so maybe I’d get a full answer this time.
“Chase said once that it’s because mirrors are what tie our worlds together. Maybe they break through magic. We don’t entirely know. The only one who might know would be the creation witch and well…. she’s long dead.” He shrugged.
Loic handed me a closed pocket mirror. I swallowed hard, and he put the mirror in my hand.
I tensed up. My body shook, and my breath shortened. Holding the enclosed mirror in my hand, was enough to set off my terror. Thinking about having to even use it at all was horrifying. I wanted to drop it.
Don’t touch it. Don’t you dare look at it.
I wanted to run to back out of my own plan, but I swallowed back thoughts. I loosened my fingers a little, but Loic cupped my hands over the mirror and looked at me. My eyes locked with his. His gaze softened, probably seeing how scared I was. His grip only intensified my feelings.
The mirror wasn’t even open, and I felt sick.
"I know you're afraid, Rayne. You don't have to use the mirror if you don't want to. You'll be able to see the Formless, but I have to hide myself from you, so Rakesh doesn't get any ideas. If he is, in fact, controlling Formless or directing them in any way, we have to keep them all in the dark as much as possible. You will be able to see me with this."
I gulped. "Wouldn't showing yourself do that? Keep Rakesh away, I mean."
"No. The Light Weavers said he knows you exist, but he has never seen you. He doesn't know that you are connected to Chase and I. If he sees me hanging around, it'll be like painting a target on you.”
“You kept yourself visible before.” I let my left-over embarrassment echo in my voice.
“My presence scares low-class Formless because they are just mindless killing machines. Rakesh, on the other hand, is extremely smart. Toe to toe with Chase. We can't risk him seeing any connection. I admit earlier was risky. But seeing how active they are now; I’d rather not take that risk until I can get a better handle of what their movements are."
“So, you did do it just to embarrass me. showing yourself so Juli could see you?” Juliet has seen him a few times. Could he have hidden from her as well?
“No, I just didn’t think about it. I didn’t sense anything around us, so I let my guard down.” He huffed. “It does take a bit of effort to hide myself.”
Was he admitting he was being careless and making up for it now?
"I understand." I didn’t want to see his reasoning, but I did.
I accepted the mirror, put it in my purse, and got ready for class. Soon, I couldn't see Loic, but I felt like he was close. The glass-like barrier he created flickered a bit before vanishing again completely. I felt a warmth around me that made me feel a little better, but not enough. I’d have to live with that.
I got my stuff together and headed down to the campus. Along the way I kept glancing around, just waiting for something to pop out in front of me. Nothing came out. That only terrified me more. I reached into my purse and felt the pocket mirror. The plastic shell was warm. I pulled it out, and my hands shook. I put my thumb over the latch, not sure if I wanted to open it or not. In the end, I couldn't bring myself to do it.
This was pathetic. There were monsters out to kill me, and people putting their lives on the line to protect me. Yet, I couldn't even open a compact. I couldn't even look at myself. I was worthless. If I had fought past what I saw as a child, no one would have had to die for me. Loic and Chase could live the lives they deserved, Isha would have her daughter and-
I stopped my thoughts, looking at the shell of the mirror. Tears fell down my face. I loosened the mirror latch. I still couldn't open it. A warmth cupped my hand keeping the latch closed tight. The feeling of body heat was prominent. I could feel the shape of fingers and a palm, not clearly, but it felt like it was covered in like a shifting glove of some sort. Thinking about it I realized it was definitely Loic’s hand.
It had to have been his hand. I only felt a tingling warmth but even that small touch eased my fears. Years of terror and self-pity all vanished for that instant. It wasn’t much, but it felt like someone hugging me,
I thought back to my mom hugging me after each scare as a kid. Was Loic trying to tell me not to be afraid? That I didn’t need to use this yet? That he was here now?
I put the mirror away and turned to where I thought Loic was standing and whispered, “Thank you.”
The warmth left my hand, and I continued on my way to class.
Juliet was waiting for me like always, sitting at a metal table that sat just outside the front of the campus. I joined her at the familiar table and breathed in the mostly the delicious scents of the nearby café and the mist coming off of the schools’ welcome fountain.
We met here every day, a coffee in one hand. For me, a book in the other hand, and for Juliet, her phone normally on.
Today she did have her phone, but she was playing with her cute mascot keychain before locking eyes with me. Primed and ready to jump into conversations as per usual, but instead of the normal conversations we would have, she went right into talking about Loic.
"So, where's your man, Rayne?"
"Juliet!" I squeaked, turning red.
"Oh, come on. He's not here.” She leaned forward. Not knowing how wrong she was. “Give me the details." She urged.
"What details?"
"You know. How's dating been? Have you kissed yet or...”?
"Oh, um..." I wasn't sure what I should say considering he might be right behind me. Last night may not have counted as a real date, but still.
As I actually thought about it, I started seeing all the good in Loic. He was a bit brash and blunt, but his life experiences explained that. Past all of the rough edges, Loic was someone,
I could actually see myself with. Or at least someone I wouldn’t mind keeping at my side.
I settled for a small smile. "Well, he's an awesome guy, and he's definitely helped me a lot in the last few days."
"So, he's just awesome?” Her eyes narrowed, and she tilted her head in thought. “Is this a real relationship or to I have to add Stockholm’s syndrome to your profile?”
“No, it's not like that at all Juli. Seriously, this all just kind of happened. I'm not sure how to explain it.”
What did she mean by a profile? Figures she would constantly analyze me in secret.
Juliet laughed, “I was beginning to wonder, but just awesome doesn't cut it, okay? If I dated guys just because they were just awesome, I'd have many more notches in my belt."
Again, she had me on the spot. Her smile was just too innocent. I couldn’t help but want to give her an actual answer.
"He’s strong and smart and, gentle. We only just met, and he saved me. He could have just left me in the street that day, but he didn't.”
He protected me and even if I wasn't what he expected. I wasn’t his princess. I bit my lip, knowing that if I mentioned too much, I’d have to explain the magic stuff. I took a deep breath and tried to continue, skipping around to safe topics.
“I was a total stranger to him, yet he still offered to help me. He could have just left after that, but he didn’t. he told me his name, some about his past and he’s stuck around. I've never met someone like that."
My smile grew. All of that was true. I had begun to admire Loic. After everything that happened in the last few days, he still offered to help me. He was the only reason I felt safe. Juliet smiled and patted my head.
"Aww,” She squealed and commented in Italian, “Sounds like someone's got it bad."
Juliet's expression softened. She held steady eye contact with me, and her smile grew bigger and bigger. She leaned forward and sighed as if she was calling my statement cute. My face turned bright red as her tone rose higher. Her reaction was close to silent and my thoughts froze in response. I didn’t want to be the one to speak first.
But I swallowed and finally broke the silence.
"What? What do you mean?"
She leaned away from me and stood up from her seat still looking at me.
"Oh, nothing. You'll discover that in time."
She turned away, giggling a little once I couldn’t see her face. I stood to try and follow her, but Juliet kept a few steps ahead of me.
“If you really want to know though, observe me, and maybe you’ll see what I mean.”
She sprinted ahead of me and I ran to catch up.
“Wait, Juliet, hold on a second!”
Not realizing where I was going, I tripped. Before I hit the ground, I felt like someone caught me. At first, it was like someone held the back of my shirt, then after a small tug, I felt what seemed like hands on my shoulders. I was pulled back gently. Feeling the ground back under my feet, that feeling of warm hands left.
"T-thanks, again," I whispered.
I heard nothing in return. This was odd, and I would have loved to hear or see something around me that could count as a response. Still, that would defeat the purpose of hiding, wouldn’t it?
Juliet stop a few feet ahead of me, near the school door. She turned and put her hands on her hips. She smiled and tilted her head towards the door waiting up for me. I looked around me one more time. Nothing odd-looking around us. No Formless. Shrugging, I followed Juliet.
~
Lunchtime arrived, and I sat with Juliet. We had a spot similar to our place out front except this was a table near a garden that circled the back of the main study hall. I leaned back in my chair and looked around. The atmosphere around us was growing darker, thicker somehow. The only thing in my mind was a Formless but I didn’t see anything on my first pass and only saw the other students gathering around their own tables and meeting up with friends. The teachers lined the tables closest to the gates and chatted amongst themselves, paying as much attention to us as we were to them. I settled, leaning against the table, and I tried not to think about the feeling.
Well, that worked for about ten minutes until I saw a large Formless near the school. My heart jumped, and I stayed still. Juliet didn't react to my movement, and neither did the Formless.
This one stood tall like a giraffe but at the end of its neck was a long multi-toothed snout, almost like a wolf. Parts of its body shifted and swirled like smoke on a fire. The smell in the air matched that of smog. Holding my breath, I sat waiting for the Formless to move, to do anything. It looked around, glanced briefly at some students but left them alone. A chill snaked up my spine. It was hunting me down.
"Oh god..." I whispered.
Juliet turned to me.
"What? The foods not that bad, is it? I know it’s a new café, but you have to give them some credit. Rayne?"
I looked at her, trying not to seem suspicious. The Formless moved closer to our table. My heart pounded and my breath caught in my throat.
"Um, hello? ‘Oh god’ what?” She smacked my hand lightly with her fork. “Did you hear me, Rayne?"
I had to get out of here before the Formless hurt anyone. "Oh, sorry it's not that, um... Sorry, I got to go."
"Rayne?" She followed my movements intently and her voice went up in a curious tone.
"I'm fine. I just have to check something.”
Her lips were pressed together, and she furrowed her brow. Juliet didn’t buy it. She kept her eyes locked on me, putting me on the spot.
I tried to give her a reassuring smile. “It’s nothing big. Just wait here."
"Rayne, what’s going on?” Her tone growing more firm with each word. “What's wrong with you?" She grabbed my wrist as I tried to leave.
"Juliet, please stay here. I'm fine, just please..." Her expression didn’t change. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, possibly wanting to say something. Finally, she just let me go.
I got up and ran to the bathroom, still keeping the Formless in my sight. I bumped into someone, and my heart froze for a second. I yelped involuntarily, looking back at the center of the eating area. The Formless heard me, turning fully, twisting its body completely backward. Its four blood-red eyes shifted, scanning each table behind it. Lingering on a few tables close to where I and Juliet were. I backed away, trying to hide myself more against the wall near a bathroom that didn’t face the courtyard, I stopped remembering something was behind me. It felt like a wall that repelled me slightly before changing into a feeling like cloth. A person?
I barely had time to turn and investigate because something covered my mouth. I yelled again, although it was muffled by the invisible hand over my mouth. I held the object. I kept my balance even as I was pulled back and turned around the building. We paused on the side wall between the school and the fence. There wasn’t much back here besides a few bushes and a singular bench that faced the building. I took a deep breath through my nose, trying to not freak out.
"Shush." Loic. Right, of course it was him. Thank god. I relaxed.
Loic made himself reappear. The shield he had around him appeared first making his outline a blur of colors again, gradually growing smaller and giving him a perceivable shape again before fading completely, leaving only his own body heat again. He scanned the area, then he brushed his hair away from his forehead. His mismatched eyes locked onto me.
"Where is it, Rayne? I sense it, but I can't pinpoint it."
I turned around the corner. The Formless hadn’t moved. It stood there, continually scanning tables.
"It's right ahead, between the two middle tables."
"Any markings on it?" He asked.
"No, it's just black."
"All right, it's only a sentry then.” He tugged my arm. “Rayne listen to me. Do you remember the little bar we went to?"
"Y-yes, why?"
"I will handle this one, but there are others on the way.
You can’t stay here. I want you to run there and meet me in the bar." He locked his gaze in the direction he pointed while he spoke.
The bar? "But how do I get in?"
"I told the bouncer if you ever go on that street to let you in."
"What?"
I reached for his arm and he stopped me, gently pushing my shoulder back keeping me from reaching him.
"Just go, I'll be close behind.” Loic turned and gave me a soft smile, then returned his attention to the center of the eating area. “I don't want you to be nearby when I attack it. If its friends notice, they'll know I'm with you. Just go.”
“But Loic, I…”
“Just act natural.” His tone was firm but soft. “Don't worry about the other students either. I got its aura pinpointed now. I'll wait until they clear to move."
He vanished before I could say anything more, and his warmth left with him. I turned to Juliet. She didn’t move so I wondered what she had seen. Did she see Loic or was it just me peeking around the corner? I pulled out my phone and texted her.
'Sorry I have to go I'm not feeling so well.'
She looked at her phone and texted back.
'You okay? You want me to walk you home?'
'No, don't miss class for me. I got it.'
I thought about it for a moment and added more to the text.
'Hey, maybe you should head back now. No point in waiting for the bell, right?’
She seemed confused and went to answer again. I sent another text before she could.
‘Maybe spend some more time with Marco? And yes, I know about him. Go for it. Make sure he keeps you safe.’
‘Safe? Rayne, what’s going on?’
‘Don’t worry about it. I’ll text you later when I feel better.’
I put my phone away before she answered. One final look revealed that the Formless hadn’t moved too far. I inhaled and headed back towards my apartment. My pace started to pick up as I exited the gate. I looked back to see Juliet stand and watch me. I prayed she took my hint and left the eating area. She was safer inside then she was out there. My fast walk morphed into a sprint. Soon enough, I was too far away to confirm if she had gone inside or not. This did not help my nerves as I continued to head to the path that I normally took home, trying to be a much in the light as possible before I reached the alley.
Glass Souls (Reflection Book 1) Page 22