by Alicia Fabel
“I don’t know how to do that,” Vera protested.
“You threw my magic back at me, don’t pretend you didn’t.”
“But I didn’t mean to. I was just trying to get it out of me. I’ve never even siphoned magic on purpose before.”
“I think with the right motivation, you’ll figure it out.” Mother wrapped her fingers around Margory’s throat and squeezed.
“Don't,” Vera cried.
“Shh.” Mother released Margory’s throat and placed a finger to her lips. “You don’t want to wake a neighbor. Their blood would be on your hands too.” Mother tapped Margory’s throat. “Look right here for the magic inside Margory. Feel it, see it, taste its essence on the back of your tongue. Then take it. Stealing magic is in your nature. If you don’t, I’ll kill her. Your choice.”
Vera searched Margory’s skin, looking for the glow. “I don’t see any magic in her.”
“There’s not much there. You’ll have to look deeper.”
Vera squinted, peering into the girl’s flesh. There it was, tucked in the back of Margory’s throat, like a dying blue ember.
“It’s the same color as Maiden’s.”
“Yes, Margory’s a Silvet too. The child only has a touch of magic, though. She won’t even miss it.”
While Mother spoke, Vera looked for the psycho-witch’s store of magic. It was not a tiny ball. It filled Mother’s whole being.
“If you’re thinking about siphoning my magic, I’ll warn you that you’ll only get a sip before you can take no more. Then I’ll kill the girl.”
Vera turned away, hating that she couldn’t drain the Mother dry. But the witch was right, Vera had nearly gagged on the bit Mother had thrown at her before. That had been nothing compared to what she still possessed. Defeated, Vera focused on the flickering blue ember within Margory, urging it to come to her. It took little encouragement for the magic to flow to Vera. Like Mother’s mist, Margory’s magic soaked through Vera’s skin, but it did not feel overwhelming like Mother’s. Margory’s magic settled inside Vera like a tiny nibble of deliciousness. Vera wanted more. She definitely did not want to give it away. Most certainly not to Mother.
“Margory is depending on you,” Mother reminded Vera.
Vera gritted her teeth and plucked the magic from its place inside her and threw it at Mother. The tiny blip slid inside Mother, melting into the other magic there. In a heartbeat, it was indistinguishable from the blackness.
“I think with a little more practice, you’ll be able to keep a steady stream of magic between any witch and me,” said Mother.
“You want me to be your extension cord to endless power,” Vera concluded.
“I’m not sure what an extension cord is, but if it becomes necessary, then yes, endless power sounds right.”
“You already have so much magic. Why do you want more?”
“You think this is about power?” Mother gave Vera a pitying smile.
“It sure seems like it.”
“I don’t care about power. I care about avenging the witches who have suffered unrest for a thousand years. Power is only a necessary tool to right that wrong.”
“Maiden said your mother is trapped there,” Vera said.
“Along with hundreds of other witches who will never be reborn, never move on from their past life and the barbarity they experienced. All this time, their murderer has walked free, unburdened by what he’s done to them.”
“Their killer is still alive?”
“Oh, Maiden forgot to tell you that, did she? Yes, the man responsible for killing thousands, including my mother, has been by your side this whole time. Touching you. Making you smile.”
“Kale.” The hole in Vera’s heart widened. “But he can’t be killed.”
“Everyone can be killed if you know how to do it. That butcher-masquerading-as-a-hero is tied to the meadow. Destroy the meadow and you destroy him.”
“That’s why you’re killing the threadbearers,” Vera said, finally understanding the endgame.
“I’ll remake the world without the meadow, Kalesius, or humans.”
“But you’re killing your own people.”
“I never intended to kill any witches. I only planned to pull their world-threads from them. I couldn’t face another season trapped with the unavenged souls of my sister witches so I stayed here and I worked. But I wasn’t careful. The Crone figured out what I was doing. She found the siphons I’d smuggled from Earth, the ones I was training to siphon the threads from the threadbearers. She killed them all and put a spell on the gate so I could not bring any more humans into Summartir.”
“That’s what Liah stumbled across that’s haunted her ever since,” said Vera.
“To Liah, it seemed like the Crone had lost her mind. Raving mad and murdering what appeared to be men and witches. When I got control, I convinced Liah that the Crone…that I had been ill and delusional. That excuse worked until the Crone broke through and told Liah the truth. I thought if I threatened Liah’s unborn children, she would keep silent.”
“You killed Liah’s baby,” accused Vera.
“So quick to jump to assumptions for someone who’s one of the world’s most despicable beings. I did not kill Liah’s son. However, his untimely death did make things easier for me since Liah shut up for a time. I hadn’t realized how far her mind was gone, though. So far gone that she’d talk to the Guardian himself. Looking back, I should’ve just killed her in the beginning.”
“How did you know Liah talked to Kale?”
“The Guardian should have killed that fox, as Liah asked.”
“Instead, your little spy reported back to you, and you came to the farm to tie up loose ends,” said Vera. “Using the same berries that killed Liah’s son.”
“It seemed poetic. It would’ve made for a convincing suicide too. It was unfortunate that you messed that up. Even more unfortunate that Liah wasn’t a threadbearer.”
“I don’t understand. If you’re planning to untie Earth and let it collapse, why do you need the unnaturals?”
“You think those are mine?” Mother pulled the covers up higher over Margory. “Which means the Guardian believes it too. If he’s planning to take out the Siphon Master and destroy the horde, I hope he succeeds. They are the only thing that could stop me at this point.”
“Someone else made them. To stop you.” Vera’s lungs constricted. What have we done?
“I’m sure of it. When you and the guardian brought news of the horde to the Maiden, I realized the Crone must have confided in someone other than Liah. Someone willing to bring those abominations back to life to save a realm crawling with vermin. Then your ever-trusting Guardian said he suspected Cassie of poisoning him. I thought Cassie might be trying to complete the job that the gate failed at—keeping you from me. Which would mean she was responsible for the unnaturals too. Only after I killed her, the horde continued to grow. So, she was not to blame after all.”
“It must kill you, knowing that whoever is fighting against you got close enough to slip poison into your drink at the banquet. That they’re still out there.” Vera felt a sense of pleasure throwing that in Mother’s face.
Mother laughed. “Yes, I suppose I would be bothered if I hadn’t been the one to put that poison in my own glass. I needed Maiden to wake up confused and not question her missing memories of the night. Since someone was already poisoning people, it was convenient.”
“That’s messed up.”
“I admit, I was angry when I couldn’t send Cassie’s bloodstone to you. But when Cassie’s death unraveled some of the world threads, I knew then that killing the threadbearers was the only course left to me. It’s the only way to get rid of your abhorrent realm, as I’d planned, before the horde is sent against me.”
“What happens if the horde gets here before you find the last threadbearers?”
“That’s why I was very excited to learn that you are not like other siphons. Other siphons can take magic, but
you can give magic also. I’d never seen that before. If the horde comes before I restitch a better world, you’ll keep me powered until I destroy them all. Allowing me to get rid of the meadow and Earth without worrying about any more threats.”
“The horde isn’t the only threat, though, is it? Maiden can stop you. That’s why you don’t want her to find out you are here.”
“If you attempt to tell Maiden about me, that man-bird will be the least of your concerns. I’ll go after your cat friend, the satyr, and that mutilated chick you’re so fond of. Everyone and everything you care about. And I’m always there, watching and listening. So don’t think you can get a message to Maiden without my getting it too.”
“You’re a real sick piece of shit, aren’t you?”
“Think what you want about me. But know that whoever raised an unnatural horde is ten times worse than me, because they are fools. They have no idea what that horde can do if it’s freed. But I still remember. I was there. So yes, I will kill my own people to stop those aberrations from escaping your cesspit of a realm. Even though it is not how I wanted this to play out.”
“How are you okay with killing an entire race of people?”
“Killing them protects the other hundred or so races in this world. Unlike the rest of the world’s species, yours is multiplying like an infestation of termites. It needs to be eliminated.”
Margory stirred. Mother rose and dragged Vera from the room of the magic-less witch girl. Vera had just made a witch into a human. The very thing that Mother planned to eradicate.
Kale rolled his shoulders back and walked out of the pathway Addamas had set. A thousand unnaturals turned to eye their prey.
“I want to join the horde,” Kale announced clearly, holding his arms away from his body so they knew he was no threat.
With grunts and growls of disappointment, the sea of unnaturals parted to let Kale pass. It was the only declaration that gave a man a chance to live. If the Master decided a man was not worthy of joining the horde, he became the horde’s toy until he died. Errock stepped into the path the unnaturals had made.
“Kalesius. I told the Master you’d come.”
“He’s waiting for me?” asked Kale.
“Waiting for you to realize you’re fighting for the wrong side,” confirmed Errock. “And here you are.”
“You said I’d have a chance to destroy the witches who sentenced me to an eternity worse than Hell in that meadow.”
“Oh, you will.” Errock grinned. “You’re going to lead us through the gates to their doorsteps, brother.”
“Perfect. When do I meet the siphon?”
“You just missed him, actually,” replied Errock.
“He left you in charge?” asked Kale with surprise.
“He trusts me. I told him he could trust you too, but you understand how it is.”
Kale did. “How can I earn the Master’s trust?” he asked, knowing he’d have to prove himself.
“See, I knew you’d be ready to go.” Errock slapped Kale on the back. “There’s only one little thing you have to do first.”
“Name it.”
“That sweet little human girl of yours—”
“No,” Kale said flatly.
“Now hold up.” Errock lifted a hand to calm the shifting horde, which wanted the defiant man for their fun now. “I’m not asking you to do anything with Vera. She lived with a peculiar shifter bird, though. Kill him and you’re in.”
“I won’t be able to find him,” Kale said, knowing Gus was already a prisoner in Summartir.
“No worries. We’ve already found him for you and brought him here,” said Errock.
It was all Kale could do to keep his expression unreadable. If the horde had Gus, then Vera had gone willingly with the Mother for nothing. Kale was sure he could’ve found a way to save Mimi without Vera martyring herself. In the end, he’d only let her go because Mother supposedly had Gus. He couldn’t force her to sacrifice her adopted father when there was a chance to save him. But Mother never had the man.
“Where is he?” Kale didn’t have to force the edge to his words.
Errock turned and pointed at a leaning shack that must have been abandoned years before. “All tied up and waiting for you. I told you, I knew you’d come.”
Kale moved unhesitatingly toward the shack. Vera would never forgive him, but Kale could accept that so long as she lived.
Hand on the latch, Kale paused. “Errock, were you responsible for killing a nest of baby chicks and hacking up their beaks recently?”
“Now that was some fun times.” Errock winked.
Kale tucked that information away for when he killed Errock then pushed through the door. Gus sat against the wall in his human form. The man’s mouth and wrists were bound with strips of stained fabric. The door fell closed. Kale tugged the gag from Gus’s mouth.
“Ah, my executioner has arrived,” greeted Gus. “It’s nice to officially meet you, Guardian.”
“You don’t seem distressed by your impending death.” Kale folded his arms.
“Nah. My Suzie’s been gone a year. My kind mates for life, and when one dies, the other follows. I’ve stayed alive long enough. I’m ready to join my Suzie now.”
“You don’t care that you’re leaving Vera alone in the world?”
“I’m not. I made sure Vera found you first.”
Kale frowned at that. “After Vera learns I’ve killed you, she’ll never forgive me.”
“Yes, she will. See, I’ve always known this is how I would die—in this way and in this place. My Suzie saw it the same as she saw her own death. Suzie made me promise I wouldn’t die of a broken heart before this moment. She begged me to let my death make a difference for Vera, for the world. I could never say no to that woman.”
“How does dying here make a difference?” asked Kale.
“For starters, it’s the only way you’ll be accepted into the horde and that needs to happen.”
“Suzie saw all this?”
“She was miraculous, my Suzie.” Gus smiled, a smile full of love at the memory his lost wife.
“Did she say if we would stop the Mother in time?”
“It’s one possible outcome,” said Gus. “Although for that to happen, I have to die here.”
“What else do we need to happen?”
“I cannot share anything of what will come, or you will fail. But all that has happened was necessary. Even the Mother capturing Vera. Which is why I made sure it was the path Vera took.”
“You gave the Mother your medallion.” Kale’s hands balled into fists and fell to his sides. “You let that witch use it to manipulate Vera.”
“Yes. Want to kill me now?”
“With every inch of my being,” Kale growled.
“Good. Take care of Vera for me.”
“For as long as I can,” Kale said, still not sure he could kill the man Vera cared so much about. Kill him, sure, but face Vera after? How can I do that?
“I know you’re still trying to figure out how to get out of killing me. You do have an alternative option.”
“Care to share it?”
“I’m going to die in this shack. There’s no way around that. However, if I die by my own hands, I will never see my Suzie again. If you kill me, I will. You get to decide my fate.”
With that, Gus began to expand, feathers sprouting from his flesh. As he grew, the cloth tied around his neck began to cut off his air. Gus gagged. There was no way for Kale to undo the band. It was sunken into the man’s neck too deep. Kale could either stand and watch the bird slowly suffocate or end it quickly. It wasn’t a choice. Kale wrapped his hands around Gus’ head and twisted sharply. The shifter fell limp. Kale brushed Gus’s eyes closed, untied the cloth that had choked him, and walked out of the shack.
Errock checked Kale’s handiwork before dragging the body from the shack. The field of monsters roared with delight. Hands grabbed Gus and tossed him into the horde. There’d be nothing left to
find of the man once they had finished with him. Well, Gus, I’m in the horde.
19
Vera marked the bottom of the door with the edge of a candle. One more palace room checked. Still no sign of Gus. At the next set of doors, Vera looked up and down the hall before wiggling the doorknob. Locked. Taking a breath, she rapped quickly with her knuckles and waited, hiding the candle behind her back. A bleary-eyed witch with tightly-curled orange hair and midnight skin opened the door.
“Oops, I’m so sorry,” Vera gushed. “Wrong room.”
The witch glared and slammed the door in Vera’s face. Vera quickly marked the bottom of the door and moved on to the next. She had no idea where Maiden’s room was, but she had to be getting closer. If Vera could figure out where Gus was, she could figure out a way to free him. Hopefully, he wasn’t in a dungeon under the palace. Just in case, Vera was looking for creepy passageways and stairs too.
The morning sun hung low in the sky. Light shone through a wall of windows at the end of the hall. Colorful tents and carts belonging to Summartir families filled the rolling hills beyond the palace grounds. People had been showing up in a steady stream by road and through portals to join in the transition festivities. They were blissfully unaware that Mother was already here and murdering their people. The market stalls were full of witches selling bottled magic, charms, herbs, fabrics, toys, furniture, and even cages filled with ferrets, salamanders, and aejoh-colored butterflies like the one from the farm. Now that Vera had siphoned witch magic, it was easy to see the glow of it among the people below. Even dim blips of magic like Margory’s. Vera was horrified that her body craved a taste of that glow now.
Vera turned away from the growing crowds, returning to her search. She had to find Gus and get out of there. Kale would be coming to face Mother soon, and Vera would not be a bargaining chip for the witch to use against him. Not to mention, once Gus was safe, Vera planned to latch on to Mother’s magic and slurp it up, until she popped from over-siphoning or the evil witch was drained. Whichever came first. As Vera neared the next doors, they burst open. A rumpled young man stumbled out, followed by the giggles of at least a couple women. The man winked at Vera and sauntered down the hall. Vera marked those doors without knocking and hurried on. At the next intersection, Vera recognized where she was—the stairs to the picture hall. Hiking up the ridiculous dress she’d been given to wear, Vera climbed upwards. Freaking Lady Unlucky. She’d managed to stumble upon the Mother, who was there admiring a portrait. Vera wondered if it was too late to retreat. Mother looked over and smiled. Yup, definitely too late.