by C C Sommerly
The last room was different than the others. It was covered with frost and the floor was icy against my feet. I shivered. After experiencing the extreme heat in the other rooms, the cold was jarring. It did help clear my head slightly.
I was brought to a stone bench, where I sat down to wait for Isa. She floated to the bench with a loopy expression on her face.
The attendants handed us more lemon water. Once we finished them, we were led to a small room with two sheet-draped, padded tables. I laid down on the one, face down, as directed. I don’t think there is much I wouldn’t do at this point. I was beyond thoughts – just a mushy ball of nothing.
The attendant rubbed oils into my skin from head to toe, working out any remaining tightness in my body. Then, she used some sort of scrub and rubbed my skin until it was red. It was a good kind of hurt though. Once that was done, she poured water over me, washing off the scrub.
I was led to another room. There were two beds and the room was dark except for candles on a table in between the beds. We were tucked into the beds. A scented towel was put over our eyes and a clay mask was put on our faces before the attendants left us.
When I awoke, the candles had burnt down to stubs. I felt just as relaxed as before and well-rested. They could make a killing if they let non-followers into here. This was an amazing process.
We were led out of the Purity Chamber. Isa stopped and the attendants guided me down the rose littered carpet. Soft music played and the plants swayed as I passed them. Will-ó-wisps bobbed up and down in the air, riding the gentle breeze.
I went back into the Institute. The halls were filled with silent followers that threw petals on me as I passed. The hallway led to a door that looked no different than the others in the Institute. The exception that it was guarded by bone men. They bowed to me and opened the door. As soon as I was through the door, it closed behind me.
There was an altar in the room and incense bowers hung suspended from the ceiling. There was so much incense burning that it made the entire room smokey like fog. I coughed, but it only put more smoke into my lungs until I felt like I was drowning. As I struggled to breathe and collapsed. I was scooped up by someone, who carried me easily to the altar.
Altars were never somewhere I wanted to be near. Magic was done on them and it was usually strong magic. They were a conduit to other realms that were dangerous and could connect the magic practitioner with demons or restless spirits form the beyond. Someone was chanting and Jarl stood over me. I couldn’t move and it took all of my attention to breathe.
Hands yanked my legs and arms, stretching them out. A golden goblet was placed under each wrist and ankle. The flash of a knife in the light and pain followed. I couldn’t cry out and I couldn’t fight. They cut my other wrist and then my ankles. My blood filled the goblets and then I did pass out.
When I came to, I was laying on my bed in my room. I wore pajamas and Muffin cuddled next to me. I bolted up and exposed my wrists. They were clear of any marks. I checked my ankles, but couldn’t find anything on them either. Had that really happened? Did I dream it? I felt normal. If my blood had been drained, I’d feel like crap and be as weak as a kitten. What is happening to me here?
I walked with Isa to the dining hall for breakfast.
“Did we do the Ceremony of Unity?”
“The what?”
“The Ceremony of Unity. We went into the Purity Chamber and I had some sort of ceremony. I can’t remember the ceremony though.”
Isa looked at me strangely. “I’m not sure what you are talking about. We attended a sermon and had a movie night with popcorn and snacks. You liked the movie. It was an action flick and said that the fighting was surprisingly realistic.”
“Are you saying we didn’t do the Purity Ritual or go to the rock rooms in the Purity Chamber?”
“We don’t even have a Purity Chamber. The Purity Ritual is done in the meditation room. And, it’s not something seekers are allowed to do. It’s for those more advanced in their practice and understanding of The True One. How did you even hear about this?”
I was right about what happened and she didn’t remember, but she didn’t seem to be lying. Why didn’t she remember? I certainly never saw a movie. How did I have no marks and feel no affects from blood loss? Was the incense getting to me more than I thought? Was it muddling my mind?
“I heard someone talk about it. Maybe I dreamed about it. My mind wanders more here.”
“That’s intentional. This is a place where you are allowed to open up to the greatness of The True One and let yourself experience his grace. Just, don’t mention the ceremony to anyone else.”
“I won’t.”
“I have some news for you. I got you some time with Emma Lynn.”
“That is good news. When do we see her?”
“After breakfast.”
This meeting would finally give me some answers.
31
Our meal was the comfortable kind of quiet that didn’t need to be filled with meaningless chatter. It gave me the chance to focus on the questions I needed to ask Emma Lynn. I’d need to ask them without appearing suspicious. I meant what I’d told Isa about my mind wandering. It was much harder to concentrate here, and it was the fault of that incense. Simple things like remembering to ask questions was challenging. I thought of a question and before I finished it, what I wanted to ask had already slipped away.
After our meal, we met Emma Lynn in her room. It was decorated in a space theme nearly identical to her childhood room. There was a night sky on the ceiling that had models of planets dangling from it. Blackout curtains kept the room dark enough to see that some of the stars sparkled. It was a magical place and a haven for her – like her old room.
“Welcome. Isa tells me that you wanted to speak to me,” said Emma Lynn.
“I do want to talk to you. Thank you for agreeing to talk with me.”
“I’m more than happy to speak to any followers interested in art. I remember you from the art lesson. Your painting is one that sticks out to me. It was so different. There was such a raw vulnerability expression, which is rare to find.”
“Ummm, thank you. That’s a compliment, right?”
“Yes, it is. Did you want to know more about art or how to get another art session?”
“Isa, do you mind if I chat with Emma Lynn alone? I feel funny talking about my art and –”
“No worries. I needed to check in with His Highness anyways. I’ll be back once I’m done. Enjoy your talk.”
I waited until I was certain Isa was gone and out of hearing range.
“Emma Lynn. I need to talk to you in confidence.”
“Okay, you can have that.”
“I’m going to insist on an oath.”
She frowned. “That is unusual and rather extreme. I already said I’d keep whatever you said to myself. Why the need for an oath?”
“I believe it’s a matter of life or death.”
Her eyes widened, but she straightened up before answering. “Yes, I swear to keep what we speak about here today in strict confidence and shall not reveal to anyone what was said.”
“I’m here because of your parents.”
“My parents?”
“Yes, they hired me to find you.”
“Are you going to make me go back?”
“That’s the thing. According to them, they already have you back.”
“What? That doesn’t make sense when I’m obviously here at the Institute.”
“I was given a note and payment for finding you. I didn’t see them leave either since the note and money was left in an envelope with our receptionist. I thought it was odd, so I went to your house. Once there, I found it empty.”
“My parents don’t go out often and when they do it’s not usually for a long time.”
“Emma Lynn, when I say empty, I mean not even a single nail from even a missing photo, is left in your house. Everything is gone and wiped clean.”
“Oh my. May The True O
ne keep them safe. Where are they and why did they say they had me? While this is out of character for them, I don’t see how this is connected to what you said before or why you needed an oath from me. How exactly is this connected with the life and death situation you mentioned before?”
“I don’t know. I was hoping you could help with that. I’m worried that they are in danger, serious danger. There are things about this place that aren’t what they seem.”
“No one here at the Institute would hurt my parents or me. They aren’t even followers of The True One. We don’t believe in violence, only the love of The True One.”
“Then, how do you explain your parents absence and the note saying that you were found? Someone didn’t want me investigating your disappearance.”
“But I’m not anyone special. I just do art here and work hard to be a good disciple.”
“Why did you leave home and give up your internship?”
“I met Brenmon, he’s one of the followers of The True One. From the moment of my first sermon, I knew that there was nowhere else for me. I never felt like I belonged. I was always an outsider and it made for a lonely life. I only did the internship to make my parents happy. But here, with my fellow disciples, I found something different. Here, I found the only place I’ve ever belonged and was offered a purpose.”
“You didn’t get that with your work at the community center?’
“You sure know a lot about me.”
“It’s part of my job.”
“No, that was important, but here I can help the community, while spreading the word of The True One. Through my art, I can help open up closed minds, hearts, and souls to the glory of he that is most beloved.”
“Do you have magic?”
“I have a type of magic in my art, I guess.”
“What does it do?”
“It helps people who see my drawings and paintings to feel the emotions I put into the painting.”
“Emotions? I’m not much of an artist, but isn’t that the intent of art – to make people feel emotions?”
“When you create art, whether it’s writing, music, or art, a part of yourself goes into it. The feeling of that moment captured in a song, poem, or painting. My magic is that I literally make people feel what I captured in that moment of my painting. It can be joy, curiosity, relaxation, trust. If there is an emotion for it, I can instill my paintings with it.”
“That is not like anything I’ve ever heard of. It doesn’t seem harmful, but can you paint and put in emotions like rage, hate, discontent, or distrust in them?”
“No, because I only paint with positive emotions. I avoid the negative ones.”
“But in theory, if you painting while feeling negative emotions like anger, would people feel that? What about wanting to disappear or be hateful?”
Emma Lynn chewed on her nails and looked at me with eyes full of sadness. I felt like I’d told a child that Santa Claus wasn’t real and they hated me for shattering that dream. She was innocent and hadn’t seen such an evil potential to her art. I felt like crap taking that innocence away from her.
“Yes, you’re right. They would feel any of those negative emotions.”
I’d need to think on this. There was such potential for harm in her magic to manipulate people.
“What would happen if you wanted to leave here?”
“I’m not a prisoner. I can leave at any time.”
“Can you? Have you tried to leave and see your parents?”
“No, I’m not ready to face them yet.”
“I know that you’d prefer not seeing them. Can you at least tell me any places they might have gone to, so I can check that they are safe?”
“I do, but it’s not somewhere I can easily explain how to get to.”
“Then ask for permission to see them. Just this once. Lead me to this location and you don’t even have to get out of my car. Hell, you can hide in my trunk to avoid them if you want. If there is nothing wrong with this place, then the request should be granted.”
“I don’t know.”
“Don’t you want to know that your parents are safe?”
“Yes. I’ll – I’ll do it.”
“That’s all I ask.”
Isa returned and we went throughout our typical day: mediation, sermons, meal time, study group and a karaoke night.
After karaoke night Emma Lynn pulled me aside.
“I have to talk to you. Can I come by your room later?”
“Sure.”
She looked relieved and rushed off. I had a feeling that I wouldn’t like what she had to tell me.
In the middle of the night, a soft scratching at my door got my attention. I opened it and quickly ushered Emma Lynn into my room.
“You’re right. They denied my request. They said my parents want nothing to do with me and signed my custody over to them.”
“Did they show you paperwork to back that up?”
“Yes, but my parents would never do that. I’m worried. Do you think they are hurt? Can you leave and check?”
“I’ll do my best, but earlier you were adamant that I couldn’t find the place you thought they’d be at. Can you describe it or draw me a map?”
“I’ll try.”
“Listen, I’ll find your parents. Before I can go after them, I have to do one thing. Do you know any of the blood donors?”
“What blood? We don’t donate blood.”
Of course she wouldn’t know about them. What were their names?
“Do you know Francesca, Sid, or Morgan?”
None of those names except Morgan sound familiar. We have two men named Morgan. What does the Morgan you know look like?”
He looks like a god, all shiny blonde with soft lips, green eyes and a libido-inspiring smile.
“Oh, that Morgan,” she said with a laugh. “He was in my intake class. He’s not here often since he doesn’t live here at the Institute of Reawakening. He and a select few others have authorization to live off-site.”
“You need permission to live somewhere else?”
“Yeah, I didn’t question it and loved the concept of an immersion learning program. But now, I wonder. With what you told me about my parents and them not letting me leave, well, I’m worried. Am I safe here? I’ve always felt safe, but how safe am I, if they won’t let me go?”
“I won’t let anything happen to you. Get me a way to talk with Morgan. I think once I hear from him, I’ll be able to come up with a plan. For now, don’t make any changes or do anything different. I don’t want them thinking or suspecting that you question their motives. Can you do that?”
“Yes. Will it be odd for Isa to talk with you?”
“It doesn’t happen a lot, but it wouldn’t be odd for her to?”
“Perfect. I’ll send Isa to tell you that I’m ready for my art lesson. We’ll have the lesson and I can tell you the plan then.”
“I don’t know if I can do this. I wear my emotions on my face. Everyone knows what I’m thinking just by looking at me. I can’t lie. I’ve never been able to.”
“Just breathe.” I took her cold and clammy hands in mine. “You aren’t alone. And, you are stronger than you think. Let’s take this a day at a time. Go back to your room. Pay attention to what you hear and see. You never know what could be useful.”
“Okay. And Marty, thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. We aren’t out of this place yet.”
She smiled and slipped out the door.
32
The next day Morgan came to see me at lunch.
“Marty, right?”
“Yes, I hear we have a friend in common,” said Morgan.
Isa looked back and forth between us, but didn’t ask any questions. It was obviously that she was dying to ask how we knew each other. I’d told her that I didn’t know anyone here and now I’d mentioned knowing Emma Lynn and obviously knew Morgan. If this got back to Jarl, I’d need to get Emma Lynn quickly. They were using her for something, I
just didn’t know what.
“Would you like to walk in the gardens? My dog could use some air,” I said.
“A walk sounds wonderful,” said Isa.
“Oh Isa, can I talk with you?” said a women I hadn’t met before.
“I was about to go on a walk,” she said.
“It won’t take much time and you can catch up to Marty on the walk.”
I could hug Emma Lynn for giving me a chance to speak to Morgan alone. She was more resourceful than she gave herself credit for. She’d make a great investigator. No one would expect a small and innocent thing like her of being on the hunt for a criminal.
We chatted about the sermons and what my experience was like so far. Once we got to the gardens, Morgan put his finger over his lips for silence. We went to a remote area of the garden that was shaded. He pulled me behind the plants, which formed a barrier. Had he not shown me this, I’d never have seen the space.
“Why did you seek me out? Is this about Xavier?”
“Yes and no. I was hired by him to find out why all of the donors were making the vampires sick.”
He flinched. “It’s so awful. Despite what people think, we actually care about our vampire lords. They take good care of us. And, the bite only hurts momentarily.”
“I believe you. Now, all of you are followers of The True One.”
“Yes, we actually met one of the followers randomly. She runs a bakery.”
“Leia.”
“You know her?”
“She took me to my first meeting.”
“You never forget your first meeting. My life changed that day. It was almost as momentous of an event as joining Xavier’s house was.”
“How did the rest of the donors join?”
“When I met with His Highness, he encouraged me to share with my fellow donors. He said it would be good for them and it gave us the opportunity to teach our vampire masters. If we all followed the same religion, then, they would be curious to learn what had captured our interest. We have very little interests and hobbies. Most humans and supernaturals feel uncomfortable around us, so we tend to be very isolated. But here, no one treats me like that. His highness said no one had to know that we were blood donors. For the first time in years, I have friends that aren’t donors. And it’s like having my family back. I love my fellow blood donors, but in some ways we compete for Xavier’s attention and affection, so there is always an undercurrent of competition. It’s hard to feel too close to someone that you compete with.”