“This can’t be the only way,” Kirheen said.
“We’ve tried the other ways. Whether you agree with it or not, this is the best method of strengthening your powers. There is no argument to be had here. Either you learn to use your powers, or you spend the rest of your days toiling about and learning how to stitch robes for those that come after you.”
Kirheen grumbled under her breath, crossing her arms over her chest defensively.
“As for the Darkness, you’ve heard about it enough growing up. Garild, please enlighten us on what you’ve learned. What is it?”
“The Darkness is a plague that swept through the lands beyond Sanctuary, destroying both the land and those that lived there, often turning them into violent husks. There used to be people like us, but without the powers of the mind. When the Darkness swept over the land, it drove them all mad. Only those blessed by the Allseer survived and fled north, to Sanctuary.”
Herzin nodded. “Good. Anything to add to that, Kirheen? What are your powers for? What is our goal?”
“Our powers can cleanse the Darkness. Our goal is to push back the corruption and reclaim the world that was taken from us.”
“I hope speaking those words makes you realize the importance of our struggle, girl. Without our powers, the Darkness would have taken this world long ago. You were both born with these powers, and it is the only reason you yet live. It is a heavy burden to bear, but it is a responsibility that ensures our survival, our future.”
Kirheen sighed loudly, obviously bored by the history lesson. She tended to disregard the dangers beyond their little bubble, believing it all to be an exaggeration, something to spur them on the path of learning their powers. It puzzled him how she could fear the Darkness so little, and yet be so afraid of having another in her mind.
“Be bored of this all you like, but you can either grow strong enough to fight the Darkness, or you can become a testament to failure and spend the rest of your days aiding those that were more dedicated to the cause.”
Something seemed to change in Kirheen. Her expression hardened, a coldness blooming in her stormy eyes. “I’ll never be just a failure.”
Herzin smirked. “Then you better stop acting like one.”
CHAPTER 3
The first night in their new home left Kirheen feeling bitter about her new life. She listened to the gentle breathing of Garild in the next bed over, and wished she were anywhere but in Sanctuary. It wasn’t possible, she knew that, but it didn’t stop her from dreaming of a new start somewhere else, somewhere far, far away from the glowing forests she was forced to call home. If she hadn’t felt trapped before, she certainly did now.
Herzin hadn’t helped matters. The Judge of Trials, feared by all, was an irritating old woman with a chip on her shoulder. Kirheen didn’t like her and wasn’t looking forward to the days she’d be forced to spend training with her.
Morning came and a silent servant delivered a meal of crusty bread and dried meat. It was tasteless stuff, but nothing Kirheen wasn’t used to. Until the rest of the Bondless went through their ritual, meals were confined to their home. She felt like a caged animal, pacing back and forth and waiting for her moment to strike, to flee.
A foul mood hovered over her like a storm cloud and it grew worse the moment Herzin haughtily stepped through the door, nose to the air. She didn’t want to train, didn’t want to learn about her powers. She wasn’t ready for what that meant, to have her mind, the one safe place she had, defiled in such a way.
They took their seats in front of the fire and Herzin stood before them, her air of pompous superiority radiating about her as it had the day prior. Kirheen stared at the fish circling each other in the carved table, arms crossed, trying to lose herself in that lazy motion, their colors melting together with each rotation.
“Are we ready for today’s lessons?” Herzin asked.
Garild seemed to be in a fine mood and he nodded his head enthusiastically. Kirheen tried to ignore it, tried to ignore them both, but his eagerness grated against her nerves. She just wanted to go back to bed, somewhere away from them both, her mind kept safe.
“Good,” Herzin said, completely ignoring Kirheen. At least the feeling was mutual. “Today, we will talk about your gifts, and I’ll provide a demonstration of the things you will be learning in the coming weeks. Tell me, do you both sense your powers? We’ve never had you, or allowed you, to use them in the past, but they are there. There may have even been times you’ve used them without realizing it. Garild?”
“I can sense something there, but I have to focus on it. It feels like it’s just out of my reach,” he explained.
Kirheen knew what he meant. She knew she had powers, had even attempted on more than one occasion to tap into them, but they always felt like they were beyond her grasp, hovering at the edge of her peripheral, always right at the tip of her tongue, forever taunting. Now, faced with being allowed to use them, to understand them, she found she didn’t want to. How could she be expected to just open her mind, to let them in willingly? It wasn’t fair and it wasn’t right. Everything had been chosen for her; the people she grew up with, the clothes she wore, the food she ate, the path she was expected to take through life. Nothing belonged to her, save for her mind and her heart, and the Allseer be damned if they thought they could simply take those from her.
“And what about you, girl?” Herzin asked, sharp eyes regarding her critically.
“What Garild said. It’s there, but I can’t tap into it.”
“Nothing else?”
“No.”
Herzin sighed. “Your powers are there, I assure you. It takes immense focus to use them. As we progress, you’ll find yourselves feeling drained as you learn how to hone and target your powers. Today, we will work on some very basic exercises, something to strengthen your bond with your powers so you can find them a bit easier to use.”
Kirheen began to sweat, her palms slick with moisture. She wiped them on her robe nervously, her heart fluttering. There was no way she could do this, no way she could let them in. “I think I’d rather have madness,” she whispered, regretting her words the moment they slipped past her lips. Herzin’s eyes locked on to her, burning with malice.
“You will cooperate, girl. You don’t have a choice. We’re not doing anything today that will harm your precious mind, so calm yourself.”
Panic was consuming her, feasting on her rational thoughts. “It doesn’t matter! I won’t do it. I won’t allow either of you to go sticking your nose into my mind like it’s a book to read for your pleasure. You can keep your stupid powers. I don’t want them.”
Garild was wide-eyed, looking at her as if she’d just punched him in the face. His mouth fell open as he stared at her, surely in disbelief that she could be so brash, so stupid. Herzin crossed her arms, posture straightening, puffing herself up for a conflict. Kirheen wasn’t going to tolerate it. She locked eyes with her instructor, glaring defiantly. Standing, she turned herself away from them both and headed straight for the door. She wasn’t halfway to it before Herzin spoke.
“Kirheen, this display is cute but unnecessary. One more step and I’ll make you regret your actions. You have not been excused.”
It dawned on her that Herzin probably wasn’t used to being disobeyed, let alone by a young woman, but she no longer cared. Earning her ire wasn’t exactly what she’d set out to do, but she’d already earned it. How much worse could she really make it? She needed to be free of them, to be out of the room before her panic consumed her.
“I’m excusing myself, thank you. I want nothing to do with the Allseer, her powers, and certainly nothing to do with you.” She glanced back over her shoulder, giving Garild a half-hearted grin. She didn’t want to hurt him like this, but she couldn’t do what they wanted her to do. Not for him. Not for anyone.
“Not…another…step,” Herzin warned, her voice thick with anger. There was an edge of warning, a hint of the consequences that would follow if she mo
ved.
It was a warning she was already too late to heed. She reached for the door, fingers gripping the intricately carved handle. It felt solid beneath her fingers, cold and smooth. As she went to turn it, her world shifted. A faint pressure blossomed in the center of her forehead, creeping outwards and gaining strength like the start of a headache.
She watched in horror as the door handle began to melt, the glowing wraith wood oozing between her fingers and running down the back of her hand, burning as it went. She blinked, trying to comprehend what she was seeing. Pain followed the path of melted wood as it traveled down her arm, so intense she dropped to her knees, teeth gritted as she tried not to scream. She reached out her other hand, placing it against the door as she attempted to keep herself upright, but it turned into a violent glowing pool beneath her palm. She sank forward, pulled into that vortex, and it covered her arms, and chest, and finally her face.
Pain exploded throughout her entire body, spreading like a forest fire as it burned through her senses. In her mind, she could sense thousands of needles, poking and prodding, trying to find a weak point to break through. Each attempt felt like a real needle stabbing into her flesh, like the strange white-haired man injecting her with inky darkness. Stab, stab, stab.
Just when she thought she couldn’t take it a moment longer, the glowing white fire that covered her body shattered, just as the walls of her mind did the same. Out poured her thoughts, as powerful and overwhelming as a hurricane. She gasped for air, floundering about hopelessly in her own mind, searching for anything to repair the damage, to rebuild her walls, but where was nothing but doubt, and sadness, and the undeniable feeling that her life was not hers to control.
And then something appeared in the distance, bright and glowing like a jewel. It was an emerald, bright green and blazing. As it hovered closer, it took form, and she realized it was an eye, a hate filled emerald, the eyes of disapproval. It was Herzin, picking through her thoughts with clawed fingers. Pick, pick, pick.
“I warned you,” she hissed. “I warned you.”
“Get out,” Kirheen gasped. “Get out of my head. Get out!” She curled into herself, pulling together her thoughts and wrapping them tightly against her body like a shield. “I don’t want you here. Get out.” The sensation continued, the hole in her head growing bigger, walls crumbling into the sea of her mind. As she focused on her breathing, she could taste the sickly-sweet copper taste of blood on her tongue. “GET OUT!”
With a scream, she threw her thoughts towards the glowing emeralds, tearing through them with all the force she could muster. They widened and cracked, shattering and filling the sea with green. She felt her own eyes open, storm clouds given to her by faces she could not remember. The pressure vanished and she collapsed against the floor, blood speckling the surface as her head made contact. Hands pressed against her face, her name whispered in the dark, and then she was gone, sinking away into the only shelter she could find. Sleep took her quickly, embracing her in tranquil darkness. She welcomed it and let her mind and body drift into oblivion.
CHAPTER 4
Tomias was thankful for a chance to stretch his legs, his neck, his shoulders. It was the first week of rituals, and while putting on a show for the Union Master was amusing, it was more than a little tiring. His hand ached from hours spent writing names and inking symbols into the Bondless, but it was almost over. Still, he was happy for a chance to get away, even if it was just for a little while.
His twin, Fenir, walked at his side. His expression was somber, lips pulled into a frown, but he could feel the tranquil sea of his thoughts as he looked over the forest and knew that he was happy too. Their bond was stronger than most in Sanctuary. It was both a blessing and a curse, their bond forcing him to feel much of what his brother felt whether he wanted to or not. They traveled south, away from the Temple of Union, meandering down the deserted path that led to the Circle of Rest. They didn’t have a reason for being there, he simply wanted to walk, and he’d let his feet carry him where they willed.
He could see a gigantic wrath wood tree up ahead, towering over the circle of homes made for the Bonded. As they drew closer, he could feel a strange sensation in the air, an excess of power floating past them, a static energy like lightning before it strikes. He caught Fenir glancing at him, his head tilted with obvious curiosity.
“You feel that?” he felt, rather than heard, Fenir ask him the question.
Tomias nodded. “I do,” he replied aloud. “This doesn’t feel right. Something is wrong.”
The sensation was emanating from a home recently occupied by the Bonded they’d performed the ritual on a mere night or two before. Rumor had it Herzin had been tasked with teaching them, but they were new to their powers and no instructor would wield such force on their first day, not even that bitter old crone.
He increased his pace, jogging towards the house, brother at his side. Fenir took the steps in a single leap, Tomias close on his heels. The power was thicker in front of the door, making his hair stand on end. His brother burst through the door, nearly knocking over a brown-haired young man he recognized from the ritual. What was his name again? he wondered, but the question was snatched away as the smell of blood hit his nose.
Fenir threw out a hand, catching the boy by the front of his robe, and pulled him close. He looked terrified, eyes squeezing shut as if he expected Fenir to strike him. He stammered out an explanation, words tumbling past his lips without control. “I-I don’t know what happened. They were arguing and Kirheen tried to leave and then…I can’t explain it! Something happened to them. Please, I didn’t do it. I was going to find help.”
“Woah, woah, woah. Slow down,” Tomias demanded. “We’re not blaming you, not yet anyway. Fenir, let the poor boy go before he dies of fright.”
His brother grunted but released his grip. Tomias peered around them, taking in the scene beyond. An ashen haired girl lie on the floor behind the boy, blood splattered across the floor in an arc around her head. Further back, he could see Herzin in a similar state. He muttered a curse, not liking the look of it one bit.
Tearing his eyes away, he addressed the boy. “You’ll have to forgive my brother. He’s far more suspicious than I. For looking so much alike, you’d think we’d not be so different. And do forgive him, please. He doesn’t have the tongue to ask for your forgiveness himself. Quite a shame too considering how often he frightens children.”
“Oh, will you shut up,” Fenir commanded angrily.
On a good day, Tomias found it hard to still his own tongue, and today was not a good day. With stress came an endless stream of words. He often wondered if his brother hadn’t chosen to be mute simply because he spoke enough for them both. “Ah, right. We have a situation to attend to. I’m Tomias, by the way. This brooding companion of mine is my bond mate, Fenir. A pleasure. Now if you would kindly step aside, I must attend to this crisis.”
And what a crisis it was. Tomias was beginning to stitch it together. Someone had lost their temper, and he had a sneaking suspicion of who it might have been. Fenir stepped to the side, pulling the boy with him so he’d have enough room to work. “What was your name again?” he asked the boy as he knelt next to his bond mate.
“Garild,” he replied, voice wavering.
“Ah, that’s right.” Grabbing hold of her shoulder, he rolled the girl over, wincing at the blood smeared across her face, no doubt the result of a very sudden, very violent bloody nose. He gently pried open an eyelid, peering closely. Her pupil was dilated well beyond what it should have been, a bare sliver of color peeking out from the edges. “Hmm, she’s suffered quite a bit of trauma. Mental of course, but she’s reacting to it physically.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Garild questioned. “Can’t you do something to help her? Is she going to be okay?”
Tomias ignored him. “Oh, Herzin, you cruel old bat. Seems you bit off a bit more than you could chew this time, didn’t you? Serves you right, using this much pow
er against her.”
“Wait, what? What do you mean? What did she do?”
“Hush! I’ve got to retrieve her, unless you’d rather me not. Try and stop me and you’ll only have yourself to blame if she doesn’t wake up.” He bent closer, focusing his powers. With practiced ease, he slipped through the shattered remnants of her inner walls and set to work pulling her from the abyss that had become her mind.
“Kirheen, wake up.” The words were faint, a distorted whisper that echoed through her head. Her eyelids fluttered and she opened her eyes to darkness, an endless night that seemed to stretch on forever.
“Kirheen,” the voice whispered again. She shrank back in fear, searching for those hateful emerald eyes but they were nowhere to be found. The pain that had been her prison was gone, leaving behind a feeling of peace. She wanted to drift off, to fall into the comforting embrace of sleep. It would be so nice, she thought.
“Don’t,” an unfamiliar voice warned. “You’ll never wake up if you do.”
“Who are you?” she questioned, squinting as she tried to find the source of the voice. “I can’t see you. There is nothing here.”
“I’m a friend. Don’t worry, I’ll show you the way out. Can you see me?”
She looked harder, but there was nothing but shadows. “No. There is nothing here.”
“Look closer.” Looking into the distance, she thought she could see a faint glow, but it was too far away to know for sure, and she felt so weak. For all she knew, it was a trick, but she forced herself to stand.
“Where am I? Why can’t I see anything?”
“You’re lost. You’re trapped inside your own mind. You need to find a way out.”
“My mind?”
“Yes. Focus. Find a way.”
“All right, I’ll try.” Taking an uneasy step forward, she was momentarily blinded by a blue light that burst to life beneath her foot. It disappeared as soon as she stopped moving, color fading back to black. Odd. She took another step forward and the blue light flashed again. “I see light when I walk.”
The Allseer Trilogy Page 3