Heartbreaker

by V. Romas Burton

  I sat there with my mouth agape until Claire shouted, "Addie! Stop sitting there and do something!"

  "Right!" I said, scrambling to think of some way to help.

  "Don't worry, Addie," James said with a focused grin, sweat gleaming from his forehead. "I got him right where I want him."

  James dodged a jab before pounding Silas’s head with the flat side of his axe. Silas blinked, his sword held out mid-swing before his eyes rolled back. Grains of sand bunched around him as his body smacked into the ground.

  We all hesitated before crowding around him.

  "Are you all right?" I asked James.

  "Yep," he said. He wiped his brow with his sleeve, taking in a few deep breaths, but his ice-blue eyes were bright with excitement. "I hadn't fought like that in years. That boy is something else."

  "What happened?" Claire asked, helping Damien stand next to her.

  I shook my head. "I'm not sure." I turned to the lord. “Are you okay?”

  Damien grunted but said nothing as he placed a hand on his bandaged side.

  No one responded for a while, not sure of what to say.

  After the long silence, James stretched his back and lowered himself to the ground.

  "I suggest we all try to sleep. Silas is going to be a bear with that lump I gave him." Lines of worry creased his bright-blue eyes. “And we should all pray that this doesn’t happen again.”

  I nodded before rolling Silas on his back and sitting next to him, waiting to see if anything unusual happened. The wound Damien had inflicted had already healed, leaving nothing but a small hole in Silas’s shirt.

  Damien scoffed at Silas before stalking away. Claire gave him an apologetic look before she sat on the other side of Silas.

  She grabbed his sword and held it tight. “Just in case he wakes up crazy again.” She added a forced smile.

  “I can’t believe that just happened,” I exclaimed, digging my palms into my eyes. “He never acted like that before.”

  Claire shrugged. “He didn’t have his heart before.”

  See?

  “Do you think that’s it? That his heart is making him do this? Is this what Silas is really like?” The questions kept tumbling out of my mouth before Claire held up a hand.

  “Whoa, Addie, calm down.”

  “What do you think is going on with him?”

  Claire blew out a breath, bringing her knees to her chin. “I have no idea, but I never want to see that side of him again.” She paused, gazing at the ocean. “Although, it does smell like Ophidian.”

  I hugged my arms around my stomach. "What are you thinking?"

  “Doesn't it seem a little too coincidental? The Silas you saw in Ophidian's Realm was crazy, and now the Silas outside of Ophidian's Realm is crazy, too?” She tightened her grip around her legs. “I did learn one thing in my years of captivity: The Beast doesn't change his tactics if he doesn’t have to.”

  Realization hit me like a boulder. Everything Claire said was true. But the question was, how? How was Silas being influenced by Ophidian? And who was it intended for? Just him or all of us?

  And how much of it is actually his own doing?

  I chewed on my lip. Claire was on the right track. “I bet you're right. But I don't know what we can do about it.”

  “Me, either.” She shrugged. “Let's just hope we can fend him off long enough until we figure it out. Without James, I'm not sure what would have happened.”

  As if in response, steady snoring tumbled from James as he slept soundly.

  “Is Damien okay?” I asked. The lord hadn’t moved since he retreated to the far end of the fire. “Is his wound bad?”

  Claire stretched out her legs, pressing her weight on her hands as she leaned back. “Nah, it’s not too bad. Luckily, he had me to help him.” She faked a grin that soon fell from her lips. “But I’m not sure how good tonight was for group bonding.”

  “No,” I agreed, focusing back on the rolling waves. “It was definitely a step backward.”

  Claire snorted. “More like a giant leap.”

  My lips twitched, wanting to laugh.

  Changing the subject, I said, “I’m sorry about losing the connection with Lyle. And about Doctor Magnum, again.”

  Claire brushed her strand of brown hair away from her face. “It’s okay, Addie. It was tough talking to my dad; I needed an excuse to get away. Besides” —she waved her hand in the air— “I already spent six months with Lyle. He’s your brother that you fought so hard to have back, and you’ve barely seen him at all.”

  I placed my chin on my curled knees, wishing I had Lyle’s sweater to comfort me. I did miss my brother and prayed that this would be over soon so we could be a family again. The evening breeze rustled against the waves, blowing Silas’s hair across his brow. I gently pushed it away, yearning for his warmth, too, but I couldn’t have that either.

  “Yes, but I’m happy Lyle had you,” I replied.

  A blush came to Claire’s cheeks before we sat in silence. Silas’s face was a picture of peace as his chest moved with even breaths. What made him think of Damien’s women? I’d never seen Silas so quick to violence. What would happen if we couldn’t fight him? Would he kill us all? I dismissed the thought. I couldn’t think that way. Eman wanted Silas to come on this journey. He wouldn’t have sent him if he were going to kill us, right?

  Are you sure?

  “What is it?” Claire asked.

  I pulled the string holding my hair, freeing my curls in the wind. “Nothing. I’m excited to go back and see Lyle when this is all over.” Combing my fingers through the thick strands, I thought about my mother. How would she handle everything? The Magisters? Silas? Damien? I wish I had her guidance.

  As I untangled the knots, I continued, “But, for now, I made an iuram with Eman that I would find the Twelve Magisters, and I intend to keep it.”

  “And I will be with you until you do,” Claire said, rising to her feet as she dusted off her pants. Pursing her lips, she cocked her hip to the side and added, “I don’t need to make some fancy magical promise with you to prove that now, do I?”

  “No,” I laughed. “I trust your word.”

  “Well, just don’t be stupid.”

  I laughed and wished her a good night before unfolding my blanket and lying on the sand to admire the starry sky. Different twinkling constellations blinked at me, reminding me of the ones I had seen in Ramni. The vibrations of the waves rumbled beneath my fingertips as my pulse beat along with them. How could I protect all of us and Silas when I didn’t know what Ophidian was up to?

  My lids began to droop, heavy from the long journey. Soon, sleep overtook me, and I pushed my worries to tomorrow.

  Chapter 28

  The bright sun blazed through my eyelids. Morning had come too soon. I tried to shift my weight, only to find something pinning me to the ground. Gasping, I rolled out from under the heavy weight and jumped up.

  A groan escaped from Silas's lips in response to my quick movements. He flipped onto his back, using one arm to shield his face from the morning sun. My cheeks instantly grew hot. Silas had wrapped his arm around me as we slept.

  "What's the matter with you?" I scolded, glaring down at him as I placed my hands on my hips.

  He lowered his arm and sat up. Rubbing his head, he squeezed his lids shut. "What are you talking about? And why does my head feel like it was trampled on?"

  Fury boiled in my chest. "You stabbed Damien!”

  Silas squinted up at me, shielding his eyes from the sun. "Damien? Oh, right. Lord Farmount. What about him?"

  Did Silas not remember what had happened? Was Ophidian taking his memories? I turned away from him, too angry to say any more.

  James stretched his arms and stood. As he leaned back, a large crack sounded from his spine before he rubbed his sides. “I’m getting too old for this.”

  "James, please tell Silas what happened last night." I motioned to Silas, hoping someone else could help.
r />   James brushed the sand off his shoulders. "Well, son, you went a little cuckoo last night and tried to give the grumpy lord a beating."

  "What?" Silas asked, sitting up quickly. "What happened?"

  "You said something about the lord’s women," Claire yawned, stretching her arms in front of her. "Then you attacked him." She pointed to Damien, who was awake as well but kept his lips shut.

  "No," Silas whispered, backing away from all of us. "I couldn't have. I don't remember anything." He held his face in his hands. "This can't be happening."

  "What's happening, Silas?" I asked. "Talk to me."

  He lifted his head, tears gathering in his eyes. “Addie, I don’t—"

  "Hello, over there!"

  We turned to find Gaius and Brand approaching in their canoe from the sparkling waves. Cupping my hand over my eyes, I watched the brothers paddle to shore. My shoulders deflated. I really needed to talk to Silas about what had happened, why it happened. But I didn’t want to address it in front of Brand and Gaius.

  The brothers left their canoe at the shore as they jogged toward us, each grasping a large stick with spikes protruding from the top. As they headed closer, their faces were furrowed in concentration.

  Before we could greet them, Gaius targeted Silas. “Come. We must be quick.”

  Silas jumped up, his gaze unwavering from mine. "I swear, Addie, I didn't know what I was doing." He started toward me, but I backed away.

  “I don’t know, Silas.” I rubbed my hip where I had landed last night. “I can’t.” I hurried to where the others were, feeling Silas’s gaze burn into the back of my head.

  As we gathered up the rest of our supplies, James handed Silas his sword.

  “Guard your heart, Silas,” he cautioned.

  “Should we give that back to him?” Claire asked under her breath.

  “I’m not sure,” I replied as Damien rolled his eyes and stomped away.

  We strode to where Gaius and Brand stood. Planting their sticks through the ground, they waded through the sand, away from the waves. Silas curled his hands into fists before walking in step with Damien.

  "I want to apologize about last night. I'm not sure what came over me. It won't happen again." He held out his hand.

  Damien’s eyes narrowed to slits as he grasped Silas’s forearm. "It better not.”

  Silas’s lips thinned, but he dipped his head. He jogged to the front of the group, giving my hand a quick brush as he walked by.

  I curled my fingers. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to think that he wasn’t aware of what was happening, but how many more things like this were going to happen? How many more people were going to get hurt? Was I going to get hurt?

  We trekked through the sandy grass until all traces of foliage were gone. Brand, Gaius, and Silas led our group, conversing in hushed tones. James stayed in the back, always wanting to make sure we were protected from all sides, leaving Claire, Damien, and me in the middle.

  After an hour of walking, my boots were heavy with blazing hot sand. I was sure my feet were raw from the scratchy grains. Before us laid miles and miles of golden dunes, whipping in the desert wind. I glanced at the ground. A thick white line separated the white grains of the Land of Ratcha, from the golden sand of the Land of Obesque.

  Raising his spiked stick, Brand pointed it across the desert. “Continue in that direction until you come to Perda Forum.”

  “How will we know if we’re in the right place?” Claire asked.

  Brand bowed. “I would guide you there myself if I were allowed, my lady.”

  “You’re not coming with us?” I asked, disappointed to be leaving the kind brothers and having more people to stop Silas in case he attacked again.

  Gaius shook his head. “We dare not cross the border unless instructed by Sirhc. The last time someone crossed without permission …”

  Brand rose and grabbed Claire’s hands before she could object. “Be wary of Sirhc and Bocaj,” he interjected, his hair whipping in the dry wind. “They began this competition years ago, and it’s because of them, it’s continued. I will pray to the Heavens that you can pass through unscathed, my lady, and that we will be reunited again.”

  Claire ripped her hands out of Brand’s and shoved him back. Brand stumbled but caught himself before blowing Claire a kiss.

  Silas gazed into Obesque, keeping his distance from the rest of us. I understood that he was worried about our safety, especially because of last night, but my heart tugged toward the Market of Thieves. I didn’t need to check the book to make sure I was right. If Schism’s cursed doors were anywhere, they would be there, right in the middle of chaos.

  I glided past Silas toward the two brothers. “Thank you for your help. I hope we meet again soon.”

  “Sooner than you’d think,” Brand mumbled, ogling at Claire before Gaius elbowed him in the ribs.

  I cocked my head at the remark before Gaius pulled my attention back to him. “We were happy to help.” The brothers bowed in unison.

  As we said farewell to Gaius and Brand, my confidence waned. I couldn’t help but think things were about to get a lot worse.

  The golden sand reflected the sweltering sun back in my face. Sweat collected on my brow and neck from the intense heat. I pushed up the sleeves of my long shirt, allowing the breeze to cool my skin. Though I no longer had Lyle's sweater, I still wished it was with me to give me some comfort.

  We trudged through the hot sand until the tops of large, square rocks reached our sight. As we neared the horizon, the rocks transformed into various stone buildings of a city. Some were tall and thin, others were short and fat, but they all held the same dark gray color.

  A series of cheers erupted from the stone city as we traveled closer. Silas tensed beside me and grasped his sword, ready for an attack.

  We craned our necks up as we approached the entrance. While the buildings were minuscule from afar, they were huge up close.

  A narrow dirt path separated the buildings, turning a few feet to the right after the entrance. “Tu solve vos sumo,” was chiseled into the side of one of the buildings, underlined in a dark substance I didn’t want to think about.

  “What does that mean?” I asked James.

  “‘You pay, you choose,’” James replied. His hands shimmered before his hooked axe appeared in his hands. He adjusted his grip on the weapon. “Sounds like we’re in the right place.”

  A series of yells came from inside the city, but this time they weren't cheers of victory, but screams of anger. Goosebumps ran along my arms, but I was positive this was where our next destination lay.

  “Well,” I said, taking a step onto the narrow path. “It’s now or never.”

  Before I could complete my step, an arrow flew from the right.

  “Addie!” Silas cried before shielding me with his body. The arrow sunk into the ground at our feet.

  Another arrow soared from the left. Silas unsheathed his sword and sliced it in half before it reached the sand below.

  Pushing me behind him, Silas cut through the arrows coming at us.

  I ducked, watching the arrow halves flutter to the ground. How could he move so fast?

  “Go,” he grunted. “Find someplace to hide.”

  “Come on!” James yelled, holding up his axe. The metal dinged as he deflected a few arrows before motioning for us to follow him. Claire held up her satchel as a shield and sprinted past us into the winding streets of the Market of Thieves.

  Sweat dripped down Silas’s neck as he fended off the attack.

  “Please, Addie,” he said in a strained voice. “I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to you.”

  I laid my hand on his back, sending a prayer to the Heavens that Silas would be protected before Damien stepped next to him.

  “Go,” Damien said, knives in hand. “I’ll help Silas. We’ll find you later.” Rearing back, he threw a knife in the direction of the arrows. A wail bounded off the stone buildings before a body sailed
off a ledge. I winced at the sounds of the skull cracking against the hard ground. In seconds, a new archer appeared, and twice the number of arrows rained on us.

  “Go!” Damien commanded, flinging knives at the hidden archers.

  With one last glance at Silas, I turned and sprinted to catch up with James and Claire.

  The whooshes of arrows died down as we crept through the twisted street of the market. The narrow dirt path reminded me of the corridors in the Seven Choices. I gripped the satchel strap, hoping that was the only similarity between these two places.

  Abandoned vendor booths hunched on some of the buildings’ steps. Their decorations and wares were absent, leaving the booths empty as husks. A few more booths lined a wider street we passed, but other than that and the defense at the front, the Market of Thieves was deserted.

  The cheers and screams we heard from before vibrated against the stone walls. As we turned the next corner, I collided with the rock-hard back of a hairy, shirtless man. I backed up slowly, praying he didn’t feel anything. Within a few moments, the man bellowed a passionate cheer. I clamped my hand over my nose as he flailed his arms, releasing a sweaty stench. Crushed between his thick fingers was a small, black sack, jingling with coins.

  Moving away from the man, I stood on my tiptoes, trying to find the reason for their cheers. But rows and rows of cheering, sweaty men obstructed my view.

  Using his axe, James marked the outside of a building with a circle, then drew an X through it before he grabbed Claire’s and my hands, dragging us into the stone space.

  As soon as the splintered door shut, I turned to Claire and James. “Did you guys find anything about the Magisters?”

  They both shook their heads before we poked around the room. It was mostly empty, save for a few broken tables and chairs. James padded toward one of the windows covered by a piece of tattered scarlet cloth, carefully lifting one of the corners as he peered out.

  The cracked door of the building quietly creaked open. James had his weapon ready while Claire and I stood like stone. Could it be an attacker from the entrance? Or had Dacenda found us again?