“Brothers and sisters.” Wren held her hands up high. “We now have three more potential Starborn to welcome to The Order. They have completed their time in the cube, one in the new way and two others who bravely chose our most ancient tradition. Let us see if the traditional way once again brings us better results.”
Willow grabbed his arm. “What does she mean? Lucas, what is she saying? Tyler didn’t pass?”
A wave of panic invaded his body. He struggled to block her emotion—her ability had increased exponentially since her time in the cube. “Focus on your ceremony,” he urged. “Breathe slowly and deeply.”
Wren continued her address to the chamber. “Our next three neophytes represent the houses of Jupita, Pluta and Mercuria. The Jupita neophyte will start and extinguish a fire, the Pluta neophyte will sicken and heal an animal, and lastly, our Mercurian neophyte will project an emotion of my choice.” She motioned for the three neophyte women to step forward.
He gave Willow’s hand a squeeze before standing back to watch the ritual unfold. Serena appeared from the edge of the crowd and stood beside him. “Lucas.”
“Serena. Tyler didn’t pass?”
She leaned in close. “No. He wasn’t able to blow out the candles as required.”
“What?”
“It was most unusual.” Her voice was filled with suspicion.
“What are you saying?” He tore his gaze away from Willow’s figure to look at Serena. Behind her usual tough exterior was a look of concern.
“I’m saying it’s unusual that someone who easily demonstrated their ability during induction was unable to perform what should have been within his grasp.”
Lucas glanced over at the Council leader. “Perhaps Wren is right, that the traditional ways shouldn’t be overlooked in favor of the new ways.”
Serena shook her head. “He should have been able to do what was asked, irrespective of his time in the cube.”
The hard edge in her voice made him frown. “No one will judge you any less as the lead training officer, Serena.”
“I couldn’t give a fuck what people think of my training.” Serena’s eyes followed Paige as she was led to center stage by a guard. “Something’s not right, Lucas.”
The hairs on the back of his neck prickled but he shook off his unease.
Wren smiled at the crowd. “Friends, the initiation rite has been part of our society for over five hundred years. It is a time for us to rejoice in our abilities and recognize the greater world at large. We’re but a tiny speck in the universe. Come, let us support our newfound friends in their journey to us.”
Wren repeated The Order’s ancient words as Paige was escorted by a Council guard to the center of the stage. Her long red ceremonial dress billowed around her as she was directed to sit on a soft square rug. Lucas heard the crowd clap and cheer, but it faded into the background when he saw Willow. She stood tall, her eyes alert as she watched the guard give Paige a bowl of Kava juice. Lucas remembered the foul taste from his own initiation. Paige swallowed it down slowly. She gagged a few times but finished. In response, the crowd stamped their feet in the rhythmic tradition of generations past. Within minutes the potent mix affected Paige; her frightened and tense posture relaxed, and her eyes slightly unfocused.
With great pomp and ceremony, Wren walked to stand in front of Paige. “You’re from the house of Jupita, your skill—fire. Paige, let us see your gift from the stars of Orion.”
Council guards appeared laden with timber. They stacked the firewood in a circle around Paige. Lucas heard Willow’s shocked gasp, and it mirrored his own internal one. Usually the fire test was situated well away from the neophyte, not encircling them. The bowels of history were littered with the many burnings of witches at the stake. Lucas knew the origin of this test came from a pyrokinetic Starborn, Caitir, in sixteenth century Scotland. She’d been ordered to be burnt to death as punishment for crop failures, but had shocked villages and authorities by extinguishing the flames and freeing herself from the wooden stake. Escaping the angry mob, she’d fled to a tiny village in the Scottish Highlands. The story of her power spread across towns and countries, and inspired more horrific burnings as a test for those suspected of supernatural powers.
He had never seen or heard of it practiced as a neophyte ceremonial ritual. As was tradition, the neophytes had been only given broad parameters of their tests prior to the ceremony.
Serena tensed beside him. “I should have been told that this would be part of the ceremony.”
“You didn’t know?”
“No!” She shook her head vehemently.
All around him, the crowd watched with fascination. Some pointed with excitement, while others looked concerned. Paige sat as still as a statue, her eyes fixed forward. She was a timid girl and he’d hardly heard a peep out of her since her arrival on the island. He knew Granger had at first found it difficult to engage her in the training process, but for all his cocksure arrogance, he’d persisted with an unexpected kindness that had won her over. Lucas wasn’t sure if Granger’s compassion was in the hope of currying favor with the Council, or because he himself had only gone through the traumatic process a few years ago. The crowd began to stamp their feet in collective encouragement and the noise was deafening in the confines of level five. A few Starborn cheered Paige on, but when the minutes ticked by without smoke or fire appearing, the murmuring began.
Usually away on missions, Lucas had only been to a few ceremonies in his time at the Sanctuary. He was familiar with the history though, and until recently, failure at the initiation ceremony was uncommon. Last year a neophyte had failed. And then today, Tyler. Now it seemed the same would happen for Paige. Granger watched on, his hands clasped to the back of his head, a look of worry across his handsome features. Suddenly a tiny flame appeared amongst the timber and as the crowd saw it they began to stomp again. The entire amphitheater shook as the Starborn community embraced Paige and her attempt at their ancient ritual.
Granger looked over at him, his expression even more concerned than before.
“Something’s not right, I’m telling you, Lucas,” hissed Serena.
Granger strode over to them. “Paige didn’t start that fire,” he said, his voice taut with tension. “I didn’t feel her ability activate. It’s coming from another Jupita up in the crowd.”
They scanned the crowd but couldn’t see or sense anything suspicious.
“Are you sure?” asked Lucas.
The rookie clenched his fists as though readying for a fist fight. “Yes, goddamn it.”
The timber surrounding Paige caught alight quickly, the tiny flames rapidly becoming larger as it spread through the timber. The orange and yellow tones bright against the dim light that filled the rest of the Celestial Chamber. Paige retreated within herself, trying to tuck her dress in around her and then holding her arms to make herself small. Her silence was more disturbing than if she screamed. The rhythmic stomping of the crowd stopped and a collective cry echoed throughout the chamber as the flames rose higher, blocking out her huddled figure. Usually if a Starborn was unable to complete their test, the ritual was halted and they were automatically failed. Lucas looked toward the Council, wanting to know their reaction. Some were visibly concerned, while others wore no expression at all. Lucas looked at Wren and his blood ran cold. She stared into the flames and made no sign that she planned to halt the ritual.
Granger must have come to the same conclusion. He looked at Lucas, his jaw clenched, his eyes bright with anger. “Fuck the ceremony, I’m getting Paige out of there.” He took off toward the stage and the flames that showed no sign of extinguishing.
27
Willow
Willow could feel Paige’s terror. It was overwhelming, suffocating, horrifying. It was as though she herself was threatened by the flames. The intensity of emotion washing over her was like nothing she’d ever experienced. Paige’s terror struck Willow in the depths of her heart, but the emotions of the Starborn
in the chamber also flowed through her. Through her chest, her stomach, her mind—every part of her. She desperately tried to erect her Mercurian shield, but she couldn’t block the emotions that engulfed her.
“Someone help her,” Willow screamed, pushing up against the guards that held her and the other neophytes back from reaching center stage.
“Neophytes must not interfere with the initiation of another Starborn,” said one the guards as he deflected wild swings from Isobel.
Isobel cried out in frustration. “Fuck your rules! Why aren’t you doing anything?”
“Let us go,” said Gabriel, who was being restrained in a headlock.
Willow looked around the chamber in desperation. Her gaze fell on Granger and Lucas as they ran toward the stage, with Serena close behind them. “Thank God,” she cried. “Isobel, they are letting them through.”
They ran toward the pyre with their arms raised across their faces to shield themselves from the heat and smoke. They kicked at the timber, trying to push it away from Paige, but the heat forced them back. No, no, no. This can’t be happening. Her eyes locked on Wren. The gray-haired woman showed no visible reaction to what was happening. Willow tried to breach the Elder’s wall but it was fortified beyond Willow’s fledgling ability, even after the trauma of the cube. But the woman’s lack of reaction spoke volumes. Spoke of something more than a simple Starborn ritual. Willow couldn’t breathe. Please God, no. Starborn in the crowd also began to shout for the ritual to be halted.
“Stop this,” she screamed at the Council. Two Elders in particular looked horrified at the proceedings. “Help her,” she yelled. They weren’t Mercurian and she tried to project emotions onto them but the emotions of those around her interfered, pummeling her mind and body. She whimpered with the effort to stand.
Panic and horror radiate from Granger as he screamed at Paige. “Focus, Paige! Focus on the fire. Imagine it gone. Imagine the flames as embers.”
Lucas and Serena used their jackets to beat at the flames and she heard Lucas order the guards to find fire extinguishers.
“Paige?” screamed Granger. “Goddamn you! Fight it! Please, Paige, please. Concentrate!”
The flames were high, the crackle of the fire ominous. Smoke billowed, filling the chamber with an acrid smell.
Wren’s voice boomed across the chamber. “Pyrokinetics, use your ability to halt this ritual.”
The flames immediately vanished, but it was too late. Paige screamed. Wild, animalistic screams of terror and pain. Willow echoed those screams. Screamed with the pain that consumed Paige. Staggering, Willow fell to her knees. She closed her eyes against the horrific image in front of her, but it didn’t stop the pain. Agony wracked Willow’s body. She was oblivious to everything except Paige’s suffering. Until heartbreakingly, Paige’s aura vanished.
“No,” Willow screamed, collapsing to the ground in her own agony at the loss of her friend. And then she felt Lucas, physically as he lifted her to stand, and emotionally as he opened his aura to her. Concern and strength radiated toward her.
“Willow,” he murmured as she clung to him.
A hush fell over the crowd as Granger was finally able to reach the center of the stage. Smoldering firewood surrounded the pitiful form of Paige. She lay unmoving, her back and shoulders horribly burnt. He reached down and gently touched Paige. Willow held her breath. After a long moment, he looked up at Lucas and shook his head.
All around Willow, Starborn cried out in shock. She moaned in new anguish. A cold shiver ran through her body, and her heart. Her heart shattered into a million pieces. Each of those shards tore through her body filling her with agony. Lucas wrapped his arms around her and she leaned into him.
Wren lifted up her hands to silence the chamber. “Starborn, this is a terrible tragedy. But I fear it is the start of something that we must guard against. We have had two neophytes fail their tests this evening. Two! Both who chose the easier initiation process. The process that some of our Elders want instead of our ancient tradition.” She turned and pointed to Paige’s body. “This is what can happen if we turn our backs on the old ways. This is the outcome of allowing neophytes to choose an easier initiation.” Her voice was bitter. “If she had chosen our time honored tradition, she would’ve put that fire out. She’d still be alive.”
Fresh agony tore through Willow.
A young female Elder stepped forward. Her expression livid. “Starborn, I disagree with Madame Wren. This wasn’t the result of our new ways.”
Others in the crowd voice their agreement.
Wren’s lips compressed and she nodded. “Elder Thea is in shock…as we all are,” she addressed the crowd. “I can assure the Council and you all that we’ll find out why this has happened. But for now, let us continue with the ceremony.”
Lucas tightened his arms around Willow protectively.
Wren’s gaze brushed over them, her eyes narrowing at their embrace before settling on Isobel. “Come, Isobel. You belong to our rare house of Pluta. Let us see your power.”
Isobel stared at Wren. “Fuck you,” she bit out in a ragged voice.
Wren’s eyes glittered with rage. “You’ll do as I command.”
When Isobel shook her head, Wren motioned to a nearby guard. Immediately, he lifted his hand and pointed at Isobel, who flew backward onto the floor. Isobel screamed out in rage as her body began to move across the floor. She fought wildly as she was telekinetically dragged to Wren’s feet.
Wren stared down at Isobel. “Our ways have helped us survive for hundreds of years. No matter what has happened today, you will do as I command...as our code dictates.” Wren pointed at Paige’s body. “There is your test.”
“What?” Isobel whispered in confusion.
The Council began to argue among themselves. Lucas’ fingers dug into Willow’s skin, almost painfully. His shield was up but she could feel the tension radiate through his body.
Isobel’s face was as white as a sheet. “I thought I was supposed to heal an animal,” she said, her voice trembling.
“With the traditional initiation, and the trauma you’ve just witnessed, I hope you can do much more.”
“You want me to heal her?” said Isobel, who was on her knees, too distraught to stand.
The gray-haired Council leader gave a slow smile. “She’s dead, my dear. I want you to resurrect her.”
“I can’t! You know I can’t. You’re fucking with me!”
“You can and you will. Don’t you want your friend to live?”
“Of course I do, but I’ve only ever healed a tiny cut,” cried Isobel.
“That was before. Your ability will have increased, my dear.”
Willow felt Isobel’s doubt and rage swirl within her.
And her fear. Fear of failing her test and fear of failing her friend.
28
Lucas
A tsunami of shock tore through the chamber. In living history, never before had a Starborn been able to demonstrate such power. Rows and rows of his Starborn brothers and sisters all stared at the stage with sick fascination. Dread rippled through every fiber of his being. He held onto Willow not wanting to let her go, fearful of what plans Wren might have for her. Isobel’s mentor, Juliette, walked over to Isobel and crouched beside her. Lucas couldn’t hear what was said, but after a few moments she helped Isobel to stand and walk toward the center of the stage.
Granger still stood beside Paige’s charred body, his face pale and his expression tortured. He looked up as Juliette kicked the blackened wood out of the way for Isobel to reach her friend. Isobel covered her mouth and her fractured cry carried across the chamber. Paige’s body hadn’t been fully consumed by fire, and Lucas hoped she’d succumbed to asphyxiation rather than dying from her burns.
Stomping again sounded throughout the chamber, the crowd returning to the tradition either through habit or the hope of spectacle. He looked to the Council to see Thea arguing with Wren but their words were drowned out by the noise o
f the crowd. Isobel crouched down and rested her hands on Paige’s arm. Closing her eyes, Isobel remained still for a few minutes.
“Please, please, please.” Willow murmur to herself over and over again and he held her tightly, trying to give her strength and comfort.
As the minutes ticked by, Wren’s smug expression slipped. The Council again began to argue among themselves, with a clear division obvious between old and new factions. Willow would soon be asked to complete her test and he feared that she too would become a pawn in Council politics.
Isobel dropped to her knees and rolled Paige onto her back. Her face had escaped the flames and she looked strangely peaceful in death. Isobel rested her hands now on Paige’s chest, just over her heart. She spoke quietly and at first he couldn’t quite catch her words and then he understood. She begged her friend. Pleaded.
“Paige, Paige, please,” she cried.
Lucas’ chest tightened. The cries reminding him of himself when he’d cradled his little brother’s body.
“Paige,” screamed Isobel. Tears streamed down her face. “Wake up, goddamn you!”
“She’ll do it, I know she will,” Willow whispered.
A collective gasp tore through the crowd and the rhythmic stomping stopped.
Paige’s body changed in appearance.
First at the tips of her toes; red and blistered skin returned to its original pale color. Like an incoming tide, the changes worked their way upward, toward Paige’s heart. Next her arms and shoulders.
Starborn (The Order of Orion Book 1) Page 18