by Liv Curtis
“Did it work?” Sage whispered. Jax nodded slowly and continued to stare at Sage.
“Does that not hurt?” Jax lifted his hand to Sage’s cheek and ran his thumb gently under her eye. When he pulled his hand back his thumb was smeared with blood. There was no pain in Sage’s eyes despite the blood, but she quickly wiped it off her cheeks, smearing it on her jeans.
“What do you remember?” Sage asked as she wiped the last bit of blood from her face.
“All of it, I had a sister, my dad…my mom…” The color drained from his face as the memory of his mom came back to him.
“What about your mom?” Sage could see that Jax was clearly overwhelmed by the influx of memories but there was something about the look in his eyes that made Sage fear what he was about to say. She watched as Jax slowly came to the realization of who his mother was.
“It’s her…” Sage went cold as Jax’s eyes flickered like they had on the beach, black with white streaks. Before he could finish Emery appeared around the corner of the stairwell, her black curls moving like water.
“We found something!” Emery exclaimed and ran back to join the others. Sage and Jax quickly stood and followed Emery, completely forgetting that Jax had just learned who he was.
Chapter 21
Sage leaned over the large wooden table with the others as they discussed what they had found.
“This book explains how to sever the connection between two minds. It’s dangerous and slightly confusing, but I think we can do it.” Andrea tucked a small strand of hair behind her ear as she read from the page.
“The only problem is that it could cause permanent amnesia.” Andrea furrowed her brow and worried at her lower lip.
“No, there is no way we’re doing that. There has to be another way, this is too risky.” Sage flipped through the white Oculus book searching desperately for an alternative answer. Suddenly, Eliza gasped and sat up from the couch. She was breathing heavy and her eyes were darting around the room but they were the forest green they usually were, which told Sage that the connection had been cut from Dawson. Sage dropped the book and ran to her sister’s side holding her by the shoulders as she calmed down.
“What happened?” Sage asked softly. The others had joined Sage and were gathering around Eliza. Cade was on her left and Andrea was on her right, the others formed a small half-circle behind Sage. River and Emery were directly behind Sage, each of them with a hand on her shoulder.
“I don’t know. It was empty, no color just a bright white light all around me.” Eliza had regained control of her breathing as she ran her fingers through her silky blonde hair.
“I heard something. Right before I woke up.” Eliza’s eyes were wide with fear; her small hands were shaking as she took her sisters.
“It was the chancellor’s voice. She was talking to Dawson; I don’t think she realized I could still hear. She told him that now was time to deal with a problem that she should have taken care of a long time ago.” Eliza stared at Sage; her eyes were deep with terror as she spoke.
“What does that mean? Is she coming for us?” Emery’s hand was gripped tightly on Sage’s shoulder, and Sage could feel the deep tremor in her body.
“We have to be ready. Stay here.” Cade stood from the couch and started to go up the stairs.
“We can’t fight off the CA, not on our own,” River said as he ran his fingers through his black wavy hair.
“We don’t have a choice, they’re coming, and we are going to have to fight,” Sage spoke with confidence but inside she was terrified. She retrieved the Oculus book from the floor where she dropped it as Cade returned.
In his hands, he had River’s crossbows and Emery’s bo-staff, as well as the two pistols and the set of throwing knives. He tossed River his crossbows and Emery her staff, leaving the knives for Andrea and the two pistols for Jax and Eliza.
“Tonight, after dinner I will make the announcement. We have to warn the others and try to get them ready to fight.” Cade turned to Sage; his eyes were flickering with small embers that were floating through the usual dark brown irises like red and orange stars.
“Where are your daggers?” He nodded towards Sage.
“I left them locked away upstairs in that back room.” Sage felt the fear flutter through her chest as she realized the severity of what was about to happen.
“Go get them. We’re going to need them if you three are going to teach everyone here how to fight.” Cade stepped aside to let Sage pass making her way up the stairs.
Emery and River followed her through the cellar door and into the Oculus house. The door squeaked when Sage pushed it open, and she led the way into the back room. She placed her hand on the crystal door handle; the cool stone sending a shiver up her arm as she pushed the door open and revealed the small room.
“Wow. This is…” Emery gawked at the strange symbols and other odd objects around the room. Sage found her daggers and harness on the desk and fastened it around her chest.
“It’s insane, I know.” Sage holstered her daggers and left the room.
“Wait. What is this?” River was bent down looking at something in the corner of the room.
He stood and held a small box that was covered in white velvet and stood out from the other boxes in the room. He handed it to Sage as she stepped closer to the window for better light. She had barely noticed that the sun had almost fully set and the night was creeping in. She opened the box and inside was a ring with eight triangular points all centered on a single sphere.
The clear stone glistening in different colors as the remaining sun hit it. Sage gently took it out of the box and slipped it over her right ring finger. As she stepped out of the sun she noticed that the stones were almost glowing. Emery and River were hover over it with the same confused look that Sage felt was growing across her own face.
“Do you think it’s something special? You know, like Oculus related?” Emery asked as she placed a hand on Sage’s shoulder. Just then the crystal glowed a low amber color, the same color Emery’s eyes had been when she used her telekinesis.
“What the hell?” Emery quickly took her hand away and the crystals dimmed back to its original translucent white.
“How did you do that?” River stepped closer and stared at the ring intensely.
“It happened when she touched me…” Sage place a hand on River’s arm and the stones glowed blue, changing from deep blue to nearly sliver, like water in the sun. Sage released River’s arm and the crystal went back to its original state once again.
“We need to get back to Cade, see if he knows anything about this.” Together, they left the room and made their way back to the cellar.
“Cade have you ever seen this…” Sage stopped talking as soon as she stepped into the cellar. Standing in the middle of the room was Blythe. The others were quiet, and Eliza’s eyes were deep with hatred as Blythe turned her focus to Sage.
“Well, I was wondering when you three would be joining us.” Blythe sneered, her eyes intense with irritation.
“I will take those.” Blythe reached for the daggers on Sage’s back, and Sage evaded to the right, blocking Blythe’s reach with her own arm.
“What are you doing here?” Sage spoke calmly despite feeling her blood boiling through her veins.
“You know, you might want to be nicer to me seeing as though I am the one in charge around here.” Blythe threatened as she adjusted her lavender blazer.
“What do you want Blythe?” Cade asked with exasperation as he rolled his eyes.
“Well, I was informed about your little experiment down here involving your…long distance…call to the chancellor and I just couldn’t stand by and do nothing while you idiots set us up for war.” Blythe looked around the room with disgust, her hateful eyes hesitating on Jax.
“And you. You are simply nothing more than an abomination that shouldn’t even exist.” She smirked, and Sage couldn’t hold back anymore.
She moved quickly as she ste
pped behind Blythe and kicked hard behind her knees, making her fall. Blythe shrieked in disbelief as Sage retrieved her daggers and stepped to stand in front of her, crossing the daggers in an X right at Blythe’s throat.
“Nobody gets to talk about my family that way. Now why don’t you wipe that smug look off your face and tell us why you’re really here.” Sage appeared calm though she could feel the rage burning in her stomach.
“You won’t hurt me, you don’t have it in you.” Blythe’s eyes were sharp as she spoke. Just then there was a loud click, the sound of a gun loading and Jax stepped forward.
“Answer the question.” He stepped closer to Sage and pointed the gun directly at Blythe’s heart. Sage could feel the small electrical sparks jumping from him to her, as he stood closer. Blythe looked behind Sage to Cade, clearly afraid of what they might do.
“Are you just going to stand there and let these outsiders threaten my like this.” Blythe’s tone had lost its cool manner and it was clear that she was angry.
“Enough. Stand down.” Cade stepped forward and took the gun from Jax as he gently pushed him, and Sage back, away from Blythe. Blythe stood and dusted off her knees when Cade lifted the gun towards her head.
“I didn’t tell you, you could stand.” Cade spoke in a cold tone that Sage had never heard from him before.
“How do you know about what happened down here?” Cade asked through tight teeth.
“Did you forget that there are other telepaths here?” Blythe laughed sharply.
“You can put that down. I know you won’t actually shoot me.” Blythe’s voice was back to her normal confidence.
Then there was a loud bang and Blythe hit the floor, writhing in pain and screaming. Sage looked at Cade but quickly realized that it was not him who shot.
She looked over at Eliza, who held the other pistol and was staring down the sights. Blythe was rolling on the floor grasping her shoulder and yelling as she looked over at Eliza with loathing eyes.
“You shot me! You actually shot me you dumb—” Eliza cut Blythe off before she could finish.
“Well, someone had to.” Eliza scoffed and tossed the gun aside.
“Now, why don’t you tell us what you know and who told you, before I make the shot count.” Eliza’s eyes were cold as she crouched down to eye level with Blythe.
“I need to go to the hospital. I won’t tell you anything unless you take me there.” Blythe spat when she spoke.
“You’ll be fine, it’s just a flesh wound.” Sage ignored Blythe’s demand and joined her sister, squatting face to face with Blythe.
“Clearly, you have been watching us since we got here, that’s no secret. But what I want to know is why?” Sage could feel her temper rising as she spoke.
“Look at yourselves. Nobody, in the history of the Frame, has ever escaped and here you all are intact and alive. You think that this is normal but you are the farthest thing from that. I am watching you because I don’t trust you. For all I know you could be working for the chancellor, I mean after all your friends with her son.” Blythe’s face was a twisted smile as she looked over towards Jax. Sage’s stomach dropped when she saw Jax’s face, fear and hatred swirling in his eyes.
“Oh, did your little boyfriend forget to mention that to you when you restored his memories. Or were you just to focused on your poor sister to realize the bomb you dropped in his mind.” Blythe laughed hysterically.
Her eyes swirled with eggplant colored waves. Sage couldn’t take it any longer. She had been pushed around and controlled her entire life, and she couldn’t bear to let Blythe mess with her or her family any longer. She shoved Blythe to the ground and pinned her under her weight while she recovered her dagger and placed its tip directly over her throat.
“I am done with people like you toying with me and my family. You think that we are the problem but it’s people like you and the chancellor who make this world so hateful. So, you’re going to do exactly as I say, or I promise I won’t hesitate to put an end to your miserable life.”
Sage was furious as she pressed the blade flatly into Blythe’s throat, careful not to cut her but putting enough pressure she could feel Blythe’s pulse in the hilt. Blythe’s eyes were wide with terror, but she nodded her head in compliance.
“Good. Now, you are going to tell us who you have been talking to, and what you’ve told them, do we have an understanding?” Sage could barely see the room around her. Everything was muddled by a white haze when she noticed something drip from her face onto Blythe’s cheek and realized her left eye was bleeding. Blythe nodded again, and Sage released her, standing back to join the others.
“It’s Boone, the leader of the telepath Tribe. I made him spy on you all, and he was spying on Eliza when she mind-jumped, so he was able to hear and see everything. When you sister got stuck in her mind he jumped out and was listening to all of your thoughts, that’s how he found out about the Electro’s mommy issues. He had been listening since you got here, but we haven’t told the others, I swear.” Blythe rubbed her throat, leaving smears of blood from where her hand clenched her bullet wound.
“Why would Boone help you?” Cade spoke for the first time in a while.
“Because he fears me, something you all clearly don’t understand.” Blythe stood and readjusted her hair and clothes, wincing when she had to use her wounded arm.
“Now, I have told you what you wanted to know. Can I go to the hospital?” Blythe rolled her eyes and made her way up the stairs, leaving Sage and the others alone and shocked.
“Well, I’m not sure what’s more disturbing; Sage losing her mind and going full Oculus warrior on Blythe, or the fact that Jax is the son of the worst person I’ve ever met and I don’t hate him.”
Emery sat on the edge of the stair and fastened her hair into a bun on top of her head. At first nobody said anything, and Sage felt nervous then from behind her was a small snicker that slowly grew into a full laugh. She turned around to see Audrey and Wesley laughing, and she smiled.
Soon, River and Andrea had joined in and, before she knew it, Sage and the others were all laughing over just how insane things were. One by one they made their way out of the basement and up the stairs. Sage was about to leave when she noticed that Jax sat on the couch with his head dropped into his hands.
“You coming, Sage?” Eliza asked from the top of the stairs.
“I’ll be there soon. Save me a plate.” Sage winked, and Eliza shut the door behind her. Sage crossed the room and joined Jax on the couch.
“I’m sorry Blythe said that,” Sage spoke softly, trying to remain calm despite her anger.
“I was going to tell you, but I just couldn’t figure out how to say it.” Jax lifted his head and turned to face Sage. His eyes were dark and swirled like storm clouds in the night sky.
“You don’t have to talk about it, if you’re not ready, I’ll be here when you are.” Sage smiled, and the storm behind Jax’s eyes dissipated, leaving behind the usual golden-brown hue Sage had grown to find peace in.
“When I was eight, my mom came home from work. It was the day I saw you in school. She had gotten a call from the teacher telling her how I misbehaved. After dinner that night, I remembered being exhausted and going to my room early for bed. The next day, I woke up in that cell with my mom standing on the other side of the door telling me I was her biggest disappointment and that nobody would ever know the shame I brought to our family.”
Jax inhaled sharply and ran his long fingers through his wavy brown hair. When he looked up Sage could tell that the memory was clearly painful as his eyes were tear-filled and desolate. Sage instinctively placed her hand on his cheek and gently wiped away a small tear that had escaped.
“Do you know what it’s like to remember being hated by your own mother? It’s like being stabbed with a hot knife. It cuts deep and cauterizes all at once, leaving behind a bottomless scar of pain and loss.” Jax stood and paced the room, trading his pain for anger, his weakness for power, a
s the memories of his mother played in his mind.
“We can’t undo what has happened to us, but we can stop it from ever happening again. If we fight, and stand against this together, nothing can stop us. We’re too powerful when we are together.” Sage stood in front of Jax and stopped his pacing. His shoulders were tense as he exhaled and nodded.
“I don’t want anyone else to go through what I went through. We have to put an end to this.” Jax stepped closer to Sage and took her hands in his.
Sage could feel the low hum of electricity moving under his skin and his hands shaking as the memories swirled through his mind. Sage wasn’t sure what to say so, instead, they stood there, less than a foot apart in silence until she stepped closer and gently slid her arms around Jax’s ribs and hugged him, feeling small sparks of electricity jump between them.
At first, Jax was tense, then slowly his body relaxed, and he wrapped his arms around Sage, drawing her in tighter.
“We will stop her, I promise,” Sage whispered against his shoulder. Jax nodded but didn’t speak when they pulled apart, and Sage turned to go up the stairs. From behind she felt Jax slip his hand into hers, and she smiled to herself as she softly laced her fingers in his, and they made their way to the gathering hall to join the others.
Chapter 22
Dinner was quiet as Sage and the others prepared to make the announcement of the potential war to the rest of the tribes. Once Cade had finished eating, he made his way through the crowd of people and gathered the other tribe leaders. One by one the leaders made their way onto the stage.
Sage could feel her heart beating through her whole body, each pulse sending waves of fear through her stomach. The crowd around Sage slowly grew silent and took their seats as the leaders called for attention.
Blythe appeared from the mob, her shoulder was wrapped and there was a smear of blood under her chin. She glared at Sage and the others as she joined Cade on stage.
“Ingenium, we have called for this impromptu gathering to share some alarming news.” Cade spoke clearly and his voice carried across the open air like heavy smoke. There were whispers throughout the crowd as Cade continued.