She wasn’t like so many others her age, and she knew it. She could play the game well enough. The dressing up, the make-up, the charming talk. But she could see through the costumes and masks of her peers as easily as if they were wearing a sign across their chests: fake, phony, liar, back-stabber. It was not in their words, but the way they moved. It wasn’t in what she saw but what she felt.
But with Aidan…he wasn’t a sign. He was an all-out display. An exhibit for all to see. People would come and laugh and mock at the young man who didn’t even have the decency to hide what he was. They cackled at his naked heart and jabbed at his tortured soul. And out of the crowd of hurtful jeers and head-shakes, she emerged. Standing before him, she thought, and watched, and considered. And she saw the heart of him. She realized what lay beyond the surface, and it was so magnificent that she wept. For the first time in her life, she had found another humin that was not corrupt or greedy or selfish.
He just wanted to be loved.
She cried tears of joy over finally finding this boy, and learning that the only reason he had put up a shield against others was because he was afraid of losing love all over again.
To find such a romantic soul, to find such raw passion not yet darkened by the world, it was nothing less than a miracle, and he no less than a masterpiece, in spite of all his flaws.
She couldn’t yet say the words.
But she felt them.
And he could say the words.
For he knew them.
He was the one that needed the commitment.
Not her.
But she sure was ready to embark on this journey.
Even if he wasn’t.
So before his eyes lost their shine,
Before the shell could shut her out again.
She took his face in the palms of her hands.
And she said yes.
Chapter 13 – Moving
“A year ago, I made a promise,” Aidan replied, holding his wife’s hand tenderly. “And that’s a vow I intend to take to the grave. I won’t leave you behind.”
“I know,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean we haven’t been slacking off together. When I get out of the infirmary, we have to start training again.”
“Sure,” he said as the door behind him opened. Eugene stepped in quietly with his head down, as if he had just walked into their private home. Aidan turned back to Leah to gauge her reaction but there was no recognition in her countenance.
“Aidan, I’m sorry to interrupt, but may I speak with you in private?”
“Can it wait?”
“It cannot,” he said, bowing his head towards Leah. She gave an unsure, curt wave to Eugene and then an ecstatic one to Aidan, letting him know that she was fine.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he promised, escorting Eugene out the door. Once it was closed, Eugene held up his index finger to insinuate that they should be silent.
“We can’t speak here. There are too many ears. But I do have a message for you, and it’s best that we don’t leave here together.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled up piece of paper. “Read this and then burn it.”
“Can I read it here?”
“It should be okay. All I ask is that after you’ve finished, please don’t do anything. This is merely a warning. Not approval to take action.”
“I understand,” Aidan said. He began reading the letter as Eugene slinked away.
I don’t know what was said to Morrigan to get her to reveal secrets concerning the mission selection list, but Bailey was able to retrieve the information this morning, and it is as we have feared. Your name, as well as many others, have been added to a number of high ranking missions of B class or higher. Isaac and Bailey have also been added as leads. We believe that the Elders are using many in our underground movement to accomplish their dirty deeds while killing off a few in the process. This is just a warning so that you may prepare for the inevitable.
Aidan burned the message in an instant, reducing it to ash in the palm of his hand.
“Inevitable,” he said to the air, glancing back at Leah’s door. No. There was nothing inevitable about it.
He stormed out of the infirmary and headed straight for the Elders’ compound, knowing full well that the whole village would notice. Boldly he marched past the girls’ cabins and the adult homes towards the village leaders. But before he fully arrived at his destination, he came across a number of adult villagers standing guard amongst the trees. Since Lowsunn had been attacked, this would surely become the status quo. Aidan sighed and tried to think of a way around them that didn’t involve tsunamis of fire, but nothing came to mind. Maybe this was what Leah had talked about. Situations like this in which he had to rely more on tact than all-out raw emotion. Especially if he wanted a specific outcome.
Well, he only needed to get to Frederick Ainsley. Once he was in his presence, he was sure his wife’s father would have plenty to say to him. Aidan snapped his fingers to the right of him and a tree caught on fire, catching the attention of the sentinels. Inexperienced and still nervous, they ran to investigate while a couple stayed behind, quivering like they were standing in the midst of winter.
Aidan circled around them, taking his time by hiding behind one tree and hopping to the next until the edge of the cliff was only a few yards away. Finally ditching the stealth, he sprinted forward and leapt just in time to see the astonishment on the guards’ faces. The drop was further down than he had imagined but he wasn’t afraid. Just before he hit the narrow streets below, he shot a wave of lava from his hands and had it settle right underneath his feet. The lava formed a small pool, large enough to congeal and break his fall. He splashed into it like it was a kiddie pool, bobbing up and down in cartoon fashion. Once he was sure he was safe, he dismissed the lava and it sunk into the ground like water. He looked around him and tried to determine which house was which when a door slammed open above him. Out onto the balcony that Aidan had narrowly missed stepped the man he was looking for. It was appropriate that he had a perch to look down on Aidan from.
“What is it you want, cretin?”
“You don’t look surprised to see me,” Aidan said, hearing guards coming behind him.
“I was looking out the window to admire the scenery. Instead I witnessed a tower of lava falling before my eyes. Hardly natural. I assume you’ve come to see me.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“Because you’re the one that killed my grandchild.” The words were so thick and vengeful that Aidan had to do his best to keep his anger in check.
“I didn’t kill anyone,” he said finally. Elder Ainsley scoffed, grabbed the bannister with both hands, and leaned over to peer down at Aidan. It was almost as if he were getting ready to spit.
“But you did. If you had listened and not intervened, we could have figured a way out of the mess. But you had to feed your insatiable appetite. Your actions resulted in the wounding of my daughter, and the loss of her child.”
“That child was mine too, you know.”
“Debatable. Your kind devours your own children like a black widow does her mate. Not in touch, but surely in word and nurturing. The demon you would have raised would have been no different than the cattle we slaughter for our sustenance – lacking in reason, and unfit for its place in the hierarchy of species.”
“You can insult me all you like,” Aidan seethed. “It’s done.”
“Why? Because you want it to be? Isn’t the fear of repercussions the reason you’re polluting the air I breathe at this very moment? You are unsure of my intentions.”
“I know that the mission selections are to be given out soon,” he shouted. Elder Ainsley held up a hand and the five guards behind Aidan maintained their distance. “I’m curious to know where I stand.”
“Are you looking for a spot?”
“Not really.”
“Well, if you are chosen,” Elder Ainsley smiled, “we will ensure that your placement will
be most appropriate, and best suited to your abilities.”
“What does that mean? That I’ll be given one of the highest rated missions?”
“You would be lucky to even get a mission at all given your record, but if you happen to be blessed with such a privilege, you can assume that will be case.”
“Why?”
“Have you forgotten already? Out of our entire population, you were the one to engage Duncan directly. Such courage and tenacity are the qualities of a great future leader. What better way to polish off your skills than in the heat of battle once more? There is no one else I can think of that would fight for his team more than you. You should be honored.”
“It sounds like you’re trying to kill me off.”
“If that’s the way you want to look at it. How unfortunate.”
“Either way, no matter what happens, I want to explain something to you. You might think that I’m a savage or an insect –”
“– insects have a purpose, Mr. Serafino.”
“– but I love your daughter,” Aidan grit his teeth. “And her happiness is what I desire. As a parent, I’m sure you want what’s best for her, and I want the same thing. And I’m telling you, if you’re trying to kill me off, you’re hurting her more than me. I’ll be dead, and you’ll find some satisfaction in that. You won’t have to see my face anymore. But you’ll see hers everyday, and you’ll know the source of her tears and anguish. Do you think you can live with that?”
“First of all, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Secondly, I know my daughter more than anyone. Certainly more than a self-centered child who’s barely been in her life for what, a year? She’ll get over you, as easily as wiping the residue from dishes. You don’t miss the crumbs, do you? You don’t wonder where they’ve gone or how they’ve contributed to the aesthetic and complete fulfillment of your stomach, do you? No. You rinse your plate and let the dregs fall away without an inkling of concern. That, Mr. Serafino, is what you are to me, and what you will be to her when your corpse has barely had the time to grow cold.”
Aidan didn’t reply. He just took a heavy sigh and glared at the dirt path, trying to keep his emotions in check. Elder Ainsley wasn’t impressed at all.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t offend you, did I? That would imply you have a soul.”
Aidan turned around to face the guards behind him.
“What’s the best way out of this place?” he muttered. A bald, clean-shaven man in a Lowsunn uniform stepped forward and motioned for Aidan to follow him. Aidan left the compound silently and the guards escorted him without a word until he was back in the village hub. Standing in the middle of Lowsunn, he wasn’t sure what to do.
Harming Elder Ainsley was what he wanted most, but it was far from the solution. And it would just cause Leah more suffering. Bailey would have the answers, but she was busy making sure the Movement came out alive. Isaac was no doubt helping her. But Aidan had to do something, and his options were very limited. The announcements were probably going to be made tomorrow and the missions would be put into effect not long after, possibly even that very day. He could leave Lowsunn that night, but Leah wasn’t ready to travel. He couldn’t fight against the announcements publicly or else he would truly be made into a villain.
But surely just waiting couldn’t be the answer. Go on the mission and hope for the best? Knowing that it was suicide from the start? He had to talk to someone, and the only person available was Eugene, whom he was still unsure about, but given the circumstances, he was his only option. He decided to check the schoolhouse first, although it was unlikely he would be there since Bailey’s class was already over for the day.
Aidan actually found Eugene outside, sitting by the entrance in a slump like he was on the brink of dozing off. Aidan tapped him lightly and he awoke from his stupor, coughing and blinking rapidly. Once he lifted his head and recognized who it was that had interrupted his slumber, he pursed his lips in concern. Not at all what Aidan was expecting.
“Not glad to see me?” Aidan asked. Eugene groaned as he rose to his feet.
“I overheard that you made a visit to the Elder compound.”
“Word spreads fast.”
“Why would you do that? That’s not going to help matters.”
“If they already know about us, then there’s nothing we can do. We might as well fight back openly in any way we can.”
“I take it you got confirmation?”
“Elder Ainsley wants my head on a stake,” Aidan admitted, clenching his fists. “It took all I had not to kill him right then and there. What he’s doing – it jeopardizes all of us, and I don’t just mean Bailey’s crew.”
“I know,” Eugene sighed. “But there’s not much we can do besides trying to take over the village in a coup. Which I doubt would work. If anything, we’d be seen as the enemy.”
“I came to the same conclusion myself.”
“So what did you want to talk to me about? I assume it wasn’t a confession.”
“It’s a request to take further action. If you think Bailey would be okay with it.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“The mission that I’m signed up for…what kind is it?”
“A C-class mark. A hunt. We’re not sure of the particulars of his abilities, but apparently he’s been hanging around the tavern down the hill, in the tiny town of Otalli. Whoever this man is, he’s been killing off potential members of Lowsunn before we have the opportunity to ask them to join. You can only imagine how disconcerting this is. We aren’t able to increase our numbers of bodies and seals; simultaneously he is scaring away any potential clients.”
“Are you sure it’s just one man? Not a group?”
“You know as well as anyone that people don’t travel in packs anymore. It’s extremely rare.”
“So the Elders are sending me after this man because they think I’ll be killed?”
“Either that, or they’re trying to catch you off guard. Make you nice and comfortable until they throw a real threat your way. It’s hard to say. May I ask what you intend to do with this information?”
“I want to assess this man before the mission starts. Learn what his abilities are so I can get an edge.”
“That would require a great deal of risk,” Eugene sighed, cupping his chin in thought. “But I understand where you’re coming from. How do you intend to get outside the shielding?”
“I was just going to ask you that. You’re not going on any of the missions, are you?”
“Me? Oh no,” he laughed. “My abilities aren’t suitable for the world. I wished for a tactical mind.”
“What’s important is that the Elders still trust you. If they didn’t, you would be packing up to go too, regardless of your abilities.”
“True.”
“Since you’re behind the scenes, I figure that you must have heard of a way to get outside. I know the Elders can leave at will, but there has to be another route.”
“Bailey figured it out a few months ago,” Eugene whispered, leaning in. “There was a weak spot created, about the size of a child. If you crawl through that spot in the shielding, you will be able to exit and enter undetected. However, once you’re out, if you so much as brush your sleeve anywhere on the shield, the Elders will know of your departure. I believe there’s a record logged of those that have touched the perimeter.”
“Do you think that’s how Duncan got in?”
“Doubtful. With all his talk of wishes to break down the shield, I assume that’s what he did.”
“Unless it was all a lie, and he found the weak spot.”
“If that’s true, then another attack is imminent.”
“I’ll see if I can find out anything else about it when I’m on the outside. You know where this spot is, right?”
“I do,” he said slowly. “You don’t want to go now, do you?”
“I’ll go tonight, when everyone’s asleep. Being out of my bed will be nothing new.”
&
nbsp; “I have to ask that you take Isaac with you.”
“Afraid I might slip up and do more than assess?”
“Precisely.”
“Where is he now anyways?”
“He and Bailey are remaining hidden in the tops of the forest, discussing the mission list. But I’ll relay the message to them and ensure that Isaac meets you in time. How about midnight?”
“Fine.”
“Alright. Meet me at the north end of the Elder compound. Take the long way around through the forest and don’t be seen. You’ll see us when you’ve arrived at your destination.”
“I’ll see you then,” Aidan said, trying to decide whether to follow Eugene or not when he went to deliver the message. It was unusual for Bailey to not be around to guide him, even with a busy schedule. Perhaps the attack on Lowsunn had really ramped up her plans.
Aidan still hadn’t decided on whether he should follow Eugene or not when the older man grunted abruptly and slumped back down into his napping position.
“I’ll do it later,” Eugene yawned. “See you tonight.”
Aidan snickered and walked away. If Eugene was playing him, he had certainly made the right move. Fortunately for the professor, Aidan needed sleep and a moment to say good-bye to Leah. There was no way he was going to wait around.
***
Aidan had never seen the moon so bright. He had spent the rest of the afternoon and evening sleeping, choosing to slumber in his room rather than the Infirmary. He couldn’t tell Leah he was going outside Lowsunn. Not yet. She would have done everything in her power to go with him, and he didn’t want the distraction. Isaac would provide enough of that on his own.
Taking to the shadows behind the cabins, Aidan slinked his way from the south to the north, as he had done many times before when he had traveled to the Field of Visions in the dead of night. This time, however, he had to be more careful. He couldn’t risk getting caught now. The information he was about to search for was vital to his upcoming mission.
Once Aidan hit the forest, he made sure his body temperature was kept in check. He didn’t want glowing hands giving him away. He obeyed Eugene’s advice and stuck to the outskirts, stooping down low and taking his time to get around the compound. He figured his vision was no better than anyone else’s and so he didn’t want to risk running into any guards – whom he probably wouldn’t see until it was too late. Once he hit the north side of the compound the forest increased in range, stretching much further into the distance than it did anywhere else in Lowsunn. Aidan was able to travel further away from the Elders’ compound and deeper into the forest.
The Works of Julius St. Clair - 2017 Edition (Includes 3 full novels and more) Page 45