Chapter 14
The Bar
Sage skipped over to them and dumped shells onto Zwaantie’s lap. “Have you ever seen shells before?”
“No. We don’t have an ocean.” She picked up one of the spiral-shaped shells. “This looks like the castle.”
“I know, pretty huh?”
Ari stood up and brushed sand off his pants. “Ladies, I’m afraid I have to go.”
“Wait,” Sage said. “We need a picture first.”
Sage pulled Zwaantie up and put her in between the two of them. Sage’s disc floated out in front of them. After the picture was taken, Sage pressed her finger on the picture floating above the disc. “Showing the princess the fun sights of Stella. We’re not going to let her go home.”
Then she flicked the picture, and it disappeared.
“Do we have to take so many pictures?” Zwaantie asked.
Sage giggled. “It hasn’t been very many, trust me. We want to keep you up in the Ticker. As long as people have something happy to talk about, they won’t focus on anything bad.”
Ari snorted. “You just embarrassed yourself at the party last night, and you don’t want anyone talking about it.”
Sage shrugged. “Whatever.”
Ari gave a small bow. “Zwaantie, I hope to see you at dinner tonight. I’ll save you a seat.” He winked at her, and she wasn’t sure what to make of it. Sage watched him walking away, and once he was out of earshot, she spun around.
“Did he tell you about his curse?”
“Yeah.”
Sage furrowed her brow. “You know how many people know about that? Ari, his mother, Daddy, me, and now you.” Sage creased her eyebrows. “He barely knows you.”
“Well, he knows my secret though, and so maybe he thought it would be fair.”
“Maybe.” Sage didn’t look convinced. “The day is still young. What do you want to do?”
This was easy. “I want to find Phoenix.”
“Okay then. I’ve heard so much about him. I feel like I already know him. Let’s go.”
They hopped into another carriage. Buildings flew by. The height of the buildings made her feel so insignificant. As they continued to travel, the buildings grew shorter, more rundown, but they were still massive in size. Wide and squat. The carriage stopped abruptly, and Sage popped out with Zwaantie following.
Things were darker here. There was still a lot of light, but it was duller somehow. Less pinks and yellows. More faded oranges and greens. It didn’t smell as good either. It didn’t smell of refuse, but it had a sterile antiseptic smell. Zwaantie wrinkled her nose.
Sage smiled at an old man sitting on a bench. He returned the smile, half of his teeth missing.
“Welcome to the slums,” Sage said.
“Slums?”
“It’s what we call areas like this. It’s cheap to live, and the people here are usually not doing well financially.”
Zwaantie moved away as a young boy with a filthy face and a shirt five times too large brushed past her. Food rotted on the side of the road and glass littered the grounds around the buildings where windows had been broken. “Our slaves live better than this.”
Sage frowned at her. “At least the people have a choice. We have a lot of programs to help them. If they want to move up and out, they can.”
Zwaantie wasn’t sold on the system. At least the slaves were clean and cared for.
Sage pushed open a door, and they entered a room with at least a hundred chairs. Half were full with people wearing bland, ratty clothes. At the far side of the room, behind tables, sat people dressed impeccably.
Zwaantie followed Sage through the room and through another door.
“What is this place?” Zwaantie asked.
“It’s the jobs master. People come here when they can’t find work. We’re going to find out where they sent Phoenix.”
They got into an elevator, and Sage pushed the number five. The elevator shook as it went up.
“With all the magic you have, why can’t you make the area look nicer?”
“We do, but it never lasts. Why would we put the effort into making something look nice if the people aren’t going to take care of it?”
They got out into another dull looking hallway, and Sage pushed the door open that said Jobs Master.
A woman in a fluorescent pink suit sat at a desk. The color nearly blinded Zwaantie.
“Hey, Galexia, is Pollux in?”
The woman nodded her head, not taking her eyes off the floating face yelling at her.
Sage pushed open another door, and they found a balding man pouring over a stack of papers. His head jerked up, and a wide smile split across his face.
“Sage, it’s always lovely to see you. To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“I’m looking for someone.”
His eyes glittered. “You’re always looking for someone.”
“It’s my job.”
Zwaantie wondered what it was Sage did.
“Who’s this with you?”
“This is Zwaantie. Crown princess of Sol.”
Pollux raised his eyebrows. “Ah yes, I’ve seen the Ticker. You are even lovelier in person. Nice to meet you. Gave me quite a job the other day with fifty freed slaves.”
“Thank you for taking care of them.”
“It was my pleasure. Nothing makes me happier than helping someone find their mission in life.”
“It’s one of those slaves we’re searching for. His name is Phoenix.”
Pollux pulled out his device and yelled into to it. “Galexia, get in here.”
Zwaantie was shocked by his rudeness. He’d seemed so friendly.
They waited a few moments, and she didn’t come in. The silence was a little awkward. Zwaantie couldn’t stand it. “What kind of jobs did the slaves get?”
Pollux tapped his chin. “Hmm. They were all over the place. Several tested high for magical ability, so they were sent to the mage training school. A handful were set up to apprentice with various trades. Others are still finding their footing. Where is that damned woman?”
He jabbed at his device. “Galexia, get your skinny ass in here. I haven’t got all day.” He met Sage’s eyes. “You know, she used to listen to me.”
Sage chuckled. “Maybe you shouldn’t have married your secretary then. Have you tried being nicer?”
He waved a hand. “Of course, I tried. She won’t respond unless I get nasty.”
Galexia poked her head in, her nose wrinkled, like she’d stepped in dung. “What do you want?”
“I need the lists of the Solite slaves.”
She slammed the door shut. A few moments later, she stomped into the room and dropped several sheets of paper on Pollux’s desk. “Anything else I can get you?” She glared at him as if daring him to ask for something else.
“That will be fine. Thanks, love.” His lips twitched into a smile.
“My pleasure, honey bear.” She turned her dark eyes to Sage. “Good to see you, Princess. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
She marched out the door, and Zwaantie looked back at Pollux. He had the sloppy grin of a man in love.
“The papers, Pollux,” Sage said.
He handed her a list, gave one to Zwaantie, and kept one for himself. Zwaantie read over the Solite names. Most she didn’t know. Next to their names was scrawled a job with a salary. Painter. Street maintenance. Magic control officer. Parks attendant. Phoenix’s name wasn’t on the list.
“It’s not here,” Sage said, handing her list to Pollux.
“I don’t have it either,” he said.
“Neither do I. It has to be here somewhere.” Zwaantie counted quickly. “There are only fifteen names on each list. That’s only forty-five people. Where are the rest?”
“A few decided to go back to Sol. Could he have been among them?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
Pollux sucked on his lower lip. “Could it be possible he doesn’t want t
o be found?” Then he shook his head at Sage. “What am I thinking? Everyone you search for doesn’t want to be found.”
“Maybe his name just didn’t get written down,” Zwaantie said.
“No, we are meticulous. Unless he used a different name, I’m afraid I can’t help you. What does he look like? I can ask the person who checked them in.”
Zwaantie rubbed her forehead. “He’s Stellan, so he has darker skin, gorgeous eyes, and full lips.”
The edges of Pollux’s lips twitched. “I think I know why we’re not finding him.”
He pressed his disc once again. “Galexia, you insufferable witch, I need you again.”
Zwaantie was still appalled at the way he spoke to her. There wasn’t much of a pause before the door opened.
“What do you want?” Galexia asked.
“I need the list of job placements for Stellans on that day as well.”
She slammed the door again, and they waited in silence. Galexia stormed in and dropped another couple of papers on his desk and stomped out without a word to any of them.
Pollux picked up the first sheet of paper. “Ah yes, here were go. Phoenix. He’s working with the fisherman Hamal. Chances are, he’s staying with him and his wife as well. They don’t have any children so they have extra room in their house. If you go down to the fishing village, anyone can tell you where to find him. He’s one of the best. Phoenix was lucky Hamal’s apprentice just got his own boat.”
The fishing village smelled awful. Zwaantie covered her nose as they walked along the street.
“Don’t they have magic that can fix this?” she asked.
“Sure. But most of them like the smell. Let’s check the bar. They usually know where to find everyone.”
The bar was packed.
“It’s the middle of the day. Why is it so busy?” Zwaantie asked.
“Most fisherman get off just after lunch. They go out early in the morning though. Come on, I want to talk to the barmaid.”
A busty woman handed out drinks to smelly fisherman who crowded around the bar. When the woman saw Sage, she beamed and quickly crossed over to them.
“Princess. What brings you here?”
“I’m looking for someone.”
“You know I’m always good for that.”
Sage pushed a few coins across the bar to her. “His name is Phoenix. He’s apprenticing with Hamal.”
The barmaid waved a hand in front of her face. “The new hottie? He’s got all the girls in a tizzy. They’re usually here, but Hamal eats at home with his wife first. Their house is three streets over. On Ling Street. Number twelve, I think. Their name is on the door.”
“Thanks, Misty. I knew I could count on you.”
Misty tapped the coins. “Anytime, Princess. You know where to find me.”
They pushed out of the door and walked along the stinky streets once again.
“How do you know everyone?” Zwaantie asked.
“I like people. Also, I enjoy crossing the boundaries. Hanging with royalty all the time is boring. It’s hard to get to know a lot of people.” As Zwaantie’s best friend had been a slave, she understood what Sage meant.
They found the house easily. Sage knocked, and a tiny woman cracked the door open.
“Can I help you?” she asked with a cautious voice.
“Yes. I’m looking for Phoenix. We were told he’d be here.”
The woman’s face lit up. “You are the princesses. Yes. He stays here. Come on in.”
The woman hustled them over to a small table. “Here, have some tea. Tell me, why are you looking for Phoenix?”
“He came over from Sol with me. I just want to talk to him.”
The woman’s eyes widened. “The high princess wants to talk to Phoenix?”
“Yes. We’re good friends.”
“I will tell him you came by. I’m afraid he won’t be back for a couple of days. Hamal wanted to take him into the deep ocean.”
Zwaantie had been so hopeful. She couldn’t help the disappointment that settled in her stomach.
Sage pushed a few coins toward the woman. “This will take care of passage in a carriage to the castle. Please make sure he comes as soon as he returns. It’s urgent. Zwaantie and his sister both need to see him.”
The woman nodded. “I’ll tell him.”
Sage stood. Zwaantie followed her toward the door and nearly choked up at the sight of Phoenix’s Sol shoes sitting by the door. He was probably wearing those Stellan sandals that didn’t protect your feet. It made her homesick for both home and Phoenix.
Chapter 15
The Murder
The Old Mother stared at the Voice. He hadn’t even looked up when she came in. He’d failed. Zwaantie was now in Stella. The end would come soon now. She’d thought by enlisting the Voice’s help, she’d be able to succeed in stopping the prophecy from coming to pass.
It was stupid. No matter what, the future would work out like she saw. It wasn’t the first time she’d interfered. But somehow, she never succeeded. She wondered if Zwaantie even remembered the betrayal. She hadn’t planned on Zwaantie surviving the ordeal near the wall. She was supposed to be dead. But that wretched prince had interfered, and now not only was she alive, but she was close to marrying the prince in Stella. Part of her was sad Zwaantie had to die. The Old Mother had loved the girl.
Wilma hadn’t stayed alive this long though to let one girl’s life interfere with her own.
She approached the Voice. He was hunched over a desk scribbling on a piece of paper. She cleared her throat, but he still didn’t look up.
“You let her go,” she said.
He raised his eyes and glared at her. “No. I didn’t. Your fault. I planned on making it impossible for her to cross the wall, but you interfered, and she was able to go anyway.”
“You know what this means, don’t you? She’s going to marry the prince, and you’re going to die. You failed.”
His incessant scribbling was all she heard.
“I tried to kill her myself, but it didn’t work. Now the wall has barred me from going back. I can’t cross it,” Wilma said. She’d tried a couple of times. Curse her sister. Wilma had never been allowed to cross before. The only time she could get into Stella was when she had to deliver a prophecy, and she was always jerked back as soon as she gave it, and even then, she never actually crossed the wall, she just showed up where she was supposed to be. Maybe the next time she could stall long enough to kill Zwaantie.
Wilma sidled closer to the Voice, knocking his quill so a large streak of ink spread across the paper.
He growled.
“It’s over. We’re through,” Wilma said.
He moved the stained paper and grabbed another one. “No, it’s not. You need to calm down. Go back to your hut and deliver babies like you always do. I’ve got this under control.”
She snatched the quill out of his hands. “Do you understand what you’ve done? You and I, we’re both going to die. The future has never been more clear. You had the chance to stop her, and you didn’t.”
He grabbed for the quill, and she jerked it back. He threw his hands up in the air and huffed. Then he waved a group of orbs near to him.
“You see these,” he asked in deadly whisper.
“Yes.”
“I still have control over those fifty slaves that entered Stella with the princess. They’ve been given one command and only one command.”
The Old Mother stilled.
“How?” she asked.
“A spell. I was able to bind any Solites who crossed the wall to me. I wouldn’t have had to use the magic if you hadn’t interfered.”
Wilma grinned. The Voice was smarter than she’d given him credit for.
“Smart. Can you control Zwaantie as well?”
“I can. But she’s wearing one of those necklaces that blocks me.”
Of course she was. She was smarter than anyone realized as well.
“What’s the command you
gave the slaves?” she asked.
“Kill the princess.”
Chapter 16
The Shower
The next day Zwaantie arose early. She stretched her arms up over her head. A voice came from her wall, and she jumped.
“Good morning,” Leo said. She jerked around and saw Leo’s face plastered on one of her walls.
She scrambled out of bed and sat on the couch across from his face. “How did you do that?”
“When I call, I can appear on the wall, unless you turn your wall off. Most people keep them turned off. It all depends on the level of privacy you want.”
“That’s incredible.” He looked so close. “What if I’m in someone else’s room?”
“If they have it on, it will work there as well.”
“So if I were in Sage’s room when you called, you’d show up there?”
“Yep. Did you have fun with Sage and Ari yesterday?”
“I did. They took me to a funhouse.”
His face fell. “I was hoping to show you that.”
“We can go again. When will you be back?” She wouldn’t say she was eager for him to return, but if she was going to marry him, she wanted to get to know him as much as possible.
“A couple of days. The man who spotted the viper is missing. I talked to him yesterday and looked at his picture. He described the viper to me, but now he’s gone.” His face was pinched.
“What do you think happened to him?” she asked.
“It’s possible the vipers got him. If he got cocky about going out after midnight, he might’ve tried again. I just want to stay and make sure nothing unusual is going on. I don’t think this is any cause for concern, but I’ve been wrong before.”
“What do you do, anyway?” Zwaantie asked. It occurred to her that she had no idea.
Her door burst open. Sage and Ari stumbled in. “Zwaantie, there’s a meteor shower. We’re going to the beach. Let’s go.”
Zwaantie gave Leo a small smile. “I’m going to go with them.”
“Enjoy the meteor shower. See you soon.”
He clicked off. Zwaantie was glad for the interruption. Calls with Leo were still awkward.
Stella and Sol Box Set Page 26