The Savior's Sister

by Jenna Moreci

  “I spend my days in the labyrinth per Your orders. Proctoring challenges. Keeping Your secret. I have no knowledge of this person.”

  “Then who does?”

  “Perhaps Your new pet Wembleton can help You,” he said. “But I cannot.”

  Leila shot up from Her seat. “Have you forgotten where you stand, Proctor? This is not a partnership. You killed My mother, you work for Me, and you will learn your place, is that understood?”

  Romulus stood in stoic silence. Red fanned through his robes, circling them like a mist of bitter saffron.

  Leila cocked Her head at the door. “You’re dismissed.”

  He left without a word, leaving behind flecks of red that stung Her nostrils. With Her chin high, She abandoned the Senate room, gathering Her cloak and satchel before heading to the labyrinth. The stairwell She traveled plunged deeper than the others, leading far underground, perhaps straight to hell. She thought She had seen every passage of the labyrinth, but not this one, and that troubled Her.

  The steps underfoot ended, bringing Her to a narrow tunnel, a portal, then a room—no, a cavern, vast and wide. The walls stretched far above Her, ending at a ceiling stories high, and paces ahead lay a ravine filled with water as black as the surrounding bricks.

  Four onyx thrones stood ahead where Her sisters were already seated. Delphi peered around her chair at Leila, who promptly sat at her side.

  “What is this place?”

  Delphi swallowed. “I don’t know.”

  A familiar invisible shield ebbed before them, and beyond it, satchels littered the stone floor. “What are the men to do?”

  “I think they’re going for a swim,” Delphi said.

  Sighing, Leila slumped in Her throne. Pippa sang a blissful tune, while Cosima sat in silence, eyes on the blackish water.

  Leila leaned toward her. “Sister, are you all right?”

  Cosima flinched, then smiled. “Of course, dove.”

  Her lips flattened, and again there was stillness. The temptation to touch her—to take in a color, peer into her mind—ate at Leila. She reached toward her.

  An eruption of brick resounded high above. Leila and Her sisters jumped as the colossal wall ahead of them became a looming cliff, the uppermost portion of it crumbling away. Tiny men darted toward the cliff’s edge, peering down at the ravine and the women below.

  The challenge was beginning.

  Romulus appeared beside the men, an hourglass in his arms. He gestured toward the water, and though Leila usually opted to ignore his words, this time She fought to take in their echo. “At the bottom… Keys to The Savior’s heart… Collect as many as possible.” Her eyes scoured the cliff, searching for Tobias.

  A man forced his way to the front, throwing himself off the edge. Leila winced when he crashed into the water, then again with the next man, and soon bodies rained down into the ravine like corpses into a mass grave. A few heads popped up above the surface, sucking in breaths before plunging below, leaving the waters still.

  The silence plucked at Leila’s nerves like talons at frayed harp strings. Keys to The Savior’s heart. Collect as many as possible. But there had to be more to it. There always was.

  Water burst from the ravine as a man shot above the surface—Caesar, his eyes wide and skin pale. Another explosion, and Zander appeared at his side, followed by Beau, madly paddling toward Leila. She grabbed Her chair, pressing Herself against its back, nearly forgetting the invisible barrier before Her. Another man bobbed to the surface—Tobias, hair plastered to his face as he threw himself onto the floor.

  “What the fuck is down there?” Caesar spat.

  “Something touched me.” Beau scooted far from the ravine edge. “Did you see it? What is it?”

  Tobias stood upright, whipping his wet locks aside. “They’re creatures.”

  What? Leila’s eyes penetrated the water, but there was only darkness.

  Zander’s lips parted. “Creatures?”

  “Monsters,” Tobias said. “Eels or something. But with teeth.”

  “How do you know this?” Beau asked.

  Tobias glanced between the men. “You can’t see them?”

  “See what?” Caesar wrung out his pant leg. “It’s black as shit down there. There’s nothing but darkness and…and glowing dots.”

  “They’re Guardians.”

  Romulus’s voice shook Leila. She hadn’t noticed his arrival, but there he stood beyond the invisible barrier, the hourglass in his grasp.

  “The keys to our Savior’s heart are kept well protected,” he said. “Beware the Guardians, and swim with caution.”

  Caesar glowered. “How the hell do we swim with caution if we can’t see?”

  “You waste time. The sands are shifting. Compete, or forfeit and suffer the consequences.”

  Cursing, the men plodded toward the ravine’s edge. Romulus barked at them to retrieve their satchels, which they reluctantly slung over their shoulders before disappearing into the water.

  Leila glared at Romulus. “Guardians?”

  “Your father deemed them so.”

  “And how exactly did My father bring these Guardians to the fortress?” When the Senator shrugged, Leila scoffed under Her breath. “Useless.” She turned to Delphi. “Monstrous eels with teeth. Have you heard of such a creature?”

  “Only in tales of the Outlands,” Delphi said.

  “Those are just stories.”

  “Your great grandmothers exist in stories, yet they were very much alive.”

  Sickness swirled within Leila. A man bobbed to the surface of the black water to suck in a breath, then another, but neither were Tobias, and the slow-passing seconds wound Her throat into a knot. What of these creatures? Why hadn’t Tobias shown?

  “It’s only been a short while,” Delphi whispered as if privy to Her thoughts. “He’s fine.”

  A man burst above the water, and Leila nearly jumped until She made out his black hair. Just Flynn. He swam toward the ravine edge and spilled onto the floor, the heaving of his chest more angry than depleted. Another man tore from the water.

  Tobias. Finally.

  “What the hell, Tobias?” Flynn spat.

  Tobias planted his hands on his knees, steadying his breathing. “What?”

  “What do you mean what? You’re glowing!”

  His words pummeled Leila in the gut. Glowing.

  How?

  Several men pulled themselves from the water. “He’s glowing?” Beau said.

  “Are you blessed?” Flynn hissed.

  Tobias stood wide-eyed as the men circled him, though his confusion was surely a fraction of Her own. I didn’t bless him. This can’t be. I didn’t… And then memories bombarded Her: Tobias’s lips against Hers, Her hand pressed to his chest, his vivid colors, that blazing heat…

  Oh, no. No, no, no…

  Tobias scanned the room, stopping at Leila. A blow plowed through Her gut.

  He knows.

  Her ruse was over, ruined by a kiss.

  “Cosima…” His gaze panned down the line of women. “She touched my chest.”

  Cosima sat still, poised in ways Leila could never manage. Was Tobias lying? She racked Her mind for explanations, until his words from the other day tumbled into Her thoughts.

  She put Her hand on my chest and asked if I could feel Her light.

  Caesar flung his arms into the air. “Fucking hell, She blessed him again!”

  “And you said nothing?” Flynn snapped.

  “I didn’t know,” Tobias said.

  “He lies.” Beau puffed out his chest, failing to appear fearsome. “How could he not know?”

  Tobias flashed him a glare. “Even if I did, why would I need to inform any of you?”

  “Good God, look at all your keys!” Flynn squealed.

  “Proctor, the challenge is flawed.” Caesar marched toward Romulus, leaving puddles in his wake. “The Artist has a tactical advantage!”

  Kaleo’s hearty laugh brought
the circle to silence. He sat along the ravine’s edge kicking at the water, watching the spectacle for God knows how long.

  Caesar stomped forward, his brawny arms crossed. “You think this is funny?”

  Kaleo’s laughter spiked higher. “It’s hilarious. All your bitching and moaning over our blessed Artist. Completely shortsighted, the lot of you.”

  “Shortsighted my ass,” Caesar said. “You may not give a shit, but the rest of us aim to win.”

  Shaking his head, Kaleo smiled at Tobias. “Enjoy your swim, Artist. Look out for monsters beneath the surface. Hard to hide from them when you’re glowing, yes?”

  He dove into the water before Tobias could respond.

  “Continue,” Romulus ordered.

  The men disappeared into the ravine, while Leila bounced Her knee, analyzing the entire mess only to come up empty-handed.

  Delphi leaned in close. “You didn’t tell me You blessed him.”

  “I didn’t know,” Leila said.

  “How can You not know You’ve blessed someone?”

  “I don’t know! This has never happened before.”

  “Well, when did You touch his chest?”

  Leila shot her a glare. “When do you think?”

  Delphi’s eyes widened. “Oh.” She smiled. “Very interesting.”

  “I must’ve been caught up in the moment. I think. I don’t know…”

  “Must’ve been quite the kiss.”

  “Not now,” Leila spat.

  She swallowed a growl. Had Her power expanded? It had done so before, grown much like Her own body and mind. Or perhaps She had always had this power and never the means to express it. The ancient scrolls. Maybe they listed instances such as this with past Saviors. But She had read of Her grandmothers hundreds of times already, back when She sought to understand Her light—to learn the lessons Her mother was supposed to teach Her. No, there was never a mention of an accidental blessing. She sank into Her chair. Her light was the one thing in Her control, and now even it mystified Her.

  The water stirred. Ripples turned into sputters and splashes, and a sodden head shot above the surface, sucking in a rasping breath.

  Tobias.

  Just as quickly as he had appeared, he was gone, replaced with Kaleo. The assassin writhed and jerked, eyes boring through the blackness beneath him, and he clamped his teeth before dropping down into the water.

  The surface gushed and bubbled, but the men remained unseen.

  Was Kaleo drowning him?

  Leila spun toward Romulus. “Do something!”

  He ignored Her; She should’ve predicted as much, but logic had fallen by the wayside. Tobias was right in front of Her, yet She could do nothing. The water stilled, and the beginnings of a scream formed in Her throat.

  Tobias erupted from the surface, lunging toward the ravine’s edge. He threw himself onto the stone floor, flopping flat on his back as he hacked and wheezed. Leila jumped from Her seat but stopped short; the air rippled in front of Her, and so She watched helplessly as he stumbled to his feet.

  Kaleo vaulted to the floor, wiping the hair from his eyes. Barbs rang from his tongue, and Tobias charged at him, slamming his fist into the Beast’s jaw.

  Leila flinched as Kaleo whipped to the side, the first hint of weakness She’d seen in him. A second later he was on the floor, and Tobias was on top of him, pummeling his face as though it were a target. The beating ended, and Tobias gripped Kaleo’s throat, the veins in his arms bulging as he strangled the life from the creature beneath him.

  Her second assassin was about to die.

  “Enough!” Romulus barked.

  Leila gaped at him, aghast, while Orion and Flynn pried Tobias from his mark. Traitors. Every last one of them.

  Grinning, Kaleo clambered to his feet. “Artist, you’re stronger than I recall last. I’m proud of you, really. They grow up so quickly—”

  “Fuck you,” Tobias spat.

  “Silence,” Romulus said. “No more speaking. No more altercations.” He pointed at the water. “Now dive.”

  “I’m not going back in there—”

  “Dive.” Romulus’s eyes locked onto the limp satchel on Tobias’s shoulder. “The challenge is nearly finished, and it seems as though you’ve fallen behind.”

  Defeated, Tobias hurled himself into the water. While the others followed, Leila seethed, waiting less-than-patiently for the men to disappear.

  As the waters stilled, She cast a glare at Romulus. “You conspire against Me.”

  “I conceal Your charade.”

  “Another assassin was nearly killed—”

  “And what do You think Your father would say when he heard his man died at our feet and no one intervened?” he said. “You think he wouldn’t grow suspicious?”

  “I don’t care about his suspicions, the entire point—”

  A horn blasted through the space—from where, She hadn’t a clue. “The challenge is over.” Romulus gestured toward the pile of sand at the bottom of his hourglass. “You’d be wise to compose Yourself before the men emerge.”

  Leila cursed him, feigning some shoddy semblance of poise. One by one, the men popped up from the water, their faces drawn, lumpy satchels hanging from their shoulders. Perhaps their burden was over for now, but Leila had several hoisted upon Her this day alone, and the weight of Her circumstances was heavier than ever.

  Tobias exploded from the surface with Raphael at his side, and the water around them morphed from black to red.

  Leila stood from Her seat. Blood followed the two men as they swam through the ravine, even as their bodies tumbled onto the floor with a wet slap. Tobias’s skin was unmarred, but large punctures wrapped Raphael’s ribs, steadily streaming.

  Tobias planted his hands on the wound. “He’s badly injured. We need the Healer now.”

  Leila darted forward, then skidded to a halt. The shield wavered in front of Her, keeping Her at bay. Shadow walk. But She couldn’t.

  She turned to Romulus. “Lower the wall.”

  “Such action is unpermitted.”

  “I’m permitting it. Lower the wall now.”

  “He’s losing blood.” Red painted Tobias’s fingers. “We need to act quickly.”

  “We will count the keys.” Romulus spoke with slow apathy. “You will return to the sanctuary, and then the Healer will assist the competitors.”

  “For God’s sake, we don’t have that sort of time!” Tobias spat.

  “Romulus, let me tend to him,” Leila said.

  “The challenge will continue as planned.”

  “You bastard, I command you—”

  “The only commands I obey are those of The Savior.” Romulus’s gaze panned to Cosima, and dear God, Leila could’ve sworn he bowed. “If She wills it, it will be done.”

  Hatred pumped through Leila’s veins. She turned to Her sister. “Cosima…make him lower the wall.”

  Cosima cocked her head, silent. Leila gritted Her teeth. “Cosima—”

  “Be mindful of your tone, Sister.” Cosima’s words came out sharp. “I am The Savior. You cannot force My hand. We will continue the challenge as planned.”

  Leila’s jaw went slack. “Cosima—”

  “Her decision is made,” Romulus said. “Artist, unhand the Intellect.”

  “He’ll bleed to death!” Tobias barked.

  Raphael’s weak voice sounded from Tobias’s lap. “It’s all right.”

  “It’s not fucking all right!”

  Leila’s nails dug into Her palms. “Proctor, you will lower the wall, or I swear to God, I’ll kill you myself—”

  “Sit down.”

  “Do as I say—”

  “Learn your place, Healer,” Romulus snapped. “Sit down.”

  The Senator’s glare bore through Her, equal parts warning and dare, and the blood on the floor was soon matched by his growing red mist. Do something. But all She could do was take a seat, Her pride marred.

  Romulus turned to Tobias. “Unhand him.
”

  Raphael grabbed Tobias’s wrist, mumbling something—perhaps his last words, another death on Leila’s shoulders.

  As Tobias and a barely functioning Raphael took their places in the line of men, Romulus continued his proctoring. “The counting will commence. Each of you will present your keys, and we will determine who has triumphed and who has floundered.”

  “Get on with it,” Leila said.

  “The three men with the most keys will win today’s challenge—”

  “Faster.”

  He cast Her a sideways glance. “And while these three men partake in their reward, the remainder of you will be confined to the sanctuary.”

  “Cosima, he’s stalling intentionally to spite me.”

  “Proctor,” Cosima called out. “Count the keys. Quickly, please.”

  Perhaps quickly was a foreign term to him, as he made his way down the line at a glacial pace, plucking key after key from each satchel as he counted the competitors’ spoils. Fifteen for Beau. Twenty for Garrick. All the while red trickled from Raphael’s wounds, his knees shaking beneath his narrow frame. A stab pierced Leila’s gut. You could’ve shadow walked past the wall. But She had a ruse to maintain, a realm to protect. That was surely worth more than one man’s life.

  Raphael collapsed, and every trace of Her resolve evaporated.

  “Hurry,” She cried.

  A few of the men helped Raphael to his feet, while Romulus continued his count, unmoved. Unable to bear the sight any longer, Leila stared instead at Cosima, who held her chin high, self-satisfaction twisting her lips.

  Leila’s sister. A miserable bitch.

  “The keys have been counted,” Romulus said. “The Cavalier, the Regal, and the Shepherd win the reward of extended time in The Savior’s company. You will see your reward tomorrow. Until then, seek comfort in the sanctuary. You’re dismissed.”

  Leila tore from Her seat, flying through the portal, up the endless flight of stairs, and into the sanctuary. The men hadn’t yet arrived, and while She gasped for breath, Pippa trotted to Her side.

  “I’ll help,” she said. “Sisters help sisters.”

  Men flooded the portal across from Her, spilling into the sanctuary. Pippa clapped her hands, squealing something; Leila hadn’t a clue what, as She was too busy scouring the horde, searching for brown skin dripping with blood.