by Cici Wickens
As much as I try to fight it, my ears begin to ring. I brace myself against a tree to keep myself from tottering over. “Stop.” My voice sounds muffled. The dull sound from before became defined and seemed to sweep over the lake’s surface, rippling it in the most minute of ways with each hit. I put my hands over my ears when the ringing gets louder.
Trace kept tapping the sticks and speaking to me.
The ringing stops. I slowly remove my hands from my ears, and my sense of hearing manages to focus on the tapping without any side effects. Then I can hear Trace’s voice, “Accept the sound, and then come back from it. Don’t fight what nature gave you.”
I look up at him, surprised. I listen to the beat, entranced, and eventually my hearing pans back out and returns to normal. It had been a peaceful experience and helped me momentarily forget about my worries. “Wow.” I say breathlessly.
“That wasn’t so bad was it? Not scary at all.” Trace raised his eyebrow at me.
I nod my head. “It wasn’t that bad.”
“I’m always right.” He said with confidence. “Now let’s move onto the next exercise. We’re going to do a couple laps around the lake.”
I groan. “What is it with you and racing? The last time I tried to swim the water turned against me! Or have you already forgotten that?”
“Don’t get so worked up. You’re overthinking it, which was likely the problem last time by the way. Just relax. Stop fighting it.” Trace responded with a knowing look.
“If you say so.”
“You ready?” He asked, coming to stand beside me.
“Yeah.” We make our way into the water, wading out until the waves lapped at my shoulders.
Trace pointed at me. “I want you to go as fast as you can. Don’t hold back. Don’t overthink it. Just do it. Four laps.”
And then, we were off.
I swim fervently, doing broad strokes and swift kicks. It doesn’t take me long to reach my normal speed, and I hesitate to push myself any faster. Trace was long gone. I couldn’t see him anywhere. Just do it.
I force myself to go harder, to push past any hesitation. Soon enough, I can feel myself moving faster, and faster, slicing through the water. Anger and adrenaline pulse through every movement. I’m furious that Caesar had the audacity to threaten me by visiting Thomas. And I’m even more upset that I can’t do anything to stop him. I’m too weak.
I knock into Trace, having lost sight of my surroundings. The air whooshes from my lungs. I falter, realizing that my entire body was aching. I had been so absorbed in my thoughts that I hadn’t felt it. Each kick sends a sharp pain up my legs, and my arms start to tremble. It burns. I cringe upon myself.
“Damn, Iris. That hurt. I think you almost broke one of my ribs. Yeah…” He felt his chest. “Definitely going to bruise.” Trace finally got a good look at me. “That’s enough for now. Your body isn’t ready to handle your abilities. And frankly, mine isn’t either.” Trace said with a troubled look in his eyes. “You don’t need to push your body so hard. You could get a Strain.”
“What’s that?” It’s the first time I’ve heard of the term.
“Let’s just say that depending on the severity of the Strain, you could lose your abilities.” He told me.
My eyes widen, and I walk to the shore with heavy limbs. I collapse onto the sand, sprawling out. My heart thumps loudly in my chest, my breathing labored. My body begins to cool down after a few minutes of lying there. Once my breath is caught, I sit up.
“What’d you think? Awesome, right?” Trace asked, referring to himself.
I roll my eyes. “Your speed was pretty impressive, I’ll admit.”
“Aw, that’s all you got? You should be worshipping me right now.”
I sarcastically bow my hands and head down a couple times. “All hail Trace.”
“There we go.” He approved, basking in the glory.
“Is practice over now?”
“You’re not getting off that easy.” He gave me a reproachful look.
“What?” I guffaw. “You just told me I was going to get a Strain!”
“Oh, you’ll be fine now. Your body cooled down.” He said assuredly.
“What about you? I thought I almost broke your rib?”
He folded his arms. “I can tough through it. Get in the water Iris. Try to sit on the lake again. Once you do it, we can both go home.”
I groan. “We’ll be here until dark.”
“If that’s what it takes.” He wouldn’t budge.
With a huff I walk into the lake, deciding not to waste any more time. I try not to think of the lingering fear of me getting a Strain as I place my palms upon the water’s surface. If I were to lose my abilities all of this would be for nothing. Everyone who depended on me would—I shake my head. I don’t need to think about that. Focus. I need to get stronger. I have to protect the people I care about. Trace has done so much to help me, which puts him in Caesar’s cross-hairs too. I can’t let him down now.
My hands sink through the first time. On the second try however, I’m able to hoist my upper body from the lake like yesterday. By my third attempt, I succeed. And while sitting atop the lake, for an entire second, I grin widely at Trace. Then I sink back in. But it happened, and I could at least feel accomplished in one area of life. That one second gave me hope.
✽ ✽ ✽
My fingers tremble as they break the seal on the envelope. I had been staring at the ‘C’ on it for the past half hour. It was boldly signed, as if the man had no fears.
I bite my lip and pull the letter out, delicately unfolding it. The parchment is black, and his words drip with gold. After glancing up to make sure my bedroom door is shut, I begin to read the short message:
On the Duodēvīgintīde de Flovios en Hiems I shall return to the Cruor Dimension to discuss certain matters with you, at your choice of location and time of day. I trust that you will come alone.
I read the letter over three times. He wanted to meet. The foreign phrase is obviously a date, but unlike any language I had ever seen before. I guess that I can ask Janelle about it tomorrow. How will he know what location and time I choose? I clench my fists, wishing that he had left more information. I can’t risk messing this up. He made it obvious that Thomas was his insurance in this situation. And he could easily bring my other friends into the mix. Or even my dad. Who knows what he’ll do to them if I don’t show up for the appointment?
I sandwich the letter between the pages of my science book so that my dad doesn’t come across it. As much as I try to fight them, tears sting my eyes. I need to protect my friends and family, and yet I can’t even help myself. Caesar wanted me to come alone, and I’m going to be utterly defenseless against him if he tries to harm me. I’m no match for him. I don’t think I’ll ever be. I’ve played right into his hands, but I feel like I couldn’t have avoided it. Everyone in this game out skills me in every way imaginable. I don’t stand a chance at winning. I’m too far behind. There’s so much that I still don’t know and understand. So much for me to learn.
I wipe the tears from my eyes and focus on releasing the tension that had sat on my chest. I tell myself that I have to at least try. Seeing as my life and others’ lives are going to be put in danger either way, I might as well take a stand, as feeble as it may end up being.
Chapter 39
The 12th of February
Iris
The next morning, I find myself at Minerva and Blaze’s house with the intent to ask Janelle about the foreign date Caesar had left me to figure out. I’m sure she’d know what it meant.
Blaze was in the living room playing some medieval videogame. He had the TV turned up so loud that we could hear swords clashing and people’s wretched screams from here in the kitchen. I frown at the sound of bones being crushed. “Damnit!” He hollered.
Minerva sat in the stool next to me, watching her mom make fresh-squeezed lemonade. “Mom’s lemonade is the best.” She told me with a grin. “I w
ish you could try some.”
I attempt to smile back at her, but the tart smell of lemon wafts into my nose, and I end up cringing instead. “Hm.” I say.
“Ask your question, Princess.” Janelle continued twisting the lemon.
“Do you know what this phrase says?” I slide a slip of paper towards her. I had written it down this morning. I wasn’t sure if I should show her the message Caesar sent me.
Janelle read the paper, her delicate eyebrows furrowed. “Yes…I am familiar with Aurum’s calendar system. It is written in Latin, but even if I were to translate it you would not understand it unless you were a native of Aurum.” Her bright blue eyes meet mine curiously. “Where did you come across this?”
I swallow, letting my eyes fall from hers. I don’t think I should tell her about the letter. Caesar would probably be angry if I shared it with anyone. After all, he had said to come alone. “Were you ever a native of Aurum?” I ask instead.
Her lips thinned. “I understand their calendar system, if that is what you are asking.”
“Iris received a letter from Caesar.” Minerva blurted out. “I think that’s what this is about.” She glanced at me but didn’t appear apologetic.
I can’t stop the irritated huff that comes next. That wasn’t her information to share.
Janelle drew in a hitched breath. “Caesar?”
Blaze walked into the kitchen, oblivious to the tension in the room. “Is the lemonade ready yet?” He paused, looking between us all. “What did I miss?”
“Iris got a letter from Caesar yesterday.” Minerva told him.
“Shit. Seriously?” Blaze sat down on the other side of his sister. “What did it say?”
I internally sigh. I might as well tell them now. “He wants to meet with me, alone, on that day. He said that I can pick the place and time.”
“You cannot respond to his request.” Janelle said immediately. “Meeting with such a powerful man is unwise. He seeks your life, does he not? What makes you think he does not plan to kill you at this meeting? He may appear to be a noble man, but he comes from the darkness. And I am under the impression that Valencia does not know of this appointment. That might not be such a good thing.”
Nothing she said wasn’t something that I hadn’t already thought about myself. “I know how dangerous it’ll be. But I don’t have a choice. He was in Thomas’s home, Janelle. If I don’t show, who knows what he’ll do?” I exclaim in exasperation.
“Perhaps you should consider disappearing. For the sake of many, not few.” Janelle suggested grimly.
I scowl at her, not appreciating that she was willing to risk Thomas’s life and his family’s. Yes, it was for the sake of an entire dimension. Still, is it selfish that I want to keep everyone safe? “I won’t do that.” I say stubbornly, shaking my head. “I’d never be able to live with myself.”
“I think she should meet with him.” Blaze said quietly.
Minerva shoved her brother in the shoulder. “Whose side are you on?” She demanded.
Blaze gave his sister a dark glare. “The side of the living. I think you and mom are missing the bigger picture. If he went to Thomas’s house, then he knows about us too. He’s threating all of us, not just Thomas.”
Janelle’s eyes spark with recognition. “Perhaps you should meet with him then.” I narrow my eyes at her. Janelle had switched sides rather quickly now that she realized her family was in danger too. It makes me sick. At that moment, she lost any respect I had for her. What happened to ‘for the sake of many, not few’? Am I the only one who realizes how two-faced she is? Do Blaze and Minerva really not see it?
Blaze continued, “And think about it. If he really wanted to hurt anyone, he would’ve killed Thomas instead of visited him. I think it’s in everyone’s best interests if she just cooperated for now.” I’m surprised by Blaze’s words. He’s completely right.
“I still don’t think it’s a good idea.” Minerva said firmly. “But it’s our only option. If we might be able to keep everyone safe, we should at least try.”
“Then it is settled. You will go to this meeting and we will have to hope that Fate leans in your favor.” Janelle conceded.
“What day will the meeting land on?” I ask, making sure that my tone doesn’t betray my new feelings towards her. I still need her, despite her corrupted mindset.
She picked up the paper again. “In Aurum, their calendar runs on ‘terms’ of 21 days. There are roughly 13 terms in an Aurum month, meaning 274 days. There are only 4 months though, each corresponding to the seasons Hiems, Ver, Aestas, and Autumnus, in that order. Therefore, a year in Aurum consists of 1096 days.”
“Why do I feel like that sounds more complicated than it’s supposed to?” Blaze muttered and scratched his head.
“So…what does the phrase mean?” Minerva drew out.
Janelle sighed irritably. “I am trying to teach you all something if you would listen. Think of it this way. For every day that passes in Cruor, or Earth, 3 pass in Aurum. Trēs de Vinum en Hiems. This translates to the 3rd day of the 6th term—named Vinum, which means wine—of winter.”
Blaze held a hand to his head and groaned. “The 3rd day of the 6th term of winter?” He asked dryly. “What does that mean for us on Earth mom?”
Minerva grabbed a pencil and wrote on the back of the paper. “Okay, I think I get it. If it’s the 3rd day of the 6th term of the first season, then that would be a total of 129 days. And if we do the 3 to 1 ratio and convert it to Earth time, it would be 43 days into the year. That’s gonna’ fall on the…12th of February.”
Blaze was aghast. “Who are you, and what have you done with my idiot of a sister?”
“The 12th of February.” I repeat to myself.
That’s when I’m to meet with an Unseelie King.
Chapter 40
Humans…
Iris
I jump back in fright when I shut my locker door and see Thomas standing there, arms folded, with an unreadable expression on his face. “You scared me!” I exclaim.
“Why have you been avoiding me for the past two weeks?” He cut to the chase.
“Avoiding you?” I awkwardly laugh. “I’ve been really busy lately.” That last part isn’t a lie. I’ve been training with Trace every chance I can get. I’ve hardly had the time to hang out with anyone outside of school, not just Thomas. And even during class, I can’t hold up idle conversation anymore. Everything besides training and improvement seems pointless now, but I may have been expending extra effort to avoid Thomas. Not that I’d tell him that. Every time I look at him I’m reminded of the danger I put everyone in. Of Caesar’s silent threat. Even though he might not have the intentions of hurting someone I care about yet, it’s the fact that he had the ability to do so that frightens me.
“Yeah right. Even Ron was asking what I did to piss you off.” He scratched the back of his head. “What did I do?”
“You didn’t do anything wrong.” I quickly establish. “Trust me.”
“You’re sure?” He asked, sounding uncertain.
“I promise. Really.” I smile at him, hoping to put him at ease. It wasn’t fair for me to avoid him these past two weeks. I didn’t think about how he would take it.
His brown eyes light to their usual liveliness. “Alright. I just wanted to make sure. See you at lunch?”
“See you at lunch.” I agree, feeling lighter after speaking with him. I had forgotten how positive I always felt around Thomas. I watch him turn the corner, feeling a sense of gratefulness for my friends.
The tardy bell ruins the moment. I cringe, the sound of it hurting my sensitive ears. I doubt Mr. Grady will even notice me being late, not that I really care anymore. Tardiness was the least of my worries.
After changing, I find Ron sitting with his back against a tree. We were having a free day outside today. Ron opened one eye. “I’m about to get some shut-eye.” He let out a loud yawn. “I’m tired as hell. Make sure nobody watches me while I sleep.”
I roll my eyes. “Alright.” Sitting a few feet away from him, I crack open a book. A few pages in and I’m looking at a pair of skater shoes that had stopped in the grass in front of me.
“Edgar Allan Poe, huh?”
I look up at the guy standing in front of me, even though I had already placed the voice.
“I didn’t take you as a gothic horror reader.” Blaze said. I was shocked that he decided to come over and talk to me. Usually, he kept to himself despite us hanging out now outside of school.
“And I wouldn’t have pegged you for a reader, yet here we are.” I grin up at him.
I glance over at Ron, who was eyeing Blaze disapprovingly even though he was supposed to be going to sleep. When Blaze followed my eyes, I could see his demeanor change. He was tenser, and a scowl had replaced his mischievous grin.
“Shhhh.” Ron closed his eyes again, but not before shooting another dark look Blaze’s way.
“Later.” He said, making a move to leave.
“Why don’t you like Humans?” I blurt out. My eyes widen at the bold question that seemed to come from nowhere, but I guess I had been wondering it all along. The more that I hung around Blaze, the more I realized that any time Humans were present he acted guarded, or defensive.
He turned back to face me, and I could tell that he was taken aback by the loaded question. He glanced in Ron’s direction to see if he had heard me, but his eyes were closed, and his breathing had slowed, so I assumed he was already out. Blaze rolled his eyes and faced back towards me.
“I never said I didn’t like Humans. But I’ll admit that they do irritate me.” He said, eyes narrowing.
I swallow but press on. “Why?” I manage to say, keeping my voice low so that I don’t wake Ron.
He let out a long sigh, seemingly irritated at me too now, but he didn’t walk away. “You would think that Humans would just be simple. That they would just keep their heads down, do what they’re supposed to do, and live out their lives. But they’re not. I walk these halls almost everyday, minding my own business, not speaking unless spoken to. Yet, Humans still find a way to weasel their ways into places that they don’t belong. Tensing up any time I walk by them, then whispering behind their hands about the bullshit rumors that seem to be about me for whatever reason as soon as I pass.” He let out a sarcastic chuckle. “I mean at least they talk about me quietly, but I still hear every word…and it’s impossible to block out. You can’t unhear the rumors about Blaze Corvin. I mean apparently, I’m a criminal.”