by T R Tells
“Did you find a connection with them?”
“I did, they said that they’re willing to speak with us . . . If we don’t bring any weapons.”
Of course, Clovis sighed and reached his arm back to grab the hilt of his sword. He handed it to Emma as she was one of the only people who could hold the massive sword.
“Come back safe. I don’t want to have to smack you again.”
Clovis grinned and winked as he walked down to the shore. “Thanks, Mora, you can head back up to the ship and make sure Caleb doesn’t stay out in the sun too long.”
Mora nodded and with her black hair flowing behind him, walked back up to the ship. With Clovis on land was Jennis, who spoke with Corin-dole, the Strigoi named Levin, and a Daemon woman named Lucinda. They were versatile and experienced, knowing the ins and outs of any land like the back of their hand.
“So, Captain, do you think she’s there?” Lucinda asked. The woman was just as tall as he, with wild red hair that moved like fire and armor that left nothing to the imagination. She was probably the only one who could keep up with him in a fight.
“It isn’t absolute, but I have to keep trying. And please, nothing about ‘if she isn’t alive’ I can feel that she is.”
“I wasn’t going to say a thing. I’ll follow you anywhere Captain.”
“They’re here.” Levin’s telepathic thoughts reached out to everyone, making them turn to the thick, green forest. Clovis peered into the thick brush but did not see anything. “They’re using a cloaking spell. You’ll need to use your other eyes, Captain.”
Clovis hated using his demon eyes. It was something that often triggered the mark on the back of his neck, and he had trained and pushed away from the dark demon for some time. He sighed and closed his eyes for a brief moment, when he opened them again, they were red. His demon eyes, unlike his mundane ones, could see past any magical defenses. It drained him a bit and left him vulnerable enough that there was a risk of the demon taking over, he relied more on his physical strength than any magic.
When he noticed the mundane shape, he saw that there were about four of them. They didn’t wear tops, exposing their breasts, and the lone cloth covering their privates was only barely covering them. They held different assortments of weapons from spears to daggers. One was different than the rest as she wore a crown on top of her locks and a cloak that hung around her shoulders.
The woman wearing the crown slowly started to walk toward Clovis and he broke away from his demon sight the moment she revealed herself, along with the rest of the women. She approached Clovis until they were at eye level, where she could look into his gray ones and him into her bright blue eyes. The Aegeans were one of the few that were just as tall, if not taller than Clovis.
“Shiva, you look well,” Clovis said in greeting.
“Clodovicus, I’d say the same to you, but then I suppose that would be a lie,” Shiva’s sing-song voice said. Clovis cracked a grin. “It is good to see you, however. What can I do for you?”
“I’m looking for someone and I’m hoping you may know where she could be.”
“I’ll certainly need something in return, follow me.”
Chapter Forty-Two
It had been eight months since Thea left for the Bastion of Amac, and Maggie still wished that Thea would walk through the doors of the brothel at any moment. Maggie would often feel her stomach churn at the unsettling thoughts that teased her mind. She didn’t trust Nobius and his charismatic smile or the enigmatic glint in his eyes. But most importantly, Kadda missed her mother, and it would take Maggie several hours to put the child to sleep. Even though she did not vocally cry out for her mother, tears streamed down her cheeks every night. She’d squirm and wiggled, not wanting to sleep without her mother’s presence. Maggie never knew what to do. With Meretrix’s schedules changing and alternating since more Courtesans and Escorts were being sold off, she didn’t have as much time to watch Kadda as she liked. So, without her or her mother’s care, Laura became more reliable to watch Kadda.
Maggie reached Laura’s house sometime in the afternoon and saw that the door’s hinges had been broken off. Her eyes widened in fear and she rushed toward the house, at the same moment that Laura was emerging with Kadda in her arms.
“Laura?” When she was close enough to see her face, she stopped and observed the woman’s tear-stained cheeks and red eyes. “W-What happened, why are you crying?”
“I’m glad you’re here. These men, they came charging into the house. I had to hide for hours until they left.” Laura walked over and put Kadda in Maggie’s arms. Maggie held onto Kadda seeing her face scrunch up. “You and Kadda need to leave, right now.”
“Wait, what men?” Maggie demanded. Kadda couldn’t whimper or whine, but the child’s face twisted in sadness and fear, she was shaking a little. What if her husband came home? What if he hired men to scare her? “Was this your husband’s doing? Laura this is what I’m talking about, he’s nothing but—”
“Madelyn, please!” Laura shouted, making Maggie jump. She had never heard the woman raise her voice. The sound felt like a knife had plunged into her heart. “We can’t keep seeing one another anymore, it’s far too dangerous.”
“What, why? He’s never been a problem before. You’re wrong if you think I can’t handle him.” Maggie could feel her throat tightening and growing warm with each word that left her lips. “I don’t understand why you keep giving him so many damn chances. It isn’t fair how he treats you.”
“You don’t know what it’s even like, Maggie. I am nothing but a housewife with no claim to her name, no family. I don’t have a dime because everything I have, including the clothes on my back, belongs to him.”
“Well, I’m here! I’ve always been here. I could take care of you; you don’t need to rely on him. You don’t even need to rely on me.” Maggie could already feel the tears rolling down her cheeks as she tried to force the words out, gripping Kadda close to her chest. “No woman should have to rely on their husband. I told you I would take care of it . . . I love you, Laura.”
Laura hiccupped and covered her lips, hearing that made her heart skip a beat. She looked away from Maggie and closed her eyes tightly, running her fingers through her hair in frustration.
“It just isn’t going to work. I need a man that can provide for me and you’re . . . you’re nothing but a whore.” Laura let out a sob as she looked at Maggie. Hearing those words felt like she was being stabbed repeatedly through the heart. “I can’t live in your world, Maggie. It almost cost Allen his life. So, please . . .”
“I don’t understand.” Maggie's voice quaked. “Why are you saying these things to me? You don’t need him, Laura. Please, you have to see that, we can be together. I’ve saved a bit of money and I know a few people that—”
“Stop, Maggie! Just stop trying, please—”
When Maggie tried to take a step toward Laura, she flinched.
“Please, I can’t be seen or be a part of this. I know its sudden and out of nowhere, Maggie, but I no longer want to see you. Don’t come to my house again, or else I will report you to the Kingsland Guards.”
Laura took one last look at Maggie before turning away. Maggie, dumbfounded, stared as Laura walked away. Maggie didn’t say anything for what seemed like hours. She just stood there, holding Kadda in her arms, tears streaming down her face at an increasing speed — it felt like she’d cried an ocean.
“. . . Come back.” Maggie hoarsely tried to call out, but her voice came out barely a whisper. “Come back.”
The feeling of soft fingers on her face pulled Maggie out of her despair, and she looked down at a teary-eyed little girl. Maggie felt her lip quiver as she tried to smile and pressed her lips to Kadda’s forehead.
“It’s okay, Kadda . . . It’ll be okay.”
***
The walk back to the brothel seemed longer than usual, Maggie felt like she was trudging through thick mud. She had never seen Laura so upset and the t
hought of never seeing her again crushed her more than anything. A tiny part of her blamed Thea for leaving her behind without a second thought. Instead, the thought of her sister was more important than anyone else.
I thought I was your sister . . .
Maggie stopped in one of the alleyways and blankly stared at the dusty ground. What am I saying? I do want her back. Thea is my friend, my sister. It isn’t her responsibility to take care of me. I need to be strong without Thea.
Maggie felt soft fingers on her cheeks and looked down to see Kadda pulling a small smile to her lips. Despite the sorrow that ran through her bones, Maggie felt a sudden urge to bounce up and down happily. She felt like smiling despite the circumstances that plagued her as if some force of magic was coursing through her very core.
“You’re doing this, aren’t you?” She finally asked. Kadda squinted her eyes and grinned. “Maybe it’s a good thing you didn’t leave with Thea. I know Thea can handle herself, but I wouldn’t for a second feel comfortable with you around that man.”
The image of Nobius face made her frown with displeasure. Maggie continued to walk the narrow path until she saw the Meretrix in the distance. She walked up the stairs and opened the door and her body went rigid as she saw the person she was least expecting to see.
“Flint?”
Throughout the years, Flint had surprisingly aged well. His hair was now a dull reddish orange that was tied into a ponytail letting it hang below his neck. He had faint laugh lines around his mouth and had soft baby skin to make him look thirty instead of fifty. When he turned around to focus his attention on Maggie, his eyes had a small glint in them that sent a shiver up her spine and she gripped Kadda tightly to her chest.
“Maggie, what a pleasant surprise,” Flint remarked and strolled away from where he was talking to Eddie – who turned to look in her direction with a look of worry on his face. When Flint was in front of Maggie, she had to crane her neck to look up at his sly smile. “You still into your little hobby? While I am all for any action, what I don’t like, is losing money.”
Maggie gulped. She didn’t say anything, knowing full well he didn’t care for an answer. She watched him bend down to Kadda and smile at her. Kadda frowned at Flint’s proximity and clung tighter to her aunt.
“Well, how unfortunate, my daughter wants nothing to do with me. I’ll have to talk with Thea when she comes back.”
“Your Magi friend bought her, remember?” Maggie retorted. She hadn’t meant for the words to slip out and when Flint turned his head to look at her with his brow raised, Maggie instantly regretted it.
“Yes, I am fully aware, Madelyn. But, not to mention, Thea is quite a handful. I have a feeling she’ll be making her way back soon, but I’ll handle her if push comes to shove.” He stood straighter and held his arms out. “Give her to me.”
Maggie slowly stepped back. “Don’t you have any work to do after you’ve been gone for so long? I can handle Kadda until then.”
Flint chuckled, but the smile on his face dropped. “Maggie don’t make me punish you. You have a child in your hands. My child, and if she gets hurt because I slapped the shit out of you, you’re going to get punished again. I am not Edward. Don’t think you will evade the repercussions.”
Maggie cast her gaze on Eddie, who looked away guiltily. Maggie had always thought one day he would realize what he was doing, but it was becoming more and more likely that that wasn’t the case. He’s turning into a mini Flint, Maggie thought to herself in disappointment.
“It’s okay, Kadda. You’re going with Flint for a while.” Maggie whispered into Kadda’s ear.
Flint reached out his hands and snatched Kadda out of Maggie’s reach. Kadda didn’t cry. She just blankly stared at Flint as if waiting for him to try anything.
“Good. I knew you were a smart girl. Now, go up and take care of a gentleman. He was asking for Thea, but you can have all her customers. And if I hear you fraternizing again, I won’t hesitate to have my men make another visit to that pretty little lover of yours.”
Maggie frowned. Another visit? Maggie’s fist tightened, her eye twitched, realizing why Laura was terrified. She wanted nothing more than to strangle Flint, if not to kill him, but knew she would not have the power nor backup to do so.
She released her hands from their grip, letting out a hiss. “Yes, Sir.”
Chapter Forty-Three
Thea had the vision again.
She didn’t know where she was or who she was with, but knew that when she was there, it made her feel happy. A genuine feeling that she hadn’t felt in a long time. It was always the same: she was lying in bed with a faceless male, and he was prompting her to awake by picking her up and wrapping his arms around her. Thea felt safe in his arms. She knew that it couldn’t have been one of the men at the brothel since she felt joyous and exuberant in the vision. Thea could almost feel her chest wanting to explode when she heard the name, he had given her. She couldn’t forget it: My Gift.
It was as if he was saying “I love you” and “this is what you mean to me” in just two words.
Thea knew that there was no wishful thinking. The vision that made her heart pound and blood pump would never happen, leaving it only to be a reminder of something she could never have.
“Thea, are you feeling alright?” Audalai asked. Thea snapped out of her reverie and focused on the green-haired girl. Audalai and Hati had accompanied her to bury Hapy’s ashes since Nobius had given her the canister that held the old horse’s ashes. “You just dazed out after a while. Should we take you back to the monastery?”
“I’m fine, you two. It’s just a small headache, I promise. This looks like a good spot,” Thea said, stopping in front of a small flower bed that was beside a house. She bent down to the ground and placed the canister on the ground, opening the top.
Both Hati and Audalai looked at each other but slowly nodded. “We’ll give you a moment,” Hati said and the pair walked away.
Thea sighed and closed her eyes, tilting her head up. “I’m sorry Hapy that I wasn’t there for you. I should have come to see you sooner. Both you and Jiran deserved better.” Thea leaned back on her heels, surveying the place she’d chosen to be the old horse’s final resting place. “It seems like all I do is lose people and I’m sick and tired of it . . . Just for one moment, I want to know what it feels like to be truly happy.”
She thought about the odd dream she kept having. She thought about seeing her sister again and having Kadda meet her aunt, to have her, Maggie, and Freya live in a world where they didn’t need to be questioned or treated like dirt.
Tears escaped Thea’s eyes and she quickly wiped them before taking the opened canister in her hands and dumping the contents into the flower bed. Thea patted her hand on the ground, mixing the ashes and dirt. “Dio, god of land and harvest, bless this earth and let it grow with a plentiful harvest.”
Thea removed her hand from the ground and placed it in her lap. “Rest easy, Hapy. I love you.”
Without any warning, Thea suddenly felt a cold lingering pressure in the back of her neck, a familiar presence in forming in her mind: Hel. Thea sighed to herself, feeling she couldn’t get a break and stood, brushing her hands on her clothes.
Thea parted her lips to respond, but a high-pitched noise echoed in her ears interrupting her. She gripped the side of her head and stumbled. Thea wrinkled her brow in frustration and slumped down on the ground from the sudden intense pain in her head.
The high-pitched tone only grew louder and made Thea cringe as she gritted her teeth in pain. She felt as if sharp claws were tearing into her mind and ripping through her soft flesh; and if this pain continued, she was sure her head would split in two. Her vision began to distort from the colorful blue sky to a dark, gray sky. What is happening? She thought dimly aware of the odd change.
***
When Clovis and the others emerged from the forest, they came upon the Aegean metropolis. The long huts crafted from gold and each hut w
as shaped differently in size than the last. There were several Aegon’s outside doing daily activities, while children played with each other.
“I don’t see her, Captain,” Lucinda said behind Clovis. The others were looking discreetly since the entire women’s tribe was topless.
“We’ll speak in the hut. Our Shaman should be present for us to see about your missing friend. Then, you may proceed to do something for me.” Shiva instructed Clovis, turning to face him.
“You’ve certainly done a good job maintaining the metropolis, Shiva. It’s grown since I last been here.”
“We strive to keep our defenses up. Our magic borders around the forest keep unruly visitors out – men like you are always popping their heads up. Are you still in contact with that pirate?” Shiva frowned as she mentioned Flint. When Clovis had been part of Flint’s crew, they had come in contact with Shiva and they didn’t part on the best terms.
“I’m not. Don’t worry. I haven’t seen him in almost four years. The last time, he was—” Clovis stopped speaking, making Shiva hum with her brow raised curiously. He wasn’t sure why the Roma girl, Thea, came into his mind but he suddenly felt a churning in his stomach. Admittedly, that isn’t guilt after all these years.
“Well, then that’s good. You’re a lot better of a man than he ever will be, one day I hope someone stabs him in the back . . . But we are here. Your crew can stay outside.”
The golden longhouse they’d stopped in from of was the place Aegean leaders would conduct business and meetings with other tribal leaders from the other side of the island. Unlike the other golden huts, this was triangular and large with six windows on the outside.
“We’ll be alright here, Captain,” Lucinda told him. “I’ll make sure to keep everyone else in line.”
“Speak for yourself,” Jennis called out. He and Corin-dole were already sitting down with a group of Aegeans who were playing a board game. Levin was leaning against one of the huts in the shade.