Sword

by JC Andrijeski

  It brought my fear back, too. It was no longer a fear of him, though.

  So much had changed for me since I’d seen him last. Both of us felt a million miles away from that night in Delhi… much less before Terian grabbed me out of that cabin in the mountains. I felt so disconnected from him in some ways, yet in others––

  Biting my tongue, I shut down that thought, too.

  I had to assume the worst.

  What I’d felt from him in the Barrier right after I got out of the tank was only a fraction of the story of who he was now. People were never the same in the Barrier as they were in person, I knew––whether human or seer. I needed to be prepared for the possibility that he wouldn’t have changed significantly from that night he’d mass-murdered a bunch of humans in Delhi.

  Remembering Vash’s words on the subject, I fought to harden my resolve.

  We were closer now.

  I could see him.

  I found myself looking at him, almost without my willing it. The closer we got, the harder it was to look away.

  He looked thinner.

  I’d expected that, but the difference wasn’t as extreme as I’d feared.

  His face had narrowed, appearing more angular, but the T-shirt he wore fit snug across his chest and shoulders, only looking looser around his waist and stomach. He’d obviously worked to build his weight back up, at least if he’d lost anywhere near as much as I had.

  I knew I was distracting myself, though, avoiding really seeing him.

  When I glanced up, his pale eyes were on my face.

  He seemed to take in the dress at a glance, but his eyes were back on mine in a heartbeat. His hair was longer again than the last time I’d seen him, and he wore a straight coat that looked expensive over dark jeans that did, as well.

  He looked really damned good, actually.

  When I thought it, I saw his expression flinch.

  Abruptly, he looked at the woman standing next to him. She’d always seemed tall to me before, but I noticed now that Revik still had a few inches on her.

  The seer guards leading our entourage halted. As one, they bowed to Revik and Voi Pai.

  So did Dorje, I noticed––and Baguen.

  Only Balidor remained standing as he was, arms at his sides.

  I glanced at Voi Pai. Only then did I notice her eyes on me. She looked at Balidor an instant later, only to return that predatory gaze back to mine.

  It occurred to me again, as I measured that stare, that she wasn’t my biggest fan.

  When I glanced at Revik, his expression had hardened once more. I saw his eyes flicker to Balidor, right before he spoke to Voi Pai.

  “May I address her?” he said.

  The woman bowed, her eyes holding a faint humor as they met mine.

  In that moment, I really hated her.

  “Of course, Illustrious Sword,” she said, indicating towards me.

  I stepped forward, but she held up a hand to me.

  “Wait to be asked, Esteemed Bridge.”

  Turning, Revik glared at her, his eyes holding murder. “Fuck you,” he snapped. “And keep your goddamned eyes below my wife’s.”

  In that moment, I could have kissed him.

  He looked at me, then, hesitating.

  His eyes were guarded again. I saw them flicker to Balidor, then return to mine.

  “Alyson… do you want to come with me?”

  “Yes,” I said, without hesitation.

  I saw a reaction on his face. He covered it with the mask a millisecond later, but it brought a sharp, almost debilitating pain to my chest.

  “Revik,” I said. “Please don’t hurt my friends. Please.”

  He looked at me. I saw him thinking behind the mask, but his eyes flickered to Balidor again. He held out his hand, his fingers extended to me.

  “Come here, Allie. Please.”

  “Promise me,” I said, holding my ground. “Promise me you won’t. Please.”

  His throat moved in a swallow. I saw him glance again at Balidor. Conflict whispered over his expression.

  “He’s a risk to you, Allie,” he said finally.

  “He’s not. None of them are. Please––”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Yes, I do! They’re my friends. Please trust me on this. They won’t hurt me again.”

  His jaw hardened more. He looked at me, then at Balidor. I saw his eyes grow colder as they studied the Adhipan leader’s gaze.

  “Would you shoot my wife again, if you thought it your duty?”

  “Revik, don’t—”

  “Yes,” Balidor said promptly.

  “Would you shoot her to get at me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Would you kill her, for the same reason?”

  “Yes,” Balidor said.

  “Goddamn it, ‘Dori!” I snapped, turning on him. “Shut up!”

  When I looked back at Revik, I saw anger in his eyes for real.

  “You want me to spare this piece of shit? Why, Allie?”

  “He’s my friend.” Feeling something off Revik, I glanced at Balidor. “Revik, he’s a friend. He’s not going to hurt me.”

  Revik’s voice turned cold. “Well, he hates me, so that’s new. Idealism I felt before. Duty. Fear. Disgust, even… but not hate.” He stared at the other male. “What changed, ‘Dori?” He gave me a hard look as he spoke the nickname.

  Balidor shook his head, clicking loudly.

  I stepped forward, holding out a hand to each of them.

  “Please,” I said. “Revik, please… I’m asking you. Don’t hurt my friends. Let this go. This is stupid. It’s beneath you. It’s beneath both of you.”

  He seemed about to speak, then didn’t.

  “Revik,” I said, taking another step towards him. “He’s not a threat to you. You’re my husband. I want to go with you.” I shook my head, clenching my jaw. “I won’t be in a position where they could hurt me, even if what Balidor said is true. Don’t do something that’s going to make it harder for us to work out our differences. Please.”

  That time, Revik looked at me, his colorless eyes like glass.

  I felt the light around him de-charge––enough that my shoulders relaxed slightly, but not entirely. I stepped closer to him, until his eyes left the others, focusing only on me. Once I was close enough, I realized I could see something in him, beyond the anger and frustration at me––beyond his anger at Balidor, and his reaction to seeing me in the flesh.

  I could see him again, I realized.

  A fissure had formed. Whatever it was, whatever had done it, it was letting more of him through. I saw the Revik I knew behind his eyes, like sparks of light in the dark.

  I found myself staring at what I saw, unable to look away, despite the anger that greeted me over it.

  He swallowed, studying me just as carefully.

  When I took another step towards him, he averted his gaze. His eyes swiveled to Voi Pai, who still stood next to him.

  Only then did I notice she’d bowed to me as Revik commanded.

  She stared at me, too, her expression holding a clinical interest. I saw a thread of covetousness there, as well––like I was an object she wanted, but hadn’t yet figured out how to afford. I truly didn’t want to know what her deal was with me.

  Whatever it was, it was starting to piss me off.

  I saw Revik’s jaw harden.

  “Take that fucking collar off her,” he said.

  Voi Pai’s bow deepened. “Of course, Illustrious Sword,” she murmured.

  Still bowing to keep her eyes below mine, she spoke in Mandarin to the group of servants standing behind her. The nearest of those stepped forward at once, holding a small, hand-held organic tool I recognized. Bowing to me nervously, he carefully fitted the collar I wore into the circular groove between two blades.

  He fumbled as he worked, fighting to keep his eyes below mine.

  Seconds later, he squeezed the handles together.

  There was
a faint crack in my ears––followed by a wetter tearing sound.

  The servant worked carefully to get the collar off. He pulled the prongs out of the holes it created in back of my neck, where a part of it had wrapped around my spine. I sucked in a breath, shuddering at the feel of the tentacle-like strands against bone.

  Then it was gone.

  My light slowly melted back around me. Like before, the change didn’t occur all at once. It was like the dimmer switch being turned up gradually in a room.

  I found myself standing in front of Revik, really seeing him.

  His eyes glowed faintly, and I saw emotion there, too. Grief stood below the anger, a confusion that felt paralyzing as he looked at me. I saw and felt so much of him, I couldn’t breathe.

  I hadn’t been imagining it; he was all over my light. He was everywhere, all around me.

  Without thinking, I crossed the few steps between us, and threw my arms around him.

  He flinched, taking a half-step back.

  For a moment he just stood there, breathing hard. Then, slowly, he held me in return, sliding his arms around me almost tentatively. For a long moment, neither of us moved.

  Then, just as slowly, he withdrew from the embrace.

  I saw him avoid my eyes as he looked out over the watching seers.

  “Allie.” He cleared his throat, glancing down at where I still gripped his jacketed arm. “Allie, I’ve asked them to provide an escort out of the City for you. Could you please meet me at the front gate? I won’t be long.”

  I felt my elation falter.

  “Revik––”

  “Please, Allie.”

  I followed his eyes, glancing at my friends. I paused on Jon, then Cass. I looked at Dorje, standing next to Jon––then did a double-take. Now that I had my sight back, I saw a cord of light running from him to Jon, as plain as day.

  I scanned it briefly. Then I scanned it with more intent.

  When I stopped, I saw Dorje smiling at me, even as he shrugged with one hand, taking Jon’s fingers in his.

  Jesus. Jon had a boyfriend. Why was I always the last to know?

  I looked again at Revik.

  “Please,” I said to him. “Come with me, Revik. Let’s both go. Together.”

  Hesitating, he looked at me.

  When he did, I saw tiredness in his eyes, mixed with emotions I still couldn’t quite pinpoint, that grew more complex the longer I stared at them. I saw him look at Jon, too, and frown when he saw him standing next to Dorje.

  His eyes moved to Cass and Baguen. Finally, he looked at Tenzi and Illeg.

  He didn’t look at Balidor.

  “Revik,” I said, softer. “Please, baby.” I paused, feeling him flinch at the endearment. “Please. Come with me.”

  “Trust me, Allie,” he said.

  He looked down, meeting my gaze. Swallowing, he touched my cheek, so lightly his fingers were gone before I felt them.

  “Trust me, Allie,” he said, softer.

  His eyes shifted to the gate behind where we stood. I followed his gaze, and saw the escort standing there in the shadows, waiting for me.

  “He’ll take you to the front gate,” Revik said. “Please. Trust me. I need you to go now. Someone’s waiting for you outside.”

  “Who?” I said.

  “A friend.”

  Swallowing, I gave my friends in the courtyard another look. “Revik—”

  “I won’t hurt them, Allie. I won’t. Please… trust me.”

  I hesitated, looking up at him.

  After another pause, I nodded, reluctant, feeling a fear come over me that clenched my fingers on Revik’s arm. Even knowing I put him in more danger by doing it, I risked a glance at Balidor.

  His light gray eyes met mine. His expression didn’t move.

  I looked up at Revik. I saw him looking at Balidor, too.

  “Revik—” I began.

  “Alyson,” he said, still staring at Balidor. “Go. Please.”

  I didn’t move. I watched his face, seeing in his eyes and light that same confused ebb and flow as he stared out over the courtyard. I felt him prodding my light, and for the first time, I felt the worry on him, and realized he might have other reasons for wanting me out of there.

  He didn’t trust Voi Pai to keep her word. He wanted me outside the gates.

  Hesitating a last instant, I looked at Jon. Turning, I let my eyes linger on Cass, realizing how long it had been since we’d really talked. My throat closed as it hit me I might never see them again. I smiled stiffly at Jon, trying to think of some way to signal something to him, to say something to either one of them that might mean something.

  Nothing came.

  In the end, I simply turned, aiming my feet for the seer escort waiting for me in the shadows of the red-painted arch.

  28

  LIMOUSINE

  I DON’T REMEMBER much until we reached the gardens.

  Outside the giant, U-shaped Meridian Gate, a lake of flowers bloomed down a low, rolling hill dotted by cows. Rows of vegetables and fruit trees stood on either side of a fenced enclosure. I saw a greenhouse, and beyond that, what looked like a stable.

  I walked the path in a daze, looking between the hanging willows, following birds as they darted back and forth in twisting clumps through the air. My light got lost in the multi-layered construct, in the profusion of life and presence around me. I think I was half-drunk with sensation after being strangled for so long by the collar.

  Absorbing and resonating with the unique qualities of the City’s light, I felt some regret, too, that I’d been forced to miss out on so much during our stay.

  Remembering my escort, I glanced over my shoulder, really looking at him for the first time.

  A male seer, he appeared in human years to be roughly in his late twenties, which meant he was probably Revik’s age, give or take a few decades. He wore a tunic embroidered with so much green and blue thread it was difficult to make out the gold cloth underneath. On his head, a high, square hat perched on top of black, braided hair.

  “What’s your name?” I asked him.

  “Maiwan, Esteemed Sister.”

  I nodded. “Maiwan, can you feel what is going on behind that wall? With my mate and your mistress?”

  He looked at me, his dark eyes nervous as he kept them carefully below mine. Since he was taller than me, it made him look a little like a giraffe with his long neck.

  “Esteemed Sister—” he began.

  “Can you?”

  “Only whispers of feeling, Esteemed Bridge. They are shielded, even from us.”

  “Well,” I said. “What are they whispering?”

  He clicked in mild distress, uncomfortable with my question, but also clearly uncomfortable with disobeying me. When I let him feel a pulse of my anger, he began speaking, tripping over his words.

  “They are arguing, mistress,” he said.

  “Who is arguing?”

  “My mistress and your mate. Also the Adhipan leader.” Seeing me frown, he amended his words. “They are… negotiating, Esteemed Sister. They are coming to terms.”

  “Has my husband killed anyone?” I said.

  “No, Esteemed—”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I am very sure, Bridge Alyson.”

  I exhaled. Rubbing the gunshot wound on my chest, I began walking again. Maiwan trailed after me, his light still exuding discomfort.

  “What are they arguing about?” I said finally, seeing that we were approaching another red brick gate up ahead.

  “I couldn’t say, Esteemed Bridge.”

  “As in you won’t say? Or you don’t know?”

  “I don’t know, Esteemed—”

  “All right.” I waved off the title as he stammered to get it out. “Do you know who I’m meeting outside?”

  “No.” He paused. “I do not know him, mistress. He is male. A seer. Significant structure, but I would not like to hazard a guess as to rank. He carries the mark of Syrimne. He is one
of his.”

  “Well, I figured that much,” I muttered, losing the battle to hide either my nerves or my irritation.

  We reached the back side of the gate that formed the last wall between the City and outside. I could feel greater Beijing vibrating just on the other side, off-key and out of tune with what lived inside the City’s walls. Exhaust fumes wafted through the nearest opening. Even the air seemed grittier, less clear, despite the greenery surrounding us on both sides.

  We were right at the dividing line, I realized. Looking around me, I felt another whisper of regret. A part of me didn’t want to leave.

  Maiwan stopped walking. He folded his hands in front of the blue-sashed robe, his eyes still carefully below mine.

  “Are we waiting here?” I asked him.

  “This is as far as I go, Esteemed Bridge,” he said, apologetic. “You are to go outside.”

  I looked between him and the doorway. Just then, a black-sashed seer emerged from the shadowed arch, her hair wound up around her head and fastened with a beaded comb. Her dark eyes studied me carefully, but she kept them well below mine, as well.

  “Esteemed Bridge,” she said politely in accented Prexci. “Would you please come with me, sister?”

  I tensed, looking between them warily. “I’d prefer to wait for my husband here. He said he’d meet me at the gate.”

  “He has arranged for an escort outside,” the black-sashed seer said carefully. “Regretfully, we cannot allow Syrimne’s escort into the City, Esteemed Sister. Therefore, he is waiting for you outside.” She paused. “…As per the Illustrious Sword’s instructions, Holy One. He was quite clear that he wished you outside the City’s gates.”

  I glanced back over my shoulder at the expanse of gardens, the bare glimpse of the Meridian Gate in the distance. I looked back at the black-sashed infiltrator, taking in her sharp light, and briefly, I felt another whisper of regret. Apart from my own people, and Voi Pai herself, I really hadn’t had to deal with that particular frequency of aleimi in awhile.

  On the other hand, that sharpness in her light felt familiar to me––far more familiar than the artificial environment I was leaving behind.

  “All right,” I said. “I guess vacation is over.”

  The seer cocked her head at me, a smile on her full lips.