"Teleported?" questioned Feera. She opened her mouth to ask something else when Mace interrupted her.
"We need to find her," he said, standing up. "What if she already found Wilson? What if she needs our help?"
The young woman looked down at her feet and blushed. "Well...there is one place we haven't looked..."
"Out with it," demanded Simon as he stood up as well.
Feera looked up into his brown eyes, a blush creeping up on her face. "There is this house that doesn't belong to anybody...and that's the place where Wilson and I slept together."
Simon and Mace looked at each other before looking back down at the woman. "Show us where it is."
Wilson smiled down at Jenevi who sat helplessly before him. He drew his dagger out of its sheath on his belt and said, "I need your heart for a friend of mine."
"And what exactly do you need my heart for?" asked Jenevi, eyes still burning with rage.
The blue-eyed Magus started to pace back and forth. "You see, my dear, some Magus are lucky to have powers that can stay consistent throughout their entire existence, and there are some Magus whose powers deplete the more they use them. You and I are the lucky Magus. My friend, however, is not."
"That still doesn't answer my question!" shouted the young woman as she flared her nostrils. She was tired of Wilson not cutting to the chase.
The young man scowled at her. "It was discovered long ago that when a Magus whose powers don't last forever eats the heart of a Magus with unlimited power, they become powerful for a short time. Their powers will deplete if they keep using it, so they'll have to keep recharging. The last and only heart that my friend has eaten was from the powerful Tenebrae Magus who was executed years ago."
"And where is your friend now?" Jenevi tried to free her tied hands from behind the chair without Wilson noticing. She felt the stinging of the coarse rope against her skin and tried to bite back a hiss of pain when her wrists started to feel raw.
Wilson turned to her, a smile on his face. "She is in hiding right now. Her and her husband have connections all over the kingdom. Connections that will protect them."
"Why is she in hiding?"
The young man shook his head and tsked. "You think I'm stupid? You think I don't know you're stalling so you can wiggle your way through the rope?"
Jenevi's hands stopped moving as she eyed Wilson who slowly walked behind her.
"Look what you've done to your wrists!" he exclaimed. Jenevi's wrists were bloodied and scratched. "Oh dear, oh dear," said Wilson with a shake of his head. "Looks like I have to tighten these. Wouldn't want you escaping." With a pull, Wilson tied the rope so tight around Jenevi's bloody wrists that it cut off circulation. Her hands were starting to turn purple.
"I'll get out of this, Wilson," growled Jenevi. "And when I do, I'm going to kill you."
Wilson gripped his dagger tight as he walked around the chair to face Jenevi once again. He got close to her with the tip of the weapon touching her chest. "I hope you lived a fulfilling life, Jenevi," he whispered as he slowly pushed the dagger in her body.
Jenevi bit her tongue as the blade broke skin. She stared into Wilson's eyes and said, "And I hope you rot in Rykra's flaming pit." She brought her head back and then threw it forward, making contact with Wilson's face.
He cried out in pain and dropped the dagger as he stumbled backward with his hands clutching his face. Blood poured out of his broken nose. "You bitch!" he cried. He staggered back towards the young woman but stopped and kneeled on the ground with a loud groan.
Outside of the house, Feera, Mace, and Simon arrived at the front door. When they heard someone inside, Simon immediately busted the door open with his shoulder. "Jenevi!" he exclaimed once he saw the young woman tied up.
The three rushed over. Mace and Simon undid Jenevi's bindings while Feera stared down at Wilson who continued to groan in pain, kneeling down in his puddle of blood.
"Wilson..." said Feera quietly. "What did you do?"
The young man looked up, surprised. "Feera?" he questioned. "What are you-"
"I'm going to kill you!" growled Jenevi as the ropes fell around her. She slowly stood up, her face contorted in anger. "I'm going to fucking kill you!"
"Jenevi, no!" cried Feera as she lunged towards the Magus. She held onto her waist to pull her back, but Jenevi was too strong. She turned to the two men behind her and yelled, "do something!"
Wilson was slowly backing up and stopped once his back met the wall. He was panting heavily with blood and sweat dripping down his face. The rage radiating off of Jenevi was enough to send men fleeing.
Jenevi yelled in frustration once Mace and Simon started to hold her back as well.
"Calm down!" said Mace for stood between Jenevi and Wilson as he held onto the front the young woman's shoulders. "He is no good to us dead! We need him, remember?"
"You need to focus!" yelled Simon behind Jenevi with his arms hooked under her shoulders. "Don't kill him!"
Wilson started to shrink once his eyes began to glow brilliantly.
"He's going to get away!" cried Jenevi.
Wilson was now so small that he disappeared into his clothing, just like the night when he attacked Jenevi. A small, platinum blond mouse with glowing blue eyes crawled though out of the fabric and started to scurry away.
"Wilson!" cried Feera, tears streaming down her face as she placed her hands on her stomach. "I'm pregnant!"
The mouse stopped in its tracks. Everyone in the room seemed frozen for that moment.
"I'm pregnant..." repeated Feera in quiet whisper as she peered down at the floor.
The mouse started to slowly morph back into a human. Wilson, unclothed, was on all fours. He stood up and slowly turned around, dry blood still covering his face. "What?" he questioned, looking at Feera with wide eyes.
Jenevi calmed down enough to the point where Simon and Mace felt safe enough to unhand her.
"You heard me," stated Feera, looking up at Wilson. "We're going to have a child."
Wilson walked over to his lover, not even flinching when he passed by Jenevi. When he got to Feera, he took her in his arms and buried his head into her hair. "I can't believe it," he whispered as his eyes watered. "I'm going to be a father."
"Now what?" whispered Mace.
Jenevi continued to stare, conflicted about the situation. Rage still burned inside of her, but it was diminishing as she watched Wilson with Feera. He kissed her all over her face as she laughed. "Maybe now he'll answer my questions," replied the Magus.
Hearing this, Wilson turned back around. "I'll answer your questions in due time. But for now...I just want to be alone with Feera, if that's alright with you."
They all stared at Jenevi, waiting for her answer. Her eyes were narrowed as she thought carefully. Finally, she shook her head. "Fine," she said. "But if you disappear-"
"I won't," interrupted the young man as he held his lover's hand. "I won't run anymore."
Jenevi nodded her head and was followed out by her traveling companions.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Jenevi was in her room when the sun set. She was on her bed, looking through the window. She listened for the sound of Wilson and immediately regretted her decision when she realized that him and Feera were still in the abandoned house. Simon was eating dinner in the kitchen with Tishka and Yever, and Mace was sitting on the porch with the Lulu bird in his hands. The Magus shut her ears to the world and picked up a book that was sitting on the bed.
"Tales of the Magus," she read out loud. She borrowed it from Yever when she saw it in his small library downstairs. Almost all the people in the kingdom could read and write, and many thought it was trivial.
Jenevi leaned her back against the wooden bed frame and opened the book to chapter one.
The Lulu bird in Mace's hands was small and green. She had big brown eyes and a long white beak. He glanced up at Mace expectantly, waiting for him to say someth
ing.
"This is the first time I've done this," whispered Mace with hesitation. He had so many things he wanted to tell his father but didn't know where to start. He also knew that giving too many things for the Lulu bird to repeat would make it confused, mixing up the message or not repeating the majority of it.
"Father," Mace started. The Lulu bird's eyes grew twice its size. "I am doing well. I'm sorry I haven't contacted you sooner, but I was apparently in Aboles for two years without realizing. I am currently in Alte, and I am still traveling with Jenevi and this guy we picked up in Petram City. He's been teaching me how to fight, and I'm doing pretty well. I hope you receive this bird and that you're doing alright. With love, Mace."
The bird's eyes went back to normal and let out a high pitched chirp, letting Mace know she copied the message.
"Please send it to Peter Baxton, blacksmith of the Shining City as fast as you can."
The bird let out another chirp.
Before Mace let the bird go, though, Yever slammed the front door open, took the bird out of Mace's hands, and went back inside saying, "Disregard that message at once."
High pitched chirp.
Mace stared at the door, hands still up as if he continued to hold the Lulu bird. He was speechless.
Feera walked up the snowy front steps with a smile on her face. She noticed Mace and came over gleefully, but stopped when she saw his distress.
"What's wrong?" she asked. "Did you get to send your father the Lulu bird?"
"I-I was about to," the young blacksmith started. "I said my message and everything, but your dad came out and snatched the bird out of my hands. I have no idea why."
The young woman's face turned red in anger. "How rude!" she exclaimed. "I'm going to go in there and talk to him. I am so sorry, Mace." She stomped into the house and headed for the kitchen where she heard voices. Her mother and Simon were sitting at the table having a bowl of stew. "Where is father?" she wondered. "He has done something unbelievably rude to Mace."
"What happened?" questioned Simon.
Before Feera responded, her mother cut her off. "He has a crucial message to send, my dear. I'm sure he didn't mean to do anything rude."
"But he did! Mace was promised a Lulu bird!"
"What happened?" repeated Simon.
Feera turned to him and said, "Mace was about to send his father a message when my dad took the bird and left. Unbelievable!"
They both turned to Tishka who was calmly sipping her stew. When she gave no response, Feera rushed out to find her father. She went out the back where their jubble were kept. Upon opening the door, she heard the winter chickens make their unmistakable jub jub sound. Their buggy eyes bulged out of their tiny heads. They were small but were obese. They wobbled around the lot, pecking at the snow. Yever stood in the middle of it all with his hands cupped to his face. Once Feera approached, he released the Lulu bird and it flew away.
"Father," started Feera sternly. "Why would you do something like that? And with no explanation? Who did you send the Lulu bird to?"
Yever turned around. His eyes, usually cheerful, appeared surprisingly stern. "Something came up, dear girl. I had to send a Lulu bird to your aunt Maranda back at Procella City."
"What came up? Why didn't you say anything to Mace?"
The old man narrowed his brown eyes sternly as he stared down his daughter who was starting to feel uncomfortable. "It's not your business, Feera. Now go eat something and then rest."
Jenevi came down the steps after she heard yelling. "What is going on?" she asked once she got into the kitchen. Mace was standing next to Simon while Tishka quietly ate. Simon gestured his head to the window that peered out to the backyard.
The Magus approached it and was able to hear every word between the father and daughter. Yever came inside first, and even more tension filled the air. He went up to his wife and whispered into her ear.
"We need to talk," Jenevi heard.
Tishka looked up at Jenevi with narrowed eyes and then back at her husband. She got up, excused herself, and the two went into the small library.
"I'm so sorry about all that," said Feera when she came back inside. "Why don't we go to the tavern? If we're lucky, they may have a Lulu bird available."
"That sounds like an excellent idea," said Simon, wanting to get out of the house as soon as possible.
The four walked through the snow again, though most of the roads were now clear. Feera kept apologizing, and Mace kept saying it was alright.
Jenevi strained her ears to listen to Tishka and Yever's private conversation, but it was silent in the house, save the shuffling of papers.
Realizing what they were doing, Jenevi narrowed her eyes. They're writing to each other, she thought.
People were starting to notice Jenevi's eyes glowing. They stopped and stared in awe, questioning what kind of Magus she was.
"It seems as though you have some fans," commented Feera. Jenevi ignored her and continued walking.
The tavern they arrived at was large and well lit. People poured in and out, laughing and having fun.
Mace let out a sigh of happiness when they stepped into the building. "It's so warm in here," he said.
Feera led them to the bar where a largely built woman stood behind it. She had curly red hair, green eyes, and a significantly noticeable mole on her right cheek.
"Hey, darling!" she said once Feera leaned against the bar. "Where have you been hiding? Who are they?" she gestured towards the trio behind her but continued to stare at Jenevi. "A Magus!"
"These travelers are staying at my place for a little while," explained Feera. She gestured to each of them. "Simon, Mace, and Jenevi. She's a Tenebrae Magus. They arrived in the blizzard. Could have died."
The large woman looked at the travelers and laughed. "Welcome to the Alte tavern!" she exclaimed with enthusiasm. "My name is Pam, pleased to meet you."
"Hello," said Simon and Mace in unison. Jenevi nodded her head without saying a word.
"Do you have a Lulu bird available?" asked Feera. "My father is using ours."
"Actually..." started Pam as she turned her back. She pulled out two bird cages with two Lulu birds inside. "These guys are ready for use."
"How much?" asked Simon, seeming eager.
"Five gold coins each. Lucky for you, my birds are fast."
Simon took out the coin pouch and handed the woman ten gold pieces.
"You're going to send one too?" questioned Mace with a brow raised.
The former knight nodded his head grimly. "Yes. To Zeena. I'm sure she's furious with me."
The two men received their birds and headed outside. Mace once again told the Lulu bird his message exactly how it was the last time. He let it go and it flew high up in the air.
They all stared at Simon who has still not given his bird his message. He was staring at it, unmoving.
"Simon? Do you need some time alone?" asked Feera as she placed a friendly hand on his shoulder.
The former knight nodded his head. "It's just...what I want to tell her is a little embarrassing."
He walked to the side of the tavern and sat on a crate. The small green bird cupped in his hands looked up at him with buggy brown eyes.
Simon sighed heavily. "Zeena...It's Simon. I'm sorry I haven't sent word sooner. I was trapped in Aboles for two years. I'm in Alte right now with Jenevi and Mace. I want you to know that I haven't stopped thinking about you. Never have and never will. You're my maln'ikta. I love you, and please don't forget that."
The bird's eyes went back to normal and it chirped. Simon released it from the cage and watched it fly away, but continued to sit on the crate even after the bird was long gone.
"Hey," came Jenevi's voice as she walked around the corner of the tavern. "Want to come with us while I train a little bit?"
Simon glanced up at her and forced a smile, though Jenevi saw right through it. "Sure," he said as he jumped up, tryi
ng to fake enthusiasm. "You didn't get to practice much on our way here, anyway."
"I couldn't, actually," replied the Magus, looking at her side. "It was all just too much."
The former knight chuckled and placed a hand on the young woman's shoulder. "I know, Jen."
The four headed outside of the city walls. The light coming from the two moons were enough to light their path up the mountain, but Jenevi's glowing eyes helped made the way look more bright.
"How far are we headed?" wondered Mace as he walked close to Jenevi's side. They awed the beautiful snowy mountains and how the white powder shined from the light of the moons which appeared larger than usual.
"Not too far now," responded Feera, lifting her dress up slightly. "Just over by the crescent tree."
Up ahead there was a wide tree with its base forming the shape of a crest. Its trunk was white and gray, and its branches stretched out far with icicles hanging down from it.
"It's beautiful," commented Jenevi. Once she got close enough, the green light from her eyes reflected off of the icicles above her, making it glow green as well.
"Woah," said Simon as he stood beneath a giant icicle. "That's kind of cool."
"I wouldn't stand under one of those if I were you," warned Feera. "Icicles kill more people here than snow leapers do."
Simon sidestepped away.
"There aren't a lot of animals out there, right?" questioned Mace as he scanned the area for any other sign of life.
"I can feel some nearby," said Jenevi. She closed her eyes and inhaled cold air through her nostrils, and then breathed out through her mouth, releasing a cloud of ice from her lips. "But they are far enough. I don't think I'll run into any of them."
"Wait," stopped Feera. "How far can you travel? I thought it was only a few feet."
Jenevi nodded. "I haven't been able to go far, but I know I can go further." She closed her eyes and ears to the world around her. She wanted to go forward. Suddenly, she felt two heartbeats right in front of her that weren't there before.
Opening her eyes, she was face to face with what she assumed were snow leaper cubs. They were so small that she could cup one perfectly into her hands. Their fur was as brilliantly white as the snow's, and their little pink noses wiggled. Their ears appeared more massive than their body, but they consistently twitched, listening to everything around them. Instead of eyes, they had small, empty indents, but Jenevi knew all too well you didn't need your eyes to see.
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