Passages (Alternate Worlds Book 1)

by Taylor Leigh

  The tower’s surface was polished stone, so shiny Victoria could see a perfect reflection of the stars above her. There were several large, strange machines ticking away at the top, fixed on the sky. This is where Victoria was stationed now: looking into the viewfinder of one of the extraordinary machines, with Andrew at her feet, scrawling on a very large, detailed piece of parchment.

  Victoria watched Andrew make a note on the parchment next to one of the drawn stars. He scribbled in some numbers, then looked at his timepiece. ‘Go check the machine again.’

  Obediently, Victoria peered inside. Nothing but a black void met her eyes. ‘There’s no star here,’ she reported.

  ‘What? That’s odd. There should be a star there, Alpha Rhosyn. Are you sure you’re reading the numbers? Give me the coordinates.’

  She read the numbers out loud. The sound of Andrew’s quill on the parchment told her he got them down. She sat back down next to him and stared at the paper. There were so many stars he had already drawn out. Scrabia and Scottorr were the main attraction on the paper, dominating the sketch. She looked to the drawing of Scrabia, feeling an uncomfortable wave of unhappiness. How had she lived there for so long, when a world like this was just across the void? She shook her head. If she’d known she would have left years ago.

  ‘Can I ask you something?’ she said after a moment of silence. He was still scowling at the star he’d just marked out, expression disturbed. The only noise besides the breeze was Tollin and Molly’s hushed conversation from across the flat, polished surface. They were hunched over Andrew’s book on Scrabia, talking excitedly.

  ‘I suppose,’ Andrew said, pushing himself up to look at her. ‘We have fifteen minutes till the next star appears, assuming there are no more irregulars.’

  ‘What happens to me when the book’s done?’

  Andrew knit his brows. ‘I hadn’t thought about it.’

  He hadn’t thought about it. He was the one who held her fate in his hands and he hadn’t given it a thought. She had thought about it—dreaded the ending of the book ever since it began. Why didn’t his absent-mindedness surprise her?

  ‘Well,’ she swallowed. ‘What happens to the book? To you?’

  ‘I’ll send it off to Academia, the capitol city of learning on Scottorr. Once they’ve reviewed it, they will most assuredly invite me to live there.’ He smiled smugly. ‘Then I’ll be free of the mud-hole I live in now. I’ll be among people that are as clever as myself…well, almost. I don’t suppose anyone is that brilliant, besides Tollin.’

  ‘Oh,’ Victoria sighed. ‘So you’ll leave.’

  ‘Of course. And don’t worry; we’ll get the book done before the year is over.’

  Victoria turned her head to one side, confused. ‘Why does that matter?’

  ‘At the end of the year when the planets realign. That’s when you go home. I’m trying to calculate when exactly that will be now.’

  Victoria blinked and glanced away. ‘Of course…guess we better get a move on, then.’ She felt her stomach sinking. ‘I’ll go check the machine again.’

  She stood up as quickly as she could; not wanting Andrew to see her tears welling. She needn’t have worried; Andrew was engrossed with his parchment again.

  * * * * *

  Molly stared wistfully up at the shining golden-white glow in the sky, unsure of what she was looking for. The light always filled her with a nostalgic feeling she couldn’t explain. A conversation she couldn’t recall echoed through her head. Again, she felt the loss and sadness; like there was someone she’d lost who was calling out to her, distressed and alone. And something else was creeping out there in the stars. Some black menace slowly circling closer. Tonight it seemed amplified.

  Tollin was oblivious to her ruminations. He was propped up against one of the humming machines, studying hard over the notes Andrew had written about the religious ceremonies of the Denizens, a pair of battered golden spectacles perched on his narrow nose.

  ‘It’s just so beautiful. All of it up there,’ Molly sighed.

  Tollin glanced up at her over the rim of his glasses to the light and stars ‘What? Oh yes, it is very pretty.’

  ‘It’s a bit funny, but sometimes I feel like it’s calling my name, like there’s something I’m forgetting.’

  Tollin put the book down. ‘The light?’

  Molly blushed. ‘I guess. I don’t know. I just…have you ever seen it before?’

  His expression grew more closed. Something about the subject had shut him down. She found it shocking Tollin would have any forbidden topics.

  Molly bit her lip, knowing she was pressing her luck. ‘Have you seen…a woman? Made of light?’

  He glanced away, sighing heavily. ‘I’ll admit, I’ve seen strange things, things I can’t explain. There’s a lot out there, Molly.’

  Molly smiled at him. ‘Bet you’ve seen a good deal of it.’

  Tollin searched the sky. ‘Well, wouldn’t say that. Space travel isn’t going to be possible here in some time, I should imagine.’

  ‘But what about all of this stuff?’ Molly gestured round to the machines. ‘Certainly seems like someone’s been doing something.’

  ‘Yes,’ Tollin mused. ‘Well, there are exceptions to everything.’

  Molly thought that over. ‘But you have been places, strange places, haven’t you?’

  Tollin nodded. ‘Could say that. Yep.’

  Molly smiled. ‘You should write a book about it someday. I’d love to read it. Even just seeing Scrabia would be amazing. Victoria is like something out of a dream. She’s just so…well, I guess I was expecting something more alien.’

  ‘Oh, believe me, there’s weirder out there.’

  Molly sighed. ‘Well, when you write your book, then I’ll know.’

  Tollin stared ahead for a moment, then raised an eyebrow and glanced back to her. ‘Doubt I’d get around to that. But,’ he drew out the last word, eyes studying her face, ‘you could come with me.’

  Molly felt her cheeks reddening. ‘Come with you? No, I couldn’t do that! I’ve got responsibilities here, things I have to do. I’m the healer—do you really mean that?’

  Tollin grinned. ‘I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it. You’re a bright wee lass; use your noggin, I like that. Not to mention you’re handy when it comes to healing, and I do get rather lonely now and then. Be nice for some company on my exploits.’ He studied her meaningfully.

  Molly ran her fingers through her hair. His stare was intense, achingly so. Her brain was already screaming her acceptance to his invitation. ‘Oh, no, I couldn’t…I just couldn’t…Where would you go?’

  He smiled. ‘I don’t know. Anywhere. Everywhere. Victoria needs help back on Scrabia. This spore mess needs to be stopped and I seem to be the only one who knows a thing about it.’

  ‘Is that what you do? Just go around helping people?’

  ‘I wouldn’t say that’s my main mission. I help when I see a need, and when those whom are in need ask. I don’t put up with evil pushing people around.’

  ‘Is Scrabia asking you?’

  ‘No. But they’re too far gone to ask. I can’t just stand by.’ He lifted his deep eyes to her. ‘So, are you going to help?’

  Molly bit her bottom lip. ‘Might be crazy for saying this, but yeah, of course I am. Can’t imagine doing anything else. Not after spending these last few months with you.’

  He beamed, freckles standing out in the golden-white light.

  Victoria stood up suddenly. ‘Do you hear that?’

  The rest of the group paused. It was not exactly a quiet night. Owls, crickets and all other nightlife were out and announcing their presence, making it difficult to single out exactly what Victoria was referring to.

  ‘What?’ Andrew asked, a frown beginning to darken his face.

  ‘That! Don’t you hear—?’

  ‘Shhh!’ Tollin brought his hands to his face in a hiss. ‘Don’t. Say. A. Word.’

  There. A beating. St
eady and quick. Over and over.

  A loud whoop, inhuman, yet nothing but human, broke through the wood. More cries followed. Then a loud, mocking howl. Laughter.

  The noises were coming from everywhere, some sounded far off, some just beyond the trees. A fire sprang to life at the edge of the forest. Then another, farther off.

  Andrew said, ‘Blaiden.’

  Tollin stared into the darkness. He swallowed. ‘We better get inside. Now.’

  They moved closer together, looking out into the night.

  ‘The Blaiden are on the move,’ Tollin said darkly. ‘And they know we’re here.’

  They watched the fires, growing larger in the night. The gleeful howls tore through the forest like a knife, unnatural and wrong. And then it came, like the thunder after the lightning, shaking the wood and everyone to their core. A roar from a throat so deep the owner must have been gigantic. The Blaiden broke into a wild chorus of insane cries as the rumble ended, devoid of the fear that was crawling into the hearts of the four standing on top of the tower of the keep.

  Molly unconsciously grabbed Tollin’s hand and pulled closer to him, begging desperately for his logic to make sense of the insanity around them.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  They were back at the lodge. With a break in the rain they had decided it was time to pack up. The fires were growing more numerous each night and the noises kept creeping closer. A storm was brewing, Tollin said, and it had nothing to do with the weather. They had to get out. Victoria wasn’t sure what that meant for Tollin’s desire to find the source of the spores, but Andrew had made it clear: no-one was to leave the Tartan side of the lake. She had no qualms with that.

  Tollin had taken to putting some distance between himself and Andrew. The two were in disagreement over the search for the spores and Tollin finally seemed to decide for himself that Andrew was no longer someone to bother with.

  Tollin had exchanged a few simple, heated words with Andrew on the way back to Elk Lake, and by the look in his eyes, Victoria could tell that his view of Andrew had changed. There was a disappointment now; he looked at Andrew now as he would something useless to him, uncaring. She silently hoped that he didn’t view her the same way.

  Victoria had decided that if it ever came down to it, she would side with Andrew. He was right, after all—being in error didn’t seem possible for him. Going back across the lake and stirring something up with the Blaiden was stupid, but after all that Tollin had done for her— drugging the Denizens, bringing her to Scottorr, covering for her—she didn’t want to betray him. Being torn two different directions was agonising.

  Andrew had left Victoria alone since they had been back, three long days ago. He had fallen into several fits—more than he usually had—and had irritably locked himself in his room with a pile of books, sinking once again into one of his black moods. Victoria had taken it upon herself to work on the Scrabian history and the village rounds since Andrew had abandoned her. When his melancholy mood swings hit there was nothing she could do but wait it out.

  So, for the most part alone, despite when Tollin and Molly kept her company, she had been writing down all the childhood stories she could remember. Andrew had said all myths came from some truth, so she decided there couldn’t be much harm.

  She sat now in the library, quietly working. Nan was sitting in a chair across from her, stoically knitting a striped red scarf for Andrew. Victoria found the gesture rather surprising, considering the relationship the two had.

  Victoria was just finishing the story of Queen Feilldoria and King Tor when Nan spoke up, out of the blue.

  ‘Andrew seems to have taken a shine to you. Never seen him react to someone the way he does you.’

  Victoria smiled politely, not letting her surprise show. ‘He doesn’t have many friends, does he?’

  Nan laughed bitterly. ‘With the way he is? Not a friend to speak of as far as I know.’

  Victoria winced slightly at the words. ‘Has he always been…that way?’

  Nan raised her eyes to the ceiling. ‘Lor, from an early age we knew he was different. Was never normal, always completely withdrawn from the world. Wouldn’t socialise with anyone. Didn’t like being held at all, but he never cried. He was always such a strange one. Couldn’t leave him alone without him trying to hurt himself or do something dangerous.’ Nan looked oddly compassionate. ‘Didn’t speak till he was four. When he finally did start, we realised we had a savant on our hands. Didn’t know what to do with him. He was still so destructive and strange. He hides it better these days but you still see it every now and again in him. Sometimes he slips up.’

  Victoria nodded. ‘I’ve noticed that. Sometimes he doesn’t seem to be himself.’ She bit her lip, struggling with a question that had been plaguing her for months. ‘Has he ever been in any relationships with anyone?’ Nan’s eyebrows rose, so she added quickly, ‘I’m just curious because he doesn’t seem the type.’

  Nan chuckled. ‘Lor, no! And thank goodness. As far as I know he’s never even kissed a girl.’ She sounded scandalised. ‘Of course, I could be completely mistaken. He’s a very secretive boy. I can’t imagine it would end well if he did end up with anyone. He’s selfish; you’ve seen that, and so demanding. It wouldn’t last. Only takes, never gives. He’s one to love and leave, I shouldn’t wonder, not that he can love.’

  Victoria nodded, gazing down at the page of her book. She felt her cheeks growing hot.

  Nan looked at her sadly. ‘I wish it was Thedric you’d grown close to, instead of Andrew.’

  The words startled Victoria. ‘Why?’

  ‘Because he’s such a problem, so hard-hearted, and his condition is only going to get worse.’ Nan shook her head and went back to her knitting with a dramatic sigh.

  She sat in silence, staring down at the page she’d just finished without seeing, partly wondering if Nan were right when a loud BAM! came from somewhere in the lodge, causing her to nearly fall out of her seat.

  Victoria looked up from her writing in surprise. Her eyes locked with Nan’s, silently asking if she’d really just heard the loud noise. BAM! it came again.

  ‘What was—?’ Victoria asked, feeling a rising alarm.

  Nan was already on her feet. ‘I don’t know, but it sounded as if it came from Andrew’s room!’ Victoria was on her feet after Nan, running down the hall. ‘What new devilry has he come up with this time?’ Nan moaned as yet another loud BAM! echoed through the halls.

  ‘Do you think he’s all right?’ Victoria gasped.

  ‘He won’t be, soon as I’m through with him! Devil child, giving me a heart-attack every living day!’

  ‘Things are never boring around here with him, are they?’

  Nan looked up to the ceiling as they reached Andrew’s door. ‘I pray for boring! Haven’t had a day of it yet, not since he learnt to walk.’

  Four more loud explosions came from inside Andrew’s room. Victoria, half terrified, half curious, opened the door.

  Andrew was sitting in his windowsill, languidly dangling an arm outside, his head tilted back as he stared up at the ceiling. The room was full of smoke. Victoria felt a tense feeling in her gut as she watched Andrew slowly raise his arm again and aim a shiny metal cylinder to some distant point outside. He squeezed his finger and another loud BAM! went off. There were several terrified screams from outside. His lips pulled up into an almost self-satisfied smile.

  ‘Lor—Andrew, what in the moons do you think you are doing?’ Nan shouted, pushing past Victoria.

  Victoria followed Nan inside and stared at Andrew, who gave them a rather sour look. Nan threw the other windows open, trying to fan out some of the thick smoke.

  ‘Damn bird singing outside my window. Giving me a headache.’

  Victoria raised her eyebrows. ‘And shooting that thing off is better for your head?’

  He ignored her and puffed himself up with pride. ‘You asked me to be more creative so I invented something. Look, it’s like a cross
bow but you put in these little brass balls and some of this exploding powder and—’ He fired the weapon again, causing Nan to shout. More shrieks came from outside. ‘Needs a little work, however. Aim isn’t quite right.’

  He turned lost in thought, as if he’d forgotten they were there.

  ‘You’re shooting that thing off into a crowded street! Don’t you realise you could have hurt someone! Andrew, shame on you! Especially creating something horrible like that! As if we don’t have enough weapons around here!’

  Andrew glowered.

  ‘Don’t you dare punish me with one of your tantrums now, young man! I’ve had just about enough of you this week. Now put that bloody thing down before you hurt someone!’

  Andrew stood. ‘Fine.’ He tossed the weapon to Victoria. She yelped in surprise as she caught it and held it gingerly, not sure if it was going to go off. ‘Relax,’ he growled. ‘It’s empty.’

  He strode for the door, grabbing his coat with a swipe.

  Victoria glanced down at the weapon and set it down carefully on Andrew’s bed. She cast Nan an apologetic glance, and then dashed out the door after him.

  Andrew was barefoot but was marching fast down the steps of the veranda. He stepped down to the sandy ground and sucked in a deep breath, then started viciously gnawing on his nails. Victoria cautiously tromped down the stairs after him.

  ‘Hey, you all right?’ she asked quietly.

  Andrew stuffed his hands into his deep coat pockets. He didn’t turn round. ‘I feel as if everything I’ve striven for all this time will be for nothing.’

  Victoria was taken aback by his statement. ‘What?’ she gaped. ‘Why would you even say that?’

  Andrew turned round then. His normally bright eyes were bleak. ‘My attacks are getting worse. More regular. I can feel it. It hurts more than it used to…It’s like something is inside of me. I’m dying. It’s never really bothered me before. It’s always been that distant fate for me. I’ve never thought on it. Now, however, I don’t know how to explain it, but I have something to live for and I…can’t.’