Lifting her hand to open the door, she hesitated and looked over her shoulder at the slumbering girl, and then she bowed her head and opened the door.
“Verddra.” The sound of her name snapped Verddra's gaze up, and she saw Lorrek standing before her, leaning against the opposite wall with his arms crossed—apparently he had been waiting there for a long time.
She scowled at him and stepped into the hall, willing the door to close before Lorrek could see inside. Yet she saw him look over her shoulder and take note of the patient on the bed a moment before the door slid shut, and he locked eyes with her and frowned. “Who is that?”
“That is none of your concern—” She tried to move past him, but Lorrek stepped into her path.
“She is your daughter—the one you told me about, the one you call 'little fawn'—isn't she?” Verddra knew by the look in his eyes that he didn't need confirmation; he already knew.
She narrowed her eyes. “What are you doing here? This is a restricted area for authorized individuals only.”
“You mean this authorization?” Lorrek held up a keycard in his hand, and Verddra wanted to snap it in half when she saw it. He smiled and slipped it back into his tunic. “I am a supervisor of this operation, remember?”
For that moment, Verddra hated Lorrek and the way he managed to always find and exploit the exceptions to the rules, but she knew he wouldn't let her go now without explanation. With a nod, she motioned for him to follow, and he fell into step without a word.
She led him out of the confining corridor, back to the main activity of the building, past the cafeteria, and into a huge dome shaped chamber that housed a forest within the building. Full trees grew in the high ceilinged glass room, and a clear creek ran through the shadows of the woods along banks of soft green grass. Flowers blossomed on bushes and released a calming scent into the atmosphere.
Lorrek noted this location as a place of peace and quiet, then folded his arms and turned to Verddra, waiting for her to speak.
It didn't take long. She moved to a tree and touched its thick trunk, then looked over her shoulder. “My husband's name was Hadrian. Our marriage was an arranged promotion for my family out of the commoner life. He was a visiting baron from Ditheran in Serhon, and I was the daughter of a mere scholar in Athorim. I studied with my father often in the palace library in Athorim, and I caught Hadrian's eye. It was a fleeting romance at first—secret glances, stolen kisses.” She smiled fondly at the memory, but the look faded and she locked eyes with Lorrek. “Then my parents found out and pressed for our marriage. They said it was the best way to improve their status in the court—finally they would have a voice, an opinion in the happenings of the court. However, I wanted to continue studying magic, and Ditheran—as you may recall—disapproves of magic. Hadrian swore I could continue my practice, and one thing led to another, and the next thing I knew, I was married to him.”
“And then he revealed himself to be a cruel man.” Lorrek nodded in understanding, but Verddra shook her head.
“Not exactly. He was very kind and gracious, and he did allow me to practice magic—in secret nonetheless—but I had never been exposed to tainted magic, and things started to change.” She motioned to her hair, and Lorrek understood; her beautiful golden locks had begun to turn black with the use of tainted magic—a sure sign to anyone who looked upon her that not only was she a user, but she was practicing the very thing that was forbidden. “I did everything I could to perfect the glamour spell, but Hadrian was stressed—worried that one day our secret would be discovered, and then his brother died abruptly, leaving Hadrian the title of Count of Ditheran. An heir was expected...”
“More pressure.”
Verddra nodded. “We tried to have a child, but my inability to conceive drove a wedge between us. Hadrian blamed my magic—told me it had ruined our lives, and he demanded that I allow magic minders to bind it.”
“But you couldn't do that, could you?” Lorrek stared at her, already knowing the answer.
Her face shifted with the desire to unburden herself from a lifetime of keeping secrets, but with the next breath she calmed herself and swallowed, then nodded. “I couldn't, but I knew another way to have a child—a surrogate mother.” She began to pace, but Lorrek watched her carefully and saw how she blinked back tears though she kept up a brave smile. “Hadrian refused at first. He said he wanted the child to be ours—his and mine, but I told him it wasn't possible. Any child of mine would have magic, and that would only tear our family apart. We came here to Jechorm for help.” She motioned to their surroundings. “Needless to say they followed through with their promise, and Hadrian and I soon had a little girl.”
Lorrek narrowed his eyes. “But something was wrong.”
Verddra's face twitched with the slightest sign of fury beneath the surface, but she managed a sharp nod. “They lied to us. They said every woman they interviewed for the position of surrogate mother was a non-user. However, after we went through the procedure, we learned the one we picked was a user—very faint in power, but power nonetheless. The Jechorm attempted to conceal this by ridding my daughter of all her magic before she was even born—”
“And that disturbed her mind.”
She nodded—her eyes hardened as she began to pace with purpose. “She was a beautiful child—very talented, especially in dance, but she would have these...moments when she would snap and lash out at anyone around her for no apparent reason. Using my magic, I was able to restrain her, but I couldn't be around her at all times. Then one time she almost killed a boy in a fit of rage. It was then that I knew I had to do something, so I did the only thing I could think of.” She looked at Lorrek with guilt on her face, and Lorrek felt his stomach fall.
“Don't tell me you tried to infuse her with magic...”
Her features twisted again in an effort not to cry, and she pressed her lips into a thin line and bowed her head. After swallowing, she nodded. “I found out by then what the Jechorian had done, and I knew she suffered because something was missing in her soul, and I knew what your father had done with Loroth; I knew it was possible, so I tried.”
Unwilling to hear what was being said, Lorrek went to the nearest stone bench and sat down. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together. He frowned and furrowed his brows. He wanted none of this, but he felt responsible for it somehow. He lifted his gaze to her. “And what happened?” He could only imagine.
Verddra couldn't hold his gaze but walked around the clearing in the woods—her steps making no sound on the soft grass. “The magic minders said I shattered her mind completely. She became nothing more than a creature of rage. Her father couldn't handle it, so he...ended his life.” Verddra lowered her gaze. “I knew I had to repair her mind, but I couldn't do it on my own—not even with all my powers.” She let out a dry laugh then shook her head and looked at Lorrek. “That's why I brought her here.”
“Back where it all began.” Lorrek understood, but he still didn't know what to think of all this. “How does this tie into the operation?” He furrowed his brows as he looked at her. “What's the plan? Magic infusion or extraction?”
“We already tried an extraction, but that didn't work. That's why she's asleep and not waking. Their tests put her mind on the defensive.”
“So you think an infusion will reverse it.” Lorrek rose to his feet and folded his arms as he regarded her.
“That is my hope.” Verddra nodded. “However, for now, she remains in this state. Until there is a successful operation, I will not jeopardize my daughter’s well-being. Perhaps your cousin’s operation will be groundbreaking for us, and we will have the means, knowledge, and resources to bring Fawn back to us.”
“Perhaps.” Lorrek said nothing more. He didn’t like how she was placing so much weight on Loroth’s operation. What if it didn’t work?
Silence fell upon them.
After a moment, Verddra realized whom she was talking to and all she h
ad said, so she snapped a glare at him. “And you mustn't tell anyone about anything that I just told you! If you do...” she approached him with calculated steps, “...and I hear of it, your cousin will pay the price.” She jabbed a finger at his chest, and he glared down at her but never retreated.
“Do not...” he warned in a calm but cold voice, “...threaten my cousin.”
For a long moment they stared—both trying to establish their dominance over the other, and neither willing to back down.
Finally, both broke eye contact and backed down, and Lorrek cleared his throat and looked upon Verddra with softer eyes. “And you have my word. I will say nothing of this to anyone.”
She stared at him, relieved, then nodded her thanks and brushed past him to leave.
Lorrek remained standing in the garden alone. He listened to the peaceful silence of the garden, yet he felt no peace as he contemplated all Verddra had revealed. His thoughts weighed heavy on his mind.
He frowned.
Things had just gotten a lot more complicated.
Segment 4
Loroth sat on the edge of his bed contemplating what the near future might hold. He had changed from his royal attire of Cuskelom to the gray pullover shirt and black trousers the Jechorian had given him. “We want you to be most comfortable during all operations,” they said, and Loroth saw the incredulous look his wife gave them, but he caught her eye and gave her the slightest shake of his head as well as a smile. He didn't mind changing if that was what they required; he preferred to reserve his strength for a bigger battle.
Now he had changed into the plain clothes that he had seen many others in the corridors wearing. No doubt they too were here as part of the program, and he looked forward to becoming acquainted with them and discovering their reasons for being here.
As much as he trusted and appreciated his cousin, Loroth knew Lorrek had a single reason for being here—to find a cure for him—yet seeing all these people and how large this operation was, Loroth knew there was more at stake than a simple cure, but he wasn't sure if Lorrek had realized that yet. For now, Loroth planned to keep his concerns to himself and follow through whatever procedure Lorrek required of him.
He trusted his cousin with his care, but he was grateful that Vixen and Therth were with him. While Lorrek would be busy trying to discover a remedy, Loroth knew he could depend on his wife and his brother to scout out the full situation of this place. He wasn't surprised when the door opened and revealed his wife, who—for the moment—spoke with Therth, who had insisted that he stand guard outside Loroth's room. After sharing a few quiet words with her brother-in-law, Vixen finally stepped into the room.
Loroth lifted his brows at her frown. “Something troubling you?” He patted the bed beside him, and she sat down and shook her head.
“This entire situation is troubling. I can't believe you agreed to it.” She set a fierce gaze upon him, and he reached over, draped his arm over her shoulders, and pulled her close to him. He knew she wasn't upset with him—she might be furious that she couldn't do anything to help him, but she was not upset with him.
He decided to redirect her focus. “Did you find anything useful?”
She pulled back from him and looked at him. His eyes had aged with his illness, but his features remained young due to Lorrek's constant healing. She had never seen fear in his eyes or anger over the terms of his short life. Instead, she saw acceptance and a well of deep thoughts—some he might never express, and some she knew she could never comprehend.
He lifted his brows at her, and she suddenly remembered his question and looked away from him. “There are many people here, both magic users and non-magic users, but I only recognized two people—King Roskelem and Princess Atheta.”
Loroth straightened at the mention of their names and turned to face her fully—his eyes wide. “Roskelem and Atheta—they're here? But why?”
Vixen folded her arms and tilted her head as she regarded her husband. “Oh, I can think of a few reasons. I seem to recall hearing that Roskelem is always seeking power in one form or another. Perhaps he thinks magic is his way to gain more power.”
“That would explain him, but what about Atheta?” Loroth frowned as he looked at Vixen, and then he remembered something. “And we might want to either keep Therth out of her sight or inform her that he isn't Theran.”
The two shared a humored smile. Theran was engaged to Princess Atheta, and it was assumed they would marry soon. However, Roskelem had prolonged the engagement, so his daughter could focus on a few unfinished tasks back in Serhon. Everyone in Cuskelom had thought it was a simple Serhian ritual, but now Loroth understood the reason for her withdrawal, and he didn't like it. He frowned. “Why would she want magic though? It has never interested her in the past.”
“I can find out.” Vixen moved to stand, but Loroth lifted his hand to stay her and tilted his head as if listening for something. She opened her mouth to question him, but before any sound could emerge, the door opened, revealing Lorrek in the doorway—and an invisible weight on his shoulders.
Vixen straightened when she saw the look in his eyes—a look she was familiar with and often wore after eliminating her target on a job. It was one of fatigue in the soul and absolute cluelessness how everything he had done could possibly end with positive results.
Nonetheless, he shouldered the burden and lifted his gaze. His eyes brightened when he saw Loroth and Vixen together. “My apologies for intruding.” He bowed his head.
Loroth dismissed it with a shake of his head and exchanged a look with his wife before looking back at his cousin. “No apologies necessary, but Vixen just uncovered something troubling—for us at least.” When Lorrek merely stared at them, Loroth went on, “Atheta—and King Roskelem.”
Lorrek frowned. “Here?” When Loroth nodded, Lorrek sighed then looked at Therth outside the room. Motioning for his cousin to accompany him, Lorrek stepped further into the room and waited until the door closed behind Therth. His gaze shifted to Therth. “I want you to go to Atheta.”
His statement took the others by surprise, and Therth shot his brother a look to make sure Lorrek hadn't lost his mind. When he saw nothing but surprise on Loroth's face, Therth narrowed his eyes and looked back at the prince. “Me? But she doesn't even know I exist. Am I supposed to pose as Theran?”
“Tell her who you really are—if you prefer that.” Lorrek shrugged but then focused on Vixen and Loroth. “The first test in your operation will begin soon. Vixen, I want you to be there for Lo.”
“So she can take the magic they extract from me?” Loroth narrowed his eyes, but Lorrek shook his head.
“It won't come to that. That was my way of ensuring she would be present during the procedure. I will be overseeing the operation from beginning to end. I will be observing the occurrences in the magic realm, and Vixen, you need to watch for what is happening presently in this realm. I can't keep an eye on both, especially while my mind is in the magic realm.”
Vixen nodded. She preferred to be with her husband anyway in case something went wrong; she relished any chance to beat foolishness out of people. “When does the procedure start?” By the way Loroth looked at Lorrek expectantly, Vixen knew she had asked the very question that had been on his mind as well.
Lorrek took a measured breath then nodded to the door. “I actually was sent to escort you.”
Vixen and Loroth shared a look. This was really happening—the possible beginning of the end of his suffering or perhaps a detour to a quicker death. Vixen didn't like to think about it, so she tugged at her bladed vest to make sure it was fastened and looked at Lorrek. “Where do we go?”
“Follow me.” Lorrek motioned as he moved toward the door, but Therth blocked it as he stood before him with his massive arms crossed and confusion on his face.
“What exactly do you expect of me with Princess Atheta?”
A small smile turned up the corner of Lorrek's lips, and he lifted his chin to meet Therth's fi
rm gaze. “I want you to figure out why she is here. Use whatever means necessary though I would warn against deception. I have the feeling she is not here by her own will, but that of her father.” With that, he moved around Therth, and the door opened at his motion. He stepped through but held it open for Loroth and Vixen.
Vixen passed her brother-in-law without so much as a glance, but as Loroth moved past him, he paused and looked up at Therth. “Go as yourself—not Theran. Such secrets will never end up well.” Then he stepped past his brother and allowed Lorrek to guide him through the glass corridors to the location of the procedure.
Staying behind, Therth watched them go, but his heart was heavy. Although he would never admit it due to his utmost loyalty to his cousins, he had come to care for Princess Atheta in his own way during the many times he had doubled for Theran, but she did not even know of his existence. It would be easier to hide behind the name and title of Prince Theran than to tell her the complications accompanying his appearance and his role in the royal family. However, Loroth warned him against lying, and though Loroth was a man of few words, Therth knew his brother was a wise man, so he accepted the warning with a deep breath then stepped out to find Princess Atheta.
Segment 5
When informed of a procedure, Vixen wasn't sure what she had expected, but she knew it wasn't this. She had done enough business in Jechorm during her time as an assassin to be familiar with their interrogation rooms and normal experimentation rooms which had an observation deck safely behind a two-way mirror. Lorrek led Loroth and her through the corridors where they met Asalda, who proceeded to tell them in detail about the procedure. Vixen ignored her and took in her surroundings, memorizing the way to the room—she was taken aback by the simplicity and warmth of the room as well as the splendid view of the of the city.
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