Fractured Soul

by Rachel McClellan

  He considered this. “Fine, but if you insist on running out here then I’m going with you.”

  “You sure you can keep up?” I took off before he could answer.

  Darkness swallowed me the moment I entered the old forest. There was something strangely seductive about the way the dark felt against my skin, cool and tingly, and I liked the way it made me feel as if I was running faster than I actually was. Before I could stop myself, I began to giggle.

  I raced through the trees, sometimes swinging from a branch to help myself over thick shrubs or dips in the landscape. There was nothing to slow my pace except for Jackson, who wasn’t doing too bad of a job keeping up. I turned a sharp corner into a small clearing and stopped abruptly. The forest felt different here, even smelled different, like burnt pine needles, and I had the strange feeling that I’d crossed over into someone else’s territory.

  Behind me, Jackson said, panting, “That was incredible! I never run like—” he froze as if he were sensing the same thing I was. He stepped in front of me and returned to his soldier-like stance.

  Not more than twenty feet in front of us, a wall of trees, black as night, appeared to shift. Something moved within it. My pulse quickened when a throaty growl, low and deep, filled the air around us. The hair on my arms rose.

  “Run,” Jackson whispered.

  I was about to take him up on his offer when a voice said, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” From the shadows, a Vyken in his pure form stepped out. Air caught in my chest, and I almost choked on it.

  The Vyken wore normal clothes, jeans and a dark T-shirt, but there was nothing normal about him. A leather-like skin, black in color, pulled tight around his face, but in some areas the skin stretched too far, creating cracks and spaces where yellowed bone, specifically on his cheek bones, shined through.

  As horrible as his appearance was, it was nothing compared to his dark, sunken eyes. They begged for an audience, a theater production of the worst kind of violence imaginable. I stumbled back, a wave of nausea threatening to collapse me, but Jackson caught my arm.

  “Get back, Vyken,” Jackson said.

  I forced my gaze down and stared at the ground while I tried to overcome the effect the Vyken had over me. I shook my head, wondering again why this was. Auras couldn’t “feel” Vykens. At least that’s what Sophie had told me, and my mother had been killed by one whom she considered a close friend, so obviously she couldn’t. Christian once spoke of an Aura in the thirties who could do the same thing as me. “It’s a gift, Llona,” he’d told me. Looking at the Vyken in front of me, I wondered if it was more of a curse.

  The Vyken raised a leathery finger toward me. “I want that one.” A string of saliva dripped from his deformed lip.

  I straightened, my strength returned, and stepped next to Jackson. “I’m all gristle,” I said, “but you’re welcome to try.”

  Jackson glanced at me sideways. “Shut your mouth, Llona.”

  I looked at Jackson and then at the Vyken. A searing heat, much like before, began to course through my blood until I felt like killing them both.

  The Vyken parted his lips and attempted a smile, but his worn skin wouldn’t stretch that far. “I like you,” he said.

  I opened my mouth, all set for a perfect, sarcastic retort, when the Vyken lunged for me. I fell backward with the Vyken practically on my chest. His face was inches from mine, and he snapped his jaws wide, tearing the skin on his face. I barely managed to hold him back, giving Jackson enough time to kick him off me.

  As a Guardian, Jackson was strong, more so than a normal man. This strength, handed down from father to son, matched most Vykens.

  The Vyken rolled into a crouching position, and when he looked up, he saw only me. I scrambled backward as he leapt into the air, but before he could touch me, Jackson tackled him. They tumbled to the ground, the Vyken kicking and clawing at every part of Jackson.

  I jumped to my feet, angling for a position where I could be of some use, but the two were too tangled for me to do anything but watch in horror. Finally Jackson kicked the Vyken from him, and I prepared to throw a ball of Light the size of my fist into his chest, but Jackson got in my way again.

  “Move it, Jackson!” I said.

  He looked back at me and grinned. “I’ve got this.” He swung his fist, connecting it with the Vyken’s jaw, but when he swung again the Vyken disappeared only to reappear behind him in less than a blink of an eye. The Vyken picked up Jackson and tossed him into a nearby tree. Jackson fell to the ground, moaning.

  “You were saying?” I mumbled and crouched low ready to fight the Vyken who had refocused his attention on me.

  “I can’t wait to taste you,” he said. Part of his torn flesh flapped as he spoke.

  I didn’t bother with retorts. I just wanted to fight.

  Before the Vyken could lunge for me, I attacked him, proud to see his eyes widen in surprise. I swiped his legs out from under him, and dropped my elbow into his face. He cried out and shoved me away. I stumbled forward, almost tripping. I was about to turn around when the Vyken took hold of my hair and jerked me onto my back. He pounced onto my chest, forcing all the air from my lungs. I sputtered and gasped as I tried to suck air back in, but I was also trying to keep the Vykens hand from squeezing my throat.

  And then everything changed.

  A voice I never thought I would hear at Lucent, said, “Have you forgotten everything I taught you?”

  Through my struggling, I looked over. Christian was leaning against the same tree Jackson had been thrown into moments ago. My Christian. Here. Jackson was standing next to him, rolling his shoulders back. I wanted to smile, to laugh, and to cry, but my emotional moment was ruined when I got punched in the face.

  “Aren’t you going to help her?” Jackson said.

  “Nope. She’s got this. Right, Llona?”

  I smiled inwardly. Of course, I’ve got this. With the Vyken still straddling me, I bucked hard, knocking him off balance just enough for me to squirm out from under him. When the Vyken looked back at me, I kicked him hard in the jaw and then jumped to my feet, giving me a few precious seconds to create three tight balls of Light. When the Vyken charged me, I tossed them, drilling each one into his face.

  By the time he reached me, his face was smoking and one eye was melting from its socket. I flipped forward, my hands landing on the ground just in front of the Vyken, and when my feet locked around his neck, I used my momentum to swing me up so I was sitting on the Vyken’s shoulders. I ignited my hands with Light and clutched the Vyken’s head, forcing Light into him. The last time I tried this was on Mr. Steele, and to do it I had to suck the lights from the school to have enough power to kill him, but, feeling the way I did right now, I knew I had plenty without having to borrow it.

  Light poured into the Vyken until he began to crack and peel. It wasn’t long before he exploded into dust, and without him under me, I fell to the ground.

  Christian laughed. “That was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen! Good job.”

  Jackson turned to him, his chest heaving. “Are you mental? She could’ve been killed.”

  Christian shook his head. “I wouldn’t have let that happen. Besides, this was something Llona could handle.”

  I brushed myself off and stood up. I couldn’t stop smiling. Christian stood less than ten feet away. I wanted to throw my arms around him, feel my lips against his, but I was all too aware of Jackson. “What are you doing here?” I asked, barely containing my excitement.

  “Change of plans.” The corners of his mouth were twitching like he was trying to keep from smiling, but he failed. The dimple I’d fallen in love with almost a year ago appeared on his cheek, and it sucked me toward him like a black hole. I stumbled forward and reached for him, no longer caring who was around, but when I did, his eyes grew big and he shook his head, just barely enough for me to notice. I brought my arms back to my side.

  “Good to see you again, Llona,” he said and held ou
t his hand.

  I looked down at it. A handshake? Is he serious? I searched his eyes. He was very serious. Fine. I could play this game.

  I cleared my throat and said in my most formal voice. “It’s good to see you too.” I shook his hand. It was warm and gripped my palm tight. Only when Jackson began to speak did he let go.

  “Since when did a Guardian’s job involve teaching an Aura to fight?”

  “She mostly taught herself, and it took me a while to admit it, but Llona’s a very capable fighter.” Christian’s eyes never left mine. “What’s wrong, Jackson? Afraid of a little competition?”

  “Hardly, but when the Council hears about you encouraging Llona to kill a Vyken, you’ll both be gone.”

  This made Christian turn away from me. He looked at Jackson, worry lines creasing onto his face. “Come on, Jackson. No harm was done. Please don’t tell them.”

  “What’s the big deal?” I said.

  Jackson looked at me. “Are you kidding? You just killed a Vyken.” He waited for me to say something, but when I didn’t, he continued, “By fighting. Auras aren’t supposed to fight, let alone fight a Vyken. It’s the Guardian’s job.” He glanced at Christian. “Seriously, C. The Council is going to skin you alive.”

  “Actually, Jackson,” I said, “you were here too. Why didn’t you kill him?”

  This made him pause, and he blew air through his nose. “Fine. I won’t say anything this time, but it better not happen again. And you need to stay in the school. It’s not safe out here.”

  “I’ll go out whenever I want,” I said but instantly regretted my words. Where had that come from?

  Jackson smirked. “You must’ve had your hands full with this spoiled one, C. I’m surprised they let her come to Lucent with that mouth.”

  Christian balled his hands into fists, but before Jackson could notice, I turned around and started for the school. “I’m going back. Enough fun for one night.”

  Jackson laughed. “I knew you were scared.”

  I kept walking.

  Behind me I heard Christian say, “I’ll see her back.”

  “She’s all yours,” Jackson said.

  A moment later Christian caught up to me. “Sorry about that. Jackson’s always been a little rough around the edges, but he’s harmless.”

  “How long have you known him?”

  “Since we first started training together when I was eight. He’s a year older.”

  I didn’t say anything else, wanting to put enough distance between us and Jackson to where he wouldn’t be able to hear us. After a minute I glanced behind me. When I didn’t see Jackson, I asked again, my voice low, “Seriously. Why are you here?”

  He glanced behind us, seeming to share my thoughts, and whispered, “Right before I was to leave for Oregon, I got a call from your aunt. She told me to come out here instead of returning to the training facility.”

  “Why?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m in more trouble than I think.” He smiled like it wasn’t a big deal.

  I stopped and looked at him, really looked. He was the same Christian, but he seemed stronger somehow, more sure of himself. When I noticed he was staring back at me the same way, I quickly glanced away, afraid he’d see something new he didn’t like. “Are you sure it’s a good idea for you to be here? With me?”

  He looked around one more time before he took me in his arms, hugging me tight. “It’s the best. It about killed me to say good-bye to you.”

  “I know the feeling.” I breathed him in. The smell of cologne, mixed with the smell of cotton and Tide, filled my nostrils. Instead of wondering how I was able to smell his laundry detergent, I remained still, my head resting on his shoulder.

  We stood like that for a while, alone in the dark, listening to the quiet rustlings of the forest. He sighed and leaned away. “This is going to be harder than I thought.”

  I panicked. This was it. He could sense that something was wrong with me. “Please don’t say it. I know—”

  Christian’s mouth found mine. His lips were warm and soft, moving over mine, yet the deep kiss held more passion than ever before. I melted into his arms, held in place only by his tightening grip, pressing me closer to his chest. When we finally broke apart, he said, “I wish we had more time, but I have to go.”

  I barely nodded, my knees weak.

  He kissed me again. “We have to be careful, Llona,” he said when he let me go. “No one can know we’re together or they’ll kick you out.”

  More secrets. My hand went to my neck, to rub or hide my bite marks. “Maybe we should stay away from each other while you’re here.”

  His eyes widened, and he took my hand. “What? No, that’s not what I mean. I’ve missed you so much. I don’t want to be apart anymore. We just have to be careful is all. That’s something we’re used to, right?”

  I didn’t know what to say. My brain and my heart were fighting each other.

  Looking into my eyes, Christian raised his hand to push aside my hair, but when I realized he was about to expose my bite marks, I panicked and stepped back.

  “What’s wrong?” he said

  I quickly smiled and started walking again. “Nothing. I should probably get back too. Vykens outside of the school and all.” How could I ever tell him about the poison inside me? If it repulsed me, what would Christian, or anyone else for that matter, think?

  After a moment I realized Christian wasn’t following me. I stopped and turned around. He was a ways back studying something on the ground. “What is it?” I asked.

  Christian stood up, holding something plastic in his hand. His face was pale, but I couldn’t tell if it was from the moonlight spilling in from the tops of the trees or something else. “Do you know what this is?” he asked, moving toward me.

  As he drew closer, holding the object up, I knew exactly what it was. “Sure. It’s an IV bag. The nurse used one on me tonight when she drew my blood. How did it get out here?”

  “I don’t know, but I don’t like it.”

  I took it from him and held it to the light. “There’s still a little blood in it,” I said and shivered. “You don’t think a Vyken has access to our blood, do you? ’Cause that would be really bad.”

  Christian looked all around us, his face serious. “It would be bad. Even worse than finding a Vyken outside of the school.”

  “I take it that’s not normal?”

  “It happens, but it’s rare. Looking back, though, Jackson didn’t seem surprised. I’ll ask him about it.” He took my hand. “Come on. Let’s get you back.”

  “So how’d you know I’d be out here?” I asked, walking alongside him.

  Christian chuckled. “Your first night in what you would consider a strange place? I knew you’d escape. I just wasn’t sure what time. I’ve been out here for a while.”

  “Did Jackson know?”

  “No. I got here at about eleven. He was already out patrolling.”

  The wall was just ahead.

  “I bet Guardians love being our babysitters.”

  “It’s not like that.” He smiled and squeezed my hand.

  When we reached the wall, he turned to me. “I’ll be looking for you, and we’ll meet whenever we can.”

  I forced a smile, wondering how I’d be able to keep everything from him.

  Christian looked up. “You want help over?”

  Because I was still buzzed from killing the Vyken, I felt like I could jump over myself, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. “That’d be great.”

  He pulled me in for one more hug and a quick kiss. “I’ll see you soon. And please don’t come out here again, at least until I know more about the Vyken situation.”

  “Sure,” I said and stepped on his clasped hands. He lifted me to the point where I could reach the edge of the wall. I pulled myself up the rest of the way. “See you,” I said and jumped to the other side. I didn’t want our good-bye to linger. It only made me that much sadder.


  That night, when my eyelids closed and the sandman, who looked a lot like a Vyken, invaded my dreams carrying a severed head in one hand and dragging a headless corpse in the other, I began to scream. Not because of the horrifying image, but because it was Christian’s head he held, his blue eyes open and his mouth forming the word, Oh!

  FIVE

  “There must be a mistake,” I told Ms. Ravitz the next morning. Please let this be a mistake, I prayed. There were at least twenty twelve-year-old girls in the classroom staring at me.

  She looked down at my paper, tapping it with a pen. “No. This is the right class: Nineteenth Century Auras.”

  “But Ms. Ravitz,” I said, “I’m eighteen and these guys are . . . little. This has to be a mistake.”

  “Have you ever taken this class before?” The glasses on her face slipped to the end of her nose. With one push of her middle finger they returned to their rightful place, making her brown eyes appear bigger than they really were.

  “I’ve never had this class before. Remember? I’m new here.” I had met her just a couple of days ago at dinner, but now she acted like she didn’t know who I was.

  She looked down at my schedule again. “Llona Reese. That’s right! Of course you’re in my class. I know it may seem awkward with these younger girls, but this class is important. Please take your seat.”

  I turned slowly, still not fully recovered from last night’s nightmare, which seemed to have drained me mentally. My only defense was forcing myself not to think about it. I stared at the girls. They were all dressed the same: brown slacks and navy blue polo shirts. I looked down at my own Levis and white cotton shirt. I didn’t remember anyone saying anything about a dress code.

  Ms. Ravitz seemed to have read my mind. “Girls over eighteen can wear what they want within reason,” she said. “Now please sit down so we can get started.”

  I went to the only desk available in the middle of the classroom. As soon as I sat down, the girl in front of me turned around, eyeing me with her green eyes. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a French braid. She was very beautiful.