Isaura (Aberrant)

by Silver, Ruth

  “Are you hungry for breakfast?” I asked. She must have been ready to eat. It was why she'd wanted to wake me, right?

  Adelaide shrugged. Her eyes lit up with a smile. “I want to show you something.”

  I nodded through heavy eyes, sitting up in bed. “What is it?” I asked, trying to seem interested even though I was tired and cranky from lack of sleep.

  Adelaide smiled. “Promise not to tell?”

  “I promise.” I kissed her cheek and she clasped her hands together and blew into them. She giggled and opened her palms as a butterfly flew out.

  “See what I can do!” she squealed with delight.

  I sighed, realizing she'd figured out about the Mindonsiphan long before the rest of us had. Perhaps she hadn't fully known or understood what she was capable of, but she was smart and imaginative, a dangerous combination.

  “I bet I can make fairies, too!” She giggled clasping her hands together again.

  “Wait!” My eyes widened as I stopped her, resting my hands above hers. “We need to talk,” I breathed. Adelaide frowned, confused. It hadn't been the easiest conversation to have with a six-year old. Trying to explain to her what we'd done to save her life and how she was now forever different. She didn't mind that. What she hadn't liked was the fact we insisted she keep it a secret.

  “I don't want to,” Adelaide whined, climbing off the bed as she sulked out of my suite.

  “Adelaide!” I called out to her. I climbed off the bed, grabbing the robe from the previous night as I headed for the hall. I glanced from side-to-side trying to make out which way she'd gone. “Adelaide!” I tried to keep my voice down, unsure the hour and concerned about waking the entire town. The sun had come up some time ago and based on Adelaide's previous time living with us, she was an early riser.

  Joshua turned the corner, a steaming hot mug in his hand. I stopped abruptly, careful not to walk into him. “What's going on?” he asked.

  “Adelaide knows,” I emphasized giving Joshua a look.

  “Knows what?” He frowned.

  She's figured out about the Mindonsiphan.We didn't have time to sit down and talk. I needed to find Adelaide. I explained she couldn't use her power or speak about it around anyone but she ran out of the room.

  “Where'd she go?” Josh asked taking a sip of tea from the mug.

  “I'm not sure.” If I knew where she ran off to I'd have sat her down again, tried to reason with her.

  “Okay.” Joshua sighed, thinking it over for a minute. “Go back and get changed. Meet me outside in five minutes. We'll find her before breakfast and both of us will sit down, try and figure this out together.”

  “Thanks,” I breathed, rushing back into our room. In a hurry, I grabbed the first gown from the wardrobe, pulling it down from a hanger and tossed it on the bed. Stripping out of my pajamas, I slid the gown over my head. This one required the back to be tied up, but I left it for the moment, unsure how to do it on my own. The gowns were extravagant, nothing like the dresses I wore in Haven or Shadow.

  Heading out of my room, Joshua stood in the hall, waiting for me. “I need some help.” I gestured towards my back. The sleeves of the dress were short, but kept me covered as he examined my back. “Not too tight,” I warned him.

  “Okay. I can figure this out,” he muttered working on the ties as he laced them properly and tightened them down, giving me a bust I never knew I had. “I think it's a corset.” Joshua smiled as he tied the bottom and I turned around to face him. His eyes moved over and down my body and I felt my cheeks redden. The bottom of the dress fanned out.

  “Quit staring,” I chided, grabbing his hand before leading him down the hall. “We need to find Adelaide.”

  We spent most of the morning searching the hall and square. Tria was setting the table as we entered the dining room. “Have you seen Adelaide?” I asked. I bent down, glancing under the table to make sure she wasn't hiding there.

  Tria frowned. “Not since I brought her into your room this morning.” She paused for a moment. “Have you tried the kitchen or the school?”

  Joshua and I exchanged a look. “I'll check the kitchen,” he offered as Tria pointed the way.

  “Where is the school?” I doubted she was taking classes, but it was a place to hide. No one would question why a child was at school during the day.

  After she gave Joshua directions she turned towards me. “I'll take you there,” Tria offered.

  “Thank you.” I followed her out of the dining room and back to the square where we'd come from. From the city square, we descended stone stairs that led further into the building. I had no idea there were so many halls and places to hide.

  “If you don't mind me asking, why did Adelaide run off?” Tria led me through the corridors and down to the school. Adelaide wasn't there.

  I've got her. I heard Joshua's voice and glanced at Tria. “We should double back to the kitchen. Make sure Joshua hasn't found her.”

  Tria didn't ask again and I was glad she hadn't pried for more information. We turned around and headed up the stairs. I squinted as we escaped the dark narrow halls surrounded by stone walls and back into the city square. Tria escorted me past the dining room and towards the kitchen. I didn't want to tell her I'd found my way the previous night there with Henry. I didn't need Joshua worrying and rumors spreading.

  The last leg of the way, Joshua came walking with us, Adelaide in hand. “I found her!” He waved towards us with a relieved smile.

  “Thank you, Tria.” She disappeared down the hall and I headed towards the two of them. “Where have you been?” I scolded Adelaide, eyes wide as I gripped her arm. Joshua let go as I guided her back up to her suite. I wasn't even sure she should have her own room here.

  “I don't have to listen to you!” Adelaide pulled from my grasp. “You're not my mother,” she retorted. I showed no emotion, not giving into her temper tantrum. We were all she had left.

  “You're right. I'm not.” I led her into her suite, with Joshua right behind us. He shut the door. Adelaide didn't budge from her space, standing in front of me defiantly. She was strong-willed and had already experienced so much as a child. I stared at her, leaning forward and down to her eye level. “You do magic.” It was the only word I could use to describe what she'd done, what we were all capable of. “And they'll see to it you're locked away without ever seeing the light of day again.” I had intended to scare her, whether it would work or not, I wasn't sure.

  Joshua watched the exchange and I was happy he didn’t play the good guy, undermining what I said to her. I'd saved her once, I wasn't sure I'd be there the second time.

  Adelaide stared at me, her lip pouty and she crossed her arms. “You lie!” she screamed at me, scrunching her face, judging me. It was all she could do: try and determine if I told the truth.

  “I wish I were, Adelaide.” I moved towards her bed, seeing it already made. I sat down above the covers, patting for her to join me. “What we can do, others view as dangerous,” I tried to explain it to her in a way she'd understand. “We're special, so special that everyone who finds out will want to be just like us.”

  “Can't you give them the same needle?” she questioned with wide eyes. “Can't you make more?” She asked.

  Joshua came towards the bed, sitting down with me. “Adelaide, sweetie.” He pulled her into his arms for a hug. “We're only keeping your abilities a secret because we love you.”

  Adelaide glanced from Joshua to me. “Do I always have to keep it a secret? Can't I tell anyone?”

  I couldn't imagine a room safe enough to practice in secret, but it would do Adelaide good to train appropriately. It might not even be such a bad idea for Henry to fully understand his abilities. Someone like us in such a powerful role worried me. If the power were to be abused, all hell would break loose. I had to trust we'd done the right thing in saving Henry, that he wouldn't betray us.

  “No,” Joshua whispered, leaning in kissing her forehead, “I know you want to and
you're going to make friends, but you can't share what you can do with any of them. You can talk about it with Olivia and me, though. Or anyone from Shadow.” He smiled. “I know right now you're not happy with us, but you will understand when you get a little older.”

  Adelaide made a face and I glanced at Joshua. “I bet breakfast is almost ready. How about we go downstairs and have something to eat?” I suggested. I stood up waiting for Adelaide to follow. “Do you want some time alone?” I asked her. She shook her head no, grabbed my hand and walked with me to the door. Joshua followed behind us as we headed down the hall and back towards the dining room. I was glad we had that all settled.

  CHAPTER 11

  Finishing breakfast, Henry pulled me aside after the table was cleared. “I wanted a moment, if you don't mind.” Joshua took Adelaide outside into the city square for a walk together.

  “What's wrong?” I asked. Was it the fact I'd told him he was special from the Mindonsiphan? It had been a lot for me to deal with, but I'd had Joshua at the time, someone to confide in who had been my lifelong best friend.

  “Gavin and I spoke earlier this morning and he'd like to return to Torv soon. It sounds like Elsa and Aidan will be joining them.” I listened to Henry, unsure where he was going with it. “I wasn't sure if you'd want to return home, too.”

  “Torv wasn't my home.” He hadn't known the full extent of what had transpired over the last several months. I let out a heavy breath. “Are you going with them?” He'd want a seat at the table. Henry ruled Spade: there was no way he'd ignore the chance to be a part of the new system.

  “I'll be sending some of my most trusted advisors,” Henry answered. “But I think it would be best to stay here. At least for the time being.” He studied me as we walked down the corridor and I glanced at him, curious what it was he was thinking. “Do you trust them?”

  “Torv?” I asked. “Or the new government?” I wasn't sure which he was referring to.

  Henry frowned thinking the question over. “Both?” He'd been kept in the dark during the uprising and revolution. Now he was walking in and didn't know what to expect. I didn't blame him if he was nervous.

  “Our city, Shadow, had some doubts about Torv, but the government of Cabal has fallen and a new government by the people is being formed. It'd be nice if Spade got a say in its system. Joshua or myself could accompany one of your advisors. We were a part of the council for a short time,” I offered.

  Henry stopped walking and paused to stare at me. “Why aren't you anymore?”

  “By choice.” I explained, “And by consequence. Joshua and I led the uprising. We took out the governors of each city and destroyed their science and medical centers for reproduction. We led the people in a revolt and finally led them towards peace. We couldn't stay in Genesis. I'd used my abilities to protect Joshua and people heard things, rumors,” I admitted. “Shadow was the only place to call home, but I didn't want to be entwined in politics forever. We were offered a temporary place until the laws were formed and the structure was solidified.”

  “I see,” Henry answered. “Do you think they'll welcome our town if they've already developed a system?” I could see the concern he held with sending his men to a foreign land.

  “You have to try,” I reasoned reaching out for his arm. “Without hope, what do you have?”

  Henry studied me for another moment. “And what of Isaura?” he asked curiously.

  I shifted uncomfortably on my feet. “I don't know,” I admitted. “She's out there waiting to strike.” I rubbed my forehead in frustration, feeling a slight headache coming on at the thought of her. “It's my fault she even has any power.” If I hadn't used my abilities to escape the outlaws, they'd have never known what we could do.

  Henry reached out, resting a comforting hand on my arm. “You can't blame yourself. You can only control your own actions,” he told me. “That reminds me. I wanted to talk to you about the little girl you brought with you.”

  “Adelaide?” I asked.

  “Yes, that's her. Adelaide. I was thinking of a maid who might make a good mother to her. She needs a family to look after her and I know she loves having her own suite in the tower, but I worry about her being on her own.” Henry smiled. “She's too young to live on her own forever.”

  “She's been through a lot already.” I pulled back slightly from his grasp. “Is it Tria?”

  Henry smiled shaking his head. “Tria is a sweet girl, but too young to look after Adelaide. I was thinking of someone a little older who could handle her, perhaps Ainsley.”

  I tried not to laugh. Adelaide was a handful and I wasn't sure how any parent would deal with her, especially if Adelaide couldn't keep the Mindonsiphan a secret. “You're not concerned about her special abilities?” I asked.

  Henry paused thinking it over. “An even better reason to let Ainsley look after her,” he reasoned. “She of all people can handle it without freaking out.”

  “Are you sure?” My mother made me vow never to return to Genesis, when she'd seen what I'd done.

  “I can introduce you,” he offered. “We'll have lunch together this afternoon before I send my advisors to Torv.”

  “That sounds nice.” I smiled, knowing I'd like to say goodbye to my friends along with Gavin before they left. He hadn't been the perfect father, but when I'd needed him, he'd been there to help me find Joshua.

  Lunch was delicious. Ainsley joined us along with the others. She was younger than my mother, but older than me. Her hair was short and golden, framed just below her shoulders, with tiny ears and a small nose. She couldn't have been an inch taller than me. She had eyes the color of coffee and her skin a rich cream. Ainsley got along well with Adelaide although no one had told she might become her caretaker. Wrinkles formed at the corners of her lips as she grinned affectionately at Adelaide. I wanted to tell Adelaide but only when I was sure they were both ready.

  Joshua sat beside me as Tria and two others cleared the table and helped her. I hadn't asked their names as they were busy and I didn't want to interrupt. “Can I talk to you?” I heard Joshua's soft whisper beside me.

  “Sure.” I shifted in my seat, hoping he wasn't against Ainsley looking after Adelaide. It would be good for her to have a home again. Living in a suite and with us wasn't in her best interest. I understood that now, more than I had when I'd first met her.

  “I'm going to Torv tomorrow with Gavin and a few others,” Joshua confessed. He was trying to gauge my reaction.

  “Good,” I answered. “I spoke with Henry earlier today and thought one of us should go and make sure they accept Spade into the new council.” Joshua gave me a strange look. I wasn't sure quite why or what he was thinking. “What?” I asked rather blatantly.

  “I want to find out if anyone else from Shadow is alive. Maybe they stayed in Torv.” It was a long shot. “I also want to see what they know about Isaura. It's possible she's not working alone.”

  I reached for his hand. “Be careful, okay?” I had no idea what she'd be capable of from the Mindonsiphan and it terrified me. We'd faced a lot together already but Isaura was something entirely new.

  “Of course.” Joshua gave my hand a squeeze. “I also want to see how they react when I tell them Shadow was destroyed.”

  I frowned. “You think they already know?” I didn't understand how they could. News didn't travel particularly fast and I doubted Isaura had visited Torv. I shuddered at the thought.

  “Possibly. It's why I want to see how surprised they are with the news. I also spoke with Henry.” Joshua gave me a pointed look I couldn't quite read.

  “Okay. About what?” I asked.

  Joshua leaned in, dropping a soft kiss to my cheek. “I know I don't have anything to worry about.” My jaw dropped. What had he said to Henry? Joshua trusted me, didn't he? “I'll be back before you know it.”

  “You’d better.” I leaned in, capturing his lips with a kiss. Inwardly I debated on whether I should join him to Torv. I wanted to go, to t
ravel and be with him, but I also knew someone needed to stay in Spade and make sure everything was as it seemed. Besides, Isaura would be looking for us–especially me–and I didn't want to chance her finding me on the open road.

  CHAPTER 12

  We said our goodbyes and I felt my heart constrict as Joshua, Gavin, Elsa, Aidan and a few others I was unfamiliar with, headed out in a van towards Torv.

  Ainsley stood beside Adelaide, keeping an eye on her as she waved goodbye to them. Once the gates closed, Ainsley bent down to Adelaide's level. “Would you like to come home with me this afternoon?” she asked the young girl. I appreciated that Ainsley tried to make it seem like something special and not forced. Adelaide was a tough girl and had been through a lot already. She was the last person who would be told what to do, even if she was a child.

  Adelaide pondered over it for a moment. “Do you have cookies there?”

  I tried to hide the laugh bubbling within me as Ainsley answered her. “We can make some together. Just you and me.”

  “I'd like that.” Adelaide turned towards me. “Is it okay if I go with her, Olivia?”

  “Of course.” I gave Adelaide a hug. “Have fun.” I waved as Ainsley took her hand and they together walked through the city square. At least someone had found a new home in Spade.

  “I'm going for a walk,” Cate announced. “I'll see you two tonight at dinner.” I didn't know what type of walk entailed her being gone all day, but I didn't argue. She had a mind of her own and I suspected she wanted time alone as she adjusted to this new life in Spade.

  Already I missed Adelaide, Joshua, and Gavin. I glanced beside me letting out a sigh, realizing Rane had stayed behind. I hadn't spoken to her much. It wasn't that I hadn't been glad she'd come and helped us find Joshua, but I'd been busy and hadn't seen her around.

  “You stayed.” I glanced at Rane as she anxiously picked at her nails.