“I see. Were you trying to kill Braklen again?”
Triena cringed and felt her face heat up. Here’s my past catching up with me again.
Marory continued working and picked up the board of chopped vegetables and pushed them into a pot of boiling water. “Well?”
“Course not. I was following the Energy.”
“That’s odd.” Marory sprinkled some dried herbs into the water.
Pepper, cardamom and caraway. Triena listed the smells automatically as her stomach grumbled with anticipation.
“Very odd.” Marory clunked the lid on and turned up the heat on the electric stove.
“Meaning?” Triena never fully understood the way the Energy worked, which was the point. It made sure she couldn’t influence the outcome. She’d always blindly trusted the process and the patterns in the Energy. But now? There appeared to be so much more about the Energy she had no idea about. That scared her. She hadn’t known she was using something so powerful. Her palms sweated at the thought of the reading she had to do for the Priest. She wasn’t so sure she wanted to be slipping into the Energy with what she now knew.
“The Energy doesn’t lie.”
“But, we’ve learned it can be manipulated.”
“Programmed, that’s different. The energy was trying to tell you something.”
“Me?”
“Yes and Braklen. You two are intertwined in the Energies. I see it when I look at you two.”
“Then why would the Energy want me to kill him?” And this isn’t making any sense.
“The Energy didn’t.”
“I didn’t influence the Energy.” Triena felt a weight on her shoulders. “Did I?” The doubt crept in like a suffocating fog.
“I don’t think so.”
“So then why?” Triena rubbed her temples.
“That’s the missing answer we need. Do you have the flowers for the Priest, or are you meant to be keeping them for Braklen? Or is there another path we don’t know about?”
Triena rubbed the side of her head. Her temples ached from this conversation. “Can we trust the Priest?”
“Yes.”
Triena couldn’t help think of Salene. You can’t really trust anyone? Maybe the Priest is already working with the Queens?
Or you’re just paranoid. The rabbit nibbled on carrot peel under the table.
“What flowers do you have?” asked Marory.
“Ones novices can’t use.” She didn’t want to be letting on to anyone what she had. It was better that way, especially since she had more enemies than friends. “If I had a selection of flowers I could possibly find out if the energy directed me to pick the same ones.”
“Then it’s decided.” Marory opened the lid and stirred the pot. “We need to get some dried flowers for you, lots of different ones.”
“Is that possible?”
“Dear, this planet is the hub of trade, anything’s possible. You will have to go outside to the night markets.”
“That means telling Braklen.”
Marory nodded. “And there’s an increase of Peacekeepers around the place, so you’ll have to avoid them and get back before the Priest returns.”
“Sounds like a challenge.” Triena didn’t think she was up to it.
“We better go and tell Braklen the good news.”
The women walked down to the room where Braklen was sleeping. The rabbit hopped behind them. Snores filled the room, in time with the rolling waves on the recording.
Triena watched him sleeping, and something inside of her melted, softened, even though she tried to stop this. She couldn’t. The more time she spent with this man, the more she liked him. And the more she felt guilty at trying to kill him just so she could be accepted back with the Queens.
Told you. Fur tickled her bare feet.
Triena folded her arms and felt the hardness of the chip under her skin. Even so, this time she didn’t feel as much hate towards Braklen, for imprisoning her. There’s something bigger going on here. Something I’m not in control over.
Marory pinched Braklen’s exposed foot. He yelped and sat up abruptly. “Fuck the Queens, can’t a man sleep?” He flopped back down on the bed.
“Come on, up. You and Triena are going to the markets in search of some dried flowers she can use for the Priest’s reading.”
“That’s a stupid idea.” Braklen sat up on the bed and the two women looked at him. “I haven’t heard such a stupid idea for a long time.”
“Settle down, Brak,” said Triena. “We have to do this otherwise we will be stuck here. Besides I don’t want to kill the Priest.”
“So does that mean the flowers would’ve killed me?”
“I didn’t pick out the flowers, the Energy did.”
“Yeah, right.” Braklen glared at her. “You still tried to kill me.”
“No, she didn’t,” said Marory. “Not this time.”
“She really wants me dead?”
“No, she doesn’t,” said Marory.
“Yes she does. Now tell me.”
“The energy was trying to tell you something and drinking the tea from these flowers doesn’t mean you would’ve ended up dead.”
“I was pretty ill after the first cup.”
“But, you didn’t die.”
“What did I get instead?”
“Your memories,” interjected Triena.
Braklen sighed. “This is a stupid idea.”
“Well, I’d be able to go by myself if I didn’t have the chip, and that is clearly your fault.”
“I did that only because you tried to kill me.”
“Now, come on. You don’t have much time.” Marory stood with her hands on her hips, giving him the best stern stare mothers are capable of.
Braklen moved and put on his boots. “This better be worth the risk.”
“You want the Priest alive.”
Braklen nodded.
“Then it’s worth the risk,” said Marory. “And when have I ever lied to you?”
“Fine. You I trust, but Triena, I dunno. You cause me any trouble out there and don’t run when I tell you too, or drop to the floor, I’ll be tempted to take you to the nearest Peacekeeper.” He stood up and walked to the doorway where the women were standing. “I’m in charge.”
As if. The rabbit hopped between him and Triena. He clicked his ears waiting to be picked up.
“No way, you’re staying here,” said Triena.
You need me.
“No I don’t.” Triena walked to the front door following Marory. The woman was limping. She hoped they hadn’t strained her too much with the extra workload for looking after two more people. Did she really fight for my mother?
Marory handed her an extra jacket, a thick woollen coat. Triena looked into her hazel eyes. How much more is there to the story you’re not telling me?
“Keep your walls strong.” She made no sign she heard Triena’s voice in her mind. The skill in the Energy sometimes fades as you got older, that’s what she heard, read anyway on her electronic books or chat rooms, which wasn’t always reliable.
“Of course.”
“I shouldn’t be letting you do this,” said Marory.
“Neither should I,” said Braklen as he pulled a beanie on his head.
The rabbit hopped impatiently around her feet. “You’re staying here,” said Triena as she buttoned her coat. “I don’t need any distractions. Besides you’re getting heavier.”
Am not. Take me with you. Don’t leave me here. He thumped his back foot.
“I’ll look after you.” Marory picked up the rabbit. His ears twitched furiously and he fluffed up his fur.
“You’re too heavy and we aren’t going to be long.”
So you think.
“I’ll give you some fresh lettuce and carrots.” Marory tried to scratch him behind the ears, but he wriggled trying to escape. “Now, now, I’ll look after you.”
“Let’s go, I don’t want to be lo
ng,” said Braklen.
“You know where to go?” asked Marory.
“Yes, I remember.”
“Be back by midnight, before the curfew.” Marory entered the code and the door slid open. A blast of cool air rushed onto Triena’s face causing her to hold her breath and to pause. Braklen pushed past her and went outside.
Now or never. She scratched behind the rabbit’s ears before walking out.
“I’ll be waiting for you both,” said Marory as the door slid shut.
Triena walked up the concrete stairs to Braklen who was standing on the street waiting for her. Without a word he started walking, briskly into the dark street and she ran to catch up. Their dark clothes helped them to blend into the darkness and kept them warm against the night air.
Bring her back.
Triena wasn’t sure if it was the rabbit or Marory who spoke, her mind opened up more now she was outside. She felt she could breathe more easily, but her heart pounded faster, and her skin prickled. For a second she thought about turning back. She could feel the ripples of Queens as they scanned the Energy. Triena didn’t think her energy walls would be strong enough.
An image took hold of her mind and she found herself standing in mud, thick and smelly, slowly sinking. She was about to scream as the liquid pulled her down. Concentrate, she told herself.
Suddenly she was back on the street clutching a dirty old brick wall for support. Maybe I should’ve bought the rabbit?
“Come on,” whispered Braklen, he had to walk back to Triena. “You walk now or we go back.”
Triena forced herself to stand. She felt dizzy, but she forced herself to move forward. Braklen took her hand, and immediately she felt herself rebalance. I have to do this.
They walked along the dark alleys. Buildings towered above them, ominous structures with thousands of windows that made Triena think they were eyes. She wasn’t sure why these visions were coming. She strengthened the protection around her mind and paced closely behind Braklen. Her stomach knotted, the further she walked away from the rabbit and Marory.
It was so dark, and a smoky fog swirled around them, as the temperature dropped, a mix of cold air and pollution gave them physical cover. Triena worried most about the Energy Field. She felt the pulses on her energy walls, regular like waves entering a shore, which was reassuring because it meant they hadn’t found her yet. She was sure the Queens tried to use the Energy Field to locate her even if they hadn’t succeeded.
That was going to make the flower reading for the Priest so much harder. Can I trust him? She missed having the rabbit’s reassurance. Even a negative comment right now would’ve helped her to settle.
She bumped into Braklen as he stopped at a corner. “Keep your wits.” She could feel the stress of his energy radiating out, which put an added strain on her. Braklen looked left and right, unsure of what way to go.
Great just what we need, to be lost here, and not even make the night markets.
The sound of breaking glass down the street caused Triena to jump and she pressed close to Braklen’s back. They waited. The street was quiet.
He let out his breath. “This way.”
“You sure?”
“Shut up.” He turned to their right and she followed.
Every few meters she checked her energy walls and found them to be secure. She still felt the pulses but they were becoming more familiar. Her breathing naturally tuned in with the vibrations of her surroundings. She let the searching waves roll over her and concentrated on keeping her protection high as well as keeping up with him. It was too late to go back without the flowers.
He paused at a T-junction.
“Do you know the way or not?” she whispered.
“Shhh.” He squeezed her hand, emphasising his urgency for her to be quiet.
The footsteps came from behind them. Clear steps in a confident rhythm.
“Did you bring a gun?”
“No, did you?”
“No, why wouldn’t you?”
“You didn’t give me much time to prepare. We won’t need it, I’m sure.”
Triena wasn’t as positive. Her body tensed as the footsteps came closer. This was a bad idea. There were at least two people coming, but she couldn’t be sure.
Braklen pressed her back against the wall. “Don’t look.”
She didn’t have time to argue. He kissed her. She would’ve enjoyed it, if it wasn’t for her pounding heart and the idea someone might emerge from the darkness pointing a weapon at them.
She went to push him back. This wasn’t the time to get all lovey. But, he was stronger, and kept his weight against her, and his lips on her, muffling her voice as she tried to speak.
The coldness of the concrete wall seeped through her layers. No one walked past, and he kept kissing her. His warm, soft lips helped to relax her. She struggled to stop her energy from trying to join with his. He was a magnet and she a piece of iron unable to keep away. She closed her eyes. The sound of people walking by echoed around her and she shivered.
There was a wolf whistle, and they kept walking past. Triena opened her eyes and saw the Peacekeepers walking away. Too close.
Braklen released her lips. “Enjoyed that, huh?”
Triena struggled to control her breathing. She wasn’t going to admit anything to him, not yet, not until they were in a safer situation, if that ever was going to happen. Right now she couldn’t trust any of her feelings. She had to be on alert for her own safety and not thinking about the long kiss, his tongue brushing on hers. The smoothness of his lips. Damn. Concentrate. The words didn’t have the same effect on her, as when the rabbit said them.
Braklen slipped his hand into hers and smiled. His skin was warmer than hers, just. Without words he led her back on the street. “I’ll take your silence as a yes.”
“Are we nearly there?” Triena felt like the kiss set her insides on fire. She was going to have to make sure she kept some distance from him. Otherwise she might end up doing something she’d regret later, and she wasn’t even thinking of killing him. She didn’t need any more complications. Everything was already a knotted mess.
“Down here.” Braklen walked down a narrow alleyway. She could hear the noise of people talking, shouts from owners and music. The sounds warmed her and settled her heart. The buzz of the night markets drew her closer and her fear dissipated. This is what she wanted, to explore and find some of her own flowers to buy instead of having to rely on other people. She gently sent out her own waves of energy searching for dried flowers that would be suitable.
Braklen stopped at the edge of the markets. “Now, it’s your turn to lead, be quick.”
Triena didn’t need to be told twice. She happily stepped into the bustle of trade that was going on and began searching for flowers, using the Energy as a guide. She didn’t want to risk drawing attention to her by asking outright for dried flowers. Would there even be something I could use?
People bumped into her without apology as they rushed about trying to buy or draw in customers before just before midnight when the curfew was enforced.
“Lady, we have a shawl for you,” said one boy standing in front of a pile of material, stacked in the colors so it faded from red to violet.
Triena shook her head and kept walking. Marory had chosen their clothing well, and they blended in easily. Most people wore the dark shades, thick coats and beanies, in the cold evening.
“Gloves, Miss?” asked a young girl, her face grubby.
Triena shook her head and kept moving.
“Sir?” The girl turned to Braklen. He ignored her, pushing forward to keep close to Triena as if scared of losing her in the crowd.
Chaos swirled in her aura and she enjoyed the change even though it made it harder to read the Energy and decide where to go. She felt part of the world once more. She felt alive out here with the people.
“I’ll predict your future for one coin,” said an elderly lady, hunched over a crystal ball. Trie
na was surprised to see the quartz sphere. Though she assumed it probably was glass and not real quartz. Some people didn’t care who told them about their future, they’d rather hear the lies instead of facing the unknown.
She kept moving, pushing her way deeper into the center of the markets, towards the other side, where the ripples of energy were sparking in curious patterns. She followed the swirls of flowers she saw in her mind. She trusted the energy despite what she recently leant.
At the other side of the market the crowd was thinner and Triena felt more exposed. She could feel Braklen getting more and more anxious behind her and a few times she lost the pattern she followed. This would be easier if I was alone.
She took a deep breath, and ignored the smell of meat, earth, and beer. It has to be here. She looked around but couldn’t see anything.
“At least we tried, now let’s go,” said Braklen.
“No, wait a bit longer.” She turned a full circle once more and instinctively walked over to a stall. The stall stank of pestilence. She held her breath. An old man stepped from the shadow inside the stall. His toothless smile made her shiver.
Braklen put his hand on Triena’s arm and gently tugged her away. She refused to move with him.
“Can I help you?” The man’s voice husky from years of smoking. He was difficult to hear over the noise of the markets. It was like the rest of the world had dropped away and all she could see was this bald man in front of her.
“Maybe.” Triena took a step closer. “I want something unusual.”
“Everyone does here, that’s why we come out at night.” He pointed to across the road. “You think she’s here selling beanies and scarfs? And over there, do you think they are ordinary dolls? The butcher, well he isn’t selling animal meat.”
Triena looked around her seeing things differently. There was a lot of black energy in this particular spot of the markets, she took a step backwards. “I made a mistake, sorry.”
“Oh no, I don’t think you did.”
She didn’t like the energy here. It lied to her again. Stupid. She knew better.
“You heard her,” said Braklen, his voice deep and rough.
Triena’s skin prickled. Her hair stood on end, and she couldn’t move. The cloudy eyes of the man held her still.
Flower Readings Page 18