Flower Readings

by Lilliana Rose

  “It was too hard to tell.” Triena sweated.

  I can’t do this for much longer. She struggled to keep her balance, to keep the information away from the Priest. “Weren’t you there too?”

  He slapped her. She reeled backwards. The sharp sound echoed in the small room. Braklen stood up quickly and moved towards the Priest, but it was at that moment the effects of the flower took hold of his body. He collapsed to the floor convulsing.

  “About time.” Priest Junqi looked down at him. “I was beginning to think that you cheated me, Triena, and you were going to kill him.”

  Triena sat holding her cheek, stunned. She knew the vibrational feel of the Priest’s energy and she didn’t recall it during the vision. He lied. He wasn’t with me.

  “He’s too strong to die.” She sat stunned, looking between the two men, unsure what was really going to happen. Not going to die? That’s good. Except it meant there was no plan to get out of here and she was still trapped.

  “Move him out of the way,” called the Priest.

  The two guards came in and dragged Braklen out of the room.

  “Now, we have some work to do.” The Priest picked up the chair and sat down. “I want my reading.”

  Triena picked up the pot of water to pour on the Dragon’s Flower bud.

  “No, not that one.” Priest Juniq moved the cup away. “That flower wasn’t selected for me.”

  Triena pursed her lips together. He knew a little about how to work with the flower energy. “You’ve been experimenting with flowers?”

  “A little.”

  He looked smug, which caused anger to burn inside her.

  “Settle down. No need to get upset.” He reached into his robe and pulled out a small black box. He opened the lid and placed it between them. Inside were jumbles of dried tea balls, all mixed together, the smell was sweet with a hint of bitterness. “I’m not stupid.”

  “This will make things complicated because the flowers haven’t been kept separate.” Triena looked at the flowers, each ball containing a specific energy, but the outside layers of dried leaves had been touching each other for some time and there was bound to be some contamination between the balls making them unsuitable for reading.

  “Stop being so picky.”

  Triena looked at the box. Maybe it won’t matter. “How many flowers to you want? I normally select three.”

  “One will be fine.”

  She placed her hand over the box, searching for the flower that wanted to give guidance to Priest Junqi. She wondered about the flowers in the parcel hidden in her shirt. Should I use one of them? But, she didn’t want to take out the parcel, and have them taken away from her. She felt connected to them, as though they were important to keep close at hand, even if she wasn’t sure exactly why.

  She moved her hand slowly over the box. The energies of the flowers melded a little which made it difficult to distinguish between them and find the one that was needed right now. Help me. I want to get out of here.

  Coldness kissed her hand causing her to flinch. She held it there for a second to make sure she found the right energy. The chill moved up her palm through her wrist and along her arm. Her blood slowed. She picked up the flower before she lost feeling in her fingers and dropped it into a clean cup.

  She avoided looking at the Priest, picked up the pot and poured. The blue flower soaked up the water and became turgid. Long petals floated in the liquid as if they were being woken from hibernation. They only thing she could smell was a crispness wafting from the cup, a cool breath that made her head ache.

  Instinctively, she pulled her energy away from the cup. This isn’t right. Something else was happening here. She hadn’t paid much attention to the flower, but she figured that the Priest wasn’t likely to have anything potent in his little box. He’d probably been ripped off in the market, given ordinary tea under the pretence it was something else. She could imagine that happening.

  The water in the cup was cooling rapidly. She could see the crystals forming close to the flower. It was like it was sucking the life out of the water for itself. In her mind, she saw the water begin to freeze, and the flower grow upwards and reach out of the water until it was frozen on top. The frozen petals were gem-like and looked like an exotic candy to be eaten.

  “Well, what do you see?” asked Priest Junqi.

  The image faded to a blue flower floating in the warm water. “Sweetness. A new door opening.” Triena surprised herself with the words she spoke. It wasn’t a lie. Knots of dread formed in her stomach given to her by the Energy. She watched him pick up the cup and drink the contents, as if he couldn’t wait to taste the sugar of his future.

  “That was a bit cold, not my favorite way of drinking tea.” He smiled, and wiped the corners of his mouth. “This went rather well. I think I could do this myself.”

  Triena saw the color of his lips fade from red and become a blue hue. It’s happening. “What now?”

  His face paled and his lips were now blue. “Another reading so I can learn your technique.”

  How much longer? I want him to leave.

  “It’s getting a little cold in here. I’ll leave you now. You’ve been most helpful.” He stood up and swayed. He tried to grab the table but missed and fell to the floor. “What’s happening?” His voice chattered as if it too was freezing.

  Triena watched shocked at what she saw. Priest Junqi lay still on the ground, his skin pale, lips blue, even his fingers were turning blue.

  The two guards rushed forward. “What happened?” One of them knelt down next to the Priest. The other pointed a particle gun at her.

  “Nothing. I gave him a reading as he asked.” I don’t understand what is happening with the Energy. It’s meant to tell me what’s happening, not give me what I’ve asked for. Or kill people.

  “You lying bitch, tell me what to do.” The man shook the Priest trying to wake him.

  Triena knew it was too late. She shivered from the cold energy seeping from the Priest into her. It was so much easier back in my tea-room. People came in, I picked three flowers, and they left, alive.

  “It’s just the effects of the reading. He has an inner journey to take. If you do anything now it will disrupt his experience. You don’t want him waking up, wanting you two dead.”

  The man looked at her confused, unsure whether or not to believe her.

  “I can give you a reading too.”

  “No.”

  A blast of energy entered the room and knocked over the man who had been standing near Triena. She ducked as a particle blast went over her head. Braklen.

  Triena moved quickly and hit the guard kneeling next to the Priest. She grabbed his gun and held it steady, pointing it at him. He froze. “I’ll use it.”

  Braklen fought with the other man. Triena decided not to try and shoot at him, since past events had proven her aim was inaccurate. She kept pointing the gun at the first man and waited. Braklen better win that fight. She didn’t look over, not wanting to give her hostage any hope of taking advantage. How can people be dying in my readings with flowers that don’t have any toxicity? Her energy consumed the Priest’s, causing a coldness to grip her heart. This process unsettled her as she tried to keep hold of her balance.

  “Well, that’s the third time you’ve tried to kill me.” Braklen stood up while his adversary lay groaning in pain on the ground. “I think.”

  Braklen flipped him over and set about binding his hands.

  “You won’t get far,” said the other guard.

  “Shut it, or I’ll shoot you,” said Triena.

  “It’s not set to stun.”

  “Good.”

  Braklen came over and bound the other guy. He took his ID chip and particle gun and pocket knife.

  “You seem to have a habit of killing people in your readings,” said Braklen. “Is this a new thing?”

  “Fuck off.” Triena searched the Priest’s body for anything that might help her get out
of here. He had a pouch around his belt that she took and his ID chip. She didn’t bother taking the contaminated flowers. “Didn’t think you’d be back for me. You were rather cold before.”

  “What else did you expect? I had to face another one of your readings.”

  “You look like you survived well enough.”

  “Yeah, nothing like being sent down in the pit to fight yet another demon. Thanks for that. You’re lucky I bothered to come back here to help you out.”

  “You didn’t have to.” Triena glanced up at him. He looked tired, and there was something different about him. His energy still made her melt, but it was even more intense. His face flushed a little and he turned away and tightened the binds around the man’s wrists.

  “The Priests will find you easily. You can’t hide from them.”

  “Is that right?” asked Braklen. “How will they find us?”

  “I’ll tell them, when they come here for me.”

  “You’re really making the option of killing you rather tempting,” said Triena.

  “You won’t get away with that either.”

  “You’ll be dead, so it wouldn’t matter. Where’s my things?” She wanted her belt back.

  “Dunno.”

  Triena stood up and went over to the table. Priest Junqi’s energy pulsed inside of her giving her a boost. I’m not about to give in to them. She tipped out the flower in Braklen’s cup, selected a dried flower from the Priest’s black box and dropped it in the cup. The water in the kettle was tempered but she poured it over the bud anyway. It responded slowly, opening and releasing its juices into the water.

  She walked over to the man. “Here, drink this.”

  “No way. I saw what happened to those who drink your tea.” He moved his head away from the cup as Triena tried to tip the liquid into his mouth.

  “So, then tell us. Have others been informed that we are here?”

  “I’m not saying anything.”

  Braklen held the man’s head still. Triena lifted the cup to his lips.

  “No.” Some liquid spilt on his lips and he tried to spit it out. “You’ve poisoned me, you bitch.”

  “Maybe it’s not enough to kill you, unless I give you more.” Triena tipped the cup to his lips.

  “No.”

  “Who did the Priest work for?”

  “Dunno.”

  “Yes you do. Queens?” asked Braklen.

  “No, I dunno … maybe.” Sweat formed on the man’s forehead and he struggled to breathe. “Whoever suited him.”

  “You followed?” asked Braklen.

  “But, there was someone else.” The guard’s words became more breathless.

  “Who?” asked Triena. “Why do you going along with this?”

  “They give us some liquid, something to drink when we sign up. We … we … don’t have a choice. They tell us it’s the Priest’s bidding. But, I dunno anymore, maybe it’s not.’ He began choking as if the air started to strangle him.

  “Who?” asked Triena.

  The man’s eyes went wide and he gasped for breath, words buried somewhere in his constricted throat. White foam bubbled out from his mouth.

  “Priests?”

  He gurgled.

  “Tell me.”

  His body went limp.

  “Fuck the Queens.” She smashed the cup on the floor. Cold tea splattered at her feet.

  “Well, you really are getting a reputation with your readings. One I don’t think is going to be good for business.” Braklen let go of the man’s head and it slumped forward.

  “Thanks. This shouldn’t have happened. The flower was harmless.” Bile rose to her throat. This wasn’t her. She blamed Priest Junqi’s energy tainting her aura. The pendant did little to help her, but then Marory said it wasn’t powerful. She touched the stone, and flinched. It was hot. Working overtime I guess.

  “Doesn’t appear to be the case. Maybe you made a mistake,” said Braklen, his voice disrupting her thoughts, sending them swirling once more. She took a deep breath to focus herself.

  Surely not? Triena went over to the box and looked carefully inside. All the flowers were ancient ones, there was nothing potent in there. So why was the energy of these flowers killing people? Is it me? Her stomach twisted. But, it’s not possible for this to happen. I can’t control the Energy. Triena remembered the program she tasted. Could someone else have her skill? Someone not in the Queen’s faith? She wished the rabbit was here. Not that he was always helpful.

  “So did you?” Braklen walked over to her.

  His comment made her temperature rise, but as he got closer, it was a different heat she noticed, and it wasn’t from her. He put his hand gently on her shoulder.

  The last of the anger left her. “Something odd is happening. It looks like the Energy can be manipulated.”

  “The Queens would want that type of skill. I guess it’s why they want you and the Priests.”

  “I’m not trying to manipulate the Energy.” She took a deep breath and avoided looking at him. “We should go.”

  “Yeah.” He moved his hand away and she had to stop herself from leaning back into him.

  That type of behavior isn’t going to help me right now. She forced herself to step away from him.

  “We need to get the rabbit and then get out of here.”

  “Once we find out where here is.” Braklen went to the door and peered out, looking both ways. “At least no one is coming for us.”

  “Not yet.” Triena looked at the Priest. Something drew her back to him. She knelt down. A familiar smell, faint and animal like wafted from his robe. She looked closer. Fine black hairs. “He’s got them.” She knew with a gut-wrenching truth he’d found the rabbit and Marory.

  “Who?”

  She picked off a long black hair from his robe.

  “Well, that rabbit can be left behind for all I care,” said Braklen. “Come on.”

  “You would leave Marory?”

  He froze at the door. “No.”

  “Then we got to find them.”

  “Great. Things sure as hell get complicated with you.”

  “You’re as much to blame as me.”

  Chapter 16

  They walked out of the cell and stood in a narrow, dark corridor. With the help of the Energy, Triena knew they were underground. About two levels down, perhaps?

  They had two options, left or right. Both directions appeared identical. A long hallway, with doors on either side and electric lights midway up the wall, provided an orange glow, and barely gave them enough light to see if anyone approached.

  She turned away and used the Priest’s ID card to lock the door behind her.

  “Where were you kept?” asked Triena, hoping Braklen would be able to give some idea what direction they should go in.

  “Nearby, maybe that way.” He pointed to the left.

  “Okay.” She reached into the Energy Field and tried to pick up Marory’s energy print, but it wasn’t that easy. The concrete made it difficult to read the patterns. She kept thinking of the crown, of the Priest lying dead in the room, and how she killed another person with her reading. Triena was also scared of spending too much time in the Energy Field in case someone was monitoring the vibrations and picked up her energy print. She figured the chances of that happening were high.

  “I can’t be sure where to go,” said Triena.

  “I guess we don’t have a choice. Let’s try this way.” He began walking down the corridor and she followed. Their footsteps gave a dull thud on the concrete and she hoped there wasn’t anyone else down here in this dungeon-like set up, because they weren’t exactly stealthy in their movements. There wasn’t a known escape route.

  The cool stale air made her lungs feel heavy. She tasted soil on her tongue. The earthly flavor grounded her and her nerves dissolved.

  As they walked past each door, she felt into the room trying to find the rabbit and Marory. Some rooms had a faint energy in them like som
eone struggled to live.

  “Maybe, we should open all these doors, just to make sure we don’t miss them,” said Triena softly.

  Braklen was about a foot ahead of her. “No. We got to look out for us.”

  “But, there are people who are behind these doors who might be like us.”

  “We can’t be sure.”

  “They might give us information.”

  “They might hinder us, turn us in for money.”

  Triena didn’t like the idea of walking past these cells. Some of them had a weak energy vibration and some had nothing, only the residual ripples of the last occupant. The echoes spoke to her of frightening deaths. Ones she didn’t want to think about. That could’ve been me.

  “He’s gone now, so maybe they won’t bother.”

  Triena didn’t believe what Braklen said. She placed her hand on one of the metal doors, her palm flat against the metal. The door shimmered and became transparent. “Braklen.”

  He came back to her. “Fuck the Queens.” The front of the room was now transparent. There was some sort of Energy Field there and it fired bursts of electricity in warning.

  No one was in the room. She kept her hand where the wall had been, lingering in a false hope.

  “Triena, we’ve got to look after ourselves. We’re the ones they want. The longer we stay, the less likely we’ll get out, then we won’t be able to help anybody.”

  The vibration of his voice bought her back to reality. She dropped her hand to her side. The wall and door materialised. “Who would they keep in here?” Someone they didn’t want escaping alive. There was a faint ripple of familiarity in the cell that Triena couldn’t place. It was as if there was something of her past in the room, but she knew she had never been here.

  He pulled her away and pushed her forward. She resisted him and placed her hand on the next door. This time there was no change. Each cell is different. As if they were made for someone specific. “Who would go to this trouble?”

  “I think they are left over from the war?”

  My mother? Was she here? Triena felt even more determined to free the prisoners here, whether or not they were guilty. She marched up to a door and used the chip to open it.

  “Triena.” Braklen grabbed her arm and stopped her from going inside. “We can’t do this. Not now. The rabbit? I know you want him.”