I flickered in and climbed off Hoof. My father followed me, and we both kneeled next to the Deputy.
“I said I’m fine,” the Deputy snapped.
I saw Sky out of the corner of my eye, and one man with a photobox. They were coming from the direction of the tree line, where they must have waited out the fight, the cowards.
Caster held up a hand to them and shook his head.
Sky turned the receiver off and took a step back. For the first time, the man was cowed. But the photobox man filmed on.
“We have much work ahead of us,” the Deputy said. Even now, after he had tried to save me, his voice was chilling. This was the same man who had tortured me. But I had made my choice to stay here and not join the rebels in the Eye, so I listened.
A guardsman approached, holding a set of prezine cuffs.
“No,” the Deputy said. “Let Miss Hailfast be. She and Member Hailfast are under my protection.”
The guardsman stepped back, but I didn’t feel protected. The Deputy might not have me arrested, but he might trap my father and me in our home. He might demand that we disown my mother, and I wouldn’t do that in public, even if I did it inside my heart. I wouldn’t hide my true nature, either. It was too late for that, and besides, I was no longer ashamed of my Ability. I had used it for good today, proving it could be good. I had helped save Caster; I had protected members of the Council and my parents. I would continue to use the Ability, and to learn everything that I could do. I would not be trapped anywhere.
“I will need both of you to help me,” the Deputy said.
“We will not work for you or for Plat rule,” I said. “Only for peace.”
The Deputy’s eyes met mine. There was a part of me that wished he would die and leave us all free of him. But his gaze was strong.
“Peace is a worthy goal,” he said. “Above all, no more death.” He gripped Caster’s hand. “Can we agree on that, son?”
Caster nodded, tears filling his eyes. “We can.”
My father put his arm around me. “Agreed,” he said.
The Deputy attempted to push himself up, but Caster gently held him down. “Father, please, save your strength,” he said. “See, there are carriages coming to help you back.” Indeed, behind us, beasts were drawing carriages out of the city gates. Citizens streamed out onto the sand.
I looked up, past the Deputy to the ocean. Waves still lapped the shore. I wondered for what reason the Waters returned, but I was content to wait for that answer, because I had one of the answers I had been seeking. I didn’t know whether I was Plat, Leftie, or Flickerkin, but I knew that I had a purpose. I could help reach both sides of this conflict before it became another war. I could prevent more bloodshed. And I would do it openly, as all parts of myself.
Caster and I reached for each other’s hands.
I thought of Porti and her father, now far from us. Of my mother and grandmother, chased away. Of those who had died here fighting for the superiority of one race or the other. My existence was proof that the races could live together and love. Caster was proof that one generation’s hate could give way to understanding. Together, we would work for the future we believed in.
Let the Waters come.
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About the Author
PHOTO BY JOHN THOMPSON
MARY G. THOMPSON was born and raised in Cottage Grove and Eugene, Oregon. She was a practicing attorney for more than seven years, including almost five years in the U.S. Navy, and is now a law librarian in Washington, D.C. She is a graduate of The New School’s Writing for Children program and the author of several middle grade novels for Clarion Books, most recently Evil Fairies Love Hair. Flicker and Mist is her first fantasy for teen readers.
Visit her at www.marygthompson.com
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