“Creatures that can hide in the guise of Shuni! Under my command. You are magnificent, Kieran!”
A shock went through me again, and I was back in the lab. Rowan was in my face saying something, shaking me. I blinked a few times before he released my shoulders.
“What happened?” he growled, and I swallowed, trying to figure out what had in fact happened. Did I just have a vision? It wasn’t a premonition; this was something that had already happened. Was it even real at all? I thought of Kieran’s face and decided it certainly must have been.
“I don’t know.” My tongue felt thick in my mouth.
“What do you mean you don’t know?” Rowan growled, and I looked around to see everyone staring at me warily.
“Can I have a drink?” I asked, mouth dry.
“What?”
“I’m thirsty,” I said slowly. I needed a second to think. Within a flash, Rowan was handing me a cup of water. I drank the entire cup before breathing. Then I told them what I saw.
“So what does that mean? She had a vision?” Adelaide scoffed and my hackles rose.
“It appears so,” Rowan said, studying me. Farran spoke from the back of the room and startled us all.
“Kieran has altered the staff so far from its purpose. Twisting and corrupting it to his will.”
“Why only Shuni?” Willa asked, and we all thought it over.
“My guess would be that since blood magic made the Shuni, blood magic can more easily control them. Who’s to say, really?” Farran sighed, shaking his head.
“We must alert the Six and figure out a plan to secure the people. What if there are others within the walls already?” Marlowe asked, looking around at the Shuni in the room suspiciously.
“It should be easy enough to spot them. Check behind their ears,” I said, pointing to the spot. Sure enough we checked the other slabs, and those men had them too.
“All right, let me see your necks,” Farran said, and Silas, Malachi, and Rowan obliged. He looked at me next.
“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.” I reiterated his earlier joke to him, and he laughed. We were both in the clear.
“So how are we going to go about checking everyone in the kingdom for a mark?” Tamora shook her head. We sat in silence for a while mulling that over. It was a conundrum. How could we convince people without alerting them?
“We could fake an outbreak of illness?” Adelaide finally suggested, breaking the silence, and damn if I didn’t nod along with everyone else.
“Yes, we could hold free health screenings, offer fake tonics to keep the illness from spreading,” Silas said, snatching hold of the idea and running with it.
“You’re just going to lie to an entire city of people, give them fake health screenings and sugar water to check for marks? That’s diabolical,” I thought out loud, and they all looked at me.
“It’s for their own good,” Silas replied, and I could tell he believed it.
***
I was told to go straight to my room and not speak a word of what was happening. Farran volunteered as my escort and then he happily left me at the barracks to tell my friends the new developments.
“You want to see my what?” Luca asked, eyes wide, and I laughed.
“Your necks, all of you,” I said, lining them up and checking for a mark. I let out a sigh of relief when there was none. I filled them in on my morning, and no one spoke when I was finished.
“Well?” I asked, waiting for their input.
“This is insane,” Briony said with a shake of her head.
“When are they planning to do this?” Griffin asked, and I shrugged.
“They kicked me out so they could plan. I was told not to breathe a word of it, so keep your mouths shut,” I threatened and they grinned, happy to be in on the secret. We were discussing theories when we heard something fall outside the building. Luca jumped up to see what the noise was.
“It’s all right, just some equipment that fell over,” he said, reentering the barracks and swiping his head. We were all jumpy.
“So why do you think you saw the vision?” Peyton asked quietly, and I shrugged.
“I honestly don’t know why I saw it. It happened when I touched the mark on his neck . . . The only other time I’ve seen something like a vision was when I saw Master Liung’s premonition . . .” Thinking of Master Liung made me think of the coin necklace he had given me. I hadn’t worn it today, but I remember feeling its power, feeling the connection to him through it. I thought of the dagger in my boot. I wondered.
I took out the small dagger and looked more closely at it. It took a few moments, but I felt a pulse of energy and a pull to touch the blade. When I did I felt the burst of power and gasped at what I saw.
A woman with dark hair and milky skin was singing quietly under the light of the moon. Beautiful magic filled the air. She funneled this magic into two daggers that were sitting on a stone in front of her. She sprinkled dirt atop them and blew it off immediately after. She then rose and turned to a fire burning next to her, thrusting the daggers into the flame and quickly dipping them into water. She didn’t stop singing, even as she cut her hand on each dagger and set them back onto the stone. A man with dark hair and ice-blue eyes held a toddler out to her. She poked the girl’s finger with a needle and squeezed the droplets of blood onto the daggers. The girl didn’t cry, but the woman kissed her finger and the blood vanished. The woman held the girl as the daggers began to glow brightly into the night. They shone for a long time before the light finally dulled and the woman ended her song.
“It is done,” she said, exhausted and pale, but still smiling at the man who kissed her and the girl on the head in turn.
I blinked frantically, coming back to myself surrounded by my friends’ concerned faces. I just had another vision! What did this mean?
“You guys are never going to believe this!” I said excitedly. Just then, the door to the barracks flew open and Silas came in followed by the smug faces of Cassia, Oliviana, and Joel.
“Well, well, well . . . look what we have here! These three felt the need to inform me of this little meeting. Imagine our surprise to find that the princess was not in fact locked up in her room, but instead down here mingling with the commoners and telling royal secrets,” he barked, but I noticed the shine of humor in his eyes at his mention of me. The others must not have seen it, for they sat rigidly awaiting their punishment. I glared at Cassia; she returned in kind.
“I’m a loose cannon,” I informed him.
“Are you finished breaking the rules yet?” Farran popped back in. Silas looked from me to Farran and shrugged. This wasn’t his problem to deal with.
“As for the rest of you . . . since you all know about the illness that is about to have an outbreak, I imagine you’ll all have it! Quarantined in your barracks until the symptoms are gone. Such a pity.” He smiled, turning on his heel and leaving us behind.
“He’s joking right?” I asked, but everyone shrugged.
“I guess we will find out,” Luca complained.
CHAPTER EIGHT
A couple of days later I was being thrust onto a platform in front of a crowd of people to have the first free health exam. The Six insisted that I do it publicly for the people’s benefit: If the Princess does it, we should too. I was wearing a simple dress, and my hair was braided down my back. The kingdom had only one healer, but there were many physicians who trained under her. The one that was about to examine me in a show for the public looked like a kind old man, silver hair, slightly bent. He gestured for me to sit in a chair and I complied, glad to be off my feet. I wasn’t fond of being made a public spectacle.
“Look straight ahead, please,” the physician said loudly enough for his voice to carry.
“Follow my finger with your eyes,” he said before passing it from side to side in front of my face.
“Good, now let me feel your throat.” He pressed his hands against the sides of my neck gently.
&n
bsp; “Now I’m going to check your ears,” he said as he pulled out a little magnifying tool and pointed it inside my ears. If I wouldn’t have known what he was doing, I wouldn’t have noticed the brush of his fingers as he checked for the mark.
“One last thing, please. Tilt your head back and open your mouth wide.” He looked into my mouth and then patted my shoulder.
“The princess is healthy,” he said with a smile, and the crowd cheered as he handed me a little vial full of liquid.
“This is to make sure she stays that way,” he continued, and I drank it quickly and smiled to the people. As if to say, See? That was easy.
“Who’s next?” I asked cheerfully, playing the part, and the line began to flow. I was led away from the crowd and into the Guard HQ, where I was happy to see that the novices were waiting.
“How’d it go?” Briony asked, taking a sip from the cup that was in her hand. An assortment of sandwiches and cheeses was laid out for a lunch spread. My stomach rumbled at the sight.
“Not bad,” I replied, taking the seat next to her and grabbing a sandwich. I hadn’t had the chance to tell anyone about what I had seen with the daggers in my vision, and now I wasn’t sure I should. Clearly it had been my mother and father, but she had used our blood to seal the spell. Wasn’t that blood magic? I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t want anyone to know until I knew more.
“I’m glad you talked Silas into letting us keep you company.” Luca smiled, and I returned it fully.
“Me too,” I said honestly. Even if the three rats of the group were glaring in the corner. I noted Cassia, Oliviana, and Joel when I had entered the room.
“So what’s the story with them? They don’t act as if they even want to be here . . .” I whispered, nodding toward their spot in the corner.
“Cassia’s boyfriend—well, ex-boyfriend now—signed up for the novice training at the beginning of our final year of school. He was a catch: rich, smart, and gorgeous—” Briony began, and Luca interrupted her.
“He was also a pretentious, uptight jerk . . . but I don’t suppose you remember that part . . .”
“Anyway, like I was saying, he was a real catch. She wasn’t about to let him out of her sight, so she signed up too. Her mom freaked out on her, but she was twenty, and a contract is a contract. What she didn’t realize was that Roy—that was his name, by the way—was still nineteen, and though he had signed up, he hadn’t actually signed on . . .” she continued.
“Uh oh . . .” I had a feeling I knew where this was going.
“Uh oh is right! He changed his mind, you see. In the middle of the year they brought us to actually witness the training in progress, and as you well know, it’s no walk in the park. He decided not to sign on, and Cassia couldn’t withdraw without some form of punishment.” She shook her head.
“Not true love then?” I asked, feeling sorry for her a little bit.
“Definitely not. He is studying under his dad instead and she managed to talk the other two over there into joining her here. None of them had ever worked a day in their lives before this, and it’s been a difficult adjustment.”
“I’d say . . .”
“So does anyone know what they are planning to do if they find anyone?” Genevieve asked the group, pulling us out of our gossip and back to more important matters. It was a good question, and I was surprised I hadn’t thought about it yet.
“Probably lock them up, try to get information from them,” Griffin replied.
“I doubt they will give any information. They are slaves, mindless and obedient,” I said with a chill going down my spine.
“How are they even supposed to keep track? It’s going to take at least a week to get through everyone that is willing to participate, and who’s to say nothing will happen to those same people by then?” Jonah asked, and I frowned.
“Knowing what we are starting with is better than knowing nothing,” Rowan countered as he entered the room. I sat straighter. I hadn’t seen him much at all in the past few days with everyone being so busy. He nodded to me before grabbing a plate, and I smiled a bit too brightly at him. I needed to tone it down. Briony tried to hide a giggle from beside me, and I turned on her, remembering for the first time since the night of the attack the whistle that Rowan had supposedly given her.
“Why didn’t you tell me he made you spy on me?” I complained, unsure of her intentions; my feelings were already hurt.
“Are you kidding? I didn’t spy on you, Vivi! I merely accepted a bargain on your behalf,” she whispered back and my frown deepened.
“What do you mean?”
“He found out about the party, not about the alcohol, just about the party, and he was planning to come keep watch over you. I told him that you wouldn’t want that; it would make you uncomfortable, and you should be free to enjoy your birthday however you wanted. He gave me the whistle and said to blow it if any trouble happened. How was I supposed to know all hell would break loose?” She pleaded with me to understand, and I did. Rowan was pushy.
“I suppose he’s already lit into you about the alcohol.” I grimaced, and she nodded.
“We all got a good speech that night.” She shuddered, and I laughed.
“I suppose that makes us even.” I stuck my tongue out at her.
“Are you kidding? If anything, now you owe me!” She bantered, throwing a cube of cheese at me. I laughed, trying to catch it in my mouth.
“Just let me in on it next time, OK?” I asked seriously, and she patted my arm.
“Will do.” She promised, and I believed her.
“So what are we supposed to do while we wait?” I asked, looking around the room. My eyes, as always, landing on Rowan.
“I think it is time our princess learns some magic,” he replied, and I threw my fist into the air.
“Yes!” I exclaimed, earning chuckles at my enthusiasm.
“Where would you like to start?” he asked, and I thought about it before answering.
“Someone teach me how to conjure,” I said before Farran appeared, startling me.
“How do you always do that?” I yelled, making him laugh.
“All will be revealed in time,” he sang, and I threw my sandwich at him.
***
Twenty minutes later, we were all gathered on the training field. I was nervous to see what I could do. I hadn’t been brave enough to try anything, but I had felt my magic surging. Farran approached me with a smile.
“Conjuring magic, though it sounds easy in theory, is actually quite complicated.” He started pacing, hands behind his back, and I suppressed a groan at what I imagined was going to be a long speech.
“My brothers and I were the first known mixing of royal bloodlines. We all inherited every power that was passed down, but to different degrees. As we grew, we also seemed to develop unique gifts that were never seen before . . .” That would explain his disappearing act, I guess.
“None of our unique talents were the same, and at first were very unpredictable. I won’t share all our secrets so publicly, but maybe later I’ll show you a few things,” he said, winking at me, and I was happy to be allowed in on family secrets.
“Now beyond your father’s mixed royal blood, there was your mother, who was a powerful healer, the likes of whom hasn’t been seen in many years. This gives you an unknown element, and I honestly can’t tell you how it will manifest itself. If I’m being straightforward, I have no way of knowing what your powers will become or how to go about teaching you how to use them.”
“You dragged me all the way out here to tell me that?” My hands flew to my face in frustration. How am I supposed to learn if no one can teach me?
“No, I brought you out here so I could do this.” He grabbed my head, pushing his thumbs against my temples. A shock went through me, and my eyes closed as I felt his power join with mine and pull my tigress to the surface. I screamed in pain, and he abruptly moved away.
“It is odd . . . but it’s almost as if I can sense th
e separation of your magic and mind. Most Shuni would grow up with the instincts of their animal already ingrained into them. The two intertwine into one being, but you have grown with no knowledge of your abilities. I would guess that you’re just going to have to give it time, learn as your powers present themselves . . .”
“You’re kidding me, right?” I growled, and he shrugged.
“I also imagine you’re going to have to learn to control the tigress’s swift temper. She’s in your eyes right now, Vivi.” He grinned, but I already knew because I could feel her.
“You blocked my magic so I couldn’t learn to wield it properly, and now after you removed the block, you tell me I cannot be taught to wield it at all?” I began pacing. How was I supposed to help anyone if I couldn’t learn anything? He was smiling at me, and I wanted to punch him.
“Hey, you’re a princess with immeasurable power . . . sorry you can’t use any of it! Also you have a murderous uncle who is out to destroy the world. Nothing you can do about that either. Just sit locked up in the palace and watch like a good little girl until you accidently set something on fire or conjure a cool outfit!” I imitated Farran’s voice as best as I could. I could tell he wasn’t impressed.
“You must understand that I did what I had to in order to protect you.”
“How does leaving me locked in a mountain, ignorant and defenseless with twelve old men, equate to protecting me, Farran?”
“I hardly think you believe they are simply twelve old men, and we all know you’re not defenseless. Stop being so dramatic.” He snorted, eyes alight. Anger lit hot in my belly. He wasn’t taking me seriously. Why didn’t anyone ever take me seriously? I felt my hackles rise.
I watched as Rowan moved toward Farran, and I glared at him. He was going to take Farran’s side over mine?
“You need to calm yourself.” Rowan intoned, and an animal growl escaped my mouth. This time I let it fuel me.
“You all want something from me, expect me to be someone I can’t be. I knew nothing of this before I came here. Kept in the dark and hidden away, always the odd one out. When I am finally old enough to have my own life, I’m taken from one prison and thrown into another!” My chest was rising and falling rapidly. My body began to ache.
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