by Beth Hodgson
“Okay. I’ll see you later tonight, then,” Garrett said in his most cheerful tone. He bowed awkwardly. No doubt it was the first time he ever had to. Emerald chuckled again as he turned away, heading out the door.
Thinking about the cyborgs, her blood, and the experimentation, she thought hard what she could do to stop it. To redeem herself.
What was there for her to do? At this point, all she could do was run.
And now Kyle was angry at her. It was the worst feeling ever.
***
Kyle hadn’t returned all day, leaving Emerald in the trailer by herself. She watched the sunset transform a warm sky to a barren void, a void that mirrored how she felt. She was in a foreign place and much too nervous to venture out and make small talk within the camp.
There was a small rap at the door. Emerald sprung up from her seat at the kitchenette table, still sick at heart from Kyle’s heated words and bored from the hours that had passed.
Opening the door, Emerald saw Victor, wearing another brightly colored tunic, different from the day before. He had golden bands and cuffs mixed into his dreadlocks, giving him an overall exotic look, as if he were a warrior straight out of a desert tale. Strong and powerful.
“Would you care for a walk, Princess?” he asked, bowing to her.
“Yes, I would very much like that,” Emerald agreed. He bowed, then held out his elbow like a formal gentleman at one of the royal balls, and she took it like the princess she was. It felt strange to her, as no one had truly been formal with her for days now. As much as she liked being unknown as a normal citizen of Arcadia, she found she rather missed the formalities of being a princess.
“Have you spoken to Kyle since my conversation with him?” he asked, guiding her out of the trailer.
“Not really. I managed to get a few words in before he went storming off,” Emerald said sadly.
“Yes, we all know Kyle can get a bit… heated. Hopefully he will come to his senses.”
Hopefully, Emerald thought, her heart aching from Kyle’s name even being mentioned.
Victor led her into the center of the camp, escorting her to a large bonfire. He gestured at a bench, and she took the spot.
Kyle was right about the desert. It was very cold at night, a dramatic difference from the heat of the day.
“Does Kyle know?” Victor asked.
Emerald stared at him for a moment, holding her breath. “About what?”
“About you being gifted.”
Emerald turned to face him in the firelight, whispering softly, “How did you know?”
A small smile emerged on his face, his eyes locked on to the bonfire, looking deep into the flames. “Because you look exactly like your mother, and she had the gift.”
Emerald froze in place at the revelation, dumbfounded. “What?” Emerald whispered slowly. “My mother… was gifted?” She inched closer to him on the bench, eyeing him curiously. “You knew my mother?”
“Yes, very well. Elyathi grew up out here. We were in the same camp.”
“This camp?” Emerald asked.
Victor shook his head. “No, Princess. There are hundreds of camps out in the wastelands, and this is just one of them. It was a camp far west from here. It’s vacant now, its inhabitants now further west.”
“My mother never told me she grew up in the desert.”
Victor nodded knowingly. “She did indeed live out here. However, she wasn’t born in the wastelands. Several people from her lands brought her to the wastelands in hopes of hiding her. From whom, I do not know. But even so, rumors of her beauty reached Arcadia’s royal court and eventually the ear of Prince Damaris. She had just come of age. It was perfect timing. Damaris had been searching for a bride for many years, and no woman delighted him like Elyathi did.”
“My mother told me she was raised by the baron of the Twin Kingdoms,” Emerald said in disbelief.
Victor laughed. “No one would ever want to hear that Damaris’s bride was raised in the wastelands. A person’s past can be easily changed whenever a royal is in need of it.” He chuckled. “Your mother no doubt was told not to repeat her past, even to her daughter.”
Emerald felt relieved. It was the first time that someone could talk freely to her and held no judgment. Besides Kyle.
Kyle… Just thinking his name overwhelmed her with grief all over again.
“I suppose you know why I am being tracked down by that cyborg,” Emerald said, looking up from the fire.
“I knew you were the mysterious donor the moment Garrett told me of the magical blood,” Victor stated. “Weeks ago.”
As his words echoed in the winds, it was like Emerald hadn’t heard him. Her thoughts were preoccupied about her mother.
“I can’t believe my mother had the gift. All these years, I never knew,” Emerald said softly, the thought persisting in her mind.
“She hid it from everyone, including most of the wasteland dwellers. Although she never colored her white hair, she did hide her white eyes with lenses. I assume she hid her secret from your father, and apparently from you too, knowing how dangerous Damaris really is.”
Her mother had hidden her gift from Emerald. Her whole life, there had been someone that Emerald could confide in that would truly understand her, but instead her mother had chosen to hide it from everyone, including her. A twang of anger bubbled inside of her. She’d felt so alone her whole life, as if no one understood what being gifted was like, and all the while her mother was right there, hiding her power. Hot tears started to form, but she managed to push them aside, wiping her eyes quickly.
Was she disappointed? By far, yes. But did she blame her mother? No. Knowing what she knew of her father now, Emerald finally understood why her mother chose to keep her secret until her death. But it still upset her.
White magic. There was no passage in The Spectrum about a gift of the white that Emerald could recall. What did a white-gifted even have the ability to do? Why hadn’t Emerald ever felt her mother’s magic within her? She’d felt the other gifteds’ power flowing through them…
Emerald stared at the bonfire, kicking the sand underneath the bench absentmindedly. Victor held out his flask, which she accepted gratefully, then guzzled down the hard liquor. She didn’t want to think about anything anymore. Kyle’s unjustified anger, the missing men and the experiments, and now her mother and her secret. Emerald felt like bursting into tears, but another part of her knew tears were useless.
“Princess, I know how much trouble you are in right now, and I wish I could help you in some way. The only piece of advice I can give you is that you cannot live a life that is not true to yourself. There is a reason why magic was brought back into this world. And you, above all else, have the power to do extraordinary things. You can bring so much change to Arcadia and the surrounding kingdoms.”
Emerald met his eyes, thinking about what he’d said. She took another drink from the flask. Not saying a word, her watery eyes darted back to the fire, watching the mesmerizing flames, calming her spirit.
After a long pause, Emerald broke the silence. “You’re right. I can live a lie no longer. I escaped not wanting to do so, and instead I am doing the same thing out here, hiding the fact that I am a gifted.”
Emerald handed back the flask, and suddenly an idea struck her. Perhaps, in an odd way, Kyle was right. She been complacent in the shadow of her father for so many years and hadn’t stood up to him. She had never questioned her father’s decision regarding the blood. In fact, she never questioned any of his decisions, and instead let him hold her hostage in the confines of the palace.
She had to go back to the palace to confront her father. Maybe with the help of her magic there was a small chance to free the missing wasteland dwellers.
Her heart began beating through her chest hard; she knew what lay ahead of her.
She turned to meet Victor’s gaze. “Actually, Victor, there is something you can do to help.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
/> The report was rather tedious, as Telly didn’t want to leave out any details for Director Santiago. She sat at her computer station, typing and poring over all the notes she had taken over the last twenty-four hours. She was so engrossed with her report that when someone cleared their throat behind her, she jumped slightly.
“What is it?” Telly asked, annoyed.
She swung her computer chair to find Director Jonathan standing there, and she crossed her legs nervously. She had not expected Jonathan at this time. Not for at least another hour, when her report was actually due.
“Telly, I need to talk to you,” he began.
Telly removed her glasses, rubbing the tiredness away from her eyes. She was exhausted and stressed about how much there was to do. She had very little time left to finish her report, and she and her team needed to get Drew back up to full capacity soon, before Councilor Zane put in another call.
“Jonathan, can’t this wait? I haven’t finished the report yet. It will be done shortly.”
“Forget the report for now.”
Frowning, Telly gave him her full attention, waiting for him to continue.
“Telly… I don’t know how to put this any other way…” Jonathan began, pulling up a chair to sit in front of her.
Telly watched him as he struggled with his words, looking at him curiously. “Director, what is going on?”
He composed himself for a moment, but she saw that he couldn’t shake his uncomfortable look. “Director Santiago… heard of an incident that happened a few hours ago.”
Confused, Telly shrugged. “I don’t know what you are referring to.”
“Telly, he found out about your personal attachment to Drew.”
Telly eyed him for a moment, cautious about how to proceed with the conversation. “And? How does this relate to some incident from earlier?”
“Let me be blunt. It was discovered that you overreacted with Drew. Asking him about personal questions, memories. And when you didn’t like his response, you lost it, breaking company equipment.”
Telly’s heart stopped in her chest. Someone witnessed her doing that? Who would have reported her?
“You overstepped your bounds, Telly. You see, Director Santiago views your attachment as a liability. And now, with Drew being another means of extraction, and with the King himself personally invested, Drew has become far more valuable than any of the other cyborgs. You understand, don’t you?”
The realization finally hit her. He was telling her she would never see Drew again. The shock ran through her body, and paralysis set in.
“So… you’re letting me go?” Telly asked slowly. Her hands began to shake with fear.
“No, we are just reassigning you. After all, this is a one-time incident, and you have nothing else on your record. Besides, we would hate to lose a brilliant scientist over something like this. Especially considering your contribution to the advancement of cyborg technology.”
Telly paused, tears stinging her eyes. Her nose started to run. “Where am I being transferred to?”
“To the bionic weapons division. You are no longer working with the cyborgs. Director Santiago thinks that would be the best option.”
Everything was moving in slow motion. She would never see Drew again. As hard as she had worked to ensure his success, she would no longer work on him. Uncontrollable breathy sobs came quickly, tears following close behind. Jonathan frowned at her sympathetically but said no reassuring words. What was there even to say?
“Please, Director, please don’t do this! It is my life’s work! Drew and I built this technology together. It is only fair for me to continue to work on him,” Telly argued through her tears.
“He will be moved out of the lab anyway, once the target is located and acquired.”
Telly paused. “He’s going to the palace, isn’t he?”
“I am not discussing it.”
“It’s true, I know it! It’s too soon, Director. Even you must know that! Besides, Drew isn’t stable in the head. I know he is confused inside, even though he appears to be a complete machine on the outside. He is dreaming, having thoughts, just like us. We need more time with him,” Telly pleaded. Her stomach twisted at the thought of Drew at the palace. It left no doubt she would never see him again.
“It doesn’t matter what the corporation thinks is best for Drew; it’s what His Majesty thinks is best. After all, he owns this corporation. All of the research, the weapons, and the cyborgs; they are all his property. We have no say.”
Jonathan stood up, gesturing for her to do the same. Telly continued to sob, unable to move her body. After a few moments, he put his hand on her shoulder. “Listen, you get thirty minutes to pack your things, and then I have to escort you out of this level.”
Telly looked at him with her swollen eyes, placing her glasses back on her face. She rubbed her throbbing head, tousling her short hair in frustration.
“Can I at least say goodbye?”
The director nodded. “I will give you a moment of privacy.” He walked out of the room, leaving her alone.
Telly went into Drew’s experimental capsule, walking carefully over the wires, tubes, and cords tangled all around the room. Her eyes were puffy from crying, her poor vision causing her to stumble. As she approached him, she turned on her cracked communication tablet, her hands still shaking. Anguish washed over her, and a deep sadness set in.
She would never see him again. Never. Drew would be transferred to the palace, she to the bionic weapons research level. Tears flooded her eyes again.
Drew’s good eye glowed with intense orange power, his cybernetic eye focused on her.
“Drew, I came to say goodbye,” she said, choking on her tears. Snot dripped out of her nose, and she wiped it absentmindedly on the sleeve of her lab coat. Her tablet glowed as a message came across the screen.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“They are transferring me. Apparently there are people who think we shouldn’t work together anymore,” Telly said, her own words stinging her.
“Goodbye, Tell Me Lots.”
Telly’s head jerked up as she read his words. Did he remember? She hadn’t heard that name in years—not since before the accident. Drew had given her that name before they began to date, when they were working together on research. She was known to blab her mouth about theories and calculations when in the lab. That was why he began to call her Tell Me Lots, to poke fun. It became her personal pet name after they started seeing each other.
She faced the tablet, showing him his words. “Drew, did you really say this?”
He nodded.
“Why did you say this? Are you able to recall memories further back than what you previously told me?” Telly asked, frantically searching his eyes. Her heart raced.
“Yes. They are just longer fragmented memories.”
This couldn’t be happening to her at a worse time. Drew had called her by their intimate nickname. He was making progress, possibly remembering their past together. And now she was being removed from him, and him from her.
She paused in hesitation, then leaned over him, kissing his cold lips. His lips responded awkwardly, and his body motions were unnatural, but he did return her kiss. He didn’t pull away either.
It had been years, and she felt so alone without him. And now he was finally coming back. Only now it was too late.
As their lips parted, Telly searched his piercing orange eyes, noticing new hair growth on his shaved head. It was coming in orange, as bright as his eyes.
Drew’s body shook violently. His body jerked, almost knocking into a stainless-steel rolling table, causing the vials of blood and wires to rattle at his violent movements. Telly pushed the table back slightly to get it out of his way, then placed her hand on his.
“Drew, please, don’t try to process this situation. You are experiencing feelings that your programming can’t handle,” she said in a soothing voice. She thought about when she would be transferred. W
ho would be there for him? No one could calm him down like she could. She couldn’t accept this would be the last time she would see him. There had to be another way.
Telly looked back at the table with the glowing blood samples strewn across it. His blood, and several of the donor’s. Princess Emerald’s blood. The team had been so tired, including her, that they forgotten to store the unused samples back in the sample containment machine. They hadn’t even inventoried his yet.
All the cyborg technology. It was Drew’s and her technology. They were the founding pillars, with the help of the corporation’s blood. She wasn’t going to let the corporation get the best of their situation, especially now that she realized that the princess was an unwilling participant in the matter. She felt sorry for her.
Knowing where the surveillance cameras were stationed in the lab, she directed herself with her back facing the camera. Drew eyed her for a moment, then closed his eyes, glowing with a warm orange color. Unsure of what he was doing, Telly continued with a slight movement of one of her hands. She quickly palmed the glowing magical vials, then shoved them up the sleeve of her lab coat. It was then Telly noticed that the security cameras were surrounded with orange magic. Drew had to be altering their image somehow through the equipment.
Drew opened his burning orange-white eyes, then nodded at her, his power fading away.
Where am I going to hide these?
A revolting thought crossed her mind, but it was the only one that would work. Telly quickly ran out of the lab, heading to the bathroom. Jonathan was in the hall, leaning against the opposite wall with his arms crossed, waiting for her.
“Done?”
“Almost. I really have to go the bathroom.”
“Can’t it wait? You only have fifteen minutes left to get your stuff out of there.”
“Jonathan, I am on my period. I need to change my bloody pad before people see it coming through my lab coat.”
He scrunched his face up with look of disgust. Her bluntness worked, because he waved frantically for her to go. “Hurry!” he called out impatiently.