Mortal Sight

by Sandra Fernandez Rhoads

  “Rhys?” Tanji races around the corner, passing Juniper.

  As soon as the beast hears her voice, the mist forms into a Legion and launches at Tanji. She dodges the hit. “Nuh-uh. Not today.” The creature punctures the ground, exploding into mist before slowly reforming.

  The beast is way too close to Juniper, who is whimpering way too loudly. The Legion is definitely after her. Devon said Healers are one of the most vulnerable.

  Kellan turns down the other end of the street. “Get out of here!”

  He doesn’t need to say it twice. I run over and grab Juniper by the hand. “Stay quiet and come with me.”

  The creature floats back and forth, ten feet off the ground, searching for its desired target. Tanji guides the creature to her location by tapping the knife on the ground with short clinks. “Yeah, I know you hear me.”

  Kellan lifts Rhys to his feet and wraps an arm around his shoulder, carrying him with Claire’s help. Tanji keeps the Legion at bay. She taunts it and shifts, dodging another hit.

  Sunrise taints the clouds red. Juniper’s limp won’t let her run. The Legion shrieks. I turn around in time to see the monster form into a tornado mist, twisting in our direction. Tanji screams after it, dancing wildly, demanding its attention, coercing. “Come after me, coward!” The monster shifts toward her but then spirals after us.

  I push Juniper out of the way. The beast slams into my back. I choke on the stench of sulfur. Burns sizzle on my skin, even through the jacket. I’m lifted off the ground, airborne. I cover my face with my arms, but it’s too late. My head slams into a light pole. Then my knees hit the ground. Nausea roils. Screams fade, and everything turns black.

  “Wake up!” Someone shakes me. The ground feels hard and cold beneath me. “Please, wake up!” The squealing soprano voice splits through my head.

  I wince and crack open one eye. The blurry world spins. Voices shout. Dark fog swirls then explodes into a million tiny sparks.

  “Get her to her feet.” I smell wet clay. My head throbs as I am hoisted up.

  “What happened?” My dry lips crack. I taste blood.

  “She’s conscious. Good.” Freckles. A face so close, I can count them. A boy with a narrow chin snaps two fingers in front of me. “Cera. What’s my name?”

  His name? Starts with . . . my mind feels sluggish, as if wading through a swamp. “K . . . Kellan?”

  His mouth is a flat line. “Get her back to Hesperian. Tanji and I will handle Rhys.”

  Rhys, rhymes with geese. Groggy memories creep back. Running. Black mist. Rhys. I turn my head enough to see Tanji and Kellan lifting Rhys off the ground. His head, black and singed. Missing half his hair. Rhys hangs limp. His toes drag along the cement as they carry him.

  “He’s still alive,” the soprano voice says from behind me. It’s a curly haired girl with a round face and full cheeks. Jess? I blink. No. Not Jess. Juniper.

  “Barely.” Claire helps me walk.

  Dawn burns like firelight. The smell of wet pavement wakes my hazy mind. The buzzing sound is gone. “The . . . Legion?”

  When I’m able to stand on my own, Claire loosens her grip around my waist. “Kellan destroyed it.” Her derogatory tone comes through loud and clear.

  Juniper steadies me when I stumble off the curb. “The monster was after you. When the guy stabbed it with a knife, the hideous thing exploded like fireworks.”

  That explains the spark shower. My mind registers one image. Kellan’s knife. So only knives kill the monsters. No wonder my weapons proved futile.

  We head back to Hesperian in silence. This time, I’m the slow one.

  Hesperian is a madhouse when we arrive. Apparently the Blades that ran with Tanji made it back first and rolled out the gossip. Kids run up and down the stairs in panic as murmurs about the attack travel. Fear laces the air, thicker than the residual sulfur left in my nostrils.

  Juniper is whisked away from me as soon as we enter the café. I step aside and slump against the wall, parking myself under the Milton quote.

  I oft remember, when from sleep

  I first awaked . . .

  Much wond’ring where

  And what I was.

  Thanks for the reminder, Milton, but I know what I am now, and it’s no fun. Watching Kellan and Tanji drag Rhys through the door makes the days of wondering seem a distant memory.

  “Give us room.” Tanji scowls as she and Kellan navigate Rhys down the narrow pathway of tables clotted with the newest Hesperian recruits.

  Compared to Rhys, my injury is nothing more than a sunburn. He needs Harper’s help—and fast. I limp through the crowd and pull back tables and chairs to widen Tanji’s path. As soon as I do, others snap out of their dazes and do the same. My fingers and hands burn as I grip the furniture, but I push aside the pain. My injuries could’ve been a lot worse.

  “Everyone’s in. Lock the place down.” Devon stops halfway down the stairs when he sees the trio turn down the hall. At his command, chaos spins around me. Kids scurry in ten million directions. They grab backpacks, scoop up art projects, and race up the stairs.

  Maddox pushes through the mayhem. He’s not but ten feet away when Claire intercepts him. He grabs her by the shoulders. “What happened out there?”

  She’s only too happy to tell him. “Cera ran off instead of going back to Hesperian like she was told. Rhys and I went looking for her. We found her trying to attack a Legion, and Rhys had to step in. The beast hit him before he could strike. None of this would have happened if she had followed orders.”

  Her voice picks up volume, and the room goes quiet. All eyes fall on me. The disgust from all of them is apparent. Except for Maddox.

  “You attacked a Legion?” Maddox makes his way over. His tone is somber, but his eyes spark with excitement.

  Claire crosses her arms and stands firm as the crowd behind her grows. “She’s not a Blade. She shouldn’t have been out there in the first place.”

  I hold up my burned hands. “I know I was supposed to go back, but I couldn’t. That’s how I found Juniper. She was hiding from the Legions. I guess they could sense she was a Healer. If someone hadn’t found her . . .” I can’t get the rest of the words through the giant knot in my throat.

  “The Legions would have.” Maddox reaches out and takes my hand, turning it over. Three claw marks rip through my palms where I gripped the rebar, but the bleeding has stopped.

  Claire points an accusing finger. “That right there is proof of how dangerous she was to the rest of us. She tried to grab hold of a Legion.”

  I pull my hand away from Maddox. “Rhys was swallowed in the black fog. I had to do something.”

  “Don’t pretend to be a hero. He saved you, and now he’s back there fighting for his life!” Her eyes well with tears as her voice grows even louder. Murmurs rumble through the café.

  Maddox reaches over to Claire and places a hand on her shoulder. His voice softens as he addresses Claire, as well as the gallery of those gathered around. “Rhys will pull through. He’s a fighter. Clearly.” His smile lightens the air. A wave of gratitude washes over me.

  Claire’s shoulders relax as she laughs through her tears. “He is, isn’t he?” She wipes her eyes with her sleeve. “The idiot.”

  “He’ll make it. You’ll see.” Maddox rubs Claire’s arm in comfort before addressing everyone in the room. “But for now, do me a favor. Cut Cera some slack. She’s still figuring all this out. She never would have gone if she knew someone would get hurt, I promise.”

  Maddox speaks absolute truth. The thought of anyone getting hurt rips me up inside. Maddox takes my hand again and inspects the wounds. “We’ve got to clean you up. A Legion’s burn will fester then eat away the skin.”

  “Good to know.” My voice is weak and shaky. Not only that, my head is throbbing. The adrenaline crash coupled with being out all night is catching up to me.

  Maddox places a gentle hand on my lower back and steers me forward. The crowd steps to the side t
o let us through. Despite Maddox’s plea, everyone avoids eye contact as he escorts me toward the hallway.

  Amide stands guard at the entrance to Harper’s room. “No one’s allowed. Sorry.”

  Maddox takes his hand from my back. “Cera was burned by the Legion. We need supplies.”

  Amide swallows and steps aside. “Ask Devon.”

  Devon is pacing the room with his arms crossed. The rattan partition is shut. Agonizing moans come from the other side. I force back tears.

  “No one’s allowed—” Devon stops when he sees us. “Including you.”

  Maddox gently nudges me to extend my hands to Devon. “Cera needs to get cleaned up.” Devon glances at my blisters and then quickly looks away. “Get her some swabs and solution.”

  Rhys lets out another moan over the sound of clanking metal and running water from the bathroom in the back, but I can’t see through the screen. Maddox stops rummaging through the cabinets and looks in the same direction. “Hold him still.” Harper’s voice is firm.

  “Where else were you hit?” Devon asks me, but he avoids glancing at my raw hands as he looks over the rest of me.

  “In the back. The beast slammed into me and my head hit a pole. I think I’m okay, but honestly, I’m not sure.”

  Devon lightly touches the top of my head with his fingertips. Pain radiates through the back of my eyes. I wince and pull away. “You hit something, that’s for sure.”

  Maddox comes over with a fistful of cotton balls and a little jar of green liquid. “Keep me updated on Rhys,” he says to Devon. “I’ll take Cera over to my space—”

  “Gladys will check her wounds. You and I need to talk.” Devon’s expression is hard.

  “About?” Maddox asks as Devon firmly takes the supplies from him and tucks them in the crooks of my elbows.

  “Council’s been informed of the hit.”

  “They didn’t need to know.” Maddox is almost angry. “Harper can—”

  “Rhys’s injuries are beyond her capabilities.”

  Maddox’s stiffens. “Does Gray know?”

  Devon watches Maddox carefully. His tone and his eyes soften. “He’s on his way.”

  Maddox clenches his jaw and then storms out of the room. I stand there with a handful of cotton balls and a jar of green liquid that looks more like sleep medicine. Rhys lets out another unnerving groan.

  “Gladys is in the kitchen boiling towels,” Devon informs me. “Have her check your wounds.”

  “Does she have a Healing Bent too?” I ask, hoping I can defer all injuries to her instead of Harper.

  “No, but she’s been trained to help with the less severe injuries.” I’m glad he thinks my burns aren’t that big of a deal, even though my fingers are throbbing.

  Before I go, I have to ask, “What’s the deal with Gray?”

  Devon’s face is unreadable. “It’s nothing to concern yourself with.”

  “Keep him still. I can’t find the vein,” Harper’s terse voice cuts through the air. Rhys moans in agony.

  “Go on.” Devon ushers me out of the room. I slip past Amide, who stares at the ground with his hands folded in front like he’s saying a silent prayer. I lower my head and walk toward the café. I stop at the entrance. Taking a deep breath, I prepare for the dagger stares that will meet me inside.

  After whisking me behind the wall to the back corner near the sink, Gladys sits me down on a barstool, then rubs me down with the solution. She checks all wounds and bandages my arms. When she’s finished, she pats me. “All done. Should be good as new by tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, Gladys.” She swaddled my wrists and hands in a way that looks like I’m wearing flesh-colored mittens. I can wiggle my thumb, but that’s about it. “Do I have to keep my hands wrapped until tomorrow?” Eating with these lobster claws will be next to impossible.

  She tosses the cotton balls in the trash and then washes her hands. “Give it a few hours. Then rinse off the solution.” She smiles, but her eyes don’t. Thick silence fills the narrow space between us. I’ve disappointed Gladys. My stomach turns hollow. As I slide off the barstool, she sets the dishrag on the counter and says, “Tell me something, dear.”

  I squirm at her tone. “Yes, ma’am?”

  She walks around the corner, back to the stove. “The number you gave me . . .”

  “Oh.” I take a deep breath and follow after her. She’s going to chew me out for lying. I can feel it coming, and I’m too tired to come up with a plausible excuse. I rest my shoulder against the wall as she stirs a pot of boiling towels.

  “I had a bit of trouble reading the numbers clearly. These old eyes aren’t what they used to be.” Her tone tells me she knows the truth, but she’s kind enough not to call me out. “Would you be a dear and write that number again?” She slides a piece of paper and a pen down the counter. “And maybe add your address in case your mother doesn’t answer.”

  I hesitate. Gladys patiently stirs the steaming pot, but she’s watching me out the corner of her eye. I pick up the pen and write my address and Mom’s phone number. The real one. I slide the paper and pen back. I have no clue how my mother will react when Gladys calls her, but Mom deserves to know I’m all right. And honestly, I want to know she’s all right as well. One thing’s for sure, when Mom finds out where I am, she’ll storm in and demand we leave. I won’t have to worry about being locked up for being a Seer, but that also means there’s a good chance I’ll never see anyone from Hesperian ever again.

  Gladys glances at the paper before tucking the information in her pocket. “Is there any reason why I shouldn’t call your mama?”

  I put my bandaged tong-hands across my middle. “I guess I like hanging out here. Until today, I didn’t want to leave.” It’s the truth, not the whole truth, but enough.

  Gladys takes the steaming towels out of the pot with a wooden spoon and transfers the rags into a red bowl. “Today was unfortunate, but that one incident doesn’t change that fact that you’re a part of this family.”

  “If that’s so, then why is everyone whispering about the place being shut down? They’re blaming me . . .” And with good cause, I have to admit.

  Gladys takes my mitten hands in hers. I can’t feel her touch through the bandage. “It’s not you, dear. Hesperian is only a safe house until someone gets hurt. Then things have to change. Council believes these kids need proper training.”

  She lets out the same resigned sigh she did when we were baking. “I can’t say I disagree.” She must see remorse in my eyes because she lets go of my hands. “You’ve been out all night and need sleep and time to heal.” She brushes my hair away from my face and then reaches up to pull something out of her hair nest. She takes out a silver hairpin with a white flower and slips it behind my ear. “You’re one of us, dear. Don’t forget it.” My throat tightens. Jess is the only other person who’s ever given me a gift. “Now, let’s put you in the girls’ common room upstairs, away from the noise.” Gladys says nothing about my watering eyes. “You rest, and then we’ll see what the remainder of the day brings.”

  I’m not convinced sleeping will change anything. However, my body does feel heavy and my eyes won’t stay open much longer. I’ve got no choice but to comply. Gladys carries the red bowl in the crook of her arm as she walks me through the café. I follow, hiding behind her. Gladys lifts her head, inspecting stares as we walk. Clustered teens with concerned faces half smile as she passes. Her eyes are warm but thick with warning and a reminder to love.

  As we reach the stairs, Claire passes but won’t look at me. Gladys touches her arm and stops her. “Take this to Harper, would you, love?” She hands Claire the bowl before she can protest. “And tell Devon I want you to check in on our boy, Rhys, and stay at his side. Bring me an update, later, will you?” Claire’s lips pull into a thankful smile. She takes off down the hall.

  Following Gladys up the stairs, I focus on climbing each step, one at a time, while trying not to look back because I can feel the glar
es—even if they are mere curiosity at this point—as I ascend. Rhys’s agonizing moans play over and over in my head, haunting me.

  Finally, we reach the top. The air is warmer on the second floor. The space opens to a large dance studio with pine floors and wall-to-wall mirrors. Gladys walks down the short hall that smells of oil paints and wet clay.

  “Rest a while and come down when you’re ready.” Gladys opens the last door at the end of the hall. The air is damp in the large room. Eight cots, four on each wall, with fluffy green blankets and plush white pillows decorate the space—the only furniture in the place. Most of the cots have shoes tucked beside them or clothes hanging over the metal footrail. Two in the far back appear empty. I take the one on the right near the brick wall, kick off my shoes, and slip under the clean covers. Gladys stands at the door with her hand over the light switch. “I’ll have fresh clothes ready for you in the bathroom across the hall when you wake.”

  Lights go out. I sink into the mattress. As Gladys shuts the door, I curl on my side and lie there, letting the darkness swallow me. The room feels too big. Too cold and empty. I pull my bandaged hands to my chest and quiver as a thick knot swells in my throat. I close my eyes and weep. Memories of the attack resurface, but, after a while, sleep wrestles them into a dream.

  I wake drenched in sweat with a scream on my lips and an aching helplessness. Jess. Rhys. The list keeps growing. The vivid dream retreats into darkness and slips from my mind but leaves me with a lingering rawness. Something rumbles outside the building. Motorcycle engines, not a buzzing sound. I relax somewhat. For a moment, I’ve forgotten where I am, until I wipe damp hair from my face with my bandaged mitten hands.

  I’m groggy, but I push myself up. How long did I sleep? Light from the hall peers into the room. The bedsheets and blankets are thrashed in a heap on the ground. I kick them aside, set my feet on the rough wood floor, and sit still. Soft voices waft from down the hall. A guitar strums. I stumble through the dusky room, using the bedrails as a guide. Gladys promised clean clothes in the bathroom across the hall, and it’s probably time to take off these tight bandages.