The Halves of Us

by Sydney Paige Richardson

  Adie stomped through the hallway. Why won’t she let me help!? I showed her what she couldn’t see before. She needs me!

  She heard Samuel running to keep up with her. Adie made her way towards her chambers. Anger and hurt rolled through her body, making her stomach churn.

  She slammed her bedroom door as soon as she entered her room, instantly regretting that decision. I’m sure that seemed childish to Samuel, but I don’t care. How dare Mother dismiss me! I found the missing book and can show her more projections!

  Samuel’s hand slipped into hers, interrupting her thoughts.

  “Your mother is just trying to protect us, Adie. Perhaps we should rest and wait for the return of your father and Gossamer,” Samuel said quietly.

  Adie pulled her hand away and turned angrily to face him, but she sighed upon seeing the sad look in his eyes. “I’m sorry for being so angry, Samuel. I just . . . I don’t understand why Mother won’t let me help.” She fought the urge to embrace him.

  “I think she’s right about us doing all we could at this point. When the others return, we can compare information and be ready.”

  “For another attack? How can we be ready when we don’t even know for sure what it is they—”

  “Shhh,” Samuel said, coming toward her and holding her.

  Adie didn’t realize she’d begun crying.

  “We’ll know more when Gossamer and the Tribes return.”

  Adie buried her head in Samuel’s chest and remembered the feeling of his warm embrace from her dreams. She looked at him, their faces close. Her heart thundered in her ears as her gaze locked onto his gray eyes. This is happening. This is really happening. She could feel the rising and falling of his chest against hers.

  He leaned in, and she closed her eyes as his lips caressed hers. Her legs went weak, and Samuel’s arms wrapped around the small of her back, bringing her closer to him. Her lips parted, taking his with hers as though he was the missing puzzle piece she had been searching for her whole life. For a moment she forgot about the projection. Forgot about the secret library. Forgot about Aura visiting a dangerous land. She melted into his arms, wishing the overwhelming bright feeling would never end.

  As Adie pulled away, she opened her eyes to see him smile.

  “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to do that,” he said. His thumb moved along the edge of her cheeks before he let her go completely.

  Adie smiled back and watched as he headed toward the door. He closed it slowly behind him. Adie twirled around, falling softly onto her bed, the smile still on her face.

  Her grin finally faded as she realized she’d have to tell Aura that she kissed Samuel.

  21

  Aura

  Aura returned from the ship, dressed to enter the forest. Her leather sleeveless top clung to her frame like armor, and her sword was sheathed at her side. Her black fitted pants tucked into her boots around her ankles. Small twigs crushed under her footing as she neared the entrance of the forest.

  She watched Felipe and Hontak catch up as they packed. They seem like brothers.

  They laughed and joked, sometimes speaking in a language foreign to her. Felipe shot her a glance every now and again. A side smile following.

  She smirked, hoping he didn’t catch her blushing.

  A breeze rushed over them, and Aura smelled the saltiness in the air from the beach. They were further behind the huts, near the entrance to the forest, and Uni beat down on them. Despite that, a sudden chill had formed in the air as if warning her not to proceed.

  “Here, Aura!” She turned just in time to see a giant pack thrown at her and caught it awkwardly. Hontak’s grin revealed his sharp teeth. “Good catch. Those are the makings for a hut. I’ll carry this one,” he said, holding up a pack.

  Light blue beads and a large curved tooth dangled from a necklace down his furry chest. She was about to ask about it when Gossamer rounded the corner and Hontak addressed him.

  “Gossamer, if you could carry the food pack, I’ll disperse the rest among the crew.”

  Gossamer held a large walking stick and nodded at him. “It’s very kind of you to lead us, Hontak.”

  “I’m sure Father thinks it’s for the best. No need to have Felipe getting you lost in our forest,” he said, chuckling.

  Felipe threw a small tin cup at him, and Hontak laughed.

  “He hasn’t changed much.” Hontak glanced to the sky, noting Uni’s placement. Its light peeked through the trees above their heads. “If we leave now, we can make it close to the border just before nightfall.”

  They headed off into the forest of Nitari with a half-dozen Etoyoc and half of the Tribesmen they came with. The rest remained at the bay, interviewing the locals to see if any more Sights had been seen.

  Aura kept close behind Felipe, following in his footsteps. In front of them, Gossamer kept up with Hontak. Aura looked at the trees and smiled.

  Felipe glanced at her. “Ah, a smile! What are you thinking about?”

  “The trees. They remind me of the ones I’ve seen in the region of Flay. Their trees sparkled in the light like they do here. It was just a fond memory.”

  “The forest here starts off beautiful, luscious and full of life,” an Etoyoc with white fur said as she came up beside them.

  They stopped briefly and looked around. Aura admired the thick brown tree trunks that glittered in the light. The grass grew taller in areas and took on a deep blue-green color. The branches above her swayed, their teal leaves rustling in the wind.

  “As we get closer to Vadim, please don’t despair, for life changes as it nears death.”

  Aura followed closely behind them and watched as the Etoyoc’s description began to unfold. The sparkle from the trees gradually died, and a thick fog hung in the forest air. The temperature changed to a blistering heat, and beads of sweat trickled down Aura’s face and neck.

  “We take a break here,” Hontak said. “Get some water. We’re nearing the border.”

  Aura dropped the pack from her back. Her bare shoulders welcomed the slight breeze and weightlessness.

  Felipe took a sip from his water and handed it to her. As she tipped the canteen to her lips, she felt the rush of cool water pour down her parched throat. When she finished, Aura looked at Gossamer. His gray hair was drenched with sweat, and his face red.

  “How much farther?” she asked Hontak.

  “No more than an hour. We’re making perfect time. We’ll be able to set up camp before Uni goes down. But I must warn you—as we near the border, the temperature will continue to rise. Individuals have been known to hear voices and hallucinate. Please stay hydrated and let us know if anything feels out of the ordinary.”

  Aura walked over to her uncle. “Gossamer, are you okay?”

  He used a cloth to wipe the sweat forming around the wrinkles on his forehead.

  “Just getting old.” He grinned. “I’ll be fine. Hontak keeps me hydrated and talking.”

  “Come on, young fellow!” Hontak said, winking at him. “Just an hour more, and we can set up camp!”

  They continued their trek into the forest.

  Aura kept her eyes forward on Felipe and followed directly in his footsteps again. She tried not to think about the heat and the sweat dripping down her back.

  She glanced to her left, noticing a flower growing from a tree, blossoming. In an area surrounded by such decay, the flower intrigued her. The orange petals blended into the yellow pollen at the center. Aura reached forward, longing to touch it, but it quickly turned gray and black as it wilted before her. She searched for Felipe, but he was nowhere in sight.

  Aura turned, looking around frantically. “Felipe!?” she screamed. “Gossamer?” she yelled. She turned around and saw nothing but trees. Their sparkle had completely faded, and the grass grew sparse and yellow. “Hontak?” Her voice came as a whisper.

  “They are not here,” said a voice from behind her.

  She turned, and there was nothing there. “W
ho’s there?”

  “Ah, I guess I shouldn’t take offense since you’ve never met me. But you should always recognize family,” said the voice.

  “What?” Aura asked.

  “Aura. Aura!”

  Aura blinked and turned around to see Felipe standing in front of her.

  “Come on, we’re close. Why did you stop?”

  Hontak said you would hear things. It’s just the heat.

  She turned, looking behind her and back to Felipe. “Nothing. I thought . . . I thought I dropped something.” She moved forward and glanced back once again to an empty forest.

  Gossamer sat on a stone, lighting the lanterns near the hut which he and a few Etoyoc built together. The two large huts separated the males and the females. Uni had finally descended enough for the fiery temperature to cool, and Aura relaxed. Gossamer changed his shirt, while Hontak prepared for dinner.

  She helped put the finishing touches on the female hut with a few elven-kind, Fae, and the lone female Etoyoc that joined them.

  “The hut will be sturdy. I got the base pegged deep in the ground,” the white-furred Etoyoc said.

  Aura held out her palm toward her. “I’m Aura.”

  The silver eyes of the Etoyoc looked to her palm, hesitating. She held out her paw, at least twice the size of Aura’s hand, and placed it against hers. “Linerah.”

  She quickly retreated from the greeting and turned her back toward Aura.

  “Thank you for your help,” Aura said, searching for her next words.

  “And dinner is served!” Hontak said.

  Why was she so hesitant to greet me?

  Hontak passed out tin plates. The light from the lanterns burned yellow and created shadows on the ground. There was no more grass to be seen, only dark dirt and bits of red sand. Aura eyed the bread and berries. Her stomach growling. She hadn’t realized how hungry she’d become. They sat and passed around tin cups full of water.

  “Tomorrow morning, we rise early and make our way along the western gate surrounding Vadim to see if any Sights have breached it, into Nitari,” Hontak said.

  Aura took a bite of her bread and swallowed. “Will we make our way into Vadim?”

  Hontak glanced at her. His yellow eyes widened. Gossamer and a few others laughed nervously.

  “We’re just here to make sure none have entered into Nitari. It’s obvious the east gate has been compromised in Hatem. Our job is to assess the west gate. We shouldn’t go in without more Tribesmen. Though, if attacked, we will do what’s necessary.”

  Aura eyed Felipe, and he winked at her. She ate the rest of her bread and berries in silence, listening to Felipe and Hontak talk about how things had been since Felipe left. Linerah was busy asking questions to the Fae about their dust. One of the Fae introduced herself as Wildra, and Aura tried really hard not to stare.

  She was unlike any Fae-kind she’d ever seen. Her eyes were sunflowers. The center, a brown so deep it could be black, gazed at them. Yellow petals surrounded the center like eyelashes, blinking and shifting to a bright blue and back to yellow with each movement.

  Linerah didn’t seem to have any concerns about being caught staring as she gaped at Wildra most of the night. As they finished dinner, Aura helped Gossamer gather the plates, clean them, and pack them.

  Hontak came with lantern for her. “This is your hut’s lantern. If you need anything, just let us know,” he said. The fur matted around his face created shadows and hid his eyes.

  “Thank you for all your help, Hontak,” she said.

  “I’m retiring for the night,” Gossamer interrupted.

  Hontak nodded at Aura and followed Gossamer into the hut with a few others. She turned to Felipe, who stood right behind her.

  “I’ll walk you to your hut.” He smiled at her.

  She walked a few feet over to her hut and inside where others had already drifted off to sleep, and he followed her in. She turned to say goodnight, and Felipe leaned in close.

  Please kiss me. She held her breath as he neared her lips and moved past her. Aura froze, feeling his breath against her skin.

  His cheek was now against hers as he whispered in her ear, “We leave for Vadim tonight. In a few hours, after everyone falls asleep, I’ll come and get you.” He pulled away, looking into her eyes.

  She returned the gaze and nodded. He turned and left the hut.

  She sat on the ground, feeling the coldness of the soil below her, wishing Felipe had stayed. A nervousness crept through her. Lowering the light on her lantern, she closed her eyes and welcomed any sleep she could get.

  Tonight, she was going to Vadim.

  What seemed like moments later, she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned as Felipe knelt beside her.

  “We go now.”

  Aura rose more quickly than she thought she would. She grabbed the lantern and hoped Felipe couldn’t sense her uneasiness.

  “Leave it. We’ll use the light of the moons,” he said.

  Aura quietly exited the hut, hoping she didn’t wake the others, and Felipe’s hand slipped into hers. She tugged his arm and he turned, facing her. She looked at him, remembering his eyes gazing at her on the ship. Remembering his laugh when they were in Adie’s room. Remembering what he told her. I can wait. His voice echoed in her mind.

  She’d waited a long time for someone to see her, to look at her the way Samuel looked at Adie.

  She moved in closer and kissed his cheek. “We’ll talk later,” she whispered.

  The silver glow from Thindoral’s largest moon’s ring danced in his eyes. A smile crept across his face, and he squeezed her hand. He turned, and she followed, holding on to him tightly.

  The night air grew thick and humid. Sweat crept around her temples and fell down her neck. The fog had thickened, and the moonlight barely came through. She wondered if Felipe knew where they were going. She kept her grip on him, fearing she may lose him like she did in the forest earlier.

  When she thought they’d passed the camp far enough, she spoke. “Do you know where we’re going?”

  He turned, looking at her. He brought his hand to her face and touched her cheek gently. “Trust me.”

  She nodded, and they continued on. The terrain became rougher. Rocks jutted outward from the ground. She tripped and fell forward, catching herself with her free hand as Felipe helped pull her up.

  “I’m okay, just a scratch,” she said. “How much further?”

  “We’re coming up on the gate of the wall separating Vadim from Nitari. It’s a tall stone wall with a gate in the center, leading up to the tower.”

  “The tower. I remember that from the projection!” I haven’t been able to forget it.

  “If there’s anything we need to know that’ll help us figure out what’s going on, it has to be in that tower!”

  Aura followed him a few more steps. As the fog cleared, she noticed a distinct darkness up ahead. They drew closer, and her eyes focused as they came upon the wall.

  “You were right about it being tall,” she said, tilting her head back.

  It stood hundreds of feet, and she put her hand against it, feeling the coolness of it on her skin.

  “It’s actually magnificent in the daylight. It was built by the Designers at the start of our world, to separate Vadim from Nitari.”

  “Where’s the entrance?”

  “It’s just a bit further. Hontak and I used to sneak off and visit the gate when we were younger. It infuriated my mother.”

  Aura looked ahead. The fog completely cleared around the gate. It, too, was made of stone and had the symbol of the Rokis at the top.

  Aura let go of Felipe’s hand and stared in awe. “And it’s just open?”

  “I honestly don’t know,” Felipe said, laughing a little. “I’ve never tried.”

  Aura pushed at the gate. It nudged. She looked excitedly at Felipe. “Well, I guess that answers that.”

  He helped her, and they pushed together until the opening in the gate was wide
enough for them to fit through.

  “Wait!” Felipe said, grabbing her hand. “Together?”

  Aura briefly thought of Adie and touching the Rokis. Together? “Yes.”

  They both stepped forward onto the pathway leading up to the tower, eerily illuminated by the moons and stars above.

  22

  Aura

  The path was mangled with rocks and dirt. Where stone wasn’t jutting out from the ground, cracks carved designs along the treacherous trail in the dry red earth.

  She held onto Felipe with one hand and kept her other by her sword. If the Sights had returned to Vadim, she would need to keep it handy.

  But Vadim seemed deserted. The darkness of night and the quiet stillness made her shiver. She glanced back at the gate and inhaled sharply. Her breath caught in her throat. An orange flower blossomed on the gate, just like the one she’d seen earlier on the tree.

  “Aura, you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes. I . . . I want to make sure we don’t get lost,” she replied, turning her gaze back toward him.

  His dark eyes looked at her with concern. “We’re on the only path that leads to the tower. We’ll be fine as long as we return to the camp before Uni begins to rise,” he said.

  Aura peeked back at the gate but couldn’t see the orange flower any longer. She focused back toward the footpath, and they picked up their pace, starting a light jog until they reached a few yards in front of the tower.

  Haphazardly placed rough and rugged stone made up the bulk of the structure. Two wooden doors stood wide open at the front of the tower, as though greeting them and beckoning them to come inside.

  “I don’t like this,” Felipe said, hesitating at the entrance.

  “We’ve gone this far,” Aura said between breaths. Her fear now masked by curiosity.

  She walked forward, and he followed. As they entered, Aura noticed the dimly lit lanterns on the walls, revealing a grand room on the bottom floor. Someone has been here recently. Her pulse raised, and she gripped the handle of her sword as she led them in.