by Narro, B. T.
Basen continued to open portals, but it was no longer a threat with Sanya now retaining her mother’s energy, keeping her spirit whole.
He’s not just practicing. He’s trying to anger me.
But Sanya had learned to control her temper. It was the only way to hide her true self. Letting go of her constant rage was one of the most difficult things she’d ever taught herself, but it was the first step toward the new Sanya, the one who eventually charmed Tauwin Takary into an engagement. Of course, psyche helped immensely with that as well.
Sanya stayed with her mother, soon losing track of the number of portals Basen continued to open. Many spirits came apart because of him. Sanya didn’t know where they went. She assumed that they simply ceased to exist.
She figured Basen would return home once he was finished trying to lure her. That’s when she’d kill him. She first had to return to her body, which was more difficult after taking the safli potion. It always felt like trying to emerge from a nightmare. A few times she’d been trapped in the spiritual world, panicking that she’d never get back out. But returning to her body always became easier the more time she spent away from it, as if the spiritual world knew she didn’t belong there and wanted to expel her.
She felt something among the spirits, a familiarity like she felt with her mother. Sanya beckoned it toward her. The spirit was fresh and strong. Years would not undo it. She could feel its curiosity as it obeyed her calling.
Just as she recognized it, Alex’s spirit recognized her as well, stopping suddenly. Sanya knew she didn’t resemble the other spirits. She was shaped like a woman rather than a cluster of bright colors. Alex must’ve known she wasn’t dead. He rushed toward her in anger, frightening her mother, who scurried away and wanted Sanya to follow.
From all the time Sanya had been with her mother’s spirit, she knew these weren’t fully thinking beings. They contained the essence of the person they used to be—this she could sense just as if they were still in the physical world—but they gave Sanya little sense of actual life. They seemed to function more on instincts, a base set of feelings like curiosity and fear, as if they were infants. It confused her enough to go back and forth between thinking of them as the actual people who had died or as just spirits lacking mind and body.
Alex’s rage was the first sign there might be more to them than instincts.
She didn’t know why it comforted her to have found his spirit, but she realized she wanted to keep him intact as well. Fortunately, he didn’t need her support. He had the will to stay alive.
Unfinished business, surely.
CHAPTER FIVE
“Sanya?” Someone was shaking her shoulder. “Sanya.”
Weakened by the crippling drowsiness, she could only manage to grumble. Soon she had the strength to crack open one eye and found Alabell standing over her bed.
“Bastial hell, I was worried. I couldn’t wake you. Are you sick?”
Sanya groaned as she sat up. “No. You worry too much. Why’d you wake me?”
When Alabell stepped back in alarm, Sanya realized what sound she’d let out of her throat. In her unguarded state, her old voice had come out. It was shrill and grating with a deeply annoyed undertone.
“I’m sorry,” Alabell said, clearly surprised. “I just wanted to tell you that Cleve and Reela are outside Basen’s house. I’m going over there to speak with them for a little while, but I didn’t want to leave you alone without you knowing. You certainly sleep deeply. I practically had to hit you before you awoke.”
Sanya laid her heavy head down, breathing out her tension. “Go ahead,” she uttered in her friendly voice. “I might meet you there soon if I don’t fall back asleep.”
As she struggled to stay awake against the safli potion’s lasting effects, she watched Alabell regard her nervously before leaving her room. Sanya heard their front door open and then shut, and then came the lock.
Sanya chuckled at the healer’s overabundance of caution. Basen’s house was next to theirs, just twenty yards away. She went to her window and watched Alabell approach Cleve and Reela. What were the most skilled warrior and psychic of the academy doing there?
Sanya’s heart fell as she realized the answer. Guarding Basen so he can sleep.
She tried to think of a new plan as she went to investigate her secret compartment. The wooden panel seemed to be just as she’d left it. If any of the searchers had found it, they’d returned it to its original state. She hid her silver dagger and remaining safli potion there, then disrupted the bastial energy from the akorell bracelet in her pocket before putting it in as well. They might search her when she tried to get into Basen’s room, so she couldn’t bring any weapons. She knew he had a dagger and a sword somewhere in his room. She just had to be alone with him.
Sanya changed into her nightgown and threw on a fur coat over it. She went before the mirror in her room, fluffed her ash-brown hair and then rubbed her amber eyes. She’d used psyche on Basen every time she noticed him looking into her eyes, and now they gave him a sense of comfort, of home. Even if he’d grown suspicious of her, she knew she could find a way to regain his trust. It was getting past Cleve and Reela that would be difficult.
She’d spoken to Cleve about psyche and learned that he’d encountered one of the strongest psychics in the world in Greenedge, the only known continent across The Starving Ocean. Because of constant training with one of Reela’s brothers, he was able to resist the psychic’s spells enough to escape with his life. Part of his tale wasn’t true, but she was familiar enough with Cleve to know he wouldn’t exaggerate or boast. She figured that instead of escaping, he’d probably killed the psychic and didn’t wish to talk about it.
Reela was likely to be better than Cleve at resisting psyche. As a half Elf who grew up with Ovira’s most powerful psychic, she had the best chance against Sanya if it came to a duel. But Sanya would never let it get that far. They couldn’t find out she was a psychic, which meant she dared only to sense their emotions and would do nothing to change them. She even had to be careful with how she sensed their energy. If she let her mind venture too deep, they could sense her presence.
To make matters less complicated, she waited for Alabell to return first.
“Is Basen still awake?” Sanya asked.
“I’m not sure. I only spoke with Cleve and Reela. Are you going over there?” Alabell glanced down at the nightgown spilling out from the bottom of Sanya’s coat and gave an expression of disapproval.
“I think I am. I haven’t spoken to him at all.”
“And you might sleep there?”
“Only if he wants my company.” Seeing Alabell’s eyes drop, Sanya used a soothing tone. “Nothing will happen. We’re only friends.”
Alabell dismissed the implication with a wave. “Do what you wish. It doesn’t affect me.”
Sanya didn’t call her on her lie. She kissed Alabell on the cheek, then left.
Cleve and Reela promptly turned to face Sanya just after she closed her front door. Mimicking Alabell, she locked it and then chuckled to herself at the absurdity of it.
When she was close enough to speak in a hushed voice, she asked, “Does Terren expect you both to be out here every night?” If not, then tomorrow might be a better option.
“We volunteered,” Cleve said in his dry voice.
“Actually, Cleve volunteered us.” Reela yawned.
Sanya laughed as she sensed their emotions. Good, there was no suspicion. “I didn’t get a chance to speak to Basen today.”
“We should let him sleep,” Reela interrupted before Sanya could say more.
She glanced back at her house. Psyche told her Alabell was in Sanya’s dark room, watching through the window.
“I just want to make sure he knows I’m here to help if there’s anything I can do,” Sanya persisted.
Reela frowned. “You should speak with him tomorrow.”
“I might not get a chance tomorrow. Cleve can attest that I don’t sp
end much time in the dining hall, and there’s nowhere else for me to meet him.”
“Let’s see if he’s awake and let him answer for himself,” Cleve said.
Reela appeared reluctant but agreed.
They went around to Basen’s window, which was already open, to Sanya’s surprise. Basen leaned against the inside wall. “Hello, Sanya,” he said in his cool tenor.
She smiled. “You heard us?”
“No, I’ve just been like this for an hour, hoping someone would come around.”
Reela sighed. “You should be sleeping.”
“I can’t seem to sleep knowing people are staying awake at my expense. Perhaps some company will help.” He left his room and disappeared into the hall. Sanya went around to the front of the house as he opened the door. Reela clasped her shoulder before she went in.
“Just try not to keep him up any longer than he needs to be.” Reela sounded genuinely worried about Basen’s health.
“Whatever Basen wants,” Sanya agreed.
“I can’t tell if I feel like a king or a prisoner,” Basen joked.
It reminded Sanya of a quote she thought of often. A king is a prisoner to his own power.
Once she and Basen entered his room, he went across to close his window. Sanya shut the door behind her and glanced around for his weapons. His wand was on his dresser, across from his bed. His sword and dagger were in sheaths leaning against his wardrobe, extremely accessible. She held back a grin.
“Is Annah here?” Sanya asked, though she already knew the answer.
“She’s in her room, probably not sleeping so she can stay awake worrying about me. We contemplated sharing a room until the murderer attacks, but we’re trying to keep our relationship at a level of friendship, and sharing a bed makes that difficult.”
“I see.”
They both awkwardly eyed the bed, then each other. Basen sat down and patted beside him. Sanya gladly accepted his invitation, sitting close and tucking her arm around his.
She was shocked to discover Basen had suspicions about her, some distrust even. Without psyche, Sanya never would’ve guessed. He was a much better actor than Alabell, far more dangerous as well. Sanya had to be careful. She reminded herself that Cleve and Reela were right outside, and Reela was probably strong enough to feel if Sanya made any drastic changes to Basen’s emotions through psyche.
Why did Basen let me in if he thinks I might be the murderer? He must want to question me, and he probably assumes I would never try something with Cleve and Reela outside.
He’s wrong.
“A lot of people are doing what they can to protect you,” Sanya said.
“I appreciate it, but the guilt is nearly unbearable.” There was no more levity in his tone.
“If they’re anything like me, they want to help. You shouldn’t feel guilty.”
“Perhaps I could ignore the guilt if I knew when this would end.” Basen’s shoulders slumped. “But it could be weeks before the murderer strikes again.”
No, I can’t be here that long.
“I was here last night,” she whispered, coy and hinting. “I wanted to see you, but you were...out. And now I know where.”
“You were here?”
She felt that he was genuinely surprised.
“Yes. I was unable to sleep. I couldn’t stop thinking about the night Nick died. I knew I could use some comfort and thought you could as well. Or maybe I had a sense something terrible was happening.” She shook her head, feigning sadness. “Can we lie down as we talk? You might be able to sleep.”
He glanced up at his window. Cleve was there watching. Reela stuck her head over his shoulder for a glimpse, then murmured something to Cleve. They disappeared out of view. Basen sat up straight, reluctant to speak or move. He didn’t trust her.
“Are you suspicious of me, like Alabell is?” Sanya put her hand on his back in hopes of soothing him.
“I’m suspicious of everyone who matches the height of the person I saw last night.”
She stood and sighed. “I understand. I’ll try not to take offense.” She got to his doorway before he called out to her as she’d hoped he would.
“Wait, Sanya.”
“No, this was a bad idea,” she said while intensifying his guilt with psyche. Reela might feel it, but the half-Elf couldn’t be certain the change was unnatural.
He came after Sanya as she reached the hall. “You don’t have to go.”
She turned and feigned anger. “If I stay, are you going to demand to inspect me?”
His eyes ran up and down her body.
She scoffed and lifted her arms. “Go ahead. I can see that you want to.”
He quickly crouched in front of her. “I’m sorry.” His hands frisked her legs one at a time, pressing up and down in a futile search.
She spun on her heels as his hands rose to her waist. They traveled up her torso and then down her arms. Soon, they came to rest on her shoulders, squeezing gently.
“I’m so sorry I did that. It was foolish.”
No, it was smart. She turned and showed him a sad look. “Maybe we don’t know each other as well as we thought.”
His guilt couldn’t have been worse than it was in that moment. Now was the time to regain his trust. She wrapped her arms around him and told him sweetly, “I know this must be a tough time for you, so I forgive you.”
He returned the embrace but said nothing.
“I think I should go,” she murmured without letting go. “I came here to see if I could help, but I just made things worse.”
“No, it would only be worse if you left now. Stay. Your company will help me relax.”
She nodded and they walked back into his room. Basen removed his shirt, and Sanya forced herself not to notice how well he was put together.
She hung her coat over his chair. The dusty seat indicated a lack of use, and there were no books on his desk, just a short stack of scrolls that every student was given for letter writing. However, no one would be sending or receiving any mail until the war was over.
Tauwin had responded to each letter Sanya had sent him while she was still able to send mail. He worried for her safety and, at the end of every message, pleaded for her to leave the Academy. He was at least smart enough not to mention anything that might get her caught in case someone decided to read their mail, but sometimes his words were too much for her to stomach. The worst was when he included poetry about his love for her, which was clearly written with too much talent to be his own work.
He didn’t know the real reasons she’d come to the Academy. Her plan, soon to be carried out, required using the akorell stone she’d taken from the lockbox in Jack Rose’s room, but she’d also come here because she couldn’t stand living within the same walls as her father and soon-to-be husband any longer. It didn’t matter that the Takary mansion was enormous—there still wasn’t enough distance between her and the men she despised.
Tauwin wanted to take the Academy without damaging it. He would attack with full force only as his last option. Unfortunately, it had come to that, and she knew his army would strike once his catapults were built.
Basen squirmed to get comfortable beneath his covers, leaving as much room as possible for her. There was so much she wanted to tell him. She hadn’t planned to kill anyone. No one within the Academy was supposed to die except Terren, and that was before Sanya knew what kind of man he was. And what kind of man his nephew is. If she’d known them already, she wasn’t sure she would’ve been able to stomach Tauwin’s plan to assassinate Terren during the night.
“Something wrong?” Basen asked.
She shook her head and then got up to pull his curtains across his window for privacy. Afterward, she settled beside him again on his small bed.
She wanted him to know why she was doing all of this. He deserved to know. Sanya closed her eyes and told herself to stop thinking about it. Just wait for him to sleep, then do it and escape.
She used a small amount
of psyche to calm him as she put her arm over his waist and pressed herself against his back. “I’m so sorry about everything that’s happened,” she said, surprised at the sadness she actually felt. Did she just give him a true apology?
He patted her arm. “It’s fine. I just want to sleep now. I’m already feeling as if I can’t keep my eyes open any longer.”
She still felt a hint of suspicion carried into the air by his warm energy, but it must not have been enough for him to get rid of his weapons in his room. Or perhaps he was just too tired to think clearly anymore. No matter. Soon it would be time.
Sanya didn’t know why she was reluctant to do this. What happened to the promise to herself to stop at nothing until her plan was complete?
That was before I found out someone was making portals, she reminded herself. If Basen had never discovered his ability, Nick and Alex would still be alive and Basen would live through this night.
And I wouldn’t be a murderer.
But everything had gone wrong. Terren was supposed to fall, and the Academy was supposed to be led by Abith Max. This was all supposed to end in one day, but now a war had begun, and there would be so many more deaths.
Sanya swallowed, knowing the time to kill Basen was coming shortly. He fell asleep with a quick jolt of his body, as if wanting to free himself from Sanya’s hold. He breathed softly and rhythmically, a sweet sound to her ears. He’d never completely trusted her before he fell asleep. He should’ve listened to his instincts.
Cleve and Reela must’ve thought it was strange for Sanya to close the curtains and sleep there. She wanted to reach out to feel their energy and read their emotions, but it was difficult through the walls, and Reela might detect Sanya’s efforts if she tried too hard.
Now she just had to retrieve Basen’s knife. She didn’t move for a while, using psyche to send him deeper and deeper to sleep. It helped that he was exhausted.
When she was done, she easily scooted away from Basen without waking him.
She stood and took in a slow breath, then walked across his room and pulled out the dagger she’d been eyeing.