“And you think they’ll be coming for Ches.”
“I know they are.” Elena reduces her voice to a whisper when Ches is mentioned, glancing in his direction. “Modern technology has made avoiding detection more difficult. It’s slowed them down, but one will come soon. I’ve been able to keep Ches safe while he’s been home recovering, but when the time comes, I’ll need help.”
“Even from someone who isn’t Sighted?” Sofia asks.
“All I need from you is another pair of eyes that understand what’s coming. Once it arrives, I can handle the rest.”
“You mean killing it.” Sofia tries not to grin. Elena doesn’t answer. The chair squeaks under Sofia as she shifts, crossing her arms. After a drawn-out consideration of her upcoming calendar, she leans forward and looks Elena in the eye. “Does this get me free frittata for life?”
VIGINTI DUO
Sloane spends the entire morning combing through the books in her library, looking for any information about the High Arc. There are books on evicting techniques, bedside manner when performing communications, and how Arcs can work well with their Soul Keepers. There’s nothing, not even a mention of anything she’s looking for.
She agreed to meet Erim at noon to go to Animalium and pick out her creatura. Normally, it would’ve happened after the inauguration, but they were a little preoccupied. When Erim is late, Sloane goes to his room to find him. She finds his door cracked and hovers outside to avoid interrupting.
Ben is inside, leaning back in a chair with her arms crossed. Her hair is pulled into two lavender buns on either side of her head like panda ears. Erim’s armchair is pulled right up to hers. “… and I just checked the new arrivals in all the other terrarums.” He leans forward. “I’m sorry, Ben, she hasn’t entered The Midst.”
Ben doesn’t answer, looking down. Sloane’s never heard her go this long without a witty comment. “Sinnia never could show up when it counted.”
Erim taps his heel on the ground. “She could have ended up in Obscuri.”
“No.” Ben sits up. “She doesn’t get to be disordered. She knew what he was doing to me for years and did nothing. She’s not allowed to be the messed up one.”
“I know.” Erim’s voice is soft.
“Whatever.” Ben shakes her head. “I don’t care.”
“That’s not true.” He sounds surer than Sloane’s ever heard.
“I mean it,” Ben snaps. “She wasn’t a mother then, and she isn’t one now. Why should I care?”
“Bottling it up doesn’t help. We’ve talked about this.” Erim’s brow becomes stern, but his face remains relaxed and warm. “And you’re going to end up tearing your skin off.” He slaps her hand away from picking at her other arm. “So, let’s play this out.”
“What?” Ben groans.
“If she was here, what would you want her to say?” Erim asks. Ben scoffs, rolling her eyes. “Come on, humor me,” he insists.
Ben shrugs and puffs out a loud breath. “I want her to tell me she’s sorry for leaving me there.”
Erim nods. “What else?”
A fire grows behind Ben’s words. “I want her to tell me she hates that son of a bitch as much as I do and promise she would never let it happen again.”
Erim watches her intently. “And would that be enough?” he asks. His voice is so gentle. “Could you finally start to heal?”
The silence that follows is so empty Sloane can hear the waves through the windows. “Nothing’s ever going to be enough.” Ben’s voice has a furious tremble. “But it would be a start.”
Erim nods and slides forward so their knees are touching. On them, he opens his palms to the carved ceiling. Ben sighs and claps her hands into his.
“I know I’m not her, and it’s not the same,” Erim says. “But I am so sorry you were left there. I hate that monster with every fiber of my soul. He can’t hurt you anymore. I swear that I will never, ever let anything happen to you.” He pulls her up into a hug. She looks so small, wrapped in his arms.
Ben buries her cheek in his chest. “She moved Onward, just like that? She didn’t even try to make amends.” Her voice trails off.
“I know,” Erim whispers. “I’m sorry.”
A small black nose appears on the other side of the door, sniffing towards Sloane. Nim chitters, alerting everyone to her presence. Sloane backs away from the door, trying to become one with the alcove wall.
Ben swings the door open, takes a step out, and freezes at the sight of Sloane. The mist in her eyes turns to outrage. She scowls. “You must be really popular with the guys, your mouth gaping open like that.”
“Ben, I’m sorr—”
“Oh, shut up.” Her shoulder knocks into Sloane as she blasts past, disappearing down the hall.
Erim comes to the door and Sloane shrinks, mortified. “I’m so sorry,” she says. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Erim shrugs.
“No, this is my second strike with her.” Sloane groans. “I don’t think she’s getting over this any time soon.”
“She gets over stuff easily. It’s an important part of her love-hate relationship with everyone.” Erim leans against the door frame.
“Never thought I’d miss the love part,” Sloane says. “Remember when she used to like me?”
“She certainly liked messing with you.” Erim sprouts a grin.
“What?”
“Sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s a game with Ben. Most of the time, her obnoxious little obsessions are just because she’s bored. But even with real crushes, she doesn’t know how to act. Juvenile affection is the only kind she knows how to give.”
Sloane feels the weight of remorse stretching her stomach. “I feel horrible.”
Erim steps forward and rests a hand on her shoulder. “Yelling insults doesn’t mean she dislikes you.” A thought makes him chuckle. “But flirting doesn’t mean she likes you, either. She’s tricky that way.” As his eyes trace the path Ben left, his smile dims. “But she’s been through a lot. She’s allowed to be as quirky as she wants.” He relinquishes the thoughts with a breath and looks at Sloane. “Let’s go.” He pulls her away from the doorway. “Animals will make you feel better.”
When they arrive in Animalium, Erim sets an eager Nim down on the grass, so she can scamper ahead. The terrarum begins as a warm grassland with shady trees. Sloane can see Casper’s tall figure from afar, his long black hair falling flat over his shoulders. His cheekbones are high and delicate, hanging above his neatly trimmed beard. Monty, his gorilla, stands behind him like a gargantuan shadow. Nim skitters up to the enormous primate, making him howl with delight. Nim leaps into his arms, and he sits back, cradling her on his wide chest. It seems that Nim’s dislike is exclusively reserved for Sloane.
“Welcome to Animalium, Sloane,” Casper says, his voice quick and quiet.
“Thank you, Casper.” She nods.
The man standing next to him is shorter, with hazel eyes and sandy hair. The cockatoo perched on his plaid shoulder preens itself, paying no mind to the visitors. “This is my Auxilium Anima and aequalis, Haluk.” Sloane shakes his hand.
Erim whistles to Nim and Monty, and they freeze to look at him. “Monty, you rascal, get over here!” Nim leaps daintily off the gorilla before he takes to his feet and charges, hurtling towards Erim. Right before they’re about to collide, Monty stops short, barely a foot away from him. He opens his mouth, baring his sharp teeth, and lets out a roar that shakes Sloane’s bones. The tremors make the trees quiver; disgruntled birds take flight. Echoes of the sound mingle with Erim’s hearty laugh as he pats the gorilla’s shoulder. “Good to see you too, buddy.” Monty grunts with what sounds like laughter and wraps a giant arm around Erim’s middle, pulling him into a rough hug.
Then he seems to notice Sloane for the first time. Monty leaves Erim behind and moves towards her slowly, staring back and forth between her eyes, mesmerized by the colors. He grows to the
size of a compact car as he approaches, making Sloane take a step back. She braces herself as he reaches towards her with a massive hand. His bristly fingers probe her face gently, running from her forehead down to her chin. His breathing is heavy; Sloane can feel it on her collarbone every time he exhales. He cocks his head to the side as he studies her with big brown eyes that remind her of Ches’s.
Casper appears beside Monty and lays a hand on his back. “Come on, Monty, let’s help Sloane find her creatura.” The gorilla drops his hand and ambles away, turning back to make sure Sloane is following.
“Someone’s in love,” teases Erim as he strolls past her.
As the group ventures through the trees, the white bird takes flight from Haluk’s shoulder, soaring into the air. When Sloane looks up, she realizes the trees are very much occupied. A brilliant rainbow of wings flickers through the leaves. She catches the big round eyes of things that swing between the branches.
The air fills with sound as they come to a point overlooking the valley stretching to the horizon. All kinds of animals roam the grounds; they’re from African plains to suburban homes. Flocks of birds color the sky. It looks a little odd, animals from country farms and lush rainforests all mingling together. There are a couple of lion cubs playing with a pack of dogs. A giraffe is stripping the leaves of a tree where a jaguar is lounging, curiously watching a penguin collect stones. Whales breach in the broad body of water off to Sloane’s left. There are people playing with the animals and watching from afar like it’s a free-roaming zoo.
“Each animal that arrives in The Midst formed some sort of connection with a human soul here,” Casper says.
A shape breaks away from a group of animals, sprinting up the hill to them. Sloane squints her eyes, and even before she hears the familiar bark, her legs are flying, carrying her towards it. The decline of the slope helps with her speed. She’s running so fast her feet barely touch the ground. The dog’s colors come into focus and return to memory; the shaggy gray coat spotted with black, her white and brown mane.
“Hubble!” They barrel into each other, a mass of flailing limbs and soft fur. Hubble writhes with excitement on top of Sloane, showering her with a wet pink tongue. Sloane giggles, hugging her tightly in a giddy, crazed state, and she can’t breathe, but she doesn’t care. Sloane sits up and holds Hubble’s face in her hands, burying her fingers under her ears.
They were saying goodbye at the vet the last time Sloane saw those eyes, one bright blue, and the other chocolate brown. Those eyes were what initially drew Sloane’s mom to Hubble. She hoped the pup could help minimize little Sloane’s insecurities about her own eyes. “I knew we would see each other again,” Sloane whispers. Hubble whines with enthusiasm and leans forward to cover her in kisses, dissolving Sloane into laughter again.
When Erim and the others reach them, Sloane gets to her feet like a normal human. Hubble is immediately interested in Nim, and she runs over to get acquainted. Nim lays back her ears, not so eager to make new friends. She shrinks down and slinks behind Monty, so Hubble trots back over to Sloane, unsure of what she has done to offend.
Haluk crouches to greet Hubble. “What a beautiful Shepard.”
“That must be a new record,” Casper says with a grin.
Sloane scratches Hubble’s head. “We’ve been apart too long.”
“She must’ve been waiting for you,” Erim says.
“No more waiting,” Sloane promises her. “We’re home.”
As Sloane leaves Animalium with Hubble at her side, she feels the weight of her troubled thoughts lighten a little.
By the evening, Sloane has leafed hopelessly through dozens of books and still found no information on High Arcs. She joins Erim and the rest of the terrarum for dinner. It’s much quieter than her first one with Ches; people are solemn. Erim switched the clearing where they gather so they wouldn’t be eating on the same grass where Mina’s plasma soaked the soil. While they eat, Erim tells Sloane that Bastian awoke and was taken back to Arborum to finish recovering.
After supper, Erim and Sloane walk back through the forest. Erim throws around a few ideas for a memorial ceremony for Mina. Sloane can’t believe such a thing is necessary where they are; it’s not right. Everyone in The Midst has already paid the ultimate price. No one should ever have to pay twice.
As Sloane adds some suggestions, a shadow shifts in the trees, and someone leaps out. He’s so fast Sloane barely sees him; she doesn’t even have time to cry out. The man swings his leg, sweeping her feet from the ground. Hubble barks. Sloane’s arms fly back to catch her fall, but she lands roughly on her back, knocking the air from her chest.
Nim snarls and leaps at the man, but a golden bird swoops down and blocks her path, talons outstretched. Erim moves in quickly, funneling a blast of water forward. It slides the man back, but he slips aside and swipes for Erim’s legs. Erim dodges and jabs a punch that clashes with the man’s thick forearm. They zip back and forth, parrying and blocking. It almost looks choreographed; no blow falls unblocked. Erim is fast and precise but really no match for the man who slams his full weight into him, knocking him down. The water splashes to the ground as Erim falls, disoriented.
Rhuso stands over Sloane, glaring down. His white hair shines, sharp square jaw pointing out with disappointment. His thick eyebrows are drawn together angrily. Sloane jumps to her feet and puts all her strength into a shove that actually makes him take a step back.
“What the hell, Rhuso?” She seethes, taking Erim’s hand and pulling him to his feet.
“I second that.” He heaves, still a little dazed.
“If I was Esht, both of you would be finished,” Rhuso says gruffly. His falcon perches on his shoulder.
“So, you attacked us just to prove your stupid point?” Sloane snarls.
“You are quite pathetic.” He replies, showing no remorse for his assault. “The rest of the officials have already acquired combat teachers from their terrarums.”
Sloane scoffs, stepping back. “What, you want to teach me to fight?”
“I’m not leaving her alone with you.” Erim scowls. “Not after this and that little stunt you pulled in her room.” Rhuso ignores him, looking to Sloane for a reply.
“Yeah, thanks, but I think I’ll find someone who has a few more stars on Yelp,” Sloane says.
“There are none better than me.” Rhuso’s features remain flat. “That is simply a fact.” Sloane looks at Erim, who is clearly a skilled fighter, but was still defeated. Somehow, Sloane doesn’t doubt that Rhuso’s the best, but she refuses to let him see it. Rhuso takes her silence as affirmation. “Expect me in the morning.” He turns and strides away.
“He’s insane.” Sloane huffs, turning to Erim. “Where did you learn to fight like that?”
“I had a lot of spare time when I was younger,” Erim says. “My mentor, Kalith, thought it would be a good outlet.”
“Well, maybe whoever trained you can train me.” Sloane’s hoping for any competitor to Rhuso.
Erim shakes his head. “Master Hufana went Onward two years ago. And clearly, you need someone better than me.” He grins, brushing the mud off his pants.
Back in her quarters, Sloane can’t stand the sight of all her useless books splayed out on every surface. Cracking open one more might drive her insane. She’s clearly not going to find any information in The Midst’s library, and she won’t be able to sleep having accomplished nothing. There’s only one person she can think of that might have some answers.
She arrives in Herbas just as the path lanterns illuminate. She asks a couple people for directions until she is standing before the round green door of one of the dugout dwellings. The rock garden in the front tells her she’s in the right place, with its perfectly raked pattern of small stones and bonsai tree.
Sloane knocks, and Somboon swings the door open. “Sloane, what a delightful surprise,” he exclaims, his face alight. He looks the same as always, with his orange and red robes arranged just so and his
ears sticking out a little. “Please come in.”
Sloane steps into what seems like a completely different world. Somboon’s sandals are lined up next to the door, on the woven grass mat covering the whole floor. Sloane takes off her shoes and brushes Hubble’s paws, not wanting to track any dirt onto the fancier mat that has tiny strands of red in the border. The walls have intricate wooden paneling, and some can slide back and forth, creating optical illusions. Sloane can’t tell which are indeed walls and which are doors.
It is modestly decorated, but there is a beautifully painted crane porcelain vase in one corner and a hanging scroll with a scene of an ancient market. Somboon ushers Sloane inside and offers her a seat on the floor cushions for the low wooden table. There’s a teapot and a few cups just waiting for guests.
“Can I offer you some green tea?” he asks, sitting across from her. It seems less of a question and more of an expectation, as he’s already pouring her a cup.
“Sure, thanks.” Preeda settles next to the warm teapot, wrapping her tail around the base. Hubble curls up next to Sloane and lays her head on her lap.
Somboon takes a sip of his tea and lets out an exalted breath. He can only seem to focus once all the customary hosting procedures are out of the way. “Yesterday must have been quite a trying day for you. How are you faring?” he inquires.
“I’ve been looking for answers about the High Arc,” she says.
“Ah, of course.” Somboon nods. “It has become quite the topic of interest.”
“With more information about Esht’s abilities, we might find a way to stop him.”
Somboon strains the tea leaves out of the pot, unaware that the suspense is gutting Sloane. “I have never had experience with a High Arc myself, but Ilir has.”
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