Zerenity lay on the floor on her side. Her hair covered her face, and black veins spiderwebbed across her arms and legs. Rayah gasped again.
Dear Ƨäʈūr! When had she become infected?
Rayah knelt next to Zerenity and gingerly turned her onto her back. Zerenity’s head flopped to the side, exposing more black veins that ran the length of her neck and marred her face like cracked pottery. She lifted one of Zerenity’s eyelids and confirmed that her entire pupil and iris had turned black.
Just like in Alderan’s dream.
Zerenity’s chest rose and fell, and the black veins in her neck pulsed.
Rayah patted Zerenity’s cheek. “Can you hear me?” Zerenity didn’t respond, so Rayah patted her cheek a bit harder. Still, she didn’t respond.
Rayah huffed. You never listen to me.
She took a deep breath, pulled her hand back, and slapped Zerenity hard on the cheek. Smack! Zerenity didn’t even let out a peep, but a red handprint bloomed on her cheek where the black veins didn’t surface. Shame washed over Rayah like an ocean wave.
I’m sorry, Zerenity. I don’t know what came over me.
Rayah massaged Zerenity’s cheek, but the red mark lingered. Laughter came from beyond the kitchen. Eshtak! Rayah jumped up and ran into the living area.
Savric patted the top of Eshtak’s head. “You are a strange lit—”
“It’s Zerenity!” Rayah’s chest tightened, and she erupted with sobs.
Savric moved toward her. “My dear girl, what has happened?”
Rayah gathered herself and pointed toward the kitchen. “She’s on the floor. I tried to wake her, but she didn’t respond.” She couldn’t bring herself to tell him about the black veins.
Savric’s eyes widened, and then he disappeared in a flash.
“Bugger-bees!” Savric’s shout came from the kitchen.
Eshtak ran past Rayah and into the kitchen, but she just stood in the middle of the living area, rooted to the floor with fear. She couldn’t stomach seeing Zerenity like that again. Understanding as to why Alderan’s dreams had disturbed him so much filled her.
Ƨäʈūr, save her, and give me the strength to face what must be done.
She looked around the room and that’s when it hit her. All of Alderan’s things were missing: his bow, his pack, and his clothes. Bitterness swelled in her heart.
Even after our talk you still went home?
She nearly cursed his name, but then a revelation came to her. He knew about Zerenity.
“That’s why you were so adamant about finding a cure.” Rayah sank to the floor.
Without her, who will train him? How can he possibly save the world on his own?
Another thought, dark and without hope, hit her like a brick to the face.
Can the world still be saved, or is it too late?
Rayah’s heart pounded as despair rose in her throat like bile. She quickly gathered her things and headed into Zerenity’s room.
“Where is girl?” Eshtak’s call came from the living area.
She slipped into Zerenity’s closet and eased the door shut. Her pulse raced, and perspiration moistened her palms. Guilt squeezed the air from her lungs and left her breathless.
Forgive me, Master Savric. I’ll return as soon as I can.
She struggled through many rows of clothing before reaching the mirror at the back of the closet. She wrapped her hand around the mirror’s ornate wooden frame and pressed her forehead against it.
You can do this, Rayah. Master Savric will understand.
The closet door cracked open, spilling light into the dark closet. “Wizard man needs girl.”
Rayah stood still and held her breath.
Go away, Eshtak. I must find Alderan.
Twice in her life she’d traveled through a mirror. The first time was when Silas dragged her through the mirror in Alderan’s basement and into the burning castle. It’d happened so quickly that she didn’t have time to process the experience. Fear for her life had muddled her memory of it as well.
The other time came the day she, Alderan, Master Savric, and Zerenity had traveled from Alderan’s house in Viscus D’Silva to Zerenity’s house in Tyrosha. She remembered everything about it: the static shock of mezhik when she touched it, the cold, liquid glass caressing her skin, and the sense of detached limbs when she stuck her arms through it.
She cleared her mind and concentrated on Alderan’s house. She placed the palm of her left hand against the mirror’s surface. Immediately, the surface turned from warm-and-hard to cold-and-wet, and her palm sank into it until she couldn’t feel it anymore.
Through the mirror she saw the room where she’d been captured by Silas, lit like the heavens by the mirror’s frame. She gasped and then quickly covered her mouth. She’d forgotten the depth of its majestic beauty. Butterflies fluttered in the pit of her stomach.
On her side of the mirror, Zerenity’s closet brightened and several grunts shattered the silence. Rayah glanced back over her shoulder and froze. Clothes swayed on wooden hangers and filled the closet with soft moans as the hangers rubbed against the wooden dowels that kept them suspended.
The last row of clothes parted and Eshtak stepped through them. Rayah’s hand pulled away from the mirror as her arm dropped to her side. Eshtak’s glowing, lime-green eyes glistened with tears.
She met his gaze, but only held it for a moment. She turned and focused her attention back on the mirror. Her heart ached with guilt, and her pulse rose.
Now or never, Rayah.
She took a deep breath, but her hand didn’t move from her side.
“Eshtak cares for lady. Eshtak not lose lady.” Eshtak grabbed Rayah’s shoulder and gently pulled on it. “Eshtak take girl to wizard man.”
The room through the mirror faded, and her own ghostly reflection replaced it. She closed her eyes.
I cannot abandon my duty. Master Savric needs me, and I know Alderan will return.
Telling Alderan the truth about everything would have to wait. It always did. She opened her eyes and met Eshtak’s gaze through the mirror’s reflection. She reached up and patted the back of his hand. “Let’s go see what we can do for Zerenity.”
† † †
Distance. Only distance separated Zerenity from her dark master. Her creator. The Dark One.
Time. How long would it be until he called her to serve him? She didn’t know, but the desire to be in his presence consumed her every thought, and the anticipation of meeting him face-to-face left her nerves frayed.
Darkness. Cold, forlorn, and swaddled in darkness, she waited. Nothing else in the world existed. Nothing else needed to. Soon, her master would extinguish the light and usher in an age of darkness for all eternity. And, in that darkness, he’d reign forever. A god to all who would bow to him, and a reaper to all who would defy him.
Longing. Zerenity reached into the darkness and spoke to him through her mind. “Call upon me, my dark master. You are the Ancient One. The Dark One. The Fire Breather. A god to all men, women, and beasts. I am your slave, willing to serve you until death takes me. Allow me to do your bidding. I beg it of you. Denying me would be worse than death itself.”
† † †
Savric leaned back against the kitchen cabinets and rested his eyes. Dear Ƨäʈūr, tell me what to do. How can I stop this poison from killing my brother and the love of my life? Mezhik does nothing for them now, and I fear I am useless.
How many more of those he loved would meet the same fate? Would anything be able to stop it, or did they fight an impregnable enemy? Have I lost faith in the prophecy? In the boy? In us all? He dug deep within himself, but only a sputtering spark remained of the eternal flame of hope he’d carried for so long.
“Master Savric, tell us what to do. How can we help?”
Sweet, innocent Rayah. Savric opened his eyes. She and Eshtak stood to his right, their arms interlocked.
Savric peered o
ver the pair and frowned. “Where is the boy?”
Rayah eyed the floor. “I don’t know. I mean… I think I know, but I can’t be certain. He was gone when I woke up this morning. All of his things are gone too.”
“Gone… Heavens, dear girl.” Savric stroked his beard but it failed to comfort him the way it often did. “And where might you surmise he has ventured off to?”
Rayah released Eshtak’s arm and twirled one of her chestnut curls around her finger. “I’m pretty sure he’s gone back home. He told me that there might be a book in his basement that could help Master Qotan.”
Savric cocked his head. “A book to help Qotan and Reni?”
Rayah shook her head. “I don’t believe so. Zerenity mentioned that she’d read a book about what had happened in Intus. I think he’s trying to figure out a way to make Qotan whole once more.”
Savric groaned. “I cherish his enthusiasm and relish the thought of having my brother back with us all again, but this affliction upon Reni and Qotan must be dealt with first. If the boy had known Reni suffered as well, he would not have left.”
Rayah looked up at him, her hazel eyes glistening with moisture. “Now that I think back on it, I’m certain he’s aware of Zerenity’s condition. Perhaps that’s why they both desperately sought a solution in these books.”
Savric curled his stiff fingers into a fist. Arthritic pain pulsed within his whitened knuckles. “I trust that you are correct.” He relaxed his hand. “I will go find him and bring—”
Zerenity rose from the floor. “Yes, my master. I’m coming.”
“Reni!” Savric rushed to her side and put an arm around her shoulders. Heat radiated through her clothes.
Zerenity’s black eyes stared at nothing, and her blackened lips moved in silence. Savric’s arm dropped to his side as Zerenity moved forward through the kitchen without glancing at any of them. Rayah and Eshtak stepped out of the way when Zerenity reached their position.
Savric, Rayah, and Eshtak followed Zerenity out of the kitchen and into the living area. Movement to his left froze Savric mid-stride. Qotan lumbered out of his room, a blanket wrapped around his ankle. He shook it off as he made his way toward the front door.
“Brother?” Savric’s voice croaked from his mouth.
Zerenity opened the front door and stepped out onto the porch. Savric teleported from where he stood to the front porch in a blink, just behind Zerenity. He grabbed Zerenity by the shoulder and pulled her back around to face him. She didn’t resist. In fact, she did nothing but stare ahead. Savric shook her but she didn’t respond.
Vapor plumed from Zerenity’s skin and clothing, creating a hauntingly beautiful aura of yellow-and-orange around her. It unsettled Savric. He gazed into the dark inkwells where her eyes used to be.
Savric reached out to Zerenity with his mind. “Reni, can you hear me?”
Hatred and an infinite darkness lashed out at him. Pain erupted in his temples as he fought back the sudden attack. He pulled his mind back and erected protective barriers, but a deep cold ached his bones and sorrow wracked him.
It took every bit of his strength to stay upright and rein in his emotions. He closed his eyes and prayed to his God—the one true God.
Ƨäʈūr, I ask for Your strength. Help me gain understanding of the affliction they suffer. How can I help them? My God, I beg of you, tell me what to do!
Savric opened his eyes just as Qotan walked past and brushed his shoulder. Qotan traversed the steps down into the yard, vapor plumes trailing him. Rayah and Eshtak joined them on the porch, their faces paler than normal and their eyes wide.
Savric shook Zerenity by the shoulders. “Reni!” She didn’t even blink. He released her, and she turned and followed Qotan through the yard and beyond the tree line.
“What should we do?” asked Rayah, her eyes still wide and full of fear.
Savric’s mind spun as he stood on the porch like a statue. What could they do? He needed to delve into the prophetic writings further, but time didn’t favor them; it favored no one. His stomach lurched as a thought entered his mind. He didn’t like it, but nothing else presented itself.
He pulled on his beard. “Rayah, you will go find Alderan. Eshtak and I will follow Reni and Qotan.”
Rayah frowned. “Wouldn’t it be safer for Eshtak to go with me?”
Savric stomped his foot. “Feathers, girl! We do not possess the time to argue this further. I am uncertain if Eshtak would survive going through the mirror with you.”
“Eshtak uses mirror. Leaves home through mirror long ago.”
Savric cocked his head as he eyed Eshtak. “As you say, but it is of no consequence. I may need your assistance in keeping track of Reni and Qotan if they should split up.”
Rayah nodded, her cheeks flushed. “I’ll take my book and send you a message when I find Alderan so that we can meet up with you.”
The book. Savric sighed. “It will do you no good. I am no longer in possession of its twin.”
Rayah gasped. “What—”
Savric raised his hand. “A tale for another time, dear girl. However, I must insist you give me yours. I may need it for purposes as of yet unknown. As for how I will locate you, we must find another solution.”
Eshtak tugged on his sleeve. “Eshtak mirror?”
Savric rubbed the top of Eshtak’s bald head. “Perhaps we can use your mirror, but I am unfamiliar with its mezhik and its range. We will need another solution as well.”
Eshtak ran back inside, pirouetting through the open door.
Savric eyed the two fir trees through which Qotan and Zerenity had disappeared into the forest. We must go before we lose them.
Rayah stepped out onto the porch. “Can you track me with a spell?”
Savric shook his head but smiled wearily. “Tracking spells cannot be used on flesh. However, they can be attached to inanimate objects such as your brooch. Their reliability is questionable at best though.”
Eshtak returned to the porch, two brass-handled mirrors in one hand and Qotan’s staff in the other. He handed the staff to Savric and one of the mirrors to Rayah.
Eshtak eyed the mirror and spun in a circle. “Eshtak sees girl.”
“And I see you.” Rayah set the mirror down on the bench, unpinned her brooch, and stared at it for several moments. “I shall pray that Ƨäʈūr makes my brooch reliable.” She handed it to Savric with a trembling hand. “Do what you must.”
“You have nothing to fear, dear girl. The spell will not harm the brooch.” Savric closed his eyes and searched his memories for the right spell. The word finally arose from the thick fog shrouding his mind. Thank you, Ƨäʈūr.
He held the brooch in his right palm and concentrated his mind on it. “Ʈräíƨ.” The warmth of mezhik seeped from his open palm, and a faint, yellow light surrounded the brooch. The light pulsed for several moments and then faded, along with the warmth.
Savric handed the brooch back to Rayah. “This must suffice. Whatever you do, do not lose it.”
Rayah shook her head as she pinned the brooch back onto her shirt. “I won’t.” She looked back up at him, her hazel eyes brimming with moisture.
Savric cupped Rayah’s cheek. “My dear girl, everything will be as it should.”
Rayah pulled away. Her gaze fell to the porch as tears streaked her cheeks. “But there’s something I didn’t tell you…”
“We have but a few moments.” He peered back at the forest. “Make haste with your words.”
“I think one of the vines bit me too. My side has been sore and itchy ever since I discovered them. I’ve been too afraid to look at it.”
“Bugger-bees! Why have you kept this knowledge to yourself until now?”
“Everyone had so much stress already with Master Qotan and Zerenity. I didn’t want to make things worse.”
Savric eyed Rayah. His heart ached for her. “What you intended to say is that Alderan would have abandoned everyth
ing to try and save you.”
Rayah sniffed and wiped her nose. “Am I going to become like Zerenity and Master Qotan?”
“If what you say is true, you would have been bitten before Reni.” He stroked his beard. “Lift up your shirt and let me examine your wound.”
Rayah pulled up her shirt. “Is it bad?”
Savric bent down. The wound on Rayah’s side looked similar to what Qotan had described of the one he’d suffered. However, Rayah’s wound showed no signs of black, spiderwebbed veins. Instead, a puffy, dark-red ring encircled the wound.
“Looks as though you might have scratched yourself on a branch or something, but there are no signs of you being infected like Qotan and Reni.”
Rayah exhaled loudly. “Thank Ƨäʈūr.”
“Indeed. Hold still, and I will speed up your recovery.” Savric placed his hand over the wound and drew upon his mezhik. A warm, yellow light emanated from his palm and penetrated Rayah’s side.
Rayah giggled. “That tickles and prickles.”
Eshtak took a deep breath. “Eshtak smells sunshine.” He twirled off the porch and danced around in the yard.
The yellow light faded and Savric straightened. “I believe that will help your discomfort.”
Rayah hugged Savric. “Thank you.” She pulled back. “I know you must leave now, but what do you want me to do once I’ve found Alderan?”
Savric pulled the hood of his cloak over the top of his head. “Pray he has found a cure to this poison and a way to make Qotan whole again. We will meet back here soon.” He turned and took the steps down to the yard. “Eshtak, come.”
He didn’t look back as he crossed the yard and headed into the vast sea of fir trees. Zerenity, his heart and soul, trudged through the forest ahead of them, and he’d rather be damned than lose track of her.
† † †
Rayah went back inside Zerenity’s house, gathered her belongings, and returned to the back of Zerenity’s closet. She stared at the girl in the mirror and the glimmering wings at her back. Will this be the last time? The thought rent her to the core.
Rended Souls Page 3