Wes creaked open the door to the astrology dome. A starlit ceiling filled the area, and the black and red carpet was the only source of The Regime in the room. Near the back, sitting at a table with cards on the table, was a frail, wrinkled woman. White hair flowed like it was underwater and her long-nailed fingers clutched the chair beside her, gazing into the crystal ball. I’d never seen someone like her before.
With a smile on my face, I approached her with long strides in my walk. “Hey, Wes and I were wondering if you’ve seen…”
Her cold hand clawed into my shoulder. “... The bodies… The dead…”
The woman’s eyelids glossed over, leaving a grayish-white hue rather than a natural one. Her withered hand gripped onto me, causing cold to chill my skin. Her raspy voice mumbled more phrases before crying a terrifying high-pitched scream. This wasn’t normal.
“Wes…” I called.
“Blood will spill this night. A moment of joy descends to fright. The daughter of Astra must make her choice… blood for blood, a voice for a voice. Innocents will suffer. Betrayal will have no buffer…” the woman quivered as she spoke.
I widened my eyes. “That’s the same as my dream! Please tell me what I should do...”
“The time has come at last… fire will shatter the dreams vast.” Her eyes rolled to the back of her head.
With a thud, the woman collapsed to the ground and Wes came to her aid. He checked her pulse and shook his head. The vision had been too intense for her. What if a vision got too intense for me? I shoved the thought to the back of my mind. I was the daughter of Astra Knight. Mom said I was supposed to be able to handle stronger visions.
“Another sister lost…” a voice spoke up.
Another followed. “Visions have such a cost…”
“You knew her?” Wes pulled me closer to him.
“She was our ally in our plight…”
“The future is a fractured sight for you, daughter of Astra Knight.”
“How do you know Calista?” Wes raised his voice.
One of the women reached out her bony hand. “We know all… Wesley Peterson.”
“The boy who betrayed all odds, who snapped into reason.”
“And you, Daughter of Astra, Calista Knight: born of great mystery, connected to The Regime’s and The Dreamers’ plight.”
“Yet you choose to side with us in your might.”
“The images you foresaw will happen tonight.” the women spoke in unison, sending chills down my spine.
That meant the fire, the blood… all of it would happen. I had to figure out what to do.
“What must I do to…?”
A firm voice cut me off. “Back away!”
The two women stepped back, slowly shifting into the shadows they came from. I turned my head to the owner of the firm voice: the lead elder at Serre, Melody Voidracker. Her snow-white hands rested on a silver cane, engraved with the saying People over the Product. Ms. Voidracker’s blonde updo was tight, professional like my old military school’s principal. Though, unlike Principal Hill, she wore no spectacles, leaving her stern, frosted eyes glaring at me. She towered above me like a thin giant, though, as authority, I had to look up to her anyhow. She let us stay in Serre. I couldn’t be anything but grateful.
“Ms. Knight. There you are.” Ms. Voidracker tightened the grip on her cane. “I was just about to summon you to prepare for the ball tonight.”
Summon me? For ball preparations? What in the world was a ball anyway? I never came across the word before except when referring to teams.
“A ball? You mean like sports?” Wes’ eyes burned with a competitive drive.
She narrowed her eyes. “No, it’s a dance. Formal. Requiring dignified attire, serious attitude, and everyone over fourteen’s attendance.”
She has to be kidding with me. I’m planning an event that’s formal and this… this is insane! “Why haven’t I heard about this earlier?”
“Your recovery took a long while, Ms. Knight. A lighthearted event with music and dance might be the only way to keep us going here.”
“But I…”
Ivory burst into the astronomy dome, jumping up and down like it was the best moment in her life. “A ball, Cally! Can you believe it! I have to finish making dresses! Think of the colors!”
A dance was the last thing I needed right now. Between the crowds of people and the short notice, I needed answers! Not more questions in a life with already splintering memories. Two lives were on the line. Dreams and fire were about to connect. Blood would spill. My anxiety ran through my veins and quickened my heartbeat. What were the signs laced in red trying to tell me? What all was I about to see The Regime do?
Golly, what am I getting into, Aurelia?
The response would be quicker than I would ever realize.
THIRTY-TWO
Ambert
“Are you sure we should listen to Mom’s message now?” Enya clutched the door handle and opened it.
My hands gripped the flash-key. We’re supposed to be gathering the oth— I repressed that thought. This flash-key bugged my conscience long enough, and it could’ve held something able to help Cal.
I swung my new duffle bag— my violin and its case tucked inside— on my back. “Absolutely.”
“Not like we’d need to if we still had that stupid journal…” Enya placed her hands on her hips.
“That’s not your fault. I have a feeling The Regime sent Sam—”
“The Illusionist,” Enya corrected me. “He’s too far gone to have a normal name.”
“Okay, The Regime, Mai, Mr. Knight — maybe even The Commander — sent The Illusionist to get rid of it.”
Enya’s eyes widened. “Then, this is it. Our answers.”
“Yeah, guess so.”
A long silence filled the room. My heartbeat was the only pulsing sound in my ears. The rapid pounding. The rush of adrenaline. The Regime’s fatal flaw laid in our grasp. With that, no one would have to die. Dreamers could get along with The Commander. Radicals and rebels wouldn’t be labels.
I pictured the music in the streets, the cheering in the crowds, the rainfall of tears in Fortress from families reuniting under one flag. The emotion of a violin joined with thousands of other instruments blaring out individual vibrations. Artists splattering paint in an array of colors would cheer on, consumed by the art they create. Everyone would be happy.
I placed the flash-key into one of the computers. The screen dimmed.
A video clip played, the year attached to it was 2200— a year before our birthday.
“Let this assembly of The Dreamer Peace Committee come to order!” the firm man’s blue-green eyes glared with authority. Towering above the others, his rigid stature reminded me of Mr. Knight trapped in an older Wes’ body, blond hair cut in a military style.
He demonstrated a clear control of the group just from his stare. If this guy wasn’t The Commander, no one was.
The room’s setup mirrored The Regime’s High Council meetings. Each member wore a different color, varying on city, specialty, and element. Some wore all white from Serre; others flickered fire or dripped water from their fingertips, colors matching the element they held.
Slowly, their talking ceased so the leader could speak again. “Now the pressing matter at hand: the girl. Bring her.”
A man in a purple uniform presented a young girl, and her Lolita dress immediately caught my eye.
“No way…” Enya mumbled.
“Cho Mai: Convicted of Code 26, going into the Cave of Shadows, and giving herself into the darkness,” he spoke with disdain.
Mai’s crooked smile twisted. “That’s me.”
“You see? She’s a prime example of why Code 26’s are dangerous— the power inside of those creatures is enough to bring back a soul consumed by the darkness!” the man yelled.
“That’s debatable.” Dr. Moreno looked up from his notepad. “Twins could be helpful too.”<
br />
Mai— was a twin? Like us? I swallowed down a lump in my throat. There had to be more. Mother had to have a point to showing us this.
“Dr. Moreno is right, Sir.” the voice who spoke up carried a familiar pair of gray eyes. That couldn’t be Mr. Knight. The gleam in his eyes beamed with life and wonder different from the man I grew up with.
“Knight? You’re speaking against me?” the man clenched his jaw.
Mr. Knight chuckled. “Astra— she didn’t foresee her as purely evil. Condemning Mai is crazy without any real reason. We don’t have time for this crap.”
“He’s right. I’m living proof that having darkness is a temptation, not something possessive per se.” That smile— it was the same one the elderly at Weisheit talked about: a kind, yet determined and cunning grin. This was Enya and I’s mother, Harmony.
“Harmony, your place in this committee is in the computer room. Go back to it,” the man shouted over the crowd.
“What does the king have to say about this?” the lanky woman had to be Serre’s head, Ms. Voidracker. The same silver cane laid across her lap.
The man folded his arms over his chest and raised his chin — sure sign of an untouchable, dangerous pride in his simper. “He’d approve of killing twins. They’re too dangerous to this society, just like those who oppose our committee. Identical ones are too well conformed to each other, and fraternal twins? Their powers are vast and unstable. It’s our duty to prevent anyone from causing the next wave of extinction. Twins like her could be a link to that. Do you all want another apocalyptic age?”
“… Please, let me go…” Mai pleaded.
“We let you go, and you’ll corrupt society.” another Dreamer growled like an animal.
“My sister did nothing wrong. You’re the ones who slit her throat. This is your fault,” Mai screeched.
Dark energy formed around Mai like a mist. Ink splotches spilled to the ground like blood, and the mist whirled around her pigtails like they were engulfed in a fierce wind. Her clenched fist was met by a fully moving swirl of darkness on her arm, glowing, pulsating like the hatred she held deep inside.
Dreamers backed away, even the guards detaining Mai — a twelve-year-old girl proving more trouble than they counted for. Some kept fear in their eyes. Others stuck out weapons ready to attack her— to kill her. This was why every glance at me in Serre was full of disdain and terror — why Ms. Voidracker wished me dead if I didn’t control the darkness.
Mother stood tall, unmoved by the darkness, the sorrow, and the pain. Instead, she braced forward and shouted, “Mai, don’t!”
Then something happened. Something Enya and I never expected.
Mother’s arms wrapped tightly around Mai. The same Mai who kidnapped Vana. The same Mai who fell into the darkness. The same Mai who tried to kill Cal.
“The pen is mightier than any weapon, Mai. Kindness is even stronger.” Mother’s smile lit the room.
The man spat. “Then you’re taking charge of this— creature. This Sollicitus!”
“Yes, because that’s what real Dreamers do—” Mother quivered as she faced the crowd. “And besides, we’re both the same. I also carry darkness, Bernard.”
Gasps filled the crowd as each Dreamer turned to face the man, who I assumed was Bernard.
He rose from his chair. “Harmony? You?”
“You’re the most respectable Dreamer we know…” a gruff voice spoke from the back.
“If— if you’re corrupted— then the king must certainly be!” another spoke.
“Mai needs our guidance. She—” Mother began.
“... They don’t get it, Har.” Mai’s eyes darkened. “They’ll never get it. You Dreamers will never get it!”
Mai disappeared within a puff of smoke and then—
Crash!
“Ambert…” Enya clenched her fist.
“... Sorry. That was just…”
“Intense?” Enya hugged herself and looked at the floor.
We gazed at each other to try to stitch the pieces together. Mother tried to tell us something in that video— even if it wasn’t what we wanted to hear.
“Who can we even trust anymore?” Enya crossed her legs.
“We…” the corners of my mouth curved upward. “We can trust each other, can’t we?”
“Stop trying to be optimistic about this.” Enya shifted her eyes to the shattered computer screen. “Mom isn’t who we thought she was.”
“Enya—”
“She befriended Mai. Mai of all people. How the heck did something like that happen? This flash-key is full of crap! Complete bull!” Enya threw her flame at a wall.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
The sound of the smoke alarms pierced my eardrums. Sprinklers from all over rained on top of our heads and I laughed. “Come on, Enya. Look at yourself. We’ll figure this out.”
The words weren’t just for her. I needed them too. From the journal, my gut told me the two knew each other, and seeing Mai and Mother together confirmed it.
Dustin burst into the room, out of breath. “You two okay?”
“I just cracked more glass. We’re fine.” I smiled.
“Just shut these stupid things off!” Enya shielded her face from the rain.
“Sure thing, Flames.” Dustin saluted Enya and turned off the fire prevention system.
I removed the flash-key from the computer and returned it to my backpack. “It’s about time we head back to Cal.”
“Awesome. A long walk will do you both some good— Maybe.” Dustin chortled.
“Ha. Very funny.” Enya shoved him and folded her arms.
Dustin slumped against the wall. “I always had a wicked sense of humor.”
“There you are. I was wondering where I’d find you snooping around at.” the accented voice of Ms. Voidracker echoed behind us.
Dustin cocked his eyebrow. “Ms. Voidracker— surprised you’re here so late. Aren’t you preparing for the ball?”
“Mr. Moreno, I doubt I can do anything without proper music.” Ms. Voidracker faced me. “Speaking of which, the people of Serre would be grateful if you played your violin in the orchestra at the ball tonight.”
“Really? You want me to do it?” I pointed at myself, observing Ms. Voidracker’s nod. “I’d have to think about it.”
Enya’s jaw descended. “That’s a total score. Playing for such a formal event in front of so many people—”
“You’d only deny this if you’re crazy.” Dustin ruffled my hair.
“Wow— I’m honored.” I clutched Ms. Voidracker’s firm hand and shook it with enthusiasm. “Thank you.”
“At least you have manners.” Ms. Voidracker jerked her hand away and sanitized it with a canister in her handbag. “All orchestra members will wear white attire. What you have on will do. You’ll be in the center and report to practice immediately.”
“Practice? Isn’t music from the heart? Emotional?”
“We read music here. Doing things by the book is our way of life.” Ms. Voidracker handed me a booklet. “Good luck. May it be a night to remember.”
Dustin glanced over my shoulder at the sheet music. “Something’s fishy about this. Why wouldn’t she ask earlier?”
“You’re kidding me, right? She probably couldn’t get a hold of me until now.” I flipped through the pages of notes, reminding me of the old books from Wes’ warehouse.
“Weren’t you going to spend more time with Wallflower during the ball?”
“Afterward.”
“Ambert, she’ll be upset.”
“We can work something out.” I adjusted my white collar. “You’ll take care of her for me, right?”
“I’m not a babysitter…” Enya crossed her arms. “I want to have some fun tonight too.”
“Calista’s isn’t a baby,” Dustin reminded her. “Asking for help might be a bold move too.”
)
We made
it back to the hospital, ready to meet Cal before her big night. I expected her to be proud, confident after her long adventure. Yet, she sunk her head lower than ever before. Tears mirroring drops of rain threatened to spill from her eyes. Talking to her now wouldn’t help anyone. She needed her space.
I visited Kuan-yin and Ivory, checking in on their own ball preparations.
Serre teemed with white at every angle, giving it a completely different feel than The Regime-controlled Fortress. The city bounced with energy and light, yet kept an order separate from The Regime.
White wasn’t just a color of cleanliness. It was a color of new beginnings, innocence. It kept me seeing there was such a thing as good in the world.
“Were you listening?” Kuan-yin whispered discreetly in my ear.
My eyes widened. “What?”
“I’m just so excited! Even if I can’t go, designing these outfits has been a dream come true!” Ivory giggled.
“Absolutely.” Kuan-yin nodded.
“You can’t go either Kuan?” I practiced another portion of music, trying to match the notes on the page but failing miserably.
“Me?” Kuan-yin blew a raspberry. “Nah, balls just aren’t my thing. I couldn’t see myself in a dress, especially after Jīnlóng’s dress code!”
Ivory giggled. “Who could blame her?”
I recognized my role in our group: with Kuan-yin and Ivory as a moral center. If I told anyone about what Enya and I watched, the fate of The Dreamers could crumble into dust.
“Hey, if practice and performing get boring at this ball, you know where to find us!” Kuan-yin saluted me.
As I arrived at practice with my violin in hand, a thought crossed my mind:
Was Serre’s change of heart too sudden?
The thought threatened to drag me down, but I wouldn’t let it. I had to play by the rules and my own moral code: no one gets hurt from me, my magic or my past with The Commander.
That moral code was the strings holding my instrument together. No one would steal that choice away from me — the choice to believe in the good of everyone.
“Remember our move tonight…” Ms. Voidracker whispered to the violinist beside me.
Splintering Reality (Breaking Order Series Book 2) Page 21