Page 5

Ignatia

Leather sticks to my sweaty palms as I grip my seat. My breath disappears from my lungs.

A car they call it, a machine that looks like it's been neatly carved from wood with a glossy film over it.

Each car has flowers and mini gardens on top of them, much of it being roses and amare flowers hanging just short of the windows, like this one.

The inside of Amias' car has five seats covered in white leather.

There's a driver at the front in a white suit, his palms glowing orange and fingers twisting each time we turn.

This thing moves without wheels! It just floats with sparkling pink dust coming out of it at the bottom! I was shocked to see them from the outside, but it’s crazier being on the inside!

I hold my breath as the brick buildings and flowers trees fly by. It's going so quick!

My heart lurches at Amias' voice. “It's okay!” I turn to meet his gentle smile. “We have one of the best drivers there is. We’re safe.”

I look at the curly haired driver, who turns his white gloved fist as we turn the corner. I yelp, squeezing the leather tighter. “It doesn't feel safe when you don't have any control!”

“I wouldn't be in here with a bad driver. I wouldn't ride with my brother for a while until he learned this sort of magic.”

“How can he…” I thought only descendants of Gifts could do magic.I look up at the white suited chauffer. He definitely doesn't look like a Gift.

“Well, my chauffeur, Vincent, is a descendant of Estrella, so magic comes to him naturally. But you could do it if you get an enchanted driver’s license.”

“And what does Estrella have to do with machines?” She's the Gift of Fire as far as I'm aware, and unless I'm blind, nothing about this machine is made of fire.

“Well, Estrella's descendants have done a lot of research and experiments into making spells and machines to share with the world,” he says slowly in a high pitch, like this is common knowledge.

“They've been finding new enchantments for decades now alongside Valentina’s kids. Their kingdoms are known for that.”

Decades? This has been going on for decades? And since when did the Gift of Morality get involved with machines? At least Estrella's powers include something tangible. Valentina's morals can't create anything!

I knew history books at home needed to be updated, but I didn't think it was this bad.

I glance at the other cars driving by. “What happens if we crash into other cars? Why are these made from wood? Isn't that weak material?”

Amias snickers. “It's really made of iron, but the wood colors and patterns look nicer with the environment. It would be pretty stupid to make it out of real wood though, wouldn't it?”

I titter and glance at the floor. “It would.”

“Besides, crashes don't happen too often, as long as everyone is being responsible. Have you… ever been in a car before?”

I shake my head. We've always gone on foot at home. At best, a wagon maybe. “Is this new?”

“No. Cars have been a thing for about fifty years.” He lets out a soft chuckle. “Where have you been where there's no cars?”

My breath gets caught in my throat. I can't tell him I'm from Somnia. What other kingdom doesn't have cars?

Names of kingdoms flicker in my mind, my pulse quickening with every silent second, until I settle on one. “Lluvia.” I bite my tongue, praying that I chose a logical answer.

Amias grunts. “Did you live in the Nix?”

I have no idea what that place is, but I nod. Maybe that's a lead in the right direction.

“Ah. I hear there's a big poverty issue there.”

“Yes.” I sigh, relieved that my answer made sense. “It was really difficult back there.”

“I'm sure it was.” His voice is soothing despite my skepticism. “You won't have to worry about that here. I'll provide you with a fresh start. I can get you a home, some money, and look for a job.” His eyes seem to twinkle. “You can thrive here. I know it!”

I find his enthusiasm intriguing. It's truly unique. Back in Somnia, help isn't accepted by most. It's every dreamscreecher for themselves.

Or at least it is now. I've heard that it was different before I was born.

“Not to interrupt, but you don't think your brother will be upset that you left early?” the chauffeur asks.

“I attended his speech and the opening ceremony. He won't notice. Besides, he'll understand once he knows the reason.” Amias winks my way.

I raise a brow. “You came here with him?”

“Not really. It's his celebration though”

I slowly nod as I turn to the window, taking in all the red and pink decorations everywhere. Streamers link every streetlamp, with flowers intertwined with them. People in matching dresses and suits grab goods from tents and cars attached to large boxes. “You mean… all of this is for him?”

“Yeah, well what more could you expect?” He mumbles. “It's for Erasmus after all. He found his soulmate just a few weeks ago.”

I swing my head back at the name. Erasmus. Sounds familiar. “What makes him so important?”

Amias slouches over, the twinkle in his eyes dimming. He crosses his arms over his stomach. “Well, he's the only grandson of Amara with a soulmate, so…it's a pretty big deal.”

My body freezes. Amara? Amara's grandson? Like the grandson of the Gift of Love? “You're Amara's grandson? You mean…of Cosmo?”

Amias lowers his head and blushes. “Yeah.”

My breath vanishes. My heart beats in my ears like a warning bell. My body locks itself from moving, and I don't have the keys to free myself.

What the fuck did he just say?

I try to catch some breath, but it keeps running out. It's as useless as keeping water in a net.

Wait! Erasmus! Like Prince of Amara Erasmus!

“H-he’s…in the military…” I stammer. That's why Erasmus’ name is familiar. He's a killer with a death count of hundreds. An expert at blowing off heads.

Particularly heads like mine.

That's not mentioning the death count of Amara, and how she loves to see life being squeezed from our necks.

Fuck... Fuck!

“Are you okay?”

I snap my head towards Amias, who leans closer, his eyes shining as they dart up and down me.

“Y-y-yes…” I manage with my heart lodged in my esophagus. “F-f-f…fine!”

He continues to talk to me, but I can't process the words. Not when death has its shit eating grin, staring at me from down the road. Waiting for me to get killed.

How could the one person who decides to help me be the grandson of Amara?

My head whips to the door. I need to get out of this damn machine.

I reach for the door, only to remember there's a strap restraining me to the seat. I yank at it, hoping for it to snap, but it's too strong.

Get me fucking out of here!

“Clara! Calm down!”

I yell only to find the strap is stuck in some square contraption between the seats. I pull at it, every attempt making me cry out. Am I trapped here? Does Amias know what I am?

Was this a set up?

“Pull over!” Amias shouts beside me.

The machine screeches and I'm hauled forward. I shout again. The strap’s not coming loose!

A hand presses on the buckle eating trap with a click, and I swing a fist at its owner’s head. Amias ducks before gawking at me. “Clara!”

Then the restraining strap gets sucked away from my body. Releasing me.

I don't know how the fuck it happened, but I'm free.

Now to get out of this fucking car!

I tug at the door handle. It doesn't budge. Every breath scraps up and down my windpipe as I pull at the handle once again. It doesn't open.

Did the belt mean nothing? Am I dying in this machine either way?

The driver, who must've got out at some point, comes towards the door. I take the opportunity as soon as he opens it, slamming the door into him as I sprint out of there.

I'm not dying. Not today!

“Clara!”

I dash, my legs taking me wherever I can. Just as long as it's away from here. Anywhere but here!

I dodge and shove people on the streets, past tents and massive cars. I gasp with every step. I need to live. I need to keep my heart beating.

I will live another day.