Page 17

It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. I almost wish the light would come back just so I could find my sister. Finally, I vaguely see Cara’s silhouette slumped against the wall.

“Are you hurt?” I ask, walking towards her.

Upon hearing my steps, she scrambles further away.

“Stay back,” she cries, softly.

I freeze.

“Cara,” I whisper. “I am not going to hurt you. I’m your sister.”

“Then, what was THAT, Maeva? I-I’ve never seen your face like that. You were glowing! You just melted one of the king’s soldiers,” she shrieks, her breathing unsteady.

I’ve never heard her this fearful—especially not of me.

I try to inch forward a step.

“I know,” I say, calmly. “I wish I could tell you how or why, but I’m still processing it myself.”

Cara huffs.

“Don’t mistake me for a fool, Maeva,” she warns, her tone full of sorrow and bitterness. “For ten years you’ve lived with my family, and not once have you ever shown an ability. Have you been lying to us all this time? Do you really not remember your life, or is that just a ruse as well?”

Her words strike me like a physical blow.

“Is that truly what you believe, Cara?” I ask,

She is quiet, except for a small sniffle.

Every moment she is silent, my heart grows despondent.

“I love your family as if they were my own flesh and blood. I love–,” my voice breaks.

“I love you , Cara. I’ve never lied to you or knowingly led you astray.

My first memory is wandering through Aurelius at fifteen, covered in blood.

I don’t know who I am or where I came from, but I promise I wouldn’t hide something this serious, not when it could jeopardize the safety of those I love. ”

Distant howls fill the night sky.

It’s late, and there are all manner of creatures lurking in the shadows. If we stay here, it’s only a matter of time before one finds us.

I take a deep breath.

“I don’t understand what just happened, and I want to try explaining it to you, but we need to get back home first, before something worse than the soldiers finds us. I promise that once we are home, I will explain, but we must go now,” I say.

“You will tell me everything?” she asks faintly.

I walk until I’m standing in front of her. Bending down, I find her shaky hand.

“I swear on Siorai’s reign, I’ll tell you everything that I know,” I say.

“Okay,” she replies noncommittally.

I release her hand as she stands up with a groan.

I wrap my arm around her. “How badly are you injured?” I ask .

“I can manage,” she replies. “I think my face hurts the worst from where the other soldier slapped me a few times. Don’t you feel the same way?”

I’ve been so focused on her that I haven’t even thought of my own injuries. Yet, as I shift around, I feel no pain where bruising should be. My mind is reeling. How is it possible that I feel no pain? While I wasn’t slapped as many times as Cara, I was still held against my will.

Suddenly, Cara shivers, making me realize just how cool it is outside.

“Let’s just get home for now,” I reply, avoiding her question.

We make it through the rest of the village without another incident, before setting down the well-worn path.

Even though we know it well, not having a torch does add another level of difficulty to our journey through the mist. The temperature has dropped significantly in the last few hours, also adding to our discomfort.

I jump at the sound of moaning spirits circling us above.

“Are you sure you can’t make yourself glow?” she whispers for the third time.

“If I knew how I did it the first time, I would do so,” I grumble.

“Right,” she retorts. “You can only use it to murder a soldier—my mistake.”

“He would’ve killed us, and you know that,” I hiss.

We continue on in silence after that.

The mist becomes lighter once we enter the clearing next to the house.

After a few more minutes, we trudge up the stairs to the house, sneaking inside so we don’t wake anyone.

Once inside the foyer, we take off our shoes and make our way to the staircase.

The stairs are old and creak slightly when you walk up the center of them.

So, I cling to the side nearest the wall, with Cara following closely behind.

My eyes grow heavier with every step I ascend.

“Perhaps we should discuss the events from tonight after we’ve rested,” I say.

Luckily, the shop is closed tomorrow, which means we will have plenty of time for discussion in the afternoon.

Cara’s droopy eyes meet mine as she nods her head—the outline of a bruise forming under her right eye.

Her once bright smile is now dull, as her skin has taken on an ashen hue.

Her eyes don’t sparkle or glisten with merriment.

She’s depleted of strength for any further conversation.

My heart aches to see her in such a state.

“I am sorry, Cara,” I whisper.

“I know,” she replies weakly.

“Goodnight,” I whisper.

Without another word, she slips into her room. The sound of the lock clicking into place echoes in the stillness around me.

My cheeks feel hot as my vision blurs with tears—my heart shattering from what I’ve done.

I wish I could make her understand that what I did tonight was to protect us.

When I felt the surge, it’s as if another part of me unlocked.

A part that perhaps I’d forgotten existed.

Somehow, I knew exactly what to do. Was it my instincts… or my rage?

As I stand in the hallway, I wonder if killing that soldier was worth it. In the end, he’d kill us, and our bloody corpses would be found by the villagers at first light. How would Rolph or Amelia feel to see their daughter lifeless on the cobblestone?

I wipe the tears that continue slipping down my cheeks.

No, I cannot think of such things.

We’re home.

We’re safe because I killed that soldier.

She will come around, the otherworldly voice soothes.

Startled, I quickly enter my room, locking the door behind me.

When I first heard the voice, I thought it was a delusion I’d conjured from too much ale or even from fear. Yet, I’m practically sober now, and I still hear it. This time, I notice their presence in my mind more clearly. It lingers in the background of my thoughts, a gentle existence.

This no longer feels like an illusion… Which I find horrifying.

“Don’t speak as if you know her,” I sna p

Oh, but I do know her through your memories, Maeva. I see your familial bond with her. I can assure you that she’ll be more willing to hear what you say in a few hours, the voice replies.

“Who—”

You don’t need to speak aloud for me to hear you, says the gruff, feminine voice.

Who are you? I say, throwing the thought out into the recesses of my mind where I feel the voice’s presence.

When the voice doesn’t respond, I project another thought.

I do not appreciate you poking around in my head if I don’t even have the liberty of knowing who you are , I say, irritated.

You’re not ready for me to reveal who or what I am yet, my dear. You don’t even comprehend who and what you are, the voice says.

Are you saying that you know who I am? I ask.

There’s no reply, but I am desperate for an explanation.

Do you know where I come from? I ask a bit more urgently.

The voice does not utter a single word.

How was I able to wield light and absorb the fire wielder’s ability? Can you at least tell me that? I say, growing impatient.

I’m about to give up when the voice replies, I know a great many things, my dear. However, I can’t reveal the answers that you seek until the appointed time.

I grumble loudly.

Oh, how awfully cryptic of you, I mutter.

I do not wish to vex you, she replies.

Well, consider me vexed, I snap. Can I at least know how I’m able to communicate with you?

I’ve been… asleep for quite a while, she says hesitantly. I’ve always been with you, but our connection was silenced until it was time for me to reawaken.

How did you know when you would reawaken? I ask, curious.

I was told that our connection would be restored when you needed me most, she replies.

I roll to my back and stare at the ceiling, processing what the voice said.

I swallow thickly. So, you knew me before ? —

Before you lost your memories? she asks. Yes, I did. As I previously said, I know many things, but I swore not to reveal them to you until ? —

The appointed time, I snap back. Yes, I believe you were quite clear the first time.

My eyes feel as if there are lead weights drawing them further down.

I’m quite sure I know the answer, but could you explain what happened to me tonight? I ask, sleepily.

The voice sighs.

I can’t. You must search for the answers you seek, and once you find them, I can speak with you freely, she says sadly. Until then, rest, my dear. You will need strength for the days to come.

What kind of days are to come? I yawn, my eyes feeling much too heavy.

I barely hear her reply before sleep overtakes me.

Dark ones, my dear. Very dark days, indeed.