That landscape shifted, grew, and mutated like it was responding to my rising panic and fear. Closing in around me, suffocating.
“Did you want to go and see the Maker, like Aurelia said?” Micah asks from his post at my desk, turning my attention away from the memory.
There isn’t any choice. I have to master this. Have to get a grip.
I don’t even know what happened when Ten touched me—if he was hit with a vision, or something else entirely. But any excitement at what could be between us, what the connection between us might be, now lay like ashes at my feet.
“Can we see Kyra?”
“My sister? Sure. She might be able to accompany you.”
“Do we just go? Make an appointment?”
“We’ll find out.”
My limbs feel heavy as I rise from where I’ve been sitting on the bed. And I miss Lyle. I miss the simple comfort she provided without even realising it. I hadn’t even realised what it was, but the sheer lack of it in my life was now overwhelming.
But I will not break.
Iwillmaster this.
My finger rubs over the ring on my finger, checking it’s still there, and I follow Micah out the door, down the hall of the residence, and into the fading light of the afternoon.
On the way, I clear my mind and search for the spark and anger that had me shouting and fighting to be taught, needing to learn how to protect people. My eyes scan off towards the horizon, towards the Ember and the first watch tower I saw, and around to the quiet fortress that is The Court, with the spires towering above everything below—pockets of light and green and stone and thatch.
I’ve been here for weeks now, and I’ve only walked through the settlements and streets and haven’t visited Kyra and Micah at their home. Would that make a difference, help me see this place as a possible home, and give me a better perspective on everything I don’t understand here? A reason to keep fighting?
We don’t speak on the way, and that’s nearly as unsettling as what’s still dormant in my mind. Micah is the first to run his mouth at every opportunity, but he’s become quieter and quieter.
“You okay?” I ask as we approach the bridge.
“Yeah. Kyra will likely be working. Shall we find her or go to the Maker? Your choice.”
“Let’s see if the Maker will see me. Go from there.” My smile is thin on my lips as I think of the witch. But I will rally and force my trepidation under control.
We head straight through The Court, following the same trail up the main cobblestones, but my pace slows as I take in some of the merchants and other shops before the buildings even out as we move towards the Warrior’s residence. The curve of the path leads us to the foot of The Tower, but Micah doesn’t stop. He just strides right in.
“The library?” I start. “Do you think we should…” I think back to our first adventure and wonder if there might be more answers to steal.
“Risk getting caught for more research?” He tosses over his shoulder. “Maybe. Maybe not. Did you get that text?”
“Yes. Thank the stars.” And after what Aurelia said today, maybe the library wasn’t such a good idea. “We should return them if you think we’ll get in trouble?”
“Come on. Let’s sort one problem at a time. The Maker first, then we can deal with breaking in and returning the books.” He gives me a cocky smile full of mischief, and I can’t help but feel my spirits lift with it.
We climb the spiral stairs, ignoring all the doorways and corridors leading from it and head straight for the Great Hall.
It always strikes me as strange that we can just come here—no sentries or officers to prevent our entry. And it makes me wonder if there are hidden protections.
“You have come, then.”
That voice, clear and haunting inside my mind.
Micah raises his hand to thump on the wooden door, but I just shake my head. “She knows I’m here.” He nods and pushes the doors, swinging them wide like a gaping mouth opening ready to swallow me whole. I step over the threshold, spurred on by her voice already inside my head.
This time, The Chamber are not here. The space makes the room feel empty and cold. But up on that dais, with two figures hovering around her, is the Maker. Half in shadow as she waits beneath the statue of Aslendrix.
I turn back at Micah, but he’s not followed me in. He gives me a little nod from the door and leaves, to get Kyra, I hope. My feet carry me across the hall to the bottom of the dais.
