Hi guys!
A huge thank you for all the reviews! I know I say it every time and I really do appreciate them, so thank you to everyone!
Answers to reviews:
- AmazingGrace37 – That sounds like a great idea for Stanley's legacy, especially because of the link with Devektra. Joseph and the others are gong to realise that Marina thinks he's dead soon, precisely because of that reason too! I'm impressed that you caught that! :D
- Loricwarrior9 – Sophia's aura definitely have a reason but I can't say what it is; I have to have some secrets :P I also love the idea of phasing because of the link with the pebble in the series! Thank you!
- Leaning Leon – Thank you for the suggestion! I really like that one too!
- TheAdventuresofaNerd – I'm really glad that you like the Ella aging thing – I was a little worried it might be too weird. Thank you so much for the lovely review!
- TheClutch – Thank you! I'll make sure to include some more Jix moments from now on!
- xxStarsnowxx – Thank you so much!
So a huge thank you to everyone and please read on and enjoy!
Chapter 42 – The Wait
John
I head back to my room, my body exhausted and sore after the long day of training. It's only been a week and a half since I've been in the arena, but already I can feel the difference from not doing any training. Fortunately, I know I'll get into shape soon, no matter how much it hurts right now. Maren didn't even seem to have any problem at all, and Joseph was as good as ever, but I hope underneath they're struggling as much as me. BK trots by my side, as energetic as ever, still excited after the long day of training. As least someone is happy.
Training has been intense with all the different mentors; each one has a specific area that they excel at. Reynolds is great for legacy training, whilst Kat is good at hand-to-hand; she frequently manages to disarm Joseph and I, although she can't do it to Maren. Crayton is an expert at everything to do with weapons, whilst Sandor has spent years inventing machines to help us train. Henri is good at strength work whilst Adelina, when she does join us, helps us with endurance work and running. Christina, Sophia's mentor, is great at strategizing and teamwork. Overall, every aspect of training is covered and it's great.
Has it only been over a week since the arena? It feels like a lifetime away that I was in there and Sarah was with me…Sarah. It stills hurts like hell to think of her, still kills to think of what could have happened if she had only stayed alive a few more days…
"John!" I turn at the voice, smiling when I see Henri. I hadn't been able to talk to him much until training today. But just knowing that he's here lifts a huge weight off my shoulders.
"Hey, what's up?" I ask, pausing in the corridor. My room is just a few doors down but it's clear Henri wants a private chat. He catches up to me, a smile on his face, but he looks concerned.
"I thought you should know, Adam was able to break through the mog communication systems for the cities earlier today," he says. "The video of Navaria was broadcasted to the whole of Lorien, apart from the Capital," he says happily. I grin in excitement, my hand resting absentmindedly on BK.
"And?" I ask, hoping for the best. After last night's video from the Capital, anything will be good news. We don't know how much damage Marina's video could have done, or if people would be aware that she was being forced to say those things. But I have a terrible feeling that it could have done some serious damage.
"It's been successful so far," he grins. "It seems to have boosted the moral that was knocked last night. I bet it will have done more good than we can imagine," he looks relieved and I gently stroke BK's head, filled with relief.
"That's good news," I grin. "I was worried what could happen…after last night," Henri nods, resting his hand on my shoulder.
"I think we were lucky this time. Seeing you all after everything that happened in the arena…it really helped," he smiles. "But don't rest on your laurels though. The Capital will retaliate, and soon," he warns me and I can't help but smile at his pessimism even though he's right. Trust Henri to always look ahead instead of enjoying the moment.
"It looks like it's going to be a war of TV," I reply. Henri nods and then looks up and down the corridor to make sure we're alone. His face takes on a serious expression and I watch him, intrigued.
"John, we have a meeting tomorrow in Commandment," he whispers quietly. "To talk about the success of the video, and the plans for your next video" he looks around again and I feel the tiniest bit of nerves. What now?
"And?" I whisper. Henri looks at me, his face filled with concern.
"Marina and the other Elders in the Capital are in trouble," he whispers. "The Rebels here know that they're being forced to act like traitors but they still don't forgive easily. They're not going to grant them immunity,"
I freeze, alarm racing through me. "They're not even thinking of saving them now?" I hiss. Henri looks around warily and then nods slightly.
"No, not now. They know that Marina will have caused some damage with the video, even though yours managed to undo most of it," he murmurs. "Laws won't even consider rescuing them or giving them immunity now," I shake my head, thinking of Joseph. He's torn up enough as it is seeing Marina on TV, why would the rebels do this to him? And why would they abandon the others who need us more than ever?
"What can we do?" I whisper hopelessly. "I can't tell Laws what to do," Henri smiles, pulling away from me and I can see a few guards walking down the hallway. I know some patrol during the night, just to make sure everything is fine.
"But you're an Elder, John," he laughs, as if we've been having a normal conversation. "You're far more powerful than you think," He pats my shoulder and then turns away, nodding at the guards. I smile at them too, despite my spinning mind, and then turn, walking to my room.
What does he mean? I ask BK, who despite being a chimaera, is incredibly wise. They just seem to know things, to understand things that I can barely comprehend.
Maybe he means that if you put your mind to it, you can ask anything of Laws, BK replies, his tongue out as he pants up at me. After all, you're more important.
I sigh, swiping my key and entering my shared room with Joseph. He's a good roommate to have: chilled and funny when he needs to be, and quiet when we both need to the silence to mourn. But most of all, it's easy to talk to him about how I feel about Sarah; I know he feels the same about Marina. I've finally started to acknowledge her death and I'm starting to feel better. Starting to accept it, instead of burying myself in training or trying to forget about her loss. Doesn't mean the pain has gone, but it doesn't mean it's at the centre of everything now.
I expect it to be quiet in our room after the video from last night, after all, Joseph is still torn up about it, but it's busier than I expected. Sam sits on my bed, chatting to Joseph. Sam is going to share with Adam soon, whilst Maren will share with Alicia. There's a shortage of rooms here and having your own room is a luxury, even if you're an Elder.
"Hey John," Sam smiles warmly at me, but Joseph just looks miserable. I think of how he threw himself into training today, kind of like I did to take my mind off everything. Off Sarah, off the war, off Marina's video…but there's a time when we have to face the facts. And it's always in the evening.
"Everything all right?" I ask. Sam nods, already dressed in the grey flannel pyjamas that we have to wear for bed. Joseph is half-dressed, staring at the flannel shirt in his hands as if he doesn't understand what it is.
"We were talking about Adam, whether to trust him or not," Sam sighs. I bite my lip, about to reply when a voice rings out from behind me.
"Well I don't," I jump in shock to see Maren materialise and Joseph laughs, a slightly shocked laugh, but it's one all the same. Sam grins at her as she waltzes over, sitting on my bed, opposite the two boys.
"How did you get in here?" I ask. Maren winks at me, her face mischievous.
"Invisibility is a bitch for the rebels," she grins. "I can break whatever rule I want in here and they won't know it's me," Sam laughs outright and I can't help but roll my eyes.
"But why don't you trust Adam?" I push, moving back to our earlier conversation. Maren shrugs, a frown on her face.
"He's a mog," she retorts. "I'll never trust a mog,"
"Why not? He gave up everything for us," I point out. "He clearly loved Hannah, I mean have you seen the way he looks when he talks about her?" I ask. Sam grins cheekily, shooting me a look.
"Looks like you and Joseph come to think of it," he jokes. I roll my eyes again, ignoring the dull ache as I think of Sarah, and even Joseph cracks a smile.
"And the mind reader guy insisted that he was good," Joseph adds. "I think we should trust him. He just wants to fit in, to belong. I say we give him the chance," he suggests. Sam nods, as I quickly change into my pyjamas. BK jumps up onto his own little bed, snuggling next to Joseph's chimaera, Rey.
"I was speaking with him today whilst you guys were training," Sam says. "He really loved Hannah you know. She was in his mind for all those months and he fell for her. He killed his own brother so Hannah's sister could live. That shows dedication, don't you think?" he argues. Maren frowns, still not entirely convinced and I jump in again.
"Besides, he has to stick with us. His own race will kill him if he returns," I point out. Maren huffs and crosses her arms, but I can tell she's been convinced for now.
"Yeah well I'm going to keep an eye on him," she tosses her hair back. "Someone's got to try to keep us alive," I grin, sitting next to her on my bed.
"Yeah, you do that Six," I tease her. She narrows her eyes and lightly hits my arm, but I can tell she's amused. A silence falls between us, the only four free survivors from the 14th Annual Funeral Games. That was just last year. One year ago. They seem so long ago, so easy compared to now. And we thought we had it bad back then.
"We have a bigger problem that Adam anyway," I sigh, finally broaching the subject. "Henri said that the Resistance don't want to grant our friends in the Capital immunity,"
Joseph's head snaps up at once, his eyes filled with anger and betrayal. Maren and Sam start speaking at once, their angry voices rising over each other as if their talking alone can solve the problem. BK growls in the corner, wanting his sleep, and I smile just a little bit.
"Guys, shut up!" Joseph snaps. "John, what did he say?" All three look at me, and I rub my face, trying to remember everything Henri said.
"The rebels know that Marina was forced to say those things, but they're worried. Our video was a success but it would have been even greater if Marina's hadn't been aired. We did some serious damage control today," I sigh. Joseph nods, his eyes fixed on me. I can tell Maren wants to talk but in a great show of control, she lets me talk.
"The rebels know if Marina has been forced, the others will be forced too. They'll use each other as bait, I think," I shudder at the thought of our friends being tortured and I can see the others look sick. "They don't think our friends deserve immunity because of that and if they're rescued, they'll probably be put to trial as traitors,"
"No, they can't do that!" Joseph protests. "They'll have been through enough! Marina-" his face crumples and for the first time since I've known him, Joseph bursts into tears. I'm kind of shocked, never having seen him cry before, even though everyone cries at some point. Sam reaches out and awkwardly pats his arm, but it's Joseph's chimaera, Rey, who does the best job. Shape shifting into a puppy, he snuggles into his Garde's arms to comfort him.
"Hey, it's all right," Maren shakes her head, crossing her arms. "They need us more than we need them. We can strike a bargain," she argues. It's like she and Henri share a mind because that's what he said to me.
"You think it will work?" Joseph wipes the tears from his cheeks, trying to control himself. He looks so innocent then that I feel protective over him. Maren nods, her face determined, but she reaches out and gentle takes his hands in hers.
"Hey, we'll get Marina out of there, I promise," she says. "She'll be here soon and back with you before you know it," It's the first time in ages that I've seen her soft side and it's nice to see it return. Joseph smiles and squeezes her hands, looking happier than before.
"Thanks Maren," he whispers. "Thanks," he attempts a smile and Maren gently pulls him in for a hug. I know this must be hard for her, since her family are still very much in danger, yet here she is, comforting Joseph. She's pushing her own feelings to the side to make him feel better and I feel a weird surge of pride towards her.
"Right, I think we better go to bed," I say gently. "We're all tired and we need to get some sleep for training tomorrow," Sam nods at once, standing upright and heading for the door. He looks at Maren who's pulled away from Joseph but looks uncertain.
"Has anyone else been getting weird dreams?" she asks. "Like a kind of prophecy?" Joseph looks up at once, his face animated.
"You too?" he asks. "I keep getting them. I mean, I've always had dreams but this one is different," Sam rolls his eyes, opening the door.
"I will leave you mystical Elders to your prophetic dreams and I'll see you tomorrow," he grins. Maren flips him off but she's grinning and Sam leaves with a laugh.
"What dreams have you had?" I ask Joseph. He frowns, thinking about it, and then his face lights up as he remembers.
"I dreamt about the Games. I mean, I didn't realise it at the time, but I dreamt of a cornucopia and a stadium as if I was standing in it, which had never happened before," he explains. "It turned out to be the Games," he explains. "There have been other dreams as well. Cities burning, speeches in squares, the Training Centre collapsing…" he trails off. "All of which has happened,"
Maren nods, smiling. "I've never had a dream before when I can see the future…you must have a legacy of precognition," she says.
"It's the only thing that would make sense," Joseph agrees. "It's like visions, like I can see what's going to happen. But I don't really understand it and I have no control over it," he sighs, rubbing his temples. Maren shrugs, pursing her lips.
"Whatever it is, it's not the dreams you're having now since we've all got it at the moment," she notes.
"Maybe," Joseph nods. "This one does feel different. We're all on a beach, all of us, including the others in the Capital," he says. "And Sophia has this weird dark aura around her, but I don't know why. And then I see images," he shudders, but Maren jumps in at once, eagerly.
"Stanley's covered in blood. There's an island, a scaffold," she says.
Joseph nods, his face alive. "And Marina's on a field of ice,"
"What does that mean though?" I ask, feeling left out. I haven't had this dream, but if I'm an Elder, shouldn't I have had it? It seems like this dream is targeted for every Elder, not just Loric with precognition.
"No idea," Maren shrugs. "It's just a weird dream that means something. But whatever it is, it's not helping win this war," she smiles, and suddenly it's like everything is better, like the serious mood has vanished. "Let's get some sleep. We're going to have a long day of bargaining tomorrow," she stands up and heads for the door, but I don't want her to go.
"Hey, Maren?" I call before she goes. She turns, her face intrigued. "We'll get your family out too. I promise," I say. She nods, and then slips out of the door. I watch her go, a weird feeling of sadness in my chest.
That night, I dream of our friends fighting, whilst the world behind us burns in flames.
Xxx
Ella
Ever since I'd been called for the Games, and I'd been amongst my friends I'd always wanted to be older. I'd wanted to be the same age as them, so that Stanley wouldn't see me as a feeble little sister, so that they would respect me. I'd dreamt of being tall and beautiful, with great legacies that would impress everyone. I had always wanted to be the same age so I could prove I was someone who was worthy of being their friend.
Of course, now that I am older, I wish more than anything I could be younger. Maybe it's ironic that I'm seventeen. Not only a day ago I looked thirteen yet I felt old. I still felt worn down by everything that has happened. Mentally, I was much older and now physically I match. I should be happy. At seventeen I'm stronger than I was at thirteen, I look like someone not to be underestimated and I have my legacies now. I don't know what they are, but I can feel this buzz in my veins and I know I have them.
I stare at myself in the mirror, the face alien yet achingly familiar too. My skin is still pale and I still have those annoying freckles dotted all over my nose. But my face is less chubby; I've lost all the puppy fat of a kid. It would be nice if it weren't so sudden. One minute I'm a tiny thirteen year old and now I'm a seventeen year old. I can't cope with the change.
I flop down onto my bed, burying my face in my hands. I want to use my legacies, the only upside to this transition but I have no idea what they are. I've tried to contact Stanley with telepathy and Marina too, but I can't get through to either of them. It's not because of me; it must be because they're drugged. I suppose I could try to talk to Cody but the thought makes me feel sick.
As for my other legacies, I still have telekinesis and I can still use my Aeternus…Aeternus! I can make myself young again! Shaking with excitement, I think of myself as a thirteen year old and then I'm shrinking suddenly, losing weight. It's so natural, just like breathing. I open my eyes and find my normal, young body back. I grin, happy for the first time today. I'm me again.
Of course, I don't know how long I can stay thirteen. Setrakus will make me older I'm sure, because who would listen to a thirteen year old? It's a smart move to make me older. Not only will I have my legacies, but I'll look like someone who can rule Lorien too. I'll be taken more seriously. I roll over, looking down at my hands, willing my legacies to work, but nothing happens. Nothing.
I yell in frustration, kicking my pillow off the bed. I lie on my back, breathing heavily in my anger. It's not fair. I didn't want this, yet it happened to me anyway. A part of me wonders how he did it, how he made me older. But why am I so surprised? He's a Garde member; aging people could be a legacy. After all, there are legacies to fly, to turn invisible, to be fireproof…aging people isn't much of a stretch at all.
I hear the sound of the door unlocking and I sit up at once, straightening the too-big dress that's tangled around my legs. It was made for a seventeen year old but I've shrunk again. I look up to see Cody march in, looking slightly shocked when he sees that I'm young again. But he soon plasters a calm look over his face, despite the look of turmoil in his eyes. I can see some guards behind him but to my relief, Setrakus is nowhere to be seen.
"Get changed," Cody throws clothes towards me and I notice they're for my seventeen-year-old self. I have to change age again. I want to fight back but I know that Setrakus will come back with his staff and the memory of the fiery pain makes me shake with fear.
I focus on my seventeen -year-old self and that funny tickling sensation creeps through me as I start to grow again. It's so easy. I begin to change and then in no time I'm older again, the dress fitting perfectly. I stand in front of Cody, who stares at me, shocked and horrified. Maybe he thinks Setrakus went too far this time. Maybe he's started to realise what a mess everything is. I think he feels sorry for me but I don't want his pity. It's too late.
"I want some privacy when I change," I tell him coldly. He blushes at once and ducks away from me, shutting the door behind me. I take a look at the clothes, frowning in confusion when I see the black trousers and shirt with the trainers. Training clothes. But why do I need training clothes? I frown as I pull the clothes on, trying to figure out what Setrakus wants me to do when the thought hits me.
He wants me to train my legacies.
Xxx
"Well, it's not flying either,"
I hit the floor, the breath knocked out of me harshly as my body aches with pain. I sob, hunching into a ball, my bruised and battered body desperate for a rest. I hear talking nearby and then some laughter, as more tears streak down my face. I was right; they want to train my legacies. Only…they don't know what they are, so there's only one thing to do. Beat me until they find out what it is.
"Come on, they've got to come out soon," one of the mogs complains. Someone drags my arm and I'm pulled upright, sobbing. I'm in one of the many training halls here, but this one is empty of any machines or equipment. There's just a group of mogs and a bench along the side, with a box of torture equipment nearby. Cody sits on the bench, looking stricken and I can tell he wants to help me. Only the coward is too weak to do anything.
"Can't I just have a rest?" I whisper. Setrakus Ra sits next to Cody, his face twisted up in a smile.
"The more battered your body is, the more likely your legacies will come out," he replies calmly. "Next!"
One of the mogs grabs me by the arms and makes me stand still as another approaches with a lit candle. I try to struggle away, more tears streaming down my face, but the mogs are too strong and my body hurts too much. I begin to sob and then cry out as the flame touches my skin. They're trying to see if I have Lumen, if I'm fireproof but I'm not and the pain is too much.
"Nope," one of the mogs pulls the flame away and I drop to my knees, wiping my face. Blood is wiped onto my hand and I see that I'm shaking.
"Next!" Setrakus announces. I whimper as my arms are grabbed and a bucket of water appears. The mogs must have a supply of things to torture me with. I struggle desperately as the water appears but the mogs are too strong.
"Enough!" I look up, surprised to see Cody standing. He strides over to me, and then stands in front of me, his face furious. "This is no way to make her one of us! This is no way to treat her!"
One of the mogs practically snarls at him. "Out of my way, boy," he hisses. Cody squares his shoulders, and there's a superior look on his face that I've never seen before. It suits him better than the pathetic look he usually has.
"You listen to me," he hisses. "I'm the superior one here, remember?" he leans closer. "And if you don't listen to a word I say, you won't be standing for much longer," I stare at Cody, shocked that he's' defending me. But maybe he's not bad enough to enjoy watching girls being beaten up. I crawl to my knees and watch as Setrakus laughs in the corner, approval on his face.
"Listen to him, Commander," Setrakus says. "You don't want to disobey orders in front of me, do you?" the commander blanches at once and nods, ducking away from Cody. I'm filled with relief and the tiniest bit of gratitude that everything is over for today and I try to stand up.
"Hey, take it easy," Cody is suddenly in front of me and he gently helps me stand. I nod, wiping my face again, but more blood is smeared onto my hand. Cody watches me, almost helplessly, and then anger crosses his face. I can tell he's going to shout at someone again.
Don't, I speak to him telepathically. He jerks, startled; he didn't even know I had this. Don't get yourself in more trouble. He takes a deep breath, as if to calm himself. He reaches out and gently wipes some blood away from my face and I wince, not at his touch, but at the pain. Cody bites his lip, trying to keep his anger under control.
Do you know what other legacies you have? He asks
No, I reply.
"I'm going to take her to her rooms," Cody turns. "She needs rest," He adds regally. No one says anything and with a sigh of relief, I turn to go to the door and escape this hellish room.
"Wait!" I hear the command and then I turn, just as Setrakus throws the knife at us.
I don't know where he got it from and what he's doing but instinct races through me faster than I can think. The knife slices through the air and I can hear Cody yell something but then my hands fly up in front of me. A surge of power races through me and I feel alive, like an electric current. Just as I'm sure the knife is going to hit us, I watch as a current of energy is thrown up in front of Cody and I. Then the knife hits the force field and is blown to pieces.
There's a long silence as the remains of the knife fall to the floor, the force field still up in front of me. I stare at it, at the thin membrane-like current that just saved my life. It looks so thin, so weak but it's so powerful. I know that it could stop a bomb if I wanted it to. It could stop anything. Setrakus grins, looking triumphant, as if something happened that he had wanted. As if he knew this was going to happen.
"Ella," he announces. "Pick the knife up," I peer down at the ground, at the ashy hilt that is all that's left of the knife but I pick it up, Cody stares at me, and I can see a glimmer of respect in his eyes.
"What do you want me to do?" I ask. Setrakus walks closer, his face animated.
"Your master legacy is the ability to create a force field," he says. "But I want to see if you have another legacy," he nods at the hilt. "Charge it with energy,"
I stare at him, puzzled. I don't know how to do what he wants me to do. I don't even know how I made the force field. Yet I have to try, and I want to. I want to find out what my legacies are. Somehow, Setrakus knows what legacies I should have. I stare at the hilt, imagining it being charged up with some hidden charm or energy. I suddenly feel a rush of energy race through me, different from the earlier one. It's colder, almost meaner. I gasp as the energy floods into the hilt and it glows blue for a very brief second. Then it turns normal again.
"Cody, fly up in the air," Setrakus says. Cody wipes a drop of seat away from his face, looking as nervous as I suddenly feel, but he does as he's told. He can't disobey Setrakus. He hovers up in the air, a few feet above the ground, and I turn to Setrakus, feeling sick when I see the excited glint in his eyes.
"Ella, throw the hilt at Cody," I stare at Setrakus, wanting to shake my head. Cody just saved my life in here, and now I'm supposed to attack him. But then I see the cruel look on Setrakus' face and I know this is not an order I can disobey either. Taking a deep breath I throw the hilt at Cody.
It flies through the air and hits Cody, but instead of falling away like I expect it to, it sticks to him. Cody starts to scream, trying to brush of the hilt but it won't let go of him. He gasps and then a look of panic races across his face. He grasps for the empty air and then he plummets down, landing with a sickening thud on the ground. I stare at him in horror, wondering what the hell I just did to him.
"Cody? Are you all right?" I ask, without even thinking. Cody groans but nods, pushing himself into a sitting position. There's blood on his face but I don't think any of his bones are broken. Setrakus laughs, looking delighted.
"Dreynen," he grins at me. "A very powerful, but very rare legacy. It has the ability to cancel out the legacies of other Garde," he explains. I stare at Cody, and kneel down next to him, trying to help him stand. Setrakus watches, looking a little annoyed but I don't care.
"Are there are more legacies for me to master?" I ask, my voice bitter. Cody tries to smile at me but I can tell he's hurt by the fall and he's scared of Setrakus. We all are.
"Telekinesis, Aeternus, Dreynen and Force fields. Those are your legacies," Setrakus announces, a pleased smirk on his face. I want to wipe it off but I'm too weak and I don't know what the monster could do to us. "If you have any more, you'd be unbelievably powerful," he turns away from us, nodding towards the mogs to take us back to our rooms. I'm heaved to my feet and I stare as the same is done to Cody, who groans a little. His eye locks with mine and I can see his fear.
We need to get out of here, his eye lands on Setrakus' monstrous form. At once.
Xxx
Sophia
"I'm bored,"
I roll my eyes, not looking away from the earth book that I'm reading. It's about a mystical world where wizards go to this special school to train their magic; it's pretty good. To be honest I'm just as bored as Stanley is but I'm better at hiding it. Or dealing with it. I lie on the sofa, wrapped up in a warm blanket, and full from the lunch we had. If we weren't prisoners, I would almost be happy to be here considering the nice treatment we've had. But I know this is just a game for the mogs.
"I'm bored," Stanley repeats, as if I didn't hear him the first time.
"Read a book," I suggest, turning the page. Stanley huffs and I can only imagine his scowl.
"I hate reading," he replies.
"Be creative. Draw something," I reply. He laughs, as I skim the page.
"I hate drawing," he retorts.
"Then watch TV," I suggest. Stanley flops down on the sofa next to me, as if demanding my attention. He's like a kid at times, I swear.
"There's nothing good on," he complains. "The only thing they showed recently was Marina's interview, and you know things are bad when that's the only interesting thing!" he frowns. I sigh, putting the book down; reading is going to impossible when he's in this mood.
"She'll be ok," I reassure him, knowing that behind his act, he's worried about her. "She didn't look tortured," I point out. It feels like this conversation is repeated every day and it makes me feel sick. I want to be able to talk about something else, even if it's just as morbid. I just want to talk about something that doesn't involve torture or death or being captives.
"Yeah, but what have they done to make them work for her?" he protests. I shrug, sitting upright and wrapping the blanket more firmly around me.
"Maybe the same thing they did to me," I point out. "Used someone against her,"
Stanley shakes his head, anger on his face. I can tell it kills him to be locked up in here and doing nothing. He's an active person and this is his idea of hell. He's been so restless and I've seen him doing push-ups and sit-ups for hours on end. He wanted to do hand-to-hand once but I refused, knowing that they would separate us if we did that. It would look too much like we're planning on escaping and they'd punish us for that.
"This is bullshit," he complains, standing up and running a hand through his hair. It's grown out slightly and hangs around his head in a shaggy cut. I actually quite like it on him. "They're got us all hanging around and when they snap their fingers, they expect us to snap to attention!" he frowns.
"That's what happens when you're in control," I sigh. "You can do stuff like that," Stanley shakes his head, his face determined. Sometimes it's great to see him so determined to fight, and other times, like today, it just gets tiring.
"You don't have to play along. Refuse to work for them," he says. I sigh again because this is also a familiar conversation and it always ends the same way. But Stanley just refuses to believe that I could possibly even consider working for them, even if it meant that he was safe and unharmed.
"Yes, and you'll be tortured," I say dryly. "Great plan, Stanley. That's why you were never told about the first one!" I snap. He winces and I feel bad for a second. It's still a touchy subject that he wasn't let in on the plan. He just wants to know things, to feel like he's worth something. But still…sitting here and arguing does nothing.
"Can we just talk about something else?" I ask, my tone more gentle. "We've covered the same ones over and over," I sigh. "Marina will be fine, and I'm going to work for the mogs to protect you. Nothing you say will ever change that, ok?" Stanley frowns, crossing his arms, but I can see that for now I've won. I can sense reluctance in his thoughts but I can also feel that he doesn't want to upset me more. He thinks I'm near breaking point because of what I'm going to have to do for the mogs. I can't be bothered to correct him.
"Fine, we'll talk about something else," he shrugs. He reaches up and pulls off the blue pendant with the silver pattern on, his finger lightly skimming over the smooth surface. He looks calmer, if not a little resigned. "I've always wondered what the pattern was…ever since Sandor gave it to me. What does this mean? Why do we all have different patterns?" he asks.
I sit forwards, looking at his closely. "Each pattern means a role, an aspect I suppose," I explain, remembering what Christina told me. Of course, I can't tell him the whole truth, otherwise he'll be in even bigger danger. This secret I'll keep to my grave to protect him.
"What do you mean an aspect?" he asks. I pull mine off, showing him the different patterns. We lean forwards so that we're almost touching; our hands close to one another.
"I'm not sure how to explain it," I frown. "I guess the Mentors wanted to make each one personal and thought of something that was linked to their tribute. Christina thought of intelligence for mine," I lie. Part of it is the truth, the bit about the aspect is anyway. He can never know the truth about how the aspect is linked to the Elders, not whilst he's in here anyway. The minute he knows, he's dead. His ignorance is keeping him alive for now.
"And what does mine mean?" his face is filled with curiosity and it's nice to see the usual frown stripped away. It suits him. It makes him look younger, better looking, than when he's bitter and angry.
"It means strength," I whisper, aware of how close we are. I feel warm all over and almost safe. Almost. "Both mentally and physically," Stanley smiles, and his eyes light up. Sometimes I forget that he's just a kid, like me. He always looks so weighed down by life that it's easy to forget he's just a kid.
"Guess the mentors got it right," Stanley grins. "You are annoyingly smart," I laugh, blushing slightly.
"Only because I can read minds," I wink, trying to act playful. "It's all a pretence," Stanley laughs outright, and he looks amused. As if we're not in a prison. As if he's not being used as bait for me to do the mogs' work. I feel like we're friends right now, instead of arguing about plans of action, of bargains and of whether or not to work for the mogs.
"Do you read everyone's mind?" he asks curiously. "Can you influence them?" he asks. I consider it, thinking through my legacy. It's hard to describe to those who don't have it.
"I can read anyone's mind if I want to," I admit. "But there are some people who are able to put up blocks against mind readers, stop them from reading their thoughts. The mogs must have been taught to do that because it's practically impossible to read a high-ranking officer's mind," I sigh in annoyance. If I could read them, it would make life a hell of a lot easier. Stanley nods, looking thoughtful.
"And can you control them?" he asks. I shake my head; regret coursing through me.
"It would be great if I could but that's another legacy…Convinco or persuasion. I don't have that unfortunately. I can only read minds," I sigh. Stanley nods, taking everything in.
"And me?" he asks softly. "Could you read my mind?" I shrug, a small blush on my cheeks.
"If I wanted to," I whisper. "There aren't any barriers, apart from moral ones," I reply. Stanley frowns, his eyebrows scrunched together.
"Morals? What's that got to do with mind reading?" he asks. I smile, looking down at the pendant in my hand, smoothing my thumb over the pattern.
"It's a violation of the one thing someone has left," I whisper. "Minds should be private and I would never read one against someone's will unless I had to. Unless my life, or someone else's was depending on it," I explain. "I just…I can't violate someone like that. Otherwise I'm no better than the mogs,"
Even when Christina had hidden everything from me, I still couldn't read her mind. I just couldn't. It would be violating her in every way and I couldn't do that to someone I love. Stanley nods, a calm smile on his face. He looks almost impressed and relieved too, as if he was genuinely worried that I was reading his mind.
"Well, I hope you don't mind, but never read my mind," he grins, lightening the tone. "I want that to remain private," he jokes but I can sense the truth in his request. I grin back at him, lightly shoving his arm jokingly.
"Trust me, I would never read your mind," I joke. "I don't think I'd ever want to go in there," Stanley laughs and again I get that feeling. That we're friends. And something more too, but I'm not sure what it is. Whatever it is, I like the feeling. I don't want it to go, ever.
Xxx
The General paces in the room, a smirk on his face. Stanley kneels on the ground, a gun pressed to the back of his head, and despite the blood on his face his lips are twisted up in a snarl. He looks like a rabid dog about to attack and I know that I have to be calm so that I can control the situation. To be honest, I'm surprised Stanley hasn't mouthed off already. Mogs guard the outskirts of the room and my hands are clammy with fear. I'm trying to hide how scared I am but it's hard, especially when Stanley has a gun pressed to his head.
They had attacked in the middle of the night, dragging us out of bed and forcing us into here. It was so unexpected and yet I knew it was going to come. I knew they were going to make me do something, I just thought that I would be summoned to them. Not the other way around. I wonder if it's a mental tactic, to remind us that we're completely at their mercy. Well, it's working.
"What do you want?" I demand, trying to ignore the mad look on Stanley's face. I know that he's desperate to rip these mogs into ash, to kill the General, the second in command to Setrakus Ra. Only…we can't. We don't have our legacies thanks to injecting us with more drugs, our friends are locked up in here and we're outnumbered. We're completely at their mercy.
"Your friends released a cute little video yesterday," the General snarls, his tone not matching his voice. I've never met this mog before but I can tell he's very powerful just by the way the other mogs act around him. "They were fighting Navaria, saying some pretty speeches. Did quite a good job, you know. Made the Loric want to fight…want to rebel," he snaps. I can see Stanley smile, and before I can say anything, he talks.
"Made you look bad, huh? Is that why you're worried?" he taunts. One of the mogs punches Stanley and I wince as he tumbles backwards, blood streaming from his nose. Stanley just laughs; I don't think I've ever seen someone so excited by the sight of his own blood.
"We have to retaliate against that video of course," The General continues, as if nothing happened. "And that's when we realised that there hadn't been a public punishment for the arena being broken, for the outright treason that your friends have committed," he says.
"What were you thinking?" I whisper, knowing that I have to be on best behaviour. The gun is still hovering close to Stanley…all it takes is one shot and he's dead. My eyes lock with his and I can tell he wants me to fight, to resist. But he knows that I won't if his life is in the balance.
"We were thinking of a public execution," The General smiles as I gasp, horror flooding through me. "And you're going to be the executioner,"
Ok, so I know that was quite a slow chapter, but it's necessary to introduce some events that are coming up.
Also, Ella's legacies are now: Telekinesis, telepathy, Dreynen, Aeternus and force fields, as well as something else that you'll find out later. Force field seems a bit random but it will be huge later on in the story.
Hope you all enjoyed and please review!
