Charlie was usually a very calm and gentle person, who found joy in everything and easily made people laugh, but jovial wasn't the word one would use to describe Charlie right now. It was after dinner, and like usual, Charlie was in Taylor's room, trying to finish his homework. Only this time he had a dark gloomy expression overcast on his face.
Taylor's room was cluttered but neat with books stacked on the floor like a maze so the only place they could sit was on Taylor's bed. The fluorescent light was flickering above them causing a strobing effect. Charlie wasn't doodling or distracting Taylor with gossip like normal. He was chewing his pencil to wood chips with his teeth as he muttered under his breath.
Taylor touched Charlie's arm, hoping to distract him from gnawing like a beaver. She always told him he would get splinters in his teeth but then he started chewing his fingers, so Taylor decided pencils were the better option. "Hon, what's wrong?"
Charlie glanced at her and to Taylor's relief, he took the pencil out of his mouth, splinters of wood flecking off the yellow stick, mauled with his indented teeth marks. "Don't worry about it, babe." He shook his head and scribbled some nonsense onto his homework.
Taylor grabbed his hand before he could put the pencil back in his mouth. "Don't do that," she said strictly. "Talk to me."
She didn't mean for that to come out as a command but Taylor always had an acerbic personality and didn't know how to show warmth like other people did. Charlie usually didn't take it personally, but this time he flinched.
His shoulders hunched in embarrassment. Taylor could tell that he was hiding something out of pride.
"You don't always have to take care of me. I can take care of myself," Charlie said, his cheeks heating.
"I know you can," Taylor agreed sharply. "But considering you chewed your pencil in half, it must be important." She grabbed the pencil in question and waved it in the air before pointing accusingly. "We're a team now. Talk to me."
Charlie's eyes dropped down to her lips, and for a moment she thought he would try to kiss her to distract her. It had worked before. But instead he lightly batted away her hand. "It's stupid," his voice nasally and whiny.
Taylor placed her hands on his shoulders and squeezed the tension with her fingertips. "You let me decide that."
Charlie sighed, blowing some of his choppy wavy brown bangs off his forehead. "Arth stole my comic." He growled, scrunching up his face like a paper bag. "I told you it was stupid. I wasn't satisfied with a lot of the panels anyway. I should just redo it."
Taylor snarled, jumping off her bed in fury. "Ugh, that asshole! How could he do that!? I told him I wasn't finished with it!"
Charlie blinked. "You…care about my comic?"
Taylor scoffed, and slapped him in the arm in offense. "Of course I do. I've been invested ever since you started asking me to edit. Also Knight-Captain Mateo finally confessed to the superheroine. I really don't know what Tamara is going to say. It's getting so good!"
Charlie's smile turned shy and he scratched the back of his head. "You're just blowing smoke up my ass."
Taylor slapped him again making an audible smack. "I resent being called a liar, Charlie. How many times have I lied since you've known me?"
Charlie's grin turned a little brighter, rubbing his sore arm. "Okay, never."
Taylor reached for her flats. "I'm getting it back this instant," she snapped.
Charlie rose to his feet. "Wait, babe, it's late."
Taylor grabbed his hand and pulled him upright. "It's not quite curfew, yet. I'm sure Arth is in his room. If we hurry, we can catch him before he does something terrible with it."
"Honestly, it's not a big deal," Charlie muttered. He clumsily stepped in his shoes and dragged his feet, careful not to knock over the stacks of books, but Taylor yanked him along causing him to stumble into a pile.
"Not a big deal? Charlie, you worked so hard on that!"
Charlie's shoulders hunched up in embarrassment. "I didn't work that hard on it."
Taylor rolled her eyes, dragging him down the hall. "Don't give me that. How many times have you redone this chapter? I kept telling you it was fine, but then your last edit absolutely blew me away. You should give yourself more credit."
Charlie's skin flushed a shade darker as he looked away bashfully. "You're just saying that."
"Stop calling me a liar," Taylor huffed again and hopped up to flick Charlie on the forehead.
"Ow!" Charlie flinched, but still a smile twitched on his cheeks.
There was no one walking the hallways for some reason. Even the Templars that should have been patrolling were absent. Charlie and Taylor walked briskly hand in hand, avoiding the shadows out of fear for the creature that stalked the night.
The hallways were long and dark, the stone radiating cold. The arches etched dark shadows along the corridors and stretched into intricate patterns.
Charlie squeezed Taylor's hand nervously. "Maybe we should head back to your room. We don't want to be demon food." He searched the gloomy darkness for signs of danger.
Taylor's violet eyes flashed in the shadows. The dim flickering light bulbs made a bright reflection on her glasses. "It's just around the corner."
Taylor continued to drag Charlie by the hand, his feet shuffling reluctantly. "Babe, this is a really, really bad idea." He was never one for confrontation.
Taylor hunched her shoulders. She had a feeling Charlie was right, but she wouldn't turn back now. Arth had been extra annoying ever since she told him she was dating Charlie.
Arth called Taylor stupid for choosing a common loser like Charlie when she could have had him, a 'talented' mage of noble blood, as if she cared for things like wealth and status when she was trapped in the Circle. She honestly didn't realize the racist had a crush on her. He had never hid his disdain for elves from anyone, including her. But he did say she was 'special', that she'd risen above her people's ineptitudes somehow.
Taylor didn't even realize that was supposed to be a compliment. She never took it as such, and told him as much. Apparently he was a man that took arguments for flirting.
She did have to admit they sometimes talked about magic, literature and art. And they shared a love of horror novels, so she often borrowed from his expansive library - one only a noble could afford. But she never thought some civility meant they would be good in a relationship. Especially given there was the glaring fact that he never apologized or seemed to regret what he said.
And now Arth was resorting to petty thievery. Taylor wished she never indulged him.
She noticed Charlie's hands trembling, shivering in the cold, and she squeezed to comfort him. They could both tell that something was wrong even without the heavy aura darkening the mood. There was a group of students clamoring outside of Arth's room. A distinct smell of blood and sulfur wafted in the air.
"Shouldn't we help?" a young blond girl only about six whimpered. She had two rather cute pigtails. "What if the monster comes back?"
An older boy who looked almost like her brother stroked her on the head soothingly. "The Knight-Captain and Senior Enchanter have been called Mea. The monster can't stand up against that kind of firepower."
Taylor and Charlie looked at each other knowingly.
"Shiiiiiit, this is bad, right?" Charlie gritted his teeth. "We should go."
But Taylor yanked him forward, not entertaining an argument. "We need to find out what's going on."
"Do we?" Charlie jutted out his bottom lip. "We could go back to your room and cuddle and pretend this isn't happening."
"Charlie," Taylor huffed, though she couldn't deny it was tempting, "we're all in danger. Knowledge is power in this hunt for this demon." Her eyes narrowed pointing forward. "Besides. What if someone's hurt? I can help."
Charlie rolled his eyes. "Let's hope it's Arth."
As they pushed forward through the crowd, they saw in the middle of the bed in a bloody pile was indeed, Arth Elliot's mangled body. His belly button was plunged open and his half eaten intestines were leaking out. He was still gasping wetly for breath, his teeth bloody, tears streaming down his red face.
Arth was trying to say something but could only gurgle. Everyone stared at the small dark-haired elf with slicked back greasy hair ineffectively healing him, unsure what else to do.
"I didn't mean that," Charlie's mouth dropped, the blood draining from his face.
Orsino poured all his magic into regenerating Arth's broken body. He was covered in sweat from exertion and it was clear from the way the glow in his hands was stuttering that he was running out of mana.
Taylor immediately sprung into action. She knelt down and with glowing blue hands, began pouring her mana into Arth.
Arth gasped, clasping her arm desperately. He locked eyes with her, trying to communicate something important with his wheezing gurgles.
Orsino nodded in gratitude but he was too out of breath to thank Taylor properly, and concentrated on his task.
Taylor mapped out Arth's wounds with her magic so she could properly assess the situation. He had so many of his organs missing that there was no way he would survive this unless they somehow regrew them.
She knew it was theoretically possible. She had read the medical transcripts. But it would take time, and Arth didn't have time.
Taylor knew she only had one chance to get this right. She drew the proper sigils with her fingers with blood. The sigil floated, ominously dripping. She then pressed her palm through the sigil and into Arth's tattered flesh, pouring as much mana she could into the mark, forcing his soul to anchor in his body. "Does anyone else know Creation spells? Arth needs some regeneration, now!"
"He's practically dead," one student frowned, his face completely white with horror at the sight. "We should all get back to our rooms before we're next."
Charlie gritted his teeth. Regeneration was actually one of the few spells he knew. With clenched fists, he knelt beside Taylor and summoned his meager magic, though he wasn't sure how much it would help.
Some students started to depart while the others remained to watch the spectacle. From the back of the crowd, Melissa slunk up, rubbing her arm, nervously. She knelt on the other side of the ruined silk spread bed, her hands glowing with a spell.
Taylor shot a grateful glance at Melissa, who dropped her eyes immediately. She looked a little strange. Her face was red and splotchy, a scarf wrapped around her neck but she wasn't dressed in her usual nightgown but in rich satin men's night clothes several sizes too big. Taylor didn't know whose they belonged to, but the heavy expensive cologne that was still wafting from it smelled suspiciously like Arth's.
Taylor thought it was odd, but not odd enough to dwell on. With Melissa's spirit healing magic, Arth was responding. His skin started to regrow and his stomach closed up.
Taylor sighed in relief. It seemed things were turning around until Taylor realized that his organs were not recovering.
Taylor tried to shape the magic, urging the wisps she was channeling to speed up the growth but it felt like something was blocking her. She could feel a malevolent energy inside Arth.
"Where are the Senior Enchanters? We might need to dispel a curse," Taylor cried desperately, feeling Arth slip through her fingertips. In spite of all the mages' combined efforts, he was bleeding out too fast. The damage was too great.
Taylor felt the faintest brush in the back of her mind. It sounded like a song, and not just any song, but one her Dalish clan used to sing. She realized a spirit was calling to her, telling her it wanted to lend its strength.
Taylor hesitated, taking a moment to examine the presence pressing in her brain. It didn't feel threatening, but familiar and warm, even comforting. Was this a trick?
The singing grew faster and more urgent.
Taylor hesitated, not sure she wanted to risk becoming an abomination for a guy like Arth, but suddenly Arth's body wracked, coughing up some of his own lung before he collapsed and stopped moving.
Taylor panicked and let the spirit in.
In the next breath she was bathed in a golden shimmer and her fingers poured the spirit's magic into Arth. Taylor's bond with the spirit had an immediate effect. Arth's flesh and sinew regrew in moments, the organs pulsing back into their form. Arth gasped for breath, blinking his glassy green eyes wide open in relief.
He slumped again, fainting in shock, his face relaxing as his pain receded.
Taylor's golden aura blinded everyone. Her eyes shone like lighthouses and she cried out as her mind swirled into another reality.
Taylor was transported to a grassy flower field that was growing rather tall. The strange blossoms were diverse, from color to shape and some towered over her like a sparse forest.
She saw a golden spirit peek out from a bramble of giant jasmine. She looked a lot like Taylor, except she wore no glasses. Her eyes were bigger and more owl-like, so glassy they shimmered. She danced amongst the flowers excitedly, appearing to flutter in place.
"You are worthy." The owly Taylor spirit danced forward with a hum and pointed to herself. "I am Honesty. And you… you call yourself Taylornir of Clan Sabrae."
Taylor cocked her head. She had almost forgotten her clan's name. Her true name. She looked around. This creature was not a spirit she recognized. "You pulled me into the Fade?"
Honesty nodded, her golden afro bouncing. "You shaped me, birthed me." She smiled and pointed to herself. "You gave me a voice. Now I am part of you and you are part of me. We are… Bound."
Taylor's heart rose. That meant she completed the spirit healer's ritual without trying. "So… Arth is okay."
Taylor watched Honesty twist her full lips into a frown and shook her head. "You must find her. Stop her." Honesty touched Taylor's forehead and suddenly she had a vision of a grotesque monster attacking Arth.
The monster was a woman, her top half bare, her organs dangling from her ribcage, her lower half missing and nowhere to be found. The demon kept herself afloat with long leathery bat wings. Her hair was long and brown and billowed in the static of her magic. Her face was familiar, but Taylor couldn't recognize it with how sharp and angular it had become. A new skull was stretching the woman's skin taut to make room for a horrifying mouth. Her tongue was long and spiked like an insect's proboscis, and she grabbed Arth with her long talons. With a screech, she pierced his stomach with her snake-like tongue and rooted around for his liver, then she promptly slurped it up and swallowed it.
Arth squealed in agony as she feasted on his stomach lining. The monster's long proboscis then twisted, and dug towards his heart, about to devour that next, when a peeling scream sounded behind them.
Mea squealed in panic at Arth's open door, her blond pigtails flailing as she fled. "M-monster! Monster!"
The creature panicked and flew out the room, leaving Arth bleeding half-dead on his bed.
Taylor gasped, released from the spirit's vision. She blinked and she was back in the Circle. When she looked around Arth was trembling. Enchanter Jakoby was accompanied by Knight- Captain Meredith and Knight-Lieutenant Jiminez staring at her with wide eyes.
The rest of the students were gone, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire.
Taylor's gut dropped as the Templars angled their guns at her.
"What the hell happened here!?" Meredith bellowed, eying Arth's slumped bloody body.
"Wait, Knight-Captain." Enchanter Jakoby stepped in front of the gun. "There's no need for violence. It's obvious these students are not your culprit."
"That's not for you to decide," Meredith sniffed sharply. "Someone explain!"
Taylor's legs shook, terrified of speaking up, but she stepped forward. She pressed her glasses up her bridgeless nose. "Arth was attacked by a manananggal."
Melissa and Orsino looked at each other in shock as Knight-Lieutenant Jiminez, Senior Enchanter Jakoby, and Charlie paled.
Meredith furrowed her eyebrows in disbelief. "How could you possibly know that?"
Taylor bit her full bottom lip, unsure if she should admit her powers to Meredith. But she lifted her chin and said, "I saw it myself in a vision, but you don't have to believe me." She pointed to Arth. "When I was healing his wounds, I had to regrow his liver, spleen, and a good part of his stomach. Charlie, Orsino, and Melissa helped me. They can attest that the wound pattern matches a manananggal."
Senior Enchanter Jakoby knelt over Arth and waved his glowing blue hand over Arth's stomach wound. "From just a preliminary examination, I would say she's correct." Taylor couldn't mistake the pride in his voice as he gazed at Melissa and Orsino.
Meredith shook her head in disbelief. "The graveness of the wounds would surely cause a fatality. Even with two spirit healers, it just isn't possible."
"Well it was three spirit healers actually," Orsino stepped forward and wrung his bloody hands. "I tried to do what I could on my own, but I was only able to slow the bleeding. To be honest, I was barely able to keep him alive. Taylor did most of the work."
"Indeed, she did," Melissa thinned her lips at Taylor looking cross for some reason.
Taylor didn't register Melissa's dark mood. A pleased smile tugged at her lips.
Meredith glowered as she stood over Taylor, looking down her nose. "Did you bond with an unsanctioned spirit without permission?" She looked extra large and intimidating in her plated silverite armor.
Taylor's ears drooped, realizing in her eagerness, she made a fatal error.
Senior Enchanter Jakoby stepped in front of Meredith. "I was training Taylor on my off hours," he lied quickly, adjusting his glasses. "She already was given my permission."
Meredith scowled. "All spirit healers must have proper documentation and pass the standardized test."
"And the proper documentation will be on your desk by morning." Senior Enchanter Jakoby cocked his head, some of his locs falling off his shoulder. "Besides, did Taylor not already pass the most important part of the test? The rest of it will be rather easy for her."
The smile was back on Taylor's face before she could stop herself.
Meredith snorted, clearly unimpressed. She tucked a fine blond hair back in her severe bun. "It's still an infraction, and it must be addressed." She sharpened her smile to a point. "Perhaps you should inform your students that there will be a flogging before breakfast tomorrow."
Taylor's ears twitched nervously, taking a small step back as Charlie grabbed her hand. He was trembling, his lips in a thin line.
That's when Taylor finally noticed a small black bird with glowing red eyes perched on Arth's door.
"Tik-tik," it chirped softly.
Meredith turned her head to the sound and growled. "The tik-tik! Has it come back for its master?!"
Melissa gritted her teeth and flicked her eyes out the door.
Nobody noticed the interaction. Everyone's eyes were glued on the tiny bird that swooped in a showy circle and sped down the hall.
"After it!" Meredith growled to her Lieutenant, and then dashed after the bird.
The Knight-Lieutenant balked before he turned to Senior Enchanter Jakoby. "Inform the Chantry sisters to bring Arth to the infirmary." Then he reluctantly followed Meredith.
Taylor picked up the skirt of her robe. "You got it from here, right?" She didn't wait for an answer and chased after the Templars.
"Wait, Taylor!" Melissa reached out to stop her but she was already gone.
Taylor panted, her short legs not quite able to keep up with the rapid pace that the Templars were able to manage. Even with Taylor using her haste spell, Knight-Lieutenant Jiminez was pulling further and further ahead.
Taylor's lungs were already threatening to give out, and she gasped raggedly.
Suddenly Knight-Lieutenant Jiminez turned a sharp corner and Taylor lost sight of him.
With a wave of her hand she poured magic into the area, and the shadows of Knight-Lieutenant Jiminez's footsteps lit up, helpfully guiding her way.
She followed the glowing steps up the winding staircase, her heart sinking into her stomach. She prayed that the tik-tik would just fly across the ocean and disappear, but like she thought, when she got into Malcolm's hallway, Meredith was shoving him against his door. She cuffed him as the tik-tik circled out of reach above Malcolm's head making soft chirps.
Meredith had a triumphant smile on her face. "Oh I'm going to enjoy branding you."
"What the fuck did I do this time?" Malcolm growled, as he kicked his feet, struggling in Meredith's arms.
Meredith pointed upwards. "That's yours, isn't it?"
Malcolm craned his head at the ticking bird and raised a confused eyebrow. "What the fuck is that?"
"No use playing dumb, Hawke. This is proof you tried to kill Arth!"
"You crazy bitch, you're just making shit up now!"
Malcolm seemed to realize there was no talking his way out of this and started kicking and screaming rabidly. But since Meredith put him in anti-magic cuffs, that was all he could do.
"Wait!" Taylor cried in panic and rushed forward, still out of breath. She gasped out, "The manananggal I saw was definitely a woman! Malcolm's innocent!"
Meredith rolled her eyes, sniffing sharply. "Your little delusion is not evidence."
Taylor huffed. "Well, let's wait until Arth wakes up and he can tell you himself!"
The Knight-Lieutenant turned to Meredith. "That's not a bad idea, Captain."
Meredith narrowed her eyes in disdain at her subordinate. "Let's see what the Knight-Commander has to say about this mess." And she strolled off, dragging Malcolm along.
Taylor's lips wobbled. She immediately ran into the nearest women's restroom and locked herself in a stall. With a shaky hand she opened up her void portal and fished out her secret phone. She looked up a number she recently saved and called it.
The tone remained steady and unbroken for a long time, and Taylor was unsure that Jaheem would answer this late at night. It was certainly not the business hours he specified. The sweat dripped down her back. She was beginning to wonder if she should try another plan, when he finally answered.
His rich timbre voice was soothing and reassuring. "Miss Filene? Why are you calling so late?" There was clear concern in his voice.
The tears spilled out of Taylor's eyes before she could stop herself and she blubbered out, "My friend Malcolm is about to be Tranquilized. Meredith is claiming he's an abomination but I can prove he's not! Can you stop it?"
—-
Jaheem felt guilty asking Leandra on this date. He needed to give himself a clean break but it was clear from Leandra's reaction, she thought he intended to woo her more.
It didn't help that he took her to a restaurant on the Docks called the Mystic Masala and ordered that grilled tandoori he always wanted her to try. Leandra always did seem to light up around food, although she was never as bright as when she was around Malcolm. But at least she seemed to enjoy dinner.
Jaheem noticed Leandra's dress was modest with long sleeves and a high neckline still appropriate for a date but not very flirty. She wasn't even wearing her favorite color tonight and opted for a boring gray instead. Her hair was wrapped in a thick strict bun making her look like a librarian.
All night it was very obvious she was avoiding any form of intimacy from touch to conversation. The only thing Leandra seemed willing to talk about was mundane subjects like work, but even that was hard when she was trying to avoid mentioning Malcolm. Music and art seemed to be safe enough subjects so they pursued the topic until it was exhausted and they were left with silence.
It was clear to Jaheem, Leandra wasn't very interested in the conversation, and he was getting rather bored himself. Ever since Jaheem had seen Malcolm and Leandra together, he knew this moment had to come. She wasn't drawn to Jaheem, didn't smile that brightly for him. Hells, she smiled brighter at the tandoori.
So he knew it was only right to let her go.
Jaheem half expected Leandra to dump him already, and he knew she wanted to.
But Jaheem held Malcolm's fate in his hand and made him all too aware that she felt vulnerable around him. So he resolved himself to be the gentleman he was raised to be.
After dinner, they walked through the Boardwalk, watching the ships sail off in the distant shore. The sky was purple and hazy as both the moons came peeking out of the horizon to dance with the stars. An art walk was spread across the beach where local artisans were selling all sorts of wares under the protection of the streetlights. This impromptu market had everything from pottery, to paintings, to decorative chairs, each one a masterpiece.
Jaheem let Leandra browse as she excitedly praised the technique of each piece. He couldn't help but feel the sadness tug at him, the jealousy burning his heart. He let himself feel pity, that he was led on and used, but he also knew he had allowed himself to be. If he went back in time he'd make the same decision, even if it led to this moment.
Jaheem offered to buy Leandra some of the art pieces she was fawning over so she'd have something to remember him by, but she refused everything. That told him where they stood. It did hurt, even if he had to respect it.
They strolled to a quiet corner respectfully distant. The proprietor had momentarily stepped out of their booth. There were marble statues bigger than Jaheem displayed in a long row on the beach, all so lifelike they looked as if they were breathing and might walk off and escape at any moment.
Leandra absentmindedly stared at a statue of two lovers intertwined. With erotic expressions, their fingers dimpled each other's flesh. Leandra's expression, however, was blank, not seeming all that aware where her gaze lay.
Jaheem pointed his eyes in a different direction, but his cheeks heated to find that most of the statues had similar risque themes. "My Lady, I do beg your pardon. I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings."
Leandra blinked, and then blushed as she realized there was a marble ass close to her face. She pulled Jaheem to another booth where there were tamer paintings of nature scenery.
Leandra patted her cheeks as if she were overheating.
Jaheem chuckled nervously and then cleared his throat. He had been putting this off all night, and he knew he had to rip off the bandaid sometime. "Leandra, I need to talk to you about something important. It's the reason I asked you out tonight."
Leandra's shoulders dropped and she clasped her hands together, fidgeting. "Okay," she said quietly.
Jaheem grabbed her hands and cringed when she flinched. With a gentle squeeze, he looked into her eyes and said, "You are not only a true example of the good of humanity but you are an angel of beauty and grace; everything a man could want."
He heard Leandra's breath hitch, her fingers twitching as her lip wobbled.
He took a deep breath. "Your heart is a treasure, but I cannot accept it because it is not mine." He patted her hand. "To be frank, it is better we remain friends."
Jaheem winced at the relieved expression on her face, but he expected this and hid his disappointment well.
Leandra's hands relaxed in his. "I'm terribly sorry to hear that," she feigned disappointment, but couldn't quite manage it.
Jaheem's smile brightened a touch and he let go of her hands and stuck them in his suit pockets. "I do hope we remain friends. You've been a steadfast ally against the Circle."
Leandra placed an eager polished hand over her chest. "That's all I want, Jaheem. Together we can make things right in the Circle."
Jaheem's eyes glimmered in mischief. "For Malcolm?"
"N-no," Leandra choked. "I mean, yes, but not just for Malcolm!" She was tripping over her tongue as her cheeks flamed in embarrassment.
Jaheem laughed, unable to help the prodding when she made that cute expression. "Quite right." It was only then that Jaheem noticed that his breast pocket had been vibrating for some time, and he fished out his phone to see who was calling. His eyes widened when he saw the caller identification.
"Miss Filene? Why are you calling so late?"
It was clear from how hoarse Taylor's voice was that she was crying. "My friend Malcolm is about to be Tranquilized. Meredith is claiming he's an abomination but I can prove he's not! Can you stop it?"
Jaheem's eyes wandered to Leandra, who had definitely overheard and was looking at him with a wide hopeful gaze. He gritted his teeth. "I'm not sure," he admitted.
"What do you mean, you're not sure!?" Leandra's shrieks echoed through the boardwalk, attracting stares.
Jaheem hunched, feeling self-conscious. He adjusted his orange silk scarf over his suit and cleared his throat.
Leandra impatiently nabbed his phone and put it on speaker. "When is Malcolm going to be Tranquilized?" Her voice was breathy and panicked.
Taylor sobbed harder. "Probably as we speak."
Leandra's eyes flashed in the dark and she turned to Jaheem. "What can we do to stop them?"
Jaheem dropped his shoulders. This was the hardest part about being a lawyer. "I'm not a superhero, Leandra. This isn't my jurisdiction. Technically the Templars are given any allowance when it comes to hunting abominations." He sighed. "I can put in an appeal for Malcolm, but by the time it's processed, his Tranquilization will be complete." He closed his eyes so he didn't have to see the despair on Leandra's face.
But there wasn't despair but determination. "Then we're going to stop them ourselves," she growled. "Hang on, Taylor." She ended the call and grabbed Jaheem's hand. Her dark eyes swirled in fury as she dragged him to his car.
Jaheem's stomach dropped. He was stronger than Leandra and didn't have to follow her. In fact, he shouldn't follow her. He was the main prosecutor of the Circle case, and breaking in the Circle would be reason enough to throw the whole case away. His sensible side told him to let her down as gently as he could, but the words caught in his throat as he tried to get them out.
He obediently drove Leandra to the train station that would take them to the Gallows as she muttered a string of curses under her breath.
Jaheem told himself he couldn't help it. Leandra was like a hurricane sweeping the land. He felt like if he defied her he would be destroyed.
But in truth he was tired of sitting on the sidelines while the Templars did whatever they wanted. He was never good at distancing himself from his clients.
Jaheem hunched his shoulders as they approached the train. There was supposed to be a Templar guarding the station, but it seemed they had taken a convenient break and had fallen asleep. Leandra quickly snuck Jaheem on board and after a bit of trial and error, started the train. By the time the sleepy Templar realized what was happening they were over the water.
Jaheem pinched the bridge of his nose, a stress headache coming on as he questioned his sanity. He really, really shouldn't be doing this.
But as he watched Leandra collapse on the seat of the car, he knew he couldn't bring himself to abandon her, even if he was sure all that was waiting for them was a one way trip to the dungeons.
He sighed deeply as Leandra kicked her heels impatiently, muttering crossly to no one in particular. The train ride would take some time to complete.
He smiled wryly, sitting across from her. "So what's your plan, my Lady?"
Leandra scowled impatiently. "Shouldn't I be asking you that, my Lord? You're the lawyer."
Jaheem chuckled, crossing one immaculately polished shoe in front of the other. "I think this is a monumentally bad idea that will probably throw away all the hard work we've done on the Circle case."
Leandra gasped, as if she didn't consider the consequences of her actions, before she scowled. "Then-then why are you letting me do this?"
Jaheem laughed brightly, his rich timbre voice echoing on the cramped metal cab. "As if you ever needed my permission to do anything." He winked at her. "We're in uncharted territory, my Lady. My title as a lawyer is not going to do much here when I'm actively helping you break the law."
Leandra bit her lip nervously. "Jaheem, I can't ask you to break the law. I'm more than capable of fighting my own battles."
She didn't sound convincing.
Still, Jaheem appreciated that she was giving him a way out. As much as he should, he wouldn't take it. "I find myself under no obligation to follow unjust laws." He shrugged back. "Besides, we'll be fine." He relaxed lazily in the train car taking up two seats. "It helps to come from money."
Leandra looked at her hands in guilt and wrung them. "It does, doesn't it," she agreed, her mind churning behind her dark eyes.
Jaheem sighed, rolling the tension out of his neck. "If we want any chance of saving Malcolm, we're going to have to threaten to hit the Circle where they'll hurt the most- their wallet."
Leandra straightened her shoulders in resolve. "I know who can help with that."
She took out her phone and unblocked a number before she dialed it.
The phone didn't even have to ring a second before a man picked up. "Leandra?" It was a familiar stern voice.
"Daddy!" The tears spilled off of Leandra's cheeks so quickly, Jaheem didn't realize how much she was holding back.
Jaheem widened a shaved eyebrow in surprise. The last Leandra told him, her father was a slaver and she was going to expose him. For her to turn to him now, spoke of just how desperate she was.
"Sweetpea," Lord Aristride said. "What's wrong?"
Leandra wiped her eyes, smearing her makeup, but more tears came. "It's Malcolm!" she sobbed, her throat thick. "I don't know what to do. The Circle is going to Tranquilize him!"
There was a beat of silence before Lord Aristride said, "Isn't that your elf toy?"
Jaheem cringed. This wasn't a good start.
"He is not a toy!" she screeched, her voice ringing against the metal cage, rocking the train car over the dark water. "He was going to marry me! I wanted to introduce you, too!" Her face turned into a snarl. "Oh, I knew it was a mistake to call you! You're a heartless, racist slaver and-"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I was just surprised. You know that's not what I meant!" Lord Aristride was trying his best to get a word in but he was being drowned out. "Sweetpea, what you're saying is tragic, but don't you think this is the Maker's will?"
Jaheem wasn't sure Leandra could hear anyone over her yelling but she apparently heard that. "Wasn't it the Maker's will for Him to withhold His riches, but you and mom decided to sell literal people so you could keep your status!" she snapped sharply. "I don't give a FUCK about what the Maker wants right now! Maybe I can't stop this! But if you don't do anything to help me, Daddy, I'll find a way to make you regret it! You'll never hear my voice again! I promise you will never see your grandchildren!"
Lord Aristride made a startled yelp. He went silent for a few moments, considering Leandra's threats. Then he sighed deeply. "I can't promise anything, but let me make some phone calls."
Lord Aristride hung up, and Jaheem had no idea what they were going to do.
They spent the last ten minutes of the train ride brainstorming a plan, though it did seem risky. The train nestled into the Courtyard station. Two sleepy Templars blinked in confusion as Leandra and Jaheem stepped off the train as if they belonged there. They passed by the Templars without even sparing a glance and marched towards the Knight-Commander's office.
The two recruits looked at each other before scrambling after Leandra and Jaheem and cutting them off.
Leandra shooed them with her hands. "Out of my way. I have an appointment with the Knight-Commander," she said with so much confidence that the mousey brown recruit almost believed her.
The blond recruit squinted his gray eyes at her. "I know you," he smirked, his eyes dropping to Leandra's breasts, leering. "You're not supposed to be here, especially now."
Leandra crossed her arms over her chest, glaring so harshly she could melt asphalt. "I'm telling you I have business with the Knight-Commander and if you don't move my companion will have to move you!" She pointed boldly at Jaheem.
Jaheem smirked, holding in a laugh. He wasn't sure where Leandra got it in her head that he could take not one but two highly trained fully armed Templars, when he was in a Versace suit and was armed with nothing but the small pocket knife he used to slice apples. Still, he was touched that she thought so highly of him.
He gleefully played along and stepped up beside her, easily towering over the two recruits.
The Templars looked intimidated, and placed their hands on their guns, flinching when Jaheem stuck his hands in his pockets.
"Look," the mousey Templar gulped. "We don't want trouble."
Jaheem grinned as he slowly brought out his coin purse. "Neither do I.'' He fished out two sovereigns. "No reason for trouble at all."
The blond Templar frowned, eying the coin greedily. "The Captain will murder us if we let you go."
The mousey Templar snatched the coin out of Jaheem's hand and dragged his friend away. "Then we didn't see them."
Leandra gave a brilliant grateful smile and hugged Jaheem. He scratched the back of his head bashfully, feeling warm from her touch, but it wasn't long before she grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the Knight-Commander's office.
She gave him a playful shove. "Why didn't you slug them? You could have taken them." she whined with a pouty pink lip.
Jaheem couldn't help the laugh that burst out of his throat. "I'm a lawyer," he reminded her. "I would lose my license if I made a habit of assaulting people."
"I guess that makes sense." Leandra rolled her eyes, but the smile remained. Then she brought out her phone and said, "It's showtime."
Leandra pulled up an app and began live streaming. Her face looked especially gloomy in the camera, the Circle's harsh hallways casting long shadows on her face. She took a deep shaky breath. "As everyone knows, I'm Leandra Amell, and I'm in the midst of a scandal. For anyone who's interested, this is what I've been dealing with. The Maker's truth, straight from my mouth."
Jaheem grimaced. This was his idea but he wasn't sure if it would do any good. He eyed the number of viewers on the screen, already in the hundreds, and spiking faster and faster. Though most of the commenters were unfortunately asking for Leandra to take off her clothes and calling her a whore.
Leandra nodded at the camera. "I want to confirm that yes, I did cheat on Guillaume De Launcet and for that I am deeply sorry. He is a good man and words cannot express my remorse. But the truth is, I didn't cheat with Jaheem Omenma." She faced the camera to him. "We are just work colleagues and good friends."
Jaheem nodded in confirmation, cringing in realization that he was most definitely going to be chewed out by his supervisor after this.
Leandra turned the camera back on herself. "I fell in love with Malcolm Hawke- a very talented circle mage who just happens to be an elf, and he is the man I intend to marry."
The comment chain then exploded in questions.
As they approached the Knight-Commander's office, they passed more Templars who stared in confusion at the civilians in their hallways. As Leandra talked to the camera, Jaheem discreetly put obscene amounts of coin in the Templar's hands and they quickly disappeared.
Now thousands of viewers were tuned into the story as Leandra told them, "The Circle is a terrible place where mages like my Malcolm are abused daily. Children are flogged legally and if that wasn't bad enough, pedophiles litter the Templar's ranks. Just recently, my Malcolm was in solitary for a month, an inhumane amount of time, and then when he got out immediately the Knight-Captain almost beat him to death. Now because he's at the center of a civil rights case against the Circle, they are Tranquilizing him to silence him!"
There were so many trolls asking why they should care, still asking her to get naked, and calling her a rabbit fucker. Leandra ignored them all undeterred. "I'm not going to let them take Malcolm from me, but I need your help to hold the Templars accountable. Please inform the Viscount what is happening and demand him to do something!"
Jaheem knew he shouldn't be, but he found himself jealous. Malcolm's situation wasn't enviable, but it was apparent Leandra would move mountains for Malcolm, and hearing her devotion on her lips made Jaheem as bitter as black coffee.
Leandra stormed into the Knight-Commander's office, concealing her phone in the straps of her purse. She gasped in horror as a cuffed Malcolm was being held in place by a smirking Knight-Captain Meredith.
Knight-Commander Guylian was snarling as he used Malcolm's face and stomach as a punching bag.
Knight-Lieutenant Jiminez stood hunched in a corner, apparently trying to disappear.
The group froze, startled by the intrusion.
Malcolm's eyes widened in surprise, one eyebrow swollen and pressing against his golden eye. Even with the blood dripping from his mouth, he couldn't stop himself from grinning. "Hey, babe!" he croaked out. "Fancy meeting you here."
Leandra screamed in outrage, her face red with fury, and she subtly turned the camera in Malcolm's direction so her audience could get a good look. "What in the Maker's name are you doing!?"
Meredith kept hold of Malcolm, as if he would attack if she let go.
The Knight-Commander released Malcolm's head and shook some blood off his hand. "Who let you in here? This is restricted property."
Leandra pointed sidestepping the question. "You are trying to silence Malcolm because you know we have a case against you! This is an illegal Tranquilization and I demand you stop!"
Leandra looked more confident than Jaheem did, but still he said, "We can prove this is retaliatory due to the recent investigation. If you follow through with this I will have you disbarred." That was a complete bluff, but he was sure he'd made it sound convincing.
The Knight-Commander scoffed. "Nonsense, this man is an abomination. A tik-tik identified him as its master. Everything is legal. We're simply conducting tests."
Malcolm couldn't help the guffaw in his throat that quickly turned into a cough. He hacked out a wad of blood and spat it on the ground at the Knight-Commander's feet.
Leandra scowled so hard it appeared she'd pop a vein. "What kind of test is this?"
Jaheem cleared his throat, adjusting his scarf. "That is not the proper way of testing for abominations in Rivain."
Meredith sneered at Jaheem. "No one is interested in the opinion of a backwater country that worships abominations."
Jaheem rolled his eyes, knowing Meredith would say something like that.
Some light reflected against Leandra's phone and flashed the Knight-Commander who finally noticed the camera rolling in her hand.
"She's filming us," The Knight-Commander growled, his face reddening. "Knight-Captain, confiscate the evidence."
Meredith shoved Malcolm into Jiminez's arms and lunged for Leandra.
Leandra yelped and shoved her phone in her bra, hoping that would be enough to deter Meredith's grabbing hands. Unfortunately Meredith had no shame and dove her hand in Leandra's gray dress, fishing for the phone.
Jaheem's eyes widened in alarm as he got in between the two women, trying to pry Meredith off as Leandra screeched like a banshee.
Malcolm kicked and lunged at Meredith but the Knight-Lieutenant pushed him into the wall.
Soon enough Meredith triumphantly fished the phone out of Leandra's bra, and crushed it into pieces with her armored fist.
Leandra dropped to her knees and tried to put the pieces of her phone back together, as if that would be enough to fix it.
Meredith grabbed Leandra's wrists and twisted them behind her body, neatly cuffing them.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Leandra cried.
"What do you think, my Lady?" Meredith said mockingly. "You're trespassing in a military facility. That means you get to spend some time in a military prison."
Malcolm growled in Knight-Lieutenant Jiminez's arms, his bloody cheek smearing the dull beige wallpaper. "Get your hands off Leandra!"
The Knight-Commander fisted Malcolm's curls and yanked him so he was sneering into the elf's twitching ear. "You have enough to worry about, Hawke." The Knight-Commander held onto Malcolm and snapped at the Lieutenant. "Arrest the Rivaini and rabbitfucker. Throw them both in the dungeons."
The Knight-Lieutenant gulped and took the cuffs from his belt, looking apologetically at Jaheem.
"May I please have your hands, Messere?"
Jaheem held out his wrists good-naturedly. "Pretty much what I was expecting," he chuckled. Well, they had tried. And it wasn't as if this would be his first time in jail.
Leandra on the other hand was kicking and screeching as much as Malcolm was, her little black heels jutting around to try to stomp on Meredith's steel-clad boots. She was snarling like a dragon, but Meredith's bulky arms held her firmly in place.
"How dare you break my phone! That was brand new! I will sue you! You hear me!? Do you realize what you've done!?"
It might have been comedic if Malcolm wasn't a bloody mess and about to face a lobotomy.
Meredith dragged Leandra by the arm, lugging her like a suitcase back down the corridor with Knight-Lieutenant Jiminez and Jaheem close behind.
Meredith smirked at Leandra as she stumbled in her heels. "What did you think your little stunt would accomplish?"
"The people know what you're doing now!" Leandra spat. "You won't get away with this!"
Meredith's witchy laugh chilled the night air and bounced off the stone. "I think I already have. By morning your little boyfriend will be a drooling idiot, and you're going to be slapped with some pretty serious charges."
Leandra stiffened, her lip twitching.
Meredith looked like the cat that caught the canary. Her breath ruffled Leandra's hair. "You know technically, you stupidly signed death waivers, so if that abomination just happens to do something unfortunate, there's nothing legally that your families can do against us. So convenient."
Jaheem's heart froze. He would have never let Leandra step foot in this place if he'd remembered that.
The Knight-Lieutenant paled. "Captain?"
Leandra cried out as Meredith pulled the cuffs tighter, but couldn't find a proper rebuttal.
Jaheem tried to wrack his brain of something to help their case, but logically Meredith was right. His hands were legally tied from the start and this end was inevitable. Now, he'd be grateful if he saw sunlight again.
Leandra's shoulders slumped before they started shaking. "You won't get away with this," she repeated, but she sounded unconvincing through her tears.
As they approached the courtyard, the two Templar recruits from earlier were huddled in a corner whispering among themselves.
Meredith saw the recruits and stormed towards them. "Why are you not at your post?" she snapped.
The blond Templar blinked his gray eyes. "S-some nobleman with a bunch of press came barging in. W-we couldn't stop them!"
Now that they mentioned it there was a hum of voices coming from the courtyard.
Meredith's eyes widened in outrage and she marched ahead, dragging Leandra behind her.
As soon as they hit the courtyard they were bombarded with an array of flashing lights. A stunningly attractive woman with strawberry blonde hair in a neat swaying ponytail came stalking ahead dressed in a smart blue business skirt suit. Her tanned skin was an uncanny orange, as if the color had come from a bottle. She spoke eagerly into the microphone to her cameraman. "This is Adriane Venti with Kirkwall's Evening News. Here we have Meredith Stannard who appears to be arresting Lady Leandra Amell. Would any of you care to comment?"
Jaheem took a step behind Meredith, trying to keep his face out of the news cameras. But he had a feeling it was a little too late.
As he looked at the crowd, he found himself impressed with Lord Aristride Amell's move. He was right that the media was a powerful weapon, but it was one they had to wield carefully. The press could easily side against them.
Meredith slapped on a stoic expression, her jaw twitching. "Lady Amell was trespassing and disturbed Templar business."
Leandra huffed indignantly. "The business of beating a handcuffed man-"
"Who is also an abomination," Meredith interrupted her with a sneer. "A tik-tik identified Malcolm Hawke as its master. He must be Tranquilized before he hurts anyone else."
Adriane stepped away with a dramatic gasp. "If he's an abomination, why risk Tranquilization. He should be killed, no?"
Jaheem winced. This is what he was afraid of.
"He's not an abomination," Leandra cried out. "Malcolm is being targeted because he's my boyfriend. This woman," she pointed her lips rudely at Meredith, "almost beat him to death weeks ago and she's trying to cover up her abuses by falsely accusing him! The demon is still loose, because the Knight-Commander is too busy bullying his mages than finding the real culprit!"
The other reporters began scribbling in their notes as they talked amongst themselves, unsure which side to take yet.
"I did hear about that case," Adriane touched her chin in thought.
Another reporter raised his hand and said, "You say the tik-tik identified Serah Hawke, but wouldn't that mean he's a manananggal?"
Jaheem raised his head. He recognized that voice, and when he searched the crowd he saw Brett balancing a pen on his ear, his sandy ocean eyes gleaming in the night.
Meredith raised an annoyed eyebrow. "So?"
"Well," Brett cocked his head. "I always thought the manananggal were exclusively women."
Meredith scowled as the reporters muttered in agreement. "While mananananggal's are primarily women, there are rare cases where they are male."
Adriane tutted, annoyed that she was interrupted. "But it does lead credence to Lady Amell's claim of a coverup. Do you have any other proof?"
Suddenly a tall older man with a pink face stepped forward. His graying hair defied his gel and lifted into tufts. His suit was smartly black and fitted to his frame making him look slimmer than he was. He adjusted his glasses on his beaky nose. "It is not only a ghastly attempt at a cover-up, it is a most egregious attack on my House."
Leandra's face went pale as she recognized who said that. "Daddy."
Lord Amell gave Leandra a slight reassuring nod before he stepped in front of the cameras.
His jaw stiffened. "I am very aware of how this looks. My daughter is not only with an elven man but a mage." He clenched his fists looking unsteady. "It is… not what I imagined." His face relaxed into a smile as he gazed at Leandra. "But ultimately… I trust her. I trust she chose well for herself."
The reporters looked around, unsure who this speech was for.
Jaheem glanced at Leandra to see her blinking back happy tears.
"Malcolm Hawke is legally my House Mage, property of the Amells." He held up some images of Malcolm's bloody face on his phone. "According to a livestream my daughter posted just moments ago, he is being damaged, so I'm suing the Circle for compensation." He showed off an official notice with the Viscount's seal. "We demand justice for these abuses!"
Meredith scowled in disbelief. "You nobles are always throwing your purses around, but watch my words, you will get someone killed with your selfishness!"
Lord Aristride narrowed his eyes. "If anyone dies, it will be from your incompetence!"
Suddenly the reporters swirled around Meredith like a pack of pirahnas, asking rapidfire questions.
"Is it true you have pedophiles in your ranks? How are your people vetted?"
"Some reports say child floggings are common? How regularly do you beat children?"
"Rumors state that several mages were already Tranquilized for being the manananggal. Is this a common mistake?"
Jaheem stayed quietly in the shadows, still blissfully cuffed. He was enjoying the sight of Meredith tripping over her tongue.
Brett strolled up and stopped next to Jaheem with a wry grin on his face. "You shouldn't be here."
The corner of Jaheem's mouth quirked up with a smile. Brett's seabreeze cologne was comforting. "Neither should you."
"Ah, I live for the drama," Brett chuckled, twirling his pen with a flourish and eyed Jaheem's handcuffs. "Besides, that's good look for you." He blushed slightly, though it was hidden in the dark.
Jaheem chuckled. "Does that mean you're not going to help me get out of them?"
"Just like old times," Brett rolled his eyes and jabbed the pen into the locks and deftly uncuffed Jaheem. "So why did you just throw away your case?"
"Who says I threw it away," Jaheem bluffed with a wink. He rubbed his sore wrists. "I think if I throw enough sovereigns at the Viscount he'll conveniently forget."
Brett rolled his eyes even harder. "Rich boy," he spat as an insult.
Still, that seemed a fair enough question. He glanced at Leandra who was talking to some reporters with her father. His heart panged and he knew the answer. "Maker's truth, I guess I couldn't say no."
Brett raised his eyebrow. "Even though she went back to the ex she definitely swore she'd never see again."
Jaheem chuckled and shrugged, his hands digging into his bare pockets. "What can I say? I'm a sucker, I guess."
Brett glanced at Leandra and then back at Jaheem then sighed bitterly. "I guess I am, too." Je nodded at Jaheem and joined the rest of the reporters to ask more pointed questions at Meredith.
Lord Aristride shooed the nosy reporters away, answering every question with a curt "no comment." Finally with the encouragement of a rather tall elven man named Sylvain, who was the Amell family's bodyguard, the reporters dispersed to find easier marks.
Lord Aristride marched Leandra around with his hands on her shoulders until he found the nearest Templar that wasn't Meredith. "Uncuff my daughter this instant!" His voice boomed at his mark.
The mousey brown Templar shrank. "Messere, I don't think I'm allowed to-"
Leandra squared her shoulders, tapping her heel impatiently. "Didn't you hear my father!?" she interrupted. "If you don't listen to him he's going to sue your ass so hard you won't be able to afford to cover it with pants!"
The Templar's brown skin paled and he began fumbling at the locks.
As soon as the Templar released Leandra, he fled down the hall so he wouldn't be blamed.
Lord Aristride chuckled, adjusting his tie. "Well that could have gone worse."
Leandra threw herself into her father's arms, sobbing, full of gratitude. She missed how these arms felt around her. "Thank you, Daddy."
Lord Aristride rubbed her back, his hands trembling in relief. "Don't thank me yet," he gritted his teeth bitterly.
Leandra looked up, her wide doe eyes in panic. "Why?"
"Because this isn't going to do anything but delay the inevitable."
—-
The Chantry sisters all whispered in confusion and grief, some of them wiping their eyes of fresh tears. They didn't understand it. Arth was fine a moment ago.
Somehow, in the middle of the night, a bird flew by his window and a moment later his blood pressure dropped. He seized violently with no signs of stopping.
By the time the sisters managed to drag Senior Enchanter Jakoby into the room, Arth was dead.
Senior Enchanter Jakoby cursed himself. He had no idea how he had failed to notice the bleeding wound in Arth's heart. He didn't search hard enough.
Taylor was such a brilliant student. Maybe that made him lax in his examination. This was his fault. He cursed his foolishness.
Senior Enchanter Jakoby willed himself not to cry. He was losing his students one by one, first to Templars, now to monsters. He thought Arth was safe, but the manananggal got its kill in the end.
Senior Enchanter Jakoby closed his eyes and pulled up Arth's sheets to cover his face so his pained expression was hidden. With shaking shoulders he turned to the sisters. "We need to prepare another funeral."