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  It wasn't hard like wood, it was soft actually, and it tightened around my ankle in a rhythmic manner, kind of like a heartbeat. I couldn't tell whether it was the branches, or my own. Distracted by other noises, I took my eyes off it and looked around, seeing other roots appear slowly. Gulping, I managed to swallow the scream as they started crawling their way around, the strain on my ankle lessening now as the others were helping the one carry my weight.

  "Audio Nola."

  Many voices spoke at once, all of them sounding contorted and static. I wanted to wiggle free. They had to stop touching me!

  "Solenum!"

  I nodded frantically. "Yes, yes, alright, I'm listening!"

  "Calycanthus exspecto." I blinked in surprise as I recognized Pallium. "Immortalis Silva subsisto."

  "Cali waits and in the forest we must stay?" I stuttered out. I hiccupped and squeaked when the roots started to move me upwards.

  "Sic. Nola Succurro. Audio Nola."

  "Nola will help and listen." I repeated. "Who are you?"

  "Immortalis Silva." For the strangest reason, that answer made me feel less afraid. And because the fright was gone, I managed to get used to the feel of them around me, allowing me to relax.

  It was still very dark, but the slight change from black to blue had excitement build up inside of me. It wasn't a sapphire blue or an azure. Nor an ocean, navy, prussian or slate. It was the midnight blue that came from the sky during the night. Sighing, I closed my eyes and managed to produce a smile as I lay within the roots. They were making everything better.

  * * * *

  Chapter 18

  Maya Meek

  Looking into the large mirror, Maya let the tip of her index finger slide down from the top of her forehead, along the bridge of her nose and down onto the top curve of her lips, finishing the trace at her chin. Her short forehead, slitted eyes, thin nose and heart shaped lips were features well known in the Meek bloodline. Treasured, even. While maybe not the most beautiful, the gene pool Maya descended from was supposed to be enticing enough to keep a man interested in the long run. Meek blood aged well, and while curves weren’t always appreciated, the hip width supposedly ensured less difficulty when giving birth. Maya wasn’t so sure; pregnancy scared her.

  Brushing her long, cerulean hair softly, she tilted her head and focused her gaze behind her, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she stared at the water fountain through the mirror. Moraine and Xala were sitting by the edge of it, helping one another paint blue markings on their skins. Although it wasn’t fact, it was said the more markings a Regius carried, the purer their blood was. Many of the harem girls painted extra on themselves in hope of pleasing Xania. Maya didn’t. She liked that her skin was marking free with the exception of the soles of her feet.

  Looking over to the other side of the mirror, she saw some of the others girls watering the plants that were placed in their foyer. They didn’t have separate bedrooms, instead Xania invited one girl into his quarters when he wished to spend time with someone. It was an honor the women regularly fought over and why many disliked Maya. She spent nearly every night at Xania’s side, sharing his food and his bed.

  Sometimes she wondered if he loved her, but she was never sure. She liked to believe that he did and she'd even asked him once, but he'd logically explained that a ruler couldn't waste time on emotional and personal feelings and that he had to set them aside to keep his mind clear. Maya understood, or pretended too. Of course she never voiced these thoughts to Xania. She much preferred to be a doormat.

  Sighing at her reflection, she smoothed down the soft silk layers of her dress, standing so she may look carefully at her attire, wishing to make sure she looked perfect. Xania visited the foyer every afternoon and would then pick one of the girls to eat lunch with him. If everything went as it had gone these last couple of years, she'd be the one he chose.

  Sweeping her long hair off her shoulder so it could flow gently down her back, she wrinkled her nose at her dress. It was perfect, yes, but unfortunately all the girls had to wear the same clothes. Maya didn't like it. It made her feel as if she blended in with the others while she wished to stand out.

  "What are you so worried about? Everyone, including yourself, knows that he will want you." Moraine sneered at her from across the foyer.

  Shrugging her shoulder delicately, Maya purposely ignored Moraine, Xala and the others, stepping away from the vanity so she could go and settle herself on the pillows that lay in the corner of the harem’s space. Everything here was comfortable, from the pillows on the floor, to the fountain's warm water, and the curtains decorating the walls and ceilings. Shades of blues, patterned the room, yet the color didn't make the space seem colder. Even with all the luxury, Maya never truly had considered these quarters her home.

  The harem had been part of the Regius hierarchy since the beginning. Maya liked to think of it as the box where the King collected a certain type of women who would have the privilege of being educated in the Royal manner. Each of the girls were given a set of rules and standards which they had to execute and oblige. No man was to enter these quarters with the exception of the ruler and the escort. When they were present, the girls weren't to speak unless spoken to, and then only in whispered tones. If Maya wished to communicate with one of the other girls while a man was here, they did so in sign language.

  King Xen had added to the harem 'collection' until the day he died, yet he'd never entered these quarters once he'd been married. It was tradition that the King added new girls for the heir when they came of age. Xelle, the Queen, had been part of the collection, as every Queen had to be. They were suitable matches for the future Kings and were taught everything a Queen needed to know in case they were ever chosen. The girls were never to be below the age of twelve when they were brought into the harem, but they weren't allowed to be over the age of sixteen either. If an heir or King did not show any interest in a girl before her thirty-fifth birthday, she was to be married to a noble or officer, a step down from what they were bred for, but an honorable way to finish off their lives nonetheless.

  Xania had bended the rules of this place to fit his personal needs. He had no right to even consider the harem to be his, yet after Xen's death and the loss of hope in the royal hierarchy being returned to its former glory, the women in these quarters had stopped objecting to the Steward's presence. What else could they do? The heir was lost and had no interest in the throne.

  Maya knew her father would have broken his pledge of loyalty to the Royals if he had been around to see the way his daughter was being treated. But he was but a pile of ash now, so Maya need not worry.

  She broke out of her thoughts when the large double doors opened, a cloaked figure stepping inside. It was the escort. He was only to enter to escort a girl outside of these quarters when the ruler demanded it. Maya had gotten used to him, whereas the other girls hadn't and let out noises of surprise and fear, moving away from him and clearing his path.

  There was something mysterious about Digitalis, something frightening, yet Maya knew she didn't have to fear. Like herself, Digitalis came from the Meek bloodline and while he was only a cousin removed several times, sharing something in common with the assassin was slightly comforting.

  "Maya." Digitalis' voice was surprisingly soft and gentle as he offered her his hand, which she moved to take. "I'll be escorting you to the ballroom today. Your veil?" That meant Xania wasn't alone in the ballroom, that there were other men there. Digitalis must have noticed the understanding in Maya's eyes as he then nodded. "Rhamnus was called forth, as was I." Releasing her hand so she could veil her face, leaving only her eyes clearly visible, he added, "The Seer wished to speak to the Steward." Maya feigned surprise as she placed her hand into Digitalis' again so he could lead her out and into the long hallway. She'd expected Mallow to be plotting something after she'd asked Maya to detour Solenum to the conservatory before bringing her to the ballroom.

  That had been the only time she'd been un
escorted in the castle. Xania had believed Solenum would be more comfortable in the presence of a Regius woman, rather than a Regius man. The Seer had foretold it and taken advantage. So, no. She wasn't surprised at all that she was to see the Seer for the first time. A secret meeting with an Altor such as Solenum didn't come without consequences.

  "What is it she wants to talk about?" Blinking, Maya looked up at Digitalis who, as always, looked neither happy nor upset to be in her presence. She'd gotten used to it by now and was no longer bothered by it. She belonged to Xania and the assassin answered to that very man. Digitalis would never disobey the Steward’s orders or go up against his views and beliefs. He was the one Xania trusted the most.

  "The question is, since when does her mother allow her to seek out any Reinhardt?" Digitalis was right, of course. Mallow was a question that everyone believed would remain unanswered, Sage made sure no one could try. Why wasn't Sage here now to stop her daughter? Maya had never seen the Seer. Nobody had, with the exception of Sage and now Solenum.

  Although the Soldier in command had found herself a spot as an adviser to Xania through mutual bribery, it was a known fact that Sage’s allegiance was still with Xen. Although the Steward was far from unsubtle about his wants, Maya knew that Sage was smart enough to understand that Xania’s wish was to become true King to the Regius. Their relationship was tense, to say the least.

  Releasing her, Digitalis opened the door of the ballroom, gesturing for Maya to go inside first. Bowing her head, she stepped in and a smile found its way onto her lips as her gaze linked with that of Xania.

  He was seated on a large chair in the middle of the platform, Rhamnus flanked his right and Digitalis walked passed Maya to flank Xania's left. Had she not been part of their group, the image they made would have frightened her. Instead though, Xania smirked slowly, reaching out with a lazy hand and gesturing for her to come join his side. Linking her hands behind her back, she passed Mallow who was standing on the edge of the platform, waiting patiently for Xania to give her permission to speak. Maya allowed herself a peek at the Seer, taking in the Altor black hair, the pale Regius skin and the unnatural gold of her eyes. This girl was like no other person that Maya had seen before and the power the Seer harbored was terrifying.

  "Prepare yourself." She heard the Seer whisper, leading Maya almost to stumble in her step. She hid it as she joined the Steward’s side, Rhamnus stepping away to make space. She'd met him several times these last couple of months due to Xania wishing her present when Rhamnus, Digitalis and Xania held minor conferences. The Steward had once confided in her, saying he didn't always feel quite as secure as he should come across to these men and so she had suggested to have her present. She'd be a distraction to the tracker and the assassin, giving Xania the upper hand.

  "You wish to inform me of something?"

  Mallow lifted her eyes off the ground, the shining gold staring curiously at the assassin, herself and the tracker all standing around Xania on the throne. She didn't look scared, or at least, Maya couldn't detect fear.

  "I thought it would be of interest to you that Solenum Everhart has escaped."

  Maya worriedly looked down at Xania, trying to gauge his reaction to that. She could sense that Rhamnus had tensed while Digitalis, as always, showed nothing.

  "Excuse me?" Xania's voice was sharp and drawn out, each syllable enunciated.

  Maya knew to stay away from him when he entered this mood, but the hold he had on her waist was painfully tight and didn't allow her to step away.

  "She's gone." Maya watched the Seer curiously as her head tilted back, golden eyes unfocused momentarily, becoming a shining pool of emptiness before they fixed their attention back onto Xania. "She is with Calycanthus Esquivel. I have seen it just now. They are in the Immortal forest."

  Maya wasn't aware of the exact details when it came to the Steward needing Everhart and Esquivel, but she knew they were important to whatever he had planned for the future of the Regius. With them gone... She winced as Xania's nails dug into her skin, leading her to let out a whimper as she tried to squirm out of his hold. He wouldn't let go though.

  "Mallow." Xania clipped out.

  "Yes?"

  "Where is Sage?"

  That was a terribly good question, Maya thought.

  "Iodin City," The Seer answered simply. When Xania kept silent and waited, she elaborated. "Elder Rose Saxton was spotted along the forest border. It is believed she is looking for a lost Altor researcher. Sage was close by, saw a chance and took it. To bring down an Elder is-"

  "Very favorable for the Regius, yes." Xania finished. "How is she progressing?"

  "She forgot that Altors have a tendency to travel in packs."

  Maya let out a high-pitched noise of pain when Xania's nails drew blood. She shut herself up though when the Steward looked grimmer with every second that passed.

  "How long before Pieris ends Sage?"

  Maya momentarily forgot her pain as Xania's words registered. It made sense. The only reason for Mallow to step out of the conservatory without doing any serious damage to Sage's rule and Xania's deal was if her mother were to die.

  "Time is not always the most precise thing in my visions." The Seer answered, seemingly unaffected by her mother's probable death.

  The Steward sighed. "You will now tell me who let them escape and-" The Seer's gaze never seemed to falter as she waited patiently for Xania to finish his request. "You will look into the future and tell me if I need Everhart and Esquivel alive." Xania smiled knowingly. "You must know I don't need them to make my wish become a reality. It's whom they have control over that I need."

  "Dead or alive." She started, frowning down at the ground suddenly. "It won't affect your future." His tight hold on Maya lessened. The Regius in the room, with the possible exception of Digitalis, were most likely as surprised as her when the Seer gave permission to have her own half-brother killed.

  "Digitalis." Was all Xania said in response to this, and the assassin silently and quickly left the room. Maya noticed that Mallow's lips parted in slight fear as the assassin passed by her.

  "Who freed Solenum?” The Steward demanded.

  The Seer's eyebrows twisted in a way that told Maya she was most likely upset. Detaching her golden gaze from the ground, a soft exhale escaped Mallow and her arms fell to her sides before she closed her eyes and breathed.

  "Robinia Kowalski."

  * * * *

  Chapter 19

  Narrator

  Too many visions in one day. It would take its toll on my body in the future.

  "Solenum!"

  "Cali?!" When the brave girl's hand closed around that of her best friend, she finally opened her eyes and allowed herself to see that the roots had carried her out of the place that would haunt her for the rest of her life.

  "Solenum." The boy repeated softer this time, pulling his friend out of the hole and instantly into his arms. Solenum welcomed the embrace, her arms tight around Cali’s neck as their hearts healed just a bit thanks to their reunion.

  So much had changed since they'd last seen each other. They'd been categorized as clueless Civilians. Altors that needed to be triggered, but unaware of the responsibilities they were to carry on their shoulders. They'd been happy teenagers, believing their lives boring.

  As they held onto each other, there on the forest ground, they realized that they both had taken that life for granted.

  "I am so tired." Solenum whispered as she framed Calycanthus' face to take a good look at him.

  "I know.” He could see it. “But we have to keep moving. We aren't safe here."

  "We aren't going home yet, are we?" Her voice was fragile as she let her friend pull her onto her feet. Although Calycanthus didn't answer her with words, she was able to read the answer to her question off his face.

  They started running, deliberately allowing themselves to get lost in Immortalis Silva.

  Seven people were currently running with a defined purpose in
the country of Zinc. These seven would play major roles in the future of this land, triggered the moment they all started to run as fast they could. My father, Kalmia, once showed me through a vision that running away from things wasn't always a bad thing. Sometimes they could lead to good, while other times it could be worse. There were also moments where you had to let go of your pride and take those brave steps. Because although running away was often viewed as cowardly, while you ran from wrong, you also left a lot of right. To step away from something good, takes a certain amount of bravery.

  All seven were hearing and seeing the same thing. Their footsteps resonating off the wet forest ground, leaves and branches hitting them in their faces as they pushed past the trees, trying to gain speed, yet the soles of their shoes were slippery on the mud. The difference was how they looked at these surroundings. While Solenum and Calycanthus did not worry about the trees, they worried of what followed them. Galax and Datura, although not physically present, were right there with the cousins.

  Delph Riddle, the Civilian boy who’d once shared a room with Cali, although not truly within the forest, dreamt of being lost in it, running away from sounds that terrified him down to his very core. He wanted to shut the forest out, wishing to be blind and deaf to all he had learned.

  I myself neither concentrated on what lay ahead, nor what was behind. Neither did I shut the forest out. On the contrary, I was watching the trees carefully, knowing that if I followed my vision exactly as I saw it, that I would run into the person that had the cousins so worried.

  Digitalis knew Immortals Silva like no other. It was his playground and currently, he was hunting. If I wanted the vision of the future I was striving for to become a reality, I had to end his hunt and face the most feared creature in all of Zinc. The ghost assassin was not someone you purposely distracted from a job, yet that is exactly what I intended to do.