Chapter 6 – Betrayal at a Glance

“If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself. What isn't part of ourselves doesn't disturb us.”

-Hermann Hesse

Sarah was surrounded by pure blackness. She was blind and her senses were rendered useless. Fear choked her as the claustrophobia set in, accompanied by the realization that Mike wasn't with her. Suddenly, whatever she was standing on gave out and Sarah felt herself fall into a black oblivion.

All at once, she was plunged into bright daylight and her feet struck solid ground. She would have been thrown forward if she hadn't been clinging to Mike's arm for dear life.

Sarah's eyes burned with the quick change from darkness to light and pain exploded in her head. She dropped to her knees, clutching her skull in a useless attempt to dull the agony. She felt as if someone had cleaved her head in two. Mike glanced at her and noted the girl's obvious discomfort as she curled forward and began to wretch.

"The trip here isn't too pleasant without magic. You will hardly notice it when you have your full powers." he explained with a somewhat bored tone.

Cal was immediately by her side, holding back her long hair as she continued to heave.

“You'll be alright in a moment. Deep breaths now,” h e instructed, rubbing her back soothingly. Mike watched with impassive eyes, his expression unreadable before he turned and stalked across the lawn.

Cal helped Sarah to her feet, easily supporting her small form and leading her in the prince's wake. Sarah turned her face into his fuzzy chest and closed her eyes, wishing everything would stop spinning.

She cracked an eye open as she felt them pass through a door and caught a glance of an impressive entrance hall before Cal escorted her down a set of hidden stairs. She glanced down and quickly shut her eyes, the steep, winding stairs only adding to her dizziness. Cal noticed and scooped her up.

“Last thing we want is for you to trip and take out Mike.” He explained with a grin. Sarah hid her face again, her head pounding as black spots continued to wink in front of her eyes.

The stairs seemed to go on forever. As the pain began to recede, fear took its place. They had to be deep underground now. She could hear the sounds of dripping water echoing off the stone walls and the air had grown colder. If they did something to her, nobody would know. No one would ever find her in this place.

“ Mike, she's beginning to squirm. You better take her before the spell wears off.” Cal called.

Sarah felt the Leora's stride even out and knew they had finally reached the bottom of the stairs. Mike muttered something rude under his breath and Sarah felt herself transferred into his arms. She immediately stopped squirming, relaxing against his chest as the feeling of coming home settled over her.

After a few more minutes, they passed through another door and finally came to a stop. It was a small room, dark and musty. The only light came from a few torches set in alcoves, causing the shadows to jump and dance as if they were living beings.

As Sarah's eyes adjusted, she realized that they were not alone in the room. Figures in black robes stood against the walls at even intervals, cloaked in shadow. A hood was pulled down over each figure's face and yet she knew they were staring straight at her.

“ They are only guards. Don't be scared,” Mike whispered in her ear, setting Sarah on the floor with her back to the wall.

A moment later a door across the room banged open, kicked in by a metal boot.

“Where is he?! Where is that dirty, blond freak?!”

A girl was standing in the doorway looking murderous. She was in her early twenties and petite with pale skin and long, scarlet hair in a high pony tail. The girl was clad in scarlet armor the exact same shade as her hair. At least, Sarah thought it was armor. In reality, it looked like a metal bra, thigh high metal boots, and a strange jeweled belt. It would have been almost indecent if it wasn't for the cloth attached to the belt that draped across the girl's hips in front and back.

She spied Roland and her golden eyes narrowed.

“You! I'm going to murder you! I'm going to scalp your pretty, blond head and keep it as a trophy!” she shrieked. The next instant she had drawn two long, serrated blades.

Roland stared at the ranting woman, then launched himself at her. She was startled enough by the move to drop her blades as he swung her up in a bear hug and spun her around.

“Emmy! Oh Emmy, love! I've missed you so very much!” he cried, nuzzling her cheek as she screamed threats involving various parts of his anatomy. Sarah grinned despite her throbbing head, reminded of the old Peppy Le Pew cartoons. After a few minutes of struggling and kicking her legs to no avail, the girl hung limply from his arms as if resigned to the unwanted attention. As soon as her feet touched the floor, however, she backflipped and landed in a crouch on the other side of the room, looking remarkably like a spider.

Sarah's eyes widened, realizing the stranger had a pair of translucent wings like Roland's. They were sharper than his and a shimmering gold tipped in black. She fanned them in agitation, like a cat flicking its tale.

“Stop telling everyone that we are soul mates! I haven't been able to get a date in weeks because of you!”

Roland only smiled. “But if I don't tell them, how will anyone know that we're meant to be?”

The scarlet Faye's nails dug into the floor.

“We are NOT meant to be! You sicken me! I would rather chew off my own arm than date you!” she shrieked. Roland cocked his blond head, looking like a confused puppy.

“I get this strange feeling that you're trying to tell me something.”

The scarlet Faye's eye began to twitch. She drew a silver dagger, but before she could scalp him, the door opened again.

Another woman walked in and the entire room grew silent. She was older than the Faye, but no less beautiful. Her skin was pale, almost luminescent and contrasted stunningly with her long, midnight blue hair. She was tall and slim, her figure draped in what looked like a pale blue toga and on her head rested a circlet of silver stars. A small, blue, star-studded owl perched on her shoulder, watching the room through sleepy eyes.

“Ember, dear. Could you please put off scalping Roland for a bit? I may need him.” Her voice was soft and pleasant, her silver eyes dancing with amusement as she looked between the battling Faye.

Her gaze shifted to Mike and Sarah, immediately becoming serious.

“So, this is the girl then?” She spoke quietly, bending down and examining Sarah with a critical eye. She noticed Sarah's dazed state and gave Mike a reproachful look.

“She would not have come without my convincing. Now, I have fulfilled my mission and brought her to you as commanded.” Mike said frigidly, turning on his heel and stalking towards the door.

“Wait a moment. We must discuss what is to be done with her.” the woman said, straightening up.

Mike turned to glare at her, his hand on the doorknob.

“I have done as you requested and now I am returning to the war, Nocturna. I've been absent for too long already. What happens to the girl is no longer any of my concern.”

Sarah stared at him in horror, but Mike refused to meet her eyes. He was just going to abandon her? After promising to protect her, he was going to walk away without a backwards glance? Feelings of neglect and betrayal began to well within her as she fought back the tears.

Are you really surprised? Nobody has ever wanted you before. Not Mom, not dad, not Liz. Is it such a shock that he would leave you too? Nobody wants you. Everyone leaves you in the end.

Sarah hid her face against her bent knees, biting her lip as she fought back the sobs. She would not cry in front of these people. She refused to let them see her weakness.

Nocturna noticed and her heart broke at the silent cries. She looked back at Mike, but he was looking at his boot. Clearly, he had noticed as well. He moved to push the door open, but stopped, staring at his trembling hand.

“Very well. You can return to your men, if that is what you wish. I have already spoken to the counsel. We will proceed with Sarah's training, but we will continue to keep her under our protection.” The woman's voice had become distinctly more frigid.

“Roland, you and Ember will take shifts as Sarah's guards. Ember can take the day shift and you can watch over her during the night. I want you stationed directly in her room to-”

“No.”

She looked back at Mike, surprised to hear his voice. Mike continued to stare down at his hand and when he spoke, it was through teeth clenched in agitation.

“Roland would fall asleep within an hour. I will take the night shift. I need less sleep than anyone else and I have the best night vision. They can take turns guarding her during the day.”

Nocturna raised her eyebrows.

“I thought you were returning to your men?” she asked offhandedly , stroking her owl and hiding a smile.

“She wouldn't last a day in Roland's care and he would have no idea how to train her. If she dies, the counsel will be after me, not him.”

Nocturna nodded. “Very well. You shall be her primary guardian then. You can-” she stopped in mid-sentence, as if someone had cut her off. Her gaze turned intense, eyes accusing.

“You can go straight to the infirmary! Why didn't you tell me that you had been wounded? Roland and Ember will guard her tonight. You aren't in any condition to protect someone.” She squinted at him in the half light.

“Your bleeding! It's all over your tunic.” she paused, listening to something no one else could hear.

“You've been scarred too?” She demanded.

Mike rounded on Cal with a snarl, baring fangs that extended well past his lips. Cal had the decency to look embarrassed.

“Don't be mad at Calinatta for being honest! Take Sarah back to her world then get right to the infirmary. You've probably bled over half of the castle by now.” Her tone was clearly disgusted, but her eyes were concerned as she turned away and waved a dismissive hand.

Mike stalked from the room and Sarah found herself hurrying after him, sandwiched between Cal and Roland.

“Who was that?” Sarah whispered over her shoulder.

Roland leaned forward so that his mouth was close to her ear. “That was Nocturna. She's a Watcher.”

Sarah raised her eyebrows at him questioningly.

“Watchers are the beings that keep balance in the world. One for the moon, one for the sun, another for the seas. So on. Nocturna is the night Watcher. She has been overseeing all matters of The Chosen, since you are both to help bring balance back to the world,” he explained softly, keeping his eyes on the steep stairs.

“How did she know that Mike had been hurt?”

Cal gave a soft, embarrassed cough ahead of her and Sarah guessed the source of knowledge. She tried to concentrate on the mystery of how Cal could have told her the information across the room, but she seemed unable to concentrate on anything beside the back of Mike's head. The way the torch light caught his hair, the fall of his cloak, everything about him was mesmerizing. Something was wrong though. She could feel it welling up inside her like some strange beast trying to escape. Something was wrong.

They passed back into the sunlight of the courtyard and, all at once, the spell burst, as if someone had popped a gigantic balloon right in her ear.

Sarah stopped dead in her tracks, staring at Mike in horror as the realization of what he had done washed over her. It was a wave of pure misery, flooding her soul and snuffing out the warm glow he had created. Cal caught the look on her face.

“Uh, Mike.” but the prince ignored him, continuing purposefully across the courtyard. Cal side- stepped, removing himself from Sarah's path.

“You!” she screamed in outrage, moving before the single word had even left her mouth. Mike turned back to her, probably to say something rude and arrogant. Sarah saw his eyes widen as she catapulted herself at him like some furious jungle cat. She caught him mid chest and the pair went down hard, rolling across the grass in a furious attempt to mame one another.

Mike was far larger and stronger, but Sarah had fury on her side. It was no time before he pinned her, glaring down at Sarah and panting in her face. She twisted under him, freed an arm and hit him hard in his wounded shoulder. He yelped in pain and she rolled, forcing him onto his back with her hands at his throat. He broke her grip and they continued to roll, both swearing profusely, hell bent on killing each other.

Cal managed to get over his initial shock and pulled Sarah off Mike, easily holding her a foot off the ground even as she continued to claw at the air. Roland and Ember had thrown themselves onto each of Mike's arms and were struggling to restrain him as he literally dragged them a good three feet across the lawn in an attempt to get at her again.

“You monster! I'm going to kill you! You disgusting, flea bitten pervert!” Sarah shirked, twisting like a snake in Cal's grasp.

Mike spat out an unfamiliar word, and even though she didn't know the meaning, it rang through her ears like a slap. Ember gasped, glaring at Mike in shock and even Roland's ears turned scarlet.

“Now, now children. If you can't play nice you can't play at all.” Cal chided, biting his lip and desperately fighting back a grin.

Sarah went limp in his arms as the fight left her, like a puppet with its strings cut. She felt used and violated, disgusted by how easily he had turned her emotions against her. She bit her lip until she tasted her own blood, sharp and coppery. It tasted of betrayal.

“Please, can I just go home now?” her voice sounded defeated, even to her own ears. Cal frowned in concern. He cautiously released her and drew a small box from one of his pouches.

“We have a present for you before you leave. Every Desideri'an has one.” he said kindly, opening the box for her. Sarah peered inside and withdrew a small golden chain. It was surprisingly warm to the touch, like a living creature.

“That is the key to awaking your powers. Be sure to wear it at all times.” Cal instructed, fastening the golden chain around her slender neck. Immediately, a rush of sensation hit her. It was like Sarah had been living in a black and white world and could suddenly see the colors.

She stared around her, trying to take in all the strange new sensations. She could feel people's auras. She felt Cal's brushing over her skin like a strange mist, warm, reassuring, fatherly. Sarah reached out with her magic and felt Roland's, loyal and trusting and then the fierce, sharp sense that was Ember. She reached out to brush Mike's and flinched back from the intensity. There was rage, understandably, but then a sort of aching sadness that clawed at her soul, touched with a strange sort of comforting familiarity. She immediately withdrew, confused and frighted.

He watched her through slitted eyes and she looked away, unable to take the intensity of his gaze. Cal was looking at her expectantly and she realized he had been talking.

“I'm sorry. What was that?” she asked quickly, embarrassed at her own lack of attention. The Leora sighed.

“I said this is very important, so pay careful attention. Tomorrow, you will meet your magic tutor and begin your training. You must be careful, though. Ember and Roland will be with you, but you still need to be cautions of who you are with. Those seeking you will know your name now.” His voice was dark, no longer playful.

Sarah nodded and tried to swallow her sense of panic as Cal summoned the portal. He noticed and tossed a comforting arm around her shoulders.

“Don't worry. The first trip is always the worst. Now, your body knows what to expect and that necklace will protect you from the worst of the effects. In time, you won't even notice,” he assured.

Sarah gave him a doubtful look and couldn't seem to stop her eyes from going back to Mike. He seemed to have calmed down, though both Faye still kept hold of his arms. Mike noticed her stare and raised his eyebrows, giving her an arrogant, condescending look. Sarah glared back and spun away, stalking towards the portal and vanishing with what was left of her dignity.