Protectors: The Valdronius Kingdom
Chapter 9

Warriors are bounded

Hearts are found

And voices have sounded.

Damien didn’t know how one of Dresdin’s daggers got through, but it did. Embry was passed out in his arms as he took her to the infirmary.

“AMEILIUS!” his voice bellowed throughout the Manor, the walls shook with rage.

“What the Bloody Hell Damien?” Ameilius came up from behind him.

“What’s happened?” Emlyn came in not a second after.

“Dresdin’s dagger. She’s been poisoned.” He threw it on the table and was immediately picked up by Ameilius.

“Put her on the cot. And get me some hot water and bandage. Ameilius, we need to know what kind of poison it is.” Damien laid her down and went off to get the supplies. Emlyn took off her sweater, rolling her over, she ripped Embry’s shirt to get a better look. The wound was red with blood, black veins spread from the sight, almost like a spider web. The wound was deep but sliced a straight line. She would scar. Emlyn looked closer at her skin, she was already marked. As Damien came closer she covered Embry’s back, back up. She took the cloth soaking it in the hot water and rinsed away the blood.

“What’s that?” Damien looked at the wound not quite sure what he was seeing.

“The wound it’s closing.”

“Is she doing that?”

“No.” Ameilius answered.

“Then how?”

“The poison, it’s a hallucinogenic. He’s mixed it with magic.”

“What does that mean Mils?”

“It means, she’s going to be in pain.”

“There must be something we can do? A spell?”

“No, it’s like an ant bite, the more you disturb it the more it’s going to itch. The same applies here. If we scratch at it, it’s just going to spread.”

“Spread what?”

“Time, this type of hallucinogenic is the Dormiens Virus.”

“Sleeping virus. She’s in a coma, hallucinating what?”

“Nothing yet.”

“How do you know?”

“This magic, it was meant to hurt, Damien.”

“So when the hallucinations start, she’s going to be in pain?”

“Yes.”

“How long do we have?”

“I do not know.”

“Her heartbeat is slow.” Emlyn found where Embry had placed her cane and removed it and placed it in her hand.

“How long will it last?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you know?”

“Easy Damien. Better question is, why didn’t the Crystal work?” Emlyn warned. Emlyn made Embry as comfortable as she could. Damien shot a glance at the Crystal in Embry’s hand. Why didn’t it?

“It’s alright Emlyn, he didn’t mean it. She’s going to have to fight this on her own I’m afraid.” Ameilius put the dagger on the table and pulled Emlyn away whispering in her ear.

“I’m staying here.” Damien looked up and saw that they had gone. Damien pulled up a chair and sat beside Embry. He just stared at her, why couldn’t it have been him. Why did he think that it would all be ok? HE should have protected her better.

Alecko watched as Damien and Embry faded away and Felyx cursed Damien for taking her. Where could he have possibly taken her?

“Where the bloody hell did he take her?” Felyx asked angrily.

“Back to the Manor?”

“Then why be so secretive about it?”

“Why are you so mad Felyx?”

“Because Damien did that on purpose. He’s keeping something from us, something he knows I probably wouldn’t have approved of.”

“Alright. It’s nothing he hasn’t done before.”

“Not with her, not with someone who cannot protect themselves.”

“Ah, now that makes sense.”

“What does?”

“Why you’re so angry. You’ve taken a likin’ to her.”

“That’s beside the point.”

“That is exactly the point. Do you think that Damien would have taken her without her permission? Damien is many a thing Felyx, but he’s never been one to force anyone to do anythin’.”

“Ya would know that.” Felyx spat out and started to walk away.

“Whoa, where’d that come from?” Alecko started after him with Midnight in tow.

“If anythin’ happens to her…” Felyx’s tone was faltering.

“You’ll rip him a new one. Just like ya did when ya got here.” Alecko knew he shouldn’t have brought it up, but Felyx needed to cool it down with Damien.

“What are ya talkin’ about?” Felyx wasn’t angry more, now he was worried that Alecko had seen what he had done.

“Don’t play stupid with me Felyx. I know all about your little pow-wow with Damien in the infirmary.” Alecko didn’t exactly know what their problem was, but he was determined to get to the bottom of it.

“Did he tell ya that?”

“He didn’t have to. The Manor has a way of getting information around.”

“So it was Emlyn.”

“Are ya going to tell me what’s going on with ya and Damien?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Like hell it doesn’t. We can’t get anythin’ done if you two are at each other’s throats.”

“Just leave it be Alecko.”

“NO!” This startled Felyx, causing him to stop and look back at him. It wasn’t the fact that he was mad, Alecko had been mad many times, no it was the fact that his voice had cracked.

“Alecko.”

“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Did he do something?” Alecko never wanted to confront the idea. That Felyx secretly liked Damien that they were going behind his back. That Felyx was too much of a decent guy to hurt him. He didn’t want to confront the fact that losing Felyx would shatter his world.

“Looks at me? You’ve got this all wrong.”

“Do I?” Alecko wouldn’t stand there and be made a fool of. He let Midnights reigns go and sheered away.

Damien’s thoughts were clouded with regret, and wishes that it had been him. A whimper brought him out of those thoughts. He could barely see the sweat built up on Embry’s face, the room was darker than before. A scream caused him to knock the chair out from under him when he stood up.

“Hold in there Embry. Please.”

“It’s started.” Ameilius and Emlyn walked in. Emlyn took a cold wet cloth and wiped her forehead clean. Helenna came in a few second after Emlyn and took a seat on one of the tables.

“Mils?”

“Damien?”

“Did I seal her fate?” What he was really asking was if he killed her.

“She is tough Damien. We all have magic inside us that could fight this type of magic. Embry she was showing signs of magic.”

“That wasn’t an answer.”

“Alecko?”

“What’s happened? I heard the scream just as I was coming in.”

“Where’s Felyx?” Alecko just looked at Damien.

“He’s Bringing Midnight back. What’s happened to Embry?”

“Dresdin’s Dagger.”

“That’s where ya took her? Felyx was right, he wouldn’t have agreed to it.” Another scream caused all of them to shatter just a little bit inside. Damien watched as Alecko sat on the stool, he looked tired and warn down. His hands rubbed his face then cracked his knuckles. There would be no rest for anyone until Embry was better.

“Why didn’t the Midnight Crystal protect her?” Helenna was not being helpful and yet that was the question.

“It doesn’t work in the shadows.” Embry had told Damien that she couldn’t feel his heartbeat. He thought it was odd but nothing to be alarmed about. But now he wasn’t so sure.

“That is quite a discovery.” Damien ignores Helenna’s comment.

“Mils, there has to be a way to help her.”

“I’ve already told you, it has to run its course, if we try to stop it…”

“What if we don’t stop it?”

“That’s what I said.”

“No, what if we transfer it? The magic part, the part that’s causing the pain. The hallucinogen, it’s already in her blood, but the magic, can it be transferred?”

“Perhaps, but the pain will last as long as she hallucinates. There’s a chance that she may not come out of it…for days.” He added.

“Can you do it or not?”

“Yes.”

“What do you need?”

“Sit there and hold her hand.” Damien stood the chair back up and sat beside her. He clasped his right hand in her left. Her hands were small compared to his. Ameilius stood in front of Damien and placed a hand on top of both of their hands. Damien watched as Ameilius’ eyes closed, they danced behind the lids. A bead of sweat started to run down his temple. It must have been about ten minutes or so before Damien could feel anything happening. A sickening red smoke formed above Embry’s body and started to cover his own. He groaned as what felt like needles forcing their way into his skin pushed their way through. Every inch of his body felt like the nerves were being stabbed. He choked out a scream as Ameilius let go. Damien could feel sweat building up out of him. Emlyn came with a wet cloth, he barely felt it on his skin.

“Ameilius help me get him to a bed.” Emlyn started to pull him up out of the chair. He winced in pain.

“I am not leaving her.” He gritted beneath his teeth. His jaw clenched shut so tight he was amazed that he could get it open to speak. How could Embry endure this pain, even he was having difficulty with it. Emlyn let him go and moved a cot closer. He reluctantly let go of Embry’s hand and laid down on the cot causing him to scream out as his spine felt like it was twisting the wrong way.

“Right, everyone out.” Emlyn Demanded. Their footsteps sounded like bombs going off in his ears.

“Damien?” Damien looked up at the whisper and tried telepathically to thank Ameilius. A scream erupted from him caused by the searing pain in his brain.

“No magic Damien, not even the simplest.”

“Thanks Mils.” He said lightly.

“The pain is only going to increase, it will knock you out, don’t fight it ok?” Damien just nodded which caused his face to feel like it was peeling away.

“These were out in the hall. I’ll just lay them here next to you. Try not to move.” Damien just looked up towards the ceiling. He never noticed the architecture before. How the arc’s and columns intertwined, it was a simplistic beauty. He watched as some type of fabric drifted past the windows creating a darkness for the room. He winced from the pain all over him, even breathing took a toll. He closed his eyes and took as much comfort as he could in the dark room.

Embry remembered the slicing in her arm after that, darkness. Her eyes wouldn’t open and she couldn’t move, a panic started to rise in her. She couldn’t hear anything, feel anything. Was she dead? No dead things can’t breathe. She was certain she could smell something familiar. Lavender. Where would she have smelt that? Jeffery doesn’t keep any around the house. She had smelt it at the Manor…she was in the infirmary. She and Damien went to see that man. She wondered what had caused that pain in her shoulder, it was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. It was strange, even though her eyes wouldn’t open she could see the space around her, a dark void. Was this another dream? She took a step forward echoing against unseen walls. A wisp of white smoke caught her attention as it came closer. How could she see anything without a light? Before she could move out of the way the smoke engulfed her. Instead of coughing she screamed. The Smoke burned her skin, she felt like she was on fire. Nothing seemed to ease the pain, struggling only made it worse. She screamed for help and still no sound escaped. Tears trickled down her face from the pain. Through blurry eyes she saw a familiar form. Mom? Laughter filled the silence causing Embry to block her ears. Something rushed past her in the darkness causing her to hit the ground. More pain shot through her knees. Stop, Stop, STOP!!! More echoes screamed back at her. She laid on the ground the pain too much. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before. Like needles pushing their way through. Her left hand became really warm, prickles hit the nerves. It was to warm, burning almost. She tried to shake her hand and yet the pain would not go away. A scream erupted as she stood up. She needed to find a way out. It was useless being able to see in the darkness. Something started to pull out of her skin, it was painful and yet a relief was setting in. The smoke, it was pouring out of her like steam. She caught her breath as the pain was completely gone. She looked around to see if the smoke was anywhere to be seen. It wasn’t, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t going to come back. Thumping echoed in a circle around her, a figure darker than the darkness around her made its way in a circle. Embry watched it carefully, she knew that walk. Dad? The figure stopped and walked away.

Embry ran after it and found herself in the middle of a road. What was going on? The ground was dewy and the air held a chill. Screeching tires and crashes told her exactly where she was. Smoke curled up to the sky just down the road. Embry took the ground in stride and came to the wreck sooner than she thought she would. One car, three passengers. Her throat squeezed shut, a sob stuck there as she came around the side. Broken glass crunched under the pressure of her steps. There, falling out of the car was her mom. Blood dripping down her arm started to make a puddle. Her dad lay on the dashboard, with his head turned away from her. Embry startled back as someone came up from behind her. She watched the man walk to the back of the car and bring out a small girl in his arms. Glass lined her face, her back. Her black hair was matted with blood.

“What…what are you doing?” The man ignored her. He laid the girl on the ground.

“Get away!” Embry ran to go push him out of the way and fell through him. She stumbled back up and looked at her hands. She went over to the man and tried to push him out of the way, her hand just went through him. Darkness found its way around Embry again, the only sight was of the man and the girl. He was covering the girls’ eyes with his palm.

“Who are you?” Again the man didn’t answer. A light illuminated under the man’s hand, strikes of static emitted. Embry took a couple steps back as she felt those same static shocks around her eyes. She could feel tiny cuts being made, her eyes took on a soreness. The sight before her disappeared to darkness and she was once again alone.

Felyx sat in the barn and watched Midnight as she ate her grain. All he could think about was Alecko. It was out of character for Alecko to accuse him of straying. And what did Alecko mean by ‘I’ve seen how he looks at you’? He’s noticed other guys looking, never gave them the time of day. It’s never bother Alecko before. Besides, Damien meant nothing to him. Felyx made his way to the Manor, it was almost dusk and the moon would be up in less than two hours. Felyx had been back for hours now, he was too much in his head to talk to Alecko. He also didn’t know what he was going to say, that wasn’t true. He knew he wanted answers to questions he was too scared to ask. First things first, he needed to find Alecko and tell him that there was nothing going on between him and Damien, romantically at least. A scream erupted as he closed the Manor doors behind him. It caught him off guard, what was happening now? Felyx made his way down the hallway only to be met with Helenna.

“What’s going on?”

“There are many things going on.”

“Helenna! I am not in the mood.”

“Cranky much!”

“Helenna please. Go find some useful employment.” Emlyn came up behind Felyx and took him by the arm.

“What did I miss?”

“In one word, Dresdin.”

“Dresdin? What does he…that’s where he took her, too Dresdin. Was she hurt?”

“She was. He got her in the shoulder with one of his daggers. It was laced with a poison…” A scream cut her off.

“The Dormiens Virus was mixed with a hallucinogen.”

“She’s in a coma…that spell, it’s meant to cause pain.”

“That is why Damien had Ameilius transfer the magic part out of her and into him.” Another scream forced Felyx through the doors of the infirmary. It was darker in here than he expected. He went straight to Embry’s side; she was caked in sweat. What nightmares plagued her thoughts? Felyx took a wet cloth out of the basin next to her bed and placed it on her forehead.

“Is she awake?” Damien voice came out soft and full of pain. Serves him right.

“No.” Felyx watched him grimace. Felyx looked at the man that caused him so much trouble and was glad he was in so much pain. Unfortunately, his pain only lasted as long as Embry was in a coma.

“It should have been you.”

“I know.” Damien agreed. Felyx walked out and shut the door quietly.

“Anythin’ new?” Alecko’s voice was so low that Felyx almost didn’t catch it.

“No.” Felyx turned around and came face to face with the man he loved.

“How is Midnight?” Felyx eyed Alecko as they both took off down the hallway walking side by side.

“She’s sorry that she didn’t come in sooner.”

“And how did she seem?” They turned left down another hall.

“Tired, happy to be… right where he is. Alecko you should know there’s nothing romantically going on with me and Damien.” Alecko took out a key and opened a door to his right and headed down the stairs.

“I know. I should never have accused ya. I know you better…” Felyx stopped Alecko and kissed him. It was soft, gentle unlike so many others they shared. This time Alecko deepened the kiss just as his incisors pierced down forcing him to stop the kiss. They looked at each other, reading an apology in each other’s eyes.

“I’m jealous.” It just slipped out. Felyx wasn’t sure why.

“Jealous?” Alecko faltered down a step.

“Of you and Damien.”

“Me and Damien? There is no me and Damien. We are just friends, if that’s what ya could call it.” They were now in the dungeons. Hard stones lined the walls and even harsher iron bars draped the caves that sunk into them. Felyx’s heart pounded in his chest.

“I know how ya are when ya found someone you fancied. You an’ Damien, have a history that maybe you want to…”

“A history? What are ya talkin’ about? I never fancied Damien.” They stopped in front of one of those empty caves.

“You two…you never?”

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“Not in so many words, he made quips about you and he.” Alecko stepped inside that cold sunken in cave.

“I’ll kill him. He’s been playin’ us both from the start.”

“Why would he do that?”

“I don’t know. I do know that we will find out tomorrow, together.”

“Together.” Felyx agreed. Closing the gate, he locked Alecko in and sat on the floor across from him. He tried not to watch as Alecko undressed. It was kind of hard since every time Felyx turned his head Alecko would toss an article of clothing at him.

“There.”

“There what?” Felyx folded the clothes Alecko threw at him.

“That smile.” Alecko groaned and grimaced as the Wulver in him started to come out.

“The last night of the full moon, it’s always the worse.”

“I need you Felyx. I. Need. You.” It was the first time Alecko told him that he needed anything from him. Alecko snapped his teeth as the rest of them grew. Paws padded the floor stirring up dust.

“I’m here Alecko, I’m here.” Alecko whined at Felyx’s voice. They both sat there in the dark and watched each other.

Helenna had been roaming the halls ever since she was shooed away by Emlyn. Nothing to do made for idle hands and idle was something that she did not do well. Damien should have asked her to go with him and Embry, she could have helped in some way. Not that she was in a helping mood, but they all agreed to be in this together and a deal was a deal. She never knew just how extensive the Manor was. Just how many hallways had they built into this place? What else lurked around unseen corners, how many rooms were kept hidden? What was the girl hallucinating about? Fears most commonly, but truth laid behind that veil as well. Strange word, hallucinate. People in her world unknown to magic, believe hallucinations to be a thing of the imagination. When they were merely just memories told in another fashion. No matter how vivid or how bizarre they turned out to be, they still were only memories. Either from a previous life, world, or time all together. What she would give, just to have a glimpse into Embry’s memories. Helenna didn’t for a second think that she was an ‘innocent’ girl caught up in this mess. No, she believed there was something more to her entirely. A force to be reckoned with, if the girl ever woke up out of her dormant state, and she didn’t mean the coma. It was something she noticed when they met. A barrier, she didn’t think much of it at the time because people put up walls when she would walk into the room. It no longer alarmed her, their mistrust, but instead reassured Helenna of her power. There’s just a few people that are hard headed, but nothing a little wiggling wouldn’t undo. No there was definitely something there.

“Wondering the halls Helenna? Whatever could you be thinking about?” Helenna caught Ameilius watching her out in the hall.

“Thinking?”

“Come now Helenna, we both know that you are always thinking about something. Whether or not those thoughts are deathly or not, remains a mystery.”

“Ameilius you flatter me. Not all my thoughts are acted on.” Helenna paced into the study and took up a chair, letting her feet dangle off the side.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Don’t mind if I do.” Ameilius set aside the quill he was using and clasped his hands.

“What do you know of the girl?”

“I presume you mean Embry?”

“You presume correctly.” Helenna gave him a sideways stare.

“Not much I’m afraid. She’s exhibiting traits of a child coming into their magic, though who’s to say that isn’t an effect of this world. She’s smart, has a knack for working out the details. Doesn’t let her blindness hinder her regard towards the people she aligns herself with.”

“Hinder? She’s in a coma because Damien couldn’t handle the responsibility of keeping her safe.”

“Do I suspect a hint of caring for the girl in you?”

“Don’t be absurd. I’m merely saying she holds value. Anything that Calistus finds a threat I find intriguing.”

“So she is merely a pawn to you.”

“Aren’t we all pawns?”

“Perhaps…”

“We really don’t know anything about this girl. Tell me you haven’t thought about taking a peep at what her memories hold.”

“Yes, I’ve thought about it.”

“Then why haven’t you?”

“Morals.”

“Morals?” Helenna spat.

“Yes.” Ameilius leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.

“Always so high and mighty Ameilius. We need answers and you are worried about the morality of the situation.” Helenna sat up right in the chair, gripping the arms so hard they could have ground to dust in her hands.

“If we have anything in life Helenna, it’s the respect and trust we have for and in others. Violating Embry while she is in this state without her permission, would shatter any trust she has in us. I’m surprised she holds any at all. Upon coming here in the mix of this soon to be war, holding up in a Manor with people she doesn’t know. Against all odds she has chosen to believe in us. Damien gave her a way out, she could have left and yet she is here. In a coma no less. So yes Helenna, above anything that we may need, I choose the ‘high and mighty’ road you have so blatantly have no regard for.”

“With war brings pain and destruction, blood and death. Where does your morality stand if all that could be prevented, if a war could be prevented?” Helenna was now looming over Ameilius’ desk.

“If this war can be prevented we will find a way. But not at the expense of the girl.”

“You are a fool.” Helenna stared him down.

“You touch her Helenna and even you won’t have power enough to stop my foolish behavior.” Ameilius never even batted an eye. It was Helenna that broke the stare and walked away.

“Ameilius you flatter me. Not all my thoughts are acted on.”

Damien wasn’t sure how many times he had followed the design of the rafters. But it was enough to dull the pain in his eyes. He gritted his teeth, something wasn’t right. He sat up, a shooting pain shot through his spine causing spasms to run up his back. It wasn’t a physical pain that he had just felt but an emotional one. Each step he took was like walking on needles. The pain was unlike anything he’d ever experienced but he could endure it. He would endure it. Damien made it to the chair beside Embry and took her hand in his. The warmth brought a new pain he wasn’t sure he knew he could feel.

“Hang in there Embry. You can do this.” Damien reached over and brought the crystal and her hand to rest on her chest. Holding her hand there.

“You have to fight Embry. You are brave enough to face whatever it is that plagues your thoughts. You are strong.” Talking took work and caused more pain that wasn’t welcomed. He forced himself to sit back in the chair never letting go of her hand.

“You should be in bed.”

“Doesn’t make a difference.” Emlyn changed out the water in the basin, providing a cold cloth to wipe across Damien’s forehead.

“Stubborn mule.”

“Flattery…will only…get you so far.”

“Is it getting worse?”

“No. It’s getting…familiar.” It was the only comfort found in the pain, that it was constant.

“Not sure if that’s a good thing or not. But what doesn’t kill you they say.”

“Felyx…”

“Down with Alecko in the dungeons. Do you need him?” Damien just shook his head as much as he could. Even if he did need to see him, he wouldn’t leave Alecko on the last night of the moon. Instead he turned his attention back on Embry.

“I’ll check back later.” Damien closed his eyes and let the pain knock him out.

Embry watched as dark figures passed around her. Was she ever going to get out of here? A figure stopped in front of her, just standing there. It seemed to be talking but she couldn’t hear any sound coming from it. Another figure appeared to her right then another and another. Soon she was circled by a wall of black mass. They all seemed to be talking, they parted ways and let a woman through. She was carrying a baby in her arms. She walked to the center of the circle, Embry stepped back so as not to touch her. The lady placed the baby on a table that wasn’t there before. The sudden noise echoed through the darkness, they were chanting. A golden orb surrounded the baby, the only color in this madness. Even though the orb was bright it did little to illuminate the dark figures. A blast sounded causing some of the dark figures to fall to the floor. The women grabbed the baby and ran away with a man. Only two figures remained, facing each other with swords. Each clank of the swords created sparks that sizzled against the stained floor. One hidden dagger made the stillness in the air come alive, forcing the man to fall to his knees. Frightened tears fell from Embry as the figure backed her into the wall. Could he see her?

“What do you want?” This time there was no echo, only the small whimper that forced its way out.

“What do you want!?” She screamed. There was a warmth that spread through her hand she couldn’t place. But the sudden thumping she felt on her chest could only be one thing. Damien. The figure disappeared and the room once again fell to complete darkness.

“Damien?”

“Are you here Damien?” She listened hard but no sound made its way through the dark. Where ever he was he was close. But how could she feel his heartbeat, she didn’t have her crystal. Did she? Embry searched her person and couldn’t find anything. She placed her hand to her chest and felt the heartbeat stronger there. A thought slowly formed, she wasn’t here. Well she was but not really. It wasn’t real but it was. It was like one of her dreams except not. Her mind ran in riddles before she found the word she was looking for. I’m hallucinating. But hallucinations…they aren’t real, but the car accident, that was real. Whatever this was it wasn’t right.

“How do I get out?” Out. That implied that I was trapped. Trapped where? Inside. I’m trapped inside my body. No, my mind. How do I get out of my mind? Or into someone else’s?

Damien? DAMIEN! There was a slight groan. Embry? You can hear me! There was a scream. Damien? Damien what’s wrong? You…you need to wake up. How? It was quiet, if Damien didn’t know a way out how could she find a way out? The…same way you…got in. Something definitely was wrong with Damien. Was he hurt as well? But what did he mean ‘the same way you got in’? How did I get in here? There was nothing after the pain in my arm. But there wasn’t any pain in my arm now. I couldn’t feel anything…nothing except for Damien’s heartbeat. Not even my own. ‘Same way you got in’…same way you…I got in. I didn’t choose to get in here. My body did. It retreated from the pain or something forced me to retreat. What would make a body retreat? Something that would cause harm…poison or…magic poison. I remember something spreading through my whole body. I need to feel again. How? Embry pinched her arm hard enough to leave a bruise. Nothing. I can’t feel in here. At least not physically. So how do I get my outside self to feel my inside self and why do I feel like I’m in therapy. No not feel, just aware. Wait, if my outside self isn’t aware, then I’m a veggie platter. So I have to wake up from a coma. Easy enough, no big deal, I do this stuff all the time. How the hell am I supposed to wake up from a coma! Embry’s train of thought got cut off as the dark misty silhouettes started to come back. Right, these again. Think Embry, think…I’m too much in my head. No pun intended. Ok, deep breath in…deep breath out. Embry closed her eyes and forced herself to think about being stuck in her head. To feel herself trapped inside, she placed her hand over her chest to feel the heartbeat better.

“This isn’t inside, it’s on the outside.” She muttered to herself. Feel it in your hand. Feel the edges of the crystal. A beat echoed in the darkness. Whispers started up forcing Embry to open her eyes and look at the dark figures. They can’t see you or hear you, ignore them. Embry sat on the floor and closed her eyes. Forcing herself to feel the outside. Another heartbeat sound, then another, before she knew it the whispers were drowned out by Damien’s heartbeat.

Embry’s hand jerked as if she was trying to catch herself from falling. She was back. Her muscles felt tired and her eyes felt sore but she forced them open. She saw a dark room vaguely lit by harsh candles. One hand held a beating crystal and the other was occupied by a warm hand. Embry sat bolt upright taking her hands to herself. She could feel them start to shake as a realization hit her. She could see. A groan came from the dark figure beside her. Focusing she made out shaggy like hair, slight facial hair, a paleness to the skin. Embry watched as he started to wake up. Was it him? The man that brought her here.

“Damien?” She asked slowly. Embry screamed as black eyes looked up at her. She slid herself off the bed and pointed the crystal towards him. The man stood up with his hands stretched out in front.

“Embry you’re safe.” Even though his voice was that of the man she came to know as Damien, Embry couldn’t explain why she couldn’t calm herself.

“You…Your eyes…They’re pitch black.” Damien looked down.

“Yes…You can see?” Embry watched the confusion run across his face. Doors opened forcing Embry to point her cane towards a woman.

“I see you’ve woken child.”

“Emlyn?”

“Yes child?” They locked eyes for the first time. The lady’s eyes weren’t black like Damien’s, but they were bigger than what she remembered eyes were supposed to look like. The irises were round and yellow, they glowed and had a misty white sheen across them. Definitely not normal.

“Am I…am I still dreaming?”

“No child. I gather that you can see.”

“That’s not possible.” Embry shook her head.

“Well now nothing is impossible child. If you don’t mind putting that crystal down, I’ll take a look.” Embry looked over at the man and slowly lowered the crystal but kept hold of it. She sat back down on the edge of the bed so to keep them both in her sight. Why should she be afraid of them now that she could see them? Well parts of them.

“How is this possible?”

“How is what possible?” A man with an English accent. This was Ameilius. Embry forced herself to look at the man as he walked closer, catching his eyes. They were the same as Emlyn’s except green in color.

“She has her sight back Ameilius.” Everyone was quiet.

“Do you know how?” Was all Embry could say.

“I do not my dear.” Ameilius walked closer to Embry pulling up a stool to sit in front of her. She turned towards him. Embry couldn’t help but stare at his eyes.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t stare.” All her life she imagined people staring at her, and now she was doing the same.

“My dear, you were blind but not moments ago. You may stare all you like.” He gave a soft smile.

“Are my eyes like yours?”

“No. But you’re not a Sorcerer now are you? No yours are…human.” Embry blinked and squinted her eyes from staring too long.

“They hurt…the light from the candles.” Emlyn walked over and took the candles closest to Embry away.

“Thank you.”

“How does it feel to see?”

“Well my eyes are sore and I have to focus to see clearly, everything is kind of blurry though.” Embry watched as Ameilius took some type of tool and placed it in front of her right eye. He came closer and looked through it.

“Curious.” Ameilius checked the other eye.

“What is?”

“There are remnants of magic in your eye.”

“Magic?” Embry watched him as he turned towards Emlyn.

“Are you sure Ameilius?”

“I am.”

“What does that mean? Are you saying that magic cured my blindness?”

“In a manner of speaking but…”

“But?”

“What do you remember, while you were out?” Embry thought about it for a second.

“I…We came back and all I remember is waking up in darkness. There was a searing pain in my arm. Somehow I…it felt like I woke up in a dream. Will this…is this a side effect, to what ever happened to me in the dream?”

“Will your sight be permanent? I do not know. As for the dream? It wasn’t a dream at all. You were poisoned with a hallucinogen laced with magic. You were hallucinating.”

“What I saw wasn’t a hallucination. I mean… at least one of the…it was a memory, for the most part. It was altered I think, was that the magic?”

“No I’m afraid not. Hallucinations are real my dear. They are past memories or thoughts that have happened or you want to happen. Whether it happened in a past life or another realm, they are true. Even if they seem out of the ordinary or unexplainable.”

“Ok. Then the magic? What did the magic do?”

“Well it was meant to cause pain.”

“Pain? I remember the pain; it was over my whole body then it went away.”

“Not away, just a different host.” Embry looked at Ameilius then realized what he was saying.

“Damien? That’s why he sounded like he was hurt, but how?”

“He asked me to do a spell, to transfer the magic to him.”

“Why not just get rid of it?”

“It was connected to you my dear. Tampering with it could have harmed you even more than what you already were. But the magic would only last as long as you were asleep.”

“So Damien, he was in pain the whole time?” Embry looked behind her towards Damien, but he wasn’t there. Where’d he go?

“He could handle it.” It didn’t sound like he handled it.

“It doesn’t make any sense. How can I see, if it wasn’t the magic?”

“That is a very good question. Can you tell me what you saw? Maybe there’s a memory that triggered something?”

“Triggered? You think that I forgot how to see and a memory reminded me how?”

“Not at all my dear.”

“Yes.” Emlyn disagreed.

“Emlyn?”

“She has a right to know our thoughts Ameilius.” Emlyn came closer.

“You think that I’ve been faking this whole time?”

“No child. I think that you’ve always been able to see, that your blindness was done to you.”

“Of course it was done to me! I was in a car accident!” What was she getting at?

“How can you be certain that the car accident caused your blindness?”

“The doctors, they pulled glass from my eyes…but…” Embry slowly remembered the hallucination.

“But?”

“In the hallucination. I saw the accident and a man. He pulled me from the car and…and he covered my face with his hand. Why would someone do that?” It was an odd thing to do.

“Did you recognize the man?”

“Was this done to me? Did he…did he use magic…to blind me?” Embry felt like she had been running, she was out of breath. She felt around her eyes for the cuts she saw in the hallucination.

“Easy there my dear.” Ameilius held Embry’s arms bringing them away from her face.

“NO! Tell me, was this done to me?” What would that mean?

“We can’t be certain. But it seems to answer your questions.”

“But why? Why me? I didn’t…I wasn’t…part of this world. Was I?” Sobs escaped and tears fell.

“We don’t have the answers. But we will find them Embry. I promise you we will find out everything that we can.”

“We have to; I have to know. How can you promise something like that?” Embry took a few breaths to calm herself down.

“Easy, I promise.” Embry nodded at his words as Ameilius handed her a handkerchief.

“Thank you.”

“Now, I believe your eye sight will progress.”

“Can I be left alone…please. I just need…I need some space.”

“Would you like to go to your room?”

“Can I stay here? Being locked in my own body, it’s not as therapeutic as one would think.” Embry wasn’t sure if she could even move if she wanted to, at least not far.

“Of course. If you need anything at all just call.” Embry nodded. She needed the silence of a dark room. The darkness was like a sanctuary she was no longer privy to. Ameilius was the last one out closing the door behind him. Alone. It was a comfort she didn’t have when she was trapped. Candle light flickered shadows across the room. She could only make out big objects, like a table and chairs, the beds beside her. The chair that Damien had sat in. Damien. Why would he choose to be in pain? Embry wished she didn’t remember what that pain felt like but she never would. It was unimaginable and yet Damien bared that burden for her. She felt the steady beat in her crystal.

“Damien?” She called out softly.

“Embry.” His voice sounded from the left somewhere.

“Where are you?” Damien came forward. All Embry could see was a shadowy mass come towards her.

“These belong to you.” Something clinked on the bedside table. Damien sat down on the bed to her left, propped up against the wall. Embry turned towards him, the lack of light shining at her softened the strain on her eyes.

“Can you put out the candles? The light…it hurts my eyes.”

“Yes, of course.” Damien didn’t even move a muscle and yet all the candles went out. She wondered how far his magic stretched. The darkness was a welcomed treasure. Somehow the room held a faint glow. She looked at the box on the nightstand.

“Did you find out what you needed from the scrolls?”

“I haven’t opened them.”

“Why not?”

“Because they are your winnings not mine…and the box won’t open.” She smirked to herself, she wasn’t even sure if the muscles in her face reacted.

“Won’t open?”

“There’s some type of lock.”

“So we need a key?”

“No key hole. It’s a puzzle box.”

“More riddles.”

“More riddles.” They air was quiet between them.

“I’m sorry I screamed when I saw you. I wasn’t expecting…”

“You weren’t the first to be put off, nor will you be the last.” Embry focused on his face, on his features but nothing seemed to clear up.

“I recognize you from my dreams. You were the one that would pull me out, weren’t you?”

“Yes, but I wasn’t in your dreams. It was nothing but space when I would come to you.”

“Why did you?”

“I can feel you whenever you feel threatened or unsafe. You remember what your dreams were then?” It wasn’t an answer.

“Sort of. They’re coming back in fragments.”

“I should let you rest.” That’s the last thing she wanted. Damien started to move.

“Will you stay? I thought I wanted to be alone, but…I don’t think I could stand it.”

“Alright.” Damien sat back on the bed. Embry settled in the bed facing towards him, she held her crystal close. He had his eyes closed.

“Damien?”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you.” Embry watches as black eyes glanced her way then shut again.

“Ameilius told me what you did. Thank you.”

“You should get some rest. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.” Embry watched him for a few minutes more before her eyes felt heavy. His chest rose and fell with each breath, they were even, holding a rhythm that lulled her to sleep.

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