Sage

Sage

The world around her seemed to spin out of control. The colors blended together, like watercolors on a canvas, creating a kaleidoscope of hues. She felt her body slowly drift away, as if everything was slipping away from her. The sensation was both dizzying and terrifying, leaving her with a feeling of utter helplessness.

Pain laced up her leg, melding with the throbbing in her chest and head. Through it all, Kade’s arms anchored her in place, the warmth of his body seeping into her chilled skin while he held her close to his chest.

She shut her eyes to the swirling world, focusing on his breathing, the link between them brightening with each second. Her body was healing quickly, and soon there would be no trace of her injuries left.

But the ache in her chest would remain.

“It’s not your fault,” Kade whispered into the shell of her ear. She squeezed her eyes tighter, trying to hold back the flood of tears that were burning beneath them.

It was her fault. She had been too trusting, too slow to see the signs, and because of that, Kami was dead. She’d been too quick to believe Vinciei and her lies - blinded by the revelation that she and Minx weren’t the only Maidens alive.

In her stupidity, she’d unknowingly brought Vinciei exactly what she wanted - the Kami Maiden. Kami, who had suffered enough all alone.

The image of her tiny body floating away from Vinciei, discarded like trash, would be seared into her mind forever.

She’s going to pay, she thought. I am going to make sure she pays.

Ground solidified beneath her, followed by a musky, sour smell of stale seawater.

“Sage, can you hear me?” Minx asked close by, her tone full of concern.

Sage didn’t have the strength or will to respond, instead turning her face into Kade’s chest. The fire inside her was slowly dying as her anger and rage seeped away with her energy.

“Her wounds-” Minx started, but Kade’s huff cut her off.

“They will heal.” He said.

“Here, this will help.” Sage could hear some rustling, then felt a cool liquid being poured over her mangled leg. “So your stubborn ass can carry her,” Minx grumbled, and Sage could only imagine the look on Kade’s face.

“Thank you,” he grumbled back. The pain and throbbing ceased as her body began to mend quickly. She didn’t need to look to see Minx had used what was left of the spring water from Vinciei to heal her wounds.

There was a shuffling close by, followed by the fresh scent of cinnamon. “Here,” Minx said, her tone quick and short. “Put it on her wound, and it will close up.”

Wraza’s distinct grunt followed, and Sage could hear Rhea quietly thanking Minx in the background.

“Let’s get them to the infirmary,” Rhea said brightly. Kade’s arms pulled her closer, and then her body was lifted.

“I have her, Hunter,” Kade growled low, causing Sage to crack an eye open. The last thing she needed was the two of them fighting in this new place. High walls loomed overhead, with tiny candles jutting from moss patches. Moisture dripped from the domed ceiling, the tiny droplets splashing against her bare arms. Motion over Kade’s shoulder caught her attention.

Naru was walking close behind them, a massive hand pressed against Kade’s back as the Demon limped forward.

“I know, Demon. And I have you.” The Hunter gave him a pointed look, but the Demon only grunted in response.

How sweet, she thought, and if she hadn’t been so weak she probably would have said something snarky to them about it. But whatever quick remark she might have made died in her chest.

They walked on for a while through the gloomy, wet tunnels in silence. The tension was so thick between Wraza and the rest that Sage could practically feel it crawling over her skin.

“What is this place?” Gabriela asked finally, her curiosity winning out. Or perhaps she was too oblivious to the way the Halifax Maiden kept glancing back at Sage with disdain to read the room.

“Not your concern,” Wraza answered.

At the same time, Rhea said, “The Under.”

Wraza hissed back in response, earning a withering look from Rhea. “There’s no reason to keep it a secret. They are here.”

“They shouldn’t be,” Wraza growled.

“Well, they are. So wipe that sour look off your face.” Wraza’s brows shot up in surprise, but she schooled her expression into a muted look of displeasure.

Flames that licked Wraza’s fingertips guttered out as her shoulders slumped beneath the weight of Rhea’s admonishment.

“We need to be careful, Rhea,” Wraza said quietly, but the dark tunnel only amplified her words.

“Wait a minute, who is following who down a dark tunnel into Goddess knows where?” Alec piped up from the back.

Rhea chuckled, “To the infirmary. Or, at least, that’s what we call it. It’s a poor excuse for one, but it manages.”

“Sinister,” Alec half whispered to Minx, earning a burning glare from Wraza.

“What’s sinister is the Hands showing up just as these two come crashing back into the Inn with a wild story about a Maiden with a Goddess complex.” Wraza pointed out.

“Are you implying we invited them?” Elinar hissed from the shadows. “Because that would be a bold statement, since they only appeared after you two showed up.”

Wraza halted, flames whipping through her hair while she spun to face the She-Elf, but Minx quickly intervened.

“Enough!” vines erupted from the tunnel, crisscrossing between the groups. It was a flimsy barrier, but enough to make everyone pause. “Is this what we’re going to focus on right now? Ripping each other apart, just like the Hands would want? Are we really that malleable?”

An uneasy silence settled over the tunnel. The heat from Wraza was slowly killing the delicate vines between her and the She-Elf, and Sage could see an apprehensive look in Minx’s eyes. A vine snapped, falling away, the noise breaking Wraza’s concentration.

A deep, tired sigh escaped her lips before she turned away, stalking past a scowling Rhea.

Rhea watched her disappear into the dark tunnel, tiny embers falling in her wake.

“Forgive her, please. This world has not been kind.” Rhea offered as a way of explanation. No one spoke, waiting until Rhea continued down the tunnel.

They arrived moments later at a light - dim, and watery, but bright enough that Sage could make out the arch carved into the earthen tunnel. The arch snaked off to the side, to a white-washed chamber dotted with broken beds and a few worn-down tables.

Kade limped over to the nearest bed, carefully kneeling to set her atop the threadbare sheets.

“It might not look it, but it’s clean,” Rhea said, a tad embarrassed.

“We’ve seen worse,” Alec answered, but took a turn around the small chamber. The remaining beds were empty, which Sage took as a good sign.

“How often do you use this?” Alec voiced Sage’s thought.

Rhea shrugged, “Whenever we run into trouble with the Hands, or find someone in need. It’s usually the strays we find on the streets that need extra care when they come to us.”

“You are low on most of these medicines,” Minx mused, her emerald eyes flicking to Sage. She held her gaze, waiting for Sage to make some indication she was okay. But Sage only adverted her eyes, focusing on a dark spot on the floor.

“If you tell me what herbs are needed for these, I can grow them,” Minx said, her tone curt.

“Your guess is as good as mine. We get our supplies from shipments into the city, usually by boat, when we can.” Rhea said.

“You steal from the Hands?” Gabriela asked, her eyes going wide.

“We prefer to call it liberating,” Rhea grinned.

Gabriela took a few steps forward, standing over the dark stain on the floor. Sage knitted her brows in annoyance but glanced up to see the Maiden eyeing the vials stacked on the makeshift shelves.

“I know the ingredients to most of these,” Gabriela mused, drawing a delicate fingernail over the labels. “I can tell you what to grow.”

Rhea let out a whistle, “That would be an enormous help, but do you know how to brew them?”

“I do. I will need some supplies though,” Gabriela said, nodding to herself.

“I can see what we can scrounge up.” Rhea looked thoughtful for a moment, then clapped her hands together suddenly. “Alright, let’s let her rest for now. I can take the rest of you to your rooms, but fair warning, they aren’t fancy.”

“I’m staying with her,” Kade said before anyone else could answer.

“I never doubted you, Demon boy.” Rhea chuckled, “Feel free to use any of the other beds. When she’s ready, we will get you two a room.”

A room. One room for them both. It barely registered with her as the group began filing out of the chamber. Something coiled in her chest, squeezing her lungs, causing her heart to beat wildly against the heaviness there. Dread skirted through her veins, coating her skin with cold sweat.

“Wait,” Sage croaked, and everyone froze.

Kade sat down on the edge of her bed, despite the way it creaked and moaned beneath his added weight.

“Sage?” he asked, his tone careful.

“I want to sleep.” She said, finding Minx’s emerald eyes in the group.

“Sure Sage, we’ll let you sleep,” Alec said gently.

“No, I-” she faltered, unsure how to explain it.

“She needs something to help her.” Minx offered, stepping out of the group. She met Rhea’s gaze, but Rhea only shook her head. They had no potion or medicine to do such a thing.

“Star Rose.” Gabriela piped up. “If you grow some Star Rose, she can chew the petals, and it will lull her into a dreamless sleep.”

Minx bit her lip. Never having seen the plant, it would be hard to grow by herself, but Gabriela quickly explained what it looked like. She even described the environment it grew in - the dark caverns of the mountain ranges - and how it smelled.

Minx cupped her hands, her magic pooling in her palms with a quick jolt. Walking towards Sage, she held out the flower, and Gabriela nodded with approval.

Six dark green petals curled around a purple center, giving off the distinct scent of cotton candy.

“Most people only need one petal, but chew as many as you’d like. It doesn’t matter how many you take, the results will be the same. A full night’s rest, with no dreams.” Gabriela explained.

Sage plucked three petals and popped them in her mouth. They were tasteless, weightless on her tongue as she chewed them down into a pulp. The effects were instant. Her entire body grew heavy as her eyes became clouded with sleep.

Kade leaned over her, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

“I will be here when you wake,” he said softly.

Sage barely had time to relish his words. The alleyway seemed like eons ago. She was already forgetting what his lips felt like on hers, or how he tasted, but the reality was he’d kissed her just a few hours ago.

What she wouldn’t give to go back to that moment, to revel in the feeling of his weight against her as he pushed her into the wall right before kissing her.

Her eyes were too heavy to open, her body too relaxed to move, so she couldn’t reach out for him. She tried to hold on to the memory of the alleyway, but just as darkness drifted over her mind, so too did the look on Kami’s face when Vinciei plunged her knife into the little Maiden’s chest.

Her body jerked, but the effects of the petals were quick, and soon she was deep into the dark oblivion of a dreamless sleep.