Chapter 15

15

LECTURE NOTES FROM REALM RULES & METHODOLOGY:

Definitions from Courtly Affairs

Seized—taken into custody, typically due to a crime.

Dismissed—released from custody, typically due to innocence.

T hessa’s supple, sudsy hands did nothing for her mood. The chef, Katerine, had the nerve to scold her for being late this morning.

She couldn’t scrub hard enough.

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

The sound of steel framed boots on the tile floors sounded . She turned to the sight of an Elemental soldier standing beside Katerine. The chef was pointing toward Thessa while the soldier stared at her, smugly.

He ordered, “Thessa Skiafer, you are to be seized and escorted to the Central Divinity, at once.” His tone was sharper than the useless knife she was washing .

“What,” she seethed.

The soldier flashed his fire-magic in warning.

Her thoughts whirled. This had to be about her magic. How could they have learned about it so soon?

“You are to be trialed in front of the Supremes. Come willingly, or I will take you.”

Rage brewed inside her. She eyed Katerine with venom as she chucked her apron on the floor. Arms crossed, Thessa marched right past the wicked chef.

The soldier was on her tail, continuing his orders. “Get your cloak. Leave all your belongings and bring nothing else with you.”

Thessa almost laughed on her way upstairs, if only he knew she had nothing.

He’d waited by her door while she retrieved her cloak then followed her back downstairs. A slew of witches happened to find work to do in the foyer. Emberly pretended to dust the molding, Hyacinth was sweeping non-existent dirt on the floors, and Magdalene was wiping a rag against thin air.

Thessa hissed at them.

The soldier grunted, pushed her out of the townhouse and into the carriage before slamming the door shut.

“Leora! What are you doing in here?”

“Tess! What’s happening, what’s going to happen to us? They just took me. I didn’t have a choice.”

The horses whinnied, likely from the whipping they’d received to move the carriage onward.

Thessa whispered, “Did you say anything about my magic?”

“Of course not. What’s happening?”

Thessa shook her head. “Listen to me. If you submit, they’re harmless enough. It’s the Supremes who make the decisions, the soldiers are just their pawns."

A thump sounded through the carriage wall, “Quiet, that’s an order!”

Thessa stuck her tongue out, managing a laugh from Leora. “Only you would find amusement right now.”

“It’s just that, this is reminiscent. You stuck your tongue out on the way here, you’re sticking it out on the way back.” Leora’s smile faded quickly. “Do you really think this is about your?—”

Thessa just shook her head and mouthed the words, “stop talking.” It was best they didn’t say anything else.

Seated side by side, they rested their heads on each other. Thessa didn’t remember her eyes closing, but at some point between Mabelton and Gravenport, she’d drifted to sleep.

In her dream, she was sitting on a cliff, overlooking the sea.

That majestic voice boomed across the shoreline. “They mustn’t take you, my child.”

Thessa spoke toward the horizon as a delicate wind swept across her cheekbones. “So it’s true then, you’re my mother?”

“Not quite, but also yes.”

Thessa sighed. She wasn’t in the mood for riddles. “How’d you find me in here ?”

“I’m always with you, and all those who share my blood. I’m sorry to come to you like this, but our time before was cut short. More blood next time, dear. I thought you’d cast the spell again, and I wanted to give you time, but now there are things you must understand.”

Thessa remained quiet, listening.

The voice went on, “My remaining bloodline was diluted after the so-called UnResting. Eighteen years ago I conjured enough strength to plant a new seed—a kernel of my darkest energy—to restrengthen our line. It’s the type of power to end the culling, once and for all.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Conception by possession, my Thessa. You .”

Thessa shot awake.

The sound of rain beating down on the carriage reminded her of one thing—Gravenport. The capital should’ve been named after its perpetual precipitation instead of the little rocks and ports it offered. Even the sky hated it here. Thessa looked out the window, recognizing the gravel streets leading up to the massive iron gates.

Poking Leora awake, she whispered, “I just had the strangest dream, but we can’t talk here. Please, whatever you do, just do as the soldiers say.”

Leora blinked her eyes open as Thessa mouthed three words, “deny, deny, deny.”

Leora nodded in understanding as the clang of the iron gates indicated their arrival.

When the carriage rolled to a stop the door whooshed open—air-magic.

“Out,” their escort shouted, before shuffling them inside the Central Divinity. Upon entering , they were flanked by more soldiers.

Thessa and Leora eyed each other warily before they were taken through a smooth marble hallway. Aside from fire-sconces along each wall, it was empty. No windows. No rugs.

From there they were led down a wide staircase, across a corridor, and down another dark stone stairwell.

The tap, tap, tap of metal boots echoed all the way down to the stone-lined dungeons.

Thessa wondered how the Supremes had already learned of her magic. She knew Leora, her sympathizer , didn’t deserve this, and she regretted telling her. It wasn’t her fault .

When the soldier halted, fiddling with a ring of keys, Thessa toyed with the idea of belonging down there.

As the door creaked open, fear washed over Leora’s face. In some miserable attempt to help, Thessa went in first.

When the guard barked, “Not you,” she turned to see an arm outstretched across Leora’s chest.

Thessa’s mouth fell open to protest, but the solid, steel door slapped shut before she could say anything.