Chapter 4

4

LECTURE NOTES FROM IMMORTAL GENETICS:

The purest of bloodlines are rare, that is part of what makes our Supremes, supreme. Since marriage has never been restricted between the three bloodlines, parental designation is no longer a reliable method of power prediction.

T hessa sent a silent prayer to the goddess as she sprinted toward the gates of the Central Divinity. At least the gravel beneath her clogs provided enough traction in the pouring rain.

“Everything alright?”

She halted to answer, knowing better than to dismiss an Elemental guard. “I’m trying to make it to the work-and-board carriages.”

Their scarlet uniform remained pristine and dry. It was typical for Elemental soldiers to use their air-magic for protection from rain or snow, creating a sphere around themselves. Meanwhile, she was drenched. Tucking her duffle bag beneath her cloak had only helped one thing: her duffle bag.

They dismissed her. “Better hurry then.”

As I was trying to do.

She nodded and pressed onward.

Other than fish markets, the gravel processing factories took up most of the capital. Sand from the coast and gravel from the riverbank were mixed and melted here. The final product made up the foundation of houses and roads. It was sold locally or shipped, while the profits funded resource distribution across Andera. The same resources she’d depended on—until now.

There was one more corner to turn.

“Do you need help?” Another soldier cut off her pursuit, their arm outstretched across her chest.

Had she not been stopped four times already, she’d be there. Thessa grumbled, “I’m trying to make it to the carriages.”

They dismissed her.

Gravenport had not always been so rigid. She learned fear had washed over the capital a century ago, after the UnResting—when demons found their world. The battle for domination that followed spared no side of deaths. The fear of future infiltrations had set in like a plague, evolving the capital into the unyielding regime of fire-spewing witches it was today.

Elementals in Andera had to complete a mandatory ten-year training program in the capital. While that may feel like a snippet of time to an immortal, Thessa craved freedom from the capital she was born into. Whatever witch she may be, she wished not to be an Elemental. She’d not leave Gravenport, to be shuffled right back .

After bending the final corner, the bells on the clock tower chimed.

Noon.

Her heart jumped.

There was no time left.

The confirmatory clang of iron rang in her ears as guards pushed the gates open with their air-magic. She could see the carriages approaching, readying to exit.

Thessa skidded to a stop with no breath left and waved her arms in a panic. “Stop!”

The soldiers on gate duty whirled to face their predetermined threat. They formed a diamond pattern as their spheres of air-magic fused into one, approaching her like wolves on prey. Magic swirled away from the three soldiers in back, casting a net of air so wide that it covered the gates, carriages, and herself.

Storming the gates of the Central Divinity was a quick way to draw the wrong kind of attention. Aside from city services, it was the army’s training center and home of the Supremes. There’s a lot to protect beyond those gates, and impress, considering the Elemental Supreme was also the General of the Elemental Army.

She froze in both terror and amazement. To maintain a personal sphere was usual magic, but emanating their power outward like that was an expenditure. The soldiers in back held their arms steady, each maintaining their portion. Rain battered the shield, trickling down the sides of it like a glistening globe.

The soldier in front had her fire-fingers focused on Thessa as she shouted, “Back up from the gates.”

She did as she was told. Elementals were the superior line of magic. Blessed with both flame and air, not even rain could douse their fire .

Their power stemmed from the highest and lowest parts of the universe: the heavens and the underworld. The blue hue was a combination of air at its coldest peak and flame at its hottest point. Air fueled the flames with oxygen and gave them force to launch, while the warmth of their fire kept the air from icing over … as long as the witch willed it. It was a magical game of give and take; one could easily burn up or freeze.

Immortal does not mean indestructible.

She stopped studying the magic on display and reached a trembling hand into her pocket. Pulling out her carriage ticket, she waved the crumpled, damp piece of parchment high.

The guards’ arms went down, releasing their shield. The soldier in front shook her head while the driver in the first carriage shouted, “She rides with us.”

Thessa tipped her head back, relieved to feel raindrops on her face once more.

Walking up to the first carriage, she was greeted by the driver. “Greenshire or Mabelton dear, plenty of space in each.”

“Mabelton.”

Greenshire’s snow-capped mountains gave way to the gorging river slicing through Andera. Mabelton was just south of there. She’d read about the cobblestone streets filled with various shops, vendors, eateries, and taverns, all wedged between quiet neighborhoods and Crescent Moon Bay.

The driver jerked his head toward the rear carriage. “Other carriage, go on now.” He eyed the guards before looking back to Thessa. “And don’t mind them. Only performing their blessed duties.”

“I know. Thank you, sir.”

After handing her ticket over, the driver of the Mabelton carriage pointed toward the cabin. “There’ll be one stop along the border for checks and watering the horses. We’ll arrive by dusk.”

Two steps inside, a soldier slammed the door behind her.

She’d always thought the name ego-mental better suited the line of witches. Something about their training period turned them all into repugnant pyromaniacs.

To be expected, the three passengers stared blankly at her. There were two bench seats facing each other, the upholstery matched the dark jacquard fabric draped along each window. Noam and Rhetter, two orphaned and inseparable males she’d known for too long, sat on one bench, and an unfamiliar female sat alone on the other. Her complexion and eyes were the color of chestnuts. Her hair was tightly coiled with short pieces falling in front, while the rest was pulled back into a neat bun.

Thessa’s hair was far from neat after her sprint in the rain. She removed her hood and swiped some flyaways behind her ears.

Noam and Rhetter waved briefly, as if they’d never met. She’d known them since primary school and didn’t bother asking how they’d got there so fast. They began assembling the same board game they were always playing—Dungeons and Serpents—leaving no extra space between them.

As if noticing the same thing, the lone female waved her over.

Thessa removed her soaked cloak and duffle bag, then plopped down beside her. “Thanks.”

As the wheels rolled, she unscrewed the vial around her neck.

The Botanical witch from the school infirmary had taught her breathing techniques a few years ago. He’d said there was no cure for her wound, rather, collected lavender buds from the school gardens— for an herbaceous form of balance during times of need.

She’d carried the flower, dried in a small vial around her neck, ever since. It was hardly a remedy, bladesmithing was her preferred medicine, but as the minutes passed, her tension eased well enough.

Thessa turned to see the female staring at her. “Hi?” she asked it like a question, screwing her necklace back together.

“Hi, I’m Leora, Leora Saint Jamith. What’s your name?”

“I’m Thessa.”

“You smell divine, I love lavender.”

Thessa tucked the pendant underneath her tunic. “Thank you, but it’s not meant to be perfume.”

“I see that,” Leora answered. “Well, you’re welcome to rest, I just didn’t think you could over this tumultuous tale—” Leora cocked her head towards the males while widening her eyes.

“I suppose you’re right.” Thessa extended her voice across the cabin. “It’s hard to relax with all this jabber about sea serpents.”

Rhetter stuck his tongue out at Thessa.

Thessa countered with the same.

Leora and Noam cackled.

On their journey south, Thessa learned more about Leora, while tuning out the males. To her relief, Leora had no problem weaving their conversation.She said she was from Captiva, a southern port city on the eastern continent which specialized in trade. Her father was in the business of exporting steel—Thessa smiled at that part—and her mother owned a small business for naming stars.

Silver lined Leora’s eyes at the first mention of her parents. She gave endless details about them, especially their love for each other .

Leora went on to say that during her final semester at Chrisnol Academy, northern Gravenport’s private boarding school, she received a letter from her parents. They’d sent word to expect their arrival at the local dock in time for her Commencement Ceremony.

“I wasn’t sure why it was taking them so long. I thought maybe the trade winds slowed their trip. I know Elemental captains are only so strong, but my dad would’ve tapped into his power. He could’ve helped.” Leora went on to tell Thessa she thought they’d still make it in time, that they’d be there when she walked across the stage, and their vessel was just late. The way Leora had explained it, Thessa could tell hope was still radiating inside her.

Leora continued, “After the ceremony, I ran in circles looking for them, but they weren’t there. I found the chancellor and told her they were missing. I told her to find them, to do something!”

Leora took a deep breath before starting again, in a quieter, more somber tone. “She relayed my message to city guards, who investigated with local dock workers. There’d been no record of anyone with my surname arriving in any of Gravenport’s docks for months.”

Thessa sighed. “I’m so sorry. I wish there was something I could do or say.”

Traveling by sea for trade, school, or leisure was common, but despite all forms of magic, the seas were beyond the control of their goddess. They were as formidable and unpredictable as their ruler and god, Poseidon.

Without access to her family or accounts, Leora had the same options as any other orphan once they completed secondary school. A work-and-board ticket. The program was established in Andera for any witch in need, like them. Leora’s chancellor had arranged for her private transport to the Central Divinity early this morning.

“I accepted the ticket because I wanted to escape, at least for a little while. I sent a letter to my aunt across the seas, and I’ve been praying.” Leora placed a hand over her heart, “Praying my parent’s vessel will find a dock … and that they’ll find me. And until then, here I am.”

Thessa couldn’t blame Leora for running or longing.

Despite the shadows of grief dancing under Leora’s eyes, she said, “The goddess has helped. I’m working toward replacing my sorrow with hope. Hekate guided me to this very seat, next to you, to Mabelton.” Leora patted the upholstered bench beside her hip. “I know the goddess has her purpose for me.”

Hours into their ride, the horses whinnied as the carriage slowed. Thessa peered out her curtain to see soldiers, indicating they’ve arrived at the checkpoint between the northern and southern territories.