Chapter 26

26

Is that someone at the door? Vega groaned, pulling the thick cover over her head when the noise echoed through the room again. "Five more minutes." The door creaked open and then closed with a click before someone crossed the room and dove on top of her.

"Arlet," Vega groaned, drawing out her name.

"How did you know it was me?" she asked, pulling the covers off Vega's face to peek at her.

"Because who else in their right mind would jump on a girl with electricity coursing through her veins?" Vega responded, her voice deep with sleep.

"Good thing I'm not in my right mind." Arlet poked at Vega, making her wiggle. "Come on, it's memory day. Get up!" She ripped the covers off Vega, revealing the dress still clinging to her figure. "What the heck is this?" she asked through a laugh. "Man, it's been a long time since I've seen this thing." Arlet reached out to feel the velvety material, a pang of sadness dancing across her face.

"I got bored and played dress-up and got caught by Khort." The memories of last night flooded in as Vega's mind started to wake up from her sleepy fog. She went pale when she remembered the kiss. " Fuck…" Her eyes glazed over, and she buried her face in her hands. "I think I did something stupid," she whined, peeking through her fingers at Arlet.

Her eyebrow was raised. "What did you do?"

Vega pushed herself up, propping her back against the metal bed frame. She pulled her knees up to her chest. "Promise you won't get mad?"

"No," Arlet answered candidly. "But now you have to tell me or I won't let you leave this room."

Vega let out a long sigh as she tattled on herself. She even shared the little detail of how Khort told her he loved her.

"Oh, Khort," Arlet said with the release of a breath.

"And he walked me back to the room… and I, uh, I kissed him." Vega watched as Arlet's mouth dropped.

"You what?! " Arlet jolted upright, sitting on her knees. "Please tell me it was, like, a cute little peck kiss! A little thanks-for-taking-me-outside-when-you-know-Arlet-would-kill-you-for-it kinda kiss!"

Vega shook her head. "Tongue. Groping. Hands in hair. Romance novel level kiss."

"Fuck, Vega." Arlet put her head in her hands. "Why would you do that?"

"Because I'm a glutton for punishment!" Vega pulled a pillow up and pressed it to her face. "Don't yell at me. I'm sorry. I know it was stupid, but I was drunk and he's so good-looking… and he's been all strong and commanding during our training sessions that I just… I don't know. I kinda wanted it?" She continued to hide behind the pillow until Arlet snatched it out of her hands and tossed it across the room.

"No. No. You're not allowed to do that to Khort. You can't use him as a play toy."

Vega felt as if she were being scolded by a parent. "That wasn't my intention. I'm not some kind of temptress luring him to his death. It was a kiss. I'm sure he understands it was just a drunken mistake. "

Arlet stood up, eyebrows pressed inward. "Vega," she said with an exasperated huff. "The man confessed his love for you. He's been in love with you since we were ten."

Vega stood up too, feeling silly in the ballgown next to Arlet in her gear. "It was a mistake, and it won't happen again. It's not like I have any memories of who he is to me yet. I was drunk and horny."

"You need to use better judgment with him, and I'm not saying that you can't be with him if that's what you want , but that's a decision you need to make when you know the full truth of your relationships in this realm. Not after a drunk night where your adrenaline is high from sneaking out."

Vega puffed air through her lips in a sigh. "You're right. I know you're right. He stopped me. Said that it would mean more to him than it does to me."

"He's right." The sadness in Arlet's tone stood out against the silence in the room.

"I'm sorry."

"I don't think it's me who deserves an apology."

She's right, you fucking idiot. Vega nodded. "Yeah."

"Get dressed. We're leaving in half an hour." The door clicked shut, leaving Vega alone in her room to sulk into the shower.

After she was dry, Vega wiggled into her suit. The clothing was starting to feel tight around her legs and hips. The training was putting some weight back on her body, filling her out in places Vega had always envied on other women.

Looking at herself in the mirror while she braided a few strands of wet hair seemed harder than usual. There was shame hidden behind those bright eyes of hers this morning—she couldn't stop imagining what it would feel like when she got her memories back and the full effect of kissing Khort set in.

Along with everything else.

The braids held the hair out of her eyes, the rest drying in waves behind her back. Vega opened her door, looking behind her in hopes this wouldn't be the last time she was in her room. Vega shook her head, knowing she'd be back tonight—a whole new person.

Would she be happy with the Vega she saw in the mirror then?

She closed the consuming thoughts inside with the rest of her worries.

There were people in the halls, going about their lives like any other day. They nodded, waved, stared—some going as far as to stop and watch as she went by.

I'll never get used to this. Being watched.

Vega heard his voice before she saw him.

"We'll be back before dinner. Don't worry." Khort had a mellow smile on his face, a blonde girl with dark roots smiling up at him with a gleam in her midnight blue eyes. "We used this witch last time, and everything went smoothly." As if he could feel Vega's presence, his head snapped forward, and all of his attention shifted to her. "Vega!" he called, waving her over.

Shit. Vega bit her lip, forcing a smile on her face to hide the awkwardness simmering beneath the surface. Their eyes met, and her stomach fluttered at the memory of her lips on his.

"Morning!" Her reply sounded overly chipper and forced. It's going to be a long day.

"How did you sleep?" he asked as Vega closed the distance between them.

"Good," she hummed.

The girl next to Khort cleared her throat, stepping forward to draw attention to herself. "Hi, I'm Quinley." She held her hand out.

Vega took it, giving her a solid handshake. "Vega. Nice to meet you." There was a palpable thread of tension pulling at the air between the three.

Quinley chuckled. "I know. I mean, we all know who you are."

"Of course." Vega looked down at her feet, her hair shifting to the front of her shoulders when she looked back up. "Still getting used to the whole everyone knowing me thing."

"I'm sure it's hard to adjust." She bowed her head quickly and then turned to face Khort. "I should get going. Lots to do." Quinley stood on her tiptoes and placed a quick kiss on Khort's cheek. "See you tonight. Be safe."

Vega looked away, keeping her jaw clenched to hide the shock shifting through her chest. Khort never once mentioned he was dating anyone—nor did anyone else. "You didn't tell me…" She trailed off, not knowing what to say.

Khort bit the inside of his cheek. "I, um, it's not serious."

Vega scoffed at his response and wanted to laugh at herself for being so silly. She had too much going on to care about what he had been doing for the last fifteen years of his life. You also have absolutely no right to be jealous.

Vega scooted past, choosing not to say anything and beelining for the door down the hall where they wouldn't be alone to talk about this.

"Let me explain." In just a few strides, Khort was beside her.

"There's nothing to explain." Vega tried to brush off the conversation before it could even start.

"Yes, there is." Khort reached out and grabbed her hand, stopping her before she opened the door.

"No, Khort, there isn't. What I did… what I said last night was out of line, and I'm sorry. I'm lost, tired, and in a world I thought would feel like home, but right now it just feels like more wasted time." The truth slipped out, and Vega saw the hurt on Khort's face.

"I don't want you to feel that way."

"We don't always get what we want." The truth hurts. Vega didn't want to be mad about Quinley—she had no right to be, but somewhere inside she felt a little fit of anger bubbling. "You said it yourself, we don't need to talk about this. Let's just let it die and never talk about it again." With finality, Vega opened the doors and stepped into the training center, where the start of today's journey would begin. All eyes were on her as she strode in for the last time with no memories of who she was. Fingers crossed.

Arlet's eyes followed Vega, then bounced to Khort for a split second.

Vega stopped in the center of the room and pulled a large breath in for encouragement. "I appreciate you all for coming with me. Again," Vega said, forcing herself not to look down at the floor. A few mumbled their responses, but most of them stared like they'd seen a ghost.

She was in a tight black training suit with a black embroidered lightning bolt shooting up both of her sides. It blended in and looked like a seam to someone who didn't know it was there. It shot from the curve of her hip to under her arm, where it disappeared. It clung to a body that was starting to feel stronger than ever. It was the same design she'd been wearing her whole life.

There wasn't much talking as they each grabbed a small bag to travel with. Vega stayed out of everyone's way and dreamed of the day she would feel useful.

Khort completely ignored any eye contact with her, and Arlet kept her distance from both of them. Leave it to Vega to piss off the only two people who ever cared for her. Would they realize how exhausted they were eventually and give up on her completely?

The boat they were taking appeared out of thin air, another object being concealed by Arlet off the coast of Imber. The trip would take under three hours. They would travel from the southern tip of Imber to the northern part of Fraus—close to Fortis's territory line.

Vega hadn't spent much time on boats when she was on Earth, but she always lived around the water, and the ones here in Tolevarre weren't much different. This one was similar to the military boats she'd seen near Seattle's naval base, except it was all black instead of a dull gray .

The boat wasn't huge, only fitting ten people comfortably underneath.

"We're almost there." The interruption rattled her out of her deep thoughts. Her head shot up. Arlet sent a smile down to her from her standing position, pointing at the open seat beside her. "Mind if I sit?"

"Of course not." She scooted over a little to give Arlet more room. "This trip isn't as fun as our road trip," she jeered.

Arlet smiled softly. "You're right. Maybe we should sing to lighten the mood."

Vega grimaced. "Maybe you should. They definitely don't want to hear me sing." Vega couldn't help herself. She reached out and grabbed Arlet's hand. "I'm scared," she whispered.

"It's okay to be scared." Arlet squeezed in the same pattern she'd done back in Chicago when they were sitting on the cheap motel bed together and in the car after their singalong. "I'd be worried if you weren't."

Vega's eyes fell to their connected hands and she changed the subject. "You didn't tell me that he was seeing someone," Vega said in a hushed tone.

"Who, Khort? He's not. Not really. It's casual. He's been honest with her about that, but Quinley wants more. Everyone knows he'll never really be available. Not until he's ready to be."

"She kissed him in front of me this morning, so I just assumed."

Arlet cackled. "She what?!" She kept laughing, a few heads turning to look their way when she snorted. Arlet threw a hand over her mouth.

Vega's eyebrows drew together in confusion. "I mean, it was on the cheek, but she looked pretty cozy doing it."

Arlet wagged her head. "She was marking her territory." A giggle slipped through her lips. "She's from Amora, and she shares the invisibility power with your sister. She's only met you in one life. She's been spying for us for a while and has been crushing on Khort since the very beginning. I've hoped he would take it more seriously, but he won't."

Vega felt a pain of regret in her chest. "Why didn't I choose him?"

Arlet let go of her hand and looked out the porthole window at the waves crashing around the boat as they slowed their pace. "You loved Bridger from the very moment you saw him. Watching you two fall in love was like watching two destined souls finally find each other. He was taboo for you, wild, dangerous. Khort was safe, and you've never been one to choose the easy way." Arlet elbowed her playfully.

"Great," Vega mumbled.

"We're approaching the port," Khort called down from the top deck. He disappeared before either of the girls could turn around and see him.

Arlet stood and held out her hand to Vega. "Let's go up."

Vega took it again, and the two walked hand in hand to the deck. She needed Arlet. Her guide, her protector, and the only friend Vega had ever been able to count on—in this life and all the ones before. If she never got her memories back, she would still consider her the best friend a girl could hope for.

Vega's boots hit the wooden deck, and she ogled at the land surrounding her. The weather here felt damp, causing a chill to settle on Vega's skin.

Fraus's buildings were pointed at the top, made out of large stones. The roads were cobbled, and the people on the docks reminded her of the pirates she'd seen in movies. Vega looked behind her and noticed their boat no longer looked like a war ship, but like the Black Pearl from Pirates of the Caribbean . She scrunched her eyebrows, confused.

Khort noticed the look on her face. "The people of this land don't have the advances we have. Only those in governing positions, the army, the rich. Our boat can't look like one if we want to stay incognito."

Her eyes wandered over the gothic city—Fraus seemed to have a perpetual fog hanging over the peaks of its tall buildings.

"How do?—"

"Shhhh!" Arlet was at her other side, finger over her lips. "People know who you are, and there's a pretty big bounty on your head right now. I can control what people see, not what they hear. You need to keep it down through the town. No one will see us. Khort is the only one the people won't be suspicious of. He deals here often."

Deals here? The closer she got to her memories, the more questions she had.

They walked through the cobblestone streets, Vega and Arlet dodging bodies like bullets so they wouldn't blow their cover. The streets were alive with vendors by the harbor, residents going to and from shops and their homes.

The air smelled salty with a tinge of simmering coals. Vega quickly realized the fog was actually a haze of smoke as she watched people disappear from their doorsteps in a heartbeat. Little tufts of tar-colored smoke covered them before they disappeared.

"They're like Halo." Vega had only met the young boy once since waking up in Castra on a day Khort agreed to let her go up top with him. Khort had figuratively taken Halo under his wing, but Vega still wasn't too sure about him. She'd gotten a spine-tingling chill when his eyes met hers for the first time—his frosted green irises felt like windows into another dimension.

"Somewhat," Arlet replied. "He's the only traveler we know of that can transport others too."

The streets started to grow smaller, turning into dark dirt as they moved through the city. Once out of the prying eyes of the busy city, Arlet let go of their shield. Vega felt exposed, bringing her power to a bubble beneath her skin. She didn't understand it fully, not yet, but it was there , and God did it feel good .

Thirty minutes passed, and Khort knocked on a little black cabin deep in the woods. Vines grew up the sides of the home, smoke rising from the chimney from a lit fire. A frail older woman with dark circles under her eyes opened the door. Her hair was darker than the night sky with a blue hue. "Come in." Her voice was high-pitched and whiny—exactly what Vega expected someone compared to a witch would sound like.

The five of them—two rebel guards from Solum, herself, Arlet, and Khort—entered through the door. A stifling feeling wrapped around Vega.

Something isn't right. Her power felt like a static ball in her hands, her heartbeat spiking. You're fine. Breathe.

The woman led them into a back room, where vials lined the walls, the smell of herbs strong. "Have a seat." She pointed to a small pillow on the floor beside a cauldron. The sound of bubbling liquid inside grabbed Vega's attention. She crossed her legs as she made herself as comfortable as she could. Her heart thudded so hard in her chest, she was sure everyone else could hear. "Did you bring the payment?" she asked, turning to Khort.

"Yes. You'll receive it after Vega has gotten her memories returned." Khort crossed his arms, and the Solum guards left the cabin to stand guard outside.

The witch grumbled, moving about the room to collect vials of liquid and baggies of herbs.

"This isn't the first time we've worked together, Flavia. I haven't done you wrong yet. Why would I start now?" His eyes rolled in annoyance.

Vega twiddled her thumbs, chewing on the inside of her cheek while her eyes bounced back and forth during Khort's intense interaction with Flavia. The decrepit woman quickly mixed the herbs and liquids into a hot cup of water from the bubbling cauldron. "Drink this," she croaked .

Vega took the warm mug in her hands, taking a moment to look around the room. This was it—she was about to remember .

"All of it."

Vega tipped the mug back and chugged the contents. The tingle of her lightning overwhelmed her senses. A burning agony shot through her body, so strong that words couldn't form into anything coherent. Her eyes squeezed shut, and when she opened them, the corners of her vision started to go fuzzy. No, no, no. Not this again.

"Halo?" Out of the corner of her darkening vision, Vega saw the young blond traveler. Trouble. We're in trouble.

There was that chill Vega felt the last time Halo was around. She stood without thinking about it. Flavia's hands were on the sides of Vega's head. When did those get there?

"What are you doing here, Halo?" That was Khort.

The room went black.