Anne leads us down a hallway to what appears to be her bedroom.
"What is it?" Ally asks, looking around.
"What if I told you there was a way to go back in time?"
What?
We both stop in our tracks. I feel my jaw going slack.
That's impossible.
"How?" I ask, my voice suddenly raspy.
"I work with magic, I know a time spell, although it takes a lot of energy, I think I can do it. I didn't bring it up before because we together… it was not enough energy but now…" She looks at me.
"No way Anny, you could die." Ally rebukes, trying to control her voice.
"Of course not." Anny replies.
"No, don't try to trick us. I've read about this spell, it's extremely dangerous, we can't simply change what's already happened, it would have serious consequences." Ally seems to falter by the end.
If time can be rewound… I shake my head. I know this is not the way. There's too much to consider that could go wrong. Insanely wrong.
"I'm willing to take the risks." Anny retorts, suddenly firm.
"Like hell, I won't let you kill yourself!"
"What do you say, Alex?" She turns to me.
I could change the past, I could stop Theodore, I could go back to being normal!
But then who says things wouldn't get even worse?
On the other hand, I wouldn't have to lose anyone, no one would die because of me.
But then maybe they would die for other reason, or things will just happen like they are fated to.
"I agree with Ally." I say.
Anny looks a little angry and sad, but there's no turn around in this. The risk is bigger than the benefits. Nobody can say for sure the outcome.
The past must remain as it is.
***
The thirteen guardians.
Arthur Stephens of the first republic.
Tshain Ghosth of the second.
Devile Bloome of the fourth.
Bael Kaaz of the fifth.
Pruce Astha of the sixth.
Hyrago Kamazin of the seventh.
Wyler Whitlock of the eighth.
Bruce Egremont of the ninth.
Jonnes Gallio of the tenth.
Zedd Ellesmere of the eleventh.
Yohan Hisakawa of the twelfth.
And Dragon BloodHunter of the thirteenth.
All of them are skillfully chosen, for they are cruel and merciless.
Students are only allowed to see tutors from other republics during "training".
They are here to enforce orders and punish.
If it weren't for them and the council, normal people would have discovered our "society" a long time ago. Well, that's what I was told, I imagine the governments around the world are plenty aware about us though, no way they aren't.
We are required to attend "training sessions everyday".
These are more like tests, simpler than the ones I had done before.
They consist basically of testing skills like swimming, horse riding, archery, Greco-Roman wrestling, enhanced physical skills, fencing, survival skills, weapons skills (like using anything that can be turned into a weapon, I particularly did well in this) and gladiatorial combat.
I was lucky I managed to hide Sammy before it was too late.
I would never wish for her to go through all that. Although I don't deny those kinds of skills are important, the way it's done here… it would be too much for her. The torture I went through when I arrived even without feeling much of it because somehow my pain receptors died somewhere in between, it was already enough to break someone's mind. Without Sinuhe I'd become a fool without any defense.
I still have nightmares about it, still too fresh. I try to compact and ignore everything to keep going, but she… she doesn't do that. Here is not a safe place to feel emotions. Feeling and not feeling are the difference between escaping and dying here like a mindless marionette.
Even Sinuhe is most of the time in space, they don't pay much attention to him, and he feels too stifled, uncomfortable, something in the air makes him agitated. It's better for him to be dormant in space, at least he can be safe and sound there. There's no lack of supplies there, those long months ago I stocked quite a bit, I just made a deal of not showing it, you can never be too cautious.
Living in high alert, sleeping lightly and keeping guard up all the time. I don't want her to live this kind of life.
We have never been intimate and inseparable, deeply affectionate type but she's…
She is my older little sister.
She is all the family I have left.
***
I've always liked horses and wild animals.
Of the "tests", the part I like the most is horse riding.
The horse I choose is called Blow.
It's a black Shire with a white face, his short fur so shiny and sleek it ripples like satin in the sunlight.
It's poise is so valiant, although it's a horse for force and traction it's still very fast and compliant. Although Blow is not exactly docile, he's a very good boy when I give him apples and sugar cubes.
"It seems he was born especially for you to ride him." Said Dragon "It's decided, you can consider him yours." This was when I first rode it, Dragon's tone was too sleazy but I ignored, all that matters is that this Blow is mine.
"Thank you." I replied neutrally.
Our cooperation is so seamless, like with Sinuhe that I do feel a little giddy about the compliment, even if it wasn't intended as an actual compliment. When I get out of here Blow is coming with me. I pat his shiny and soft neck, his big heavy head descending to rest lightly on my shoulder for scratches.
He is indeed mine.
***
I can't stand so much hypocrisy anymore.
I need to be alone.
My instincts tell me I should go to the woods .
I go.
I've always loved forests, they bring me peace. Not exactly being a nature person, more like being content in vibrant solitude.
I walk aimlessly for a long time until I find a clearing.
A not-so-small space, surrounded by trees, flowers and life, on the edge of where the forest takes a curve up and grows denser and more obscure. I guess it's some kind of elevation or maybe a half hill, the trees are too tall for me to see.
The only reasons for my existence right now are Sinuhe, Sammy and my revenge.
Sinuhe slips out of the space and makes a small sound, looking at me with his sharp bright eyes.
I reach down and unhook his muzzle.
It's not like anyone is going to punish me for doing it.
He slowly breathes in the flower-scented air.
I sit cross-legged and take off my glasses.
I can't stand not being able to look with my eyes anymore, but through glasses. I don't have any vision problems anymore, the constant dark filter gets real uncomfortable after a long time.
Everything looks more beautiful and clear without it. I unlock my own muzzle, it comes down with a click and I take a huge gulp of fresh air.
Laying down on the verdant grass specked with little white flowers, my body finally relaxes a little, like the stress is being drained out of me. My mind calming down and just… feeling.
The canopy above sways gently in the evening breeze, the fluffy white clouds rolling down lazily.
If I could just…
For a long time, I spend all my free time in the clearing.
Nobody notices, or so I think.
Which is perfect.
Mainly because I can just be away from everything and everyone.
I can imagine that at least for a few hours I am free.
***
I am myself in my little corner of freedom.
This must be how Lucca felt when he was in his "little piece of paradise."
I immediately banish my memories of Lucca. I need to keep myself stable and calm. There's no use in thinking about those things now.
The sound of breaking branches at a distance catches my attention.
Sinuhe doesn't growl (he always does this when someone he doesn't know comes near).
Strange.
I stand up and prepare to attack.
Ares appears between the foliage, his black clothes a contrast to the nature around him, a bit out of place.
The static oscillates.
He's not wearing glasses, just like me.
His dark eyes are mesmerizing. Like a dark nebula in space, threatening to swallow me whole if I step closer.
His black jacket is tied around his waist.
The black shirt is short sleeved (mine is a tank top), his muscles are huge and well defined, taut against the fabric.
Oh, God.
I think only just now I actually took a true good look at him, our schedules don't match and all this time I only caught glimpses of him in between tests.
He just stands there, like he didn't expect to see me here too. The sunlight kissing his golden skin, making it glow.
His robust neck, toned abdomen and narrow waist make him look like a perfect model of beauty, no doubt if he debuted he would top the charts in no time. Even his hands without any gloves are well defined, the veins bulging a little, the nails clean and trimmed, fingers long and a little thick, giving the feeling he can hold the world all by himself.
He just stands there, observing me in silence, sturdy and perfectly still, like a bowstring ready to attack. Or a tiger, all power and force contained in elegance and predatory observation.
I gulp.
My heart necklace starts to glow and pulse over my sternum, contrasting my own racing heart.
I had taken it from space some time ago and wore it on me under my clothes whenever I came here, but it never reacted before.
This can't be really happening.
Its light is strong and shining.
Ares approaches lightly, like a predator who knows exactly where to step, adjusting to my reactions.
The light gets stronger.
He looks at the light fitting through my clothes, a flash of curiosity in his eyes.
Oh no.
"I need to talk to you." He says in a deep rusky voice, like it has been long since he said a word.
How can he destabilize me like this?
His voice is making me shiver over and over, fighting hard to control my body and not move.
I thought I was prepared for everything, but I was wrong.
I'm not ready for him.
"How did you find me?" I try to keep my voice emotionless.
"I don't know, my instincts guided me to you. I thought I was just overthinking but who knew I would actually find you here." His tone take a teasing note. His voice lower and more intimate.
Niethyw comes from behind him, her steps as light as his, her face brightening when she sees Sinuhe next to me.
He is the first to approach her.
They stare at each other and move around, like they are locked in a trance, it's quite… amusing actually. At first I thought they were going to bite each other or were doing some kind of weird "who's the boss" kind of contest, but there's no growls, no attack instances, no threat of violence, then they ran together under a bush and I didn't see them anymore.
I'm thrown off by their sudden movement, I can almost see the question marks over my head. I try to call out Sinuhe but he doesn't answer back, his link mute.
Ares comes closer.
We are only two steps apart. His scent is like chocolate and sunlight, like everything good in the world. Like everything tasty I ever craved. I tighten my hands into firsts in order to not reach out and hold him down to take a good sniff.
I feel like I'm on the verge of losing control and doing something shameful.
"Can we talk?"
I sit back down cross-legged, he does the same. My back right with the effort to keep quiet.
"What is it?"
"Why did you change?"
"What?"
The line of his questioning brings me back to present, my mind trying to decipher his meaning.
"When we were in that prison, you seemed much nicer, now we're out of there, I hardly ever see you, and you don't talk to me anymore!" His tone is a little like a whiny kid.
I'm so speechless that I just stare at him. My mind is blank. Of all things I thought this was about, Ares being hurt because we don't have the same schedules was way out of my mental list.
My eyes are wide with astonishment.
How does he want explanations? I'm nothing to him! .
How can it be?
"Sorry, it's just that I needed to be alone for a bit." I kind of stutter.
He looks at the grass below us.
His cheeks flush.
"Uh, sorry, I didn't want to sound whiny, I just…" His voice is softer and he doesn't continue.
I wait for him to finish but he just gets redder and quieter.
I look at him puzzled. What's this all about?
He stands up and turns his back.
From my point of view, his broad shoulders look even stronger, his thighs thick and muscled but not like he lives in a gym but like he has been training with dragons in the mountains for a thousand years. No doubt a kick of his can break someone in two.
I cut off my thoughts before they go in a strange direction.
I didn't know before how much I found muscled men attractive. Or maybe is just how he looks… safe.
Like he can take anything the world throws at him.
He turns part of his face towards me. His jawline is sharp and his profile is like something out of a painting.
"Sorry for intruding." He says in the same baritone as when I first heard him.
He should consider a career in voice acting, he would make big bucks with just some lines.
"Wait, don't go." It escapes me before I can stop myself.
Do I really want him to stay? Yes!
And why? I have no idea.
He chuckles. The sound making something low in my belly stir and my face flush.
Then he slowly comes back and sits next to me.
I can feel his warmth, like he's a walking furnace. And his scent is stronger. Honestly, I'm feeling a little droopy like I can just lie down and have the sleep of the just.
His eyes are piercing. The sunlight hitting just right enough, with me close enough to see they aren't black like I thought, but a deep rich brown with some deep purple small spots around the edges of the iris.
My skin heats up and I blush.
Oh no.
I won't let myself be seduced so easily. The pulsing next to my heart gets stronger and stronger, like a second heart outside my body. His gaze flickers there and back at my face.
"So why do you care if I'm indifferent or not?" I try to sound normal.
"I don't know." He shrugs, "I just feel something special when I'm around you."
He feels it too.
I feel my ears go so red they are about to bleed. He sees it too and a smile lingers in the corner of his mouth.
"I feel the same way." I admit begrudgingly.
He cracks a smile.
Oh no.