The Halves of Us Read online

  “Check the exits. Do not wake the Ruler. I will inform her myself. Keep Guards at the door until the key is recovered,” he ordered.

  * * *

  The door closed behind them, and Adie removed Aura’s hand from her mouth. She peered out into the empty room. “We have to get out of here!” Adie’s stomach churned as her nerves took over.

  Aura stepped out from the curtain and ran after Adie, hugging her tightly. “What happened? I thought you were gone!” She pulled away from Adie, wiping away new tears. “And why are your eyes blue?”

  “I don’t know . . .” Adie tried to hide the welling in her eyes. “But if Uncle Gossamer finds us in here, we’ll be in terrible trouble. We have to get back to our rooms.”

  Aura nodded in agreement. “I’ll leave the key here. He’ll think he dropped it.” She knelt and carefully placed the key on the floor.

  “I suggest we pretend this never happened.” Adie bit her lip to hide its trembling.

  “Agreed.” She made her way to Adie, hugging her again. “You had me so worried. Where did you go?”

  Her sister’s arms clung tightly to her. A warm tear fell down Adie’s cheek. “I don’t know. Let’s worry about getting out of here first.”

  Aura pulled away from their embrace, heading toward the entrance of the Holding Room.

  “Wait! The Guards?” Adie stepped in front of her, blocking her way toward the door.

  Aura tugged Adie’s braid. “Those are the same Guards who were sleeping through their shift. How do you think we got in here without being detected?” Her mouth curled into a mischievous grin.

  “No! No! Aura, what if they are on the other side?”

  “We can’t hide in here forever,” Aura replied.

  “Maybe we just confess . . .”

  “And explain to Mother what happened?” Aura said.

  Adie froze, holding her breath as Aura cracked the door and glanced through the opening.

  She closed the door slowly and turned toward Adie. “There are two Guards with their back to us. We’re going to count to three and make a run straight out of here. Got it?”

  Adie nodded back at her and finally breathed.

  “Hey,” Aura said as she reached for Adie’s hand. “They’re on the other side of the door, toward the left. We can make it. Count with me. One . . .”

  “Two,” Adie replied.

  “Three!” they whispered as they slipped out of the tiny opening of the door and darted down the corridor.

  “They didn’t see us!” Aura said, but Adie dared not look back.

  They continued to run down the hallway and dashed into Adie’s room. Adie shut the door quietly behind her as they heard footsteps coming down the hallway.

  “Quick! Into bed!” Aura whispered.

  They both jumped into Adie’s bed and huddled together.

  “Close your eyes!”

  “Shh!” Adie responded.

  Her bedroom door creaked opened, allowing a sliver of light halfway into the room. Adie squeezed her eyes shut as she heard Gossamer sigh and close the door.

  Aura pushed the covers back and jumped out of bed, listening to his footsteps disappear down the hall. Adie opened her eyes and turned over, clutching one of her pillows as Aura got back in bed with a satisfied grin on her face.

  “Adie, your eyes aren’t blue anymore!” she exclaimed. Her smile grew wider.

  Adie stood and walked over to the dark wood vanity by her bed. She examined herself in the mirror. Emerald eyes stared back at her. She pulled at the puffy, tired skin beneath them.

  “Now are you going to tell me what happened?” Aura asked.

  Adie’s hands dropped to her side. She continued to stare at her reflection. She blinked and froze as the whites of her eyes vanished and went black. She blinked again and the emerald color returned. Taking in a deep breath, she walked back over to the bed, shaking her head and lying down.

  “I don’t exactly know, but I think we should promise to never talk about it ever again. If Mother were to find out—”

  “She won’t, but I must know!” Aura begged. “Adie, you disappeared—”

  Adie looked at her sister, frizzy red ringlets framed her face. She sighed, sitting up and facing Aura. “I don’t know where I was, but there was this tall beautiful tree.” Her eyes grew wide at the vivid memory. “It had long, thin branches that swayed in the wind. They filled the space around me. There was so many I couldn’t see past them! I walked closer to the trunk of the tree, but I had to tilt my head to see the top.” She hesitated.

  Her sister’s curious expression was opposite of the worry in her own.

  “Then there was this gust of wind, and I turned as a black cloud of smoke came straight toward me. The branches started to lose their leaves, and what I could see of the sky was changing to red.” She paused, fearing her heart would beat straight out of her chest. “So I started running. The next thing I knew, you told me to get up . . .” Adie trailed off.

  “Why didn’t I see the tree?” Aura asked, looking down at her hands.

  “I don’t know. Maybe I just imagined it all.” Adie said, trying to convince herself nothing happened. She looked at Aura, whose eyes remained down, deep in thought. “Now promise,” she said.

  “Promise what?”

  “We never talk about it to anyone. We pretend it never happened.”

  “What if your eyes turn blue again?” she asked.

  “They won’t. Just promise, please. Okay?”

  “Promise.” Aura agreed.

  Adie hugged her sister. She closed her eyes, remembering the dark cloud coming toward her. She could never tell Aura the rest of what she’d seen. She buried her face in her sister’s embrace, trying to remove the image from her mind, but the memory flashed across her eyelids, mocking her.

  She remembered hearing Aura’s voice and turning to see her sister standing a few feet away, hiding in the thin branches of the tree. A dark smoke-like cloud came from around Aura, charging toward Adie. Aura’s black eyes and haunting smile made Adie shudder.

  She must never tell anyone.

  2

  Aura

  Four Years Later

  * * *

  Last night had been one of the worst ones yet. Aura shuddered as their Uncle Gossamer led them down the hallway. Adie’s jumbled screams still echoed in her ears. It’s in my skin! It’s in my skin! She had scratched at her forearms until they bled. Aura calmed her and cleaned her wounds while singing her back to sleep.

  Maybe it’s time to tell Mother. Adie’s nightmares were getting worse. She shivered, remembering how Adie described the one from last night with their mother dying in her arms. Her flesh decaying, creating dark lines, like snakes, that slithered toward Adie. They crawled through her skin, burning her.

  She looked over at her sister. Quiet and pale. Adie had obviously used Fae dust to help mask the bags under her eyes. Her long sleeves covered up the scratches she made last night. She appeared well-rested, but Aura could see the hollowness in her gaze. Maybe she’s stressed about today. Today they learned their Fate. But it’s not like Adie doesn’t know hers.

  Those they passed in the hallway stopped and greeted them with a bow and a slight nod. Aura caught Adie’s bottom lip trembling. She bit down on it to hide it, but Aura saw. She reached and held her sister’s hand. Adie inhaled deeply, her shoulders rising and falling as she exhaled and repeated.

  They continued down the granite hallway where large frames made from delicately twisted gold contained paintings of the past Rulers of Thindoral. Michael, their Personal Guard, followed quietly. The designs on the walls wove themselves around and between the paintings, and Aura skimmed her free hand along the corridor as they walked to the stairwell, feeling the movement beneath her fingertips.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever heard either of you this quiet.” Gossamer chuckled, keeping his gaze forward. He wore his usual black Minister of Affairs uniform with the symbol of the Rokis stitched on his left shoul
der.

  Aura couldn’t remember ever seeing him in anything else.

  He turned to face them, forcing them to stop. “It’s a big day, I know. It’ll be your first time attending the Teachings with other students instead of your usual tutors, and learning your Fates. But rest assured, this is Fate telling us where we are meant to be.”

  Aura stiffened at hearing the familiar phrase. It was one continuously used on Thindoral, and it was supposed to be comforting, but something about it always struck her wrong.

  “I’m sure it’s just nerves.” Michael came up beside Adie. “They’ll be up to no good soon enough.” He winked at Aura.

  “He knows me so well.” Aura smirked.

  Michael had been by their side as their Personal Guard since birth and was like another uncle to Aura. Her very first sword was a gift from him. After she completed her Guard training, he’d convinced her parents to allow her to join the Tribesmen from Giriveen in training new recruits throughout the regions of Thindoral.

  Gossamer cracked a smile and shook his head as he motioned for them to continue down the hall. “Aura, you know how your mother feels about you wearing the Guard uniform.”

  “I did set her out a dress,” Adie said, perking up for an instant.

  Aura chuckled. “Oh, we both know that wasn’t going to happen.”

  Adie had laid out a matching gown to her own that morning, as she so often did. Adie always told Aura it made her feel as though she could blend in if they both wore the same thing.

  “But gold looks so good on you.” She lifted Adie’s hand, forcing her to spin and show off the gown.

  As she spun, the light from the lanterns in the hallway caught the glittering floral cutouts throughout her gown, making her appear as though thousands of sparkling butterflies covered her.

  Aura relaxed as Adie grinned. The emptiness from her eyes vanished temporarily.

  Gossamer cracked a smile, and Aura released her hand from Adie’s after one final spin.

  “Don’t let your nerves get the best of you.” He rested his hands on their shoulders. “You will both visit the Room of Papers and discover your Fates.” His grin thinned. “And Adie, today you’ll have your first lesson with the Rokis and learn your power.”

  Aura’s stomach dropped, but she kept her face straight. She felt Adie’s gaze on her. Her eyes darted to Adie’s, begging her to stay calm. Don’t tell them what we did.

  They had gone through years dreading this day. It’d been four years since that night, and they’d only spoken about it out loud twice. It was maybe two Seasons ago when Adie expressed worry that she wasn’t meant to be Ruler. She had received no power from the Rokis when they touched it years ago . . .

  Aura reached for Adie’s hand, just as she’d done that day, and gave it a reassuring squeeze. You’re meant to be Ruler. It’s your Fate. She prayed Adie somehow got the message.

  Adie nodded as though she did and returned the squeeze.

  Gossamer motioned for them to follow him down the hallway and continue down the grand staircase. The dual staircase led up all main floors of the Dome, swirling around and intertwining on the odd floors.

  As they reached the second floor, Mr. Ribblet, one of the eleven Council members, greeted them. “Good morning, sir,” he croaked at Gossamer with a slight lisp as his long pink tongue curled out of his mouth. He towered over them, standing on two long, thin legs. His skin was a deep olive green.

  Gossamer nodded at Mr. Ribblet as he continued heading down toward the first floor.

  “Have a wonderful first day of Teachings, and please,” Gossamer eyed Aura, “behave. I’ll join you both to escort the final year classes to the Room of Papers.” His blue eyes swirled with a shade of brown.

  She knew his eyes changed with his emotions, but Mother had never answered Aura when she asked why. Once, she’d overheard Gossamer talking with Tut, the Headmaster of Teachings, about a curse, but then had his office door slammed in her face prior to a lecture on eavesdropping.

  Gossamer nodded to Michael. “Michael will announce you and lead you in.”

  Michael motioned for the girls to follow him toward the Teaching Hall. The Dome had twelve floors, if you counted the old dungeon room. The Designers carved the circular formation from the side of the mountain when they created Thindoral. It housed all students accepted to the schooling program during the Teaching Seasons, and most of the Guards from Thindoral’s capital, Giriveen. The library alone took up three floors on the left side of the Dome. Two extensions made from colorful stained glass jutted out from the east and west side. One housed plant life from all over the world, and the other led into the Town Square, where many set up trade booths at the beginning of each Season. Aura’s favorite wings, the Training Room and weapons area, were hidden in the bottom floors of the Dome.

  They’d made their way down one more flight of stairs and greeted those around them with slight nods as they reached the great wooden doors of the Teaching Hall. The door creaked open, and they entered a room filled with dozens of long tables. Aura immediately let go of Adie’s hand. Numerous students stood around laughing and talking. Two young girls walked by, arm in arm, giggling. Their whiskers on their white, fur-covered cheeks perked up when they saw them. A young boy with dark blue skin and short pointy ears stared as they entered. His orange eyes grew wide. Silence fell over the room as, one by one, each student noticed Adie and Aura’s presence.

  “Adie, the future Ruler of Thindoral, and her sister, Aura,” Michael announced, surveying the Teaching Hall.

  The students clapped, and Adie stepped forward, holding her hands in front of her. Probably to hide the trembling. Guilt coursed through her for letting go of her sister’s hand. Adie had never handled crowds well. Mother always said that would change when she possessed the Rokis.

  Aura held her head high and joined the applause.

  Adie glanced back at her with longing eyes. “Aura!” she whispered as she held out her hand.

  Stepping forward, Aura took her sister’s hand and stood next to her. Her eyes flickered to Samuel sitting at the table in the far corner. Her cheeks warmed as his gray eyes met hers. He had his long blond hair pulled back into a low braid, showing off his jawline. She looked away, hoping he hadn’t seen her staring.

  The clapping ceased with the third sound of the Announcer’s trumpet from the High Perch of the Dome. Every student scrambled to their seats, and Aura pulled Adie to the back table with Samuel. As they passed each table, students of all races gazed at them nervously. Whiskers twitched, long ears stood on end, eyes widened, and voices whispered.

  Michael made his way to the wall behind them.

  As they reached the back table, Aura’s gaze turned to Samuel. “Good morning, Samuel.”

  “Morning.” He smiled, looking to Adie. “How are you?” His palm extended out toward Adie in greeting.

  Aura’s eyes shifted to the ground for a moment as her sister placed her palm against his.

  Adie quickly pulled away from his touch as though he’d shocked her. Clearing her throat, she gestured to Aura. “I’m fine. Doesn’t Aura look lovely today? I think blue suits her so well,” she said with a smile.

  His gaze never left Adie, and the smile never fell from his face. “Yes. Lovely indeed.”

  A loud clap and shout at the front of the room interrupted them. “Welcome back for another Season of Teachings. Hush now, we have a lot to get through.”

  A few light whispers remained as the students gazed forward at Ms. Nevolie. Her attire hadn’t changed over the years. A white and black dress clung to her top frame and fell in subtle waves to the floor. A black cloth loosely hooded her face, framing her skin covered in pale white fur. Her eyes glittered like gold.

  “Shh!” Aura hushed the students talking around her and smiled at Ms. Nevolie. She’d been one of her favorite teachers throughout the years. To Ms. Nevolie, she wasn’t just the twin sister of the future Ruler of Thindoral. She was Aura.

  Ms. Nevoli
e nodded her gratitude as she surveyed the room. “It’s great seeing all your smiling faces back in these seats since last Season. Please remember, your Teachings are very important. They are what prepare you for the future. Your Fate. Please repeat after me.”

  The students’ voices joined in a monotone voice and repeated with Ms. Nevolie, “This is Fate telling us where we are meant to be.”

  “Thank you,” Ms. Nevolie said. “Your Fates have been predestined, and it’s an honor to have you here.” She grinned. “You have all been made aware what class you’re in this Season. First-, second-, and third-year students, please make your way to your scheduled class and meet your professor. If you have questions, you may see me or Mr. Falltyer,” she said, pointing to her left at a disgruntled Ogre with gray, scaly skin.

  His single eye darted around the room, and he huffed.

  “To follow with custom this morning, our final year classes will stay behind for a viewing with our Ruler, before being escorted to the Room of Papers by Gossamer, the Minister of Affairs. This is a pivotal point in your lives. One you will never forget. The day you learn your Fate.” She narrowed her eyes at a few of the students. “You’re all dismissed,” she said, smiling. Her whiskers fanned out about her face.

  The sound of screeching chairs and conversations echoed through the air as the younger students rose and made their way down the hallways leading to their classes. The final year teachers gathered at the front of the Teaching Hall, motioning for the remaining students to move from the back.

  Samuel looked at Adie and pointed at the empty chair beside him. Aura’s heart sank as her sister took the seat.

  Aura sat at the first empty chair she came to. She turned as a dark, curly haired individual sat next to her.

  “Felipe,” he said.

  “Aura.” She kept her eyes on Adie and Samuel.

  “I know,” he said.

  Aura could feel his gaze still on her. She shifted in her seat as she tried to listen to Adie and Samuel’s conversation.