The Halves of Us Read online

  Aura pretended to stretch her back as she stood to lean closer to hear Yashe whispering to Ambrielle.

  Adie noticed her stand and followed behind her. “What’s happening?” Adie whispered.

  “Shh!” Aura silenced her.

  Trumpets echoed outside of the Dome, signaling that it was time for vendors to set up their stations. Each Season started with the Requesting Ceremony, followed by admittance of the top vendors from each region to set up in the Town Square, outside the Dome to barter services.

  The sound of the trumpets fell away. Her mother’s skin paled, and their whispers grew loud enough for Aura to hear.

  “That’s the only instance you’ve seen them?” Ambrielle said softly.

  Yashe shook her head, her blue eyes glistening. “Two others, but I assume there are more.”

  “Why so?” Ambrielle asked as she motioned for a Guard to come toward her.

  “Six have gone missing from the forest after a hunt. There’s no sign of them. My Council has deemed them to be runaways, but I know my brother would never leave his wife and child behind.” Yashe’s jaw clenched, and her brow creased as though she was in battle with her own words. Her mouth fell open. “The Sights are taking them.”

  Aura gasped. A sudden whisper echoed around her. “Vow now, sayeth aye.”

  Her chest rose with each short breath she took. Darn this corset dress. The whisper returned from behind her, and she turned, accidentally pushing Adie back toward their chairs.

  Ambrielle glanced over her shoulder, and Aura’s stomach fell at the sight of the concern in her mother’s eyes. She quickly faced back to Yashe as Aura helped Adie stand.

  Instant regret etched on Yashe’s face as she spoke. “I have no proof. But please, you must believe me.”

  Aura stepped closer to her mother’s side. Her mother ordered a Guard to get Tut just as the Acceptance Hall door burst opened.

  “Ambrielle,” Ms. Nevolie said breathlessly as she ran in with two Guards behind her. Her whiskers quivered as she neared. “You’re needed.”

  Aura noticed the tremble in Ms. Nevolie’s hands.

  Ambrielle rushed over to her as she tried to speak, but words failed Ms. Nevolie. Her whiskers fell as her eyes grew wider.

  I’ve never seen her like this. Aura tried to make her way to them, but Adie held on to her arm, shaking her head.

  “Speak. What is it?” Ambrielle begged Ms. Nevolie.

  “I’m sorry, we got an urgent request on the Globe in my office. There has been . . . an attack,” she cried.

  Ambrielle exchanged quick whispers with the Guards as Gossamer comforted Ms. Nevolie. She returned to the stage as the Guards escorted a weeping Ms. Nevolie from the Hall. “Council members with me to the Council Room,” she announced. She turned to Michael, who stood against the back wall. “I need you with me as well. Have a Guard escort the girls back to their room and keep watch.” Ambrielle eyes moved to Yashe. “I will not forget what you’ve said. You have my word.” Ambrielle hurried out into the hall, heading toward the stairs.

  An attack! Where? I have to . . . Aura quickly followed her mother.

  “Aura, stay back,” Michael said, coming from behind her. He motioned a nearby Guard and whispered instructions to him.

  Aura’s heart beat heavily in her chest as she watched her mother and the Council members exit the room in haste. Did she say the Sights were taking them? Thoughts spiraled through her mind as she doubted her own ears.

  She turned back to Yashe. “I heard you speaking with my mother earlier,” she said. “What did you say about the Sights?”

  Yashe stepped away, fear burning in her eyes. “You heard nothing.”

  Aura reached out to her, touching her arm. A golden hue exited from Yashe’s skin and Aura winced as a blistering heat overtook her hand. “Ouch!” She brought her hand to her side.

  Yashe gasped and brought her hand to her face. “I’m sorry . . . I didn’t mean to—”

  “It’s okay,” Adie said, running by Aura’s side.

  Aura rubbed her hand as Yashe’s trembling returned.

  “Please forgive me.” Yashe bowed, her wings unsteady behind her.

  “It was an accident,” Adie assured her.

  Aura wanted to say otherwise, but she bit her tongue when Adie shot her a look.

  “If there’s any more of the message you wish to relay to Ambrielle, please let me know. I can share it with her,” Adie said.

  Aura looked at Adie, surprised by the steadiness in her voice. Her eyes went back to Yashe, waiting for her to speak. I heard you mention Sights. I know I did.

  Yashe opened her mouth to speak as a Guard came by their side, interrupting her.

  “Michael has ordered me to take you to your chambers immediately.”

  Aura turned. “But we’re speaking with—” She froze. Yashe had vanished. She looked back toward the entrance, searching for her, to no avail. “Where did she go?” she asked, rubbing her hand, which had already begun to blister.

  “I don’t know.” Adie sighed. “Let’s get you back to our chambers and get something on that burn.”

  “I’m fine,” Aura lied.

  “That furrow in your brow says otherwise.” Adie motioned for Aura to follow the Guard.

  Aura rolled her eyes, and she followed them out of the Acceptance Hall. “I heard Yashe talk about the Sights taking her brother as Ms. Nevolie came in announcing an attack. What if—”

  “Probably just another disagreement on land to the west.”

  “No. Ms. Nevolie was too frightened for it to be something that simple, and—”

  “Aura, I’m sure everything is fine.” Adie cut her off.

  Aura swallowed her frustration and fell a few steps behind Adie as they continued down the hallway in silence. Whispers moved along the hallway beside them as word and speculation of the attack drew gossip.

  Something inside Aura feared the worst. Yashe’s words echoed around in her mind. The Sights are taking them.

  11

  Ambrielle

  Ambrielle burst through the dark wooden doors leading into the Council Room with Gossamer at her side and the Council members following behind them. She rushed to the Council table. Upon reaching it, she placed one hand on the Rokis and the other on the Communication Globe, a black orb located in the center of the table.

  “Urgent meeting in the Council Room.”

  She kept her hands on the pendant and the Globe, focusing her thoughts on the members of her Council that had not shown up to the Requesting Ceremony. The Sandman is always late, but it’s not like Tithian to be.

  She tried to hide her concern as she focused on transporting them from their regions to the room. But the missing Council members didn’t appear.

  Ambrielle waited for the nine other members to have their seats.

  “I cannot reach the representation from Hatem and Bakete on the Communication Globe. They’re not in position for the Rokis to transport them. We have no choice but to start this meeting without their presence.”

  With sporadic fluidity, the Sandman formed at the far end of the table as bits of sand rose in the air. The sand that made up his features moved slowly to form his mouth as he spoke. “There has been an attack on Hatem. I received a distress call from Tithian on the Globe. The communication device went dark shortly after the call came in.”

  He made his way toward Ambrielle. The tall, lanky frame formed of sand towered over her. His chin protruded forward with a slight indentation at the tip. His hair, long and curled, was etched from grains of sand. He looked at her with his asymmetrical eyes. His nose pointed to the left and one eye followed its direction.

  Her eyes returned to the Globe positioned perfectly in the center of the table, floating effortlessly a few inches above it. She called out a message again to Hatem, but no response came.

  “I can assure you no one from my region would think of attacking Hatem. The tree-folk are a kind and gentle race who have refused to join quarrels t
hroughout history,” said the Council member from Ologpha. Her skin, which normally shone bright, had dulled. Concern filled her violet eyes.

  Ambrielle searched the expressions of all her Council members. The same worry that weighed heavy on her shoulders filled them. Removing the Rokis from her chest, she placed it on the table. Her right palm fell to the center. “Show me, Hatem.”

  The blue light from the center of the Rokis rose and formed a projection across the table. Everyone watched in horror as the capital of Hatem was enveloped in a fiery wind storm. Screams echoed from the projection, filling the Council Room. Then they heard the shrieks.

  Sights. “It can’t be.” Chills ripped up Ambrielle’s spine, and her eyes stayed glued to the projection.

  “Look!” Gossamer shouted as he clutched her arm. “Sights.” Fear widened his eyes as he pointed to the tall, dark creatures roaming the grounds.

  Their shrieks scattered through the screams of the individuals of Hatem.

  Ambrielle tapped the center of the Rokis twice, and the projection disappeared. Nemiah came toward her from the side of the room.

  She looked over at him. “Gather your Tribes,” she said, turning her gaze back to the members of the Council. “Gather all you can. We will go to aide Hatem, but be prepared to fight.”

  “Fight the Sights?” Pishal, an Ogre and the Council member from Tanhera said as he stood. “What weapons can be used against them? We don’t even know what we’re up against!” His voice boomed across the table as he stared down Ambrielle.

  “One of our most peaceful regions is being attacked. It’s our duty to fight alongside them. Does Tanhera wish not to aid our brothers and sisters?”

  “Why not call on the Designers to assist? Wendelone must have sent the Sights! She’s their problem, not ours!” Pishal argued, pounding his fist on the table. His singular eye glared at the other Council members, seemingly begging for support.

  Ambrielle stood tall. “We were given the Rokis and the responsibility to protect not only our world but the universe from the darkness that resides in Vadim. We don’t call on our makers when the first sign of trouble appears. We take responsibility and fight!”

  Silence fell over the room, blanketing them in an awkward stillness.

  Pishal’s thin lips pursed into a flat line as he chose his next words wisely. “We will aid in the fight.”

  Ambrielle nodded and motioned to Nemiah. “Nemiah will lead, with Michael as second-in-command. Call to your Tribesmen upon your return to your region and prepare to be transported immediately to Hatem!” She looked to Gossamer. “Gossamer will stay with me to watch from the Rokis. We will be prepared to join the fight if necessary.”

  Nemiah stepped forward. “Our orders have been given. Report back to your regions and prepare a minimum of two Tribes. I will contact Nitari and see if they wish to aid us in this fight.”

  “This is Fate telling us where we are meant to be,” Ambrielle said.

  With that, each member nodded, repeated the phrase, and stood. They touched the shoulder of the one next to them. Two Council members at the front reached out and touched Ambrielle as she placed her hand on the center of the Rokis.

  “To their capitals,” she said, transporting each member back to their regions.

  The Sandman remained. He stood and moved effortlessly toward Ambrielle. One of his eyes drooped as he spoke. “Fate is said to be on our side since the beginning. This is a test. Be strong.”

  Ambrielle nodded as the sand from his body fell away and he disappeared.

  She turned to Gossamer. “Bring me, Adie.”

  12

  Aura

  The Sights are taking them. Aura focused on Yashe’s words. She felt the red eyes of the Sight on her, staring at her soul, filling her mind with whispers. She shook her head. That’s impossible.

  Aura winced as Adie gently washed her arm in the sink of her bathroom. Adie motioned for her to sit next to the tub on the silver floor. She had gathered a few bandages from her closet and some ointment from Thora.

  “Thora said it will heal quickly if we use this,” Adie said as she unscrewed the lid off a clear jar. Her face scrunched as she eyed the green oozy liquid inside.

  Aura chuckled. “Give it to me. I can put it on myself.” She dipped her fingers into the jar, collected some of the ooze, and placed it on her arm.

  Instant coolness radiated across the burn, and she sighed with relief. That’s what I get for angering a Fae.

  She rubbed the ooze in, and the redness immediately started to fade.

  “What do you think’s happening?” Adie asked.

  “Thought you said everything was fine,” Aura sneered. She peered up at Adie.

  Her emerald eyes were drowning in fear.

  “You think something has happened too . . .” Aura’s voice trailed off as Adie nodded.

  She closed the jar and stood. “What did you hear Yashe say?” Adie returned the ointment to the closet.

  Aura gulped. “She said the Sights took her brother.”

  “And you think she’s telling the truth? Surely, Mother gets some insane people with outlandish requests from time to time.”

  Aura shrugged as she stood. “After what happened on the first day of class . . .”

  She paused as she heard the voice of the Sight whisper again as though it stood right next to her. “Vow now, sayeth aye.”

  The hairs on her arms raised as chills traveled across her body. Those crimson eyes . . .

  “Did you really hear it speak?” Adie stepped closer to her.

  Aura fell out of her daze. “You don’t believe me?”

  “Well, the Sights don’t speak.”

  “Well, they don’t kidnap either.” Aura walked back into Adie’s room. Why doesn’t anyone believe me?

  “Aura, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to doubt you,” Adie called after her.

  They both stopped when a knock came at the door.

  “Who is it?” Adie asked.

  “Samuel.”

  Aura’s heart sank a little when Adie’s eyes lit up. Adie must have sensed her realization, as she quickly furrowed her brow and faked a disgusted look on her face.

  Samuel came into the room and closed the door. “The rumors are spreading like fire.” He shook his head. “Are you both okay? Aura, I heard you received a burn from a Fae.” His gray eyes locked on hers for a moment, and the awkwardness hung thick, like a veil over the room.

  “I’m fine.” She finally exhaled and glanced at her arm.

  The redness had subsided, and a dull ache remained. Much like her heart.

  He doesn’t even seem to care. She looked at him, wondering why she even liked him.

  “I’ve been ordered to temporarily Guard you both, so I’ll be just outside—”

  Another knock came at the door.

  “I’ll get it.” He opened the door, and there stood Felipe. Samuel’s demeanor changed, and his shoulders squared. “Yes?” he said to Felipe.

  “I’m just here to check on Aura.”

  “She’s fine.” Samuel started to shut the door.

  “Samuel!” Aura opened the door. “Hi.” She motioned for Felipe to enter.

  “Oh,” he said as he stepped inside, “you have a nice room.”

  Adie glared at him and raised her brow.

  As if this moment couldn’t get even more awkward. She cleared her throat. “This is actually Adie’s room. Mine is just through that door.”

  Felipe turned to her, smiling. “Oh here, I brought you some maple berries.”

  Aura took the bag full of berries. If you heard the Sights talk, why didn’t you say anything? She eyed him and huffed. Her stomach growled, wishing for the taste of the maple berries. She took a handful of them and shoved them angrily in her mouth. The sweetness of the maple and the tanginess of the berry calmed her briefly.

  “Do any of you know what happened?” Felipe asked. “So far, all I heard was a region to the north fell under attack. I’m worried it was
Nitari.”

  “We don’t know.” Adie walked over to her loveseat and sat, eyeing Felipe and Aura.

  Aura shrugged at her. Why is she acting like this? She mouthed her to stop.

  “We were talking about the Sights earlier. What if they have something to do with it?” Adie’s speech slowed as all eyes fell on her. “What? Aura said it first.”

  “I only said maybe there was some truth to what Yashe said, and after what happened on the first day of Teachings . . .” Aura looked to Felipe. He heard it, too. “Tell them, Felipe. Tell them what you told me.”

  “I–I–” Felipe stammered. “I heard it—”

  Another knock came. They all stood in silence, looking at Felipe.

  “Do you always get this many visitors?” Samuel broke the silence as he went to the door. He stood up straight upon seeing Gossamer.

  “Sir,” Samuel greeted him.

  “Samuel.” Gossamer looked around the room. “Felipe?” His voice rose in curiosity. “Adie, Ambrielle requests your presence.”

  Adie stood abruptly, her hands fidgeting with the sides of her dress. “I’ll be back, and we’ll continue this,” she whispered to Aura.

  “I’ll escort you,” Samuel offered.

  “No!” Adie shouted.

  Everyone in the room stared at her.

  “You need to guard Aura. Make sure she’s safe.” Adie narrowed her eyes at Felipe.

  Gossamer’s forehead creased, seemingly unsure about Adie’s outburst. He motioned Samuel to stay. “Stand guard while Aura is still in the chambers.”

  Samuel nodded and followed them out, leaving Aura alone with Felipe.

  The door closed, and silence filled the room.

  “Was that so hard to admit?” Aura eyed him.

  Words failed him, and his mouth fell open in defeat.

  “Did you really hear the Sight?”