Page 139 of Of Shadows and Blood

A smaller alley big enough for a body or two opens on the left and I quickly pace down it. The townspeople are yelling in the square and I see people running by holding onto their bags and children.

I must not have noticed it, but a door in the right wall flies open, blocking the alley completely. It’s tall and narrow, specifically built for this space. I look over my shoulder and don’t see or hear my assailant, but that doesn’t mean I’m inclined to turn around. Cautiously, I take two more steps forward towards the doorway.

A hand flies out, waving frantically and motioning inside. Pausing, I check over my shoulder once more. As far as options go, I have none. The doorframe is a foot above the ground with no step and the inside is completely blacked out. I take a step into the space, the door slamming behind me.

A trap.

I turn to open the door again but I’m met with a floral wallpaper. I feel around and it’s as if the door simply disappeared. No seam indicating a hidden one.

“It’s spelled, if you’re wondering.”

Whipping around, I see that the room is no longer a black void but rather a simple kitchen adorned with delicate arrangements and a small wooden table. Lace doilies adorn the counters and a few dishes are in the basin. In front of me is a woman who I could never forget.

A face full of safety, warmth and love.

“Ma?” I choke.

The woman stands up and crosses the small space, taking me into her arms. “Elivienne, my Gods where have you been?”

I pull back, inspecting her the same way she is inspecting me. Concern crosses her features. “I don’t know where to start.” I smile, a tear escaping down my face. Exhaustion and anxiety hit me again but my adrenaline is keeping me awake.

She’s alive. But how?

Ma brushes a strand of hair behind my ear and smiles. She’s here. In person. She exists outside of my coma. I thought that nothing in my dream state was real yet she’s right in front of me and now the tears are imminent. But my body fights exhaustion and any other emotion because I remember the hunt for me is taking place outside.

“You don’t have to start anywhere. Please forgive my mistake, Liv. Avonde has written much about your ailment. I–I was meant to meet with you weeks ago.”

I shake my head. “Wait, but in my dream state, the curse, you were so special to me. How is this possible? Is your name, I mean, are you called Ma?” I ask, cringing at the question itself.

“My sister.” She grins sadly, leaning back and settling into her seat. “No, I am Grace. Marjorie was a warm soul. Curious to know your mind conjured her in that dream state. This is something I cannot answer, have not been able to answer.”

“You said she was a warm soul,” I say, knowing her implication.

Her eyes close briefly. “Unfortunately, my sister gave her life for the cess cause many years ago.” Her gaze lowers and she fiddles with a washrag in her hands, wrinkled with age. I reach forward and rest my hand on hers, understanding washing over me.

“And you’re a part of the Silent Sect?” Though she doesn’t seem “silent” to me.

“I work with them, yes. Though Marjorie was more talented than I was in spells and I can only try to make up for it in her wake. We’ve been studying your curse on King Cedric’s order. There is not much we have been able to find but we had some theories to test. Now I see why you did not show. Are you hurt?”

Yes.

“No,” I lie and try to remember some of the maps I have looked at. “This is Adrian, right?” I ask, looking around the room once more. It’s so simple, just like our kitchen was in my dreams. I aimlessly walk over to the basket of elys sitting on the counter.

Ma motions to the table and I glance over my shoulder towards where the door was. “He won’t find you here,” she says, pulling a chair for me. “But yes, we are in Adrian. This house is cloaked. No one will be able to track you here.”

“But Cedric,” I start. There are so many questions.

“Will be here shortly,” she finishes. “Your signature is strong, very strong. I felt it.”

I nod in understanding. The pain in my body finally sets in as does the realization of what I have escaped from. There were many moments where it became clear that I would never see daylight again. That I would either be eliminated or be held for torture until I died.

So many dark moments…

I keep checking over my shoulder, afraid to be found. “I assume your sister, Marjorie, was at the castle then, too?” My mind cannot make the connection. Why was Marjorie, Ma, in my dream state? Sawyer was willingly there. Trentin and Haldon were likely figments of my imagination, fillers.

“Why of course, Marjorie visited Demis often aside from her work with the Silent Sect. We both knew you and your father from our training so many years ago.” Another forgotten face to deal with.

We sit still for a moment, many unspoken words shared. Though I do not remember her or her sister from my upbringing, I remember them in a different way and that alone washes over me in a wave of gratitude. In truth, Marjorie’s memory took care of me.