Isaura (8 page)

“Thank you, Tria,” Henry smiled at the young girl I had just
harassed. It hadn't been my intention, but I felt out of place. Henry waited
until the four disappeared out of the dining hall with all the dishes in hand. “They're
my servants.” He folded his hands together with a smile. “Don't look at me like
that.”

“With disgust?” Joshua paused. “You have servants?”

“They are adequately compensated,” Henry quickly answered. “And
it's not as bad as it sounds. You make it out like I'm a monster. They chose
this profession. Looking after the castle and their Duke. It's an honor.”

“For you maybe,” I muttered. I had spent a short time as a
servant for Governor Craynor. There'd been no joy in it. I tried to remember a
history lesson or two, perhaps a book I'd read that described what Spade was
all about. I couldn't recall it though and it puzzled me to no end. “A Duke,” I
repeated.

“Your government is a monarchy,” Joshua scoffed at the idea.
“You think this is better than the government's system?”

Henry studied Joshua for a moment. “The closest terminology
you have is Monarchy,” Henry explained. “But if we were, I'd be King, and you a
lonely peasant.” He smiled as if he were joking and I wasn't sure what to say
or think. “You think I'm the bad guy? I let people come and go as they please.
I keep order and establish law. Is that terrible? My people are fed, they have
clothes on their backs and are never forced to give away their children,” he
emphasized.

“Wait!” I held up a hand interrupting Henry. “Your people
can have children?” This was news to me. As far as I'd known, I was the only
woman who could conceive a child through natural means. Torv had tried to
reproduce the same process as the government but it hadn't been as successful.

Henry sighed. “Not in the old way. There are children around
the palace, most come from 'The Day of the Chosen',” he acknowledged.

“Most?” Joshua asked. “What about those who don't?”

“Two pregnant women have fled Torv in the past few years.
We've taken them in, cared for them. We've tried to send a handful of women
spies to get impregnated and return to us, but so far none of them have
returned.”

I glanced at Joshua. Chloe, the reproductive specialist from
Torv, had failed to mention any of the pregnant women leaving, being exiled or
kidnapped. It felt odd to me that they'd have just up and left. I smiled at
Henry. “Can you tell me more about these two women?”

“The first was seven years ago. She came in on a carriage.
One of the tradesmen brought her to us,” Henry explained. “She was smuggled out
of Torv. It was the first we'd learned of the city having the ability to
reproduce.”

“Did she willingly leave her home?” Had she been bought?

“Sadly, yes,” Henry responded. “Her husband was abusive and
violent. She feared a miscarriage and paid a great deal to get onboard the
carriage. We offered her a new home and a life when she arrived. Her husband
had no idea what happened to her or the child.” Perhaps that was the reason for
the armed guards in Torv at the hospital. They feared women being abducted and
children bought on the black market. There were always two sides to every
story.

Joshua sighed. “What about the other pregnant woman?”

Henry reached for his drink, having a sip as he recalled the
memory, “She didn't make it through delivery,” he answered somberly. “However,
the child is still alive and thriving in our city.”

“How old is the child?” I couldn't help but ask. He made it
sound as though she was still young.

Henry paused for a moment. “She'll be seven next spring. A
maid took her in and is raising her as her own,” he explained. “You can meet
her if you'd like. In fact I'm sure Adelaide will probably meet both young
girls at school.”

I was happy there was an institution in Spade. In Shadow
there hadn't been any regular schooling for Adelaide. She'd had a tutor, but
being around other kids her age again would be good for her. It might help her
readjust and fit in to her new surroundings.

Henry finally pushed his chair back and stood up. “If you'd
like, I can show you both drones we've captured.”

I saw the faintest smile cross Joshua's lips. “I'd like that
very much.”

We spent much of the evening examining two drones that had
been fired upon and shot down. A guard had managed to hit the fuel line and
brought down both drones, making them inoperable. Joshua and Aidan examined the
drones as it grew dark. Elsa and Cate headed back to their rooms long before I
did. Eventually growing bored, I retreated to my suite as well.

My gaze moved over the stone tower where our rooms were
situated. I could make out the tiny light from a window in a nearby suite and
knew that electricity was not hidden away as it had been in Shadow. Each town
seemed as if in its own world. It was hard to imagine how they each functioned
without any outside help. Torv had managed to survive on its own, at the cost
of its soldiers. Clearly Spade had found a way to protect itself.

I glanced across the city square. The ground was made of
stone just like the walls and tower. It was flat and dull gray with the
moonlight reflecting a strange blue tint. I wandered towards the tower and my
suite taking my time to catch sight of everyone going about their business.
Although dark and growing late, no curfew was in order.

I headed inside, climbing the tower and stopping momentarily
as I peered through a window. Unlike in Genesis, I could see for miles from the
wall. Just beyond the barrier and gates were animals grazing and a garden I
hadn't seen before. I walked upstairs pausing when I saw Tria.

“I'm sorry,” I quickly said. “I hadn't meant to offend you
at dinner.” The way these people lived would take some getting used to.

Tria smiled politely, though I couldn't quite read her as
she answered me, “None taken.” She brushed by as she headed down and I turned
towards her.

“Where do you sleep?” I asked. Maybe it was the rudest
question, but I couldn't imagine the tower housed everyone in Spade. Or perhaps
it did and there were fewer people here than I thought?

“In the maid's quarters.”

“Wait? You're the maid who received the child from Torv?” I
tried to make sense of it.

She gave me a funny look. “No, that's Arianna. We're
neighbors though,” Tria answered. “Is there something I can get for you?” she
asked.

“Are you happy here?” I asked. I'd witnessed a servant’s
life in Genesis. Anita had been murdered and Lisa, well, I didn't want to think
what might have happened to her in the Governor's mansion.

“Of course.” Tria smiled. “It's an adjustment leaving your
home and coming to Spade,” she confessed. “But I've been given a new life. I
wouldn't trade it for anything.”

“Thank you. Have a good night.”

She smiled and headed down the way I came. I waited for a
moment before turning and finding my way to my room. Flipping on the light, I
was thrilled that I didn't have to use blackout shutters or a candle. I walked
towards the window, staring out into the courtyard. I could just make out
Tria's small frame as she headed home for the night.

I spent most of the night lying in bed, staring up at the
ceiling. I couldn't sleep. Joshua came back to the room, showered and fell
asleep. I was tired, probably overtired. I couldn't sleep. My mind kept ticking
away, racing with thoughts of Isaura. Would she find us in Spade? I hoped we
were safe, but I didn't want to put any more people at risk.

I needed to run, to exercise, do something. Back in Shadow,
I worked out and trained daily. It had helped me sleep and clear my head. I
hated that I could never return home.

I sat up and climbed out of bed. Joshua hadn't stirred. I
grabbed a robe, slipping it on before I snuck out of my room. Stepping out into
the hall, I ran straight into Henry.

“What are you doing up at this hour?” he asked, looking me
over.

“Couldn't sleep,” I answered, glancing down the hallway.
Torches lit the way and the light burned my eyes until they adjusted. I didn't
get the opportunity to ask him why he was still up.

“Come with me,” he offered taking my arm as he led me down
the tower.

I followed, tying the robe tight as I made my way down with
Henry. “Where are we going?” I asked as his hand left my arm.

“I thought you might want a snack,” he suggested as he led
me towards the kitchen. I followed him trying to remember the way.

“I'm not sure I'm hungry.” At least that wasn't what kept me
awake. We maneuvered through two hallways and a corridor before we entered the
kitchen, alone.”

“You'll have to try my pastries,” he told me and headed
towards the counter. I laughed when I saw they'd already been prepared. He
hadn't come down to make anything, merely to steal the food for tomorrow's
meal.

“I'm not hungry.”

“It's okay. It's for us,” Henry assured me. “For breakfast
in the morning. There's always more than enough. Please try one,” he offered
again, and I sighed finally taking it from his hand, giving in to temptation.
The croissant did look good. It was buttery and soft. The crust was flaky, it
tasted delicious!

“I knew you'd like it.” Henry looked smug.

“You can't take credit for it though.” I shoved the rest
into my mouth, unwilling to share it.

“Suppose not.”

I pushed myself back against the counter, glancing around
the room. We were alone. “I guess now's a good time to tell you.”

“Tell me what?” Henry asked.

“Do you remember the injection you were given in Shadow?”
Joshua had given him Mindonsiphan in the same way I'd given it to Adelaide, to
save his life.

“I do recall a slight prick.” He rubbed his neck. “What was
that, anyway?”

I chewed my lip for a moment, wondering how to explain
something that even I didn't understand. “It saved your life.” It was the
truth, as simple as that. “The people in Shadow developed a drug that mixes
with the brain during adolescence. Its initial use was to help fight Cabal's
government,” I explained. “But it offers some powers we've learned are best
kept secret.”

“Powers?” Henry laughed. “Am I going to grow a third eye?”

“Don't joke like that.” With all that I'd seen, who knew
what we were capable of? “The thing is, you're older than a teen, aren't you?”
He looked older or maybe I was just terrible at judging ages.

“I'm nineteen,” Henry admitted.

It explained why the Mindonsiphan had worked on him. It
still hadn't explained Adelaide. She was young, too young I'd have thought, but
it had been my last hope in saving her. “So I guess that's why it worked.” I
let out a heavy sigh. “Watch my lips.” I stared at him and focused my mind.
You
must be careful who you trust with this new ability
.

Henry's eyes widened and he took a step back. “I'm dreaming!
I must be dreaming!”

I stepped forward, reaching out for his arm. “You're not.” I
rested my hand on his forearm, reassuring him that this was real. “It takes
some getting used to, and it's not easy for others to accept,” I reminded him. “But
you have it now, a gift.”

Thank you for telling me
. He had learned quick.

“You're welcome.”

Henry studied me for a moment, brushing a stray hair from my
eyes. “How does it work?”

“The Mindonsiphan?” I asked, swallowing nervously.

“Is that what you call it?” he whispered and I pulled back,
unwilling to let him touch me. I was married. He couldn't do this! Not wanting
him to see how flustered he'd made me I hopped up onto the counter to sit down.

“It turns the mind on. Activating certain abilities we all have
but are rather unaware of,” I said.

Henry paused staring at me for a long moment. “Mindonsiphan.
As in Mind on.” He laughed. “So we can read minds?”

I laughed. “You can't read my mind.” I shook my head,
thankful for the privacy. “But you can communicate if both parties have been
enhanced.”

Henry stared at me curiously. “Who else is special like us?”

I debated inwardly if I should tell him about the others. “Adelaide
doesn't know yet,” I whispered. “I saved her with the injection. Joshua, Aidan,
Elsa, Cate, and myself are the last alive who have the abilities, I believe.
And now you.” I stared at Henry and hopped down off the counter. “I should go
to bed.”

“Wait,” he breathed staring at me and I glanced up at him,
wondering what I waited for.

I raised an eyebrow and felt the distance close between us.
I shook my head. I couldn't kiss him. I was married and in love with Joshua. He
paused and I could feel his breath, but he didn't lean in and he didn't kiss
me. “Do you have any more Mindonsiphan left?”

“What?” I swallowed. It was not what I had expected him to
say. Relief flooded through me. “It's gone. The last of it was destroyed.” At
least I thought it had been.

“That's too bad,” he whispered, taking a step back. My heart
pounded in my chest and I took in a heavy breath, nearly gasping for air.

“It's late, I should go to bed,” I reminded him before
brushing past as I retreated back to my room. Luckily, I made the way without
getting lost. I snuck into bed and felt the warm blankets surround me.

“Where were you?” Joshua mumbled wrapping an arm around my
waist. “You're so cold.” He pulled me tighter.

“Shhh, go back to sleep,” I encouraged, dropping a kiss to
his lips. “Goodnight, Josh.”

“Night,” he answered and a moment later he was snoring.

I wished I could fall asleep so easily. It took hours and
just as the sun rose, I drifted off.

“Milady.” I recognized the voice but wasn't quite sure who
it was. I groaned in protest but refused to move from the bed.

I buried my head beneath the pillows doing my best to block
the light from the windows and the sound of soft footsteps. “Go away,” I
muttered feeling the bed dip.