Shattered Illusions (Terra Chronicles Book 2) Read online

  “I’d like to see you try,” Silver smirked.

  After we paid and got our food, he directed me toward the center of the market where benches and tables sat for people to enjoy. The market bustled with activity even at this time of day - the sun had nearly set. He led us over to a section of benches in front of the fairie statue.

  “Not here, let’s go where it isn’t as busy,” I tried to keep my voice neutral, but I knew I did not hide all of the unease.

  Silver looked down at me like I lost my mind. Perhaps I had since I was scared of a statue. “What’s wrong with here? It’s not busy. We’ll have the bench to ourselves. Besides, I like this statue.”

  He would. I averted my eyes from the bronze mass in front of me. “Why?” I found myself asking as I reluctantly took a seat. I had not meant to voice the question, but it was out. He said he arrived this morning, when did he have time to see this?

  “Have you read the story?”

  No, I lived it.

  “It’s a beautiful tale. Local folklore I guess.”

  One I somehow created.

  “While I can’t condone stealing, everyone needs to survive and I think the fairie more than paid back for what she stole,” Silver’s eyes were on the statue. I watched him - he seemed to have a deep appreciation for the tale, but it was not the whole story.

  And I would never tell him the whole story.

  “Fairie, brownie… these are terms I’m not familiar with. At least not in the context they are being used here. Can you explain?” Blue eyes turned to me and I turned away. My places to look were becoming limited.

  “Fairies are mischief makers. Brownies are helpers. That’s the short answer,” I said quickly.

  Silver took a bite of his braided bread with meat and cheese wrapped inside. I looked down at my own food, my appetite gone.

  “It’s a sweet thing Don called you then.”

  “A nickname, nothing else.” Please drop this conversation.

  “But something you earned.”

  And I earned other names as well. None I wished to keep. “I don’t want to talk about this.”

  “Ketayl…” Silver said softly, then something drew his attention back to the statue. “It looks like the fairie is still an inspiration to other lost little ones.”

  Despite not wanting to see the statue again, I looked over to see what he spoke of. In the dying light of day the same Human girl from when I last came this direction stood before it. The girl sat down and put flowers at the base of the statue - ones she obviously picked herself. She tucked her dirty strawberry-blond hair behind her ear as she turned her face to figures above.

  “The fairie isn’t someone to look up to. The fairie is a monster,” I said quietly.

  “What do you mean?” Silver’s voice sounded surprised. I needed to watch what I said better.

  I popped one of the sugary bites in my mouth, using it to keep from having to reply.

  Then another one disappeared from my small paper bag. “Hey!”

  Silver smirked, tossing it in his mouth. “I didn’t think you went for this really sweet stuff.”

  I shifted down the bench away from him and his thieving. “I thought you didn’t condone stealing.”

  “I paid for it.” His grin was broad and I knew I was likely doomed in having to deal with him on a regular basis.

  I hated Silver’s logic right then. I grumbled at him and better protected my food.

  We ate in silence for a bit longer. Halfway through the bag I looked at it, unsure I could finish it. I had craved something sweet, but I did not expect so much when I ordered.

  I also could not shake the feeling of being watched, but without it being through the arcane, I could not tell for certain. The sensation started shortly after I left the hotel with Silver. It let up in the bookstore, but now…

  Something caught my attention and I reached down and grabbed a small wrist. The same little girl who had been at the statue now had a look of panic on her face. Silver got up to see the commotion.

  Sighing, I said, “I’m the last person you want to try to steal from. You can have this.” I gave her the rest of my bag of food.

  The girl looked confused and then something made her incredibly happy. “You’re the fairie, aren’t you?”

  I let go of her wrist as if it had suddenly become white hot. Regaining my composure, I asked, “Why would you say something like that? The fairie is a child.” I waved in the direction of the statue, refusing to look at it.

  “Yeah, but that’s been there a long time and children grow. I learned the story well - I tell all the others in our gang.”

  “Gang?” Silver asked, kneeling down next to her.

  “There’s a bunch of us who don’t live at the orphanage. We don’t want to. The fairie lived on the streets. She has red hair like yours and eyes the color of an ocean storm. And you’re an Elf. You’ve got to be her!”

  I looked around to see what kind of attention we were drawing, but it appeared no one paid us any. People were busy milling about trying to get their shopping done. “There are others who probably share the same coloring I do.” I did not want to outright lie to the girl, but I wanted to dissuade her of the notion.

  “No one else knew I stole from them. No one else offered me food,” the little girl said, puffing up her chest. “I’ve been coming here to pray for the fairie to help us. You’ve…” The girl looked up at something behind me. “Uh oh, I better go.” Then she ran off, bag of treats tucked securely in her hands.

  A Human man around my height and a much taller Elven man came into the center, searching. The Human ran a hand over his greasy dark hair and looked to be aggravated about something, muttering as he looked around. The Elf locked his gaze on me - a broad grin spread across his face slowly. It set me on edge and my first instinct was to run. I could not blame the girl for taking off after seeing these two.

  Silver stood up fully, taking a stance in front of me.

  The Elf then smacked the back of his hand against his companion’s shoulder and signaled for him to follow - they left the same way they came.

  I stood up, not sure what just happened. The sensation of being watched still had not left. I looked up at Silver who watched them go through the thinning crowd. With his jaw locked and eyes narrowed, he looked ready for a fight.

  “Hey,” I said softly.

  Silver did not respond, still watching something.

  I stood in front of him and crossed my arms. “Hey,” I said a little louder.

  Not getting a response, I gave up and walked away - my anger rising too quickly. I set off at a quick pace, needing to burn off some of the energy. My power swirled in agitation, but did not push at my limited control. I needed to get away before it chose to.

  “Ketayl! Hey, wait!” Silver called and his longer legs let him catch up with me quickly. Now I ignored him. I got out of the open market before Silver stepped in front of me. I barely stopped in time to not run into him.

  I glared up at him and then moved to go around. A strong hand grabbed my upper arm.

  “No, we should stick together. I don’t trust those two.”

  “Let go of me,” I growled at him. “I can take care of myself.” Too close to the surface. My power would not stay content much longer.

  Silver looked like he wanted to start an angry tirade at me, but his face suddenly softened. “Ketayl, look, I’m sorry I didn’t answer you before. You can’t expect me not to take threats to you seriously. Tell me at least one of them didn’t concern you.”

  My anger quickly deflated and I felt more stable. “The Elven man - something wasn’t right. And I’ve felt like I’m being watched for a while.”

  “I think we should head back to the hotel.”

  Sounds from down the street caught my attention. I wanted to go look at some of the cultural displays. I sighed, resigned to my fate for the evening. I could do it tomorrow.

  Silver turned to see what caught my attention. “I guess as
long as we stay together, we can spend some time wandering about.”

  ~*~

  Kitteren landed heavily on the bed. “Come on! Get up!”

  I groaned and rolled over. I had a hard time resting last night after encountering those two men in the market. My mind would not stop trying to figure out what happened.

  She did not take the hint and climbed on top of me to start shaking my shoulder. She repeated her desire for me to get up. I tried to shove her off with one arm, but she firmly planted herself on my hip.

  “I can’t get up with you on me,” I said, my voice sounded tired even to my own ears.

  Kitteren moved and took the covers with her. I curled up against the sudden cold. I put the pillow over my head in some attempt to get her to leave me be.

  It lasted only a few seconds. “Geez, Ket. You’re usually an early riser. What’s wrong? I heard you tossing and turning.”

  “Had a lot on my mind.” I had not spoken of what happened while at the market. I did not want people thinking I was jumping at ghosts, but even Silver had been put on guard. And then feeling like I was being watched…

  Kitteren sat down on the edge of the bed far more sedately this time. “Ket, what’s going on? What has you so worked up that you couldn’t rest?”

  I scooted over to the opposite edge of the bed and sat up. “Just encountered something weird last night. You know me, I can’t let a puzzle go.” I smiled back at her and hoped she would drop it.

  “Okay,” Kitteren said, but something told me she would not drop it so easily. “I’m going to take a quick shower - worked out a little too hard in the training area downstairs. But first…”

  I watched my sister bounce over to the closet and dig through the few things hanging up. She pulled out a couple of hangers and stood there, holding them proudly.

  I raised an eyebrow at the outfit she held. An airy, light gray skirt hung on one hanger - the other held a dark blue short-sleeve, v-neck shirt with a light gray, loosely-crocheted gray vest over it. The vest served little purpose other than to be decorative - it looked more like fisherman’s netting - strands fell at regular intervals from the hem. “I think it will look good on you.”

  Kitteren rolled her eyes. “Not for me. This is for you. I saw it while on my run the other night.”

  I looked at the outfit more hesitantly. “I really don’t care to wear skirts.”

  “Then wear your exercise shorts underneath it. Please, Ketayl? I have a similar outfit if it makes you feel better.” Kitteren smiled sweetly.

  Sighing, I strode over to her and took the garments. I could put up with it for the day. Perhaps doing this much would put her into a talkative mood and I could finally get some answers.

  Once I laid them on the bed, she hugged me and then took off to go clean up. Shaking my head, I knelt down to dig out the last articles of clothing I needed out of my bag.

  Kitteren left the door ajar and I heard her talking to our parents, but her tone of voice sounded serious. I got up and pressed myself against the wall next to the door, trying to listen.

  “I don’t know. It worries me,” Kitteren said.

  Father’s voice was next. “I still don’t like this. I’ll let the two of you decide - I’m going downstairs.”

  The door to the suite opened and closed.

  Mother sighed loud enough for me to hear from my position. “He has a point, but I’m reluctant to change things now. Go get ready - I’ll make a few calls.”

  Why was I being left out? My emotions were too close to the surface - anger and curiosity clashed at each other hard. I closed my eyes and forced them back down. Patience - I needed patience. I would have access to Kitteren all day and it would just be a matter of getting her to slip something. But how?

  I dressed quickly though I still could not figure out where the arm holes on the vest actually were when Kitteren came back into the room. She wrapped one of the big white towels around her torso and her hair still dripped water as she walked. “Let me help you.”

  I slid into the vest and let her fuss with it and my hair. I still needed to brush it. Then suddenly my skirt lifted and reflexively, I pushed it back down. The hem barely reached the top of my knees. “Hey!”

  “I was just curious if you decided to wear the shorts,” Kitteren said and patted me on the head. I grumbled at her and picked up my brush to start on my hair. I tried to ignore her as she took the towel off to start using it to dry her hair while she went looking for something in the closet.

  “Hey, Ket, could I bother you to help me out here?”

  I looked up to see what Kitteren wanted. She held a wet lock of hair in my direction. I sighed and opened my free hand toward her, using my still agitated power to dry her hair. The action settled it some and I felt more stable. Sometimes I felt she might be pushing it with these requests.

  “You’re the best, sis!” She smiled broadly over her shoulder.

  “I’ve become a personal hair drier,” I muttered.

  I took a deep breath and fussed with my hair. I started wondering how much I needed give to get the answers I wanted. Was it even worth it? Just like I kept meaning to check Kitteren’s bags for her usual running gear, but by the time I could, I let it slide again. My family would not outright lie to me, would they?

  “Kitteren, you left these in our room,” Mother said as she came in carrying a couple of shoe boxes.

  I eyed them warily. Why could they not leave me be with what I had?

  Kitteren had donned a similar outfit to mine, only the colors different - hers were more earthy tones: the vest and skirt a light tan while the shirt was a darker green.

  “Oh don’t look at me like that, Ketayl. You’ll want to wear these today since you plan on walking around a lot. Your feet will be hurting if you wear your normal shoes,” Mother said and set a box down on Kitteren’s bed and then sat next to me with the other one. She opened the box to show a pair of gray sandals.

  I sighed and shifted uncomfortably in my skirt. It did not matter I wore shorts underneath.

  “You look fine. Put these on and I’ll finish your hair.” Mother took the brush from me and moved so she sat behind me on the bed. “The two of you look adorable actually.”

  I really wished I had been more firm in my resolve to not come here. Just the thought of trying to face down either Vince or Lockonis alone was enough to change my mind. Having to argue with both of them to reverse their decision would have been an outright nightmare.

  “Did you have fun in town last night?” Mother’s voice was as gentle as her hands. Immediately it set me on edge. No, I did not want to end up on another shopping trip.

  “It was fine,” I said flatly. I knew I needed to be on guard with her now.

  Two strokes through my hair with the brush and then she asked, “What did you do?”

  “Went to the bookstore. Didn’t find anything I wanted to read. I still want my tablet back,” I shot the last part at Kitteren. If I could drag her into this, I would. Maybe it would get the attention off of me.

  Kitteren looked up from where she was putting her brown sandals on. “No. Ket, come on. Schoolwork on vacation?”

  “I have other books on there.” Granted, they were books I read to be better in the lab.

  “I’m going to back Kitteren on this one - you need to disconnect,” Mother chided softly.

  I sighed. That attempt was shut down faster than I hoped.

  By now there were no tangles in my hair, but Mother continued to brush it anyway. “Dad says he saw you leave with Silver.”

  “Wait, I told him to leave you alone,” Kitteren jumped back into the conversation. “That good-for-nothing…”

  “Enough,” Mother’s voice was sharp. Then she patted my shoulder and pointed at the box next to me.

  I obediently put the sandals on. They felt comfortable, but I really did not like people buying things for me. I reminded myself that I was simply playing nice to try and hopefully get some information.

&
nbsp; “What else did you do?” Mother asked, her voice gentle again.

  I paused for a moment to think about how to avoid saying too much. “Just got a snack and browsed the cultural displays a little.”

  One, two strokes. “You seemed a little distracted when you got back.”

  Kitteren opened her mouth and looked in Mother’s direction before she shut it again.

  I could not claim I was simply tired. Kitteren would see through it in a heartbeat. “Just had stuff on my mind.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?” I fought against the gentle suggestion.

  I shook my head. I knew I needed to be more alert today. I started to wish Kitteren and Silver got along better - I wanted him to have my back. Then I wondered where the thought came from. I never wanted to rely on anyone else. Bad enough I leaned on Kitteren so much after I first transferred to the TIO.

  “Shit, Ket, what happened?” Kitteren broke her silence.

  “It’s nothing,” I said quickly and immediately regretted it. Now it had become something. Before anyone could ask, I elaborated, done with the games, “I just ran into a couple of weird guys in the center of the market. They left - no incident.”

  “Was Silver with you?” Mother asked.

  I rolled my eyes. “Yes. Can we be done talking about this? It was getting late and I probably shouldn’t have had so much sugar right beforehand.”

  Mother ran her fingers through my hair. “You are more sensitive to things like that.” She got off the bed. “Well, you two have fun. I’ll message you when we’re done so we can meet up.”

  Another meeting? On the weekend? I guess it would not be uncommon when the person you needed to talk to was only available for a short period of time. But still…

  Chapter 11

  After a quick breakfast, Kitteren dragged me down toward the waterfront where most of the festivities were going on. We passed by vendors selling and promoting a wide variety of things from handmade crafts to health insurance. I wondered how many people got drunk and injured enough for the insurance company to have a booth.

  The small canopies shading their workers and customers came in a variety of colors, though the majority of them seemed to be white.