Page 35 of The Oracle of Dusk

“Forgive me, your magic is…elusive. Close your eyes and focus on the feeling. Once you do that, I want you to picture your magic as an animal inside you. What does it feel like?”

Aurora closed her eyes, focusing on the writhing magic inside her. What did it feel like? Like a dog twisting and fighting her hold. But it was too elusive for that. Whenever she tried to grasp it, it evaded her. It was more like the long-eared desert mouse, jumping free at every turn. One of her earliest digs in the Aurean desert had been plagued by the little pests, and as a lowly acolyte, her job had been to chase them off.

“A fairy mouse. Slippery little beast trying to run away.”

“Good. I’m going to loosen my hold. I want you to concentrate on that fairy mouse. When it tries to hide, hold its image in your mind. That’s how you’ll capture it.”

The insistent tugging let up. She could breathe again. As her magic tried to escape her, she did as Silvanus instructed, holding it with the image in her mind. It settled, ceasing its attempt to flee her. She imagined it with colour, a coat of the palest pink, bright black eyes rimmed with dark lashes, little tan spots on its large, long ears and equally long feet. This wasn’t so bad. The magic was definitely strange, but it felt good too, like she was finally stretching a muscle after a cramp.

“I think I’m—”

She felt a horrible tug.

Aurora was not where she’d been. This was no cosy abode of smooth rock and comfortable cushions. Wherever she was, all the edges of her vision were blurred, the sharp details quickly dissolving into a dark mist the closer she looked. Three statues towered above her, adorned in robes of red, black and white, gold garlands sitting atop their heads. The Triad? No. Each statue was double-sided, two heads, two bodies, merged at the back into one, so their glittering jewel eyes stared out from opposite sides. Obsidian and onyx for Knowledge and Lies. Ruby and garnet for Passion and Death. Diamond and quartz for Justice and Vengeance. Had she travelled to the heart of the dualist sanctuary?

“It’s true! Justice selected Silvanus as Her avatar! I just came from Boreas. He was last seen heading out with High Priestess Orithyia. He’s betrayed us all. He can’t be trusted,” a man insisted.

No matter how well she tried to see his face, he remained obscured by mist. As did the others gathered in the sanctuary, save for Macris.

“Silvanus would never betray us. He was given a mission by the elders—”

“To infiltrate the palace! Not to become a lapdog for a princess. Not to turn his back on dualism. Now he’s wielding the holy sword for a heretic high priestess! What about that is his mission?” the younger man argued.

“You accuse him in absentia. Maybe we should ask Silvanus to answer your accusations himself,” Macris said, raising her chin. “He arrived a few days ago. I’ve been taking care of him since then. Follow me.”

Aurora gasped, blinking furiously.

“Aurora! Aurora!” Phaedra cried, shaking her.

“What? What happened?” Aurora winced, a splitting headache forming behind her eyes. She was back with Silvanus and Phaedra.

“You were wrapped in your magic. You were here, but we couldn’t reach you,” Silvanus explained.

“I… I was pulled somewhere. The sanctuary. A young man was angry that you’d become the avatar. Macris said she would lead a group of angry people here, to you.”

“I thought her magic was about stopping time!” Phaedra hissed at Silvanus, as if he’d caused this strange turn of events.

Something warm and coppery dripped from her nose. Aurora wiped away the blood as her head pounded in agony.

“Wild magic is multi-faceted.”

“What would you have done if she hadn’t been able to come back? Did you ever think of that?” Phaedra hissed. “She’s bleeding because of your methods!”

“Stop, both of you. Merciful Triad, if you’re going to fight, then just kiss each other. At least that’s quieter,” Aurora groaned.

“Having a lover’s quarrel again?” Macris asked, waltzing through the curtain into her home with another basket in hand. Her gaze shot to the blood dripping down Aurora’s nose. “I just fixed you up. What happened?” Macris fussed over her, her magic washing over and through Aurora. Her headache eased a fraction. “No cure for overusing your magic, I’m afraid. What are you doing, overextending yourself after just recovering from a major injury? Go lie down.”

How was Macris here, now? Aurora had just seen her in the sanctuary. What was it that she’d seen?

“Is there any chance we could walk around? They’re eager to see the sanctuary,” Silvanus asked calmly.

Macris eyed him with surprise.

“That’s going to have to wait. The scouts are about to return and we’ve been called to the sanctuary to await their arrival. I’ll see about bringing up your return with the elders after the meeting. Stay here until I come for you.”

“Of course. Thank you for your hospitality, Macris.”

She smiled.

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