Page 87 of Between Soul and Vessel
“Did you have a vision or something? How do youknow?” Artemesia questioned.
My lips vibrated as I blew out a breath of air. I wasn’t exactly sure how to explain this one, but hey, my sister rode a half eagle, half lion, so I was sure she wouldn’t blink twice at a shadow mouse living inside my brain.
“Back home, there was someone by the name of Soren. We were friends . . . once, until he forced himself into my mind, without my consent, and then used it against me in order to save himself.” Even though I spoke the words to Artemesia, I watched Soren, noting how his head dipped as I voiced his transgressions against me. “Right now, he stands on the forefront of my mind, telling me that he and my other friends are here in the Mother Realm.”
“That is terrible for a friend to do that. Such a person is not to be trusted,” Artemesia spoke with disdain. She raised a brow. “Does this mean he is privy to your thoughts? Memories? Things you’ve seen?”
“Yes. He has access to everything,” I said, the growl in my voice lost when I realized—
I won’t tell anyone about Veshameer,Soren vowed as he took a step toward me.I promise.
Just hearing him speak the Hidden City’s name made me clench my fists. His promise was meaningless. His actions had proven that he was not one to be trusted. And so, I would not give that to him now. Not until he showed me otherwise.
I will, Sage. I’ll earn back your trust. I’ll—
Ignoring him, I looked at Artemesia. “I know this could be a trap, but if there is a chance Von and my friends are here,I need to go.”
“You are my sister. I’m not letting you go alone.” Her voice was firm. “Ask thisSoren,” she hissed his name, “where they are, andwewill go to them.”
“Alright.” Turning inward, I looked at Soren.
His reply came swiftly.We are moving further into the forest, east of the Verita Mountains. The others had a camp set up, but Von and Folkoln don’t want to stay there because they think the gray-skinned creatures will come after us. Considering Von left one of them tied up, when they find her, I imagine they will.
“The Verita Mountains,” I said to Artemesia. “Do you know where that is?”
She nodded. “I do, yes. The Miyakai River runs through them. I’ll get Vatara, and we can leave within the hour.”
A small seed of hope sprung inside.
Von . . . Is it really you?I asked across the broken bridge that linked us, and although I could not hear his reply, Ifeltit—
A small gust of wind brushed over my cheek, caressing it with a loving touch.
“Before we leave, I want you to tie this over my eyes,” I said to Artemesia, holding up a bit of cloth, the edges frayed and torn. I’d ripped it from the fabric of my pillowcase a short fifteen minutes ago as I’d quickly packed a bag for myself.
“Why?” Artemesia asked as she stroked Vatara’s head, the two waiting for me outside of Artemesia’s tent.
“I don’t trust Soren. I won’t risk showing him how to get here,” I said, handing it to her. “Which means I can’t know the way either.”
Her fingers curled around the cloth as she answered, “Alright.”
She whistled, and Vatara lowered so we could mount.
I sat in front of Artemesia, feeling the immense warmth radiating from Vatara. I patted her neck while Artemesia tied the sash in place. My vision went dark.
“Can you see anything?” she asked, a bit of air moving in front of my face. I imagined she was waving her hand back and forth.
“No,” I replied. “Nothing.”
“Alright, we’re off then,” she said, clicking her tongue.
Vatara whistled a melodic note, and then she leapt from the ground, taking us to the sky.
I had experienced seasickness before when riding on boats, but it was nothing compared to the way my stomach revolted now. Apparently, flying through the air at high speeds with a sash covering my eyes was not the best idea I’d ever had. We’d had to stop six times so that my rumbling stomach could find relief. The one time, we hadn’t been fast enough, and poor Vatara’s side had borne the worst of it.
“How are you doing?” Artemesia asked, one hand rubbing my back, the other on the reins.
“Feeling like we’re never going to make it at this rate,” I spoke groggily.
