The Parallels
SEVEN

If I had any expectations of how the Herrings treat the mages, they shatter as I open the silver door and slip inside. The smell of human waste hits me immediately, and I gag from its rancidness. The mages are shackled to the wall with shiny silver chains. Most don’t bother looking up, but the few that do are devoid of all emotions. Most of the corridor is dark, save for an eerie glow coming from a handful of silver orbs suspended in mid-air above the chamber. I step forward, and my gaze drops to a familiar figure shackled to the wall.

“Rose?” I whisper.

She looks as though she’s seen a spirit. The others now look at me with mixed expressions of confusion and bewilderment, but the only one who gets my attention is the familiar figure laying on the floor. I’ve known his curly hair and tanned skin my whole life.

“Rhian!” I run through the row of mages to his slumped body. “Rhian, it’s Jules.”

I take his face in my hands. His skin burns with fever and his breathing comes in sputtered waves. I quickly unsheathe my dagger and cut the rope around his wrists and feet. He moans quietly.

“He’s badly injured,” says a voice from behind me.

I turn and see that the rest of the mages are all watching me. The voice belongs to an older man who stands with his arms outstretched; his hands bound just as tightly as Rhian’s. I slash away his restraints, and he flexes his fingers, working the blood back into them.

“Are you here to free us?” he asks. The others wait for my answer behind him.

“Ay. Can you carry him?” I gesture to Rhian’s slumped figure.

He moves past me and despite his frail figure, effortlessly scoops Rhian from the ground.

“See to the others miss,” he says.

I cut the ropes from each of the mages and finally come to Rose.

“I’d thought they killed you,” she says, looking up at me wide-eyed.

“Not a chance.” I extend my hand to her, and she grasps it.

“Rose, I need to ask you something.” She nods her head, shaking loose dirt. “After I attacked that bad man, did you see how he healed so quickly?” I feel Camus’s skin breaking open under my teeth, taste his blood like it was happening all over again. I kneel in front of Rose so that I’m eye level with her. “Is someone here a Healer?”

She leans forward, so she’s barely inches from my face. “Yes, miss.” Tears well up in her hazel eyes. “They forced me to heal him.” Her chin begins to quiver. “I didn’t want to help them, but they made me.”

I draw her willowy body into my arms. “It will never happen again, I promise you. My friend over there needs your help though. Do you think you can use your magic once we leave?”

She shakes her head. “They make us weak.” She looks down at the ropes now strewn about the floor. “The bad men said we’d be quiet for a while. We’re just like everyone else now.” I catch a hint of relief in her voice.

I tilt her chin up. “No good in being the same, Rose. Your magic was made to make you shine.”

Footsteps sound from behind me and I turn around.

The other mages flank the man carrying Rhian. “What’s the plan, miss?” he asks.

“At the end of this hallway is my friend. He’s going to get us out of here.” I look down at Rose, who smiles and takes my hand. “Does anyone have use of their magic?” They all shake their heads. I tighten my grip on the dagger. Jules versus an underground labyrinth full of bloodthirsty killers. Mire watch over us. “Be quick, be silent,” I say to them before opening the door again.

We move as quickly as we can. Every sound makes me jump, and more than once I order everyone to back against the walls. Finally, the metal gate and Darius’s illuminated figure come into view. Thankfully, he removed his veil knowing that the mages never would never trust a Herring. I unlock the gate, and he ushers everyone through. After we’ve cleared it, I sigh deeply, feeling as though I’d been holding my breath the whole time. The man carrying Rhian sets him on the ground, beads of sweat trickle down his face.

“This everyone?” Darius asks, removing the stone from his pocket.

“Yes.”

I look back at Rhian, whose eyes spring open. I rush to his side. Rhian’s tortured voice rasps from his throat.

“Wait,” he whispers.

“Everyone link hands!” Darius commands behind me.

Rhian moans again. “Jules” I lean in closer, my ear almost touches his lips. “They have Laurel.”

I swear I can hear my heart drop to the floor.

“Jules, we have to go!” Darius whispers harshly. I turn around and replace the rest of the group staring at me.

“Take his hand!” I say to the woman on my right. She quickly grasps Rhian’s hand as I step out of the circle and away from the others. I won’t leave Laurel here a moment longer.

“I can’t,” I say.

His expression says it all. He knows that I’m not coming. He knows that whatever Rhian whispered was worth risking my life for. I feel someone behind me and turn to replace that the man who carried Rhian has also stepped away from the others.

“I’m going with you. The Herrings have my daughter, and you’re outnumbered. If my magic returns, Mire help them,” he says defiantly.

I nod and face Darius again. “Get them out of here.” Darius hesitates. “You have to go!” I urge.

“Take this.” He tosses me a key, then takes the hands of the mages on either side once again. “Keep taking the tunnels to the left, and you’ll replace their cells. I’ll meet you there.” His eyes soften for just a moment before he says, “stay alive,” and vanishes.

I stare at the space where Darius knelt only a moment ago before turning around.

“What’s your name,” I ask the stranger.

“Most just call me Oz,” he says, nervously glancing around the cavern.

“I’m Jules,” I say as I hand him my dagger. The cassiterite blade slips into my hand. “Do you know the cells he speaks of?”

He nods. “Follow me.”

He leads us down a few dimly lit corridors and by the third turn I know something is wrong. We haven’t seen or heard anything since leaving the unconscious guards. Oz must sense it too for his steps slow as we descend deeper into the tunnels. I grab his arm and motion to stop in a small alcove. We’re pressed firmly together when I hear the first scream. Oz immediately goes to move, but I hold him in place.

“Whatever we’re about to encounter, we need to have a plan, or no one is making it out alive.” His shoulders slacken beneath my hand. The scream ignites the tunnels again, but I hold steady. “Is your magic coming back? Can you feel it?”

“A bit, I think.” His hesitation convinces me otherwise. The Herrings know these tunnels, all we had to do was stay hidden long enough for Oz’s magic to fully return but a second scream assures me that we don’t have the luxury of time.

“Their cell is just ahead on the left,” Oz says, gesturing to the darkened corridor ahead.

“How do you know?” I ask, feeling my way along the wall.

“My wife was a mentalist.” His breath catches. “She died trying to escape from here but not before she communicated the layout of this place to me and Gabrielle, my daughter.”

“I’m sorry.” I offer. “But that won’t be your fate or Gabrielle’s. Once we get to their cell, I’ll get us out of here. I promise.”

Oz dashes ahead and returns with a torch. “It’s just ahead,” he says as he takes my hand and leads me to a cell. I open the cell door and once we’re inside, Oz folds his arms around a dark-haired girl who I take to be his daughter. “It’s going to be okay,” he says to her, and the others huddled in a mass at the back of the cell. “We’re going to get you out of here.”

I draw the light nearer to the others and scour the petrified faces of the prisoners, but hardly recognize any of them. When I’m near convinced my kin are imprisoned elsewhere, Seyra’s face emerges from the shadows. I quickly cross to her.

“Where’s Laurel?” I ask. She points to the tunnel when another scream breaks the silence. “Oz!” I call softly. He shuffles toward me, never letting go of his daughter’s hand. “I have to save my friend.” To his credit, he doesn’t hesitate, and I know I’ll owe him a life debt once we’ve escaped.

He turns to his daughter. “Gabrielle, I have to help Jules get her friend. I need you to stay here with the others and stay quiet.” His daughter nods her head. “I’m just going down the tunnel, and then I’ll be back.” He hugs her and whispers a few words I can’t quite hear.

I grab her hand and drop the stone into it. “If they come, link hands and think of Northpoint.” I pull her fingers around it. “This will take you there.”

She squares her shoulders. “My father always told us light shines in the darkest of places.” She stares back at me. “I should have known he was right.”

I squeeze her hand. “Northpoint, remember.” I turn, and Oz slips his hand into mine.

We quickly move down the tunnel toward the direction of the scream and after a few paces, come to another cell. We each stand on either side of the cell door. I take pause, listening for movement, but I only hear the belabored sounds of someone breathing. I motion for Oz to stand behind me as I slip the key into the hole and unlock the gate. Again, I wait. No one stirs inside. I open the gate and squint into the darkness.

I reach for Oz’s hand and quickly draw it back as though I’ve touched a flame. When I look back, I realize that I had. A tiny spiral of fire dances above Oz’s outstretched hand. He’s a fire-wielder, a rare form of magic said to have nearly disappeared with The Breaking.

“My magic is still weak, best conserve it for now.” He closes his hand around the flame.

I take the torch and hold it out. Nothing stirs. I nearly slip on something slick, but Oz braces me before I hit the ground. I pass the torch over the ground that’s slick with blood. A stifled cry breaks the silence. Oz gently touches my shoulder, and I take a few steps. Laurel’s body lies beneath a massive, unmoving Herring that I recognize to be Kizmet.

I move to her side. “Laurel?” I whisper.

I motion for Oz to help me and we pull the Herring from atop her. His body makes a small thud as it falls to the floor. Laurel is pressed into the bed like a rock into wet mud. She’s covered in blood and bits of her tunic are torn. I kneel by the bed. There’s so much blood I can’t tell if it’s hers or the Herrings’.

“Laurel,” I say gently. Her eyes snap to me and her brow creases as if she’s trying to understand if this is real or not. She thrashes out against me and screams. I quickly plant my hand over her mouth. “It’s Jules, your best friend. We grew up training together.” I remove the necklace from my belt and hold it out. “You gifted this to me only a few days ago. Don’t you remember?” Her gaze shifts to the necklace and her body slackens beneath my touch. I cradle her head in my arms. “Are you hurt?” I ask securing the necklace around her neck.

She tries to sit up, and her sharp intake of breath answers my question. “Nothing I can’t handle.” She eyes the floor where his body lies. “I killed him.” She shudders. Her slashed tunic, and torn clothing are enough for me to know what he came here to do.

“We just have to cross the hall, and we’ll leave,” Oz says.

“He’s a mage.” I tell her. I throw my arm over my shoulder and pull her to her feet. Her free hand comes to her side and is coated with blood. She’s more injured than I thought. “A Fire Wielder, Laurel. Can you imagine?” She wavers as I help her to her feet. Mire help us.

“I’d like to see that,” she says wearily. I wrap her arm around my shoulder and support most of her weight.

Oz comes to Laurel’s side and wraps his other arm around her waist. “Once we’re out of here, I’ll light up the skies for you.”

“Just a few more steps.” I urge her onward, bearing more of her weight with each passing moment.

Just a few more steps before we’re out of these tunnels. Just a few more steps and we’ll connect with Rose and look back on this adventure around a campfire well into our old age. Just a few more steps. It’s not until we near the cell door and hear the thunderous procession of footsteps that I realize just how far a few steps can be. It only takes an instant for the world to change. Oz’s hands are enveloped in a fire as he launches two fireballs into the hallway toward the approaching Herrings. A cacophony of screams assures me that we have enough time to cross the hall and link with the others but I nearly crash into Oz, who has stopped just outside the gate.

“They’ve gone,” he says plainly.

The cell is empty. A wall of fire burns ahead of us. We must replace a way out, and there’s only one way to go.

“Down further into the tunnels, Jules.” Laurel stands in front of us. She doesn’t wait for our reply as she turns and limps downward into the darkened tunnels ahead using the wall as a crutch.

“Where are we going?” Oz shouts over the deafening echo of the Herring’s screams.

“Down to the mines!” I call out.

I’m hoping the darkness of the mines can buy us enough cover to wait for Darius. To his credit, Oz nods and starts running, knowing our options are limited.

We follow Laurel down the corridor, leaving the raging fire behind. After a few minutes, everything looks the same. Empty cells, darkened tunnels, empty cells. Darius was right; the Herrings were running out of prisoners. We pause in an alcove off another darkened tunnel, all of us panting and caked with sweat. Laurel leans against a stone wall, and amidst the momentary silence, the steady drip of blood on the floor is the only thing that makes a sound.

“Laurel?” I take a few steps toward her.

She grasps my hand as I come to stand by her side. Her hands are slick. “Are we out of this hole yet?”

“Soon my friend,” I say tenderly.

The tunnel fills with sound, and we take off again. We step into a large chamber with four tunnels leading from it. I scan the chamber for an exit, but I can’t risk choosing the wrong shaft and leading us straight to the Herrings. The noise has subsided from behind us, and I’m tempted to turn around, craving the light of day if only to rid myself of this nightmare. Laurel crosses to an empty cell to our right.

“If we take our stand…” Laurel whispers “...with our backs to this,” she gestures to the cell behind her.

Oz looks at Laurel then back to me. “It’s crossed my mind as well.” He looks to his right at an empty cell. “If this is it, then let’s bring the Fade to them,” he says resolutely.

Laurel sees the desperation in my face. “Jules, this is the only way.”

My gaze draws to the place where she clenches her side and nod. Oz leads her into the cell just as a dozen Herrings run into the chamber. The fight is instantaneous. Oz launches a fireball immediately in the direction of the closest two Herrings creating a wall of fire that blocks off two of the tunnels. I turn my attention to the remaining tunnels and take my stand. The first Herring emerges with his blade drawn.

He throws the full force of his weight into me, but I duck and land my blade deep into his gut. He barely hits the ground before I spin away and dig the cassiterite blade into the groin of the next Herring. Another flash of fire erupts across the chamber as Oz waves his hands across the newest line of Herrings flooding into the space.

“Oz!” I yell pointing at the empty tunnel in front of me.

“Duck!” He yells, before hurling another fireball.

Every exit burns. There’s no way out and no way in. But that doesn’t prevent the Herrings from trying to jump through the flames and right into my dagger.

“Jules,” Oz’s voice sounds from behind me. He’s trying to call forth his magic, but every time he opens his hand only a tiny ember appears. “There’s nothing left,” he says.

There’s no telling how long the fire will last so I say the only word I can. “Retreat.”

We push the cell door closed behind us. Laurel lies on the floor barely breathing. I rush to her side, noting the small flutter that spasms beneath her eyelids.

“Don’t worry,” he says, “I’ll fuse it shut.” He glances at us. “She needs you.”

“How much time do we have?” I ask.

“A few minutes before the flames fizzle out completely. There’s no way out for us now,” he says, focusing on the fire.

I look down at Laurel then back at Oz. “I know.” I pull the Everberry from my belt, palming it in my hand. “I’m sorry,” I say to Oz. “You should have gone with them, with your daughter.”

He closes his hand over the ember dancing above it and crouches down in front of me. “My daughter needed to see that we can fight back, that evil doesn’t have to win. I would follow you again if I had the chance.” His gaze falls to the capsule in my hands and his smiles down at Laurel. “Grant her Passage; I’ll see to it that the doors hold.” With that, he rises, and the flames return.

I bring Laurel’s head onto my lap. She moans softly, then opens her eyes. “My dear friend,” I brush away the strands of hair from her face, “I have a treat for you.”

“Levain’s pastries? Because I could use one right about now.” When she coughs, I wipe away the blood from her lips.

Shouts fill the tunnel behind me, but all I can focus on is my friend’s face, the light that still shines in her eyes. “Open your mouth.” I stroke her cheek. Her eyes can’t seem to focus as I place the capsule on her tongue. Everberry is said to taste like honey. “Bite down,” I say to her. She closes her mouth, and I hope my friend can taste nothing but sweetness.

“I’ll be seeing you soon my love.” I blink back tears. Her eyes close. As her breathing slows, Laurel’s face softens, and then my friend is gone. At this moment, I turn a deaf ear to the screaming pack at my back and grant Laurel Passage to the Mire.

“May you know both sides of life, have felt air in your lungs and ground at your feet. I have been blessed to have you in this life, and in all the lives we’ll share together.” I press my lips to her forehead and send her every bit of my light. “In peace may I bear you hence and in love may I send you forth. May our souls meet in the Mire as it was before and as it will be again.”

I remain at her side a moment longer until the snarls of my fate fill the void. Hatred overwhelms me as I stand and face the Herrings.

Oz looks from Laurel’s body to me, then flings a fireball into the heart of the Herring pack. Many dash away from the inferno, but those that don’t fall into screaming heaps of fire on the floor. I stare at their burning bodies and feel nothing. It’s only when Camus appears at the cell door that my rage returns. I wish him a thousand more losses. Oz plants one last wall of fire between the Herrings and us before he drops his hands. Magic is finite, and mages need time to recuperate after wielding large amounts.

“My magic isn’t fully restored. I can’t keep them away much longer,” he says, panting.

I don’t see the dagger fly until its hilt lands in Oz’s chest. I’m up before he hits the ground, bracing myself as we both fall backward. I look toward the gate where the flames have disappeared, and Camus’s face contorts into a vengeful smile.

“Just us now.” He dangles a set of keys in the air.

Oz’s limp body lays heavy on top of me; he’s already gone. Suddenly my chest burns white hot as if Oz is on fire. I cry out in pain and gently slide from under him. My bracelet sings as it unfurls into a dagger in my hand. My tunic sticks to me, drenched with Oz’s blood. The Herrings crash into the cell door. They’re almost through it. I look at the dagger in my hand and the blue veins that lie beneath my wrist. For just a moment I hear Levain’s voice amidst the chaos, unfurling in front of my eyes.

In peace may I bear you hence.

I position the blade onto my skin and breathe deeply, replaceing peace

In love may I send you forth. Silas’s voice comes next.

Just as the door breaks, the cassiterite vibrates and transforms back into a bracelet once again.

“NO!” I scream.

The Herrings burst into the cell as magic betrays me.