Chapter 10: The shift

The quiet doesn’t last.

String lights dangle from the bare trees, some bulbs flickering out or missing.

Chatter hums from the crowd gathered outside Ms. Hale’s house, a thick glaze of ice resting solid below their feet. Warm breath hovers as they recall timelines, share theories, and huddle close, collectively wondering why two Officials entered Ms. Hale’s home with shackles.

“Susanne would never betray the King,” I hear from beyond my window. Susanne must be her first name, I never knew that.

“I haven’t seen her leave in days,” another woman says softly, shaking her head. My curiosity peaks. I shuffle to find my coat but out my window, her front door swings open.

An official shouts, another blue-sashed-one.

“Disperse!”

Everyone scurries off.

I duck my head and peer out, watching him sway side to side outside her door. When his eyes sweep my way, I drop to the floor. Just a few feet to the right and he’d catch me staring, something I’d rather avoid.

I rise slowly, checking that the coast is clear. His gaze is blank, distant.

My heart hammers the longer the moment stretches. I know there’s another Official inside, and I know the shackles aren’t for him.

What could she have done?

After several minutes of his monotonous rocking, her front door creaks open again. Slowly this time, like the world is easing to a stop. A wave of dread hits me.

Clanking metal rips the silence in two. Weighed down by shackles from her wrists to her feet, Frances is led outside with nothing but the clothes on her back. Her long, gray hair blows in the wind but she holds her chin high, stoically.

I sprint to the door, unprepared for the cold, and wrench the door open.

I shout, “Frances!”

She looks up and nods, a clarity in her eyes that sends panic through mine.

“It’s okay, Jo. Stay there,” she says. But I don’t listen. I sprint toward her in just my socks, desperate for answers.

“Where are you taking her??”

She reaches the path and looks past me. I turn, Dark steeds approach, their hooves clicking too loud. Officials draped in black sashes and leather cloaks yank on the reins. This can’t be happening.

“You’re taking her to Mar? Why? She’s a healer!”

The leading Official huffs, his steed circling wildly with pent-up energy. My feet are nearly frozen, but I don’t move.

“Let this be a lesson!” he shouts, knowing the onlookers are watching from the shadows.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

“Anyone who breaks the World Law will be sent to Mar. No trial. No exception!”

My chest collapses. His voice stretches wide through the landscape.

Sara steps through Ms. Hale’s doorway to watch, crying into her hands. A younger woman, about my age, stands by with a flattened gaze holding Ms. Hale who has withered to nothing.

Frances is a key to our community, the sweetest woman who has done nothing for herself and everything for others. She doesn’t deserve this. No one does.

The Steeds gallop away, Frances chained to their saddle. All those years she spent caring for others, gone in an instant. I look down at my feet but they’re numb. Whether from shock or frostbite, I can’t tell.

Sara rushes out. “Jo, let’s get you inside. Come on.”

I’m too stunned to speak. To move.

“This way, come on,” she coos, gently taking my hand to steady me. She’s the closest to Frances, they’ve been working together for years. Yet here she is, caring for me. Healing.

~

My shock settles, I tap my feet with unresolved rage. Contemplating. My front door creaks open, a familiar voice rises with quickened steps.

“Jo! Are you here?”

It’s Eve. “In the kitchen,” I say, harshly.

Eve storms in like she’s ready to explode. Mei follows behind her but struggles to keep up with her zig-zagged pacing. “Arresting Frances? How could they?”

“I said the same thing,” I reply, feeding off of Eve’s anger.

“She’s never hurt a fly,” Mei adds. “She literally saved my life.”

“I know. Trust me. She’s the last person who deserves this.” I grit my teeth. “The last.”

Eve continues pacing, whispering to herself. Back and forth, back and forth. Mei idles on the chair in my kitchen – wary of what’s to come.

“They’re closing in. First the Deathlord watching the shelter, now this,” Eve says.

Mei straightens, her brows knitting together. “What do you mean?”

"He's been sent to "monitor" things," Eve replies, rolling her eyes.

Mei shoots up from her chair, hands fisted.

"What??"

I nod and take a step towards her.

“I was going to tell you. But yes, Eve’s right. They're collecting debts in person now. He’s been by twice now, I don’t know what it means.”

Mei shouts, eyes buried in mine. “You were going to tell me? When?”

I wince at her foreign tone. “Soon. When I had the chance.”

The lie stings my tongue a bit, brushing off Colin as nothing. Pretending he didn’t save my life. I’m just not ready to voice all of those confusing emotions from the past couple of weeks, they’ll think I’m nuts. I probably am.

She huffs and marches away, back to the chair in my kitchen.

“Once seems fair. But twice feels deliberate,” Mei says.

I shift to heels and hold the bridge of my nose.

“You’re right, I’m sorry. I’m still trying to figure it all out.”

The mantra to my life, currently. Trying to figure it all out. She nods with a soft smile.

“We need to do something,” Eve says, refocusing us.

The weight of their eyes sinks into me like lead. They look to me by habit, waiting for what we do next. I’m not sure they realize it.

I gaze towards The Ranges, desperate for Her guidance. I stand there, waiting — reaching. A flood of heat rushes beneath my skin. The first time since the Uprising. It’s there. Waiting.

Then, I look up. An opening in the sky forms, the moon hovers above my eyes. Waiting for its turn. Full.

I know what’s next, what I have to do.

Eve interrupts, ”you okay?”

I sigh, recentering myself.

”Yes. Just thinking.”

Another sting — lying by omission.

Pacing to my bedroom with slow precision, I grab the summons off my desk and neatly tuck it under my arm. I continue down my creaky hall and contemplate it, my heart thumping. What will they think?

I face them both, envelope in hand, and take a deep breath.

”I need to show you guy something.”

They look at each other and then back at me, eyes ready.