Decisions

Meagan was oriented very quickly.
She resisted the urge to draw her sword, but in truth, she had no need for it. Somehow, she just knew where a wall was, when someone drew near, and where she could hide. She avoided several people this way, and it was extremely helpful. It came to her, as in a sort of sixth sense. Was this what Oleander had called “sensing,” which he also confessed as being unable to do? She had a feeling it was, and again she wondered what exactly she had turned into. Probably not a human.
As she walked, Meagan sensed that she was nearing the heart of the Meeting Hall, which she knew as the Chief Sorcerer's Sanctum. She'd been there once, on a field trip. She couldn't remember if the Chief Sorceress had been there; it had been a long time ago, and she had been only five or six. She did recall that the room was wide, with Greek style columns and statues between them, and a twelve-pointed star mosaic on the floor. That was the newest addition, she knew. Annalise had added it less than a decade ago.
The thought of going to the Sanctum filled her with anticipation. Linus would very likely be there, and he had Jenni.
He had Jenni...
The very thought made Meagan's fists curl into balls of fury, and her jaw tightened. She'd get Jenni back. She'd prove Lynn wrong. She definitely could save Jenni, even in this... not weaker, she decided, but altered state. No, that was wrong. It wasn't that she could. It was that she had to.
Once she reached the Sanctum, Meagan winced at the echoes her footsteps made. She didn't like the noise, and it seemed far louder now that she couldn't see. That, and the fear of being alone, greatly augmented the sound, until it seemed as if it reverberated and pulsed around her.
A foreboding presence behind her made her heart skip a beat. Unconsciously, she drew her sword and slashed.
A hand caught her wrist. “Meagan,” a voice whispered. “Are you trying to kill me?”
Meagan stiffened. “Malum.”
“Yes, Meagan.” He let go, and Meagan sheathed her sword. “What happened, little valkyrie?” he asked. His soothing voice did not have the same effect in reality as it did in her dreams. Now, it lost its seductive tinge, seeming to be that of an ordinary boy. She thought that the sensing might have stripped her perception of the strange property.
Malum lifted her chin, staring into her gaze. That makes three people now, Meagan thought. What do they expect to see in my eyes? Though she couldn't see his face, Meagan felt the confusion and… pride… radiating from him. “Meagan,” he said, “have your eyes always been purple?”
“No.”
“Well, they are now.”
Meagan pulled away and smiled wryly, knowing how uncomfortable he was and wishing to multiply that feeling. The fact that she was blind and gave such a chilling smile only added to the effect. “Does this bother you?”
“No, in all honesty. It does not.”
“You're lying.” She didn't have to guess. She could clearly detect the discomfort, and the questions he had bounding inside. It was almost as if she could reach out and touch his thoughts, as if they were tangible, available items. She tried it, but found a mental barrier in place. So emotions and essence are detected far more easily than thought.
“What have you changed into?” Malum asked. “Your wings are gone.”
And I can sense. “I don't know.” Meagan really didn't, though she had a guess.
“Is something bothering you?”
“My sister, Malum. Where is she?” Her voice rose in volume and intensity, filling the Sanctum with angry tone. She knew Malum flinched at the ferocity of it.
“I don't know,” he answered. “Meagan, I've never lied to you. I really don't know.”
“No, you're the biggest liar on the face of this continent! In both worlds, even! Linius works for you, and he has her! I know!”
“You're an idiot!” he growled. “I'm at the bottom of this stupid chain. I work for him. His stupid socks have more authority than I do! Do you think I like this? I hate it!”
“Well, why do you work for him?” Meagan challenged. “Hmm?”
“He let me out of that Gate. I have to.”
“If he let you out and you work for him... then Mariale has to, right? Because he opened the Gate all those days ago?”
Malum shook his head. “That wasn't him. I don't know who it was, but it wasn't him.”
“Malum,” she pleaded, “please help me.”
Malum sighed. “I would, Meagan, but I can't. I owe Linius a great debt, since he brought me here. It's how it works; I'm bound to him.” Now Meagan detected sorrow and remorse, even regret, which surprised her. He was being completely honest.
He took her hand. “I can take you to him.”
“What?” She shook her head, confused. “Why?”
“You want your sister and he has her. She was bait, Meagan. He wants you. If you turn yourself in, he'll let her go. I know that much.” Meagan felt his resolve. He's messed up before. He wants to redeem himself. But for what? Who did he really let down? Despite the feelings radiating off of him, Meagan wasn't sure she trusted him. He'd been a traitor to her, and now he wished to help but couldn't...
“Don't be ridiculous,” Malum snorted. “I don't want to help you. Ego sum Malum. I'm evil. Evil doesn't help little girls.”
Meagan could tell he was lying.

“Mm... where am I?” Arya asked sleepily, propping herself up on one elbow. Dimly, she became aware of boxes and trunks, Ayana sleeping, Joel and Jessica playing a game of patty-cake, and Oleander leafing through one of the books. “This looks like Carmen's attic. Uncannily...”
“It is Carmen's attic,” Oleander replied, not looking up.
“How'd we get back here?”
“You fainted,” Joel answered, and scowled as Jess messed up the rhythm. “Hey, watch it! It's bum-bum-tatatata-bum.”
“I know the rhythm!” Jess snapped. “My hand just slipped.”
“What are you reading?” Arya asked Oleander.
“A book of Carmen's. An Elegy of Eons. It's about scholars' speculations on the demise of our race. It's all wrong, of course.”
“Fun,” Arya replied sarcastically. “I personally avoided that kind of reminder for the past five hundred years.”
“So have I,” Oleander sighed. “I’m starting to think she may be a surviving Victura, but her eyes are green...”
“And she has no essence,” Arya pointed out.
“Exactly. How can ANYONE, Victura or not, have no essence?”
Jess frowned as she messed the rhythm up again. “This is so stupid! How long are we supposed to stay holed up in this dumb attic? Let's go and do something! Anything!”
“No,” Oleander shot her down. “We promised.”
“So because you promised some random stranger who may or may not be a Victura you'd stay in her attic, you're going to rot here? Have you considered that she might never come back?”
“Yes, I have, and I know how weird it seems, but we are not going anywhere,” he said firmly, “no matter how strange it seems. Got it?”
“Got it,” muttered Jessica.
“But what if I told you Cattallus is in danger?” a new voice asked. “What would you do then, king of poisons?”
Oleander gritted his teeth. “Ebbony.”
A laughing form stepped into the attic. “Flimsy walls,” she said as she slid through them. “They keep almost everything out... but all walls have their weak points.” She grinned. “You didn't answer my question, Oleander.”
“I'd rescue her, of course.”
“Obviously. So, then, what are you waiting for? Chop chop! Maidens in danger have a time limit, you know. Wait too long and they're gone.”
“I don't believe you,” Oleander said calmly. “I think you're lying.”
“So suddenly now you don't believe me. Whatever made you change your mind?” Ebbony shrugged. “It's funny, your wife had a similar attitude. It's rather rude, don't you think? I've never lied to you. Not once. All the proof you need is that precious Gate of yours.”
Oleander scowled. “That thing is anything but precious.”
“Not to you, mayhaps, but it means much to me.” She sighed. “Here I was expecting a thank you for all the knowledge I imparted upon your little mind, ushering you into a new age. Fine, don't believe me. Just remember last time you didn't take me seriously.”
With teeth clenched, Oleander pointed to the door. “Get. Out. Now.”
“As you wish.” She curtsied and faded into the gloom.
“What did happen, all those years ago?” Arya asked quietly. “That one day I wasn't in town?”
“It's not important,” Oleander answered. “At least, not to you.” He frowned. “Jess, I want you to guard Arya. I'm going out.” He raised his hand, and there was a flash of light. When it subsided, he was holding a sword, its blade glowing a greenish hue. He snarled, “Now, Jess!”
“But you said you were-”
“An order's an order!” he barked. “Do it!”
Jess bit her lip and nodded.
“Joel, I want you to stay here with Jess, Ariana and Ayana.”
“As you wish.”
Oleander strode to the window and flung it open. The night air blasted him in the face, but he didn't care. He walked backwards a bit, then dashed off and landed deftly on the street. “Good. Now it's time to-”
“-take Ayana with me,” Ayana interrupted.
Oleander whirled around and pointed an accusing finger at the ex-apprentice. “You weren't really sleeping!”
Ayana shrugged. “And you weren't really clever,” she said. “I had to get you guys to lower your guard. Besides, I already told Carmen. I'm going.”
Oleander scowled. “You two have a death wish. This country's full of daredevils.”
“Thank you. Now, let's go.”
“I'm not going to the Meeting Hall. I'm finding Cattallus.”
“Sucks for you, then. I know the way in.”
“To where? The Hall?”
“To everywhere.” Ayana grinned. “Wouldn't it be nice to have a local guide?”
“I'll have to do without you, because no doubt the Hall is where you're going.”
Ayana's grin grew wider. “Then where are you going?”
Oleander frowned. In truth, he had no idea. “I guess we could follow the River...”
“To where?”
“Um, I don't know.” He sighed. “I have no clue what to do, so let's just go with your plan. We're going to the Meeting Hall.”

Meagan felt his presence. He was just standing there, waiting, while Malum led her closer and closer to him. She doesn't have to see the smirk on his face to know that he was pleased. Linius didn't say anything until Meagan was right in front of him. “Hello, little one,” he said.
Meagan remained silent. Linius continued, “I have your sister.”
“I know.” The knowing hurt. It hurt to know that she was standing right in front of a kidnapper, and a curse-caster. Linius had cast the spell afflicting Jenni; Meagan was sure of it.
“She will be released as soon as you agree.”
“To what?” Meagan put her hand to her throat, surprised. She spoke, but it hadn't been her voice that came out- it had been Jemma's. We are never truly gone from each other. Even awake, we dream...
“I need your heart,” Linius explained, “and I can get that if you just stay in the Gate. It'll be all right to leave your body behind; you'll get a new one from that cursed door anyway.”
“Why do you need it?” Now her voice had both of theirs, hers and Jemma's, diffused into a seamless blend that sounded so strange and yet so natural at the same time. “What do you want us to do?” Not me, but us. Meagan knew that whatever decision she made affected both of them.
“Exactly that. Give me your heart.”
“Will it hurt?” Despite everything, Meagan was still afraid of pain. It was rational, she supposed, but she had to put her weaknesses aside at a time like this.
Malum, who had retreated behind a mental barrier that kept his emotions from pouring forth, suddenly broke through and cried, “You can't seriously be contemplating this! Run, you fool!” He was clearly distraught, and Meagan wondered whose side he was truly on.
“Shut up, you insignificant homunculus!” Linius roared, and struck him. Malum shrieked. “You have no right to speak to me like that.”
“Will it hurt?” Meagan asked again, repeating herself.
“No,” Linius replied. Meagan tried to sense his feelings, but he had also set up a wall to keep her out. She had no way of knowing whether he was lying or not.
“You promise to let Jenni go?”
“Yes.”
“Will we die?”
“No.”
Meagan took a deep breath. I promised no matter what. “We'll do it.”

This doesn't look too good for Megan, but at least Jenni is safe. You really shouldn't donate your heart to a kidnapper until he releases the hostage though, he might keep them both.

I think it's suffice to say Meagan is not thinking rationally at this point.

Dragonlord Stephi : Oh this is just bursting suspensful heroism So Meagan can sense now right ? Is she Victura now ? Or am I wrong ? And I hope Oleander realizes who and where Catallus is soon .. I mean I am just a reader and I know . The guy's a King .. a clueless one at that . Good writing btw  

A user of this : I agree . I'd never give my heart to a kidnapper ... especially Lunius .. I mean ... he is just so untrustworthy . Almost like Ebonny ... but she keeps her promises ... just that she doesn't tell you what they are till AFTER you've made a deal . But being in such a precarious position I guess Meagan needs to do whatever she needs to do .