“I’m not sure. We’re somewhere near Seneca. I can hear her—listen!” Shayna said softly.
Conner remained quiet as he sat up on the floor. He felt disoriented. They were in a dark room, and he was terrified. He wasn’t sure what lurked in the darkness, and staying still was his first instinct. The only light was a beam that seeped in from beneath a door. As their eyes adjusted, it was clear they were in some type of dwelling. The room had a bed but little else. The light was coming from another room, from which they could distinctly hear Seneca speaking to someone.
“Seneca’s in there for sure,” said Shayna. “Can you make out what they’re saying?”
“It sounds like Seneca is doing all of the talking. I’m not sure, but the other voice sort of sounds familiar.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” said Shayna. “Conner, do you hear them?”
“Um, maybe,” he moaned.
“What’s wrong with you? Did you hit your head?” asked Jake. He tried to keep his voice just above a whisper.
“No, it’s just really dark in here. You know what I think about being somewhere I can’t see,” said Conner.
“Look, we’ve gotta have a game plan,” said Jake. “I don’t think just pouncing in there is the right tactic.”
“I think the surprise attack is our best bet. We go in, grab Seneca, and get out,” said Shayna. She leaned in close. “Who knows if the dupelene can still make the fireballs or not, but I think the sooner we get in there, the better. You can tell from Seneca’s voice that she’s really upset.”
“You’re right. Let’s go over to the door and see if we can hear what they’re saying,” said Jake.
“Come on, Conner. There’s light on the other side of the door. We might need you to break it down if it’s locked,” said Shayna. She gave a tug on his shirt and got to her feet.
She flexed her hand, and the sword appeared, casting a warm light across the room. Conner relaxed when he saw there was nothing lurking in the dark corners. Shayna smiled at her mastery of the weapon. Her confidence in handling it grew each time she called upon it. She dimmed the beam and then swept it through the air several times. Jake crept quietly across the room. Shayna eased in just behind him. They eased closer to the door and leaned in with their ears against it. Conner remained a few feet back and readied for an attack.
“Did you hear that? She’s talking to herself,” whispered Shayna. Jake nodded in response.
“What’s wrong with her?” asked Conner. His voice cracked in his attempt to keep quiet. He felt uneasy but resisted asking Shayna to make her sword brighter. Instead, he moved closer to the low light it cast at their feet.
“Probably some spell has gone wrong. She’s yelling one second and then calm, almost pleading, the next,” replied Shayna as she struggled to keep her voice quiet. “I don’t like it—she’s being tortured or something. We need to get in there.”
The sounds from the other room immediately stopped. Shayna exchanged a look with Jake; they knew they’d been overheard. They stepped back from the door in anticipation of an attack. A minute passed, but no one came crashing in. Conner sighed in relief. He wasn’t looking forward to battling anything that could look like Brigara, especially in the dark.
“Maybe they didn’t hear you,” said Jake. “Listen. I think Seneca’s talking again.”
They crept back to the door as Jake motioned for Shayna to remain quiet. She reluctantly nodded in agreement and placed her ear to the door.
“Something’s not right,” Jake whispered. His muscles were stiffening in anticipation.
“We’ve gotta get in there,” Shayna said, making sure to speak as quietly as possible. She could hear Jake’s breathing intensify, and it caused her to tense up.
“Not yet—just wait a second. We need to know what we’re walking into,” he said through gritted teeth. He tried to remain calm, since it was apparent they were both getting anxious.
“I wasn’t planning on just walking. It would be more like a furiously fierce runway strut!” Shayna snapped.
Jake turned and looked at her in confusion. He knew the moment wasn’t right to burst out laughing, and he struggled to hold back the laughter. His body shook from the restraint. The image of her walking the catwalk with a sword in hand was humorous. He believed if anyone could pull it off, it was Shayna. He covered his mouth to muffle a snort.
“What?” Shayna asked. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you actually laughing?” she said in a huff.
“No, I’m sure you’d be unforgettable.”
“I’m just saying I don’t like casual entrances. They don’t get the desired reaction; they never go viral.”
“Got it. Now, keep your voice down, and listen. Did you catch that? Seneca sounds really agitated,” he said in a low, flat voice.
“Do you think she’s hurt?” whispered Conner. He had moved just behind Shayna and attempted to hear the commotion coming from the other room.
“I don’t know, but they’re at it again,” Jake said quietly.
“What do you mean they?” asked Conner, being sure to keep his voice low. “It sounds like just Seneca—but she’s arguing with herself.”
“Yeah, I don’t know about that. I can only hear Seneca,” said Shayna.
“Shh. Listen,” said Jake. “I think there’s someone with her.”
“I think you’re right. It’s probably the psycho shape-shifting copycat thing,” said Conner.
“Quiet—I’m trying to make out what they’re saying,” said Jake.
“I will kill you without a second thought if you don’t give me what I desire!”
“I’m not going to do it, so you might as well do what you keep threatening to do. I’m tired of looking at you!”
“You will reveal them fully to me now or die!”
A piercing scream penetrated the walls, followed by noises of furniture being overturned, shattering glass, and a loud thud against the wall.
“Okay, that scream was bad. It’s obvious we need to get in there, like, now!” said Shayna as quietly as she could.
“Why is Seneca threatening herself?” asked Conner.
“I don’t know, but I’m not waiting for her to make good on it!” Shayna’s sword shook in her hand as she aimed it at the door. Jake jumped out of the way just as she carved an opening around the doorframe in a single swiping motion. Without hesitation, she leaped through the enflamed entryway. Conner and Jake immediately followed. Once they crossed the threshold, they stopped. They stood motionless in the room and exchanged horrified expressions at the scene before them.
Shayna gripped Jake’s arm, and he flinched when her nails dug into his flesh. In the center of the room was Seneca, her right wing charred, shriveled, and mangled beyond recognition. The one on the left was drab and void of color. It was limp and lifeless, resembling a dragonfly whose wings had been frayed out of cruelty. Seneca turned her head slowly and looked at them with vacant eyes. Her skin was blotchy, and she appeared to be on the brink of death. Jake wondered if she was doing this to herself or if the cause was an enchantment. Whatever the situation, she clearly needed help.
She was surrounded by broken glass that covered most of the floor. Four windows lined one wall, and they were all shattered. There was little to no glass remaining in any of them. The entire room was in disarray, with chairs overturned and wooden tables reduced to kindling. The room was chilly, and a foul stench of burned flesh lingered in the air.
Jake started to rush over to her but stopped short. He promptly held out his arm to halt Shayna’s approach; she started to protest but resisted. She realized his reaction was justified. Their eyes locked on Seneca’s hand. She had an orb—not of fire, as Brigara had used, but one that resembled a glowing ball of snow. It glistened and hovered above her palm with icy streams of mist rising and revolving around it.
“Seneca, it’s okay. We’re here now,” said Jake soothingly.
“We’re going to take you back to Rileau. I’m sure he can fix you right up and put some color back in those cheeks,” said Shayna in an attempt to sound reassuring. She avoided mentioning anything about the wings, since she saw them as a complete loss. She felt a wave of sadness. Seeing what had once been so beautiful reduced to a tragedy beyond repair was heartbreaking.
Seneca stared back at them blankly as she tilted her head in contemplation. She opened her mouth slightly, but no words came out. Jake followed her glance and realized she was only looking at Shayna. He noticed her sword was still illuminated.
“Shayna,” Jake said calmly.
“What? Why isn’t she saying anything?” Shayna said in a low voice as she resisted looking at Jake directly.
“She might be threatened by your sword. Maybe you should put it down,” he whispered.
“Maybe if she put that ice-ball thing away, I’d consider it,” said Shayna with exaggerated sarcasm. She made no attempt to keep her voice down. “Otherwise, not a chance!”
“Perhaps you’d like a demonstration of my power to make you reconsider,” Seneca replied in a monotone. She raised her arm to display the icy orb still swirling above her palm. Her eyes were lifeless, and her expression was stern.
“I don’t think she’s kidding,” Shayna mumbled. She raised her sword in a countermove.
“I think you’re right,” Jake said in a surprised voice. “Hold steady.”
“Guys, wait!” yelled Conner. “Hold on! Get over here.”
Shayna refused to acknowledge the interruption. She was more concerned with the threat just three feet in front of her. Her friend was now a foe. It was clear to Shayna that Seneca wasn’t acting like herself. Whatever had happened had made her almost unrecognizable.
“Jake, see what Conner’s yelping about. I’m going to keep my eyes and sword on Miss Teen Frosty here,” said Shayna in a growl. “You’ve gotta snap out of this, Seneca!”
Jake spun around toward Conner, prepared to be annoyed by something less important than witnessing Shayna and Seneca on the brink of a showdown. His jaw dropped. In the far corner of the room was a slumped figure lying in the fetal position. His first thought was that Seneca must have wounded the dupelene, but that assumption was quickly erased when he saw Conner’s expression. He stood motionless and watched in horror. His mind went blank. He couldn’t comprehend what he was witnessing. Something was wrong, and it wasn’t completely registering. He watched Conner lift her up in his arms and cradle her small body as her arms dangled freely. She wasn’t moving.
“Conner, wait—” He stopped midsentence and rushed across the room.
“Look at her, Jake,” said Conner somberly. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he held the limp body close.
“Seneca?” Jake said sympathetically. “What happened to her?”
Jake brushed her hair from her eyes. Her face was cold to the touch. For the first time, he noticed how frigid the room felt. It was extremely cold. Each breath he exhaled let out a cloud of mist. Jake fought back his tears. He was angry, and he charged toward the look-alike Seneca. She had no chance to respond as he shoved her square in the chest. She fell hard and slid across the shards of glass that blanketed the floor. The ice orb she’d been taunting Shayna with rolled from her fingers and crashed into the wall, leaving a seared mark where it connected. She screamed in agony as she crawled to her feet. Blood rolled down her legs. She frantically attempted to scrape away slivers of glass that protruded from her pale skin. She rocked back on her heels and willed another icy orb into her hands. She smirked as she backed away to create distance from her attackers.
“Jake!” Shayna screamed. “What are you doing? She’s hurt. Why would you do that to Seneca?”
“It’s not Seneca. It’s the dupelene! She’s the one who did that!” Jake shouted as he pointed to Conner, who looked as if he would topple over at any second.
“Seneca?” Shayna said inaudibly. She didn’t move—she couldn’t. “Is she all right?”
“She’s really cold—her lips are blue, and she’s not responding at all,” said Conner. “The cold is coming off her like an uber Arctic blast!” He was shaking from the cold she was emitting, but he didn’t dare let go. He shivered involuntarily as he focused on keeping Seneca warm by rubbing her arms and shoulders.
“Yes, she is cold—she’s actually freezing!” said the ghastly, disfigured dupelene. “And she will die unless she reveals her wings and gifts to me.” She leaned against a wall and smiled, displaying a row of rotting teeth.
“If she dies, you won’t be around to see it, because you’re going out first!” Shayna shrieked and raised her sword. The vibration was too intense to manage with one hand. She adjusted her grip to accommodate both hands. She positioned the blade high above her head. She started to charge but was stopped as Jake intervened. He wrapped his arm around Shayna’s waist and nearly lifted her off the ground. He had to duck to miss being struck by her flailing sword-wielding arms.
“Let go of me! What are you doing? Let me go!” she shouted as she wrestled free. Her eyes were wild with anger and confusion.
“We need to focus on Seneca. Just look at her! That dupelene’s no threat to anyone looking like that,” said Jake. “Seneca already did a number on her. Leave her to suffer on her own.”
“Jake’s right,” said Conner. “We need to help Seneca.” His teeth chattered, and he shook uncontrollably.
“We need to get her back to the castle,” said Jake. “That means you, Shayna!”
Shayna looked at the dupelene, who was now on the floor with her eyes closed. Jake was right that she wasn’t a threat. Whatever had been done was obviously more than the dupelene could handle. Shayna repositioned her sword and contemplated all she had experienced. She had already battled several of Brigara’s followers, and it was clear this would not be the last she had to face. The war had become personal after her grandmother Dreya was taken. Now her friend’s life was in jeopardy. The burden of failure loomed. They weren’t winning in the magical war thus far, and the absence of success was weighing heavily. For each ounce of confidence she gained, she felt as if Brigara figured out ways to tear it away. She felt bitter as a wave of doubt washed over her.
“I can’t do it. It’s too risky,” said Shayna. Her voice was soft. She relaxed, and her sword dematerialized. She turned and slumped away from the dupelene. She brushed her hand gently along the outer edge of Seneca’s cheek. “She’s so cold.”
“That’s why we need to get her back to Rileau,” said Conner as he adjusted Seneca in his arms and pulled her in close.
“I just can’t take the chance.”
The hairs on the back of Shayna’s neck sprang erect. She whipped her body around. Her sword reappeared before she could blink. The dupelene had produced two icy orbs, and they were flying directly at them. Shayna lunged with her sword fully extended. She swiped one out of the air, catching it with the tip of her blade. The orb exploded upon impact in a shower of icicle daggers. Shayna dodged to avoid being hit, but in doing so, she couldn’t maintain her balance. She lost her footing and slipped on a chunk of ice. She slammed into the ground hard and slid across the slick floor. Her head banged against a table leg. She lay motionless.
The second orb hit Conner directly in his shoulder blade. He had shifted his body to protect Seneca, the intended target. He fell to one knee and yelled out in pain. He rocked unsteadily, placing Seneca down gently, before collapsing onto the floor.
Jake readied himself as two more orbs slowly began to take form. The dupelene’s eyes met his. She smirked smugly in triumph.
“I thought you were the mighty dominion, but look what I’ve accomplished.” She cackled. “Brigara will be quite pleased.” She glanced down at the slowly swirling orbs in her hand. Their intensity faded as they flickered feebly an
d then vanished. Frustration was etched on her pallid face. She grumbled and cursed under her breath.
Jake closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He stretched his arms out to his sides. The floor began to shake beneath his feet. In front of where he stood, a hole opened in the floor. At first, it was about the size of a large coin, exposing a miniature pool of water. As it swirled, it grew in diameter and speed. It expanded until it extended three feet wide, forming a rapid spinning whirlpool of water. The whirlpool sped up and got faster with each revolution.
“What is that? What are you doing?” she shrieked. She backed farther away. “This is impossible.” She attempted to run, but there was no escape route. No doors or windows were reachable without going past him. She fumbled as she tried to create an orb. A few fleeting sparks appeared and then instantly flickered out like a lighter low on butane.
Jake’s eyes opened wide. He lowered his arms, pulled back, and then thrust them in her direction. She crossed her arms in front of her face and screamed. The enchanted water followed his command. It rose from the swirling pool and plunged into her like the force of the ocean against a rocky shoreline at high tide. There was no relenting. The velocity lifted her high above the floor. She was thrust against the wall. The momentum of the crash was enough to break completely through the entire partition. A large beam swung precariously above by a single bolt and hinge, threatening to pull away with little effort. A partial area of the roof was exposed through a large hole; roof tiles had been ripped off and washed away. Broken planks of wood were blasted in all directions, leaving splintered remains of what was once the bearing wall to the home. The dupelene’s spindly flailing body was forcibly expunged from the room and out into the open air. She tumbled and thrashed about like a stuffed doll. The rushing water swept her down the rocky hillside, forcing her over the jagged cliff, and dumped her into the open sea below.
Jake watched in awe. He lowered his hands slowly and looked at the massive damage. Having completed its mission, the pool of water evaporated, leaving no trace, as if it had never existed. He eased closer to the opening and scanned the grounds. The only sign capturing what had just occurred was the gigantic gaping hole in the damaged wall. Shreds of splintered wood framed the outdoors like a 3-D landscape. Even the spot on the floor where the pool of water had originated had vanished. He looked down at his hands and caught a quick glimpse of shimmer before it too disappeared.