long shadows over the cloaked figures residing inside.
The chanting got louder, and even through the voices were still whispering, it sounded like thunder to her ears. She tried to figure out where she was, or what was happening, but all she saw was darkened faces hidden by hooded cloaks.
As the voices rose, the searing pain in her back got stronger. A burning, like a thousand flaming knives stabbing her back. She tried to scream, but not a sound escaped her throat.
By now the voices were like a roar in her head. The chanters slowly came closer and closer, forming a tight circle around her. She saw the light from the torches reflecting in something held in the nearest figure’s hands. A knife…
The cloaked man brought his arms above his head, the blade shining in the flickering light. The voices were almost shouting now, as the man quickly brought the knife down towards her chest…
Selissa startled awake, gasping for air. Cold sweat tickled down her back and her breathing was ragged. She could still feel the scream that was trying to force its way up her throat. She placed her head in her hands, trying to calm herself.
That dream again… When was it going to leave her alone?
Slowly her breathing became more steady, and she was able to think clearly again.
There had been something different about it this time… It had been so clear, so… real. And this was the first time she had ever seen the knife…
For so many years, it had been just a blur of inconsistent sounds and images. Why had it changed?
‘The seal was released.’ Selissa jumped at the voice that suddenly cut through her thoughts and looked around wildly for the source.
‘Not there.’ The voice whispered. Selissa stilled. She felt her heart hammering in her chest, and this time it had nothing to do with the nightmare.
It was the same voice that had appeared when they had found the boy’s body…
She willed herself to stay calm. Who are you? She asked in her head. It didn’t seem like there was a need for her to speak out loud. She waited for an answer, but the voice had gone quiet.
She resisted the urge to scream. What the hell was happening to her? In just a matter of days, she was getting involved in the work of demon worshippers, crazy men telling her she had the potential to stop them, her symbol burning and now she was hearing voices? When had her quiet and predictable life taken such a drastic turn?
She sat very still for a long time, forehead rested in her palm. When the voice continued to be quiet, she threw away the covers and rose from her bed. Casting a quick look in the mirror, she threw on some clothes and walked out the door.
ℓ
“Compassionate Issara, guardian of this place, I ask for your guidance. Take my hand and lead me to the answer.” She recited, as she knelt before the statue of the angel.
The ceremony hall had been cleaned, but an eerie feeling still surrounded it and the calm she usually felt in the presence of the archangel was absent.
All that had happened… Alassane coming to the temple, the boy’s murder and the mystical voice… It was all connected somehow. And it all seemed to revolve around the mark on her back. And about her. But why?
For as long as she could remember she had lived the temple. And nothing special had ever happened…
For as long as I can remember. She had no memory of the time before she had come here. She had been found outside the temple, her body covered with bloody wounds. Everyone had assumed that she had been attacked by thugs and left there. But she couldn’t remember any of it.
Her amnesia… Could it have something to do with this? She asked herself that, but she couldn’t seem to find an answer. Everything was so confusing. The feeling of recognition she had felt when she first saw Alassane… Had she met him before?
And this Demios clan? What did they want with her?
A thousand questions were flying through her head. None of this made sense to her.
They were coming for her. What would she do when that happened?
Alassane’s taunting voice rang in her head “You didn’t strike me as the type that waited for others to make the first move.”
Selissa gritted her teeth. No. She wasn’t the type that waited for them to make the first move. If they were going to strike, she was going to strike first.
10
Selissa placed her swords in their sheaths and swung them onto her back. Her other belongings were sparse, and she had managed to fit them all in one bag.
She had talked to Alassane earlier. He had merely nodded when she had told him that she was coming with him. He seemed to have expected her change of heart.
She looked around the empty room. It had taken her less than ten minutes to pack everything she owned. The bed was made, and the only other things in the room were the big cabinet and the mirror on the opposite wall. It looked like no one had ever lived there.
She took the bag and swung it over her shoulder. They would be leaving soon. Again Selissa felt a sneaking doubt that she had no idea what she was getting herself into. She had only the words of a man she doubted was entirely sane, and her own feeling that if she wanted her questions answered, she would have to leave with him.
Pushing her doubts aside, she strode out of the door. She refused to just sit and wait for those demon fanatics to come after her. The weight of the swords hanging from her back reassured her. Master Teren’thil had always told her that you should take advantage of making the first strike. To get your opponent unaware.
If they thought they could just come for her, they were sadly mistaken.
She was on the way towards the main gate, when she heard someone behind her. She looked over her shoulder and saw Calen standing there, watching her.
“So you’re really leaving?” He asked quietly. Selissa felt her heart clench when she saw the look in his eyes.
“I guess I am.” She said, as if she first now really realized that she would be leaving this place. She wouldn’t spend her days hiding from the priests or skipping Mass. And she wouldn’t see Calen everyday…
She turned completely, so she was facing him.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” He asked as he stepped closer. A sad smile appeared on her face. That was Calen, always worrying about her.
“No.” She said. “I’m not sure. But I know I have to do this.”
Calen sighed, seeing her resolution. He surprised her by pulling her into a hug. ”Just be careful. And remember, if you ever need my help, I’ll be there.”
Selissa felt tears well up in her eyes, and she returned the hug.
They stood like that for what felt like an eternity, until she finally pulled away. She was blinking furiously to keep the tears from falling. She sent Calen a sad smile.
“I’ll be okay. I can take care of myself.” She said. He returned her smile.
“I know you can. But remember what you’re dealing with.” His face turned serious. “It was not ordinary humans who mangled that boy. To do something like that, they’re probably closer to the demons they worship. Don’t take them lightly.”
“I won’t.” She promised.
Ignoring the heavy feeling in her chest, she gave him one last hug before turning away. She was acutely aware of his eyes following her as she walked away.
She fought back the tears that threatened to spill. Calen had always been her only friend and now she didn’t know when she would see him again. If she ever saw him again.
She soon reached the main gate and found Alassane waiting for her.
She took a deep breath and braced herself for whatever sarcastic comment was going to come.
She waited. Nothing.
Surprised, she looked up at him. No annoying smirk on his face either. He was looking at her, seriousness edged in his face.
“You are aware of what it means if you walk out that gate, aren’t you?” He asked, his eyes boring into hers. Selissa nodded. She knew exactly what it meant.
When she walk
ed out that gate, she said goodbye to her old life. She would say goodbye to the peaceful and protected life of the temple. She would risk her life for something she was not sure she believed in…
“It won’t be easy.” Alassane said.
“I know.” She answered simply.
“You might not come out alive.” He continued.
“I know that.” She said.
“And still you want to go?” He said. Selissa realized what he was doing. He was giving her a last chance to turn back. After this there was no return.
She took a steadying breath. “I need answers.” She said with determination. “And if this is the only chance I get to find them, I’ll take it.”
“Are you sure?” He asked her seriously. Last chance.
“I’m sure.” She confirmed. “You almost sound like you want me to stay. And here I thought you were so determined on getting my help.”
A smirk tugged at his lips. Suddenly he looked a lot more like the Alassane she had gotten to know.
“I am. But I wanted to make sure you knew what you were walking into.” He said. He bowed down to retrieve his own bag from the ground.
“Are you ready?” He started walking, not waiting for her answer.
Selissa turned and shot one last look at the temple. The heavy feeling in her chest returned as she realized that this was the closest thing she had ever come to a home.
Ignoring the melancholy that washed over her, she turned around and ran after Alassane. Resisting the urge to look back over her shoulder, she walked away from the only life she had ever known.
Two Weeks Later
11
Selissa’s patience was