The Anomalies

Chapter 22

Several Aequalian soldiers appear from the underbrush with weapons in hand. Lady Avalon reaches behind her back and pulls out a bow and sends an arrow flying before I can blink. Her aim is spot on as it hits its mark right in the soldiers chest. Electricity sparks between Mateo's fingers, throwing a bolt of it towards two other soldiers knocking them unconscious.

I remain on my horse not knowing what else to do, hoping that the others have things covered. Casper flicks his wrist sending steaming water into the face of the last standing Aequalian. The man hollers in pain and runs off in the opposite direction of us.

Just when I think we are in the clear, a gunshot rings out. Before I can react my horse jerks from the impact of the bullet. My horse falls and I go down with it, the ground rising quickly. I throw my arms out, trying to do anything to break my fall. It's no use as my head connects with the dirt below and everything goes dark.

______________

Fire crackles and voices whisper in the distance. I rub a hand across my eyes and immediately feel a sharp pain in my right temple. That when I remember the attack by the Aequalis soldiers.

"She's awake."

There's a shuffling sound and soon I feel a presence at my side. I open my eyes to find Mateo looking down at me, examining every inch of me. I groan as I attempt to sit up, my head pounding.

Mateo extends his hand, "You had quite the fall, how are you feeling?"

I accept the help and let him pull me up, "I could be worse."

Casper and Lady Avalon are seated around a glowing fire. The smell of smoke fills my nose and curls around me. I make my way to the log next to Casper, Mateo following behind. He sits next to me, but I intentionally put as much space between us as possible.

"Thirsty?"

Mateo hands me the water skin and I gladly take it from him. I tip my head back and let the cool water run down my throat, replenishing me. Wiping the back of my hand across my mouth and return it back to Mateo, thanking him.

Lady Avalon leans forward on her hands, studying me.

"So Iris, what's your story?"

I furrow my brows at the Lady, "What do you mean by my story?"

"Like who you are, where did you come from, why are you here?"

Tapping my fingers on the wood underneath me, I contemplate where to start. I don't really have that much of a story and I don't know why I'm here.

"Well I was born in Aequalis, specifically Aequalis City. My eyes tuned blue a while back, causing me to hide so I didn't get sent to the Asylum. General Dambry found me at the celebration ball, we were soulmates. But apparently a betrothal is more important so I was no longer wanted. Which brings me here, having no idea what is going on."

Casper mumbles, "Dambry is a real piece of work."

All I can do is nod, when Lady Avalon gives the King a pointed look.

"You mean you've been dragging Iris along this whole time? Not telling her a thing?"

He throws the same look right back at her, "Considering all she's been through lately, there hasn't been a good moment to explain. I didn't want to spring it on her all at once."

"Tell me what?"

Mateo sighs, "Iris, I don't want to overwhelm you right now."

"Don't act like you know what's best for me," I say through gritted teeth.

Lady Avalon jumps up from where she was sitting, "Come on Casper we need to go grab more fire wood."

"Why we just-"

Before Casper can finish his sentence, Lady Avalon grabs him by the arm and pulls him into the darkened forest. Away from our little clearing and fire. I stand up and put my hands on my hips.

"Tell me."

The King runs a hand through his black hair and begins,

"You see Iris, The Defiance really isn't pushing for the end of Aequalian ways. They're pushing a new government, with their King at the helm."

"I don't understand."

"Elijah just wants the power the throne holds and he has no intention of Equality. It will be a hostile takeover and not much will change for Anomalies."

His eyes linger on me waiting for my reaction.

"Everyone sure loves to keep things from me." I mumble

"Look Iris, I didn't know if I could trust you with this information considering your connection with Elijah. Cordova is the actual rebellion group against Aequalis and if He found out it could be the end of every we have been planning."

Cordova is the real rebellion? How could I be so unaware of everything going around me.

"What do you mean, Cordova is the real rebellion group?"

"When they began trying to control human genetics they didn't realize what might the consequences be. Some people became infertile, some didn't have all the exact characteristics of the superior human race. But some gained something inhuman altogether, strength and various abilities. Just like the ones Avalon, Casper and I showed you. That was the main reason the Asylum was created, to keep those abilities from the public eye."

"I don't understand how Cordova is involved in this though."

"My mother is Aequalian, she was going to be sent to the Asylum for being an Anomaly. Her hair began to turn red when she was sixteen. Somehow she was able to escape to Cordova, where she met my father. Her fated. My father dedicated his time to saving Aequalians from the Asylum. When I was born and they discovered I had these abilities and others did too, they realized this was their chance. It was a way to defeat Aequaliis and fight for equality. "

"And you didn't think this was important to tell me?"

I was fuming at this point, so tired of not knowing what was going on. I still barely knew the surface of things and Mateo didn't think it was important to tell me. I didn't know if my hate for that man would ever dissolve.

"Iris, I-" Mateo tries to get out but I cut him off.

"Save it. I'm getting some sleep wake me up when it's time to leave."

I storm away from the fire and leave Mateo sitting by himself. Finding a comfortable spot, I lie down but sleep never comes.