Shadow Beings

37. Perception

"I was surrounded by a few demons the day I disappeared. I don't remember much anymore... my memory isn't firm. I do recall that Conrad was with me then, though I think he misinterpreted the scene. He was a young boy and he had to witness Vlad's power, so perhaps an illusion protected him."

Clay's face was weak, expressionless, but his concern spoke louder than anything else.

The only thing that appeared on that transparent aura. Was it not present or was it hiding?

"There was a sudden, thick fog that surrounded me. I think it dealt with the mind which is why I fell unconscious. I woke up to find myself in that cave, and it felt as if I was paralysed and bound to it."

Clay took a deep breath. It wasn't easy to talk about something so traumatic, but somehow the event didn't seem to have bothered him much. Clay took something... positive, from all of it. I turned away all the sensations surrounding me from my mind, focusing on his now slightly more visible aura. It was hard to comprehend, but there was something profound. Kind and calm, abstruse but so profound.

I looked at Conrad who clenched his fists so tight that his knuckles turned white, his face full of rage. Evelyn rested her hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gently, though a deep frown momentarily formed on her forehead. Conrad's head was lowered but Evelyn's gesture compelled him to look at her, and she gave him a comforting smile.

"I was comatose for most of the time. There is no explanation for why the demons took me, or at least none that I know of. The past few years have been a complete blur of darkness. It was as if I broke an oath I made on the hearthstone, except I didn't suffer at all because I practically lost all senses. Despite what happened, I didn't suffer. Even during the time I was conscious, the land appeared to treat me as a friendly guest; its energy was somewhat relieving. Perhaps you can understand, Aurelia, because even you spent some time alone in one of the most ancient areas of your land. There was a homely feeling in my cave, as if it were created for comfort despite its outward state."

Aurelia's sparkled ever-so-softly, surprised, but her expression soon melted into a comforting smile. Clay then turned towards Ava very briefly with a smile, and I think immense relief flooded the shadow's mind.

I wondered how Clay knew about Aurelia's exile, though one look at Jay told me all I needed to know.

"I was properly conscious only twice. Once, when I spoke to Conrad. The other time... it..."

Clay sighed, his tone wary but honest. Clay apologetically looked at Jay, but the leader knowingly lightened his aura.

"A few years ago, on the day of the annual ball, Vlad took control of my vessel and... it was I who attacked Jay."

Clay hung his head in shame, not daring to look at any of us in the eye. A stunned silence cut through the atmosphere and I slowly turned my head towards Jay. He remained absolutely composed and I couldn't tell if it was because he didn't blame Clay, or because he already knew.

Or something else.

Shock washed over everyone's faces; everyone except Jay and Ava. No one from my team knew about this attack on Jay, and I knew only because Aurelia informed me. Theo's eyes were especially frightened, his fists shaking by his side. Jay grabbed his hand in an effort to calm him, his usually mollifying aura being cut by a burst from Theo.

"Leave my hand, Jay! He tried to kill you! How are you okay with this?" Theo's eyes burned with anger. Conrad immediately stood and walked closer to Clay's side, his steps silent yet feeling hard, his expression rigid.

"Theo! Did you even listen to what he said?" Conrad's hoarse voice reverberated through the room loudly.

"And we simply believe him, without any proof? Is that what our sense of truth means? Blind trust?"