Sember (Forestfolk, Book 2)

Chapter 20c

I leapt to my feet and addressed the emptiness around me. "What did you do to my friend?"

My voice echoed through the cavern without any reply.

Anger began blazing within me, and I willed myself to contain it. I needed to keep a level head. Maybe I should change tactics.

"What's your name?" I looked around at the shadows. "I'm Sember."

Nothing.

I relit one of the torches and handed it to Jastin before speaking to the cave again. "We're trying to help our people. Maybe you can help us."

A scoff echoed around the crystals. "Help? No one helps Vill. Why should Vill help you?"

Encouraged, I said, "Maybe we can help you in return."

"You already have," the reedy voice said.

What did that mean? I took a step toward the voice. "Vill? Is that your name? Can you come out so we can talk?"

No response.

What would Siena do? She always believed in the innate goodness of people. Appealed to their benevolent nature. Her own kindness drew it out in others.

I looked at my flaming hands. Maybe I was too intimidating. I lit the other torch and snuffed my hands. "Our people are dying. If we don't do something, there won't be anyone left."

"Your people," the voice spat, "are why I am here."

Jastin finished cleaning his face with his sleeve and came to stand next to me. "I don't understand. We are peaceful people."

Another scoff. "So you say. Vill knows better. Vill was beaten and left to die by your peaceful people."

I shook my head in disbelief. "Why would they do that?"

"You are Aberration, yes?" His voice came from different directions, like he was moving around.

"That word hasn't been used in a long time. We're Gifted," I said.

Thin laughter reverberated around the crystals. "Call it what you like. People fear you, no?"

I opened my mouth, but I couldn't refute him. The truth of his words robbed me of my voice.

"Vill feeds from strength of others. Others did not like this. Said Vill was dangerous. Feared Vill. Proclaimed Vill a monster."

Monster. I knew that feeling. People didn't tell me, but I knew they thought it.

"The world is different now," said Jastin, trying to follow the direction of Vill's voice. "They no longer hate us. The Gifted are respected."

Was I respected? Or merely tolerated?

"Who respects a monster? Vill is no longer a man."

"Tell us more about your gift," I said. "I'd like to know more about you, as a person."

"Gift. Peh. Vill sprays essence onto victim. Essence transfers strength to Vill. Victim dies when all strength is gone."

"They... die?" I looked at Jastin with alarm. "How are you feeling?"

"A little woozy, but I think I'm okay."

"Your friend is Aberration too. Strength not forthcoming. Will take much time to sap. But this is good. Spread my essence to others." From the sound of his voice, I imagined him puffing his chest out with pride.

"So how do we stop it?"

A brief silence. "Stop essence from feeding Vill? Why?"

"Because it's killing people. A lot of people." I wondered if he felt any guilt at all.

More silence.

The sound of soft footsteps. Then he stood in front of us, a safe distance away. "You want Vill to die."

"What? No!"

His face was human. Dirty, but human. His bare torso looked so slim, but from the way he'd held Jastin down, I knew he wasn't weak.

"You say Vill is Gifted, and Gifted are respected. But you want me to starve. That not respect." His pale blue eyes narrowed in accusation.

I had no idea how to respond. I'd talked myself into a corner.

"Look," Jastin said, hands raised in placation, "we can work something out."

"Vill not stupid. Humans kill monsters. Unless Vill kill them first." His chest expanded as it filled with air, stretching out like an enormous water skin.

"No!" Jastin charged at him after realizing what Vill was about to do.

He wasn't fast enough.

Vill exhaled with so much force that it blew Jastin aside. The torches blinked out. I stumbled back several steps, dazed.

I couldn't see anything in the blackness. I heard Jastin's groan though.

With an audible poof, I relit my hand and searched for him. My eyes widened with horror when I found him. "Jastin!"

I ran to him. He stood motionless, his side impaled against a sharp, protruding crystal, a dark circle forming around it on his shirt. "Oh no. Jastin. We're getting out of here."

I placed a hand on his shoulder, ready to help him move. He stopped me, instead pulling me closer. "We have to kill him," he whispered. "His essence is the plague."

I stared into his eyes, torn. "But you need a healer, and we're days away from your village. We have to go, now."

He shook his head. "After Vill is dead."

I sighed sharply. "Let's at least get you to safety."

"Sember, I'll be fine," he whispered fiercely. "Don't give him a chance to hide."

"But he could—"

He pressed a cold finger against my lips. "Watch this."

Still standing, he crossed his arms over his chest, fists pressed against his collarbone. I watched as his eyes closed and frost began to form, first across his brow, then over his hands. It spread across his face, covered his body, and thickened into an icy shell.

"Wow." I tapped against the ice. It felt thick and solid. Worried about his wound, I peered down at his side. The ice had enclosed the offending crystal, effectively freezing it in place against his body. The dark circle, barely visible through the ice, had stopped spreading.

"Okay," I said to no one in particular, nodding to myself.

I took a step back and turned to face the cavern.

I guess it was up to me now.

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