Stolen Souls

chapter seven

The sun won't shine
if you're terrified
It's all the same when you
close your eyes
-Keep My Head Afloat, Jeremy Zucker

chapter seven

Courtney stayed frozen in place as the rest of us filled into the room. She was glaring at the girl, who had stood up to face her. The girl knew she had triggered Courtney, and she was enjoying the outcome.

"Kylie?" James broke the tension in the air. When I looked over, they were hugging. Courtney let out a sigh and she bent down to pick up the keys.

Camden sat down on the worn couch, and I followed him. I whispered so only he could hear, "How did she get in here? Wasn't the door locked?"

"She's another Stolen Soul. Her Perk is teleportation. Probably the second best Perk, next to mine," he smiled and whispered back.

"What are you doing here?" James asked her.

"Yeah," Courtney huffed, plopping onto the couch also, "what are you doing here?"

"The King's men found my house. They set fire to it."

"So you came here?" Courtney asked in a disgusted tone.

"Where else was I suppose to go?"

"Literally anywhere else."

"Well, you're welcome to stay here," James interrupted.

Courtney's jaw dropped, "James, she left us, remember?"

"Yeah, but— now that we're so close to finding the last Stolen Soul, we need her."

Courtney crossed her arms and stayed silent while she stared upward at the trim surrounding the ceiling.

"What do you mean 'close to finding the last Stolen Soul?'" Kylie stared at James.

Of course, James was thrilled to explain, "I may have found who the last Soul belongs to."

Kylie's eye shifted towards me, then back to James. He nodded his head and she smiled while she spoke.

"You really think so?" Kylie faintly smiled and raised her eyebrows as she questioned him.

"Ayla," James voice boomed, making me jump, "meet Kylie Enton. Kylie, meet the last Stolen Soul!"

I felt the cushion on the couch dip as Camden shifted his weight. He exchanged nervous glances with Courtney before attempting to change the subject, "So, Kylie, what have you been doing these last ten years?"

"I've actually been researching the Souls. I thought maybe if I found something worthy, I'd come back to you all," she looked around the room, carefully avoiding Courtney's eyes. "I've also watched some trials at Court."

Camden leaned back on the couch and studied his hands. James added onto the conversation, "Have you found anything?"

"I think I know how to do tests to find the Soul."

"That's great!"

I shot up from the couch, surprising myself along with everyone else. They all stared at me while I talked, "You are not doing tests on me."