Dark Matter

Chapter Nine

I drummed my fingers on the oak table, hoping it would disturb Julian enough to pay attention to me. Yet my supposed father was unbothered by the constant sound echoing throughout the room. If it were anyone else they'd have gone mad by the nuisance, yet he is so engulfed in his studies that a mere tapping means nothing to him.

"Julian I"--I stop myself before I let anything out, still unsure of what I wanted to say--"Julian I--"

"Yes, you're bored. I can see that, thank you very much." He retorts not once taking his eyes off the vial in his hands. The dark liquid shimmers in the light, almost taunting me with how freely it flows. A mere liquid and freer than me.

I shake all thoughts aside as I continue to question the scientist in front of me, but before I can utter a word, Julian sighs, turning around to face me after possibly hours of not so much as glancing towards me. He pinches the bridge of his nose as he exhales, still not meeting my gaze.

"I've scheduled a training session with the rest of the silvers for you." The way he says 'the rest of the silvers' almost convinces me that I too am silver. Years of torment by many doctors returns in a flash, reminding me just how not silver I am.

"It goes without saying, do not display too much of your powers." He turns back around to his experiments, leaving me to think through the words. "Only the light manipulation part."

I take my time to ponder the meaning of his words. A training session would mean I would face all the silvers I never met, all of them who will question my existence, will interrogate me. And will be onto me if I'm not careful.

But another thought strikes me "Will Mare and Maven be there too?" The only two people I know in this whole palace other than Julian. One of which I find comforting while the other... not so much.

Julian whirls around faster than I'd expect a non-swift be able to move, his eyes ablaze with a fury I do not understand. "You know Maven Calore?" His question no longer feels as one and more like an accusation of a great crime.

Dumbfoundedly I nod, still not registering the reason behind his anger. "Yes, I met him a while ago." I blush with embarrassment, remembering the night I slipped through the halls in search of Mare and ended up exposing myself to the enemy. With a frown I realize I don't find the young prince to be an enemy anymore, merely a pest.

"And are you close to him?" It seems like the mere thought of me being close with him disgusts Julian to the core. For a second I sigh in relief as I shake my head, then anger flares within me, it's not any of his business.

But I clamp my mouth shut as Julian gives me a last nod of approval before turning back to the metal table in front of him. Despite the distressing conversation I feel joy bubble inside of me. I will see Mare again.

With a smirk to match the smugness brewing inside of me I note to myself that this will not be the last time. I will personally see to it.

***

Relief floods through me as I realize no one's paying attention to me. The stretchy black uniform with yellow and gold stripes doesn't demand as much attention as Mare's does. With a pang of guilt I realize I just preferred her agony to my own, but I push it aside. She can handle it.

Yet her presence isn't enough to prevent a couple of sideways glances and hushed whispers. I don't mind any of it as long as no one bothers to talk to me, and once more I am disappointed as the red-haired girl--Elane-- approaches me, this time another girl at her tow.

"We're so glad you decided to show yourself to us Lady Jacos." A dark skinned girl in red and blue addresses me. I mentally note that she is a silk, gifted in agility and swiftness.