XV. Adax

Mavi’s eyes were bottomless pits of black, power thrumming at her fingers. It didn’t seem so effortless as it had seemed with the servant girl; it looked like Malan’s power resisted her. His gut chanted again. Wrong. He moved closer to Lyra, pulling her to his side. “I will confess, it took me a while to see he was an Artefix, but I was able to tell. After all, I do know my Artefix.”, Mavi said.. Malan was almost gone; the light was getting weaker. “Why are you doing this?” Adax’s voice was resigned. “Oh, Adax. I hate wasting non-Infelix blood. Only once before I have done so. But I couldn’t let him go. He would go straight back to his land, and we can’t have that, now, can we?” Mavi mused. “Also, why waste such a perfect opportunity to show you what will happen to Lyra if you ever disobey me?” Adax shook his head. “I don’t know how to do what you want.” Mavi.” Nonsense. We just need to find the right motivator for you, and what could be stronger than you being thankful your friend is alive? Only an Artefix of your bloodline can achieve what we need. Otherwise, I would use dear old Malan over there.” Mavi pointed at Malan’s remains, as if pointing at a bird during a stroll in the gardens. “My bloodline is insignificant,” Adax said. “I am an orphan from the settlement, one of countless.” Mavi walked around them. “You are indeed one of countless, but not insignificant. She is, you could never be,” She pointed at Lyra. A snake slithering around a mouse. “When Roone wove the Shroud, he did so the same way our own Cloak here was made. He drained Infelix and Artefix. He was no better than we are. And now you, his only known descendant, will help me destroy what he created.” He could sense Lyra’s eyes on him. She could probably read the emotions running through his face; shock, disbelief, horror. “Do you have any proof of what you are saying?” he asked. “I would assume my word would be proof enough,” Mavi’s disdain was so thick it dripped down the walls of the room. “I see you weren’t paying attention to my lectures. Distinctive bloodlines are easy to tell apart. Even after a few generations. The greatest the bloodline, the more obvious it is. And yours, my boy, is practically screaming that you are related to Roone. Somehow, his sister’s offspring managed to reproduce.“ Next to him, Lyra was shaking. Or was he? “Do you think fear of my life will be what makes Adax pierce the Shroud?” She asked Mavi, her voice steady. Fearless. “Fear. Gratitude.” She waved a hand dismissively, “But yes, I am certain of it”, Mavi said. “Good.” Lyra said. She turned to him. “She will keep using me to keep you imprisoned, and I can’t let that happen. You know that. You would do the same.” She smiled sadly. “You are doing the same. Forgive me. I love you.” Adax had barely time to blink before Lyra pulled a dagger out of her tunic and took it to her throat. Both he and Mavi screamed. The tugging inwards started again, and his pain, his love was so great that the time in between two heartbeats seemed to stretch out indefinitely. Lyra was all he had. Lyra could never be insignificant. His only friend, his family. His protector, caring for him in the settlement, caring for him now. The tugging grew stronger. He looked inwards at his power glowing impatiently. And at that moment, he understood. He knew now what Malan and Mavi were talking about, about power and emotions. And then the room erupted in light.