" How many?" My voice cracks. I can't keep the fear from creeping in and for once is not for myself. I'm terrified for the people who will fall victim to the viciousness of the V'asay.
" Over a dozen so far," He grunts again, and lifts his legs. I snap out of my daze and begin stitching anew the wound on his leg. I'm halfway through it and the worst part is that I can't seem to keep my hands from shaking.
I'm beyond horrified. Micah will stop at nothing to get to me. The consequences. And the lives that will be lost. The suffering of those who have lost their loved ones.
" Maybe, I should just let him do whatever he wants to do with me. It will save so many lives," I say quietly. I can't bear the weight of the guilt that is slowly settling on my shoulders. It pushes down on me, and I can't breathe.
Mason fists my wrist to stop me from pulling on the needle, I look up into his icy blue eyes and I see fire burning in them.
" You will do no such thing, Lily. You are not responsible for the actions of a lunatic. You are not to blame. Do you understand? We will find a way. I don't have all the answers but I promise you that I won't stop trying, I won't give up...," He inhales and closes his eyes," I remember, you know. All those months I spent in the dry lands. I kept telling myself that you were safe, otherwise I would have gone insane with grief. The thought of losing you...," He trails off and opens his eyes once more," This is not a whim for me. You are not a whim. I know that I'm confusing at times. But know this, I'll never let you go," He swallows in time with me, and all I want is to hug him and tell him how much I love him.
I wipe a stray tear with a trembling hand, nod and begin to thread the needle through his skin. I don't know how else to deal with everything.
" So, " I croak and clear my throat," What now?" I ask on a breath, and he inhales.
" I'll tell you everything I know Lily. I'm still piecing the puzzle together. The Kallah has been around for centuries. Micah and I crossed paths several years ago when I spent my days retrieving certain artefacts from the old world for the rich and wealthy. I was good at my job, and he seemed to value my skills. It was a half-decent way to make money fast. He entrusted me with the task of finding the seals of Yaruun. He paid me royally for it. But when I entered the academy, that side of my life took a step back, and I focused all my energy on it. At the time, I didn't know who Micah was. I wanted a legit business, so this is the time Landore, Marie and Koreen came into the picture. I had money but not enough to start. I didn't want to go back to my life of thieving. So, I took the deal that Landore offered. Koreen got to fulfil her dying desire and I got the money. It may seem cold, but I loved her. For all that she was. She was a few years older than me, but her spirit was that of a child filled with wonder and amazement for the outside world. A prisoner in her own body. We spent the little time we had together talking, laughing, and going to dinners and parties when she was feeling up for it. Two weeks filled with so many things that when she died my heart cracked. She used to say, that there is no such thing as bad people. That there is good in everyone. There is light in the darkness. I disagreed. She laughed in my face," He woefully smiles at the memory," And said that I'll prove her wrong even if it takes me an eternity to do so," Sweet mother of God. I've opened Pandora's box. I quietly carry on stitching the wound but he is so lost he doesn't seem to notice anymore when I poke him with the needle.
" When she died, I left right after the funeral and never returned to Aeldor. From there was easy. I set up the business while I was still attending the academy. By the time I finished my second year, things had taken off and the plant was making a profit beyond my wildest dreams. Then Micah came back like a ghost to haunt me. He held over my head the deal that we had struck when I was a mere child or else there would be consequences. That was when I enlisted Louis, Carter and Adam to help me. I wanted it done. I didn't know the implications of my actions back then. When I finished the academy, Eric pulled me aside and offered me a place in Zareen. I refused and he practically begged. He still holds a grudge because of it. I have found four of the seals but didn't hand them over to Micah. The bastard was so desperate for them and I wanted to know why. Then later on he came to me with yet another task. He came up with a story that one of his daughters had been abducted by some dangerous people. And that he wants me to have a look into that. The connections that I've made before entering the academy aren't exactly the lawful kind. When I asked Micah for a description of his daughter or a picture. He came up short. The only thing he said was that his daughter had hair as dark as the raven's feathers. When you came along," He sighed, and I finished stitching the wound but he didn't notice," I didn't want you anywhere near me. You were right," He looks distraught at the admission. I was right.
" Micah's threat loomed over me, and Enid. I didn't want to bring another soul into the mess. Louis was meant to keep an eye on you. To make sure that you remain concealed. I thought as long as you were far away from me, you'd be safe. Little did I know back then," He bitterly smiles down at me, " I don't know what happened to you back then, but I'm starting to get an idea now, " I watch him pick up a roll of gauze out of the medical bag, and begins wrapping it around his leg. It takes a lot of effort to lift his leg. He groans in pain and hisses each time he passes the fabric over and under his leg.