Oh…
That explains the defying-gravity feeling.
I look from Elverly to the Grand Sage, waiting for one of them to crack a smile, to tell it's all an elaborate joke. But their expressions remain deadly serious.
"Flying," I repeat, the word feeling strange on my tongue. "As in... up in the air? Like a plane?"
The Grand Sage chuckles, a warm sound that seems at odds with our dire situation. "Not quite like a plane, my dear. Our thods are a bit more unconventional."
I want to ask more, to understand exactly what's happening, but another violent shake rocks our little sanctuary. This ti, I'm certain I feel us lifting off the ground. My stomach does a sorsault, and I have to swallow hard to keep from being sick.
The room continues to vibrate around us, and I can't shake the feeling that we're ascending rapidly. My ears pop, confirming my suspicions.
"Where exactly are we going?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
The Grand Sage's expression grows somber. "There are multiple safe havens through the land. I know of one, and I can only hope it has not been breached."
Despite the size of his building, we are the only 3 living beings within it.
"I heard screaming."
"Yes. We have guards." He corrects himself. "We had guards. You never had a chance to see them, but they have always been there."
"And we're just leaving them behind?"
Elverly's face hardens, her wrinkles deepening. "They knew the risks. They chose to stay and fight."
She sounds angry, but there are unshed tears in her eyes. Despite her harsh words, she's mourning. That angry mask of hers is nothing more than a facade for her grief.
"Fight who?" I press, desperation creeping into my voice. "Who's attacking you? Is it... is it because of ?"
The Grand Sage shakes his head. "No, child. There are forces at play that even I…"
His lips tighten, and he strokes his beard. His wizened hands tremble with the movent. "Even I did not see this coming, child. Do not worry. It does not lie on your tiny shoulders."
* * *
My legs have long since fallen asleep, and I'm pretty sure my butt is permanently fused to this uncomfortable seat. I shift, trying to find a position that doesn't make want to scream, but it's hopeless. We've been in this flying... whatever it is for what feels like days.
It's probably only been an hour. But still.
"How much longer?" I ask, not for the first ti. Elverly shoots a look that could curdle milk, but I ignore her. I'm past caring about niceties at this point.
The Grand Sage strokes his beard, a gesture I'm beginning to recognize as his thinking pose. "Not much longer now, my dear. But tell , aren't you curious about how we're managing this little journey undetected?"
I blink, surprised by the question. To be honest, I hadn't given it much thought. I've been too preoccupied with not losing my mind in this cramped space. But now that he ntions it...
"Actually, yeah. How are we going to make it to this safe place without being followed?"
The change in the Grand Sage is imdiate and startling. His eyes light up, and for the first ti since this nightmare began, a genuine smile spreads across his face. It's like he's been waiting for soone to ask him this very question.
"Ah! I'm so glad you asked," he says, leaning forward eagerly. "You see, I've manufactured a cloaking device that's quite remarkable. It even beats out human rah-DARR!"
I can't help it. My lips twitch at his pronunciation. It's such a stark contrast to his usual eloquence that it catches off guard.
"You an radar?" I ask, trying to keep the amusent out of my voice.
He waves a hand dismissively. "Yes, yes, that's what I said. Rah-DARR."
I decide not to correct him again. Instead, I focus on what he's actually saying. "How do you know it beats radar? Have you tested it?"
The Grand Sage nods enthusiastically. "Oh yes, multiple tis! We've taken many flights to ensure its effectiveness. I have a friend in the aviation industry who's been most helpful."
Again, there's sothing off about how he says "aviation," but I can't quite put my finger on it. It's like he's reading from a script he doesn't quite understand.
A thought occurs to . "Is your friend human?"
The Grand Sage chuckles. "No, no. He passes as what humans call a 'little person' in their world."
I'm not sure how to process that information. A non-human passing as a little person? Working in aviation? It's almost too much to wrap my head around.
They don't even look like the 'little people' he's talking about. They're too proportionate.
"So, this friend of yours... he helps you test the cloaking device?" I ask, piecing together this bizarre puzzle.
"Indeed!" the Grand Sage exclaims. "He's been instruntal in our research. You see, the device works by..."
As he launches into a detailed explanation that goes way over my head, I find my mind wandering. I think about Ava, wondering if she's safe, and if the war's reached her.
"Lisa? Are you listening?" The Grand Sage's voice breaks through my reverie.
I turn back to him, forcing a smile. "Sorry, I got lost in thought for a mont. You were saying?"
He peers at closely, his earlier excitent dimming. "You're worried about your friend, Ava Grey, aren't you?"
I nod, not trusting my voice. The lump in my throat feels like it might choke if I try to speak.
The Grand Sage reaches out, patting my hand gently. "I understand, my dear. These are trying tis for all of us. But I promise you, we're doing everything in our power to keep you safe. And once we reach our destination, I'll do what I can to find information on your friend, as well."
His words are ant to be comforting, I know, but they only serve to remind how helpless I feel. I'm flying to who-knows-where in a magical contraption, with people I barely know.
I'm not ungrateful. I'm incredibly grateful. I'd rather be here than back in the vampire's dungeon.
I just wish I was sowhere where I could have a little control over my life again.
And I miss my parents.
Thinking about them would only break when I was incarcerated. Now that I'm free, the thoughts of them intrude in my mind more and more often. I need to contact them soon. They probably think I'm dead. Maybe they're even looking for my body.
Hah. At least they won't find it.
The morbid humor lifts my spirits an infinitesimal amount, but at least it helps.
"What's this war about, Sage?"
I call him Sage because "Grand Sage" is not only a mouthful—it sounds kind of preposterous. At least I can pretend Sage is his actual na.
Different worlds and different cultures, I guess. I wonder if I'll get used to it after a few months, or if it will always be weird to .
He sighs, stroking his beard with hands that once again tremble, his eyes unfocused on the wall behind . "There are many who have been upset with how the supernaturals bend to the order of humans, child. Humans are weak and powerless, even more so since their wizards died out so long ago. And yet no one wishes to go against them. Despite being a weak race, they have numbers in droves.
Trying to eradicate them is like trying to eradicate…" He looks at , back in the mont again. "Well, trying to eradicate flies."
It doesn't feel good for humans to be compared to flies, but I understand what he's trying to say.
"It appears that those self-sa people are now fighting back. There have been attacks…" His voice trails off. "Unfortunately, they ca to us quickly. I will have to check on the situation once we are in a safe place."
The way his fingers tremble as he combs through his beard hurts my heart.
The Grand Sage is not a fearful person. He's either enthusiastic or calm, a peaceful person in this crazy world. When he talks about magic technologies, he's a force of energy that can't be stopped. And when he's just chatting with over tea in the garden, he's the sweetest old man. Like a grandfather.
"Can you..." I start, then hesitate. "Can you tell more about this cloaking device? How does it work exactly?"
The Grand Sage's eyes light up again, and I know I've said the right thing. As he launches into another explanation, I try to focus, to lose myself in the intricacies of magical technology. It's better than dwelling on things I can't change, at least for now.
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