Spirits

Chapter 19

"Maurea, something's happened," he said, voice tight.

"What's going on. What happened?"

"The plaza, quick." He turned and ran, casting glances behind him as I pushed myself to follow.

It was quiet, the kind of quiet that comes before a storm. As we got closer, I could hear the voices. The distance warped the words, but by the variate, most of the Spirits had to be in one location.

Jax and I picked up our pack, I could see his face turn solid, the nauseous expression turning worrisome. The only time everyone gathered in the plaza after meals were if the news was about to be announced.

The first thing I saw was the large groups of men and women huddled around the central circle. Across from them, Atoya stood with an ashen face and one, large pearl clenched in his fists.

The pearl was milky white, strands of pink and blue swirled in the orb. It couldn't have weighed much, but Atoya seemed to sink under its pressure.

When we approached, feverish whispers swept through the crowd. Jax joined in, trying to understand what was happening. Siren stood at the front of the hysteric group, his shorter frame staring at the crumpled body of Faraji. Anaula was kneeling next to him, running her hands over his wings, blood soaking her hands as she cried silently.

"I think we should take this conversation somewhere more private, Siren." Atoya's words were soft like they had been beaten down to grief.

"You refuse to listen to reason. Her blood is on your hands. If you keep waiting down here, foolishly thinking that you're safe you will be the next one I have to hold in my hands." Siren's eyes scanned the crowd, tinted red. "Imagine how well we could live if we didn't have to hide from all humans. I have the solution, but you still refuse to listen."

"That is enough, Siren." Atoya pulled him close, forcing him to look up and away from us. "Please, let us talk somewhere more private."

Siren moved closer to Atoya and I could see the proud man flicker, his steadfast stance hesitating. In a dazed voice, he agreed, eyes moving in and out of focus.

"Do you want some tea?" Jax asked as we watched Siren lead Atoya away.

"That sounds nice," I admitted as Jax led me to the apartments, grabbing the sack of bought items.

The woodfire stove gave me something to do while the crowd outside scattered. Wood, water barrel, tea, mug. My hands flew with no conscious effort.

I knew what a pearl looked like, but the one Atoya had been clutching was significantly larger than any I had seen. The very sight of the orb was enough to sicken me. I could feel the blood seep out of my face as Jax offered me the warm clay mug.

"Are you alright?" He bent down to study my face. "You look sick and seeing as that isn't possible I should explain everything that transpired while you were gone."

I nodded, bringing the mug to my lips. The warm liquid soothed my clenched chest, but I could still feel my fingers tremble as I drank. I thought I had banished the nervous tick, but they were returning with vengeance.

"I wasn't here long when Faraji returned," the chair squealed under Jax as he shifted. "He returned alone with Amelia's pearl."

"Her pearl?" The question hung heavy in the air and I could see a piece of Jax's reserve falling away to reveal distress.

"I thought someone told you." Jax ran his hand through his hair, leaving back with his eyes close tight. "The pearls, they're what's left of us when we die. Spirits, don't have souls like humans. The old stories of sea foam were close. When we die, we leave behind no bodies, just a pearl."