The Broken Ones

Chapter 16:2 -Family

-How long do we have to wait do you think?
Soi’s nerves were twitching. Nibbles and Soi had been at the ball for a couple of hours and Jack still hadn’t made a move.
-Not long, Nibbles said with his usual twinkle in his eye.
Soi sighed, “not long” in Nibbles’ world probably meant another couple of hours at the ball. Nibbles smile grew wider.
-Actually, I don’t think we have to wait that long at all. See, Nibbles said and pointed at Jack’s direction.
Jack was walking towards the podium where Blackbird had been standing earlier.
-What is he going to do? Soi asked nervously.
-He’s going to hold the traditional speech that the chairman of the Academy always holds at the ball. And after that it’s our turn.
-You knew? Soi exclaimed but was hushed by the surrounding couples as Jack took place on the podium.
-Friends and enemies, the Broken Ones stands before a new dawn where the sun will belong to us, Jack begun his speech. -For too long have we been shattered but I can see tomorrow, a tomorrow where we will be united. Now you wonder how I can promise you all this but doubt not, because already tonight you have witnessed the power of this new dawn.
-Is he talking about Ana? Soi whispered to Nibbles.
-I suppose so.
-That’s not good.
Nibbles snorted in response.
-And there is more to come, Jack’s speech continued.
-And now he was talking about you, I would think, Nibbles whispered cheeky to Soi.
-Thank you, Soi said sourly and Nibbles nodded.
-But only united can we build our world! So tonight we raise our glasses… Jack raised his glass and waited for the rest to raise theirs, -To the Broken Ones!
-To the Broken Ones, was chanted in the whole ballroom and Soi felt a chill down his spine.
The last sound of clinking glass died out.
-Let the ball continue, Jack called out and the music begun once again.
-They’re leaving, Soi said and pointed at Jack’s little group of people who moved away from the dance floor.
-Our time has come, Nibbles mumbled darkly.
Soi and Nibbles followed Jack from a distance to a smaller room. Although there were guards posted outside the room to let everyone know that not just anyone was welcome, Nibbles was let in without a protest. This did not exactly calm Soi’s nerves.
Once again Jack was the centre of everyone’s attention.
-Is everyone here? Jack asked.
-So it seems, a silky voice answered. - Go ahead, darling.
Soi jumped a bit as the answer came from behind, he had thought they were the last one to enter. Slowly Soi turned his head and was greeted by a sassy wink from none the less than Sassa. This couldn't be good.
-As you might have understood from my speech, there is a change coming and it will be to our advantage. I would like to thank everyone who stand beside me, and especially Ana.
Soi saw Ana twitch in her passivity and he wasn’t the only one noticing. Jack’s victorious grin grew wider.
-If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t be here, he said. –As a small token of my appreciation I have prepared a gift for you.
Ana’s suspicious expression turned into fear. Jack tilted his head partly and put on a fake caring face.
-You have looked so gloomy ever since you came to Beroal, even though you have been reunited with your precious Sam. So I have taken the liberty to arrange this gift for you, I hope you’ll appreciate it.
The suspension was great, Soi could feel Ana’s anxiety as her body begun to shiver. For her it would be like a living nightmare, this wasn’t happening, it was just a sick dream. Soi wondered if he should tread forward before his name got called out, to not let Jack feel the satisfaction of terrifying Ana. Soi didn’t get the chance.
-Where is he? Where is the guard, whom Ana tried to withheld from me?
Soi swallowed and beside him Nibbles took a deep breath. They looked at each other and nodded decidedly.
-Here, sir. The guard is here, Nibbles called out and pushed Soi roughly before him.
They passed through the excited and wildly mumbling crowds up to the empty space between Jack, Ana and the rest of the brokens filling the room. Ana met Soi’s eyes and sunk to her knees only to be supported by Sam. As Nibbles appeared behind Soi Ana’s eyes filled with rage.
-You?! She growled and threw herself at Nibbles but Sam held her back. –You traitor! TRAITOR! I trusted you!
Jack snorted mildly at her reaction.
-Did you really think you could keep him from me? He sneered at her. –Be quiet.
Ana silenced immediately and hung with her head deeply. Soi took a deep breath, so this was the true power of the brokens, to silence with a word.
Jack reached out his hand to Nibbles.
-Thank you for escorting my gift to lady Ana so faithfully. It’s good to know, in times as these, where once loyalty lies.
Nebelius Silver bowed deeply and kissed Jack’s hand, like a petty dog.
-Sir, I was only doing my duty to my kind.
-Of course you was, and by doing so showing great devotion.
-May the Broken Ones prosper, Nibbles concluded and bowed again, even deeper this time, before he backed away and left Soi to his own.
-Ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you our future. A simple guard of seemingly no value at all, yet you can see what his presence has done to lady Ana, the most powerful broken alive.
Soi felt like a game in the claws of a monster.
-So, guard, state your name.
Jack circled Soi.
-Soi.
-Hm. And so you are lady Ana’s late guard?
-Yes.
-The council informs me you come from Casmil, Jack said while smiling.
It wasn’t a question but Soi felt the necessity to answer.
-Yes.
-How very interesting that you would claim to come from Casmil. That’s actually where my special guest comes from too, Jack smile turned dangerous. –At least that’s where we picked her up while she was scouring the streets in the hunt for her brother.
Jack snapped his fingers and a door opened. From the corner of his eye Soi could see that Nibbles straightened his back.
-You don’t happen to know this woman, Soi from Casmil? Jack asked sneering.
Soi’s dark and slanted eyes widened with fear. He had a growing suspicion. This is what Ana must have felt like only minutes ago.
Two guards dragged a lifeless woman before Soi. She had dark hair just like him and it had been neatly braided at one point. Now those braids had almost disbanded and the hair was a mess. She was dressed in blue clothes, all too familiar to Soi. He didn’t have to see the woman’s eyes to know that they were dark and slanted like his.
-Siri, Soi whispered quietly and the woman lifted her head tiredly.
First she looked right through him but as she focused her eyes a light of recognition lit her eyes.
-Soi, she whispered hopefully. –Little brother.

To be continued...
By J.L.Frick