:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 

Chapter 11- Out of the Fountain, Into the Freezer

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"...so, you and Makith are Idlers," I concluded. While Makith filled Revelin in on the details of their prior attack, I gleaned what information I could from Alexandra. Idlers were rare, as they were essentially Wanderers who chose to stay and protect only a single area or dimension. Most used their Vim to guard and heal.

"Yeah, since he was raised by the community as an orphan, Maki decided to lend his services to his hometown." Alexandra elaborated. "While I fell in love with the dimension that has the most fabulous footwear I've ever seen in my life. Just look at these!" 

I couldn't help but grin as she showed off a pair of high-heeled black boots with violet and black lace and ribbons tied up the sides. Two buckles were on the other side, and a third was at the very top. A part of me had to admit they were an impressive design. 

"I'm worried about Verity, though," she admitted, her tone turning more serious. "Itharos, too. He'd have been the first to come over to help Makith. Those two are my OTP." 

"Your what?" I asked aloud, confused by the abbreviation. 

"They're my one true pairing, my favorite couple. Meant for each other and all that. I've been stationed at my footwear dimension for too long if I picked up local references. 

We all then made our way to the town square's fountain as a group. When I looked up from the ground, all eyes were on me. I carefully stepped over and into the fountain, subconsciously taking hold of Revelin's hand in the process. I felt my mentor's eyes on me, and I quickly glanced up at his face. Revelin had a worried expression, but there was a strange look in his deep blue eyes. Before I had a chance to really think about what it could be, we were all transported rather forcefully through the water and onto a small puddle on the other side. 

"Damn it." Lexie hissed in reaction to what she saw once we were on the other side. 

I, too, was gutted at the sight. "Why do such a thing to a peaceful race?"

One could tell, just by the ruins, that the kingdom had once been a beautiful one. Corners of elegant architectural designs were on lamps, panes, and glass. Every broken piece of wood had been carved in intricate patterns, and the pieces of stone had been engraved with symbols that looked to be inspired by nature. I felt my mentor's hand giving my own a warm squeeze, and it wasn't until then that I realized my body had gone cold. My heart went out to Makith. How he had managed to hold himself together for so long to play host was beyond me.

The nymph tried to hide the tremors, but anyone could tell that he was shaking. "Lexie, Lin," He called in a voice that shook just about as much as his body. "Help me search. Let us cast a stealth net on everyone."

I was already familiar with the feeling of Vim armor, so the stealth casting felt like nothing to me. Prince Damien and Duncan, on the other hand, seemed to feel uncomfortable as the enchantment was blanketed over them. We decided to split up in pairs, searching for any signs of activity. As I surveyed the area, I couldn't help but take in the remains. Besides the dried blood splattered upon objects and stones, everything was vacant of signs of life. I began to rub my arms as I felt the chill in the air. 

"The sun hasn't even set yet," I commented, following along a randomly chosen path with my mentor. "This dimension's temperature drops fast."

Revelin's larger hands took over where my own hands left off in trying to rub some warmth back into my skin. I felt myself tense up, as my body usually did in response to any sudden physical contact, but I was surprised at how quickly I relaxed into the touch. A soft sigh escaped me. Then, I felt a kiss pressed to the back of my neck. 

"It's not professional to mix business with pleasure," I commented. "You've taken far too many liberties already."

"If there was one thing I was always proud of, it was keeping business separate from pleasure," My mentor admitted as he caused me to tense back up again by brushing his lips along my ear. "But, when it comes to you, I can't help but want both the business and the pleasure." I turned around with a frown to protest, but he quickly pressed a finger to my lips. "But, I will continue to hold onto my resolve until the day you decide that you want both from me as well."

"What if I never want both?" I questioned. "What if the business is all I can give?" I reached up to scratch at some of my platinum curls in a nervous gesture. "Revelin, I'm not like you. You have no qualms about taking strangers to your bed. I would be hard-pressed to take anyone..." The strangest smile formed on my mentor's face. One that I had never seen before.

"Cyrus, you called me by my first name," He whispered, his tone of voice sounded a little too happy. I regretted it instantly.

Then, Revelin's stance suddenly shifted as he clenched his hands and glared in another direction. 

"Someone's just broken a handful of my wards," he growled. 

"RELEASE HIM THIS INSTANT!"

The shrill, high-pitched voice was unmistakably Duncan's. We'd only been separated for a few minutes at best. Both Revelin and I immediately ran towards the sound. But I was a much faster sprinter and arrived there before him. I skidded to a stop when I nearly ran into Makith, who was standing stock still. The nymph wore an expression of fear mixed with shock and anguish on his face. When I followed his line of sight, I was somewhat surprised, but I felt none of the emotions that were displayed on Makith's face. 

On a rather high peak of rubble stood a tall man wearing nothing but gray shorts. His skin was much darker than Alexandra's, almost pitch black, a startling contrast to his waist-length teal hair and silver eyes.

Once I got past his only article of clothing, I realized that both Damien and Duncan were on the ground, bound like caterpillars with a gray-hued Vim. One of the man's bare feet pressed down against Duncan's struggling back. That didn't stop the magician from glaring vehemently sideways at him. 

"What, exactly, is going on?" I asked as I tried to ignore the malicious expression on the stranger's face.

"Itharos!" Revelin called out, Alexandra at his heels.

"Oh, this better be a joke," Alexandra hissed when she saw Damien and Duncan wriggling on the broken stones. "Those are my charges."

I didn't have the time to fully admire how she considered the prince and magician to be under her care just as fervently as Revelin did. The man, apparently Itharos, formed a twisted smile as he gazed down at his old classmates. What is he after?

"Well, well, well." He purred. "If it isn't an Academy reunion!" He motioned with his arm towards Revelin. "The Valedictorian." He then gestured towards himself. "The Salutatorian." He motioned towards Alexandra with a cruel smirk. "And...Honorable Mention?"

"Come down here in front of my face and say that!" She looked around wildly at the rubble that surrounded them. "Is all of this really your doing!?" Alexandra growled, but as she made a move to stomp towards Itharos, my mentor grabbed her elbow. Her eyes narrowed as she fumed up at Itharos. "What the fuck are you even up to!?"

"Ah, Lexie, always straight to the point," Itharos replied as he folded his arms in front of him. "I knew there was a reason I didn't entirely hate you." His ominous silver gaze fell onto Makith. "I am here for Makith, of course." He used his foot to roll Duncan precariously over the edge of the high peak. Damien's fury was muffled by the coil of Vim that surrounded his head. "Unless you would rather be responsible for this little brat's death."

"Makith," My mentor whispered. I could almost hear the anxiety in his voice. "Don't do it."

"Tut, tut," Itharos wagged his finger in Revelin's direction as he formed a sharp spike of gray Vim in the same hand, extending it to create a long spear that he held just over the back of Duncan's neck. "I never did have much patience with you, Revelin. Stop trying to get in my way."

"Lin, I'm sorry. But, I refuse to be the reason those young ones get hurt." Were Makith's last words before he rapidly clambered the peak with the grace that only a nymph could have. We saw him stand face-to-face with Itharos before the four of them promptly disappeared. 

"The fucking hell!" Alexandra yelled furiously as she stomped her foot, kicking up the loose dirt around her. Tears began to fall from her eyes.

Then, I witnessed a sight that made me feel even more worried. My mentor seemed to crumble into himself. His tall frame lowered down until he was crouched on his knees, hunched over, with his hands tugging at his hair. "Damn it," He hissed softly in a voice that cracked. Clearly, his old friend had never been on his narrow list of suspects.

My body moved before my mind had any time to think about it. I knelt down and rubbed Revelin's back in small circles. A familiar pain shot through my heart as I was forced to witness the pain of my newfound friends. The phantom feelings of betrayal.