Crimson Red, Cerulean Blue

(Lucas)

“We’re lost.”

The wind howled outside the cave we were holed up in, the blizzard worsening every second. The fire we’d managed to somehow build flickered dangerously, and I held my breath. Kari could easily start it again the same way she’d done it the first time, but years of being taught that losing your fire was really, really bad were still kicking in.

Kari rubbed her fingers together to keep warm, and I saw the telltale sparks jump from one hand to the other. She wasn’t even bothering to hide it anymore.

I frowned. “You haven’t explained to me yet. How did that happen?”

She casually examined her nails. “How do you think?”

“Mask would never have given you magic. You’re an inconsistency, a outlier. You only work for him because of the money. There’s no way to tell who you’re truly loyal to.” My eyes narrowed. “So how did you get it?”

“First of all, Lucas, dear, I do happen to be loyal to someone, and that someone is myself. Second, the magic was something I managed to steal one day, when I was bored. It’s certainly come in handy.” She paused. “Any more questions?”

“You stole the magic,” I repeated, stunned. “How…”

She waved it off like it was nothing. “The professor wasn’t looking, so I stepped into the experiment room and had a little fun. But let’s not look too much into that. I doubt you want to hear all about me being a bad girl.”

I did, actually, because stealing magic is no joke, but Kari had a dangerous look in her eyes. So, not wanting to end up like Fallon, I changed the subject.

“Why did you come back for me?”

“Ah, yes. The inevitable question.” She smiled. “Let’s just say I have an interest in what you’re trying to do.”

“Why? It’s not like it concerns you.”

She replied calmly, “Like it or not, Lucas, it concerns everyone. We’re all going to have to pick sides soon. Which is why I’m taking an interest now, before it’s too late.”

I folded my arms, looking away from her, into the fire. “I thought you only cared about yourself.”

“I do.” The reply was matter-of-fact, purely conversational. “I learned a long time ago that it’s too much effort to care about anyone else. Too much pressure, too much worry, too much hurt when they leave. And they will leave. There’s nothing you can do about it, Lucas, dear. I’ve accepted that.”

Her voice was perfectly calm, as if everything she was saying was absolute, reasonable fact. And suddenly, I was struck by how much she resembled me, the me that had given up, the me that had refused to believe the world could still be saved, that there was still any hope at all. The person I’d been before Fallon, ironically, had saved me.

And I found myself saying the exact same thing I’d figured out then, the same thing I’d forced myself to believe over and over again.

“That’s not true.”

“So you’re an idealist,” she sighed. “Well, I guess you’d have to be, with your goals.”

“No, I’m not.” I shook my head. “I’m not even close to being one. I know how crappy the world can be. I’ve seen some pretty awful sides to people, and I watched the person I cared about more than anyone else in the entire world disappear. Yeah, I know this place is messed up. But that’s why I’ve gotta try to make it better.” My voice grew quiet. “I owe it to her, at least.”

“Her?” Kari questioned.

I managed a wry smile. “That’s for me to know.”

She didn’t look convinced, but it didn’t really matter. Kari would figure it out the same way I had.

I changed the subject. “So. Any idea as to where Violet could be?”

“Oh, that’s right. I almost forgot.” Kari stood up abruptly. “Well, hon, if you’re done warming up, I think we should go get her now.”

I looked up, suddenly alert. “You know where she is?”

“Well, it just so happens that when I was rescuing you, I spotted another prison cell, one that I thought looked extremely suspicious. And then I saw someone go in there. Have you ever heard of a Sandelle?”

I shot to my feet. “What?”

“I take it you know her?”

My fingers clenched around the hilt of Fallon’s sword. “We need to go.”

“Right.”

Without another word, both of us sprinted out of the cave, leaving the fire to burn itself out.