Vitrian Secrets by Dele Andersen (book club reads txt) 📕

“What, you mean like the babbling of words demons do in their ancient language?”

“No, Alexis,” Bathe said. “I know better than that. These were audible words, like you and I are expressing right now.”

“Not possible! What did it say?”

“That my prayers were not strong enough, that they were weak. ‘Your praying is weak; you should do better.’ Those were the exact words it said.”

“Why didn't you mention this when the elders met yesterday?”

“Alexis . . . it would be scary for many people. I made sure my Praying Méndez is ready; should we meet the demon again, it shall not survive.”

“And when you went back to get Sofia’s and Wanda's clothes from their house, did you see it?”

“No, the demon was gone. The sensors didn’t pick up any information about it. It was like the sensors couldn't even trace it, like it left no scent—no wild foul odor like we usually perceive when a beast has been in a place. There was also no odor when I was in front of it with my Méndez. I checked the archives at the Vitrian hall, and there is nothing on any demon with such a description.”

“I need to go and see Ventress.”

“Okay,” Bathe said. “Do you want me to give this to Wanda?”

Wanda pressed her ear to the wall as if that would allow her to see what he had for her. She wondered why Alexis suddenly wanted to see Ventress.

“Yes. Tell her I'll see her before we embark on the journey.”

Footsteps marched away, and Bathe sighed.

∞∞∞

Half an hour later, Wanda was back in her clothes. Blue jeans and a long-sleeved silk top with a pair of sneakers. Her hair was still back in the ponytail Becky had put it in before the training commenced, and she thought it best to leave it like that for their outing.

She suddenly noticed someone by the entrance to the dressing room. She turned to see Bathe by the door.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes.” She stood up and ran her hands over her thighs, smoothing her pair of jeans. “I don't feel like going home . . .” she broke off, looked away, and then corrected. “More like—I don't want to start a discussion with my mum about my dad.”

“I understand.” Bathe walked toward her. “You can wait here in the Praying Hall. We will be off very soon.”

“I heard you talking to Alexis a few minutes ago.”

“You did?” Bathe looked surprised.

“I didn't mean to listen in,” she said quickly. “I was only walking around in the corner of the room when I heard you.”

“It's okay. Let's walk to the entrance; we can chat while we wait for others. Vitrians are usually time-conscious.” They commenced walking. “And I don't blame you for listening when people are talking about you or when the situation is so crucial.”

Wanda turned to see the serious expression on Bathe's face. A passing thought flew through her mind that Bathe was only pretending. She felt he was only interested in getting her out to the rebels and the demons.

“Why?”

“There's a lot going on,” Bathe replied. “And I'm sure your mind must be twirling up and down, looking for every answer you can possibly get.”

“Yes, you are right about that.” Wanda put her hands in her pocket. “Why do people stare at me and think I am this so-called chosen person?” Bathe smiled and looked ahead as they left the elders' training area. “There was a prophecy centuries ago. Alexis quoted part of it yesterday.”

“What was it . . . I mean, this prophecy?”

“That a child would be born to set things right among the Vitrians. And the word out there is that you are the one.”

“I guess they hate me, then.” Wanda felt like crawling into a shell.

“Nooooo.” Bathe laughed. “I think it's more curiosity than hatred.”

“You sound like you don't think I am the one.”

Bathe took in a deep breath. “You are a good girl, Wanda. But no, I don't think you are, though the whole fortress believed Alexis when he said you are The Chosen.”

“Why don't you?”

“I believe the person will come from a full-blooded Vitrian; someone born to a family where both parents are Vitrians.”

“Is that what the prophecy says?”

“No. But from what we know of Vitrian history, the full-blooded Vitrians are more gifted than half-blooded Vitrians. That's why your dad was able to convince your mum not to worry about you or Jason having any traits of The Chosen.”

“Why was my mum worried, then?” Wanda was surprised at the sudden introduction of her dad into the discussion.

“There were rumors of Vitrian children with traits of The Chosen disappearing or suddenly dying. It started about sixteen years ago. Not being a full Vitrian, your mother was extremely disturbed by what might happen to you and Jason.”

“What happened to the children?” Wanda asked. Before Bathe could answer, she added, “And the rumors?”

“The rumors faded away. Most of the parents whose children died left the Vitrians and never came back. One by one, they were attacked by demons and killed.” He took in a breath.

“So, they weren’t rumors.” Wanda studied the man. “You think someone planned it all,” she said, reading his expression.

“Yes, I believe someone sent the demons to them. I don't think it was a coincidence that they got attacked. Many Vitrians lived in the city, but we were the only ones attacked. The fortress has existed in peace since then, believing the prophecy given was for a different fortress, not this one. However, a lot of the adults here carry pain from the past.”

He went silent, and Wanda sensed there was something on his mind he wanted to share, something that caused him pain from the past too. He stopped and turned to her just as they got to the edge of the stairs.

“Your father died while trying to save one of the children. Demons attacked them.”

Bathe's face turned gloomy. She had never known him to be like that. She never knew he had such deep feelings for her dad. She felt stupid for hating him in the past when he showed up at their house. She had thought he only came because of her mum.

“And, I am sorry about his loss.” Bathe looked extremely sad.

“It's okay.” Wanda waved it off.

“You don't know, do you?” Bathe asked, and Wanda looked up to see the seriousness in his eyes.

She suddenly began to like the way he defended her when he spoke to Alexis. She prayed as she stared, hoping he wasn't about to say something that would make her hate him for life. Or make her thoughts about him being the bad guy come back and haunt her.

“I was supposed to be there to prevent it.” Bathe looked down.

For the first time since Wanda had known him, he was bearing his emotions. But hearing that Bathe could have helped her father or prevented his death was more painful than everything else she had been feeling.

“Marcus wasn't supposed to go alone the night he died. He asked Xavier and me to go along with him, but we turned him down.”

“You what?” Wanda’s voice rose. She rushed down the staircase to the common area of the Praying Hall.

Bathe caught up with her quickly. He held her back, and Wanda let her anger loose in the empty hall.

"You should have been there. Why have you been coming over to our house? Does my mum know? Why . . . why are you telling me now?" Her eyes burned with unshed tears.

Bathe allowed her to rant for a minute. “Your mum doesn't know. If I tell Sofia, I will break her heart further. I swore to protect you, Jason, and your mother. When Xavier called me to tell me about your dad's death, he made me swear it. He told me it was the last thing Marcus wanted from me.”

“That's why you've always been around,” Wanda muttered in a low tone. The name Xavier continued to resonate in her head. “What about Xavier? I heard Alexis say yesterday that he is dead.”

“Yes, he's dead,” Bathe replied, and again Wanda saw his expressions change like he didn't want to say more. “Xavier called me just before he died.” Bathe’s tone was thick with melancholy, but his face carried no emotion. “We were good friends; your dad, Xavier, and me. We dedicated time to praying and following the laws of the Vitrians. I want you to know that regardless of what you overheard, no demon is getting anywhere near you. I will protect you.” He paused, looked around to make sure they were alone, and then spoke quietly. “I need to get you to a safe place.”

His words surprised her. He made it sound like the fortress was not safe. She stared at him, the words also bringing to mind the idea that Bathe knew more about the demons after her and Jason than he’d let on. She felt a twinge of worry, but then she thought, How could he have faced the grayish-white demon if he had sent it or known about it?

She took a deep breath. Everything seemed muddled, and she still had the impression that Bathe wanted her out there. A part of her wished she could object to going out to battle the rebels and the demons, but she decided not to; this was what she wanted. She wasn't doing it because of anyone else; she was doing it for her brother and her mum. Jason needed healing, and the rebels would listen to her because they wanted her.

“Okay,” she said, trying to make up her mind. “How do you plan to handle the demon, the one that attacked us two days ago, if we happen to meet it again?” She watched Bathe look toward the entrance hall as cars honked. “I heard you explaining that its strength was unusual.”

“I'll take care of it.” Bathe's voice was full of confidence. “Remember I had no fighting weapons, only my Praying Méndez last time. If we do meet it again, I would like to see how it survives the Necatus, knives, and arrows that we will unleash upon it.”

Wanda heard more noise from outside, and they both looked toward the door.

“I think the others are here,” Bathe said. “We should get going.”

She looked at him. “Was I stupid to force my way into this?” She began to have cold feet.

“No.” Bathe touched her on the shoulder. “I would have done the same.” He gave an encouraging smile. “And remember, stay with me and you’ll be safe.”

They stepped outside, and Wanda saw the line of jeeps. Ten of them, all jet black in color, which shone so bright, she knew the paint was not ordinary; something about the paint looked like it had silver in it.

Some of the people going on the journey were hanging around the jeeps, chatting, and waiting for the others. Most of them were adults Wanda hadn't seen before.

“Wait here,” Bathe said. He walked toward one of the jeeps where Alexis, Nathaniel, and six other adults stood; three of them women and two men. The last person wore a red robe with a hood that covered the person's head. Wanda wondered why anyone would wear a robe in the summer's heat.

The group had spread a big map on the hood of the jeep, and they planned the trips as they studied it.

“Are you nervous?” Petter suddenly appeared behind Wanda.

“No.” She put her hands in her pocket like she was cold from the weather. “I'm just uncomfortable with everyone gazing at me.”

Petter smiled. “Well. You're The Chosen. What do you expect?”

“That's what I hear. It doesn't make me comfortable with several sets of eyes on me like I'm an alien to peruse.”

“C'mon, Wanda. Have some courage.”

“Where're all the teenagers? I saw them in the Praying Hall this morning.”

“Oh, most of the adults are well-trained. The Praying Hall is where the young ones meet up.”

“But why aren't they going with us?”

“No parent would sit down while their children went out to battle and