Burn Bright

After Graselle left Naif lay, thinking, feeling. Something had changed inside her since Lenoir had healed her. Her body was no longer shadowed by pain. But more than that, her mind felt so light and free that it might fly away.

‘Naif?’ Lenoir was standing at the door, watching her. The intensity of his gaze thrilled her. She had expected to be repulsed by him, but strangely she felt only fascination and gratitude.

‘Yes?’

‘In the Circle chamber you said you saw danger for the boy, Markes.’

Naif slid her feet to the floor and sat up on the edge of the bed, feeling only a little dizzy. ‘It was … nothing,’ she said. ‘You spoke of sending him out to attract Ruzalia. I was frightened, that’s all.’

‘Why do you care what happened to him?’

His question confused her. ‘What do you mean? Why does anyone care for … anything? I-I like him, I suppose, and I w-wouldn’t want him to be hurt.’ It was the truth. Markes had protected her from Ruzalia, and been kind to her when Cal had been so cold.

‘Ixion is a place for hedonism. Selfishness. Yet you’ve risked dire consequences to help others. What makes you do that, I wonder?’

Naif tightened her arms around herself in defence. ‘I am no different than anyone else.’

He thought about what she said. ‘Perhaps not. But Enlightenment has saved your life and freed you from your moral restraints. You will feel different. What I am curious about is whether the selfless part of you died with its release. Is it the rules and restrictions in your life that have made you self-sacrificing? Is guilt the foundation of kindness?’

He came over to the bed and sat down, placing his hand gently on her injured thigh in an intimate gesture. ‘I will watch and see. You are well enough to move around Ixion as before. There is only one difference. We are bonded and you will come to me when I require it.’

‘Why would you?’ Naif asked.

Lenoir’s smile was enigmatic. ‘That I could not predict but I may need you at some time. Now tell me, little Naif, what do you know of Dark Eve and Clash?’

Naif’s heart thumped at the sound of her brother’s chosen title. Did Lenoir know her secret? Was he probing her honesty with their bond? ‘I will not spy for you,’ she said quickly.

Lenoir’s expression became curious. ‘It is merely a question.’

She strived to keep her face composed. It seemed harder now that she was no longer that other person – the Seal, Retra. ‘I saw them outside that club where the boy was taken by the Night Creatures. They’re passionate in their beliefs,’ she said.

He surprised her then by sighing. ‘They are misled – as passion most often is. Beware it, baby bat. Beware the foolishness of passion.’

‘The League believes that those of us who are too old to remain here are taken away by you and …’

‘And what, Naif?’

She spoke quietly to soften the accusation. ‘They believe you kill us.’

Lenoir curled his lip in deprecation. ‘If that is the case, and we are such villains, why would I have saved you? What is your life worth if we are murderers?’

‘I am wondering about that, Lenoir,’ whispered Naif, addressing him directly for the first time. She had a sudden urge to keep him talking so that she could learn more about Ixion. ‘Was it to prove yourself in some way to the other Guardians? A show of your strength against Brand?’

‘There is that,’ he admitted freely, without annoyance. ‘But not that alone. Can you guess the other reason?’

She shook her head, not sure that even her newly freed self was ready to hear his reason. ‘You said at the meeting that Charlonge was to be withdrawn soon.’

‘It is true, her time is close. Does that concern you?’

‘She has helped me, as she has helped so many others. And she’ll be frightened.’

Lenoir did not reply.

‘Why do you need to keep mystery around it? Have you thought to explain what does happen to the Peaks? It’s the unknown – the uncertainty – that scares people. Understanding might help matters with the League as well.’

‘So wise and yet so naive, little bat. Doesn’t uncertainty also create … excitement?’ His voice stroked her, like gentle fingers on sensitive skin. ‘Don’t you burn brightly because of it?’

Naif knew he skirted the topic, distracting her. ‘But keeping secrets has a cost.’

‘I would put your mind at rest and say that Peaks transcend to the next phase,’ said Lenoir.

‘The next phase?’

‘Of pleasure. Ixion exists as an antidote to the rules and conventions of other places. We believe that indulging in pleasure will make better people. Self-denial and discipline and virtue are all myths invented to control you.’

Naif considered the idea. It was true, her Seal training had been a shackle, but it had also been a comfort. She was unsure, still, about the new person inside her. Would she like who she now was? She shrugged. ‘I guess so.’

‘You must trust me that aging and withdrawal will bring you to something better.’

‘Then you should tell this to the League.’

‘Not all the younglings are as easy to convince or as rational as you, little Naif. Your lack of ego makes you receptive. Some thrive on combat, or the promise of it. Some on notions of heroism. Others prefer not to know anything at all. Not everyone seeks the truth.’

Was Joel like that, Naif wondered? Did he thrive on combat? She’d never thought him as a natural agitator and yet …

‘I seek only to protect them but the League bring trouble on themselves by assisting Ruzalia. The pirate is a hazard to our lifestyle, our system.’

‘P-protect them? From who?’

‘Brand is not as tolerant as I am.’

‘Is that why Brand attacked Krista-belle? To provoke you?’

His eyes narrowed, and Naif saw his mood change. He got up and walked to the door. ‘I am the dominant Guardian.’

‘But surely Brand challenges you with her actions.’

‘Yes. But she will be disappointed.’