Page 53 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

"Strong enough to get out. The Prophet utilized her like a pet-"

"What was her name?" I question, showcasing my first real sign of involvement in the conversation.

Abuse and pain are all things I understand.

Taking time to sympathize and force feed empathy down the boy's throat won't fix what he has been through.

The most he can do is move on.

"I don't know, we never really had time to speak. A few times, when she was more banged up, I would sneak her some of my extra scraps in passing, but, other than her red locks, I couldn't tell you much more about her," he sighs, my Call already buried in his mind, his words fully honest.

Why do I care so much?

It's not like there aren't other Marked with unprecedented skill.

"Can I ask a few questions of my own now?" Silas questions, my only response a hesitant nod.

"You're one of the runed Marked?" he questions, taking a long look at my exposed arms.

"It would seem so," I mutter, glancing at my reflection in the water.

"What's that like?" he questions, keeping his focus on his own image in the pool.

"The same as you I suppose. Genetics alter, new variations begin. There aren't many of us to go around-"

"The girl from below was runed," he interrupts. "I assumed she was the only one."

Taking in this new bit of information, I let the silence settle between us, taking in shallow breaths.

"You know to keep the whereabouts of the Underground to yourself?" I question, his feet kicking rocks into the water.

"Like I'd compromise a safe place to live," he shudders, narrowing his focus in on the pool. "What is that?"

"Don't deflect-"

"No, look," he exclaims, pointing toward the middle of the water. "There is something down there," he pushes, using his Hold to direct my chin toward his focus.

Barely glinting in the light of the lowering sun, something shiny reflects at the bottom of the waters, nearly blinding once the sun has hit it just right.

"It's probably just a tossed blade-" I begin, feeling an immense pull toward the debris the longer I am forced to face it.

"You feel that?" Silas questions, his voice filled with nerves.

"Regrettably," I whisper, my body moving quicker than my mind can react.

Peeling off layers, I tear away clothing until I am just in my boxers, letting Silas eye me with a great deal of confusion.

"What are you-"

"I'm checking it out," I smile. "Scream if you need me."

Diving in before the young boy can protest, the water envelops me in its cool embrace, the last time I was submerged like this a day filled with horrific events. Letting the light from the settingsun continue showcasing the glinting material, I make my way toward the bottom of the pools. The dead and ash ridden Shifter carcasses sunken in the sand below. Eyes blurred from the film of water, I reach my hand toward the debris, feeling a great weight force resistance down on me, my next best option to force my Hold to get the material to move. Urging the material up and out of the sand with my Hold, I am barely able to get a look at it, moving quicker than I did during my initial dive, my lungs already greedy for air.

Forcing the debris out before me, I poke my head to the surface of the water, taking in a generous breath, my hand rapidly pushing back my hair, trying to blink away the burning sting in my eyes. Winnowing out of the water, I take a stand next to my clothing, letting my body drip dry, Silas's body shielding what I had managed to find.

"You did all of that for some metal?" he questions, my vision finally regaining back its clarity.

Peering at what lies before him, organic metal lies at his feet, something you'd see a blacksmith hold before crafting a blade.

---