Halfway (Wizards and Faeries) by Stephanie Void Page B

father believes it has to do with their Magic. The atmosphere dampens their Magic, so they go where there is less atmosphere.”
    I stared out at the Order. Temet. My brother, after all these years. Emotion overcame me, and I turned away.
    “Cemagna, are you all right?”
    “I think I’ll go back to my room now,” I whispered, heading for the staircase.
         I broke into a run halfway down the stairs, racing to the bedroom. In the bedroom, I went to the desk that sat in the corner and searched through its drawers until I found a pen and several sheets of paper.   Carefully, I began a drawing.   It was Nessy and Temet, as I remembered them. Nessy was looking down at Temet, her face kind and her eyes happy.   Temet smiled up at her.   It was heart-wrenching to draw.
    I lay down my pen and wept into my hands.
    Feeling a touch on my arm, I looked up to see Ormas.
    “Cemagna,” he said softly.
    “I grew up alone,” I murmured through tears. “Alone. They took him from me, and then Nessy died soon after. I was just a child, and I was alone. Who does that to a child ?”
    “Cemagna, the Wizardly Order is not a nice organization. It exists to control wizards as surely as a leash would. It’s the law—anyone with wizard abilities must join the Order. And they’re never the same again. You might not even know Temet.”
    “I’d at least like to be able to make the choice whether I want to know him or not.” I put my face in my hands and sobbed again, quietly.
    “Cemagna, my father will help you find Temet. You must be patient. He is busy, but he will come to you soon. He knows about the Order and how to find someone inside there.”
    #
    Though Duke Von Chi did not come that day, Ormas stayed with me for the rest of the day. He had just arrived home from a long, dangerous trip and wanted to relax. I felt my loneliness lessen as we told each other stories, played a game involving cards with pictures on them, and shared meals Garolda brought us. Ormas had a ready laugh, a mischievous eye, and a confidence I envied.
    When night fell, which was far too soon for my taste, he bade me farewell and returned to his own room in another part of the house.
    I lay in bed, feeling strangely happy, my eyes closed. Was I falling for Ormas? Was that what this strange giddiness meant? I had read about it in books and had a theoretical knowledge of it but had never dreamed I would experience it. But now… I had to admit it to myself. I most certainly was falling for him.
    Maybe, perhaps after I had completed my search for Temet, there could be something between Ormas and me. It would be nice to…
         I suddenly felt cold all over. Had I dozed off? There was a stir in the air, as if another person was my room.   I kept my eyes shut.
    I heard a soft whisper, barely spoken.
         “not a machine. So much better.”  
         I felt something cold and liquid inching its slow way across my forehead.   I was too afraid to move or open my eyes.
         Something was near me. Something was touching me. Wasn’t the master key supposed to keep me safe? I felt a stab of pain in three places at once. I had felt it before. I wasn’t surprised at all at the next thing I felt: blood slowly tricking down my forehead.
         I moved—the faint stir of a sleeper to whoever was in the room with me. A sharp hiss reached my ears and I heard footsteps withdrawing, leaving the room.
         Sleepily, I raised my head to look around. I was alone.
         My heart thudding in my chest, I reached to light a candle. My hand was shaking. Someone had been here, within breathing distance of me, and had made me bleed .  
         Lighting the candle, I went to the mirror and held the light near my face. The same points of blood had formed… the one on my forehead had already partially trickled down my face. I examined it closer. Perfectly round, as if someone had placed some sort of instrument on my head.
         I was shaking so hard