The Rise of Isaac, Books 1-3, page 37
"I know. I've been worrying the same thing. The bind will hold a while longer I think, but who knows how long they're planning on keeping us down here," Ely said in a raspy voice.
Larkin threw them a suspicious glance.
Oliver rested his head back against the wall and shut his eyes, concentrating on the heavy beating of his heart.
***
Oliver started at the sound of footsteps outside their cell. He peeped over the ragged blanket he was under and found Sergeant Knole producing a key from his pocket. Nex was still standing guard behind him.
"Are you letting us go?" Oliver asked hopefully.
Knole let out a bark of laughter as he put the key in the lock and turned it. "It's time for your interrogations."
Oliver recoiled with a frown. "Interrogations?"
"For what? We haven't done anything," Larkin snapped.
Ely got to his feet, swaying a little. "I'll go first."
Knole gripped Ely's arm and pulled him out of the cell, locked it then led him away to the right.
Oliver stood up and hugged his arms, shivering in the cold. "They won't do anything to him, will they?"
Larkin appeared beside him with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders. "Don't know," he said as a puff of vapour escaped his lips. "Do you think they use torture here?"
"Not helping," Oliver growled.
"I'm just saying, look at this place. I bet they use torture." Larkin trembled, clutching the blanket tighter around him.
"Shh," Oliver hissed, not wanting to hear it.
"What if they cut off our fingers? Or whip us, or beat us or-"
"Larkin," Oliver snapped, a tremor running through him.
"I'm just saying."
"Well just, don't."
Oliver moved across the cell and sat back down by the wall. Larkin's figure became a silhouette in front of the firelight glowing behind him. His breaths misted around him in a little haze.
"You're giving me the creeps, would you sit down already?" Oliver asked.
Larkin moved to sit beside him, pulling the blanket up around his head so just his face poked out.
They sat in silence until Sergeant Knole returned.
"Where's Ely?" Oliver said in alarm, getting to his feet.
Knole smiled, unlocking the door once more. "He's with the doctor."
Oliver's stomach flipped over violently and he took a step back from the cell door. "What happened to him!?" His natural responses kicked in, telling him to run but there was nowhere he could go.
Knole's smile broadened. "Come on. You're next," he said, reaching for Oliver's arm.
He glanced back at Larkin whose face was a picture of fear. Larkin stood and hurried toward Oliver just as Knole yanked him from the cell and locked the door.
Oliver gazed back at Larkin as Knole led him away; he was gripping the bars and his eyes were wide with fear.
"What did you do to my grandfather?" Oliver snapped.
Knole glanced at him and smiled. "Oh, you'll find out soon enough. It's best if you don't resist telling the truth otherwise it'll hurt a lot more."
Oliver's heart beat so heavily in his chest he felt like it was trying to break free from his ribcage.
Knole led him down passage after passage where gaunt-looking faces stared out at them from the cells.
"What's gonna happen to me?" Oliver breathed.
"All kinds of nasty things," Knole hissed, approaching a guard who was stationed outside a single, black door at the end of the corridor. "This one's next." He released Oliver's wrist and pushed him forward.
Knole strolled away and Oliver was sure he caught a laugh. His gut twisted as he looked up at the enormous man in front of him who must have been close to seven feet in height.
"In you go," the man said, his voice a deep rumble.
He opened the door and Oliver stepped forward, his legs suddenly feeling like jelly. The door slammed shut behind him, making him tense.
In front of him was a single wooden table with a chair on either side of it. Sweat gathered on his brow and he took a step back towards the door, reaching for the handle behind his back.
Footsteps sounded from outside and Oliver swung around as a man opened the door. He was dressed in a black, army-like uniform and had a scar running from the top right side of his face diagonally down it to the opposite corner.
"Oliver Knight?" he asked in a gruff voice.
Oliver nodded mutely.
"Take a seat, Knight," he said, gesturing to a chair as he slid into the one opposite. "My name's Harrow."
Oliver dropped into the hard seat and folded his arms protectively across his chest.
"Hands flat on the table please," Harrow said.
Oliver reluctantly placed his balled fists on the table then uncurled them, leaving his fingers feeling vulnerable.
Harrow reached forward and gripped one of his wrists, tugging him across the table.
"What are you gonna do?" Oliver asked in alarm.
Harrow reached into his pocket and retrieved a small, black box. He hummed casually as he flipped it open and took hold of Oliver's thumb between two fingers.
Oliver's hand trembled and he flinched as Harrow pressed his thumb into the box, feeling it sink into something cool and damp.
Harrow removed it and pressed it onto a piece of paper in front of him, jotting Oliver's name down beside it.
Oliver let out a breath of relief and Harrow raised his eyebrows at him. "You alright there, lad? You're lookin' a little pale."
"It's just- I expected it to hurt," he said weakly.
"Hurt? I just have to put together a record for you. It requires a fingerprint so we can recognise you in future."
Oliver nodded and wet his lips. "Sergeant Knole said my grandfather had to go to the doctor after you interrogated him."
"Aye, he did, he looked rather worse for wear. I sent him to our resident doctor for a health check."
"Oh," Oliver breathed, silently praying they wouldn't find out he was a mage.
"Relax lad, I only ever take a finger or two from newbies," Harrow said and Oliver froze in shock.
Harrow laughed, throwing his head back as he did so. "I'm jus' messin' with ya."
Oliver laughed nervously, not appreciating the joke.
"Now, let's get to it. So why did ya come through the Gateway, lad?" Harrow asked, taking out a notebook and pencil.
Oliver proceeded to explain their situation though he left out what Truvian had told him about Rimori being after May.
Harrow listened patiently, taking notes as Oliver spoke.
When he finished, Harrow flipped the notebook closed and leant forward on his elbows. "Let me give you a word of advice, lad. Things in Glacio ain't so civil as they are back where you came from. The best thing you can do is keep ya head down and don't go causin' trouble for ya-self."
"It's a bit late for that," Oliver said with a small smile.
"Ah, you think that now. But trust me this place here, the Freezer, this is a holiday in Brinatin compared to what nightmare the Queen's men can put ya through if they see fit."
Oliver nodded. "Do you think we'll be let off for what we did?"
Harrow stood and gazed down at him. "I hope so, lad, but it really depends on the mood of the court on the day ya go to trial."
"Oh," Oliver said.
"Sorry I can't offer ya any more comfort than tha'."
Oliver nodded as he got to his feet and followed Harrow out of the room. Larkin was waiting outside with Sergeant Knole looking like the undead.
"It's alright," Oliver whispered to him as Harrow led Larkin inside but he wasn't sure if he heard.
Knole took charge of Oliver once more, leading him back to his cell.
"Enjoy my little joke?" Knole asked, smiling to himself.
"Yeah, hilarious," Oliver said coldly.
5
Risen from the Grave
Four Months Ago
William slipped through the Gateway into Oakway manor in the dead of night. He ran up the spiral staircase and pushed against the wooden panel which let him out into the hallway. A sound upstairs startled him but he realised it was Ely's cat skittering around on the floor above him.
Silently, he tiptoed across the hall and darted out of the front door, shutting it behind him with a click. He let out a slow, shaky breath to calm his nerves.
The soft, pink hue of dawn was lighting the sky. William started the long walk out of his father-in-law's estate, winding down the steep hill into the woodland at the bottom of it.
Some of his fondest memories were made in Earth. It had been one of the happiest times of his life when he and Alison had gotten married. His stomach flipped over at the thought of seeing her again.
A wood pigeon cooed to its companion nearby, the ruffle of wings sounding high above him up in the canopy. The large gate creaked as he opened it, then clanged as he shut it behind him. He sighed with relief and shivered in the morning air as he set off down the road, looking for a suitable car.
The sun was just cresting the hills as he entered the small village and the pink sky turned to a golden haze. An old man appeared from a house and William shrank into the shadow of a porch out of sight. The man got in a car and started it up with the loud rev of an engine. The car idled, letting out a stream of fumes from the exhaust into the cool, autumn air.
William impatiently checked the clock that was embedded in the church wall. The man finally drove away, the engine labouring loudly as it climbed a hill further along the road.
William stepped out of the porch into the rising sunlight. As he passed cars he glanced through their windows, searching for one with a sat-nav. He struck lucky and used magic to unlock a black four-wheel drive before climbing inside. He started it with a jolt of electricity from his palm and began the long journey to London, anticipation itching at him.
***
He arrived outside his wife's house and parked across the road, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel.
A while later, the front door opened and he caught sight of Alison. She was just as beautiful as the last time he had seen her and, if it were possible, felt he loved her even more now than ever before. He gripped the steering wheel tightly and slipped down low in his seat.
His heart caught in his throat as his son appeared behind her, now a young man. Warmth blossomed in his chest as he recognised himself in so much of Oliver's appearance: from the curve of his jaw to his dark hair.
May appeared and he frowned. She exchanged a casual smile with Oliver and he could automatically sense the bond between them. An uncomfortable, writhing sensation filled his stomach.
He sunk even lower in his seat as his family drove out of the driveway and passed his car.
It took twenty six minutes for Alison to return from the school run and, as she drove past him again, his palms began to sweat. She pulled back into the driveway and disappeared into the house.
William took a deep breath and jolted the car back to life with his palm. He drove it up to park behind hers, pulled the handbrake and exited the car. He steeled himself and slowly approached the door.
Although he was excited to see her, he couldn't help but be terrified of how she was going to react. His heart pounded as he lifted a hand to knock on the door and rapped his knuckles on it twice.
"Just a sec!" he heard Alison call from inside, sending his stomach lurching.
He ran a hand through his hair, shortening it a little with a wave of light, remembering that she had always hated it getting too long.
Alison opened the door and their eyes met.
"Hi, Ali," he breathed, hardly able to believe he was so close to her once more.
Her mouth opened and closed twice before she spoke in a whisper, "You're dead."
"No. I'm not."
"You bastard," she said breathlessly, backing away.
"Look, just let me explain-"
"YOU BASTARD!" she screamed.
William forced himself inside and closed the door behind him.
"Just calm down a second. Give me a chance to explain," William said, unable to help the wave of elation at seeing her.
"Explain what? How you left me? Left your son? How dare you?"
William took a step towards her and she shoved him forcefully in the chest. He raised his hands up innocently, a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. He could hardly believe she was there in front of him, his wife.
"I did it for you. For both of you. We were banned from seeing each other. If everyone thought I was dead then we could be together. We can be together." He grinned at her.
"For ten years? Ten years believing you were murdered by Isaac? I had to cut ties with all my family, my friends! I couldn't return to Aleva because the whole of the seven worlds thought I had helped that psychopath enter Vale!"
"He's not a psychopath-"
"Don't you dare defend him! Don't you dare come into my home and start defending that, that monster!"
"Ali. He didn't kill me. I'm right here." He touched his hands lightly to his chest, feeling the thrumming of his heartbeat beneath his fingertips.
Tears welled in her eyes. She shook her head and pressed the heels of her hands to her eyelids.
He took a tentative step forward. Then another before pulling her into an embrace. She resisted then her arms went slack and he hugged her to him tightly. Her tears soaked through his shirt to his skin but he felt whole once more. He held her even tighter, taking a deep breath to revel in her familiar, sweet scent that he was glad hadn't changed.
"It's okay. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," he said softly.
She pushed him away, her eyes red and puffy. "It's not okay. None of this is okay. You have no idea how hard it's been-" her voice broke.
"I'm here now. Everything's going to change, Ali." He couldn't wait to show her everything, to tell her all about Isaac.
She stopped crying and her face turned to anger.
"Nothing's going to change. You're going to walk out that door and you're never going to come back." She pointed.
"Ali. Don't be like that. You need to hear me out."
"I want you to leave, Will." Alison walked past him and opened the door, gesturing for him to exit. Her bottom lip quivered.
"I'm sorry but I can't do that, Ali. I love you. You have to trust me. Come with me." He had hoped she wouldn't react this way, but suspected she wouldn't want to leave their son.
"You're mad. Oliver and May-"
"They'll be fine. We'll come back for them."
"Get out."
"No, Ali. You're coming with me. We can be together. I know you still love me. Why else did you keep my surname?" He reached out and pushed a piece of hair behind her ear, trailing his fingers down her chin.
"That's not- I don't even-"
He rushed forwards and kissed her. She shoved him and he gripped her wrist but she ripped it away from him.
A moment hung between them where they assessed each other's next move.
William didn't want to hurt her. "You'll need your Lock to get through the Gateway, do you have it?"
Alison didn't reply.
"Are you gonna tell me where it is or am I gonna have to find it myself?"
Alison chewed her lip before answering. "I won't tell you."
He held out a palm, frowning at her sadly. "Then I'm sorry about this, Ali."
"No. Don't-" she said in a panic, ducking to one side and missing the surge of magic he cast at her.
She fled up the stairs and William watched her go with a sigh. He followed her at a casual pace, hearing the slam of a door up ahead. He rounded the corner to find the corridor empty and headed towards the only closed door.
6
The Light of Day
For the first time in days, Oliver awoke to a new sound. The sound of a key in a lock. He blinked away the sleep in his eyes and focused on a tall figure outside the cell. It was Xen.
"Time for your trial," Xen said excitedly. "Get 'em up," he ordered three soldiers standing beside him. Sergeant Knole was amongst them and he took charge of Larkin, dragging him to his feet.
Oliver was wrenched up by a tall, dark-skinned soldier. He didn't resist. He glanced at Ely with a look of elation, knowing he could finally get away from the poison. Ely had lied to the resident doctor and so was none improved when he had returned. Ever since, Oliver had been growing more and more desperate.
They were steered out into the long tunnel that led up towards the stairs outside. Their route was marked by burning torches set into brackets, illuminating the icy gloss on the walls. Ely was unsteady on his feet but the soldier pushing him along wouldn't let Oliver near to help.
There was no sign of the others and his chest tightened in fear. "Our friends haven't been trialled already have they?" he blurted at the back of Xen's head.
Xen glanced back. "You'll be trialled together in the city of Galice."
A wave of relief washed over him.
"And executed together if the court deems it," Xen added with a smirk.
Oliver grimaced but he refused to let the comment affect him.
They climbed the achingly high staircase out of the cave. His body was weak and fatigued from the confinement but he knew each step brought him closer to May, Anna, Rogan and Quinn. He said their names in his head as he climbed like a mantra.
At the top he burst free of the soldier's grip and ran into May and Anna. He pulled them both into a fervent embrace. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" Oliver asked in a whisper.
"No, we're okay. We're fine," Anna said through lips that looked chapped and sore.
The soldier tore Oliver backwards. "That's enough. You can have a nice catchup in the wagon."
Oliver didn't mind, he let the man steer him towards the wagon, desperate to be alone with them all. Rogan and Quinn were already inside, still bound in harnesses. Their eyes lit up as they spotted him and Oliver rushed forward and hugged them both, bending down in the low wagon as he did so. The others were carted inside behind him.
A soldier closed the wagon door and a cry went up from Xen as he directed them onwards.
"Ely, are you alright?" Quinn asked in alarm as she spotted his pale face. In the light of day he looked even worse, his skin was pallid and thin veins were visible beneath his eyes.
