“I don't understand,” I say, my voice sharper than intended. “You're a handler for women. How are you... where have you been hiding them?”
I catch a hint of amusement in Selen’s eyes. “My quarters are quite spacious,” she says simply. “And privacy is one of the few privileges of rank.”
Her private quarters. That explains the discreet door, the easy access. But it raises a dozen more questions. How long has she been sheltering Byron? As long as Ellis? And why? What makes it worth the risk she's taking?
Selen claps her hands, the sharp sound cutting through my thoughts.
“Now that you’re all here,” she begins, her voice edged with authority, “it’s time for the first rule: don’t ask why you’re here. That answer will find you, when the time is right.”
I let out a silent breath. Even now, it seems Selen can’t resist speaking in riddles. I glance around again at the others, catching flickers of unease mirrored on their faces. Has she been trying to draw out the magic in each of them too? Have any of them already taken her strange liquids? I want to ask the moment I get the chance. Right now it’s clear Selen doesn’t expect questions.
“During each session,” Selen continues, stepping into the center of the room, “I’ll be guiding you through certain lessons or… situations. All that’s required of you is to pay attention and learn.” She pauses, her gaze sweeping over us, assessing. “Today, we’re taking a field trip.”
I catch Lira's eye. Her dark eyebrows shoot up in disbelief, mirroring my own thoughts. A field trip?In the Ironhold?
Selen walks to one of the cabinets and pulls it open, revealing not books but garments hanging in neat rows.
“Everyone, take one set,” she instructs, gesturing toward the clothing. “Put it on over what you're wearing.”
I approach cautiously, my fingers brushing against the material… if I can even call it that. It feels unlike any clothing I've ever touched: sleek and slightly cool, with a texture that reminds me of... scales? The garments are dark, almost black, with an iridescent quality that seems to almost shift colors subtly as they move.
“What is this made of?” I can’t help asking.
“Protection,” Selen replies curtly. “Now hurry.”
I pull the strange outfit over my clothes. It consists of form-fitting pants and a long-sleeved tunic that extends tocover my hands. The material is surprisingly light, almost weightless, yet it clings to my body like a second skin.
“The hood too,” Selen instructs, nodding to the attached piece dangling behind my neck. “Pull it right over your face.”
“What the hell?” Lira mutters.
In disbelief, I pull the hood over my head, the strange fabric slipping down to cover my face. For a split second, I feel panic—I can’t breathe—but then air moves easily through the material, cool and light. I blink, stunned. I can not only breathe but also… see.
“What the hell,” I repeat Lira’s exclamation, disoriented. My hands instinctively reach up to tug at the edges of the hood.
That's when I notice it.
My hands are gone.
No, not gone… invisible. Where my arms should be, there's nothing but empty space. I gasp, spinning around to look at the others, but they've vanished too. The room now appears empty except for Selen, who stands watching what must look like empty air with a satisfied expression.
“What magic is this?” I gasp, staring at where my body should be.
Around me, I hear the others' voices, equally stunned.
“I can't see myself,” Ellis exclaims.
“Gods,” breathes Nyx.
The only person I don’t notice exclaiming anything is Byron. I don’t have time to wonder why.
“Everyone, remain calm,” Selen says, her voice cutting through our collective shock. She moves to the closet again and rummages inside. When her hand emerges, it appears to be clutching nothing, but from the way her arm positions, she's clearly holding something.
“Gather around me,” she commands. “Quickly.”
I step forward, feeling disoriented by my own invisibility. As I approach Selen, I collide with what feels like another person.
“Watch it,” Lira's voice hisses close to my ear.
