It was bizarre to watch. Logically, the awareness was there that none of it was real, but the deepest parts of the brain responded as if it were real anyway. Caelan’s screams were agonizing, his portrayal of King Daodyn visceral and alarming. Unease was coursing through my veins as I watched him shaking Anna, begging her to awaken.
I had seen this play in parts across the cities of Valyria. It was quite popular, with dozens of versions ranging from tragedies to comedies to mysteries. Naturally, with characters rooted in our own Realm’s tragic existence, we were fascinated with them.
As the scene ended, the audience was silent. No one moved as the lights on the stage dimmed. I held my breath, still stunned by their performance as Queen Adara and King Daodyn.
After several moments of sorrow-filled quiet, the crowd erupted in cheers. The curtains were drawn closed. Eli and several of the stage crew rushed onto the stage.
“That was amazing!” Eli said.
Caelan stood up and I was surprised to see how concerned he looked. I understood what he was feeling, though. No matter how many times I had heard it, there would always be something very personal about this play, given that it was about our own ancestors. Eli slapped him on the back and hugged him as the others congratulated him. Several of the others also approached me with their congratulations. I smiled politely and nodded but my attention was still on Caelan and Anna.
“Everyone, hurry to your places for the bow!” Professor Elara called.
There was commotion across the stage and I brushed past the others, trying to get to Anna. I watched as Caelan turned around and looked at her.
“Anna,” he called. “The curtain is closed. You can stop pretending to be dead now.”
She was still lying there as if she were asleep. My pulse quickened and I accidentally knocked into someone rushing past me.
“Sorry,” I muttered, stabilizing them and moving on.
As I neared them, Caelan kneeled beside her, gently shaking her.
“Anna,” he said. “Did you fall asleep or something?”
He shook her harder, and still she did not respond. My heart plunged into my stomach. I reached for her, pulling her into my arms.
“Anna,” I said. “The show is over. Time to wake up.”
Dread took hold within me as I rested my hand over her heart. It was beating furiously. I let my everi flow into her, trying to steady the rhythm of her body. I didn't understand what washappening to her. I tried to harness her quickening everi, but it was out of my control. Her breathing was erratic.
“What’s going on?” Isabella asked, her voice alarmed as she appeared at my side.
A stillness fell around us, and the commotion and excitement quelled as whispers sounded in the background.
“She is not waking up,” Caelan said, his voice hollow.
She was shaking, and whatever was happening in her mind was setting her into a frenzy. I forced more everi into her and sent it throughout her body everywhere I could reach but I couldn't gain access to her mind.
“Damn it.”
“Blake, what’s happening?” Isabella asked.
“I do not know.”
I pulled her close to my body, holding her tightly and infusing her with as much of my everi as I could. She was whispering, her skin feverish.
“Please,” she muttered, “please stop.”
My chest seized. Why would she not wake up?
I touched her cheek, letting my everi oscillate into her body, blending with her own. A wave of relief came over me as I saw her eyes flutter open. They were glazed over and she looked at me like she was a thousand paces away. I pulled her against me, shielding her from everyone around us.
“Okay, everyone,” Eli called. “Anna's awake. Give them some space.”
Isabella sat down behind Anna, her hand on Anna's back, her face solemn. We shared a look of concern before I lifted Anna into my arms.
“Send for me if you need anything,” Isabella called.
