Esme stood before a large oval table in Isreal. Apparently, Eliezer had forgotten to tell her that she would be travelling across the globe. When they had emerged from the underground train system, she had wondered how extensive the system’s reach was and what on earth did Eliezer mean by sol.

She had wanted to laugh but Malik’s gravity and her own anxiety about the review made her notice each exhale that passed from her mouth. Her limbs and face had felt tight like if a statue had to learn to breathe. Esme had inhaled forcing the muscles on her face to relax but only a thin line had formed instead of the cheerful smile she could often so easily conjure. Passerbys had gawked at Leo and her like they were peasants but Leo had strutted across the platform in his hospital gown. She had smiled waching Eliezer take Leo by the arm guiding him to the train. Before boarding, Leo managed to get a young boy to give him his deck of cards in exchange for the silver blazer he had from who knows where. He began flipping through them while Eliezer was struggling to put a hat over his curls. She on the other hand still wore the simple jeans and shirt with Leo’s blood.

The Krita that’s what Malik had called it. The cathedral inspired building spired above the gardens surrounding it. The buildings in the distance small and insignificant. Malik had said the Krite family held council and the judges oversaw bureaucratic dealings here. Esme decided the men and women seated before her were just men and woman. The worst thing that could happen is she died. She just needed to say what she was going to say.

The man at the head of the table said, “Hello Esme. My name is Abram Krite. I’m sorry we moved your review. It is nice to meet you but we have to hold council here. I am sure Malik can help you find out where you need to go.” He smiled gently.

“Malik went to his review. I’m not sure where to go.”

“Head down to the entrance and speak with one of the people wearing green.”

“Thank you.” She said putting her hand on the door. A cold tentacle crawled up her arm. She gasped pulling her hand away. The door shoved open to reveal two tall men clothed in ivory. Tentacles deviod of light trailing their wide strides. The first man’s eyes immediately grabbing onto hers pushing her into a whirlpool like Heidi’s henchman. It was an unforgiving wave slamming into her mind. She stepped back crashing into someone behind her. Abram Krite guided her into the hall but a hand gripped hers. She whirled around to face the other man in ivory. She spat into his eyes and he wiped away the spittle running down his too angular chin.

He grinned pulling her closer to look in her eyes, “who are you little human?” Esme closed her eyes only to feel hot pain to flair across her cheek and her arm freed. She opened her eyes to see the council’s appalled faces and Abram Krite’s back. Two others from the toable stood now with placid faces and hands layed on top of each other. One of them pulled her hands apart a black glow that matched her skin, clothes, and hair forming shards pointed at the men in ivory.

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“You have disrespected the sanctuary I give to the people who come to my city by coming here announced. “ Krite’s voice was commanding befitting the standing Esme assumed he held. She shook her hand the cold still welling inside it and rolled her shoulders back. A gentle hand landed on her shoulder guiding her from the room. The man stared at her till the grey doors slid shut.

“Let me see it.” A voice said. She turned to see a man robed in ornate colorful designs take her hand. She recognized him from the council.

“I don’t understand,” she said shaking her head.

“It’s alright. I just want to take a look.” He flipped her wrist to reveal tiny tentacles weaving like a spider’s web around it. He pulled the web cutting off more circulation. The tattoo on his hand glowed and the web disintegrated.

“Why did-”

“We will figure it out.”

“I-I think I made it worse by spitting. The smoke stuff what is it?”

“Don’t worry about that and the smoke is a manifestation of their manipulation of vapor.”

“Vapor?”

“We call it that to degrade its significance but it is not something to be trifled with. It is vapor meaningless you can pass through it without harm. Meaningless,”

“Oh,”

“I will take you to the young Jelani. How does that sound?”

“Esme,” someone said.

Esme turned to see Malik hurry up the massive length of the hall with a Heidi’s henchman in tow.

“I had a feeling he would get to us first.” He said chuckling heartily.

“Why didn't you tell me about vapor?” Esme said clutching her achingly cold hand.

“I never never thought you would have to deal with it.” Malik said. He was slightly flustered pulling a blue shirt from among his bag of other glowing fabrics and random things.

“Put this on.” He said. She shrugged it on. It was an azure blue with a slit so the fabric draped over her thighs. The fabric was slightly warm on the outside and cool on her sweaty skin. The fabric rippled down tightening around her. She wriggled slightly flustered now too.

“Your stupid clothing can do that and that woman can make shards with her hands and you can’t stop a man from slapping me.”

Malik pulled up her hood and said, “this helps ward off vapor.”

“Why are they here?”

“I don't know why,”

“To send a message. They do it quite frequently young Jenali. You know this.”

“My father did not train me from a young age like Hezekaih.”

“You are right. Forgive me. I wish I had waited longer for my son as well. Now let’s figure out this strange predicament.”