Thirteen

                                    

                                          
Julian, Asra, and I are in the city, which is also in full swing due to the masquerade. There were plenty of people with and without masks on, drinking and dancing in the streets. The three of us have to hold hands so we don't lose each other in the crowd. People crying out and having a good time makes me want to just let whatever happens to my mother just happen and start drinking now. But with Julian in front of me, tugging me along, I know I can't do that just yet. I can only hope this doesn't take long. After a few moments of grudging through the crowd, we finally make our way to a less crowded area where children are playing with sparklers. 
                          
"I didn't see anyone who resembled your mother here," Julian tells us when we're in a quiet place. "No fancy clothes or masks here."
                          
I groan in frustration and put my face in my hands.
                          
"I can try and sense her, see if we can find her that way. It'll be harder since I don't have something of hers, but it's worth a try," Asra offers. I just nod in his suggestion and let out a sigh. I could feel Asra draw his magic to him and I take a deep breath, hoping that this works. After a few moments, I hear a frustrated sigh from Asra.
                          
"She's at the shop," he seethes out. "I don't know if she got in, or how she even knew about it, but she's there."
                          
"Are you fucking kidding me?" I groan out. Julian gently runs his hand up and down my arm. "We might as well make our way over."
                          
As we start to walk to the shop, we hear a caw above us. We look up and Julian holds out his arm where a raven, Malak, perches swiftly. 
                          
"What good timing. Malak, mind going to the palace and letting Nadia know what's going on? She might be able to tell Percy so he can head towards the shop with Pasha, and maybe a couple of guards?" he asks the raven as he scratches the raven's head. Malak gives off a soft caw and takes flight, making his way to the palace. We continue our way to the shop, and the anger in my chest keeps building. This woman thinks of nothing but herself and her own selfish needs, so I'm not really surprised. The walk there is short, and I angrily start walking around the building to see if I could find her. I finally make my way to the ally to the side and halt in my tracks.
                          
My mother is huddled against the building, shuddering and heaving. I can see blood pooling by her feet, and my heart starts to panic. I run towards her, kneeling down at her side before calling for Asra and Julian. I gently lift her head and I see a large gash running across the side of her forehead. She's got tears in her eyes and down her face. Her eyes are in a haze, and I don't know if it's due to magic, or what had happened to her.
                          
"Mother," I say softly. She doesn't look at me, and the haze is still over her eyes. "Mama, look at me."
                          
She shudders and slowly lifts her head to me, looking at me like a lost child. I slowly rub her shoulders as Julian and Asra kneel besides us. Asra starts to whisper soft things to my mother as he replaces my hands with his. I let him, and he slowly raises her to her feet. While Asra and Julian lead my mother out of the ally, I go to the door and quickly unlock it. Once we're inside, I lock the door again and follow as the boys lead my mother upstairs. Once she's sat down at the table, Asra quickly starts to instruct Julian to get bandages, and for me to make tea to try and calm my mother. We set to do as ordered as Asra starts to try and heal her wounds on her face, and wherever else they may be. Julian returns with bandages and vials.
                          
"I can heal most of them, but the one on her forehead is bad. You'll need to work on that one," Asra says quickly. Julian pushes stray hairs from my mother's face and quickly gets to work. I make the tea and start to take off any loose clothing she has on, placing them aside to wash. Not long after, we hear a loud knocking at the door, which I go to open quickly. My father, Portia, and a few guards are there, and I let them in. The guards stay outside, as if to guard the shop, so I don't bother to lock it behind me. Once back upstairs, my father is gaping at my mother, and Asra quickly asks Portia to make more tea. She quickly gets to work as I walk up and touch my father's back, breaking him of his trance. He looks at me before quickly making his way over to the table.