Shadows and Embers Page 2

  Dropping the letter into the drawer, I growled, “You nearly scared me to death!”

  “One of these days someone else will walk into this room before I do and find out what you’ve been hiding. Come now; we should pray for the sins we’ve committed,” she said.

  Sighing, I fixed the position of the letter in its drawer and shut it. With a murmur of a word, the spark of fire died out. I thought back to the words my father had written.

  “And son, no matter what, don’t waste your time on women.”

  I smirked. It was such a relief to think of what father should have said instead of what he never had the chance to say.

  As I stepped toward her, Nicia remarked, “Stop with your devilish smile.”

  “You love it,” I answered, winking.

  She snorted. “I rather die than fall in love with a smile like that.”

  I reached the doorway, and she stayed pinned against the frame as she waited for me to pass her.

  Leaning in, I whispered, “Be careful what you wish for, darling. At least I openly confess to my sins.”

  Satisfied that I had the last word, I walked away from her and continued down the hall. In a matter of seconds I heard her following behind me, but my satisfaction would be short lived when I knew who waited for me at the bottom of the stairs.

  Chapter Two

  In His Heart

  I was full of lies. Even as I descended down the staircase with Nicia close behind, I could feel the lies scrapping against my throat. The instant I reached the final step and took Mama’s hand, I knew it was only a matter of minutes before the interrogation of last night’s events began. I offered her a smile and kissed her wrinkled cheek, hoping to conceal my anxiety. We walked through the foyer, and as we reached the door I turned in time to see Nicia wrap her hand around my free arm.

  Breathe.

  I opened the wooden door and stepped outside, exhaling in relief. Mama seemed too preoccupied with the scenery to question my behavior. Ever since Papa’s death she rarely left the house, claiming she was “ill.”

  “Oh child, it truly breaks my heart to see you growing into the man your father was. He would be proud of you,” Mama said.

  I grunted. It was pointless to argue with her. I always said I looked nothing like him, but the portrait in our house suggested otherwise.

  “Son,” Mama’s stern voice returned my focus. “Where were you last night? I waited all night for you; you know how badly that scares me.”

  “Working; I’m always working,” I replied, though Nicia squeezed my arm. Couldn’t she wait to disapprove of the lies? I had been lying to my mother for years now, and this hardly seemed like the appropriate time to tell her the truth.

  “Such a pity that a young, handsome fellow like you is too busy with work,” Nicia teased.

  “Some of us have to work for a living to survive. Let it be, Nicia!” I snapped.

  Both Mama and Nicia stopped, forcing me to do the same. I gulped, looking at the frown on Mama’s face.

  “You shouldn't raise your voice to a lady like that. I am ashamed of you,” Mama said. She released my arm and walked around me to grab onto Nicia’s instead. They both walked away from me while I stood there, partially regretting what I had said.

  Before I could run after the women I noticed Alaire striding toward me. He wore a plain white tunic, showing off the dark hair ladies seemed to adore. He approached me, but the frown on his face was unmistakable.

  “You have no idea how glad I am to see you!” I said, grabbing his hand and shaking it eagerly.

  “I wish I could say the same, but I ran into Esmour and he mentioned our mission,” Alaire replied.

  “The mission? Did something go wrong? The one time we have Malin with us the whole mission goes to h—”

  He cut me off, grabbing my vest. “Did you tell him what I did?”

  “This vest costs more than your life,” I said, attempting to push away his hands. His grip only tightened on the material, and I winced.

  “So help me God, I will—”

  “I said nothing!” I shouted.

  Several locals walking past us looked back, but the church bell rang again as a reminder that service would soon begin.

  Releasing my vest, Alaire staggered back. With a face as white as snow, he whispered, “I never killed those men. If anyone asks, I never killed any of them...”

  With that, he headed toward the church. It took a minute for the words to register in my brain. Alaire had been alone on the battlefield during the time Malin was with me. By the time we were all reunited the other men had been dead. What had Alaire done? More importantly, why did he want to conceal his skills? I desired to ask him about it, but thinking back to Malin's praising and bringing up Hunter, I decided against it.

  I ran after Alaire as he approached the stairs leading into the building. The reverend greeted us at the door. The church itself was one of the finest, seeing as the richer founding families had contributed to its construction. Candles were lit, illuminating the dark wooden floor. There were curtains covering the windows, but I scanned the room for a sign of Esmour. I noticed him at the front with his long gray hair tied back. He sat down with a young girl whom I had never seen before.

  As we approached closer I realized she was smiling at him, laughing at something he said. She had hazel hair and a round face. I couldn’t help but notice her curvy body, fit and attractive. Once she sat down I remained still, watching as she fixed her hair so that there weren’t any fly-away strands. There were plenty of pretty women in town, but she was the fairest of them.

  “Uh, Léal?” Alaire’s voice broke my concentration. He pinched my arm, and I hissed in return. When he pointed to where Nicia and Mama were sitting, I shook my head and instead sat down behind Esmour and his companion.

  The moment Alaire joined me on the bench, I leaned over to him and asked, “Who do you think she is?”

  “I don’t know,” he whispered, “but I’ve never seen Esmour bring anyone with him.”

  The reverend approached the altar and opened the Bible. As he began, I barely cared for his words. Who was the mysterious girl? She looked like a teenager, which wasn’t the type Esmour fancied. Come to think of it, Esmour never talked or showed having any romantic interests.

  I thought about Alaire’s mentioning of the mission. Something was changing, though I couldn’t place my finger on it just yet. First Alaire’s fear and now this mysterious girl… It couldn’t be a coincidence. If only Malin was here so that I could ask for his opinion, but he never came to church.

  Suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my side, and I glanced over at Alaire. He smirked as if to mock the pain he caused me. Like most locals he truthfully believed in religion. He was already studying to become a reverend. My father had apparently been the same way, believing that God had a plan for us. If God ever had a plan for me, He played well enough that I didn’t think it existed.

  Biting my lip, I looked up at the reverend and tried to pay attention.

  “And Matthew warns us ‘that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart,’” he said.

  My eyes turned to look at the girl in front of me.

  Minutes later I no longer had to suffer. The service came to an end, and as usual the reverend left the altar to say his farewells. Alaire and I remained where we were, waiting for Esmour to address us. He remained sitting, and I considered tapping him on the shoulder to end the suspense. My plan was ruined when Jacquette approached us.

  “I must have missed you this morning, love,” she said to Alaire.

  Sundays were one of the few days I saw her in a dress. Her dress today was white, nearly as bright as the candles. Her black hair was held together in a braid that hung over her left shoulder. I was more accustomed to her large tunics and loose pants for missions, but it came as no surprise to Alaire. They had been betrothed since childhood, following the old traditions of the magical world. Alaire was alr
eady living with her family as well.

  “Sorry, I couldn’t sleep,” Alaire said.

  I raised my brow at how emotionless he sounded. If Jacquette noticed she gave no indication.

  “Well then, I’ll see you tonight,” she responded. She curtsied to him and then walked away.

  At last the girl turned around. Esmour, however, stood up and walked to the entrance. I only glanced in his direction for a second, and then I returned my focus to the girl. Her eyes were gray, but the candle fire glimmered in her pupils. When she moved her face closer my heart thumped. She had the sweet smell of lavender. Her dress was also white but with embroideries of cherries. There were light freckles covering her bright cheeks.

  “My name is Rahela,” she said with the voice of an angel.

  A squeak escaped my lips, but my words failed me.

  Alaire cleared his throat. “I’m Alaire. The animal sitting next to me is Léal. Don’t drool, Léal; be polite and say hello.”

  I wasn’t listening. My eyes lowered to her neck –bare and clean. I would buy a necklace for her; a gold one with a locket perhaps. There was no reason a beautiful girl like her had to walk in public with a bare neck. I bit down on my lip harder, feeling my teeth sink in. The taste of blood entered my mouth, but I licked it away hastily before anyone would notice.

  “Léal!”

  I jumped, gasping, and then before I could stop myself I was falling. I hit the wooden floor with a boom, and the pain in my chest returned. I could hear Alaire laughing, but now all I could feel was the sharp sting. One moment I felt arms around me, and then I closed my eyes and my body became limp.

  ***

  When I awoke it was nightfall. I was laying in my bedchamber with the curtains shut and candles lit. There was a woman sitting beside me, but as I sat up and looked closer, I realized it was Rahela.

  She giggled and said, “Did I frighten you? Your healer fixed your wounds, and luckily for you I was once a nurse. It’s all right… May I show you?”

  I nodded, and she lifted up my tunic. My vest was nowhere in sight, but surely it was tucked away. Rahela’s fingers were gentle as she revealed my bare chest. I was only able to see some of the gauze that covered my wound.

  “Magic is tricky. Sometimes you can feel pain, but the spell doesn’t take on its full effect until later on,” she explained.

  The silence returned, and she lowered my tunic. Her scent of lavender was unmistakable now. I could imagine how beautiful she’d look with lavender flowers in her hair.

  As if I had no control over my words, I blurted out, “Who are you, and what have you done to me?”

  “I am your new partner. I have no intentions of stealing your heart; you seem like an honorable man,” Rahela replied with a smile.

  An honorable man? I didn’t know this girl, and she had no way of determining my honor after one encounter. That was the least of my worries… She claimed to be my partner.

  “What exactly did Esmour tell you?” I asked.

  She leaned in, and her breath quickened. “Everything.”

  Laughing, I replied, “I don’t believe you.”

  No matter how beautiful she was, it was impossible that she had been recruited into Destin. Her flashing smiles and proper manner –oh no, it had to be a mistake. Alaire was my partner, and Esmour appreciated our work.

  “Esmour warned me you might say that,” Rahela answered. Then lowering her voice she said, “Your name is Léal Irvine; your father was Ewan Irvine, a Scottish man with quite a reputation. When you’re not running your father’s business you work for Esmour under his organization, Destin.”

  “Yes, yes, that’s all fascinating. Keep your voice down,” I said, gesturing for her to get to the point. I hoped Mama hadn’t seen them carry me inside, but my healer was often times good with concealing the truth on rare occasions when need be.

  “I’ve been recruited and ordered to work with you. Alaire’s new partner will be Jacquette. I understand this is confusing, but I look forward to working with you,” she finished.

  I stared blankly at her.

  This has to be a mistake. I thought.

  Abruptly the door opened, allowing light from the hallway to enter, and then Alaire stepped in. Rahela bowed her head to him and left the room, closing the door behind her.

  “It’s true?” I gulped.

  Alaire advanced toward the bed and patted my shoulder.

  “I’m sorry, friend. Rahela helped me carry you back here, though. We even made certain everything was kept quiet before anyone in the house asked. She’s right for you,” he said.

  Shuddering, I looked up at him. “But why me? What about Malin or Nicia? We’ve been partners ever since you joined.”

  “You know Esmour’s beliefs. Two women working together are risky and unpredictable, but a man and a woman are the perfect balance. Besides Malin and Nicia have always worked alone,” he replied.

  Even though he was frowning, I doubted he felt any frustration. He would be working with his fiancé now, and there was no room for me to compete.

  Alaire lifted his hand from my shoulder and called for Rahela, but before he left he said something I wouldn’t forget.

  “Take care of her, and keep her away from the shadows.”

  He walked away the instant the door opened. Rahela said nothing to him as they passed each other. Once Alaire was gone, the door shut and Rahela stood by me with a smile. She was the winds of change.

  Setting those thoughts aside, I said, “Pardon me for my actions in the church. I assure you I did not intend to stare.”

  Rahela blinked steadily, as if waiting for more. Then she giggled again and replied, “Pardon you? My, you certainly are a gentleman. Stare as much as you please, but I have no secrets to hide.”

  “We’re partners now, yes?” I asked. I plopped my head back on the pillows.

  She nodded lightly.

  “Then let me tell you a secret nobody else knows,” I whispered. Once she stepped closer I said, “It’s been some time since somebody has made me smile like this.”

  Her hand touched mine, though it was shaking. “And it has been some time since I have smiled at someone like this.”

  I closed my eyes for a moment, and when I opened them Rahela was still standing by my side. It was ironic how she took everything I knew and flipped it upside down. It was even more ironic that looking at her joyful face made me believe in Alaire’s words. Though our secrets were harmless and simple, it felt right that for one night there was no need for magic. Magic itself seemed to be dancing in her eyes.

  Chapter Three

  Fear with Company

  It was past midnight when a maid entered my room and announced a visitor. Rahela had left hours ago, but the maid informed me the matter was “urgent.” Instantly, I assumed it was Alaire, since no one else would visit at this ungodly hour. Jumping out of bed, I tucked in my tunic and straightened my trousers. If Alaire was here to check on my condition, the pain in my chest had subsided.

  Dashing through the hall, I nearly tripped and landed on my face numerous times. Each time I regained my balance and concentrated. I jogged down the staircase, though I tried to refrain from making too much noise. The last thing I needed was for Mama to awake. When at last I reached the last step, I ran into the lounge and searched for Alaire. There was no sign of him anywhere. Instead there was a hooded figure leaning against the wooden chair in the room.

  Without another thought, I felt the sleeve of my tunic for the concealed dagger. Alas, it wasn’t there; I had left it behind yesterday as Nicia had instructed. Suddenly the hooded figure threw off the cloak.

  Choking, I gasped, “Esmour?!”

  He smirked, seemingly amused by the panic he had caused. As usual his hair was tied back, revealing the thin wrinkles under his eyes. His eyes were a murky green like that of swamp water. The large silver ring on his left hand always gave away his identity. It was dull with a black gemstone in the middle. Looking down at my own hands, I real
ized I had forgotten to wear my ring that was similar to his in several aspects. His, however, was the largest with a black Eldarian letter showing on the outside. The letter “L,” representing him as “leader.”

  Despite my discomfort, I offered him a seat. He sat down in the wooden chair, and I sat across from him in a larger chair covered with a wool blanket. Esmour rested his hands on his lap with enough space between them to reveal an envelope. There were only specific times when Esmour carried letters with him, and it always involved information about a mission.

  Beads of sweat dripped down my neck as I held out my shaking hand. He handed the envelope to me and watched while I broke open the seal and opened it. There was a piece of paper with a name and location clearly printed. However, there was something else that I had never seen before. Another destin ring gleamed up at me in all its glory.

  “This ring is for Rahela,” Esmour said after several minutes.

  With the way he spoke, one might have thought it was simply a piece of jewelry. For as long as I could remember the destin rings were sacred and unique. Esmour bought them from a foreseer when he first started the organization, but he had told us only five existed. There were already five of us who wore the rings, but never once had he mentioned a sixth one.

  “A sixth ring?” I asked, hoping I had misunderstood.

  He chuckled, leaning back in the chair. “Yes, give it to Rahela. I’ve been saving this one for a long time. With that settled, I expect there won’t be any mishaps on your mission.”

  “She just started with Destin. I thought the destin ring was for talented magicians, ones who have proven their loyalty to you? Now this girl will have a ring and be sent out on a mission?” I argued.

  “Destin is my organization. One day when you’re in charge you can do whatever you please, but do not disobey my orders, young Irvine. You do not want to suffer the consequences of doubting my judgment,” Esmour said.

  “This doesn’t feel right…” I sighed. Though my conscience agreed with him, I could not shake off the feeling in my gut. Rahela was inexperienced working for him, and she would be of no use to anyone if she was injured.