Demon Eye

by B B Reed

  “Finish up with Hans and you can take him out for a ride. That boy could use the exercise.” One man’s vaguely familiar voice said.

  “Does he like his ears pulled like Justice does?” The other, younger male voice added.

  Halena inched deeper into the barn, following the source of the sound to her right. Down the row, the wide-brimmed hat of the carriage driver was the first thing she saw. He nodded, stepping away from the stall door, “Aye, it feels good to them. Make sure you do that before we take the carriage on the road, helps them relax.”

  The witch kept her distance, trying to lean to the side and peer into the stall he was talking into, hoping to catch a glimpse of one of Lady Ravenwood’s horses.

  A sound of acknowledgement came out of the stall and the driver turned to go down the walk, stopping when he spotted Halena. She seized up, expecting commotion.

  “Stickin’ around, are we? I thought you might have shipped off elsewhere by now, Miss.” He chirped, tipping his hat up to better see his eavesdropper.

  “N-No, I’m here still. Sorry for bothering, I’ll leave you to the horses.” She apologized.

  “No bother at all, Miss. We’re winding down for the afternoon.” He chuckled and tipped his head to the side, “So Inka whisked you back here and Lady Jeanne decided to keep you?”

  “Something like that.” She nodded, lips forming a thin line, “You’re Liam, yes? You drove the carriage when I first came here.”

  The man smirked and hooking his thumbs into his pockets, “Aye, and you must be Inka’s Friend.”

  “Heh, doesn’t quite roll off the tongue. My name is Halena.” She smiled, the spindle of tension relaxing a full turn.

  “A pleasure. So, if Jeanne kept you around this long, you must have a nice contract with her. Must be something pretty serious if she’s asking for help like yours.” Liam added.

  Halena laced her fingers together in front of herself, struggling to maintain eye contact as her nerves tighten, “You could say that. I’m living here like Inka does. It must be a good thing if she wants to keep me in the house.”

  Liam barked a laugh, “Aha! That old coach house is nice. If you ask me, old Jeanne is doing us a favor by keeping us away from all the things we shouldn’t be touching.”

  “How long have you lived here?” The witch probed.

  Liam snorted and waved his hand, “Ah, I don’t live here full time. Occasionally I’ll bunk down for the really busy times or if we’ve got a mare expectin’, but other times I’m wandering around the county here keepin’ up with my duties for my other clients.” He rubbed his chin, “Although, Lady Jeanne is the only one that bothers to invite my family over for the holidays…”

  “She sounds grateful for your work.” Halena commented, yet something itched at her mind and she asked, “You said Jeanne was seeking help like ‘mine,’ what did you mean by that?”

  “Aye, like yours.” He bobbed his head in vague confirmation, “The kinda people with special skills and know-how. Those weird masters society forgets about. Lady Jeanne knows where to look for those types, like a sixth sense she has.”

  The witch blinked, “Then she hasn’t worked with other people that… look like me?”

  Liam shrugged, “Hard to tell. She hires all kinds onto her bill and that’s a good thing. Gives work to those that want to but have been turned away for things they can’t help.” He pointed to the road leading back to the estate, “Half of them people in the fieldhouse? Probably can’t sleep because of nightmares they got from fightin’ in the Dawn Revolt, or missing limbs from a soldier’s sword, but they still want to try to be normal. Some of them have the greenest thumbs for lacking them.

  “Then, she meets with those weird Manin folks every once in a while, or she’s going off to find some botanist in the southern counties that House Traille put under yoke. I swear, she gets along better with people like us than she does the rest of the Arram nobility, but they almost always pass her measure of character.”

  Halena raised her eyebrows as she listened, then the pangs of guilt returned to her chest, remembering her conversation with Inka, “That must explain why the housing staff insist on their duties.”

  Liam cocked his head, “Aye? Having trouble with the maids?”

  She was quiet for a long moment, and then sighed, “I’ve been a traveler for most of my work. People aren’t very… kind to those they think might bring omens with them. I’m not used to people trying to serve me, fix my bedsheets, or even meddle with my laundry.”

  “Kinda hard to miss, them marks on your face.” Liam chuffed, “They’ve all seen enough strange shit probably. You could have blue skin and green hair, and they still wouldn’t complain until you’re a proper horse’s ass, heh!”

  She could not help but laugh with his crude advice, “Hehe, then I must be in trouble.”

  Liam shrugged, “It happens. Don’t pay them any mind. They’re working just as hard as you are, I imagine.”

  The sounds of nickering came from down the stalls and Liam’s assistant walked out leading a brown horse. Liam turned and chirpped, “Is the boy ready?”

  “Aye!” His assistant called back.

  As he neared, Halena noticed the young man was missing some fingers on the hand he waved with. She looked to Liam to ask a question, and the crisscrossing pattern of burn marks down the back of his neck caught her eye, stretching all the way up under his wide hat. He looked back at her and nodded toward the horse, “Wanna meet Hans? I’ll let you say hello.”

  She stepped forward with Liam up to the horse. The animal’s ears swiveled and turned, picking up noises from around the stalls. He was a gentle thing. Halena hesitated, “Where should I…?”

  “Just rub his nose all easy-like.”

  Halena reached out, pressing her hand against the flat length of Hans’ nose and slowly strokes along the grain of his hair. He remained calm, not fidgeting, and she smiled, “Hello, there. You’re just… magnificent. Wow.”

  “Don’t say that too loudly, we don’t need Hans getting a swelled head.” Liam quipped.

  The witch stopped her petting and backed away, “I’m sure he appreciates it. Just give him an extra five minutes to run it out of his system?”

  “Aye, sure, sure. Are you taking off for the house?” Liam asked.

  “Mmhm, I have some things to finish before it gets too late. Take care of yourself, Liam.” Halena nodded and waved farewell.

  The men took the horse out into the fenced plot of land to run in, Halena watching Hans canter while she went up the road. Her head was clear and her stride empowered, the walk taking her only half the time that it took her to shuffle out there. For now, she savored the second wind as she stepped up the front porch of the estate to begin work anew with sharpened focus.

  X

  The Spine

  The following week dragged on, though it was not without contentment. Halena continued her leisure reading, finding new places to hide while she read, and minded the house maids. The end of the week drew near and the witch was stopped by one of the maids, Hilde, as she came by for her rounds, “Lady Ravenwood has called for you to join her at luncheon, along with Miss Serl. Try not to be late.”

  Halena nodded and before she could ask more questions, Hilde had disappeared into one of the guest rooms for cleaning. It seemed like yesterday she had that first dinner with her and Inka instead of a month. She looked forward to the prospect and took care to dress for the occasion. Clean clothes, nothing fancy and somewhat ill-fitting had to do for now. Her nighty was folded up and stowed away in a drawer, then the needles on the nape of her neck tittered. She froze as the voice of her shadow groaned to life in her thoughts.

  You sloth. You are letting them wither and waste your talent.

  Her face creased with a grimace and she moved like she heard nothing, refusing to entertain the taunts. A low, droning growl dragged out while she walked down the hallway towards the dining hall, noting the painting on the wall as she passed th
rough. She kept walking, and walking, and walking. She should have been there by now, why did it take so long? The lovely painting passed her a third time, then the true length of the hallway made her stomach flip. In the distance, it twisted into a curving spiral, all lamps and paintings glued in place. The growl was deafening, like rushing water.

  Do not think you can be shared, frail flesh. She does not own you like I do.

  A voice echoed through the roaring, incomprehensible noise, then something grabbed her by the shoulder. Like rubber, the twisted hallway snapped back into place at an incredible speed, making Halena flinch at the coming impact. Her eyes opened to see Inka standing before her and released her, a frown on her lips, just as surprised as the witch was, “Are you okay? You’re white as a ghost.”

  “N-No, I feel fine.” Halena deflected out of instinct.

  Inka gave her a look, a mixture of frustration and worry written on her face, “You were walking in place. You didn’t respond when I called your name.”

  Her heart lurched up into her throat, stammering, “I’m… I’m very tired. I didn’t get much sleep last night and must have… dozed off and slept—sleep walked out here.”

  “You dressed yourself even?”

  “I was already dressed from this morning.” Halena innocently added, then nodded towards the doorway to the main hall, “Let’s get some lunch, I promise I’ll rest after we eat.”

  Inka studied the witch in pensive silence and then sighed in defeat, “Fair enough. We best not keep Lady Jeanne waiting.”

  They file into the dining room, and Halena ran a hand down her face, a sheet of sweat gathering on her hand. She grimaced and inconspicuously wiped her hand off on the back of her dress. Jeanne waited for the pair at the head of the table with Dorian on guard at her side. The noble gave Halena a look, her ghostly pall difficult to ignore, though she remained silent, carrying on with the usual pleasantries and meal conversation. It was a worthy distraction until soup was served to rouse their appetites. The hot barley and vegetable mixture soothed her nerves and the fumes of rosemary burned away any sourness in her gut.

  “Having an easier time now, dear?” Lady Ravenwood finally asked.

  Halena realized she was being addressed and corrected her posture to sit up straight, “I think so, yes. I’m not receiving many dirty looks from the maids anymore.”

  Jeanne nodded, “I’m glad to hear. I’ve caught you reading more too. It looks like Dorian got to you before I could with my own recommendations.”

  “Renaud is interesting, if a little confusing at first. He makes me laugh, though.” Halena shrugged and spooned up a healthy morsel of barley to her mouth.

  Inka smirked, “He knows where to twist the knife and was very polarizing with admirers of the military. People either love him or hate him.”

  Halena snickered, nearly finished with her soup and then the kitchen staff reappeared with the main course. Quail breast was served on their plates, bathed in a healthy amount of creamy wine sauce and served with a mixture of vegetables from the garden. The witch stared at the arrangement, then glanced up to Jeanne, “This is pretty heavy for a lunch meal, isn’t it? I don’t know if I’d be able to make a dent in dinner after this.”

  Lady Ravenwood carefully dabbed her lips with her napkin, “That’s because we’re eating for the road.”

  Inka rested back in her chair, “So this is why you called us in? I didn’t know Ministry sessions were worthy of celebration.”

  “It’s much more than that.” Jeanne said and took a long drink of wine to cleanse her palate, “You girls are receiving your first real assignment.”

  Halena’s catseyes twinkled with excitement and she swallowed her bite of quail, “Where will we be going for the investigation?”

  A wicked smile spread over Lady Ravenwood’s lips, “Why, we have a party to attend with Arram’s nobility. We’ll be making for the capital after we’ve finished eating.”

  “A party—like with other people out in the open?” Halena’s eyes widened.

  “I believe that’s what defines a ‘party,’ my dear. Although, I doubt I’d consider some of the nobles that will be present to be people. That’s a matter of opinion, however.” Jeanne snorted, “The nobility has a nice habit of talking favors with people they can’t normally get close with at these events. Having you on the floor will help me follow these loose ends with Lady Doctus and her party dealing in magick. Clearly, something is coming down from the top and I need to know who else may have been in on her research. All it’s going to take is some alcohol, noise, and a slip of the tongue.”

  Finished with her meal, the noblewoman got up from her chair, “I’ve made sure the staff has packed some extra clothes for you. Be ready in an hour.”

  She offered a sly wink at Halena before making her exit. The witch blinked, dumbfounded by her employer’s answer. Terror filled her, fearing the mischief he might pull while surrounded by so many people. Her appetite evaporated as she sat and processed the variables, only being released from her seat when a servant came to ask if she was finished. Halena took the opportunity, immediately getting out of her seat and backing away, “Yes, yes, I’m finished. Thank you. I’ll just… yes.”

  Inka watched, concern returning to her face as she got up from the table. The witch excused herself, hurrying down the hall towards her room. Letting out a nervous breath, Halena pulled her braid over her shoulder, fiddling with the ribbon and tied-off tuft of hair, “It’ll be okay, you’ve handled geists, ghouls, lichlings, but… Never a party. Oh, gods…”

  Her hands ran over her face as she paced around in a circle, “I might die. They’ll see my face and think of Lady Doctus, won’t they?”

  You shake like a dog about to piss itself in fright.

  Halena’s teeth ground together and she took a deep breath, focusing on the voice between her ears. Her hands formed balled fists, trembling from her anxiety, then forced her fear around the presence until its stirring subsided. She huffed, “You can figure this out…”

  The thoughts were quelled, muscling together a mental checklist of things to bring with her. Many of her usual traveling items had migrated from her bag to be spread on her desk in a meager homely arrangement complete with melted stubs of squat candles. She prepared herself for a fight just as she would have for any other job. Iron filings and salt, her grimoire, fresh herbs from the mansion grounds, all these things and more were accounted for with care. Halena gathered her things into her bag and stepped out into the hall, heading to the main foyer, peeking out to look for signs of the others. Inka called from down the hall, beckoning the witch along, “Oh, good, you’re ready! Come, we’ll be setting off soon.”

  Halena followed along with Inka, “Right, but I must find my cloak. Where did the staff hang it up?”

  Inka bobbed her head, “Ah, I believe Hilde hung it by the front door. I had her add it to the wash yesterday morning.”

  The witch was ushered along and she found her grimy musty cloak revitalized, the color restored. Halena took it from the hook of the standing coat rack and fastened it about her shoulders. Despite its dogged state, fibers fraying at the hem and some holes in the fabric, she approved of its refreshed state, then followed Inka out into the sunlit courtyard. Waiting in the drive at the foot of the stone stoop, the pristine black carriage was loaded to the brim with luggage. Just off to the side, Jeanne surveyed the work of her servants with Dorian looming over her, his stoic presence unwavering. The noble looked up at the pair through circular shaded glasses, giving them a two-fingered salute, “Are we ready, Inka?”

  She snickered, stepping off the foot of the stairs, “I believe so, my lady. All luggage has been accounted for.”

  Dorian detached himself from Jeanne’s side to open the carriage door, his thick hand dwarfing the dainty handle, and held it open for the group. Lady Ravenwood climbed inside, followed by Inka, and Halena hesitated in her lagging approach. The large butler’s amber eyes swiveled under his bushy brow to regard
the witch and he grunted, urging her permission forward. She stepped up into the cabin, settling next to Inka across from Jeanne. The door was closed and Dorian resumed his previous post where Jeanne once stood. Halena peered out the window at him, “I suppose he won’t be joining us?”

  Jeanne glanced out the window to her companion, “I’m afraid not. He gets road sickness from the rocking, so he will keep the fort locked down while we’re away. Best guard dog I’ve ever had.”

  Halena looked back at Jeanne as any comment on his great size was utterly ignored. Surely, if Dorian were to ride with them, the carriage would sink with his weight. She waited for the joke to follow her punchline, but the carriage bucked at the crack of Liam’s reins, setting the horses onto their long haul from the mansion. She watched Dorian pass by as they rolled down the lane into the thick cover of the Ravenswood. While they rode, Halena kept quiet, watching the world go by through the window as Jeanne and Inka conversed between themselves on matters she could barely comprehend. Try as she might to close her eyes and sleep, her nerves prevented her from settling in for the long drive.

  “The shipment from the Edenbrook contract should be in by the turn of the month. The millworkers were able to make up for those late-summer rains that washed in. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll get any word back from the Moreauxs on that mining shipment you wanted to arrange.” Inka frowned, her sapphire eyes scanning over folded letters, gears turning with calculations as she thumbed through them.

  Jeanne snorted, “I’ll have to prod Calyrien harder if I see him at the ball. Miserly bastard… What about the trade with the Traillean farms?”

  Inka pursed her lips and dug for the appropriate letter. Calyrien’s name brought Halena out of her thoughts and the sights, “Uhm… Lady Ravenwood?”