by Amy Morris
I squeeze Goss’s hand, the same squeeze she gave me after Renoe attacked me some months ago. “I already know what you want to say, Abby, the same thing I told you. So skip the speech and head to my room if you will.” With that she gets up, holding the blanket over her chest and with everything she can muster leaves the room, head held high.
Therin grabs my arm as I turn to follow her, “You have to keep her safe, Abby. I need you with her at all times, now that I know what he’s capable of or the lengths he will go to to make his point. First thing in the morning I’m gone for weeks. Please, Abby. Please be her sister as you always have been,” his eyes pleading to me.
I hug Therin back as he holds me tight, gods I wish this hug was for me, but right now my past dreams need to wait, Goss needs me. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep her safe. If anyone knows what he’s capable of it’s your sister and I. There are stories… Never mind, you worry about training and I’ll work on getting this wedding canceled.”
“I know about the prostitute attacks, if that’s what you’re referencing. I’m going to speak to my father before I leave about changing his plans for who he marries Goss to. Have a good evening as best you can, Abby.” And with that he walks towards his room, to bide his time until Renoe leaves, I suspect.
On my way to Gossimer’s room, my mind tries to work out ways to stop this from happening to her. How do I keep the werewolf from claiming his next victim…?
2
“So maybe it’s not so bad,” Goss mutters as she hands me the new gown I’m to wear for my birthday dinner.
“You’ve got to be joking. It looks like billowing window drapes, not a dress.” I know she means well, but I’m not sure her mother does if this dress is any sign. “Green of all colors, and not a pretty green, closer to the color of dirt than anything else. Another reminder I’m dirt beneath your family’s feet.” But once that comes out, I realize my mistake. “I didn’t mean that Goss,” trying to take back the words as her eyes tear.
She whisks away the start of a tear in her right eye, having become much more emotional since her engagement. “I know you don’t mean Therin or me in that statement. I’m not upset about what you said; it’s more about how right you are about my parents. I can’t apologize enough for them, I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s me that’s sorry. It was a callous thing to say. I should be grateful for the new dress and the splendid birthday dinner your parents have arranged for me.” Which is true, I know I shouldn’t complain. Many orphans aren’t even lucky enough to find a home, let alone receive any decency from an adoptive a family. They sell the unlucky ones into nefarious systems that I don’t even want to think about. You at least have a chance if no one takes you on. They grant system orphans to the guard or military at eighteen. I’ve heard that some do well, like Jinx, a head Royal Guard. While countless others go off to fight in battles, they never return from.
“Mother mentioned a visitor for dinner this evening, but I haven’t heard who it may be. Do you have any idea?” Gossimer asks as she helps braid my hair.
“I hadn’t heard that, I just hope it’s not along the same thing as the last dinner guest we had. Sorry, Goss… I didn’t mean to mention what happened, or...”
“Now, now it’s fine. Therin is working on a solution and has even written that he thinks he may have gotten through to father before he left. There’s still hope for me, the wedding may never happen.” She finishes my braid and smooths out any wrinkles in my linen skirt. “I think I’ve heard of this color before, puce maybe,” at least now my best friend is laughing.
A knock at my open door startles us both, “I come to escort you both to dinner ladies,” Angel announces.
The familiar voice is a surprise, and I’m praying that it’s the only one that I’ll face tonight. “Angel, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the barracks with Therin training?”
“Oh Abby, can’t you just be happy to see me,” he teases with a smile and a small shake of his head.
“Is Therin with you?” Goss asks while trying to look into the store behind Angel to see if her brother might be behind him, waiting for him to enter.
“Alas, no. My fortunes have changed and I am no longer at the military barracks. The royal barracks are now my home. My commanding officer commended me for the royal guard, and my acceptance came through just a few hours ago.” His smile deepens more and I can see the pride in his eyes. Angel and Therin both have applied for the elevation to royal guard in the past, but until now neither dared to dream it would happen.
“Oh, Angel, that’s wonderful, but what of my brother?” The worry in Goss’s face lends itself to me as well when she asks.
“He hasn’t yet found his way into the royal guard, our commander has sent another request for him, to no avail. And to be honest,” his shoulders heave as though the burden he carries is heavy, “He may not be. Goss, Therin hasn’t actively tried. He’s lazy most days at training, slacks in his duties when he receives them…”
Goss cuts Angel off by raising her hand to silence him before he can finish, “I’m heading to dinner now. Abby, are you coming?”
“Give me a moment to finish straightening my dress and I’ll be right along.”
The anger I see in her eyes at me is nowhere near the intense level it is for Angel, but I still see it as she turns away. She feels betrayed by me for not interjecting, and I pray the resentment doesn’t linger. “I should have gone with her, now she’s upset at me, Angel.”
Angel gives my shoulder a light squeeze, “Babe it’s ok, her anger towards you won’t last but it will linger for me I’m sure.”
“Therin is like your brother Angel. You grew up together, raised hell together as teenagers, and tormented me for years as a team. Why say what you did? I don’t understand what happened. Are you two fighting right now?”
“Things I didn’t want to get into tonight Abby,” running his hand through his thick ember hair. “Look, I know I can speak to you without getting on your nasty side. At least I hope I can.” Again he shrugs, “It upset Therin. He feels slighted by me being elevated above him. It’s both our dream to be part of in the royal guard, has been for years, to revel in the honor and prestige that comes with that position. But let’s be honest, they have always given Therin what he wants, he’s never gone without. And now that he has to work for something, he doesn’t, ambition just isn’t in him.”
“Wait a damn second here, Angel Thyron. You have been a spoiled brat for as long as I have known you. How can you say there’s a difference in your upbringing? I’m the only one in this room that can say that I’ve worked for everything I receive from my supposed family.” I can’t believe he’s trying to insult Therin for being privileged when he grew up similarly.
He grips my arm tighter and shakes his head, almost as if he feels sorry for me. “Abby, listen to me because I’ll only ever tell you once. You’re the first person I’ve ever been honest with about this. I have had nothing given to me, nothing. My parents narrowly make enough at their store to pay the bills.”
“But what about your mother’s new dresses every month, not to mention the jewels she purchases to accompany them?”
“Debt, Abby. That’s what my family legacy is, owing sizeable sums of money to creditors and banks.” Raking his hand through his hair again, I wonder if he’s done. “My father hoped that at some point Goss would take a liking to me and we would marry. Her dowry would pay off a lot for him, but I’ve never pursued it. It’s never been there for me, my feelings lie elsewhere.”
I’m stunned by this revelation, but also suspicious about his time with other wealthy merchant daughters. “So you’ve been hanging around the blacksmith’s shop for years trying to meet a father looking for a good man for his daughter? Don’t think I haven’t noticed you get the shoes on your horse replaced constantly.”
A bark of laughter breaks my train of thought, “No Abby, that’s not why. I’ve been getting my horse re-shoed so often because for t
he past three years my arse has been there to work. The extra income from the work I do there has helped my father with their debt, but now that I’m training for the royal guard, I won’t be able to pick up the extra work. I’m worried about my folks but there’s not much I can do, it feels like just as fast as I can hand my father over what little money I make it’s already spent.” He holds his arms out, hands up with a resigned look, “Nothing else I can do now to help until my training is complete and my royal guard pay comes in.”
I give Angel a hug; just to show him I care and I’m here for him, I feel his body go rigid. Everything seems to tighten from my embrace, not knowing whether it’s from embarrassment or disgust, I release my arms. “I guess we should head to the dining room as well before they get upset about tardiness on my birthday.” Now I’m the one embarrassed for being forward. I want out of my room as fast as possible, away from this whole situation I’ve put myself in.
“Abby, just so you know, thank you. I mean it, I’ve needed to get that off my chest for a long time and I appreciate you listening and not judging me.” He is speaking to my back but out of care for him I nod my head to let him know the gesture of his words doesn’t go unnoticed.
By the time I eat my slice of cake after the enormous meal, all seems too amicable at the table. They make no more comments about my late arrival, Goss and Therin are back to teasing one another like brother and sister. Goss is also pulling me into the fray of their disagreements, so all seems forgiven. I can feel a broad smile cross my face as I sit at the table. Realizing in just this moment, things I have taken for granted seem apparent right now. Yes, I was an orphan; yes, the Crays’ seem to use me as their main workforce for the store, but it does almost feel like I’m family to them. Everything now seems right and maybe it’s time for a fresh start the possibility of being accepted by Mr. and Mrs. Cray, after all these years has me over the moon.
After thanking everyone for the new dress and splendid dinner, I walk to my room. Leaving the main house via the door to the store, lingering by the sales counter for a moment. With my thoughts now to myself, I muse over a comment Mr. Cray made during the main course. He feels that it’s time to look into suitors for me. The comment was unexpected but should not have been, it’s not that I thought they would leave me an old maid to run the store for their heirs. My thoughts on marriage just never existed, but now I have renewed hope for a family. A family of my own, whether we are poor or wealthy, won’t matter to me in the least. It’ll be the fact that I won’t be an orphan again that warms my heart the most.
I don’t notice the figure in the dark cloak standing by the window in my room until it’s too late. A hand assails my face, covering my mouth and muffling any yell I could let out. The attacker's other arm wraps around my waist pinning my arms to my side, leaving any attempt I make to pull either arm out futile I realize within moments. I’m caught like a fly in a spider’s web and have no choice but to see what happens next, as defenseless as I am.
“No fight in you,” the figure laughs into my left ear. “I would have thought that setting you up in this household would have given you some grit, seems I was wrong.” The hand covering my mouth pulls away, “Now if you cry out I will silence you again and it will not be as nice as it just was, understood?”
Nodding, the hand removes itself from my face. “What do you want?” Trying to keep myself upright with my legs trembling beneath me. “I don’t have any money, I have a few baubles, that’s it. The Crays don’t keep money in the store, you won’t make it far into the house either.”
“Gods, I prayed you’d be more like your mother than your father, but it seems not.” My assailant backs away into the shadows by the window, a hood is over his face obscuring any chance I may have of identifying him. “So at this point let’s just make sure I have the right person, your name is Abigail correct?” I nod and stammer yes. “Good, we’ve got that settled, is today your twentieth birthday?” Again, I nod.
“Who are you and how do you know my name?” Backing away as brisk as I can towards the side of my bed, which catches me by the knees. Now I’m seated like a fool on it instead of having a clear path to the door.
“I’ll get to that in time princess, first a test,” he pulls a chain from his cloak’s inner pocket and dangles it in front of me. “Have you ever seen this before?”
“No sir, I’ve never owned a locket and Goss’ doesn’t look like that.”
The slow shake of his head tells me he is trying not to laugh or possibly stab me with the sword hanging from his belt. I noticed the sword when he reached into the cloak for the locket which doesn’t help put me at ease. “Gods child, the symbol on the locket, come take a closer look. Do you remember this symbol at all?”
My body moves without me telling it to, approaching this man instead of running away. I must be losing it. There seems to be a low hum coming from it. I’ve heard it before I realize, but do not understand when or where. I’m drawn to the locket and something about the symbol now seems familiar. None of this is making any sense to me.
“You know it don’t you; I can see it in your eyes. Your mind is opening up princess, there’s so much potential there.” Staring into his black eyes, I still do not understand what he’s talking about, but the draw of the locket is all I feel.
“What’s going on? Why do I know this symbol? You know don’t you, you know who I am.” The instant this dawns on me my world collapses, the life I know evaporates and all I have now are questions.
“I will answer all questions soon enough princess, now take the locket. It’s not a trick, this locket belongs to you. You can feel the power it holds already; I see it in your face.” Holding the chain towards me, I wrap my hand around the oval pendant dangling in the air.
A surge pulses through my body as my hand contacts it, the symbol on the face of the locket glows green. “What the hells is going on? It’s glowing,” my breath catches as the pulse I felt a moment ago ebbs. Studying the symbol, I keep trying to decipher what it is and why it might be familiar to me. Not remembering seeing it in the market or any of the jewelry stores I’ve accompanied Goss to in the past. “Where’d this come from? Who are you?” My voice speaks to an empty room, I realize, now where the hells did he go.
Staring at the locket in my right hand, I settle onto my bed. Confused isn’t even a strong enough word to explain how I’m feeling. Nothing comes to mind, just the low hum that still reverberates through my body.
After verifying that my room is empty of any intruders, I change into my chemise and crawl into bed. I’m still reeling from the abrupt intrusion, now left with more questions than answers. The symbol on the face of the locket still glows green, but seems to have grown paler compared to when it started.
“Who are you and how are you mine?” I ask the piece of jewelry in my hand. The symbol swirls in an intricate pattern almost like an abstract waterfall, the lines of it seem to move like flowing water. I fall asleep still studying the stone, wondering what this means for me.
A quiet noise from the shop pulls me from sleep. I turn to see if the Crays’ cook is pilfering spices to sell on the sly when a large shape forms in front of me. The last thing I remember seeing before something covers my head is a bright green glow from the jewelry now secured around my neck. I struggle this time, wondering if this is a test from the locket giver, and realize my mistake. No, it’s not the hooded man from earlier tonight. The man trying to wrangle me over what I assume is his shoulder has to be at least twice his size.
“Let me go,” I scream with what breath it leaves in my lungs as I slam in to what I can only assume is a wall. A quick grunt of laughter is the only response I receive, followed by a quick hit to the head.
“Keep her quiet or she’ll wake the whole house,” the voice rudely whispers and through the muffle of whatever’s on my head I know this voice as the hooded man from earlier. So he is back and this time with help, but why I wonder.
Harsh breathing from the giant is my o
nly answer until he speaks, “You told me to be careful with her and I am. I didn’t mean for her head to hit the doorway Vernet.”
“Shush damn you, let’s just get out of here.” Between the loud foot falls and being jostled around, I know they are taking me, but where.
“Put me down or I’ll scream loud enough to wake up the house you monsters.”
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, princess. The Cray’s will have enough to answer for about your training so best not to give them a heads up of what’s coming.” The man whose name I now know to be Vernet announces.
Feeling cool air through my chemise, I know that they’ve moved me into the night air. “Wait, please don’t take me. I don’t understand what’s going on. You brought me a necklace, remember, it glowed and now you’re taking me.” I keep squirming, hoping to free myself from the giant, but to no avail. Being frozen in terror moments ago now gone, my adrenaline is pumping and I’m ready to fight for my life now.
“Her kicks are getting close to my face; I thought you said it wouldn’t be much of a fight.”
Vernet chuckles softly, “I knew there had to be some fight in there considering who her mother is. Now load her into the cart, we’re bound to be seen by the watch if we linger.”
Like a toy doll, I’m dumped into what I can only assume is the aforementioned cart. Trying to come up with a plan as fast as I can, I realize my hands and feet are free, but the bag on my head has tightened and shows no sign of budging. Feeling around, it confirms nothing is holding me in. I take a deep breath, realizing what I must do.
I’m knocked off my knees onto my bottom when the cart jolts forward. The sides don’t seem very high and it can’t be that far to the ground, I reason to myself. Only one way to find out and possibly escape my current predicament. The simple plan of careening myself over the side of the cart seemed good until now, but only self-preservation matters now. The last thing I think before total darkness engulfs me was that the fall was higher than I thought.
