“Aye, but we could at least knock him around a bit in the meantime,” Mr Anderson grumbled quietly, earning him an elbow in the ribs from Mr Reid.
I would have been more than happy to voice my agreement, but as I knew the subject of Taron was a touchy one, I kept my opinions to myself – though not without making a mental note to secure a front row seat should Mr Anderson ever get the chance to make good on his threats.
“We will be largely playing the situation by ear,” Jocelyn said, deliberately moving the conversation on. “I am not sure how Brassal will react to the news about Ciaran, or even how much I will disclose to him, but regardless, I feel confident that if we can assure him of our discretion in handling the matter, that he will be more than willing to help us however we may need.”
“And you’ll be sure to let us know if you need anything?”
“Of course,” Jocelyn nodded. “Let’s just hope it’s smooth sailing.”
CHAPTER 3
Twenty long minutes later, after covering everything from packing to the weather, the meeting finally began to wrap up. I sat quietly the whole time, silently praying that every new topic would be the last, doing my best not to tap my foot, drum my fingers, or do anything else that would let on how antsy I was. All I wanted was for this now seemingly endless meeting to end, get away from the crowd, and have Alex to myself for a few minutes. The five short feet that separated the two of us were little over an arm’s length at best, but in the current scenario it may as well have been a mile, and after more than an hour, it was starting to irk me. We hadn’t attempted to communicate again since nearly being caught, yet somehow the silence and feigned ignorance of each other had only made my need to be closer to him build, bubbling under my skin like fizz in a soda. My only consolation was the fact that he didn’t seem to be faring much better. His once relaxed posture had become strained and his leg couldn’t seem to keep still, bouncing the hand that rested on his knee. The hand that I’d soon be able to slide my own into and feel his fingers close around mine, his thumb tracing invisible patterns on the back of my hand like it always did. I sighed quietly as I thought about…
Wait… I sighed?
Seriously? I sighed?
Dear Lord! What the hell was happening to me? When did I become such a sap…?
“All right then,” Jocelyn suddenly said, “does anyone have anything else?”
Ignoring my internal embarrassment at my apparent swooning, I held my breath, willing everyone in the room to stay quiet.
“Very well then,” Jocelyn nodded after an excruciating moment of silence. “If that is all, we’ll adjourn. Have a good evening everyone, and I’ll be sure to keep you all informed.”
As everyone began to stand I glanced over at Alex who was already looking my way with a smile that made it all I could do to not jump out of my chair.
“Shall we?” he asked me quietly as he stood.
“Let’s,” I grinned back, already feeling the tingle of heat in my hand as I reached for his. However, my legs had barely had a chance to completely straighten before our bubble was burst.
“Not you two,” Jocelyn said from behind us, stopping both of us in our tracks. “We need to have a discussion before you leave.”
Of course we did…
I let my lonely hand fall back to my side with an tiny sigh, turning to face Jocelyn, and only then seeing that Min had also hung back and was coming over to join the three of us.
“Are the rings ready?” Jocelyn asked her as she approached.
She nodded, reaching into a small pouch she pulled from the pocket of her dress. “Yes,” she said, turning the pouch over and letting two small silver circles roll into the palm of her hand. “Now let us hope they work.”
I squinted down at the ringlets, having no idea what to make of them. They were perfectly round and slightly cylindrical – very much like a wedding band, though they were far too small to be intended for anyone’s finger. Honestly, they looked like bangle bracelets for a Barbie doll.
“What are those?” I asked as Min reached around the side of my neck and found the clasp of my Scaith’s chain.
“They are charmed Saol rings,” Jocelyn said while Min attached the ring to the closure of my necklace. “I asked Min to make them for the two of you. They will disguise your Saols from anyone at the manor able to read them.”
“OK, why?” I said, pulling the clasp of my chain around to the front so I could see it.
“Anyone who can read your Saol will instantly know everything about you that we don’t want them knowing,” he explained. “When it comes to your ability, the less people who know, the safer you are. As far as the Bhunaidh are concerned, or anyone else for that matter, you are simply a Holder – not even a full Holder at that – and in no way exceptional.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“There,” Min said, after taking a step back and studying me for a moment. “Good.”
“It works?” Jocelyn asked.
Min nodded. “I see nothing but the mildest compulsion ability. Nothing that will attract any undue attention.”
“Why do I need one?” Alex asked as Min turned her attention to him.
“Becca’s ability is not all we need to disguise. Her ring also hides her bond to you, and this one,” she handed him the second ring, “will hide yours to her.”
“Again,” I said, not loving this idea, “why?”
“Because your bond is also exceptional,” Min answered, “and would certainly raise a few eyebrows, particularly amongst the Bhunaidh, who frown on the Anam bond in general.”
“We don’t want anything to draw more attention to you than is absolutely necessary, and allowing everyone to know that you share a reciprocal Anam bond with another Holder would do exactly that. Anything that places you under extra scrutiny also places your actual ability in danger of being discovered. Which is why, while we are at Adare Manor, it is imperative that the two of you keep the same distance from one another as you would a casual acquaintance.”
“Wait, what?”
“At least when you are anywhere within the public eye,” he nodded.
“The rings only do part of the job,” Min chimed in, “but they cannot cover the bond entirely, at least not one as strong as yours. All the typical Saol markers of a bond are masked by the charm on the rings, but if someone had a mind to look hard enough, they would be able to see it. That is why you must make sure that no one has any reason to get nosey.”
“It won’t be a problem,” Alex said, prompting a cocked eyebrow from me. “They’re right,” he said, seeing my unamused frown in his direction.
“Just being Jocelyn’s daughter will have every eye in the place on you as it is,” Min said patting my arm. “No need to add to it and invite trouble.”
“Yeah, OK,” I relented, as it was clear there was no argument I could make. “I get it.”
Satisfied, Min turned to help Alex attach his ring to his Sciath, careful to save him the embarrassment of having to completely remove it. Jocelyn turned to me, slightly angling his shoulders away from Min and Alex and tipping his head down as if to signal the start of a semi-private conversation.
“Speaking of being related,” Jocelyn said, his lowered voice sounding a bit nervous. “I should let you know before we leave that while we are with the Bhunaidh, you will need to use the name Clavish.” He looked up at me in a guarded fashion, as if he thought I might violently reject the whole idea. I did feel my brow furrow, but it was more out of confusion than anything else. Clearly it didn’t read that way to Jocelyn because his tone was borderline apologetic as he quickly continued. “That is how they have always known you. I never allowed anyone outside of a few members of the Order know the name Ingle, it simply seemed safer that way–”
“No, no,” I cut in, hoping to ease his nerves. “It’s fine. I was just confused, that’s all. No big deal.”
“You’re sure?” he asked, though the lines on his face did seem to relax.
&n
bsp; “Absolutely.”
“Good,” he said, then after a moment added, “thank you,” which I wish he hadn’t.
“No problem,” I nodded, willing the awkwardness I felt creeping back in to go away.
“I know it will be odd for you, but I do believe it is best for everyone this way.” He’d said “everyone,” but his eyes told me what he’d really meant.
Mom.
The question that had been bothering me for a while reared up in my mind, and as much as I didn’t want to get back to this particular subject with him just yet, I couldn’t let it go anymore. “No one’s…” I paused, glancing down at the rug. “No one’s going to hurt her or anything, are they?”
The notion had been haunting me since I’d learned that Taron had been working for Darragh all those years, and the idea that she was back in Pennsylvania all on her own just waiting to somehow be used against us was one that kept me up more nights than I’d like to recall.
He didn’t answer immediately, which, even while unsettling, I appreciated. It meant he was trying to be honest and not just give me the quick answer he knew I wanted to hear. “I have done everything I can to make sure that doesn’t happen,” he said, as I looked back at him. “The Order is not without resources. Protection charms have been placed on your house as well as the hospital and places she frequents, and I have sent men to watch over her.”
“You have?”
“Three,” he nodded. “All former students who are more than capable of keeping an eye on her and even offering protection and assistance should the need arise.”
I hated to do it, but I had to ask. “And we’re sure…” I left the question hanging, but he knew what I meant.
“Yes, they can be trusted. I read them all thoroughly before I gave them any information.”
Wow. I knew how much Jocelyn disliked using his ability, so for him to have put his ideals aside and read the minds of three different people voluntarily was no small thing. I knew that Taron’s betrayal had been a blow, but it was clear he would not be making the same mistake twice.
“OK,” I said simply, letting him know that I trusted his judgment. It wasn’t a perfect scenario, but just knowing that she was in fact being looked after and that we would know if she was to get into trouble was enough to ease my mind, at least for the moment.
With a nod, Jocelyn walked over to his desk while I turned back to Alex and Min, crossing my fingers that they were done and Alex and I could finally get away. When I saw him waiting for me patiently, the excitement in my stomach bubbled back to life. I took his hand as we walked toward the office door, no longer concerned with who might see. All I cared about was the fact that I was a mere twenty steps away from the kiss I’d been waiting all afternoon for. My pulse quickened and my lips hummed, all in anticipation of the moment Alex and I made it through the door and around the corner. We were nearly there, close enough now to reach for the handle, pull open the door, and…
“Alex?” Jocelyn called from behind us. “One last thing, do you have a minute to go with me to vehicle services and pick up the car for the trip? I need to register you as an alternate driver.”
A half hour later – and still kiss-less – I was taking my frustrations out on the unassuming piles of clothes stacked on my bed when I heard a knock on the door to my room.
“Becca?” Before I could answer, I heard the handle click and looked up to see my brother Ryland’s curly red head pop through the door.
“Hey,” I said, flipping the lid to my suitcase open, “What are you doing here? Don’t you have soccer practice?” Ryland had only joined the team a few weeks ago, and the idea that he was actually a part of any sports team still blew my mind.
“Nope, not today,” he shrugged, shuffling over to the bed without bothering to close the door. “Coach is sick. No,” he continued, as I moved to shut the door behind him, “leave it open, it’s hot in here.”
“OK,” I said, not at all hot, but not caring enough to argue. “So, no practice…” I prompted him to continue.
“Yeah,” he nodded, plopping down on the foot of my bed. “So I came to say hi.”
“Really…?”
“Yep. So, what’s up?”
I cocked an eyebrow, but I wasn’t about to question him further. Honestly, I was kind of thrilled he came to see me on his own without me having to initiate a visit like I normally did. It wasn’t that I never got to see him, but lately the kid had more social appointments then there were hours in the day, which didn’t tend to leave a lot of room for entertaining older sisters. Life at St Brigid’s had turned him into a new person, and I was thrilled that he was finally able to have the normal happy life that a kid deserves.
I really was.
But, great as it was for him, for me – selfish as I felt admitting it – it was still kind of hard. The whole concept of not needing to constantly be there to defend or protect him was still new, but I was doing my best to get used to his newfound independence. Even if it meant I didn’t get to see him as much as I would like to.
Sudden as it was, if he wanted to hang out, I wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. It was clear I had been his plan B for the afternoon; that was fine by me, I’d take what I could get.
“OK, then,” I said casually, turning back to my packing efforts. “Nothing’s up, what’s up with you?”
“Nothing,” he sighed. “You guys still going to the castle tomorrow?” he asked as he nudged my suitcase to the side with his foot so he could sprawl out across the bed.
“Make yourself comfortable, why don’t you?” I chided, picking up the stack of shirts he’d knocked over. “Yep, tomorrow morning.”
“Is it really a castle? Do you get to stay there?”
“Yes, it’s a real castle,” I said, smiling at his enthusiasm as I stuffed a handful of underwear into my suitcase, “but I doubt it’s the kind of castle you’re thinking of. The inside has been renovated dozens of times, so now it’s basically a really nice hotel. People have weddings and parties there all the time.”
“Oh,” he frowned, let down. “But it still looks like a castle on the outside, right?”
“Pretty much.”
“Is there a moat?”
“No moat,” I chuckled, “sorry.”
“Dungeon?”
“I doubt it.” And even if there was, odds are it would have long since been turned into a wine cellar.
Ryland said something else, but I didn’t catch it. I was distracted by the unmistakable feel of Alex approaching my room. I looked up, expecting to see him smiling in the doorway – but it was empty. That was odd…
“What’s wrong?” Ryland asked, as I looked out into the empty hallway through the still-open door.
“Nothing,” I said, glancing around the room once more before eyeing the ceiling. Alex’s room was directly above mine, he must have gone there first.
“Is that your dress?” Ry asked, pointing to the garment bag hanging over the back of my desk chair.
“One of them is, yes,” I said, grabbing my toiletry bag from the bathroom, suddenly eager to be done packing.
“Can I see it?”
“My dress? Why?”
“I don’t know, I want to see it.”
“I tried to show you the sketch the seamstress did and I believe your exact words were, ‘What’s it matter, aren’t all dresses the same?’”
“I changed my mind,” he said, hopping off the bed. “Which one is it?”
“The top bag,” I said, giving up the fight with him in favor of starting one with the zipper on my suitcase. “Just be caref–” I stopped short as suddenly it all came together; Ry leaving the door open, feeling Alex nearby but not seeing him, Ry wanting to see my dress... And it almost worked.
Almost.
Just as Ryland’s hand went for the garment bag, I reached over and snatched it away. “Nice try,” I said, triumphant grin on my face.
“What?” Ry asked, eyes a bit too innocent.
&
nbsp; “I wasn’t talking to you,” I said, laying the garment bags down and turning to the “empty” space in the middle of my room, shaking my head with a scowl. “You are in so much trouble…”
My threat hung in the air only a second before there was a visible ripple in the air and Alex appeared, standing in the corner of my room, a guilty grin on his face.
“That’s so cool,” Ryland whispered in awe as I glared, crossing my arms.
“You were hiding from me?”
“Wish I could do that…” Ry continued to moon.
“And you,” I snipped turning to him, “this is why you came to see me? So you could help pull one over on me?”
“No,” Ry said, defensively, “I came on my own, thank you very much. Then Alex saw me coming in and asked me to help him,” he finished, looking over to Alex to back his story.
Alex shook his head. “Nope, didn’t happen.”
“Did too!” Ry yelled, shocked and appalled at the betrayal.
“Sorry buddy,” Alex shrugged, “every man for himself.”
Not about to be turned on, Ry grabbed the pillow from my bed and took a swat at him. “Traitor!” Alex easily avoided the assault, stepping back with a laugh, grabbing the pillow and pulling Ry toward him, flipping him around. A moment later, Alex had the pillow in one arm while holding Ry in a playful headlock in the other.
“What he actually came to ask,” Alex told me with a chuckle, “was if we wanted to go to dinner tonight.”
“Not sure I want to eat with either of you,” I said, raising my eyebrows.
“Me either!” Ry mumbled as he struggled against Alex’s arm.
“What if,” Alex said letting him go, “I make it so no one can see you when we walk back to your dorm after dinner?”
“Really?” Ry asked, perking up immediately. “The whole way?”
“From the dining hall all the way to your room.”
“Awesome!”
“I still have to pack, so how about we meet you over there in an hour?” Alex asked him.
The Seers Page 3
