Ember

by Tess Williams

  “You know how you can control the fire that you conjure, like, make it get bigger or smaller, do things you want?”

  He seemed to relax a bit at the subject. Either he had been nervous of what I might bring up, or talking about magic just made him comfortable . . . maybe both.

  “Yes.”

  I nodded once, trying not to get too flustered by the fact that his attention had remained on me for over a full ten seconds now.

  “So . . .” I considered how to ask this in a way that made sense “. . . Can you do that with any fire? Or just your own?”

  The corners of his mouth lifted. “You mean could I make the fireplace behind me go poof?”

  I tilted my head, lifting one shoulder in confirmation.

  He slid the candle on the table to the space between us and. With a glance it went out. “It's harder, but possible, yeah.”

  “What about other artisan's?” I tested, shifting slightly.

  “Not that we've heard of.” He took another date and I leaned forward.

  “But we—” His eyes flicked to me. When we'd been in the woods and he'd touched my hand . . . the flame had changed. Same with the fire in the stove this morning.

  I knew he knew what I was talking about.

  The waiter returned before I could finish. Why did it feel like our conversations kept getting interrupted at the worst points? He set the three drinks, a plate of fruit and bread, then a small box of assorted bits, specially ordered for Tanis.

  As soon as he left, my eyes turned directly back on Jaden. He attempted to ignore me for a good while before meeting my gaze with a sigh.

  “Has anyone ever told you that you ask too many questions?”

  I narrowed. “Questions are good. They teach you things.”

  “Not if you already know everything.” He shrugged.

  My face flattened. “Well, I'm sorry that I don't know everything like you.”

  Giving up on getting an answer, I leaned forward to take a drink from my straw. As I did I felt the breath of his smile hit me. Then he gestured his hand.

  “I have no idea why I'm affecting your spell.”

  The juice caught in my throat, he actually answered.

  I turned up. “Maybe because you helped me the first time?” His head was shaking before I even finished.

  “No. Artisans have done that before, and there are never any side-effects.”

  “Maybe because I'm a girl.” I tried.

  He shrugged in a “could-be-it” sort of way before looking off.

  Thoran had told me that I was the first he'd heard of.

  Jaden tapped his fingers carelessly on the table, causing my pulse to quicken.

  I scoffed then, head shaking at myself. Maybe because I'm in love with you.

  Darn it, Evelyn! I almost slapped my head then and there in front of him. That was completely inexcusable! . . .this was getting bad.

  I sunk to take another sip from my sip worriedly.

  Jaden continued popping his dates rather obliviously.

  “It's still going,” complained Ikovos, dropping in beside Jaden.

  The darker boy eyed him. “Took you long enough.”

  Ikovos ignored him.

  After wincing at his mention of the rain I smiled. “Did you have a nice shower?”

  He grabbed a hunk of bread. “Yeah, it was good. Hot. The fixtures are so nice, the way the water comes out and —”

  “If you're going to describe you showering experience anyways, I think she could have just stayed with us.”

  My eyes widened, dropping down.

  Ikovos turned his head over slowly. “You're just jealous that you didn't get one.”

  Jaden scoffed. “Right.”

  After a few seconds to make sure it was safe, I looked back to Ikovos pleasantly. “So, Jaden said you wanted to sort of go over the day?”

  “It was supposed to be more of a subtly brought up topic . . . but, yeah.”

  Jaden leaned back carelessly.

  Ikovos lightened facing me. “It was pretty eventful, I just want to make sure you're okay with everything.”

  “Yes,” I assured, head bobbing immediately. “I had a great day. I expected I would be helping out with some different things, but really I just got to have fun and mess around.”

  Ikovos smiled then lifted a shoulder. “You helped.”

  I eyed him with a playfully dubious look.

  “Moral support,” he offered.

  I laughed.

  “Even I could have come up with something better than that,” scoffed Jaden, giving him a sideways glance. Then he went back to studying the room.

  Ikovos just rolled his eyes.

  I pulled my cup closer, taking another drink from my straw and contemplating. “I wonder why Thoran did have me come . . .” I looked up to Ikovos. “Did he tell you?”

  “No—” his head shook “—and the man is a mystery to me. Jaden would know better what he's thinking.” He pointed a thumb over.

  Jaden's eyes grazed Ikovos, but he didn't say anything.

  “He made it sound like you guys would be really busy when you got back,” I tested slowly, tracing a drip on the outside of my glass. More like he'd flat out told me.

  Jaden didn't respond.

  “I doubt it's as bad as he made it seem,” allotted Ikovos with a quick smirk. “We'll still have plenty of time.”

  I warmed at this . . . I don't think I'd realized how much it had been affecting me.

  The band finished their song then. A few groups around the room clapped or called out requests for new titles. Just after the next one started, Jaden's face seemed to harden, eyes turning over to me.

  “What else did Thoran talk to you about?”

  My throat constricted. Not this again.

  Ikovos didn't help me, scoffing behind his cup. “Good luck trying to get an answer to that.”

  Jaden's gaze hardened even more, his backwards lean straightening up just slightly.

  “Just . . .” I threw a hand out innocently “. . . just magic and training, coming here, the thing that happened in the Meoden dimension . . .”

  “That's it?” Jaden narrowed.

  I met his eyes.

  I'm not going to lie, but I don't want to talk about this now.

  I stood up abruptly. “I've got to go give Tanis his food.” Then grabbed the box off of the table.

  “Not alone you're not,” said Jaden, standing up to match me. Then there was another pause.

  My eyes hardened. “Fine—” Ikovos smirked, obviously entertained “—I'm not talking though.”

  Jaden darkened.

  I smiled quickly to the other boy, then turned to start off.

  Jaden followed immediately behind me.

  The one time I glanced to check his expression, it was fiercely intent. My teeth tightened. He wasn’t going to let this go as easily as Ikovos . . . but I wasn't going to be able to talk about what the Meoden had done to the boys without losing it . . .

  Not with them there.

  When we reached the room, he went in first as before.

  I waited the hall. When he came out I gave him a mocking look. “Is it safe?’

  “What did he tell you, Eve?”

  I walked past him brusquely. “I told you that if you came up we weren't going to talk.”

  “I never agreed to that.” He followed me. “And I think I have a right to know if it involves me or Ikovos.”

  “Why?” I argued, opening up the box and arranging the bits of nuts and fruit on a pillow. “—when you don't seem to think I have a right to hear anything about it from you.”

  He darkened instantly.

  Dang it, Evelyn, you just confirmed that you know something.

  “Because it's none of your business.”

  Like heck it isn't!

  My eyes shut. “I'm tired.” I tried to calm myself with a slow breath. “I'm going to sleep now.”

  He scoffed. “It's only nine.”

  I s
tood up and turned around, meeting his eyes boldly. “Tell Ikovos I said goodnight, please.”

  His brow fell.

  I moved past him towards the door.

  “Hey, I'm not leaving till you—”

  I stopped him with a meaningful look. My hand was on the open doorframe and there wasn’t a shred of softness to my expression. He held my eyes for a long second, then walked forward.

  “Fine.”

  I nodded as he past. “Thank you.” Then I closed the door behind him firmly.

  . . .Well, that conversation had sure escalated quickly.

  I walked back over to the bed to wake Tanis up to eat.

  God, why didn't I want to talk about this so badly anyways?

  The little ball of velvet fur woke up happily, springing over to his spread of yummy treats.

  Maybe I just don’t want to spoil the day . . .

  A quick intake of breath told a different story. I ignored it, filling Tanis a dish of water and hopping in the shower instead.

  The fixtures really were nice.

  After brushing and weaving my hair into a long braid, it seemed to have grown a lot since I joined the order, I went back into the room.

  Empty and quiet.

  I walked over to the window and pulled back the curtain. It was still raining, even heavier now. I watched it for a while, then crept over to the bed, pulling back the heavy blankets and slipping in.

  I hit the lights.

  Then turned sideways.

  Tanis was roaming around all over the room. I guess he liked the place too.

  I sighed and focused my thoughts on falling asleep.

  About an hour or two later, I was still in the exact same position, and not the least bit tired.

  . . . It really was stupid to go to bed this early.

  With a heavy sigh I pushed off the covers and skidded over to the door. I was in my pajamas, but they weren't that night-ish looking so I thought I'd be good. I just needed to stretch my legs.

  Carefully, I opened the door, looking down both ends of the hall.

  No one.

  I stepped out, heart beating unnecessarily loud considering the situation. My grazed the wood door that led to the room across from mine. I think I was mostly afraid of being caught wondering alone.

  I stepped off to the right to see what was down the other way. My feet padded softly on the velvety carpet. To each side as I passed there were doors followed by a random painting or other nondescript decoration. The light came from candled lamps above.

  I turned down a couple halls. When I reached the end of the last one there was a dark stairwell going down.

  Maybe not the smartest path.

  A small window ahead flashed white, followed quickly by a loud rumble.

  Thunder . . . now it was going to be impossible to get to sleep.

  Biting my lip, I headed down the stairs calmly. I figured I could wrap around on the second or first floor. There wasn't a further level though, it stopped at the second. It was darker here, and the floor plan of the rooms was different. No rug.

  I tip-toed on a bit, passing some closed doors. Then I saw a sign that read “second story bar” with a forward arrow.

  Wow, this place must really be big if there are two bars.

  I kept forward, more confidently now that I knew I was headed at least somewhere. The lighting stayed dim. I passed a large, rectangular, gap in the wall, tables within, then looked to the open door that was down a bit further.

  Must be the bar.

  I looked back through. There were still a few people inside.

  I better not stop.

  I had almost passed the door when a familiar tone stopped me in my tracks.

  “. . . the extra trips to town, and the moves, it just seems fishy.”

  Jaden.

  My heart caught.

  “You think there's something they're not telling us?”

  And that was Ikovos. I must have passed them through the window and just not noticed.

  I quickly moved out of the doorway against the wall, so that I could still hear.

  There was a pause.

  “It wouldn't be the first time,” noted Jaden.

  They got quiet again. I could hear them setting their cups on the table-top, but that was it beside the rain and thunder outside. I hope they don't come out.

  “Either way,” continued Jaden, “when we get back I'll be finding out for sure.”

  Another pause.

  “What about Evelyn?” asked Ikovos.

  I swallowed.

  “What do you mean?” replied Jaden.

  “Will you tell her?”

  My face narrowed, but I didn't hear anything. He must have responded with a nod or a shake.

  Darn it!

  Unable to stand it, I turned around and bent up, peeking my head above the hole.

  “If something starts with Demian . . . the lodge won't be safe for her.”

  That was Ikovos. I saw them now, they were sitting across from each other on a benched table. Two drinks in front of them, the window behind.

  “It never has been,” said Jaden tersely. It was too dim to see his expression clearly, but he looked out towards the window.

  “It'll be worse.”

  Another pause.

  “It's not our decision,” said Jaden.

  “That didn't stop you before.”

  My breath hit the wood in front of me.

  Jaden looked to him. “It's different now that she can use magic. Master Thoran will be more involved.”

  “Like their meeting.” Ikovos scoffed.

  Jaden's head bobbed. “Yeah . . .”

  “She knows about the other boys for sure,” said Ikovos, folding his hands together and leaning forward on his elbows.

  “And us?” His head was down now. My eyes widened.

  Curse it, Evelyn, this is not the type of conversation you eavesdrop on.

  “She would have acted differently,” began Ikovos. “She doesn't know. . . . She might be assuming we're no different than the others, though.”

  “It's better that way.” He was staring hard at the table. “Let's just drop it tomorrow.”

  If I'd had something in hand I would have thrown it at him.

  Ugh! I can't take this anymore.

  “I'm good with that,” said Ikovos.

  Then they both took drinks from their mugs. Finished

  That is until I placed my hands firmly on the table.

  “We need to talk.” I said it clearly, and leaned in with a bold pose to match. Jaden responded first.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Were you listening?” Ikovos quickly followed.

  “Yes . . .” I couldn’t think up a good defense “. . . and I know it was wrong. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to at first. I was just walking past.”

  Jaden's gaze turned livid. “Walking past? . . .” uh-oh “. . . Alone?”

  “What did you hear?” asked Ikovos, saving me from responding to the much scarier boy.

  I relaxed slightly, checking the room. It was empty apart from us.

  “Nothing. Not that I didn't already know.”

  Ikovos turned down.

  Jaden shook his head. “I can't believe you were wandering alone after all I said.”

  “Jaden, that's hardly what matters here,” said Ikovos, eyeing him.

  The dark boy caught his gaze, it was much more severe than his own anger over my disobedience had been. He leaned up.

  “Right. You're going back to bed.”

  “What?—” I straightened “—No I'm not!”

  He stood up. “Yes, you are.” Then he walked towards me.

  I took a few steps back, thinking he was just bluffing, but he kept coming.

  “Ikovos!”

  The blond boy eyed him listlessly. “Jaden, just relax.”

  Jaden ignored him, pinning me against a table. I put a hand up to his chest.

  “Why won't you just tell me?”

&n
bsp; His eyes hardened. He pushed my hand off, reaching behind me to shove me towards the door. “I already told you, it's none of your business.”

  I scraped along defiantly, then clenched my teeth. “I think you're just scared.” It was just a mumble, but he stopped immediately, spinning me around to face him.

  “Scared?”

  I nodded.

  He scoffed. “Of what?”

  My eyes narrowed gravely on him, then to Ikovos, and back. “Trusting someone.”

  It hung fiercely in the air, the room dead silent.

  His jaw clenched.

  “Let her go, Jaden,” said Ikovos, drawing both our heads over. He was still sitting at the table.

  Jaden's grip loosened slightly and Ikovos nodded his head over.

  “Come on.”

  My brows lifted, surprised, uncertain. I checked back at Jaden. He was eyeing Ikovos hard. Then I stepped carefully over to the table, as the thunder echoed once again throughout the room.

  I sat down across from him where Jaden had been.

  He watched me all the way then looked at me with a blank face. “Do you have a dad, Evelyn?”

  The question took me by surprise. My brows knit for a moment, unsure of his meaning.

  “You've talked about your mom before. Do you know your dad?” His tone was calm.

  I checked over at Jaden, his arms were crossed now. He was standing in the same spot by the door, expression cold.

  “Ah, yeah.” I shook my head out. “He lives at home. I mean, he works a lot, but . . . he's around I guess.”

  Ikovos nodded, then one corner of his mouth pinched up slightly, gaze downward. “I was pretty close to my dad . . .” he focused back on me. “He worked a lot too, like yours. But he ran a library so I still got to see him.”

  The blood started to pulse quicker in my veins. I saw Jaden shift out of the corner of my eye.

  Ikovos continued. “It was a big place, a couple stories, the only one in our town. We all ran it together: me, dad, mom, and my two sisters—” he smiled, looking to me again “—Younger. They used to run around making a mess of everything. I'd follow after, putting all the books or whatever they'd trashed back in place. I never really got mad about it though, I guess I liked taking care of them, even when I was just a kid . . .”

  My eyes held on him, heart sinking at his falling countenance. Suddenly he shook his head, nodding up and over.

  “Ah, one day, when I was about seven I guess, we closed up the library early. It was my sister's birthday, she was turning six and she wanted to go to this fancy restaurant in town.” He looked at me again, a sparkle in his eyes. “Her name was Lucy, she was a lot like you actually. Sweet, but independent to a fault. I remember being so anxious that night, we were in a bar after all, and she was running around everywhere. She was so excited because there were traveling musicians performing in town that night. A man and his wife, she sang, he played.” He chuckled, looking off again. “Lucy decided that they were there just for her. . . . They had a son, too, a little younger than me.” His eyes shifted over to Jaden, smirking. “Disreputable-looking boy in my book, but of course Lucy latched onto him right away.”