by Avril Sabine
“Can you do me a favour?”
“What favour?”
Brianne shook her head and winced again. Macklyn would definitely pay for that. “No, that’s the last thing I recall. Someone asking me that, but I can’t see their face, it’s all hazy.” She hoped that was enough to lay the groundwork for when they started to try and discover who she was.
The man rose to his feet. “Over here, Bellamy.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’re in charge of this soldier. Get her back to the capital and to the hospital. Take one of the men with you. We’ll be at your heels the moment we’ve gathered the dead.”
“Yes, sir.” He saluted before he turned to Brianne and held out his hand.
She hesitated, looking up into light brown eyes. The young man had hair longer than hers, a dark brown that looked foreign to her after a lifetime of seeing blond hair and pale skin. Reaching up to take his hand, she noticed her skin was several shades paler than his dusky brown. She hoped she was dark enough not to make him question her. He pulled her to her feet before letting go of her hand.
“None of your unit’s horses are here, you’ll have to ride with me.”
Brianne nodded and followed him to his horse. Once he was mounted, he swung her up behind him. “Who was that?” As they rode away, she gestured towards the man who’d first spoken to her.
“General Barrett Morin. I’m Bellamy Allard, unit captain.” He slowed his horse as he passed one of the men. “Mount up, soldier. I need a guard for the journey back to the capital.”
A general. Brianne wondered how she could use that to her advantage.
By the time Brianne reached the fortified capital, she couldn’t have cared less who had found her. She wanted off the horse and wanted something to kill the pain in her head. Part of the ride had been spent imagining what she was going to do to Macklyn next time she saw him.
Bellamy dropped her at the hospital where she was thoroughly examined before her head was cleaned and dressed. She was then shown to a bed in the ward where she drifted off to sleep, each noise drawing her awake. Hours later she was woken by a shadow falling across her and she opened her eyes to find Barrett standing there. He pulled a wooden, straight-backed chair up to her narrow bed and sat down.
“How are you feeling?”
“Like my head might explode. Other than that, I’m fine. I’m ready to get back to protecting our country, sir.”
“Do you remember your name?”
“No sir, but I’m sure it’ll come back to me soon.” She eyed his broad shoulders, trying to get accustomed to how foreign everyone looked.
Barrett nodded. “We’ll figure out who you are within the week. We’re waiting for confirmation of which units haven’t returned. A pity those cursed birds started taking identity tags a couple of months ago.”
Brianne barely managed to keep her expression neutral. How long had they been planning to use her as a spy? And why had they waited until she’d received her ultimatum to tell her? “Thank you, sir.”
Barrett rose to his feet. “Get some rest. The doctor said you should be ready to leave tomorrow.”
“Where will I go, sir?”
“Don’t worry about it, soldier. We won’t leave you out in the rain.” He spun on his heel and strode away.
Brianne stared after him, wondering how she was going to find useful information. She was still trying to figure it out when she drifted off to sleep. The next morning, she was woken early by a doctor who wanted to examine her.
The doctor pronounced her fit enough to leave. She donned yesterday’s garments, which were now freshly laundered. There were dark stains on them and she wondered if it was from her blood or from the previous owner. Pushing that thought from her mind she headed towards the nearest exit. After asking for directions to the fortress, she wound her way through the city, her eyes darting everywhere. The streets were crowded with people and horses. She tried not to wrinkle her nose at the stench of manure left lying in the steadily warming day. How did they tolerate it? Stuck on the ground, never knowing the freedom of the skies.
She had to stop twice to ask for more directions to the fortress. When she reached it, she paused at the front to stare up at the imposing building. How was she meant to infiltrate that? She didn’t have a clue, but standing outside wasn’t going to get the job done. Marching inside, she was quickly halted by two soldiers.
“State your business.”
“I’d like to see General Barrett Morin.”
“Is the General expecting you?”
Brianne shook her head. “I want to thank him for rescuing me yesterday.”
The same soldier spoke again. “We’ll relay your thanks if you wish to leave a name.”
She couldn’t exactly do that. “Maybe I could wait here and see him when he has a moment.” Laughter had her spinning to see a teenage girl with long black hair and golden brown skin staring at her out of brown eyes. She was starting to become accustomed to the dark colouring of the Tersten people.
“He doesn’t have time for his own kids, I doubt he’ll have time for you.”
Brianne frowned as she tried to figure out how to use the situation to her advantage. “Have I met you before? Do you know me?”
“No, I’ve never seen you before.”
“Oh. I had hoped… it’s just that-” she cut off, turning away slightly. “It doesn’t matter. I guess someone will figure out who I am eventually.”
“You don’t know who you are?” The girl looked up at her with wide eyes.
“I don’t even know my first name. What’s yours?”
“Garnet. How do you know my father? The General.”
“He rescued me yesterday. I woke to find him leaning over me. It’s the only real memory I have.” She touched her bandaged head. “The doctors think the blow to my head made me forget everything.”
“Wow. Then why are you here? Why aren’t you still at the hospital?”
Before Brianne could answer, the soldier who’d spoken earlier interrupted. “Miss Morin, you father might prefer that you don’t talk to strangers.” He sent Brianne a hard look.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s just that when I looked at Garnet I nearly caught hold of a memory. I hoped that meant she knew me. She must have reminded me of someone. Maybe a younger sister.” Brianne took a step back. “I’m sorry to have bothered you. I guess I’ll go…” her voice trailed away as she looked over her shoulder to the door. “Uhm, I don’t know, somewhere.” She turned and walked slowly away. With each footstep she mentally pleaded with Garnet to follow. She lowered her head, staring at the ground, letting her shoulders slump. Come on, kid. Stepping outside she kept her dejected pose as she walked forward. She’d nearly given up when the sound of running footsteps drew her attention.
“Wait.” Garnet fell in beside her. “Where are you going?”
“I don’t know.” She looked around. The city was filled mostly with single and two storey buildings. Not one tower was in sight. “Nothing looks familiar. It’s like I woke up in a foreign world yesterday, surrounded by the dead and drenched in blood.”
“Really?”
Brianne nodded, hoping she hadn’t painted too graphic a picture. “I don’t even have any money for food and even if I did, I wouldn’t have a clue where to buy it.”
“You’re hungry?”
Brianne stopped and looked at the young girl’s eager face, a twinge of guilt hitting her. She nearly walked away, nearly ended the farce, but she forced herself to remember her people. All those who’d died and all those who risked death every day to defend her country. “Starving.” She grinned. “I can’t remember the last meal I ate.” She couldn’t count the light snack the hospital had given her last night as a meal.
Garnet laughed. “Come on. I’ll buy you something to eat. At least then you’ll have one memory.” She grabbed hold of Brianne’s hand.
She allowed herself to be tugged along the street. “Better make it a large
meal, I feel like I haven’t eaten in a decade.”
Chapter Eight
Talon
Talon stared at the summons from his father. It had been over a week since he’d seen him, let alone heard from him. He looked at the boy who’d cornered him in one of the corridors. “What does he want?”
The boy shrugged.
Talon stared at the kid, wondering if he’d overheard anything or really didn’t know. “Tell him I’ll be there later.” He handed the piece of paper back to the boy.
“Sir, he said it was urgent. Said I had to find you quick.”
“Tell him you found me, but tell him I’ll be there later.” Talon started to walk away.
“I don’t know what it was about, just that he was yelling about your sister.”
Talon froze, then spun to face the boy. “What about my sister?” Garnet’s expression when she’d seen his wings came to mind.
He shrugged. “Don’t know, sir. He was muttering and threatening then he tore up a letter and threw it in the rubbish and wrote that summons for you.”
Talon stared at the boy who continued to meet his gaze. He nodded once. “I’ll be there in a minute.” Without waiting to hear another word he strode to his room. There was no way he could face his father without stretching his wings first.
Once the painful process was over, he hurried to his father’s office and knocked on the door.
“Enter.”
Talon stepped inside to find his father alone, seated at his desk with a scowl on his face.
“About time. I sent that boy for you ages ago.”
“I was in the middle of something. What did you want?”
“For you to make yourself useful. Your infernal sister brought home a stray. Take care of her and find out all you can about her.”
“Stray?”
“A soldier we found yesterday. Supposedly has no memory due to a blow to her head. Sit down Talon and stop towering over me.”
Talon remained standing. “Why me?”
“Because Garnet refuses to give her up. You need to talk some sense into her. The woman could be dangerous.”
That was his father. Everyone was guilty until they were proven innocent. “What am I meant to do with her?”
Barrett narrowed his eyes. “How about using that brain you prefer to let rot while you waste your days finger painting?”
His hands curled into fists and he breathed in slowly as he tried to rein in his anger. Why did his father always have to go on about his painting? “Where is she?”
“With Garnet. In my home.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Talon spun on his heel, striding from the office, slamming the door behind him.
“Stop slamming the infernal door,” Barrett yelled after him.
Talon smiled fleetingly as he continued towards his father’s apartment. Opening the front door, he paused in the foyer at the laughter that came through the doorway that led to the bedrooms. He stepped through and headed down the corridor to Garnet’s room, stopping in the doorway to stare at the young woman laughing with his sister who was trying to show her a dance step.
Her hair was as short as his own, but seemed to be several shades lighter, as was her pale brown skin. She turned in his direction and he stared into pale brown eyes that quickly lost their laughter.
Garnet ran across the room to throw herself at him. “Talon.” She drew away from him, grabbing his hands and pulling him into the room. “You show her. You know the steps so much better than I do.”
Talon shook his head, drawing his hands from her. He studied the young woman who stared back at him. “I’m Talon.” He held out his hand.
Garnet grinned when the woman took his hand. “This is Lacey. Don’t you think she looks like a Lacey?”
Still holding the woman’s hand, Talon turned to Garnet. “You named her?”
Garnet nodded.
“You can’t go around naming people, Garnet.”
Garnet shrugged, her chin rising. “She didn’t have one, now she does.”
Lacey drew her hand from his grip. “It’s fine. I don’t mind. It’s a lovely name.” She smiled at Garnet.
Talon felt his back tighten. He almost swore. Not now. “Has Garnet showed you around? Found you somewhere to sleep?”
“She can stay in my room,” Garnet said.
“I’m sure she’d rather have her own space,” Talon said.
Garnet’s eyes narrowed. “Did our father send you?”
Talon was tempted to tell her how much like their father she looked when she did that, but guessed now wasn’t the time to point it out. “When have I ever been his lackey?”
“Then why are you here?” Garnet’s hands went to her hips, her eyes still narrowed.
“To help.” To protect you, but she wouldn’t want to hear that.
“To help me or our father?”
Talon grinned. She was certainly her father’s daughter. “Anyone ever tell you that sometimes you’re overly suspicious?” He shot a glance towards Lacey. “But not enough at other times.”
“I don’t want to be any bother, Garnet. I’m sure I can find somewhere else to stay so you don’t upset your father.”
“Where will you stay?” Garnet demanded.
Lacey shrugged. “I don’t know. There must be somewhere. After all you’ve done for me I’d hate to repay it by getting you in trouble.”
Talon watched Lacey, wondering if it was all a performance or if she was exactly who she seemed to be. He turned to his sister. “I’ll put her in the room next to mine. She’ll only be several doors away from you. That’ll keep our father happy, kind of, and you’ll still be able to visit with her.”
“You’re not just saying that? You won’t kick her out the next day? She doesn’t know who she is. Doesn’t know if she has a sister like me, if her parents are still alive, or anything. Her memories are completely gone.”
So that was how she’d conned his sister. Or appealed to her. He still wasn’t certain which one it was and he had to deal with it quickly before the pain from his wings drove him mad. “You can come with her, help her figure out what she needs for her room. Leave a note for our mother first or our father will be the least of your problems.”
Garnet grinned and threw herself at him, holding him tightly. “I knew you wouldn’t let me down. Just like I won’t let you down.”
Her hands brushed across his upper back and he gritted his teeth at the pain. “Go leave your note and we’ll meet you at the room.”
Garnet nodded and dashed from her bedroom.
Talon turned to Lacey. “I’ll show you your new room.” It was all he could do not to snarl the words.
Lacey followed him down the corridor towards the front door. “I’m sorry to be a problem. You can’t imagine what it’s like not knowing who you are.”
“You’d be surprised at how well I can understand that.”
“You’ve lost your memory before?”
He heard the surprise in her voice. “No.” He didn’t bother to explain and he was glad she didn’t ask. He stopped in front of a door, flinging it open. He pointed to the door they’d passed. “I’m in there if you need me.” He hurried away before she could speak and delay him. He was desperate to stretch his wings.
Chapter Nine
Brianne
Brianne stared after Talon, wondering why he’d raced away. He wasn’t what she’d expected from Garnet’s comments. She mentally shrugged and turned towards the open doorway of the room she’d gained. It was better than being under Garnet’s watchful eye. Hopefully she’d be able to do some exploring on her own. There had to be useful information somewhere in this place. After a glance up and down the empty corridor, she stepped into the room and closed the door.
The room was spacious, a narrow window in the wall directly across from the door, a large bed to the right of the door and a trunk at the foot of it. Off to her left was a small round table with two chairs and another trunk against the wall near them
. A quick search showed no hidden places from where anyone could spy on her. The walls were solid stone, as was the floor, a woven rug on each side of the bed. A light blanket covered the bed and she hoped there’d be something thicker as the room felt cool now and it was barely the middle of the day.
Her inspection done, she turned back to the door and opened it to peer along the corridor. It was still empty. She wondered what had happened to Garnet. Closing the door behind her, she headed for Talon’s room. Maybe he’d taken Garnet aside while she’d been busy exploring her room. If she lost Garnet’s support she’d probably be out of the fortress and lose any chance to gather useful information.
She knocked on the timber door and waited. No one answered. Where was he? Had he gone back to the General’s home? She looked along the corridor then knocked one last time.
“What?”
She eyed the door, uncertain if she should continue to disturb Talon after the way he’d snarled. “Talon?” There was silence. She nearly gave up when the door opened.
“What?”
His shirt was half buttoned, sweat dotted his upper lip and he seemed a little pale under the golden brown tone of his skin. “Are you well?”
“What do you want?”
She nearly walked away until she saw how he gripped the door, his knuckles white. Reaching out to touch his cheek with the back of her hand she asked again, “Are you well?”
He stepped away, grabbing her hand before she could make contact. “What do you want?”
Brianne met his eyes, recognizing the pain in them. She’d seen it in her own many times after she’d turned eighteen and her wings hadn’t developed. She resisted the urge to touch her shoulder blades. “I was wondering where Garnet is.” Pulling away from him, she glanced around, her gaze arrowing in on a large black feather on the floor several feet from her. She was across the room, Talon at her heels, grabbing her wrist as her fingers seized the feather.
“What are you doing?” Talon demanded.
Rising to her feet, she tried to pull from his grip, but it tightened. “Where did you get this?” She held his gaze, the feather feeling so familiar in her hands. The size, the shape, the feel. Only the colour was different.
