Scales: Book 1 of the Fate and Fire Series

by Amity Green

  Kai stood beside the dark figure that drove us. The man tugged his head far into the hood of his jacket, his face recessed deep within the pocket of fabric. They talked quietly. As I approached, the driver went about his business fueling the car and Kai approached me.

  “Just a thought, how’s your car going to hold up to hauling two—” I looked in the direction of the driver—“or three gargoyles, messing with the leather and all?”

  “We’ll have reached our destination well before dark. Not to worry about my car.” He held open the door for me, flashing a smile laced with underlying innuendo. “Sweet of you to consider, love.”

  “Don’t call me that.” I glared, but got in the door he opened for me. I jerked it out of his grip and slammed it a little too hard, chiding myself for being mean to the car.

  I’d been playing at seeing how far we were from London, and he’d given me my answer. That morning I’d left my room when the sun rose, which was five past five AM. We’d probably made it to the car by about five-fifteen. A clock inside the station said eleven-seventeen. By my math we’d all be Garging Out by one minute before eight. Wherever we were headed was around eight hours from London.

  Two things bothered me about being on the road so long. The first thing was I was pretty sure we were in Scotland. The second I wasn’t particularly wild about—I had no idea how I’d make it back to London, let alone Austin, once I found Brea.

  Chapter 18

  Around an hour later we turned off the highway, cutting down a road that weaved through tall trees, many ranges of bushes and scrub brush that were all entwined with ivy and the tiniest white, pink and yellow blossoms. I doubted the sun could’ve broken through the thick canopy above the lane on a cloudless day. Everything in the wooded scene appeared dew-covered and glistened in the low light. Had I not been in such a bad mood I may have said it was beautiful.

  We passed through the Village of Kelty. A proud sign announced our whereabouts with dated charm. Well away from the speed and traffic of the highway, the two lane road dissected the village and became what appeared to be the main street of the small community. A Gothic town hall scowled down on age-darkened cobbles and strips of chipped pavement. Pubs and restaurants touting the best fish and chips for miles competed for patrons on the sidewalk. Shops were open for business and people walked the street, sightseeing and window-shopping. An ice cream truck drew a small crowd. Bipod signs stood in the middle of sidewalks announcing football matches and drink specials during the games. It would have been heaven to get out of the car and become lost in the scene.

  Just before a right turn into a forest, we left civilization behind. An equestrian center of some sort went by on the right, with winding white fences and small herds of beautiful horses and ponies grazing beside the road.

  After two more turns to the right and about three miles, the forest became thicker and the trees closer to the car. The road became a lane. A deep blue loch shone through the thick foliage. The driver navigated slowly because the tight path slithered through trees with switchbacks and dipped a lot. Sometimes, when we bottomed out on one of the slopes, the car passed through standing water. I wondered if it was runoff from the lake or just piles of water from rain. Whatever the case the air was cold enough the driver switched on the heater and the defroster.

  Outside the car, the forest loomed dark with a bone-chilling cold. I shivered despite my warm seat.

  “Would you like more heat?” Kai offered.

  “No. I just want to see my friend.” I didn’t take my gaze from the window. “All I want from you is Brea.”

  A stone outcropping shone white through the thick brush. When we rolled past, an arrangement of moss-streaked monoliths formed from the mass of twisting vines and stems. An occasional bunch of ivy crept a ways up the side of one of the standing stones. Each enormous rock was backed by two tall trees and the interior was clear of brush. I straightened in my seat to get a better look.

  The driver stopped the car at a gate set in a limestone wall so tall I couldn’t see the top when I leaned down to peer up at it. As we waited for two wrought iron panels to part, I shifted to look out the windshield. Two massive, stone pillars exceeded the wall in height, each bracing the end of an elegant arching sign that read “The Grotto”.

  Gothic spires thrust from the east and west turrets of a manor that crouched from full view behind trees and a ruined curtain wall surrounding the house. Corner drum towers stood at differing heights in their state of crumbled erosion. The modern house had been built squarely in the inner ward of a castle’s remains.

  We curved to the side of the site along a low garden barrier of polished limestone. Frothy bunches of ivy thrived at the ground along a neatly kept path of multi-hued roses. Afternoon sunshine peeked through the clouds. An open flower box ran the length of the stubby wall, adding layers of colorful blooms. Breathtaking and forlorn, the beautiful garden was misplaced in such a malevolent place. We rolled toward a carriage house, the ancient bastion of the old castle walls surrounding us. The stone mansion stood in regal splendor outside my window.

  Humble in size, yet stately in sprawl, the building was an architectural masterpiece against the array of blossoming gardens and courtyards, backed by the sad, crumbling castle. Ancient looking Roman fountains were inset along the cut-stone walls in places, complete with troughs at their bases. Birds flitted between baths and flowering trees.

  Talk about conflicted. I was at odds admiring elegance through ruin.

  The same as great cars, I wondered why the bad guys always got the cool digs. And it seemed like the other occupants of the car took such ancient beauty for granted. No one else seemed to gawk out the windows the way I did. Maybe they’d seen it countless times, but it was so gorgeous, I knew if it was me returning, I’d take a moment to count my blessings. I felt like I was a fairly good person, and I was “lucky” enough to grow up in an orphanage. Fate had a truly odd sense of humor.

  We rounded the circle drive. My door was opened and by the time I stood beside the car, the driver was back behind the wheel. An automatic garage door lifted in the stone carriage house. Petra said nothing, trudging toward the house. Kai exited the car as I shouldered my bag. We all had our hoods up because the sun flung rays onto parts of the yard in quickly moving beams, as clouds and fog fought for control of the day’s light. I wondered that since the others had their hoods up, if that meant there were “non-gargoyles” on the grounds. Or maybe like me, they weren’t comfortable, knowing what they looked like in the sun.

  The car eased into the deceivingly small appearance of the carriage house, revealing it was actually a huge, deep garage, and multiple, blanketed cars were parked inside. The door came back down before I had a chance to try identifying the makes through their covers.

  “This way please, Tessa.” Kai gestured toward the walk the led to the front doors of the house.

  “Where’s Brea?” I tried to ignore the circular herb gardens, the sweet smell of roses on the breeze, and gushing fountains. Typical to the ass he was, Kai stomped up the foot path like he waded through stinkweeds. I was ready to get to my friend. I fidgeted with the ties of my hoodie.

  “She’s inside.” He continued to lead the way.

  “You didn’t like, change her, did you?”

  “No.” He said it like I’d asked if he’d eaten dirt or something.

  “Well, good for you. And I was asking because you changed Petra, and who knows how many others,” I fished.

  He glanced at me sidelong as we walked. “Tread lightly with the unknown, Tessa. Ask yourself now … do you really want to push buttons?”

  Kai quickened his pace. I’d struck a nerve.

  We entered a foyer that was nearly as big as the library at the Home for Girls. I tried not to look around too much but beautiful things called to me, urging me to explore the spaces we passed.

  Marbled tiles gleamed up from the floor in the low light. Several enormous windows lined the walls. The entryway ope
ned on a great room with a huge, wide stairway that split midway, joining a round balcony at the curving sides of its ornate, wooden bannister. A domed, cut-glass skylight was set in a tall ceiling, casting refracted, grey light onto the center of the room. It added the feel that aside from dividers between the windows, we could be standing outside in the cloud sprinkled afternoon. For a guy who had gargoyles around, Kai sure did like ambient lighting.

  I mentally shrugged that last tidbit off. It wasn’t the only thing about Kai I didn’t understand, or want to ignore. But I still couldn’t help wondering exactly what he was. The word “magician” sounded too “stage” for him. I knew I wouldn’t see him pull a rabbit out of a hat. He was something other. Something dark inside.

  “Welcome to my home,” he told me.

  I shot him a look that screamed I didn’t want his welcome and remained silent as we climbed stairs leading to the upper level.

  “I’ve had a room prepared for you. I hope it’s to your liking,” he continued.

  I stopped walking. “Look, this is not a vacation for me and you know that. You know I don’t want to be here. I just want to see Brea, please.”

  He said nothing, but led me to a massive, half-circular room off a west wing. A similar skylight to the one in the great room downstairs lit the room brilliantly, even in the greyed out light outside. White walls were alternately lined with floor-to-ceiling bookcases and windows. A creamy, suede chase with a reading table was positioned next to a grey marble fireplace to the right. Beige tile covered the floor with the exception of a few well-placed, plush carpets. There was also a writing desk and a minibar with a fridge and microwave set up in one of the corners by two closed doors.

  Wow. I was impressed despite myself.

  Kai strode toward one of the doors by the kitchenette and held it open for me to walk inside. The décor of the bedroom was similar to the den outside, all white and cream colored, completely sumptuous and plush down to a gleaming bathroom.

  “Yay, a suite,” I said dryly. “Would you quit ignoring me and tell me where Brea is?” I was worried about her. The day Kai tossed me over his shoulder and took off into the court with me in London, he’d tried to control me with magic. I couldn’t guess what else he was capable of. And since he’d obviously been after information about me, I hated thinking to what ends he’d go to, to get it from Brea. The thought terrified me. Not because I was scared for myself, but I was truly afraid of what he may have done to her by then. I was still angry at myself for sending the postcard that allowed him to find her. Not that I was aware that monsters like him existed, for real in the world, but I was still the reason she’d suffered.

  “I’m sure you need to rest after the long ride,” he said as he turned toward the door.

  I picked up a vase from the end table nearest me and dropped it to the time, watching him stoically as glass shattered beside me.

  Kai didn’t even blink at the mess I’d made. “And you’ll be reunited with your friend soon.”

  “No, Kai, I don’t want to stay up here in this room,” I snapped. “Take me to her, now.” I glared at him and stalked toward the door before he could leave me there.

  “You will stay here.” He stepped toward me, grabbing my shoulders. “Do you understand? Here. In this wing. You have food, your beloved books. Things could get much worse for you.” His teeth were clenched. Something flashed in his eyes as he spoke, honing my attention on his words. “Get it?”

  I flinched and hated it.

  “Do you understand?” he repeated, louder this time. He shook me, rattling my teeth.

  “Yes, okay,” I pushed at his chest. “Point taken, you dick.”

  “Good girl,” he said softly. The grip on my shoulders relaxed into a caress. His thumbs smoothed over my biceps. “That wasn’t so very difficult, now was it?”

  I didn’t answer him. I hated the fact that I had to play nice, when I really wanted to pound on him. My chest grew hot with heat that flushed my face.

  He traced my jaw. “I know why your body overheats the way it does.” The statement was clipped, ringing with surety.

  I gaped. Surely there was no way he could actually know what was wrong with me. “Do tell.” I pulled my cheek from his hand.

  “Once a soul reaches a certain age, or has been placed in the world a certain length of time, it grows weary of controlling forces. You, Tessa, are a very old soul, to say the least. Throw your life experience on top of that, and it creates something volatile inside you. You’ve fought constraints all your mortal life. It’s the immortal one that fights for freedom.”

  I never thought a madman could make sense until that day. As a child, there had been times I felt like I might catch fire inside. Kai gave a half smile as I reasoned through his words. He knew he was right.

  He lifted my chin. “I can speak to you with the rapt clarity of the kindred and the ancient, Tessa.”

  I jerked my face away. I couldn’t stand the way he always picked his words so carefully. Each syllable said so much, each word laced with double meaning. “You’re such an opportunist. Just because you know about me, doesn’t mean you really know me.” I stepped back. “You said you’d take me to Brea.”

  “In time.”

  “You ass.”

  “That attitude isn’t going to get you far,” he warned.

  “What do you want?” He confused me. I loved hating him.

  “Don’t play stupid. We both know you’re far too intelligent.”

  “Forget it. I can’t stand you.”

  Kai snarled, grabbing my shoulders hard. “It seems I’ll have to find another way to keep your mind where it should be,” he said, between clinched teeth. He let go fast and I almost dropped to the floor. I eyed him curiously. He acted like he’d dropped a hot pan. He couldn’t control me the way he could others and it goaded him.

  We always want what we can’t have.

  “Spoken like a true barbarian. If it won’t go of its own free will, force it.” It was my turn to be right. I crossed my arms over my chest.

  Kai glared, shaking his head. I’d struck another nerve.

  I smiled. Maybe it was impossible for him to hurt me. It made sense, since he couldn’t use magic on me, either.

  He watched me, an amazed expression on his face. “So enigmatic,” he said. He turned back toward the door. “You will stay here. Sneaking out will get you hurt.” The door clicked solidly shut behind him, leaving me in silence.

  I kicked the shards of busted vase into the corner beside the door to my room and sat on the bed weighed down by genuine worry. I was in trouble. Kai had no plan to take me to Brea. He lied to get me there, but what was I supposed to do? I felt like I was missing part of the story somehow. He had to be after way more than just “having me at his side”. He knew things about me that I didn’t, and that put me on edge.

  But I’d fought him off, and that thought alone gave me hope.

  * * *

  Sundown approached and I needed to get my bearings while I was human. Attempting stealth as a gargoyle was something I’d hardly mastered.

  My plan was accompanied by a back-up. I would get to the garage and filch the keys to a car, along with a way to open the overhead door. I would locate Brea and we’d drive out of there. If nightfall came too fast for Plan A, then I’d implement Plan B. I’d break free of the manor and fly her back to London and the safety of Peter and the bookstore in my gargoyle form.

  Unknown elements would surprise me, but I had to start somewhere. I hoped finding Brea was easier than I thought it might be.

  Kai was so angry by the time he left, there was no telling what I might find guarding the room. I couldn’t imagine why he was so enamored with me. I was nothing special. I was not such a beauty as to inspire the kind of attention I got from a man like Kai. I was sure he wanted to use me for something, and I worried it had a lot to do with what he’d told me about being an old soul. Kindred to him, somehow. I wanted nothing to do with finding similarities betwee
n us, but was a hundred percent willing to take advantage of the fact that he didn’t want me dead.

  He’d hit home with the way I burned inside sometimes. When I was little, I’d thought everybody did it. Then the nuns at the home started taking extra care of me, checking my temperature a lot. I had to stay in some times when I felt good and wanted to go to school or out to play in the courtyards but they made me stay in bed because I had a fever. It happened a lot. And it got worse when I started getting my periods. Hormones intensified the bouts with high temperatures. By then, I’d learned to hide it from the staff at the Home and the other girls, for the most part, if it suited me.

  I needed to clear up some uncertainties. Location didn’t seem to matter much anymore. My world was a state of flux as far as location. The things that comprised my “new world” were the changes that found me, creating insecurity in who I believed I was.

  I had no idea if I would be able to fight off another of Kai’s advances. He’d seemed rushed so next time he might bring a bigger arsenal of mojo. My system repelled against him with bouts of nausea. I could tell him he made me sick to my stomach. Maybe I was allergic to his brand of magic. Whatever the case, waiting around to be a victim wasn’t part of the plan to look for Brea.

  The door opened. I was a little surprised, thinking he’d locked me in. Holy mother of pearl —

  A familiar, dark figure leaned against the wall opposite me, black hood obscuring most of the man’s face. He’d frightened me so terribly, weeks ago, as I ran down Tottenham Court Road. He inclined his chin in a familiar nod, the way he’d done on the street that night, showing the same slight outgrowth of a beard. His hands were hidden inside the long pocket of a black jacket. I stopped one step into the circular library. Up close he was huge, well over six feet tall and all muscle. The guy could bust me in half if he got his hands on me. He wasn’t smiling.

  I was crushed. The hall was less than twenty feet from where I stood at the ready, half inclined to bail for the door, to take my chances outrunning him. I hadn’t come that far looking for my friend to be headed off by some guy, obviously using his hugeness and dark, skulking demeanor to intimidate me into giving up. I took one more step.