Amber Sky (C.O.I.L.S Of Copper and Brass Book 1)

by Claire Warner

  “She had no right to attack me,” Lora muttered, the heat taken from her voice by Beth’s threat.

  “You woke her up,” Beth said, confidence oozing through her words. “Maybe you were stealing.”

  “I wouldn’t,” Lora snapped back with some returning heat.

  “But that’s what we’ll say,” Tay added, catching on to Beth’s meaning with glee. “After all”－she assumed a piteous manner－“I woke up, and there was someone in my room, going through my things, and I just reacted.” She managed a credible sob. “I didn’t realise it was Lora.”

  The clock ticked loudly in the sudden silence as Lora absorbed their words. Tay watched the other girl’s face, waiting for her to speak, and wishing that she was still fast asleep.

  “Alright.” Lora finally spoke, angry reluctance flowing over every syllable as she faced both girls. “I won’t say anything.” She secured her shawl about her neck and headed for the door. “But this isn’t over.” And with that, she left the room.

  Tay waited until her footsteps had faded into the distance, before settling back onto the bed with a sigh of relief.

  “Are you alright?” Beth kicked the door closed and sat on the edge of the bed, turning to face Tay with a look of concern.

  “Yeah.” Tay tucked the edge of the covers beneath her chin and started to relax. “I don’t know what’s gotten into her.”

  “Being given the opportunity to serve elsewhere can lead to more responsibility, more money,” Beth explained patiently. “She thinks she should have the opportunity.”

  “Well, good for her,” Tay snapped back, irritated by the petty politics that dominated the kitchen. “She can go in my place for all I care.”

  “You’re not looking forward to it?” Beth asked. Tay rolled her eyes at the obvious question. “Why not?” Beth tucked her feet beneath her as she attempted to keep warm.

  “Many reasons.” Tay glanced at the shivering girl and drew back the covers on her bed. “Here”－she beckoned Beth forward－“get in and keep warm.” The other girl’s eyes flicked down to the offered place and hesitated. “Come on,” Tay continued with mild exasperation. “I can’t talk to you if you’re that cold.” Beth gave a small smile and slid into the bed. Tay drew the covers back around them, feeling warmer almost immediately.

  “So why?” Beth continued, her voice muffled by the covers. “Afraid of the Overseer?”

  “Yeah,” Tay nodded, unwilling to tell Beth about Darius, and the deal she had made.

  “Don’t worry about him,” Beth continued, her voice reassuring but sleepy. “He won’t bother you.”

  “But why would he pick me?” Tay asked, worry teasing the edges of her voice.

  “I dunno.” Beth turned to face her. “Maybe he thinks you’re pretty.”

  Tay gave a bark of sharp laughter, the humour diffusing the tension slightly. “Sure he does,” she responded.

  “But you are,” Beth continued, “I could understand him wanting you around.” As Tay continued to stare at her following these words, Beth continued, “but I don’t think that’s it.”

  Silence fell between the pair of them as Tay struggled to tear herself from the thought of the Overseer finding her attractive. Even if he had not arrested her father, she would still be scared of him. One look at those eyes told of the darkness that laid within. “Do you have any family?” she found herself asking, trying to tear her thoughts away from the Overseer, and her upcoming role.

  “A brother,” the other girl replied, her voice heavy with sleep. “Our parents died in the food riots three years ago.”

  “I’m sorry.” Tay wished she could take back the question. Many families had been torn apart by the riots.

  “Don’t be,” Beth replied. “It’s not your fault.”

  “Were you already working here?” Tay asked.

  “Yes.” Beth rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. “Luckily my parents weren’t actually involved in the rioting.” Beth took a breath. “Which is why I didn’t lose rating.”

  Silence fell once more between them, and Tay wondered if she had fallen asleep.

  “Tay.” Beth turned her head and looked at her. “How did you get this job?” Tay froze, and as she frantically looked around for an excuse, Beth continued, “because while Lora is a stuck-up bitch, she isn’t wrong about you.”

  “I…” Shivers that had little to do with the temperature raced down Tay’s spine.

  “I’ve heard of your family.” Tay felt as though she had been punched in the gut. “With your mother’s record and your father arrested, you shouldn’t have this job.” Beth raised herself up on her elbow and stared across at her. Tay opened her mouth, then closed it again, unable to find a credible lie. “I won’t tell anyone,” she continued, “but be very careful.” She moved closer and whispered. “If they find out, it won’t be the Mine as punishment.” Her voice dropped. “They’ll kill you.”

  Tay began to shake, all her fears racing to life, as Beth pushed the bed covers aside and got up. “If you ever want to talk…” She left the sentence hanging and pulled her robe tighter about her shoulders. “You know where I am.” She then turned and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

  For a long moment after Beth’s exit, Tay stared at the door, dread flowing through her veins. Beth knew her background, and despite her reassurances, Tay couldn’t be certain of her intentions. Leaning over, she blew out the candle and laid back in the darkness, terror at the thought of her ruse being discovered, keeping her awake.

  Chapter 7

  Tay barely had any time to talk with Beth the following morning. Her eyes were dull from worry and lack of sleep. Thoughts of being discovered had plagued her dreams and kept her awake. Concern at Beth’s motives gnawed at her insides. Lora, she didn’t worry too much about, but Beth actually knew her history. Despite the other girl’s friendly demeanour, she knew nothing about her.

  “Come here, girl,” Meg called from the other side of the kitchen, as Tay put the last plate into the cupboard. Flinging her cloth to one side, Tay crossed the kitchen to stand before the older woman, holding her hands behind her back as she tried to still their nervous twitching.

  “Yes?” she answered, grateful that her voice did not shake.

  “Well you obviously impressed somebody last night,” Meg began, her voice tinged with disapproval.

  “Oh?” Tay tried to act curious, as though she did not know what was coming.

  “Indeed.” Meg’s mouth twitched, apparently unimpressed by Tay’s efforts to seem surprised. “You’ve been asked to work with the Overseer’s family when they go to the City.”

  “Why me?”

  “Why indeed?” Meg looked her up and down, disapproval in each line of her face. “You wouldn’t have been my choice.” Tay wondered if she should be acting upset at the news, but decided against it. She really wasn’t that good an actor. “But they make the rules. You’ll be going over there later today.”

  “Thank you, Meg,” Tay replied, more from a need to fill the uncomfortable silence than for any other reason.

  “So”－the other woman straightened up and continued－“you’re to finish cleaning the scullery and pack your spare uniform. They’ll be here for you in the next hour.”

  “Yes Meg.” Tay bobbed a curtsey and turned away. “Barely been here ten minutes and you’re already being afforded privileges,” Meg grumbled as Tay walked away. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

  “No Meg.” With light steps, she hurried away from the older woman and began to finish scraping down the scullery counters.

  “You’re going then?” She started and looked up at Beth. The other girl’s arms were full of clothing for the laundry, and her face was placidly concerned.

  “Yes.” Her voice was awkward, still nervous from the conversation the night before.

  “Are you…” Beth hesitated for a brief moment. “Are you worried about me saying anything?” There was a pause, and Tay stared fi
xedly at the buttons on Beth’s blouse. There was a small sigh, and Beth stepped forward. “Don’t worry about that,” she whispered. “I won’t turn you in.”

  “Slacking off again.” Lora’s voice sounded from nearby, and they both glanced up. The other girl was watching them, hatred simmering in her eyes. “I don’t know, Beth,” she continued, walking closer. “You’ve only known her five minutes.” Beth drew in a breath. “What will your girlfriend say?” A vicious anger gleamed in Lora’s eyes. “Trying to get another one of the maids into bed.” She shook her head with mock dismay. “It’s a shame the new girl doesn’t know how you operate.”

  Tay raised her head to stare at Beth, confused by the direction the conversation had taken. Beth looked straight at her but did not answer. Her mouth opened, then closed, as though someone had stolen her power of speech. The redhead shook her head slightly, before she turned on her heel and walked from the room with quick, agitated steps.

  “Beth?” Tay moved to follow, but her arm was seized by Lora, and she fell back.

  “Enjoy your time over there, bitch,” Lora whispered into her ear as Tay tried to drag herself free. Beth reached the end of the corridor and vanished through the door.

  “Taya!” Meg walked back into the room as Lora released her arm. “What are you playing at?” The older woman crossed the floor in a rush. “Get upstairs and get ready.”

  “I’ll take her,” Lora replied brightly as she reached out and recaptured Tay’s arm.

  “Fine,” Meg responded in a resigned tone of voice. “Just hurry up.”

  Unable to protest as Lora bundled her out of the room, Tay walked up the stairs with short, angry strides. Reaching her room, she dragged her spare clothes from the cupboard and began to pack. As she stuffed the clothes into her small case, her mind kept returning to Beth’s stunned, slightly hurt look.

  “Get a move on,” Lora’s voice echoed from the door, and Tay shot her an annoyed glance.

  “Why did you do that?” Tay asked as she closed the lid and began to drag it out. “What was the point?”

  Lora gave a small, victorious smile, and declined to answer. As Tay lumbered down the servant’s staircase, she was acutely aware of Lora’s presence. Not that she thought the girl would try to hurt her but, Tay took a deep breath, it wasn’t completely outside of the realms of possibility. They reached the back door, and Tay’s eyes searched the kitchen, hunting for Beth’s red locks. She didn’t know precisely what to say to the other girl, but she needed to talk to her.

  “She’s not in there,” Lora replied, smiling at the consternation on Tay’s face, as she opened the back door, and waved her toward the street. “And you’d better get going, or Meg will have your hide.” Tay glanced back to see Meg standing at the kitchen door, ensuring that she left.

  “You’re a real piece of work,” Tay snapped back, her voice contemptuous.

  “And you’re a mannerless gutter rat,” Lora replied in a quasi-pleasant voice. “You took a job from a friend of mine who should have been next on the list at Carfax.” Tay flinched back from the hate in the other girl’s face. “You shouldn’t be here, or over there”－Lora nodded in the direction of the Overseer’s house－“and sooner or later, everyone will know it.” She placed both of her hands on Tay’s back and shoved her hard. The sudden movement sent Tay stumbling down the steps, dropping her case as she tried to maintain her balance. The kitchen door slammed shut, leaving her alone in the snowy alleyway. Picking up her trunk, she cast a long look back at the kitchen windows, but she could see no sign of Beth. There was only the alley, the snow and the door to Darius’ home. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she crossed the passageway and stepped up to the door of the house opposite. Knocking on the heavy wood, she waited for an answer. For several long moments, she stood in the alleyway, waiting for the kitchen door to open.

  Chapter 8

  It had started to snow, and she shivered as cold, wet flakes settled onto her bare arms. Lora had not given her any time to put on a coat, and she shuddered as the frigid air raised goosebumps on her skin. She knocked again before wrapping her arms around her body, trying to keep warm. Time seemed to stand still as she stood there waiting. It was quiet and still within the alley, and ever thicker flakes of snow began to drift down from the leaden sky. She knocked for the third time and shuffled her feet, wondering why she had been asked to arrive when the rest of the household seemed to be away.

  Reaching down, she picked up her case and started back across the alley, unwilling to wait in the snow much longer.

  “Taya.” She turned at the sound of her name, and looked up at the now-open door. Nervously she headed for the entrance and warmth. Stepping over the threshold, she stopped at the sight of the empty kitchen. The hearth was lit and its warmth washed over her chilled skin, but no staff worked at the tables. Apprehension washed over her as she took another step forward and looked across the echoing space.

  She jumped slightly as the kitchen door clicked shut. Whirling around, she came face to face with Darius, moving out of the shadows. “What’s going on?” She could not help the nervous tremor that entered her voice. She took an involuntary step backward, heart rate increasing with each passing second.

  “Nothing to be worried about,” Darius answered. He stopped several paces from her, clearly attempting to put her at ease.

  “Then why?” She stopped speaking as he took another step closer to her.

  “Come with me,” he said, holding out his hand. Swallowing nervously, she moved to his side and gingerly took his hand. He led her through the servants’ corridors, and out into the main body of the house. With increasing fear, she followed him up the central staircase. Beneath his fingers, her skin grew slick with sweat as scenarios chased themselves through her mind.

  “Where are you taking me?” she asked, her voice a pathetic whisper as he drew her along richly decorated halls.

  In answer, he placed his hand on a door handle and pushed open the door. “In here,” he said, his voice taut with some unnamed emotion.

  “No.” Mustering courage from somewhere, she stopped dead and pulled her hand free. “Why am I here?”

  “Not for sex,” he clarified with wry humour. “Though it would make it a lot easier if you were.”

  “I don’t understand.” Confusion tinged with relief rippled through her as she searched his face for answers.

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake Darius, tell the girl.” A feminine voice echoed from the depths of the room, and Tay took an involuntary step forward, looking into the room with curiosity. Standing next to the bed was a young woman in a bathrobe, her dark hair hanging loosely about her shoulders. It took a moment for her to recognise the woman who had flung her arms about him earlier.

  “This is my sister.” Darius walked to stand beside Tay. “I need you to take her place.”

  Tay froze, her eyes swivelling from his sister to Darius so quickly she could have gained an injury.

  “What?” she asked, her voice a horrified whisper. For a long moment, she tried to speak, but her words tumbled out in a flood of confused babble.

  “Well done Darius.” The woman walked forward and placed an arm around Tay’s shoulders, leading her into the room, and sitting her down on the bed. “Here, drink this.” A glass of something warm was placed in her hand. She drank it down, feeling the liquid burn all the way to her core. “He shouldn’t have sprung it on you like that.”

  “But”－Tay finished choking from the burning taste of the brandy and stared at the pair of them－“how can I replace her, and why?”

  “Lyana is due to attend court to meet her betrothed,” Darius stated, the words sending jolts of fear through her. “She won’t be able to attend, so I need to send someone in her place.”

  “How can I pretend to be your sister?” Tay retorted, staring up at him as confusion gave way to anger. “We don’t look anything alike.” She got up from the bed. “This is utterly ridiculous.” She waved a hand at the other girl. “If she
doesn’t want to go, can’t she just pretend to be sick?”

  “I can’t,” Lyana replied, misery flowing through her voice. “Father would want to know why I can’t go.”

  Tay glared at Darius, shrugging her shoulders in query. “Lyana is pregnant,” Darius answered the unspoken question. “And Father would kill her if he knew.”

  “I don’t understand why it has to be me.”

  “Because you owe me,” Darius replied, the words sending ripples of panic through her. “And you can do this.”

  “But someone will notice,” Tay begged, her voice quietly pleading. “I don’t look at all like her.”

  “You think?” Darius held out his hand and led her to the mirror. After a moment, Lyana left her place and joined them. Tay stared up at the three of them reflected in the glass, and her stomach sank as he began to speak. “You’re the same height, and while it’s true you don’t have her features, your hair and eye colour are a match.”

  “But no one’s going to believe this,” Tay whispered, desperation leeching through her voice. “I can’t pretend to be her.”

  “No one in the City knows us well. You’re there to attend a function and sign some papers,” Darius explained. “And that’s all.”

  “Please,” Lyana whispered, tears hovering on the edge of her voice. “Father can’t find out about my pregnancy.”

  “It’ll take one week to reach the City,” Darius explained, “and Father is currently engaged at the Mine for the foreseeable future, so it falls to me to make the introductions.”

  “But surely this betrothed of hers will notice that I’m not the girl he’s supposed to marry,” Tay argued, trying to find some way of making them understand the idiocy of what they were attempting. “I can’t get away with this.”

  “You can,” Darius reassured, turning her away from the mirror to stare into her face. “You won’t be expected to talk to him, only to make an appearance.” His hands settled onto her shoulders, their warmth cutting through the numb sensation that the conversation was producing.