Codex

by Megan Fatheree

To her shock and utmost pleasure, a shiny new cell phone gleamed in the dim lamplight. An even better model than the one she broke.

  Without a card, she couldn’t be certain who left it for her. It couldn’t have been her step-mother. It must have been Hunter. It made sense for him to do something like this. He did encourage her to return home and get her things. Did he plan this all along? It would explain a lot.

  Amorette smiled softly at the phone in her hands. For once, she wanted to accept what he offered her. For once, she wanted to look after herself before anyone else. Amorette shoved the phone in her pocket before she could change her mind.

  A few of her precious books completed the ensemble in her heavy bag. Amorette zipped it and rolled it behind her toward the front door.

  The living room light flicked on.

  Amorette froze.

  Her step-mother folded her arms and sneered. “So, the prodigal finally returns. Where are you off to now?”

  Amorette bristled at the high-and-mighty tone her step-mother used. As if Amorette had been in the wrong for staying away, even though she was a legal adult. A tone that said, in her step-mother’s eyes, Amorette was still a child.

  “I don’t see how it’s any of your business.” Amorette took another step toward the door. Her arm wrenched backward, sending a shooting pain through her shoulder.

  Her step-mother rolled the suitcase behind her and took a defensive stance between Amorette and the luggage. “It’s absolutely my business if any daughter of mine is traipsing about at all hours of the day with God-knows-who.”

  “Then it’s a good thing I’m not any daughter of yours.” Amorette tried to side-step the woman but found herself once again face-to-face with her.

  “Insolent, selfish child.” Amorette’s step-mother hissed. “You think I’ll let you walk out so easily? After all you put me through?”

  “All I put you through?” Amorette blinked in shock. How had she been the one to put her step-mother through anything? “I only stayed in case dad came back.”

  “You think he’d come back to take care of someone as careless as you?” A scoff turned into a shrill laugh as it spilled from her step-mother’s lips. “He left because of you and your mother. He couldn’t bear to look at you anymore. Don’t you know that? I’m a saint for putting up with that woman’s child. You should have been left to starve. I’m sure he’s glad your mother died.”

  The anger boiled up so fast and hard inside Amorette that she didn’t even realize she lost control until her palm connected with her step-mother’s cheek. “If anyone is the cause for his leaving, it’s you.”

  Her step-mother didn’t waste a second retaliating. The back of her hand hit Amorette’s cheek with enough force to make the younger girl stumble sideways. Something sharp sent a stinging sensation to Amorette’s cheekbone, paired with the throbbing pain of knuckles hitting flesh.

  “After all I’ve done for you, you repay me with slander and accusations. Perhaps I should let you go, after all.”

  Amorette fought tears as she darted around her step-mother and snatched the suitcase from her hold. “You only wanted me here because if father loves anyone enough to come back to them, it’s me.” She marched for the door. She couldn’t get out fast enough. “If he ever comes back, tell him I won’t be around. Give him my number if you want.”

  “How, when you don’t have a phone anyway?”

  Amorette shrugged. If she said much more, she would break down. Her face ached almost as badly as her heart.

  The door slammed heavy behind her, the unsaid words weighing her down as she jogged down the sidewalk and around the corner. Anything to get as far away from her step-mother as she could.

  [Episode 6]

  An Intervention of Fate

  THE INCESSANT RINGING of the phone made Eadric scowl, but no matter how many times he ignored it, someone called again.

  With a growl, Eadric flipped the phone over and stared at the name that flashed across it. Collins. If that idiot buffoon had lost the girl again, Eadric couldn’t be held responsible for anything he did to the man.

  “What is it this time?” The volume of his voice rang through the house and echoed off the empty halls.

  “It’s about the girl, sir.”

  “You haven’t found her yet?”

  “No, sir. That’s the thing. We found her, but...” Collins trailed off for a few long seconds. “I think it might be best if you check your inbox for our surveillance photos. We’re keeping an eye on her right now.”

  Eadric scowled at the command. He didn’t like anyone, especially Collins, telling him what to do or not to do. Still, now his curiosity wouldn’t be satisfied until he knew what Collins referred to.

  “One moment.”

  Eadric snatched his tablet and punched in the code.

  The empty bookstore stared at him through the live feed. The second half of the screen still held the footage of Amorette’s living room.

  Eadric exited both and opened his inbox. A series of disturbing images flashed before his eyes. Tears and blood mingled on a shadowed face.

  “What is this?” Eadric snapped at Collins. Their job was to protect the woman, not watch while someone beat her.

  Collins sighed. “Should we observe and report? Or should we do something?”

  Eadric couldn’t imagine the incompetent simpleton would be of any help, but he couldn’t leave this alone, either. “Where is she now?”

  “She’s sitting on a park bench. Hasn’t moved in a while.”

  Of course. She must be frozen, even if the pictures showed a scarf and a coat. Eadric didn’t trust Collins with this girl enough to send him in by himself. She was too intelligent to think the man a simple passer-by.

  Eadric would go himself, but he refused to get into the middle of things. There was only one option left to him, and he didn’t particularly like it.

  “Send me the address.”

  “What?” Collins sounded more concerned than shocked.

  “I said, send me the address. I’m sending someone to her, don’t let her out of your sight. Not even for a moment.” Eadric listened to Collins recite the information, then hung up the phone.

  One more phone call would set things right again. At least, as right as they could be for now. In the morning, once Amorette was settled somewhere less dangerous than a park bench, he would work on righting everything for real. He owed her at least that much, for dragging her into this in the first place.

  Eadric grabbed the keys to his car and dialed as he walked.

  “What do you want now?” Considering it was only eight in the evening, it took Doon far too long to pick up his phone. Something they would have to work on.

  Eadric slammed his front door behind himself. “Where are you?”

  “I’m... home?”

  Why Doon phrased it as a question instead of a statement completely eluded Eadric. He didn’t have time to worry about it now. “Put on something warm, I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

  “Why?” The never-ending cycle of questions wasn’t unusual. Doon always asked questions. About everything. That didn’t make it any less annoying when such infuriating circumstances loomed.

  “I’ll explain on the way.” Eadric ended the call then and there. Doon would only ask more questions, which would lead to more aggravation.

  Eadric had no intentions of throttling Doon this evening, but if the conversation went on he might change his mind. He had never been excellent at controlling his temper, least of all when it came to innocents.

  The SUV ate up the road faster than Eadric intended. Still, when he arrived at Doon’s residence, the younger man waited outside the front entrance. Eadric didn’t even have to exit the vehicle or honk the horn to garner his attention. At least the boy took urgent instructions well.

  Doon jogged himself to the passenger door and slid inside. “Okay, I cave. What’s going on? You sounded upset.”

  Eadric shook his head. Doon guessed his current state of
mind too easily. His emotions and temper must have gotten away from him again. Eadric strove to present a calm, cool front. If it faltered, people might see through him. Which was something he swore ages ago to never allow. He needed to be in control of his own life, such as it was.

  “Hello? Earth to Eadric!” Doon snapped his fingers in his boss’ general direction.

  Eadric scowled at him. “What did you call me?”

  “Hey, I was just trying to get your attention. What has your panties in a twist?”

  “Watch your phraseology.” Eadric glared harder at the crude expression.

  Most of him wanted to give a long, arduous lecture about the finer points of good manners and common sense. He refrained only because he knew Doon wouldn’t listen to a word of it. Doon, being Doon, would probably interrupt somewhere around the best part of the rant.

  The duo rode in silence across town. Even during a brief stop at a convenience store for supplies, Doon didn’t speak. It seemed suspicious to Eadric, but he wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

  He wouldn’t admit to it, but Eadric breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his security team parked where they told him they would be.

  Another part of him tensed. That meant the girl had been sitting out in the cold for nigh on an hour. He couldn’t imagine how frozen she must be.

  Doon folded his arms as best he could with the constricting slim jacket he wore. “Okay, I give up. Why are we at a park? Why is Collins here? What’s in the shopping bag? What do you need me for?”

  Eadric tossed the plastic bag into Doon’s lap. “You’ll find that girl sitting alone on a park bench. She’s injured and needs help. Treat her wounds.”

  “Or... you could do it.” Doon shrugged his shoulders.

  Eadric wrinkled his nose, his lips turned up into a sneer. Doon had a knack for getting on people’s nerves. Eadric’s most of all. “I can’t do it. We both know that. I shouldn’t make my connection to her known.”

  “Ooh, a connection, you say?” Doon turned in his seat. “Do tell.”

  “I’ll tell if you go give her treatment and hot packs.”

  “Or we could try the other way around.”

  “Doon. This is your only warning.”

  Doon sighed. “Fine, fine. I’m going.” He reached for his door handle.

  A snazzy red sports car zoomed past, almost skimming the side of the SUV.

  “Hey! Idiot! Slow down!” Doon shouted, even though everyone in the vehicle would wager that the sports car didn’t hear him.

  Eadric frowned. That car looked familiar. Too familiar for comfort. “Doon. Go now.” Eadric reached for his own door handle. “I think I have some business to attend.”

  “Here? Now?” Doon rolled his eyes and pushed his door open to step onto the frigid concrete below. His mumbling didn’t stop. “How does he even get into these kinds of situations...”

  Eadric couldn’t hear any more after Doon slammed the door shut. He counted to ten before he opened his own door and marched for the sports car. He couldn’t quite place where he knew it from, but he knew it nonetheless. It couldn’t be a coincidence that it appeared here, now.

  The boy that stepped from the driver’s door didn’t even look Eadric’s direction. Instead, he took off running with a cry of, “Mi Amor!”

  Eadric stopped in his tracks.

  The plastic grocery bag rustled as this newcomer shot past Doon. Both Doon and Eadric watched the boy make a beeline to Amorette’s side.

  That’s when Eadric remembered. The car. The boy. All things he saw only a few days ago. He didn’t like it then. He didn’t like them now.

  Still, even at this distance, Eadric could see the relief on Amorette’s face. She knew this boy, so he would keep his temper in check. For now. Even though the way the boy wrapped his arms around the girl was enough to make Eadric grind his teeth.

  Doon shot a glance over his shoulder.

  Eadric waved him on.

  How? Doon mouthed the word over-dramatically. He motioned between the two young people at the bench.

  Eadric shrugged and waved his hand again. He would wager money the young idiot didn’t have anything to treat her wounds or warm her up. Body heat was out of the question.

  Doon sighed and nodded his head. He really had no choice with Eadric looking on. So he marched forward, as instructed.

  AMORETTE NEVER EXPECTED Hunter to show up so quickly. After she ran away, she could only think to call him. Her only friend in the world and the man currently housing her and feeding her. In some ways, she needed his help anyway. He would see the aftereffects of her step-mother’s anger once she went back to his place, so it didn’t seem to matter too much if she called him to come get her.

  She didn’t expect the second man to show up. One who looked more familiar than she cared to let on.

  Amorette frowned at the newcomer, pushing away Hunter’s embrace to do so. “What are you doing here?”

  The man waved a hand in an awkward gesture. “Long story.”

  “You know this guy?” Hunter hooked a thumb in the man’s general direction.

  “I wouldn’t say we’re best friends,” Amorette shrugged. “But he came into the shop to hit on Melodia the other day.”

  “Hey, I was not hitting on her. I simply asked her out on a date.” The man huffed his displeasure. “Can’t believe she turned me down. How rude can one woman be? One date! That’s all I asked. One measly date. She didn’t even have any tact. Just shot me down. Rejected. Rude!”

  Amorette and Hunter didn’t move a muscle. Amorette was fairly certain that this guy forgot there were people next to him. He seemed lost in his own rant. Strangely, it sounded a lot like the rant from Melodia that Amorette endured.

  Maybe they were better suited for each other than she originally thought. Pretty boy, pretty girl. He was right, one date wouldn’t have hurt either of them. Still...

  “What long story brings you here, right now?” Amorette tried not to wince. Talking hurt. Wincing hurt even more.

  “Here.”

  At the rustling of plastic and paper, Amorette lowered her eyes from his face to his hand. The plastic grocery bag shouldn’t have surprised her, but it did.

  “What’s that?” Hunter asked before Amorette had the chance to form words.

  Amorette looked up in time to see the man’s face contort in a flurry of emotions and inward conversations. “Antiseptic, bandages... things like that.”

  In a flash, Hunter somehow maneuvered himself between Amorette and the handsome man. “Who are you? Are you following her? How did you know she would need it?”

  A heavy sigh from the older man spoke volumes more than any words. Still, he didn’t seem the kind to remain speechless. Amorette counted to three before he, unsurprisingly, sprang into an explanation.

  “I’ll be brief. A friend of mine and myself got into a bit of a scuffle tonight. This was my apology gift. You need it more than he does.” The man rested a hand against Hunter’s shoulder and pushed him out of the way. “The name is Doon. You’re not getting a last name so don’t ask.” Doon shot Hunter a knowing look. “Whatever happened to you, it was wrong. Sorry your face got hurt.”

  Doon didn’t seem so bad. Despite Hunter’s wary behavior, Amorette liked the flighty stranger standing before her. She usually had a pretty good instinct about people. Doon didn’t seem like a threat. If anything, he seemed like an acquaintance she wanted to be closer friends with.

  Amorette stood from the bench and held out an icy, bare hand to retrieve the sack. “Thank you, Doon. You didn’t have to do this.”

  “Yes, I did. Trust me.” Doon shot a look over his shoulder. “I can stay and help you dress the wound...”

  “No, I’ve got that covered.” Hunter moved closer to Amorette’s side. The glance he gave Doon remained cautious, but he already seemed softer toward the man. “Thanks for being compassionate.”

  Doon nodded and turned to walk back the way he came.

  “One m
ore question,” Hunter threw after him.

  Doon stopped.

  Amorette looked up at her friend. She had never heard that particular tone in his voice. He seemed curious, more than anything. Then his arm went around her waist in a protective gesture.

  Amorette felt her eyes go wide. A mistake, since it only managed to tug at the bruise and swelling.

  Doon glanced back over his shoulder. “Yeah?”

  “If you were headed that way,” Hunter tossed his head toward the park behind Amorette, “then why are you going the opposite direction now?”

  A mischievous smirk lit Doon’s features. He shrugged one shoulder. “Can’t go back empty-handed.” With that, he dismissed Amorette and Hunter in favor of returning to whence he came.

  Hunter turned. His hands moved up to Amorette’s jaw, gently cupping her swollen and bruised face. “Step-sister or evil witch?”

  He would ask that. Amorette didn’t mind answering, but it brought back all the emotions of the evening. She didn’t quite know what to do about those. “My step-mother. She regrets raising me.”

  “She’s an idiot.” Hunter tugged the sack from Amorette’s fingers. He set it on the bench to rummage through its contents. “She should be proud someone like you ever stayed by her side.”

  “Don’t say that.” Amorette bowed her head. “She’s horrible, but deep down I think she’s lonely. Her own kids don’t exactly get along with her, either, so she’s all alone. All the time.”

  “That’s not an excuse.” Hunter opened some packaging and set about applying antiseptic to the cut across Amorette’s cheekbone. “Her behavior isn’t understandable, no matter how much you justify it. What did she hit you with, anyway?”

  “Her hand.” Amorette pulled away from the stinging sensation.

  Hunter caught her chin between his fingers. “Stay still. It’ll go faster that way.”

  Amorette sniffed. “Fine.”

  “That’s my girl.” Hunter winked at her, but it didn’t seem as playful as his usual self.

  Amorette watched his face, trying to determine what went on in that head of his. She didn’t dare ask. She didn’t think she’d want to hear the answer. At least not now.