I wanted to add that his entire religion was a bag of lies, like everything else that came from the Empire. But that would cause more problems than it was worth.
Gods. It would feel good, though.
He nodded sagely at Aunt Grace, then looked at me, eyes glinting in a way that was a bit worrisome.
"Miss Maderoth, I see that the house still needs to be repainted. I thought that was your role here? Or do you just spend all your time daydreaming about those ruins? And after everything your aunt has done for you?"
Inside, I seethed, but my face stayed calm as I tilted my head to the side and laughed. "Who, me? Work like that must be done by a strong man, mustn't it? Do you see these hands?" I held them up, trying not to laugh at the dirt beneath the nails that I'd forgotten to clean out.
His nostrils flared, but he sat back in his chair and put his hand on Aunt Grace's arm.
She immediately took on that dazed look again and slid forward onto her elbows, staring at him adoringly.
How could I get his attention away from her again?
Smiling, I leaned in, pressing my elbows into the sides of my breasts. "Speaking of, I heard you were planning to take a wife this Season? You know, I'd be able to help Aunt Grace more if I were married! Any husband of mine would surely help with our debt, after all."
He spluttered, and it sent bits of stew all over the table. I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing out loud.
"While I appreciate the offer — " he said.
Aunt Grace sat up straight in her chair, haze gone from her eyes, then rapped her hand on the table. "Oh, stop it Kaiya. We both know you'd never marry this man."
I sat back in my chair and quirked my brow at the vicar. It felt good to make him sweat a bit, and my words had served their purpose in waking Aunt Grace from that odd trance.
Sir Litsor's cheeks reddened, and he stood up, rubbing the light pink rosary he always carried.
Had a set of breasts really disconcerted him so much?
"Thank you both for this … lovely meal. I'd better get back to the vicarage."
That had worked even better than I'd hoped. I'd have to remember the technique for next time.
Aunt Grace pressed her hand into my arm and I looked over at her, but she was smiling at Sir Litsor. "Thank you again for dinner and the conversation. I'm thrilled for you that the vicarage will be able to grow!"
He nodded, then slipped his coat on and bowed. "Lady Maderoth. Miss Maderoth. Have a wonderful evening."
We stood and bowed our heads.
As soon as the front door slammed, I slumped onto the table and let out a deep sigh. All that acting had hurt my face muscles!
"Kaiya Jayde Maderoth. What were you thinking to torture him like that?" Aunt Grace said, tapping her fan on the table to get my attention.
I grimaced. He'd been so vexing that the words had just slipped out. "I'm sorry, Aunt. But you were doing that dazed thing again."
She nodded, but her lips were still pressed tightly together. "I understood the sentiment, but you know it won't help in the long-term. We need him on our side."
"It won't happen again."
She chuckled softly. "That isn't even possible, and you know it. You will try harder, though. Perhaps it would be best if you stayed away for his next visit?"
My heart lurched. Who knew what vile things he'd convince her of if I weren't there. "That isn't necessary, Aunt. I'll behave myself. You need me. Unless you like whatever he does to you?"
Her lips pressed together. "Funny. We don't even know what it is, though."
I nodded, then cleared my throat. "Do you want help at the shop tomorrow?" I asked, hoping to assuage some of my guilt.
"We both know that your help would cause more harm than good, dear," she said, chuckling. "I appreciate the offer, though. Perhaps you could do some work around the house? The vicar was right that it's looking a bit rough."
I swallowed hard. She was right, of course. I just hadn't had the funds to purchase the supplies we needed — at least not both the sewing supplies and the house materials. I hadn't told her that yet, though …
Perhaps I could go out and do some work later tonight? There were no supplies to fix the siding, but I could at least weed the entry drive.
It looked a bit overgrown, and at night there would be fewer prying eyes.
"What about the ruins and your visit to the Harlsteds? How did they go?" she asked, eyes bright.
I winced.
“Oh no. You didn't get the supplies, did you? What went wrong?"
My chest ached, and I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the lump in my throat. “The relic had reverted, and Lady Ellingsworth took part of her payment at the store."
Her body stiffened, and she slowly put down her spoon before meeting my eyes. "She what?"
"She uh — took the money I got at the Harlsteds."
I rushed to finish as she stood and slid her chair back.
"Mr. Harlsted snuck me the supplies out of the total, but I don't think she'd have allowed that if she'd seen it."
"Why. THAT WOMAN … ?!" She was up and moving, headed towards the front door.
I chased after her. "She said we owed it, and there were too many people there to fight her about it. Mr. Harlsted is going to send me the receipt so we have proof, though."
"Damn that woman. If Calix were still alive, he'd stop this. Instead, we're stuck here in this house, just letting them get away with it!" She gestured to her gown and then to me. What were two social pariahs to do to stop this from happening, though?
Nothing. That was the answer. Nothing but do our best to pay off the debt before Lady Ellingsworth made it even worse for us.
My heart twisted. "I'm so sorry, Aunt Grace."
Her eyes softened, and she sat down the cloak and reticule that she'd grabbed in her anger before walking to my side.
"No, no." She took a deep breath, and I watched as the anger left her spine. "It's going to be fine, dear. I didn't mean to make you feel bad. Just — I wish things were different for you. You should be preparing for your first Season and a life of your own. Instead, you're still here with me, selling your jewelry so I can keep the business afloat."
I winced. I hadn't even told her I'd run out of jewelry to sell, let alone that I'd sold all my tools.
If she asked, I'd say they were getting fixed. Besides, I'd have them back before the end of the Season.
Problem solved.
I smiled and leaned my head onto her shoulder. She reached her arm around me and pulled me close.
All I really cared about was protecting her. So, as long as she stayed safe, I would be fine.
I'd keep the afternoon with Eli and Lynk a secret a bit longer. It would just make her worry, and neither of us needed that.
14
Lynk
The darkness clung like a heavy cloak around me as I wove through the trees, my prey almost within my grasp. The shade — its dark form blending with the night's shadows — was hunting, focused on something or someone, and didn't even notice my presence.
Drawing close, I debated my options.
I should just end it quickly, but I craved a true fight, something to offset the frustration over not finding those missing people. A spirit wraith like that shade might be the perfect opponent.
I slid my scimitar from its sheath, the curved edge glinting in the moonlight.
The shade paused, scenting the air. Its shadow-cloaked face lifted to the sky, then twisted to face something to my right.
I looked in that direction and groaned.
Kaiya squatted near a tall stone at the edge of their estate and was … clearing weeds? She reached out and ripped off the moss that had grown over it.
Her magic was suppressed, but I had no doubt this wraith was chasing her, and it wasn’t the first one.
How were the damn wraiths finding her?
I ground my teeth and moved faster.
If I hadn't been here, that shade would have consumed
her spirit essence until she was nothing but empty hazel eyes and paper-thin skin.
It breached the tree line, but I cut around to intercept it, running my thumb down the hilt of the blade until shadows bled out, spreading up the metal like a sheet of black mist.
I stepped to the shade's side, then spun the blade in an arc, sending its head toppling. Dark spirals of shadow shot like spurting blood from the newly decapitated body.
The fucker kept moving.
Out of the corner of my eye, Kaiya stood and moved further down the drive before dropping to her knees again.
My throat tightened. Dare I warn her? Perhaps she'd take her own safety more seriously …
No. She'd have too many questions that I couldn't answer. Especially after the morning at the cliffs.
The shade jolted forward, picking up speed, and my body pulsed with energy.
Closing my eyes, I connected to the wraith's spirit korra, dark and twisted from its connection to the void. I reached out for that darkness, letting the biting cold fill me, poking and stabbing through my defenses.
They were shredded in an instant, and I hissed at the biting pain.
Gritting my teeth, I connected with my blade and pulled as hard as I could, welcoming the icy darkness into my korra.
It would be right at home …
Full, I opened my eyes and stared at the dispersing shadows as a human form took shape and the corpse slumped lifelessly to the ground, a dark tattoo covering his left cheek.
Fucking hell.
I looked at the moons, then opened my mouth and let out a silent scream, releasing the tension that had built up inside me.
Energy pulsed through my veins, a humming throb to keep time with my heart.
I needed to move. To think.
Grabbing the body, I ran deeper into the forest.
Frustration ate at me, but this was how it was supposed to be.
This was my atonement.
15
Kaiya
I'd dropped the rope off at the ruins that morning, but it was still there when I stopped by at lunch.
Damn.
Casting a quick glance around, I picked it up and looped the rough length over my shoulder.
Why was I trying so hard to get it back to Lynk? He probably had dozens of them.
Maybe he'd even left it there on purpose.
I tried to imagine him stopping by and seeing it sitting there atop the ruins, then pausing as he debated what to do before deciding to leave it behind for me to grab, silver eyes soft as he imagined my joy at seeing it …
Nope. No. I cringed.
The damn barbarian had probably forgotten it (and I) even existed!
Though, if he truly didn't care, perhaps I could use it to explore more of those ruins buried in the cliff-side?
No. I'd give him one more day before I claimed it.
Perhaps the Harlsted's General Store would be a better bet to get it to him, though …
Surely he came into town for supplies?
Besides, Aunt Grace had asked me to do some cleaning at the dress shop and it was that or I could spend the day helping Sylvie get things back to some semblance of normal at the estate.
The thought of scrubbing floors, changing beds, and washing laundry made my hands burn.
No. Going into town would be a better use of my time. I'd work outside again tonight to make up for it …
Then again … what if Eli was there helping his aunt and uncle?
Gods. Was I really going to avoid the Harlsteds just to avoid him? No. No, I was not.
Shaking it off, I turned towards the bridge and strode quickly.
Besides, it wasn't like I could avoid town forever.
I mean, who knew? Maybe he'd already left, or was out working on that assignment of his.
"You there, STOP!"
The commanding, masculine voice made me freeze. I'd barely left the bridge and was being stopped?
Panic twisted in my chest as I checked behind me to locate the speaker. Hopefully Lynk hadn't already told someone about the missing rope! I patted it, still safe on my shoulder.
Surely they'd understand if I explained the situation?
"I said stop!"
There. I searched again for the source of the voice and my stomach dropped.
A Seeker stood there, dark cloak swirling around him, hood obscuring his face from view. But I was sure he'd be marked if I could see his face — that intricate black tattoo covering him from chin to eye. No one else would wear a cloak like that, at least not so confidently …
When they'd checked me in the past, I'd been clean, but lately I'd been able to use my magic more.
What if he tested me and saw something this time?
His attention was directed at a small man, though, organizing his produce display next door to Aunt Grace's shop.
Mr. Adem?
What had he done to grab the attention of a Seeker?
His curved spine stretched as I watched, and he stood tall to face the Seeker. "And what is it I'm supposed to have done?"
"Your charges will be detailed once in detainment. You must accompany me now or face punishment."
Mr. Adem's shoulders went taut, and he looked at the shop window. His wife and kids stood there, staring out, mouths agape. My heart raced as I debated intervening, but Aunt Grace poked her head out of her shop as though she'd heard my thoughts, and jerked her chin sharply towards the Harlsteds.
I stared between her and Mr. Adem, fists clenched in my skirts. But what could I do?
My feet moved towards him before I could stop them, but a man in a morning coat and top hat slipped between us. His silver hair glinted in the afternoon light.
Lord Ellingsworth? What was he doing here?
He purposefully turned his back to the Seeker, then took Mr. Adem's hands in his own, clasping them to his chest. "Sir, would you submit to being searched?"
The shopkeeper stood there, jaw agape and cheeks dark, but he nodded and cleared his throat. "I would, my lord."
"That should suffice, should it not, Seeker?" Lord Ellingsworth said, back stiff and chin high.
I watched, tense — sure the Seeker would force him to back down. Lord Ellingsworth was more brave than I gave him credit for — those dark pits of eyes were intimidating!
I sent a quick glance towards Aunt Grace. She'd finally looked away from me, but the starry-eyed look in her eyes as she stared at Lord Ellingsworth almost worried me more than the standoff.
Finally, the Seeker reached his hand out and placed it atop Mr. Adem's head. The shorter man tensed, his body going stiff for a moment before it relaxed, and the Seeker's hand dropped to his side once more.
"Clean," was all he said, but he didn't take his eyes from the two men in front of him.
"May I ask what brought this about?" Lord Ellingsworth asked.
Finally, the Seeker ripped his eyes from Mr. Adem and looked around. "A report came in claiming he'd been seen practicing magic."
The small crowd that had gathered around them gasped collectively, and my throat tightened. Who would do that?!
"We'll be conducting an inquiry to find the person responsible, so please make yourselves available over the next few days."
My eyes flew to Aunt Grace. This was serious — if someone was caught after a false accusation they were flogged in public, and that was never pretty.
Who could have done it, though?
I searched the surrounding people, but we knew all these shopkeepers! None would have done such a thing.
Ellingsworth dipped his head once, then met the Seekers gaze again before stepping away. "Well, if your business is concluded, then we'd all better get back to work." He motioned to the crowd, flipping his hand as though to shoo them away.
The Seeker just shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Lord Ellingsworth. The Overseeker would like to have a few words with you. There have been some unusual … disappearances."
Lord Ellingsworth straightened and lifted his chin. "
I'm sorry, but I don't have anything to say about that. I've had nothing to do with them."
"Certainly. However, you will still need to report to the Institute for questioning." Then he turned and walked off, black cloak swirling behind him.
Lord Ellingsworth stood there, jaw agape.
I took a deep breath, then turned back to the shop.
"You, Miss Maderoth. Wait. Please?" Lord Ellingsworth's deep voice interrupted my steps, and I twisted to face him. He cast a look behind me towards the dress shop and his pale blue eyes looked sad as Aunt Grace went inside.
There was something between him and Aunt Grace, but anytime I asked, she just said it was ancient history.
"I heard that my wife saw you yesterday?"
Swallowing hard, I nodded. What had she told him? His eyes crinkled at the edges, and he smiled softly at me.
"Well, this should stay between the two of us, but if you wanted to warn your aunt that my lovely wife will be by for a visit tomorrow, it would not be amiss."
I gaped.
"And tell her … I'm sorry. I wish I could do more, but … well, she knows how it is."
I nodded. "The estate or the shop?"
His lips twisted in distaste as he looked back at the shop. "The estate."
Of course he chose the estate. The shop was just another reminder that he'd abandoned us after Uncle Calix died and we'd been forced to take up commerce as a result. Gasp … the horror.
I dipped into a curtsey, though. "Certainly. We'll prepare."
He nodded and strode off, casting one last look at the shop.
I stared after him, dread like lead in my belly.
Aunt Grace would not be happy.
16
Kaiya
I tapped my foot impatiently as the clock chimed ten times behind me. Lady Ellingsworth was running late. As always. She subscribed to the idea that an entrance was not fashionable unless it was also late.
"Kaiya, what's got you so out of sorts today? You can't sit still, and that's the fourth time you've yawned since you came in." Aunt Grace's voice was warm but curious as she sipped from a small teacup. There was a small chip by the handle, but it was the best we had.
Forsaken Secrets: A slow-burn new adult fantasy romance (Isle of the Forsaken Book 1) Page 7