“Wait up,” Shin called out, running over and throwing an arm across my shoulders. “Are you guys ready for some fun this morning?”
This didn’t sound good. “What are you talking about?”
“Today, after breakfast, we are going to do a real life escape and evade test,” Shin answered as if that explained something.
Not good at all. “What?”
“We will go to a crowded area, I will grab you, and not only do you have to get out of the hold, you have to get back to the hotel before I can catch you,” Shin answered. “It’ll be fun.”
His definition of fun was warped and evil.
“That does sound like lots of fun,” Taliesin teased.
“I’m glad you think so, because I’ve drawn names and you’ll be first,” Shin said.
I sniggered. I guess Taliesin thought Shin was talking to me. HA!
“Tomorrow is Miu, next Sasha, then Sapphire, and last Kayin,” Shin explained.
Wonderful. I would be doing an escape and evade test days before my first performance. With my luck, I’d fall and break something.
* * *
“Good morning, Miu,” I said, drying my hair. She stood in front of the mirrored closet door, applying sparkling lavender eye shadow.
“Morning. I’d stay and chat, but I have hula-hoop practice in a minute.” She rolled her thin almond-shaped light green eyes. “Gavin asked me to see if Anali was okay. I told him that even though my Phoenix gift is healing, I can't scan someone and figure out what their general state of health is.” Miu adjusted the pink bows at the top of her braid. “Anyway as far as I can tell Anali is fine, but I recommended mint tea and nibbling on candied ginger. Oh, I am planning a big party the night before your birthday, so don’t make any plans. If you don’t have a clubbing outfit, we can go get one later this afternoon. Okay, I have to go. Have fun.”
I blink as the door shut. Wow, okay, busy Miu equals frantic Miu. I tried not to imagine what Miu was concocting for my sixteenth birthday. I hadn’t planned on doing anything big, but she had insisted. I stepped over the clothes she’d left on the floor and put my stuff away. Grabbing my purse, coat, and scarf, I headed down to breakfast.
In the hallway Gavin was talking to an older woman with ash blond hair. “Thank you so much for coming.”
“You’re welcome, and ring me if you need anything,” she said, walking towards the elevator. A large blue tote bag hung over one shoulder.
“Thanks, I will,” Gavin said. “Morning, Sapphire.”
“Are you okay? Who was that woman?” He had dark circles under his eyes.
“Yes, I didn’t sleep well.” Gavin opened his room door. “Come on in. Anali is in the shower, so we can talk. That was the midwife, and she said everything seems fine, just really bad morning sickness. Probably worse due to stress and worry because of the miscarriage she had when we were first married.”
I sat at the desk, while he plopped into a chair. “Anali mentioned the miscarriage yesterday, but she seemed okay.”
Gavin smiled. “She was devastated at the time. Even knowing it wasn’t her fault, she still blamed herself and cried for weeks.” He shook his head. “It was awful. I finally flew her home, and we spent a month with her family. She needed her mom and sisters.”
I blinked back tears. Poor Anali. “Is she okay now?”
“Physically, yes. When we talked about having a baby, of course I worried about traveling, the Sons of Belial, and the energy we deal with opening the portals, but I was also worried about another miscarriage. She’s acting brave, but I know she’s scared. I think the midwife helped a lot.”
“Is there anything I can do?” I asked.
Gavin shook his head. “No, I just wanted you to understand what was happening and not to worry if you don’t see us at meals. The different smells get to her.”
“Okay.” The shower turned off, and Gavin turned to look at the bathroom door. I stood up. “Tell Anali I said hello, and I hope she feels better.”
Gavin opened the door to his room. “I will. Once things calm down we’ll figure out what to do for your birthday.”
“Don’t worry …” I began.
“Gavin, can you come here? I feel a bit dizzy.” He dashed to the bathroom. I left, not wanting to interrupt.
Poor Anali and Gavin. I wouldn’t bother them with anything silly, they had enough to take care of right now.
* * *
I jumped as a shop door opened. Shin had taken me a few miles away from the hotel and told me to wonder around, and then he disappeared. My fingers twitched at every movement and sound as I waited for him to attack. I looked in the window at a short black dress with a drooping neckline that caught my attention. They had paired it with copper heels that laced up mid-calf. I bit my lip trying to decide how uncomfortable the shoes would be and whether they were cute enough to put up with any discomfort. Maybe I should try them on. No, what if I liked it and bought it and then Shin attacks and I dropped it? I can find it again. One last look and I started walking. Stepping off the curb, I kept my eyes on the ground hoping to avoid the puddles.
Arms reached out and pulled me into an alley and trapped me in a bear hug. I gasped as the arms tightened around me, pushing the air from my lungs and pressing my back against a strong chest. I squirmed trying to get free, but he was too strong. How do I get away? What do I do? My fingers gripped the dark arms wrapped around me tugging at them ineffectually.
A deep laughed rumbled through me. “Sapphire, why does this escape always send you into a panic? Calm down you know how to get out of it.”
I sagged in his arms. “I’m fine when I know we’re training, it’s being snuck up on that freaks me out.”
Shin picked me up keeping my arms pinned in the bear hug. “You need to be able to react quickly and sense when someone is about to attack you.”
I rolled my eyes. I could feel the Sons of Belial coming for me, but purely human attackers were different. Of course, Shin knew nothing about my powers. He thought people had made threats and attempted to kidnap me, and that was the reason Gavin engaged him to teach me self-defense techniques. Looking down, I tried to remember what I was supposed to do in order to get away.
Shin rested his head on my shoulder his black and blue bangs hanging down. “Are you planning on trying to get away or should I just take you away and have my wicked way with you?”
I snorted. “Whatever.”
Shin chuckled and began to walk. “Whatever, sounds good to me. If I make it to the end of the alley I win.”
Damn it, I had to get away. Not that I was scared of Shin, but I knew from experience he considered this a bet. Last time I had to wash and fold all his clothes for a week. His workout clothes smelled so rank! And I swear he changed his outfit three or four times a day.
Okay, first I had to get my feet on the ground. Bringing my knees up as high as I could, I exhaled and shoved my body down. Only my toes touched the ground, but it was enough to push off of and fling my head back. The back of my head didn’t make contact with his face, but Shin responded as if I had. His arms loosened as he brought a hand to his face.
I stepped to the left, pushing my arms out straight, then slammed my elbow into his stomach. Shin made a loud oof and bent forward as I brought my fist down as if to hit him in the balls. His hand was there for me to make contact with and he jerked and hunched forward. I brought my fist up to hit him in the nose, and he had his hand there ready for that, too. Shin doubled over and fell to the ground.
I turned to face him and backed away.
Shin smiled, his thin dark eyes twinkling. He waved a hand at me. “Good job. You might want to run now, because I will come after you. You hit like a wuss, so you have until the count of twenty. One Mississippi, two Mississippi . . .”
Growling, I turned and ran—well not ran as that wasn’t safe. I knew running would cause people to stare, which would leave a trail for him to follow, and I couldn’t outrun Shin. Sliding in between shoppers,
I walked down the street, making turns randomly looking for something, though I wasn’t sure what. Turning left, I came to a shop with a deep inset doorway. Several racks stood next to the door. If I squeezed myself into the shadowed corner, I could hide and make a plan.
I spun around, and not seeing Shin, I darted into the doorway. I pressed myself between a customer and the brick wall and into the few inches of shadow the space provided.
“Ach, lass, so sorry I was in your way, you know, standing here.”
“I am so sorry,” I said looking up into black eyes. Wait, I looked him over: wild dark curls, milk pale white skin, scruffy square jaw, crooked Roman nose, toned chest under a tight black tee shirt and leather jacket, Earth-toned plaid kilt, and Doc Martens. When I looked back up, one thin eyebrow was cocked and a smile curled his pink lips.
“I know you. I mean I remember you. The other night you played the cello in a pub.”
“That I did. I remember you too.” My legs quivered a bit. I’m sure it had to do with Shin hunting me and not this sexy Scottish accent.
“Why exactly are you hiding in this corner?”
“Oh, well. I’m being hunted.” I peeked over his shoulder—no sign of Shin.
He stood taller and adjusted the black yoga bag slung across his back. “I’ve heard of monsters like that. They look like people but suck the magic and life out of you. Mum used to tell stories of them at bedtime when I’d been a naughty little pup. I’d thought they were stories to scare a wee bairn until I was seven and saw my older sister taken. That was eleven years ago, and I’ve never had the chance to get my revenge.”
Guilt thudded into my stomach like icy rocks. “No, I mean, yes, people like that do exist, but I’m learning to avoid them. My friend is teaching me Hwa Rang Do, and today is a test. I’m so sorry about your sister and about upsetting you.”
“So you're not in real danger?”
I bit my lip and shook my head. I wanted to look away in shame but I forced myself to meet his eyes.
“Now, lass, don’t be looking at me like that. I’m glad you’re learning to stay safe, and I assumed what you meant without asking, so no hard feeling. All right?” He turned and pretended to be looking at the rack of sunglasses. “What does he look like?”
I described Shin, while hunting for my phone. I had been careless and wasn’t sure where I was. “Damn it, he stole my phone.”
“Do you need to call someone?”
I shook my head. “No, but I’m supposed to get back to the hotel and I have no idea where that is.”
He grinned and held out his hand. “My name is Ramsey McDaniel and I would be honored to be your escort this morning.”
Feeling nothing but playfulness from him, I shook his hand. His energy felt cool and calm. “Sapphire Rayner. Thank you, but it might be cheating to get help.”
“Please, a lass as pretty as you will always find a gentleman willing to come to her aid.”
My cheeks heated up so quickly I was afraid little flames were dancing on them. “Well, thank you. I need to get to the Royal Garden Hotel.”
“Very posh. Should I be calling you Lady Sapphire?” His eyes danced with amusement.
“I bet you think you're funny.”
He grinned—a grin that promised equal amount of trouble and pleasure. “Now, M’lady, let me check to make sure the way is safe, and we shall sally forth to your palace.”
I grinned. I tried not to, but I couldn’t help myself.
He stepped out of the doorway and I heard Shin’s voice. “Excuse me. Have you seen a young lady with long red-streaked black hair? She dropped her phone, and I’m trying to return it.”
“I saw a wee lass going into that bookshop,” Ramsey said quickly, thickening his accent.
“The bookstore?” Shin asked. See, he should have done our British immersion marathon.
“Och, aye,” Ramsey said making his brogue even stronger.
“Um, thanks.”
Ramsey reached his hand back to me while he watched Shin walk away. I stared at it for a moment before placing my hand into his. His skin was rough and cool and his long fingers wrapped around mine. We stood there for a moment until he tugged on my hand. “Okay he’s inside the store.”
“Can’t he see out the window?”
“Naw. Old Mr. Peterson has so many books in there, the windows are blocked.” He tilted his head to the side. “Come on, fair lady, let’s get you home.”
I rolled my eyes but let him lead me through the crowds.
“So why are you in London?” Ramsey asked.
I stopped watching his kilt swaying around his legs and looked up. “I’m with the Cirque du Feu Magique.”
“Really, what do you do?” he asked, grinning at me again. My heart fluttered.
“I spin poi, walk on stilts, jump rope, and Kayin and I are now doing statue, which is like a balancing act.” If Shin hadn’t stolen my phone I could show him pictures. I wrapped my scarf tighter around my neck as a cold wind swept over us.
“Sounds brilliant.”
“I … um would you like to come? I can put you on the guest list.” At least I assumed I could put him on a list of some kind somewhere. That’s what people in movies said.
“I’d love to.”
I ran a hand through my hair, my fingers getting caught in the wild curls. “Okay. I, um, our first show is Saturday night.”
“What time? My band usually plays in the evenings,” Ramsey asked.
“The shows start at seven and last about two hours. I can have two tickets waiting at will call so you can bring your girlfriend.” I flinched. Oh that didn’t sound stupid or like I was fishing for information in the most childish way possible. “Or friend, or whatever.” Oh good. Classy quick save.
Ramsey chuckled, and a shiver ran through my body. Even his laugh had an accent. “Brilliant, thanks. Our gig Saturday night starts at ten, so I can come.”
I sighed. “Great. I’ll text Michael. Wait—I don’t have my phone! Damn Shin.”
He opened the small black leather bag with a silver Celtic knot clasp which hung around his hips. He saw me watching him and said, “It’s called a sporran, and here is my card. You can call or text me when you know what’s going on.”
His card was pale blue with black lettering: Ramsey McDaniel, Cellist of The Water Nymphs, and his email and numbers. I tucked the card into my back pocket. “Thanks.”
“We need to turn here.”
Oh, this looked familiar—green awnings with white Christmas lights along the edges and a bakery advertising Christmas puddings. Their window was painted with a large flaming round cake. I looked around—there was my dress. I veered towards the store and slowed down.
“Everything okay, lass?”
“Oh, yes, of course,” I said.
Ramsey stopped moving. “I have a mum and two sisters. Something has caught your eye. I’m guessing the sexy black dress.”
“It’s nice enough I guess,” I said. “It probably wouldn’t look good on me anyway. I have to get back to the hotel.”
Ramsey looked at the dress, and then his black eyes turned to me and slowly looked me over. I held as still as possible but inside I was squirming. “You’d look very bonny in that, the shoes too.”
My cold cheeks heated up so fast I became dizzy. “Maybe.”
“Come on, let’s go this way. We’ll take side streets so it’ll be harder to sneak up on us, then we can walk through the park.”
“Sounds good.” We walked in silence as I looked at the beautifully painted Victorian homes and felt a twinge of homesickness for San Francisco. I should really call Shante soon. I kicked some dead leaves as we walked into Kensington Park.
“Are you all right?” Ramsey asked. “You’re frowning.”
“Sorry, just thinking.”
Ramsey dipped down and nudged his shoulder into mine. “’Bout what?”
“The past. A year ago I was living in San Francisco in a group home with a young girl named Shan
te,” I explained. “She was five when I went to live with my uncle. I had promised her I would never leave her.”
“Where is she now?”
“Gavin made sure she would be taken care of. My friend Taliesin, he tours with us—anyway his mom, Cordelia, became her mentor and recently adopted her,” I said.
“So she’s happy?”
“Yes, very, and Cordelia makes all our costumes for the circus, so we talk all the time.”
“Why so unhappy then?” Ramsey asked. “You are walking on a cold but lovely day through historic Kensington Park, with a dashing man in a kilt.”
“It is a lovely kilt, maybe I should get one. Do you think a plaid would look nice on me?”
Ramsey’s eyes sparkled and his happiness bubbled against me. “You are obviously an uneducated American. While there are skirts in tartans, this is a kilt, and it is for men. And do you know how to tell the difference?”
Biting my lip to keep from laughing I shook my head.
“Well you see lass, if this were a skirt,” he pulled at the brown and green tartan. “I’d be wearing pants under it.”
I frowned for a minute, pants? And then my British immersion lessons kicked in, and my eyes widened as I flushed bright red. Pants mean underwear, he wasn’t wearing …Eek! “Um, well, but, aren’t you cold?”
“Are you offering to warm me up?”
“No!” I shrieked stuffing my hands into my coat pockets.
Ramsey held up his hands and stepped back. “Calm down, I’m only fooling. My sisters would beat me within an inch of my life if I mistreated a girl.”
I sniffed and grinned. “I suppose you can be forgiven since it looks like you’ve gotten me to my hotel.”
“Was there any doubt?”
I shook my head. “I feel like I’ve cheated. I’m so relaxed, and I haven’t kept an eye out for Shin at all.”
“You should have,” Shin said.
Chapter Six
“The ends justify the means.”
Heirs of Avalon Page 6