* * * *
Tremaine stood there, watching as Robert fell in love with Liz. The boy was only sixteen, but he saw the same look in his eyes as Wilhelm had when he met his wife Kathryn.
Liz kept her distance though. When she wouldn’t take Robert’s hand a second time, the boy awkwardly led her from the entryway, keeping a watchful eye on her.
It was sweet, and Tremaine knew this was the right choice. She needed people who would welcome her, a family to take care of her. He often had to travel as an enforcer, and go on dangerous missions. His lifestyle couldn’t benefit her. She needed stability and kids her age.
For one fleeting moment, Tremaine worried that Robert may hurt Liz. It didn’t seem likely though. He was a good kid, with a kind heart. He had already proven that he was more interested in pleasing her than himself.
Wilhelm chuckled. “I have never seen my son so taken with a girl.”
Tremaine looked up and drew in a breath. “I trust him with her. He won’t ever hurt her.”
His old friend smiled broadly. “No, I don’t imagine so. Come, we have much to talk about.”
Wilhelm took Tremaine up to his library. The new maid greeted them with a curtsey.
Her face, Tremaine had seen it before, but he couldn’t quite place it. Her mahogany hair was streaked with steel grey, and her eyes were a brilliant shade of green. There were deep creases on her face, giving her a wise appearance.
“Miss Murdock,” Wilhelm nodded to her. “Please bring us some tea, and those pastries you made this morning.”
“Yes, sir.” The woman answered. She turned toward the door and winked at Tremaine before heading down the hall.
Wilhelm sat down in his chair and smoothed his hands down his lapels. “I take it you won’t tell me where you found young Elizandra?” Wilhelm asked with an amused smile.
Tremaine pushed a hand through his hair before shaking his head. “I’m sorry, old friend, but I can’t tell you that. What I can say is that she is a mage and has been through hell. Does it really matter where she came from if I made sure her damned guardian can never harm her again?”
Wilhelm nodded thoughtfully. “No, it really doesn’t. You know me. I like having all of the facts and I like knowing all of the details, but I trust you. You can’t fault me for trying.”
“Promise you won’t push her for answers she can’t give you. She’s been through enough.”
“You have my word.” Wilhelm placed his hand over his heart and bowed his head. “I will protect her as if she were my own. You will always be welcome in my house to check on her. It’s clear that her safety is important to you.”
“It is. She deserves a chance at a happy life.”
“And she has that chance, thanks to you.”
* * * *
Liz stared out over the river. Robert hadn’t made another move to touch her, and his warm smile eased her anxiety. She shifted her gaze to his. “Thank you for the tour.”
He nodded, his lips curving. His blond waves were slicked back, his dusky blue eyes warm and enchanting. Robert was very handsome in his jacket and slacks. She felt foolish for even noticing.
“Anytime.” His voice was soft, gentle.
There was a flutter in her tummy and she quickly looked away. She felt so out of place standing next to him, but she didn’t want to disappoint Tremaine by asking to leave.
Closing her eyes, she shook her head. Tremaine told her she could trust Robert, but she didn’t think she could. His smile was too friendly, his gaze unwavering. He made her nervous, and she wasn’t sure why.
“You don’t want to be here, do you?” He sounded sad.
She shook her head slightly but didn’t say a word.
“Well, I won’t ask, but if you ever want to talk, I’ll listen.”
Liz sighed. Talking wasn’t an option. She had killed his uncle and she held no remorse. Sure, the bastard deserved it, but she didn’t believe he could ever understand.
“Want to see your room? I imagine you’ll be staying with my sister, Emily, but we should check with my father.”
“Sure.” She followed Robert back up to the house, and asked, “Where are they? Tremaine said you have a brother as well.”
He frowned, his eyes sliding back to her. “Mother took James and Emily into town. Would you prefer to have company your own age?”
She chewed her bottom lip. “I prefer to be alone.”
His head tilted to the side. “Only child?”
“Orphan.”
“Not anymore. You’re part of the family now.” He smiled back at her and nodded to the house. “Let’s see where you’re staying.”
* * * *
Mrs. Murdock came back into the library with a pleasant smile. “Sir, your wife and children have arrived. Perhaps you would like to make Miss Delacroix’ arrival known.”
Wilhelm nodded. “That is a wonderful idea. Thank you.” Standing, he turned to Tremaine. “I’ll be a few moments. Make yourself at home.” Wilhelm hurried out the door.
Tremaine’s attention snapped to the maid. He had finally remembered where he had seen her. “You were at Sinclair’s. Were you not?”
“Can you keep a secret?” she asked softly.
“Of course,” he answered simply.
She took a seat across from him. “I was there. I made sure everyone else made it out of the estate and to better circumstances.”
Tremaine shook his head. He remembered her from a lot further back than that, always on the outside at important events. “Who are you?”
“Old Lady Murdock,” she winked. “No need to worry, Tremaine. I’ll keep an eye on Liz for you.” With that, she hopped up and rushed out of the room.
* * * *
“Robert,” Emily screeched as she came charging up the stairs.
Elizandra stood at the window. She looked over her shoulder at him. Her eyes were wide, and there was worry etched into her expression.
He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile and stepped into the hall, closing the door behind him.
“What is that girl doing in my room?” Emily’s normally pale face was flaming red, her amber eyes flashing, her golden curls dancing around her head. She glared back at Robert. Her hands were balled in the skirt of her fancy dress.
If his sister hadn’t been so angry, he might have found humor at the differences between Emily and Liz.
He took a breath, and calmly answered. “Father invited her to stay with us, permanently. She’s sharing your room because you are both the same age. Don’t you want a new friend?”
Emily crossed her arms over her chest and stomped her foot. “I want my room free of the stray.”
Robert snarled, “She is not a stray. She is a young woman, just like you, and now a part of our family.”
“She isn’t my family.” Emily shoved past Robert and threw her door open.
Robert stepped in behind Emily and looked to Liz who stood there with a blank expression. He admired her ability to shut off her emotions at the drop of a hat. Though it was obvious that whatever happened in his past still haunted her.
She quietly said, “Hello, Emily. Don’t worry. I’ll make myself scarce.”
“Good,” Emily replied in an icy tone.
Elizandra dipped her chin slightly before walking past Emily and slipping through the door.
He was about to lay into Emily about how rude she was being when he heard a gasp.
His brother sounded a little too excited. “Why, hello. I’m James.”
Robert turned and stepped into the hall.
“Elizandra,” she answered in that dull tone of hers. “Excuse me.” She started for the stairs.
James reached out and caught her arm but immediately jerked his hand back. His eyes rounded as he watched her retreat.
“Did you feel her power? It’s a rush.” He looked up at Robert with a raised brow. “She will be fun.” Something in James’ eyes made Robert’s skin crawl.
“You will not touch her,�
�� Robert warned.
James’ eyes narrowed. “I’ll do what I please.”
“You will leave her alone. She prefers solitude.” He was willing to bet Elizandra could handle herself with the way her magic tended to flare, but he didn’t want his brother anywhere near her.
“You need to learn to have some fun.” James walked down the hall and into his room.
Robert spun on Emily. “Nice going, Emily. She doesn’t even want to be here.”
“Then she should go,” she smirked.
He practically shouted, “What do you have against her?”
Her mouth turned down. “Daddy wouldn’t stop talking about the beautiful young woman I’m supposed to share my things with. It’s not fair. I don’t want to share with some stupid little orphan girl. Mother will get rid of her.”
Oh, no she wouldn’t. Robert was sure of that. Shaking his head he hurried down the stairs to track Liz down.
* * * *
Elizandra managed to slip out of the house and started for the river. Maybe she could follow it as far away as it flowed and wind up far away from here. It wasn’t like anyone would miss her.
Before she made it past the stables a familiar face came around the corner.
“Oh, Liz, dear. Are you all right?” Old lady Murdock asked, scaring Liz half out of her skin.
She hadn’t seen Mrs. Murdock since the night before Sinclair’s death. She’d been beaten and bloody, all because she had insisted Liz hide from Sinclair.
“You’re okay?” Liz whispered.
Miss. Murdock nodded. “Of course. That old bastard could never keep me down.”
Liz took a hasty step back, guilt washing over her. “You didn’t have to take my beating.”
Mrs. Murdock pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear and smiled softly. “I did. Without Tremaine, you would have been lost. Now here you are in a beautiful home, with people who will care for you.”
“You’re wrong. They don’t want me.”
Her brow arched. “I know for a fact that Wilhelm believes you will help Emily finally find her worth. Robert, that boy is smitten by you.”
“Emily doesn’t want me here.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t belong here.”
“You do, so please, stop thinking about running away. Tremaine would only track you down, and it would ruin your path as well as everyone else’s.”
She didn’t have time to consider what the old woman meant because Robert called out, “Elizandra.” There was panic in his voice.
Her eyes slid shut as she turned to face him. Liz found her voice. “I thought maybe Emily needed a little time in her room without me.”
Robert slowed his pace, but kept coming until he was standing a few inches in front of her. “My sister will have to accept you. It may take a little longer.”
“I don’t blame her.” Liz sighed and looked away. “I get it. A total stranger with no discernible past stepped into her life, into her family, and into her room. I don’t want to take anything from her.”
His eyes flashed, and his tone was harsh. “You haven’t, and you won’t. She needs to learn to accept what life hands her.”
“I’m not holding my breath. I’ll do my best to stay out of her way.”
“Liz,” Tremaine called. Her breath caught in her chest. She knew this moment was coming, and he was the only one she trusted. “Elizandra,” he called again.
She forced a smile and hurried back up to the porch. Liz started to pull his jacket off.
Tremaine gently took her hands. “No, don’t you dare. Consider the jacket yours.” He knelt down and looked into her eyes. “If staying here ever gets to be too much, I want you to take this worry stone and rub it as you close your eyes. I’ll hear whatever you need me to. I promise.”
He turned her hand over and placed a flat turquoise in her palm before closing her fingers over it. She could feel his humming through the stone.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“If you ever need me, you let me know.” He let her go, his big brown eyes searching hers as the wind blew his tangled dark curls across his face. She couldn’t help thinking of him as her avenging angel.
Liz nodded and he stood. She threw her arms around his waist, wishing she could follow him away from this place.
“I’ll be back, doll. Don’t worry about that. You need time to get used to your new home, and I won’t be much help with that.” He squeezed her back before stepping away. “Take care, Liz.” Tremaine turned and Emily stood there staring at him with wide eyes.
“Your hands, what did you do to your hands, Tremaine?” Emily asked with a high voice. “Here, let me see.”
Tremaine shook his head as he looked down at the scars. “They’re healed, Emily. Don’t worry about my hands.”
Emily shook her head and looked up at him. “I can take the scars away.”
He looked back at Liz with a warm smile. “Sometimes, you need them to remind you of the important things.” With that, Tremaine waved back at Liz and left.
Liz had her own set of scars, all on the inside, but she would never forget the kindness he gave her.
* * * *
Emily was startled awake by the cry across the room. She rubbed her eyes and sat up. Elizandra tossed and turned, pulling Tremaine’s coat tighter around her as she whimpered and cried in her sleep.
Then Elizandra screamed and screamed. Emily curled up in a ball, covering her ears as all of the pain and fear in the world flooded her mind.
Robert burst through the door in his flannel pajamas and sat down beside Liz. He took her shoulder, gently rocking her back and forth.
“Wake up, Liz. It’s only a dream, wake up,” he didn’t sound so sure, and Emily could feel Elizandra’s emotions churning. She was terrified in her dreams, in pain.
Elizandra threw her arms up, knocking Robert’s hands away. She saw her brother wince, but he brushed the back of his knuckles down Elizandra’s cheek. “Wake up, Liz. You need to wake up.”
Her eyes came open before she scrambled away from Robert, onto the far corner of her bed as she pulled that filthy coat tight around her.
“It was a dream,” Robert murmured. He shifted his position to crawl to her.
“Don’t,” Elizandra whimpered, her head shaking. “Don’t, please don’t.”
He scooted off the bed and took a step back. “I’m sorry. I only wanted to wake you.”
“I’m awake. I’m fine,” she answered quickly.
Her brother looked so pained. “I’m in the room across the way if you want to talk.”
She shook her head again. “Go, I’m fine.”
He gave her a weak smile. “Good night, Liz.
As soon as the door was shut, Emily asked. “Do you need to talk?”
“No,” she answered simply. “Go back to bed.”
Emily wasn’t sure she could at that point. She watched Liz, who stayed curled in a ball, but all expression, all emotion was suddenly gone.
Emily yawned as sleep settled over her.
Chapter 4
Two weeks had gone by. Liz had been enrolled into Mystra’s Academy. It was the school all Mage children attended in the United States. Luckily it wasn’t far from their home, which meant Emily didn’t have to stay in the dormitory. She had tried to convince Father to send Liz there, but he wouldn’t, claiming the girl needed to have a real home.
Emily sat at her desk, watching as Liz erected a dazzling shield that flickered with smoke and flame. It was common to see shields with one obvious element, but two was unheard of for a young mage.
Their instructor eyed the display carefully. He pulled his hands up and a fireball formed. “I must test to see if this holds up, but I swear to you I will not let the bolt hit you.
Liz never offered any kind of argument. Their instructor slung the spell and it bounced back. She whipped her hand around and her magical wall wrapped back on itself to trap the fireball within the circle, bouncing back and forth until it burned out a few
seconds later.
Everyone gasped, even Emily, who hated herself for it. Every single day Liz showed off, replicating each spell and adding her own spin on it, her brand of magic even more powerful than their instructors.
It wasn’t fair. Emily could only heal. Everything else Emily attempted was weak, ineffectual, if she could even do it at all. She felt like a failure, especially with Liz standing there, no expression on her face as she stared at the ground.
Instructor McLeod shook his head but there was a big grin on his face. “Would you all give me a moment? I’ll be right back.” He didn’t wait for an answer before rushing out the door.
With a sigh, Liz dropped the spell and slipped back into her seat next to Emily.
“Aren’t you pleased with yourself, Lizard?” Emily sneered.
She didn’t respond. Instead, she folded her hands on her lap and stared at the chalk board.
James snuck up between them and laid his hand on Liz’s shoulder. Liz ducked away. The air crackled and his hand was flung back. He took a step away, his brow arched.
He used his best smarmy voice. “Come on now, Liz. I only want to congratulate you on showing everyone what we should strive for.”
Liz didn’t say word, and she never looked back at James.
“Oh, that’s hardly playing fair.” He pouted. Then he squeezed Emily’s shoulder. Her skin crawled, but at least James paid attention to her. No one else seemed to. “Don’t worry. She thinks she’s special because she’s ahead of us. That won’t last.”
Liz gaze never strayed from the front of the classroom.
Instructor McCleod came back with an enthusiastic smile. “Elizandra, please follow Magister Draecyn. He would like a word with you.”
Liz grabbed her bag as she stood. She didn’t even look back when she walked out the door.
Emily hoped the little brat was being expelled, but she had a feeling they were moving Elizandra ahead. That was practically unheard of. Daddy was going to be overjoyed for Liz, and Emily would slide further into the background.
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