by Avril Sabine
“I can’t understand why he won’t let us tell Crystal.”
Amber nodded. “I know. But maybe one day we can talk him into it.”
“Forget about we, it’s you he likes.”
“Yeah, but I think some days the only thing he likes about me is that he’d like to rip out my heart.”
“You do tend to have that kind of effect on people sometimes.”
“Only parents, teachers, and people who can make my life miserable.”
Jasper fiddled with his new earring. “I’ve been thinking of moving out of home. Dad is full of questions about what I’m up to. Am I going out too much, who are the strange people visiting and are they in a gang?”
Amber laughed. “That was one of my first questions I asked them.”
“It’s all the leather. And he’s started lecturing me since I’ve been wearing dragon-leather pants. It’s just a hassle. Besides, I earned a bit over sixteen thousand from helping Shannon with the wyvern nest. I’m sure I can earn more.”
“I’ve got a house somewhere you can stay in.”
“What do you mean, somewhere?”
“Rian is anticipating I’ll leave home next year. If you move there first I can tell them I’m moving in with you.”
“Who owns the house?”
Amber shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“It isn’t Ronan, is it? You don’t want to be any further in his debt.”
Amber searched for Rian and found him outside the bathroom. She opened the door, motioning him in. “Who owns the house?”
Rian closed the door behind him. “What house?”
“Where I’ll stay next year.”
“You do.”
“What? How’s that possible? I don’t have that kind of money. What have you done, Rian?”
“Made Ronan pay for your services up front. Do not expect any more from him once you help him get his lands back.”
“Am I even old enough to own property? I’m only seventeen.”
Rian shrugged. “I do not know. It is owned by a company that is owned by a trust of which you are the sole beneficiary. It is the way Ronan organises his dealings in this world. Except there are many more layers of companies and businesses before you find the owner.”
“Is it big enough for Jay to stay there?”
Rian grinned momentarily. “Maybe we should make time for you to see it.”
“Please tell me it’s not some kind of mansion.”
“If that is what you wish.”
Jasper laughed. “So what do Crystal and I get paid if Amber gets a mansion?”
“She also received a discovery fee. Without her, you two would not be mages.”
Amber sat on the edge of the bathtub. “This is all too much. I don’t need a mansion.”
“It is not a mansion, Amber. There are only five bedrooms.”
“Than what is it?”
“Spacious.”
“I want to see it.”
“Tomorrow. If you get enough sleep tonight,” Rian said.
Amber glared at him. “You’re not my mother.”
“No, I am worse.” He grinned fleetingly. “I am your first warrior.”
Jasper laughed again.
“Oh, leave me alone. The pair of you.” She pointed to the door, glaring at them until they left the bathroom. She turned off the water and sat on the floor with her back against the wall. A knock on the door had her searching out who was on the other side. It was Kade. She was tempted to tell him to go away too. She sighed. She must be getting tired again since she didn’t have a reason to be mad at Kade. And no wonder, with all she’d done today.
“Amber?”
She stared at the door. “Oh fine. Come in.”
Kade sat beside her once he closed the door. He slid an arm around her shoulders and sat quietly.
She rested her head against him, closing her eyes for a moment. Nine o’clock was going to be a long time coming, but she didn’t dare have a nap before then. She couldn’t face another nightmare. “Do you think it’ll take Ronan much longer to sort out a plan?”
“I don’t know. But I think it’s more than figuring out a plan. It always is with Ronan.”
“What else is there?”
Kade shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. But, whatever it is you can bet there are going to be some very unhappy people as a result.”
* * *
After a restful night, courtesy of Ronan, Amber convinced Rian she was up to a trip to the city. Which meant Kade and his warriors had to join her. And of course Jasper didn’t want to be left out. He called in on his mother and told her he was leaving early but Amber would stay the day with Maira and be back before bed. It didn’t take him too long to convince her to let Amber have the rest of the day out and then they headed to the city. Jasper picked them up at the park they waited at, since having them in his car would have ruined his explanation. As there weren’t enough seats, Brann volunteered to fly, carrying a saddle for the return flight.
By the time they reached the city, four hours later, Amber began to wish she’d flown. She’d never been a good traveller. The long hours of sitting made her feel bored and restless. Rian started to direct Jasper once they reached the city. Eventually they pulled up at a concrete and iron gate and Rian got out to put a pin number into the panel on the gatepost by the driver’s door.
Amber watched as the gates slowly swung open and Jasper drove up the paved drive. Amber stared suspiciously at the house. It didn’t seem too big a house from the front. Well, not large enough to be a mansion, but it did have a covered area at the door where a car could stop if it rained. Rian handed Amber a key and gestured to the front door.
She stopped in front of it, worried what she might find behind the large double doors. There was another keypad beside the front door and Rian told her the pin number in her mind. Once they entered, he showed them around. Past a spare room, off to the left, there was a suite of two rooms for Doneele and the woman she called granny. The master suite contained a study and exercise room as well as two walk in closets and a sitting room. And although Rian had told her the truth, there were only five bedrooms, he had left out the fact that each had it’s own bathroom and there was a dining and breakfast room as well as a living and family room. A covered patio led out to a swimming pool where Maira and Brann took advantage of the heated water. Jasper remained in the room that overlooked the swimming pool trying to decide where all his gear would go while Amber paced the fully furnished master bedroom. Kade lay on the king-sized bed, his hands behind his head as he watched her.
Rian stood by the doors that led onto the covered patio his eyes following Amber as she muttered and complained while she paced. “This isn’t me. I want something-” she growled. “Less. This is overkill. How am I meant to live here? I’d be worried about spilling something and ruining the carpets.” She stopped to glare at Rian. “Are you going to say something or do you plan on just standing there all day?”
“I chose it because of the security system. There are motion cameras, coded entrances, security screens and it is well fenced. I wanted you to feel safe.”
At Rian’s words, Amber sagged on the bed beside Kade. She wanted to feel safe too. Now she felt like an idiot. “Thank you, Rian.”
Kade tugged her to him. “Can we all stop running for cover now?”
Amber smiled wryly. “It’s still not me.”
“We can buy furniture from the op-shop if that’ll help,” Kade suggested.
Humour touched Amber’s smile. “I know. I’m being an idiot.”
Kade half sat up so he leaned over her. “You’ll get used to it. It’ll just take you time.”
“Hey, Amber.” Jasper knocked on the door that led to the patio.
Amber pushed Kade away so she could sit up and look at her brother through the glass door. “What?”
“How am I going to convince Dad I can afford to live here?”
“I have a suggestion,” Rian said.
/> “Go ahead. I wouldn’t have a clue,” Amber said.
“Isleen is giving you room and board in exchange for taking care of the yard and pool,” Rian said.
“Who’s Isleen?” Amber asked.
“The housekeeper.”
“Oh.” Amber had never heard her called anything other than Doneele’s granny. “Where are they?”
“They are giving you time to have a look around before they return.” Rian glanced at his watch. “They will be back in about a quarter of an hour.”
“So when can I move in?” Jasper asked.
Amber grinned at her brother. “Whenever you want. But just remember, our parents will probably blame you when I move in here.” She turned to Rian. “And how are you going to explain that? Not to mention this being my room.”
“The story is that Isleen lost her husband several years ago and cannot bear to sleep in here now as this was their room. She cannot afford the people to maintain this place, but her husband bought it for her as a wedding gift so she does not wish to part with it. And Doneele is her husband’s daughter. He was much older than her,” Rian said.
When Isleen arrived, Amber saw why Rian said Doneele was to be her husband’s child. There was no way the woman could have passed as anyone’s granny, let alone a thirteen-year-old’s mother. She had long black hair tightly plaited in a single strand down her back, blue eyes that were almost violet, was petite and looked to be barely in her mid twenties.
Isleen strode towards Amber who rose from the lounge chair in the living room where she’d waited for them to arrive. “I am pleased to finally meet you. I hope everything is suitable. Let me know if you would like any changes made.”
Amber took Isleen’s hand and wished she didn’t feel so lost for words. This woman was meant to be her housekeeper? She was so not ready for this. “The house looks lovely.” What else could she say? It was far too impressive for her to live in? Instead Amber turned to Doneele. She was relieved to see the girl didn’t look the least like her father. She had bright red hair, blue eyes, freckled skin and a mischievous grin. Amber wondered if she knew what had happened to her father.
“Granny tried to teach me how to curtsey to you, but I’d probably land on you if I attempted it.”
Amber grinned, holding out her hand. “We’ll stick with a handshake then.”
“Doni, you need to remember to call me Isleen now.”
Doneele shook Amber’s hand and turned to Isleen. “I know. But it takes time. I can’t remember everything all at once. There’s a million stories I have to keep straight.”
“You are a Gold Dragon, it should be second nature for you to keep them straight,” Isleen said.
“Yeah, okay.” Doneele turned back to Amber. “Can I have a TV in my room? Aren’t they awesome? All the kids at my school have their own TV and laptop. Can I have one of them too?”
“Doneele! Enough.” Isleen grabbed the girl by her shoulders, pushing her behind her. Doneele was nearly as tall as her. “She does not mean to be ungrateful.”
Amber managed to prevent the smile that wanted to escape. “Can I afford what she wants?” She asked Rian who gave a slight nod. “Whatever you need to maintain normal appearances, Isleen.”
“I do not know this world. It is very different from ours,” Isleen said.
“Jay will be moving in soon. I’m sure he’ll be able to help you figure it out,” Amber said.
Jasper nodded. “Sure. Anything you need to know, just ask.”
With the way Jasper looked at Isleen, she hoped she hadn’t just created another problem for herself. “She’s way too old for you, brother.” Jasper grinned at her in answer.
Jasper took off early, after Rian had handed out keys and told him the pin numbers. He wanted to start moving in as soon as possible. Still feeling uncomfortable in her home, Amber rang Crystal hoping to catch up, but Flinn had other plans for the day. In the end, they left at soon as it started to grow dark. Kade was saddled with the one Brann had brought with him and Amber relaxed against him as they flew home. She didn’t dare sleep. She’d wait until Ronan could keep the nightmares away.
Chapter Twenty-Two
They reached Helen’s house well before they were expected and Amber found the place empty. Wanting some time alone, she sent Kade and his warriors home and slowly headed up the stairs towards her room. She paused at the top, staring at the two locked doors. They’d been bothering her for months. Her grandmother kept telling her they were none of her business. They probably weren’t, but it was driving her crazy not to know.
She mentally searched for her grandmother and found her several houses away with a group of other people in a building. She guessed it was a house, but she couldn’t sense inanimate objects that accurately. Just the impression of their solidness. Amber ranged further afield and found her mother in a building along the highway. A curl of anger started and Amber pushed it away. She couldn’t afford to get angry.
Her mother was extremely close to someone and Amber could tell it was a man. A man who wasn’t her father. How many more secrets did her mother have? And when had she planned to tell them? She was sick of secrets. People keeping them from her and having to keep them from other people.
Amber turned to Rian who patiently stood behind her on the stairs. “Can you pick this lock?” She gestured towards the locked door in front of her.
“Are you sure you really want to know what is behind this door?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.” She moved out of the way so Rian could step ahead of her.
“Give me a minute.” Rian entered her room and returned a moment later with a small bag of tools.
“What are they?”
“Shh.” Rian used the tools to quickly unlock the first door, swinging it open and sliding his hand inside to turn on the light.
Amber stared open mouthed at the room. She quickly turned the switch off, closing the door. “Lock it again.”
Rian laughed softly. “Did you want me to unlock the other one?”
Amber shook her head and hurried into her bedroom. She dropped onto her bed and stared at the closed curtains that hid the French doors. What on earth was her grandmother doing with an armoury in a bedroom of her house? And not just any armoury, but what looked like a medieval one. She rose to her feet and started to pace. She wanted to demand answers, but she couldn’t. Not without admitting to breaking into the room.
Rian closed her bedroom door and locked it. “Amber?”
She shook her head. She needed to think. Why would anyone have that type of gear? There were no medieval knights. Or were there? “What did it mean?”
Rian shrugged. “I can only guess. I do not know for certain.”
“What would you guess?”
“That a Knight has lived here at some stage.”
“As in a dragon killing knight?”
Rian nodded.
“But-” she didn’t know how to word the question. “We’re not in the Middle Ages anymore.”
“They still exist. Although they usually have modern weapons, not the ancient ones in that room.”
“But-” Amber’s mind went blank.
“This town would have been chosen because a Knight lives here. Not necessarily in this house. There would be no challenge to the test if at least one person in the town did not know dragons exist, and want to kill them if they discovered one.”
Amber’s legs could no longer support her and she dropped onto her bed. “Knights.” She lay back, her feet still on the floor. “My mother has a boyfriend and my grandmother has an armoury. Just great.”
“What boyfriend?” Rian asked.
Amber didn’t answer. Why hadn’t Kade told her how dangerous a year in her world was? Should he be flying in and out of her room at all hours? There was still just over five months left before the end of this test. The last day of the year. And that seemed like an impossibly long time to get through.
She continued to lie on her bed as first her
grandmother came home, rummaged around in the kitchen and then headed off to her room and then her mother walked in the front door. Amber was seated at the table in the darkened kitchen when her mother entered.
“Where’ve you been?”
“Oh! Amber! You scared me. Why are you sitting in the dark?” Donna turned on the light.
Amber blinked, trying to accustom herself to the brightness. “Where have you been?”
“Out. I don’t have to answer to you, Amber. Now go and get ready for bed. You’ve got school tomorrow.”
“Who is he?”
“Did you hear me, Amber?”
“I’m sitting right here and don’t have the slightest hearing problem. So yeah, I’m guessing I heard you very clearly.” Amber rose to her feet, pushing the panther back down. “Who was the man you were with tonight?”
“I’m not going to talk to you while you’re behaving like this. If spending the weekend with your friends is going to result in this kind of behaviour then it might be best if you didn’t spend so much time with them.”
Amber took a step closer to Donna. “I can smell his cologne on you. What do you take me for? An idiot?”
“Like you sometimes think I am?”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Why don’t you admit it, Amber? What drugs are you on?”
Amber laughed sharply. “What do you want? Do you want me tested? I am not, nor have I ever been, on drugs. Shall we go now? Maybe they’ll do the test at the hospital.”
“I’m not in the mood for these theatrics, Amber.”
“Then tell me who the hell you were with tonight. How hard is that?”
Helen appeared in the doorway. “Can’t a person sleep around here? And give it up Donna. Even I can smell his cologne from way over here. What does he do? Drown himself in it?”
Donna sank onto a kitchen chair. “Why don’t you ask your father about his girlfriend?”