Home (Hidden in the Reed's Book 1)

by Declan, Brian

  “Yup, that’s us. Count Reed, and Lady Grey. The others are right behind us,” he said.

  Rika froze, looking around the desk, “Um yes. I’m sorry… I didn’t, I mean I don’t normally do this.”

  Falcon reached over the desk to touch her hand, “It’s alright.” Rika looked up at him, “Why don’t you get your dad, we’ll wait.”

  Rika smiled, “No, I’m fine now.” Rika reached under the podium, “We have everything ready upstairs, right this way.”

  Aemilia and Falcon followed her to the roof as the rest of the group caught up. There were three tables set up for them spread across the roof, each meant for two people only. Falcon walked over to the closest table.

  “How about this one?” asked Aemilia going to the farthest table.

  “Fine with me,” said Falcon moving to get the chair for her.

  Aemilia put her hand on the chair, “I’m not helpless.”

  Falcon let her do it, “Never said you were.”

  Aemilia sat, crossed her legs, and rested her hands on top of each other in her lap. As Falcon took his seat he heard Lucina and Fafnir join them on the roof deck. Fafnir was saying something, but it seemed like Lucina was not listening. Fafnir continued rambling oblivious or simply not caring. Then Lucina started laughing; despite his faults Fafnir did have a way of making people laugh. Hadriana on the other hand was the one rambling while Drake listened intently.

  “What did my dad give you?” asked Aemilia.

  “Nothing. We just talked,” said Falcon.

  “Okay, then what did he offer you?” asked Aemilia.

  “Money, and a position so I can stay in Dominion,” he answered.

  “How much?” asked Aemilia.

  “What does it matter? I said we just talked,” said Falcon.

  “I want to know what it took to convince you to come tonight,” said Aemilia.

  “A few words of encouragement. But if you must know your dad said he would give me anything I asked for. All he wants is for you to be happy,” said Falcon.

  “If you don’t want to tell me fine, but please don’t lie to me,” said Aemilia.

  Falcon shrugged, “I told you the truth, your dad offered me anything I wanted. I turned him down.”

  “Then why are you here?” asked Aemilia.

  Falcon leaned on the table and stared at her, “I’m trying to get to know you.”

  Aemilia sat up straight, “Are you—”

  “Enough. When you’re ready to have a real conversation you let me know,” snapped Falcon cutting her off.

  Rika came over and poured them glasses of wine, then slipped away.

  Aemilia sipped some of her wine, “You wanted to get to know me. That’s pretty tough if you won’t answer a few simple questions.”

  Falcon laid his napkin in his lap.

  “I’d rather share a meal in silence than play games with you.”

  Aemilia started to say something then stopped, “Okay. What would you like to talk about then?”

  “Tell me about Frostwind? Is it true there are wolves as big as horses?” asked Falcon.

  Aemilia pulled her seat closer to the table and tucked her auburn hair behind her ear, “Yes, it’s true about the wolves. At least the grey wolves, white wolves are smaller, almost like dogs. But red wolves are almost twice as large and consumed with fury.”

  “Is that the origin of your family name?” asked Falcon.

  “Yes, but it’s not the wolf’s color, it’s their eyes. The fur is similar, but the eyes are not. They say the eyes reflect their true nature, red for bloodlust, white for obedience and grey for loyalty.”

  “What do you think?” asked Falcon.

  Aemilia paused, “I never gave it much thought.” Aemilia bit her fingernail for a moment. “It’s true enough, but humans caused them to act the way they do. We rewarded the white’s obedience and grey became loyal because we hunt and fight alongside them.”

  “Bloodlust because we kill them,” said Falcon.

  Aemilia shook her head, “The bloodlust comes from something else.”

  After sharing a fairly civil meal, a healthy amount of wine and a few laughs, Drake lead the group back to their carriage.

  “If you weren’t my brother I’d have them arrest you for this cruel form of torture,” said Fafnir.

  “Patience little brother. Think of it like a test,” said Drake.

  Fafnir looked at the floor rubbing his head.

  “You’re making it worse,” said Fafnir.

  Hadriana took Drake’s hand and traced the lines in his palm, “You can give us a small hint,” she stated.

  He looked up and smiled showing his teeth, “Patience,” then closed his hand around hers.

  Hadriana pursed her lips then shifted in her seat and crossed her legs, “I don’t like to be patient.”

  Drake glanced down at her legs and followed the slit of her dress up to her hips, “Perhaps just a hint,” Drake cleared his throat.

  “You will see places old and wild,

  And places modern and mild,

  One direction the highest peaks,

  The other the smallest squeaks.

  It’s a world hidden as dark as night,

  But a stone reveals a world of light.”

  Fafnir gave Drake a blank stare then hung his head, “Cruel and unusual torture.”

  “Sorry, I’m not much of a poet,” said Drake.

  “Nonsense, it was beautiful,” said Hadriana.

  Lucina kicked Fafnir lightly in the leg, “Would you like to know where we’re going?” she asked.

  He perked up instantly, “Yes, see brother, not everyone is as cruel as you,” Fafnir stuck out his tongue.

  “Then you should not have said I have a cold heart,” said Lucina leaning back with a big smile.

  “I take it back, you’re all cruel. And for the record I said you were coldblooded,” said Fafnir.

  “That’s supposed to be better?” asked Lucina.

  Fafnir crossed his arms, “It was supposed to be a compliment about your ice powers,” mumbled Fafnir.

  “How is that a compliment?” asked Aemilia.

  Fafnir searched the group for support, “I said, ‘damn you’re coldblooded’!” he searched the group again.

  “Whatever, it was supposed to be a compliment,” he turned back to the window.

  As Falcon watched the city pass by he felt his chest tighten. Their next destination was the last place he wanted to go.

  The carriage stopped.

  “Lucina, would you like to tell everyone where we are?” asked Drake.

  Lucina nodded and slipped out of the carriage. She waited for everyone to join her then spread her arms.

  “Welcome to Juterna’s Garden. It was built by the academy, what, three hundred and fifty years ago?” asked Lucina.

  “Three hundred and fifty-seven years ago, but it has been renovated several times since. The latest done by Praetorian Connelly about twelve years ago,” said Drake.

  “Grab a few stones and I’ll tell you the history,” said Lucina as she led them into the garden. Falcon stood at the entrance. He had avoided this place for almost ten years but it looked exactly the same. As if the entire garden was frozen in time, locked a beautiful netherworld.

  Not wanting to spoil their excitement Falcon drifted off the path and made his way to the garden’s pond. He sat on the bank and tossed a stone into the pond and watched ripples bounce around the surface.

  Falcon heard footsteps behind him.

  “You forgot something,” said Aemilia.

  Falcon threw another stone into the water, “Forgot what?” asked Falcon.

  Aemilia sat next to him and put out her hand, “Me. I’m your date, remember?”

  Falcon passed a handful of stones, “I wanted to be alone. Can you just go back to the group?” said Falcon.

  Aemilia took a few of the bigger stones and dropped the small stones into a pile, “Back to being the fifth wheel? No.”

/>   Falcon took a handful of sand. The same blood-soaked sand from ten years ago. Falcon let sand slide through his fingers, but did not reply.

  Aemilia sorted through the stones, “What’s your deal? I thought we were starting to get along,” she skipped one of the flat stones across the pond.

  “I’m not in the mood for another fight,” as he continued to play with the sand.

  Aemilia suddenly shoved him, “I wasn’t trying to argue with you,” she picked up a few of the stones and threw them at him, “but you’re being a jerk.”

  Aemilia grabbed another handful of stones, but Falcon caught her wrist before she could throw them, “What the hell woman? You’re going crazy.”

  Aemilia’s temper flared and she lunged knocking him on his back, “Crazy!”

  Falcon rolled trying to control her hands while she clawed at his face. He caught her other wrist and pinned her down, “What the hell got into you?”

  Aemilia jerked her knee up into his crotch. Falcon instantly let her go and rolled away. But she jumped on him again. He put his hand up to block only to have her bite it. Finally taking the fight seriously, Falcon pulled her waist closer to keep her from kneeing him again and flipped her on her back. At the same time he caught one of her hands and pinned it above her head.

  With her other hand she yanked a handful of his hair putting their faces barely an inch apart. Remembering her teeth Falcon tried to pull away but she pulled his hair harder and went in to bite him. But instead of sinking her teeth in she pressed her lips to his.

  He tried to pull away, but only for an instant before he gave in. That kiss unlocked a wave of passion he never realized he was denying. The passion caught him off guard and completely took control. Where a moment ago they fought against each other, now they only struggled to satisfy their desire faster. Lips pressed together as they tore at each other’s clothes like animals.

  Falcon tried to sit up but Aemilia pulled him in with her leg and undid his belt. He lifted her dress while she tugged at his pants. Her thigh was soft and warm, as he ran his hand up her leg another surge of passion hit him. He dove in for another kiss as she locked her legs inviting him to take her.

  Falcon stopped, “You—”

  Aemilia pulled his hair to cut him off, “Shut up.”

  Falcon grabbed a handful of her hair, pulled her head to the side and kissed her neck.

  Instinct took over and ten minutes later they lay in the sand panting. Falcon moved a stray piece of hair out of Aemilia’s face then watched her open her big green eyes and noticed a few tears escape. She ran her hand through his hair.

  As Falcon rolled off of her he heard her suck in a pained breath, “Did I hurt you?”

  Aemilia fixed her dress, “Don’t worry about it, I’m fine.”

  Falcon fixed his pants and went to help her up. She waved him off and stood up on her own, sucking in a sudden breath.

  “What hurts?” asked Falcon, “I can heal you.”

  Aemilia laughed, “I’ll be fine.”

  Falcon moved closer to kiss her, but she stumbled backwards. He reached out to catch her and suddenly all the water in the pond surged to the other side. He froze and looked down at his hand, then motioned toward the pond again. Again the water rushed to the other side of the pond.

  “We should catch up with the others before they come looking,” said Aemilia.

  Aemilia pulled Falcon’s arm, but he stood still staring at his hands.

  “That’s cool and all but we should go,” said Aemilia as she started to walk away.

  When he did not follow she turned back with her arms akimbo, “Seriously?”

  When he did not respond she threw her hands up and walked away.

  Falcon shook himself out of his daze and ran after her, “Wait.”

  Rocious poked his head around the corner, checked both directions then darted down the hall to Falcon’s room. When he reached the door he quickly opened it, checked to see if anyone was behind him and closed the door quietly.

  “Why do you always hide in my room when you’re in trouble?” asked Falcon from his balcony.

  Rocious leaned against the door listening, “I’m not in trouble. I’m avoiding trouble,” answered Rocious.

  Falcon went inside and flopped on his bed, “What is it this time? Burning the carpets? Pissing in the plants? Or did you offend Tatiana again?” asked Falcon.

  “I peed in the plants once. And I had a drama-free evening with Tatiana. It sounded like you had a fun night, judging by the girl’s screaming. Where is she anyway? I have a job for her,” asked Rocious.

  “The girl is Floriana, and why do you need her?” asked Falcon.

  Rocious stopped listening to the door and took his usual seat next to the fireplace, “To deliver a message to Dominick.”

  “Why can’t you do it yourself?” asked Falcon.

  “Dominick is with Connelly,” said Rocious.

  “I did it last night,” said Falcon.

  Rocious flung sparks into the fire setting it ablaze, “I figured the girl was either screaming from passion or because of the new one,” Rocious paused and put his hand up toward Falcon.

  “Aemilia,” said Falcon.

  Falcon sat on the edge of the bed, “That’s not what I meant, I triggered an external expressive force.”

  Rocious sat up, “Show me.”

  Falcon rubbed his head, “I don’t know how, it just sorta happened. I’ve been trying all morning.”

  Rocious sat back again, “Well, you found the trigger, that’s what’s important. Tell me how it happened, leave out nothing.”

  Falcon explained his date with Aemilia in excruciating detail. It took almost a full hour to finish because Rocious made him explain his emotional state in every moment.

  “The trigger is connected to either the memory of your dead friend or your connection with the new girl…” said Rocious as he put his hand out again.

  “Aemilia. Okay, so what do I do now?” asked Falcon.

  “Keep trying, but focus on the memories tied to those moments,” said Rocious.

  Falcon closed his eyes and tried to relive last night.

  “Should I be like trying to do something?” asked Falcon.

  “What’s with your generation? No patience. Figure out the trigger then I can teach you the rest,” said Rocious.

  “I can’t believe you’re lecturing me about patience,” said Falcon still keeping his eyes closed.

  “I don’t like to waste time, but I have patience,” said Rocious.

  Falcon heard a knock on the door and opened his eyes. Rocious put his finger up for him to wait, and then slipped onto the balcony to hide. Falcon rolled his eyes, but waited for him before opening the door.

  Dominick pushed the door open and entered.

  “Frederick in here?” asked Dominick.

  Falcon checked the hall then closed the door, “Yeah, he’s hiding on the balcony,”

  “What the hell are you doing?” asked Dominick, “get in here.”

  Rocious poked his head around the edge of the doorframe, “Where’s Connelly?” he asked.

  “On his way back to the academy I presume,” said Dominick taking a seat next to the fire.

  Rocious took his seat next to the fireplace again, “How’d you get him to go away?”

  Dominick ignored Rocious and talked to Falcon.

  “As you know, Connelly wants to hold your test as soon as possible, he’s pushing for tomorrow.”

  “I told you he’s not ready yet,” said Rocious.

  Dominick put his hand up, “You’re leaving tonight.”

  “Tonight? I can’t,” said Falcon.

  Dominick used his amulet to enhance his voice, “Stop interrupting and listen!”

  They both shut up and waited for Dominick to finish.

  “As much as it pains me, Werval’s disappearance could not have come at a better time. I told Connelly I have a lead on Werval’s location and I need you to investigate.”


  Falcon opened his mouth to ask another question then closed it.

  “You’re going to Spring Forge. That’s where you’ve made the most progress in your training so it’s ideal.” Dominick paused and narrowed his eyes at Falcon.

  Falcon glanced at Rocious and back to Dominick, “What?” he asked.

  Dominick leaned on his knees, “Falcon, I’m going to tell you something, but it never leaves this room. No one can know about it.”

  Falcon moved closer to Dominick, “Got it.”

  “You know I’ve sent Frederick on errands for me over the years? He’s been helping me search for my ancestor’s armor, similar to the one Sir Thomas Colville has in his little museum,” said Dominick.

  “What is it you want me to do?” asked Falcon.

  “To train, but also to help Frederick search,” said Dominick.

  “Where?” asked Rocious.

  “I found records that mention an outpost above Spring Forge,” said Dominick.

  Falcon’s eyes bulged, “Have you seen that cliff? It’s suicide.”

  “That’s probably why no one has seen it for generations, but I have faith in the two of you,” said Dominick.

  “What about finding Werval?” asked Falcon.

  Dominick stood up, patted Falcon on the shoulder, “Leave that to me.”

  Falcon looked down, “Okay.”

  Dominick gave his shoulder one last squeeze and turned to leave, “Oh, you need to be back for Drake’s Coronation. It’s customary for the attuned to give a gift. Frederick gave me this amulet.”

  Falcon nodded and then he scratched his head, “Sire, since we are leaving so abruptly, I have a favor to ask?”

  “Sure, what is it?” asked Dominick.

  “Talk to Aemilia, she was pretty mad last night,” said Falcon.

  “My sons paint a more scandalous picture of last night. Good thing last night was Count Grey’s idea, he may be willing to overlook any loss of virtue in exchange for a proposal,” said Dominick.

  Falcon turned beet red.

  “I didn’t… I mean, it just happened,” said Falcon.

  “Let’s hope she’s not with child or it’ll look like you’re running away,” said Dominick.

  Falcon’s eyes bulged, “I…”

  Chapter 18