by Rani Clark
“I’m nineteen. I should be finished in a few years.”
“Do you like it?”
“I love it, actually. It’s fun.”
Jaska noticed the other apprentice’s looking at Jackson oddly. It was obvious no one liked him even if he hadn’t seen the disdain in their eyes. “You like the cold?”
Jackson shrugged, “I’m kind of good at being cold. Well I think I am.” He motioned to his cup, “Can I get you another drink?”
“Sure. More cider, please.” He watched Jackson head to one of the tables to get him cider. Even if no one else liked him, Jackson seemed perfectly nice to him. He knew what it was like not to have any friends and imagined someone who seemed as friendly as Jackson didn’t enjoy being lonely. “Thanks,” he said when the young man returned.
“No problem. I like your hair, by the way.” Jackson reached out and ran his fingers gently through Jaska’s hair.
Jaska flinched back, “Don’t do that.”
Jackson held up his hand, “Sorry. Sometimes I get a little too . . . friendly.”
“It’s fine, just-”
But the music coming to a stop interrupted him. Freddie was standing up on the small stage. “Attention everyone! This isn’t just a party to see what everyone’s been up to, although I think we all know what Tony’s been up to.”
The crowd laughed.
Freddie continued speaking, “We have a few new apprentices to introduce.”
There was clapping all around. He was aware of Mr. Ragnar appearing at his elbow and gripping his shoulder. “Come on.”
“Oh,” he groaned. “I don’t want to go up there. Can’t you just-?”
“This is one of those times I’m forcing you to do something. One of the only times, I promise.”
“Fine,” he grumbled.
There were five apprentices to introduce. He stood in back, wanting to be last. Freddie introduced each of them, telling the crowd who was their teacher. He didn’t care nor did he listen. As he took his place on stage he suddenly became aware of how big this community actually was. He sighed heavily.
“And it is my pleasure to introduce Jaska Byrne, apprentice to Vladimir Ragnar.”
The applause was loud, too loud for him to be comfortable. Jaska shrank away from the crowd and got out of there as quickly as possible. Mr. Ragnar smiled and squeezed his shoulder. “Good job.”
“I feel like throwing up.”
Mr. Ragnar laughed, “Don’t worry about it. Most of these people you won’t see again.” He watched Freddie walk off the stage and the music started again, “How are you liking it?”
“I’m going to go and get some air.”
“Alright. Be careful.”
Jaska nodded and found a door that led to the back garden. He walked down the steps and headed out until he couldn’t hear the music anymore. There was an old cracked fountain near the entrance to a thorny looking hedge maze. He sat down on the black stone and took in a deep breath. At least he had been introduced and it was over. In the chilly night air he felt less pressure in his chest. He could think and breathe out here, there was no crowd.
Somehow this felt more official than the mark he carried on his hand. He looked at his palm, something he didn’t do often. “I shouldn’t have gone to Germany,” he muttered to himself.
When he heard soft footsteps he looked back. Jackson was coming towards him with two glasses of champagne.
“You looked good up there, if slightly nervous,” he said, handing him the glass. “I thought ya could use this. When I was introduced I nearly fainted.”
“Um, thanks.” He took the drink and sipped it, “Every apprentice has to do this?”
“Yup. Fun, isn’t it? My teacher was so excited to introduce me. God knows why, she just was.” He sat next to him, “How long have ya been with Mr. Ragnar?”
“A couple of weeks I think. I haven’t been paying attention.” Jaska sipped the drink, “You didn’t have to do this.”
“I know.” He ran his fingers through his hair, looking up at the sky before speaking, “So how long have you been an apprentice? Or did you get killed the moment you met him?”
“I’m not sure, it was a few days after I got here I guess.”
“What have ya been doing?”
Jaska shrugged, “Nothing really. I’ve been drawing symbols.”
“Want to see something cool?” Jackson stood up, “Come on.”
Jaska stood and followed the tall young man down the path, away from the house. They didn’t walk very far before Jackson stopped in front of a large tree. Snow covered the tree to the point that one movement would send the ice and snow tumbling down to the ground. They stood away from tree so as not to be completely under it.
Jackson held out his hand. A thick mist of red and purple flowed from his hand, building itself up in his palm until it resembled a pyramid. He tossed it up at the tree. The mist crawled into the branches, causing the snow to explode in a puff of white. The snow sparkled in the light from Jackson’s mist. Jaska’s jaw dropped as the snow fell gently around them. He felt Jackson’s hands on his shoulders, felt him slide them down to his waist.
Jaska felt himself turned around unexpectedly. Jackson brought one hand to the side of his neck, “I’ll get straight to the point. You’re just my type.” He leaned in to kiss him.
Jaska shrunk back, “No, thank you, Jackson. Please don’t.”
“Oh.” Jackson frowned, “Ya sure? Could be fun, a good lookin’ guy like you.” Jackson raised an eyebrow, “Really fun. I’m flexible.”
“I’m very sure, I’m just not that interested.”
Jackson shrugged, “Alright. Well, if ya change your mind you know where I am.” He smiled, “You’d be pretty fun to bend over backwards though. Want to go back in?”
“No, I’ll-I’ll stay out here for a few more minutes.”
Jackson nodded and turned to leave. He watched the young man go before sitting back down at the fountain. At least Jackson was taking the hint. Ty had kissed him three times before he had stopped and even then he wasn’t sure Ty was over it. He stared into the sparkling water, wondering why he bothered to say no at all. What was there to lose in something with Jackson? He didn’t feel anything about it and Jackson seemed nice. He didn’t want to do it, but he didn’t think he would be repulsed if something did happen.
Snow started to fall as he stared into the water. He stood and brushed the flakes from his shoulder before going back inside. From the sounds of things, the party was starting to die down. People were beginning to take their leave. Much to his surprise, Alice waved somberly and walked over.
“It was nice meeting you, Jaska.” She handed him a piece of paper, “My number if you ever want to talk. Though you don’t seem like the talking type which is nice. Have a good night.”
He held up his hand, “Goodbye, Alice.” He slipped the paper into his pocket.
He looked around for Mr. Ragnar, but when he didn’t see him he decided to wait by the steps. Everyone was exhausted from the party so no one paid him any attention as he waited. The minutes passed and he became more anxious. His eyelids began to droop and he found himself sitting on the steps, leaning against a pillar. The snow fell harder and he shivered. Where was his master?
“Master Byrne?”
He stood at the sound of the butler’s voice, “Yes?”
“Master Ragnar asked for me to inform you that you will be staying the night. Follow me and I’ll show you to your room.”
Jaska sighed and followed; he didn’t want to stay here. He wanted to go back to the house and sleep in the bed he was getting more comfortable in. The bedroom he was shown to was larger than the one he had back at the house. He thanked the butler before taking off his clothes. He crawled into the chilly bed and snuggled under the two comforters. His body heat began to warm the comforters and he fell fast asleep.
* * *
He woke up to a knock on his door. “Come in,” he said, not quite remembering wher
e he was until the butler stepped in.
“Breakfast is ready if you would like to come down to the dining room.”
Jaska nodded and stood from the bed. He got into his suit and left the room, hating that he was in the same clothes from last night. The dining room was downstairs. He only found it because he could smell cinnamon rolls. Mr. Ragnar was sitting across from Freddie. Oddly enough he had a black robe on. It looked exactly like the one he had at home. Jaska sat down next to Mr. Ragnar.
“How did you sleep?” Freddie asked with a smile. “I hope it was alright. This house is pretty noisy at night.”
“It was fine, thank you.” He helped himself to a cinnamon bun. “Mr. Ragnar, why didn’t you say that we would be staying?”
Mr. Ragnar shrugged, “I didn’t know. It was a last-minute thing.”
He nodded and ate in silence, setting the bun down after eating half of it. Jaska was finding it hard to believe that Mr. Ragnar had done anything with Freddie last night.
Freddie drank her orange juice before speaking. “Where are you from, Jaska?”
“America. I used to live in Maine.”
“Maine?”
“It’s a long story,” Mr. Ragnar interrupted, “as to why he’s here and why he’s . . . not happy.”
“Why is that, Vladimir?” She raised an eyebrow, “Something about your tone makes me think something is up.”
“Yes. Well. I was in Germany on business and he saw me kill someone. I had to take him on as an apprentice to make sure he wasn’t hurt and that he didn’t tell anyone. He isn’t happy about being forced to do this.”
Freddie looked at him, “You aren’t happy?”
“Not even a little, Miss Hallows. I hate this.” He sipped his orange juice, “It doesn’t matter.”
Mr. Ragnar shifted uncomfortably, “It isn’t like I’m doing it to be mean. I didn’t want him to be hurt.”
“As noble as that is, I can’t help but feel a little sick.”
“I’m not a monster.”
She sighed, “Vladimir-”
“This isn’t like it was with Leif, I know. However, I can’t change what I did. I didn’t want him hurt so I did the only thing I could. I’m sorry if it makes you think any less of me.”
Freddie tapped her fingers on the table, “Will you excuse us please, Vladimir? I wish to speak to Jaska alone.”
He nodded and stood. Jaska had never heard someone talk to his master like that. Freddie watched him leave before speaking, “I want you to tell me everything.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to hear it. Don’t be scared of what I’ll say to him. What you say is between us.”
Jaska leaned back in his chair, “I was on vacation visiting my grandparents. We went on a picnic and I wandered away. I saw him kill someone and then . . . the next day I went to the police station. I thought about not telling anyone, but I couldn’t get it out of my head. Mr. Ragnar was waiting for me when I got there. He took me to the clock shop and he made Mr. Kircher put this mark on me.” He held up his hand, “I hate living here. I hate Mr. Ragnar.”
“What has he done?”
“Other than ripping me away from my family and my friend? Nothing. He shot me so that was fun.”
“My teacher stabbed me through the heart. I prefer gunshot wounds.”
“Yeah.”
She took another cinnamon bun from the plate in front of her and bit into it, “Is he awful?”
“What do you mean?”
“Is he hurting you?”
“Oh. No. He doesn’t hit me or yell at me. He barely makes me do anything. Except come to this party, he made me do that.” Jaska looked up from his lap, “Part of me wishes he was mean so that I had a reason to cry every night.”
“Oh honey.”
He hated being pitied. He hadn’t meant to sound so pathetic. “It isn’t anything worth worrying about.”
“It is. If you ever need to get away feel free to come here. You can stay for a few days and do anything you like. Think of this as your second home.”
“Thank you.” Jaska sipped his drink, “Are you dating Mr. Ragnar?”
“Kind of. Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen him as human before. Seeing him with you . . . it makes me feel better, I guess. He isn’t some inhuman thing even if he did take me.”
“Glad I could help,” she said with a small laugh.
“You’re sleeping with him.”
“Is there a reason you want to know?”
“No, I was just . . . asking.”
“Oh. Yes. I am. Does it bother you? It bothers Leif. A lot.”
“I don’t know why it would. You’re both adults, you can do whatever you want.”
Freddie smiled at him, “If you want to talk about anything else-”
“I don’t. Thank you though.”
She nodded and called Mr. Ragnar back in. He was dressed in a new suit and carrying the one had worn last night. “Are you ready to go, Jaska? Leif is probably worried.”
Freddie stood and walked them to the door. There was already a cab waiting for them. “It was wonderful seeing you, Freddie.” He pulled her close and kissed her, “Until next time.”
“Until next time.” She smiled at him, “I’ll be in town in a few weeks. I’ll be seeing you then.”
“Oh. That is wonderful.” Mr. Ragnar smiled widely, “Thank you for the party.”
“Thank you for the room and breakfast,” Jaska said as he got into the cab, followed by Mr. Ragnar. He leaned back and looked out the window as the cab began to move. “That was awful. Why did you make me stay that long?”
“Freddie is nice.”
“She is nice, but that didn’t mean I wanted to stay there.” Jaska put his head against the glass, “And we didn’t get Leif any pie.”
Mr. Ragnar chuckled, “I know, he won’t be happy about that.” He paused, “Feeling any better?”
“No. I hated that party.” He looked at him, “I met Mr. Kircher’s father.”
“His father?”
“Yes, he’s a necromancer. He’s training his granddaughter. Did you know his father was like you?”
“No. I try not to talk to Elias about his life.”
“I guess you wouldn’t.” He cleared his throat, “When are we going to go and visit my mom?”
“Next week. I have to tell them to go somewhere. That small town in Germany will do.”
“Why there?”
“That town is difficult to see for necromancers or anyone who deals with magic like we do. The only reason I know about it is because of what happened with Leif.”
“Why can’t they see it?”
“I’m not sure, I think it’s the Black Forest.”
“Ok. I can’t wait to see my mom and Margo. I hope Ty missed me.”
“He did.”
Jaska kneaded his hands together, “Why doesn’t Leif like you with Freddie?”
“I don’t know. I think he was jealous for the most part. Is jealous for the most part. At least, that’s what I assume.”
It made sense. Leif loved Vladimir to the point that he was sure a relationship with anyone would make Leif feel jealous and left out. He was surprised his own presence hadn’t upset him. “Freddie seems nice.”
“She is nice.”
He looked out the window. It was snowing harder and didn’t show any signs of stopping. “Does it snow like this all of the time?”
“More or less. The snow here is a bit thicker than most. I love the storms. Nothing like curling up with hot chocolate and a good book during a storm,” he said with a smile. “Christmas is in a few months. Do you celebrate that holiday?”
“Yeah.”
“Alright. Leif and I have our own tradition. Feel free to take part in it.”
“Can I go home for Christmas?”
“Yes. I would never deny you that. I would like to know when your birthday is though.”
“Why?”
&nbs
p; “You live with me now.”
Jaska had no desire to tell this man when his birthday was, but he knew Mr. Ragnar wouldn’t stop asking. “It’s in September. The fifth.”
“Excellent.”
Mr. Ragnar seemed in a better mood than he had been last night. Jaska could guess why but didn’t want to dwell on it. Leif was finishing breakfast when they walked in the door. He walked to the door and glared at the two of them. Lantern tackled Jaska in a hug.