Malignant Transfiguration (Endeavor Series Book 2)

by A E M

  Chime just shook her head and smiled gently. “We hobs are a constant. You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll always be here. I may not be exciting or know what you are going through, but I’ll always be here.”

  “Thanks.” She wrung the cloth napkin in her lap under the table. She hoped Chime would understand what she was going to do soon. She had to make a break from it all. Charlotte looked down at the floor. It was stained to look like a clouds floating through a sky above a sunset. She had danced here on her father’s shoes as he laughed and told her she was a sky dancer. She remembered his strong hands, leathered and calloused from adventure and academics.

  Josef smiled and leaned forward. “This is your time to find out who you are and what you are capable of. We will handle the castle while you are gone. And when you are ready to come back, we will turn on the soup.”

  Basil chucked. “You’ll miss my cooking, although it’s time for you to learn more about other magani. You might want to explore the dwarves’ community for a while. Also, Vincent will undoubtedly want to do some intense training, especially since you and Beau will be wed soon. I’m sure he’d like to make sure that you are already controlling your magic by that point. Can’t have a wedding dress bursting into flames.” Everybody at the table laughed.

  Charlotte added her fears quietly. “I’m so behind.”

  Basil smiled. “Yes, you are. But since you are an adult you can learn faster if you will focus and work hard.”

  She let her mind wander then. It was true. She was used to devouring books and learning her whole life. She did want to know who she was and what she was capable of, especially with this evil lurking around and taking magani. It would be best to learn fast. Her thoughts moved to Beau. He was her constant. She didn’t know when exactly they would marry, but she did know it would happen fairly soon.

  “Basil, I want you and Josef to have something. Or rather, Basil and Chime if I’m right about what you have been planning.” She whispered just loud enough to be heard by them over the raucous of the room. Most of the table had emptied in favor of the dance floor by then. She cleared her throat and slid identical keys to Basil and Chime. “You know what to do.”

  They both quickly covered the keys with their hands and stared at her.

  “You were right about what I was planning.” Josef said. “But how do you know about this?”

  “I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately.” Charlotte answered. She hadn’t told them that the last few days she had been walking the halls, saying goodbye to everything.

  “I’m not sure this is necessary.” Basil said quietly. “What about your brother?”

  “I may not know everything about my Father, but I do know who he was later in life. He would want this.” She paused and looked over at David. “I hope I do get to know my brother, but right now I don’t know enough about him. And I most certainly do not know enough about my own future. I want this. I trust this.” She leaned forward towards them. “I know what this means. I need this.”

  “This will always be your home.” Chime said softly. “We will always be your family.”

  “And you will always be mine.”

  It was their turn to blink back tears. She nodded slowly at them to assure them of her choice. Dancing started up again. The hobs and fauns would both be up for long hours, for they did share one thing after all: the love of parties. She smiled and excused herself.

  David crossed the floor and held out his gloved hand. “A dance, sister?”

  She took his hand. “Sure, brother.”

  David waved at the musicians, and a slower song began to sing from the instruments. “There, much better.” He said. “It will be hard enough between my robes and your dress.”

  She smiled shyly. “I wish I had known about you. I feel robbed.”

  “I hope you don’t hate me now, but I knew about you.” He confessed. “I’ve been here off and on a lot through the years.”

  “That’s not fair.” She said with a sigh.

  “I’m sorry.” He said. “It was Father’s idea. When you were small, I came and went easily. When you were older, I took precautions.”

  She frowned. “Must we continue to degrade my happy memories?”

  “Here’s a good memory for you. I remember you running through his robes, shrieking.” David said before he twirled her.

  “Oh, my.” She laughed. “You’re such a liar, then! You know that you look like his twin!”

  “Well, yes.” He laughed. “You used to mistake me for him on occasion. Do you remember?”

  A memory tickled the back of her mind. “Oh.” She blushed. “So I suppose I’ve attended some of your classes, as well.” She smiled. “Wait. Was Vincent here, too?”

  David nodded. “Of course he was, but you probably don’t remember him.”

  “Oh, I’m sure—”

  “Father was going to tell you when he got back from the trip.” David interrupted. “Vincent and I were supposed to be at your ball. I wish I had been here.”

  “Why didn’t you come?” She asked.

  “I was a little jealous.” He shrugged. “Look where it got me. I could have seen Father before he left, but I didn’t.” He frowned. “I’m sorry I didn’t come. You have no idea.”

  “I’m sorry, brother.”

  He hugged her. “I want to get to know you now.”

  “I want to get to know, you, too.” She looked over at Basil.

  “I need to tell you something.” She looked back at him. She hoped he would understand. She hoped he would still want to get to know her.

  He tipped his head to the side slightly and raised his eyebrows. “I know. I saw.”

  “How do you know?” She blushed, ashamed a little of what she had done. But she had made her plans before she knew about him, and she didn’t want to wait. One way or the other, she wasn’t planning on coming back to the castle permanently.

  He kissed the top of her head. She froze, but he merely smiled. “Magic leaves traces, dear sister. And that was a big transfer.” He shrugged. “It’s what Father would have wanted, and frankly, I have my own life.” He winked at her. “That’s what you’re after, isn’t it? Something of your own?”

  Charlotte nodded and wiped the tear from her eye. “We will both always be welcome here.” She said. He twirled her again. She wiggled when he rested his hands on her back. “I swear, you two.”

  David tickled her gently in the ribs. “Vincent and I aren’t the giving up types.”

  Charlotte shook her head and looked over for Vincent, but he was no longer sitting at the table. She turned her face back to David. “I’m very stubborn.”

  “I know.” He tugged a strand of her hair. “You look nice, little sister.”

  She blushed. “You look great, brother.” She pursed her lips. “I should probably congratulate you on today, right?”

  David grinned. “Right.” He looked around and caught Vincent’s eye. He dropped his eyes back over to Charlotte. “Listen, earlier I spoke to Josef about teaching from here.”

  “Good!” She interrupted him. “It makes me happy to think of you here.”

  David sighed. He fiddled with the opening of his cloak. The light glimmered off of his ring as his hands moved along the fabric. “Vincent’s got his work cut out for him.”

  Charlotte frowned and raised her eyebrows.

  David twirled her one last time as the music ended. He kissed the top of her head before stepping back and bowing. “Thanks for the dance.” His usual smile had returned.

  “Thank you.” Charlotte smiled back at him as he crossed the room to sit next to Basil. What had he been trying to say? She frowned. She did interrupt too much, but what of it? Surely Vincent wouldn’t be concerned with little things like that. She stepped to the side of the dancing and headed for the door again, but a firm grasp caught her elbow and spun her back around to face the room.

  “Would you care to dance?” Vincent asked her.

  She looked over a
t the doorway that was so close. “Yes.” She lied as she looked back at him. The song that started was slow. She placed her hands around his neck after he placed his arms around her waist. His black robes were thick and soft under her hands, and the tips of his hair tickled her fingers. She found herself giggling at the sensation.

  “What is it?” He asked as they began to turn.

  “Sorry, I’m not used to longer hair on a guy.”

  “Never?” He asked. “I was under the impression that you’ve danced with many men.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I’m going to overlook your crass comment.” She warned him. “I have had many dances and balls, but this really is a first for me. It looks good on you, don’t get me wrong.”

  “I wasn’t about to change it.” He replied. They turned again and he led her toward the middle of the room. They danced quietly until he inched her forward in his arms and leaned forward. He whispered into her ear. “Why didn’t you want to dance with me?”

  She looked him directly in the eyes. “Am I that easy to read?”

  “Yes. But we can work on that. It’ll help me in the beginning if I can read your face, anyway.”

  She flushed and hid her face at the side of his as they continued to dance. The beard was different, too, but she wasn’t about to bring it up.

  “Why didn’t you want to dance with me?” He pulled her arms down and adjusted their dancing posture.

  “Nothing personal.” She said. “Except for the part where you threatened to glue me to a chair earlier today. I thought you weren’t serious until I saw what you did to David.”

  He smiled and looked over at David. “I’ve had that one planned for years.”

  He dipped her and she scrambled to grab his arms.

  “What are you doing?” She asked breathlessly as he pulled her back to standing.

  “You’ll have to learn to trust me.” He said. “I’m not going to drop you.”

  He dipped her again. This time she only tightened her grip for a moment. He swung her back up and she grabbed his shoulders. “You are a frustrating man.” She said.

  “You are a frustrating woman.” He responded and pulled her hands off his shoulders. “You’ve been running wild your whole life, haven’t you?” He twirled her. “Things are going to change for you. It’s going to be hard at first.”

  “Things are going to change for you, too.” She countered. “I’m not going to call you master.”

  “Only if I let you not call me that.” He responded sternly.

  They glared at each other as the music continued. He dipped her again, and this time she relaxed her muscles and went with it. “Better.” He said as they danced in a circle afterwards.

  “Do you know what I already have planned for you someday?” She smiled coyly.

  He spun her out and then back to him so she was facing away from him as they danced. “I’ll be ready for it.” He laughed in her ear. “It’s good to hear you speak of finishing the apprenticeship.”

  “I will try my best.”

  “I know you will.” He replied and spun her back to face him.

  “You’re not the one I want to be dancing with right now.” She said. She could have kicked herself for blurting that out, but he had asked why she didn’t want to dance.

  “Sometimes life doesn’t give us what we want.” He replied with a sigh. “Where is this guy of yours? Who is he?”

  “Those should be my brother’s lines, not yours.”

  “Now they are mine, as well.” He said. “You gained two guardians today.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “I’m not. We want to meet him. See what kind of a man he is.”

  “What’s the official protocol for apprentices and masters? Do I have to invite you to the wedding?” She growled.

  “If I’m the groom, yes.” He laughed and turned her around so he could dip her again. “Otherwise, there’s no official rule. It would be rude if you didn’t invite me, though.”

  “Yes, well it will be a cold day in hell before I dance with you in a wedding dress.” She snapped.

  The music stopped. They stood still for a moment until Vincent leaned close and whispered, “I’ll be sure to pack a sweater.” He dropped his hands and she stepped back.

  Charlotte spotted Phoebe walking over. “Oh, Phoebe!” She said loudly. “Vincent here would like the next dance with you.”

  Phoebe ran over and into Vincent’s arms. Charlotte gave him a smile before she half ran back to the table where David was sitting alone. She sat down next to him and took a long drink of water. The coldness cleared her throat and head.

  “That looked heated.” David said quietly to her.

  “How is he quiet and annoying and talkative and smug all at the same time?” She fumed. “I was stupid to choose him over you.”

  “I knew about the quiet and talkative problem.” David said. “But the annoying and smug part is new to me.” He flashed a grin. “You must bring it out in him.”

  “Oh, you’re just as bad as he is!” She said and stood.

  “Charlotte, sit down.” David said. “Please.”

  She sat and glanced over at Vincent, who looked like he was in terrible pain. “I think he enjoyed being slammed into the castle more.” She said.

  David sat forward. “I wanted him to teach you.” Charlotte looked back at him. “I set you both up for that. I’m done with this part of my life. He’ll be a good teacher for you. But you have to realize that he’s transitioning from being under me to being over you. He may overdo it a bit at first, but you two will work things out.” He patted her hand. “Also, you are going to have to get used to having somebody in charge of you.”

  “So you didn’t want to teach me?” She asked with a frown.

  “I want to be your brother.” He scooted his chair closer to her. “I want to get to know you. I want to be your family.” He squeezed her hand. He looked over at Vincent and chuckled. “He does look miserable.”

  She looked back over at Vincent. “He deserves it.” She said and stood back up. “I’m going to my room now.”

  “See you later, sis.” He said as he stood up and squeezed her hand.

  “Have I lost all personal space with you two?” She huffed.

  “Do you hate it?” He asked.

  She shook her head no. Beau. Chime. Phoebe. David. Vincent. Five people who were brave enough to be near her. There might be more if she allowed it, but for now five seemed like a large number. “Good night, brother.”

  Charlotte walked quickly toward the doors. She ducked out of the room and stood against the hallway wall, breathing deeply. She listened to the tempo of the music, the scrape of chairs across the floor, and the clop of hooves dancing. She turned and walked slowly through the halls, remembering how she used to run through them without a care in the world. Now she only worried in these halls. She headed to a spare room upstairs to double check her backpack. It was her father’s from his days adventuring, but she had loved the idea of the hip and thigh packs that Vincent and David wore today. She knew the backpack was magical and would change into whatever she wanted it to be, but she had always had to have somebody else change it for her. There was once when she was much younger that her father had even changed it into a purse. She smiled wildly at the memory and reminded herself that she needed to start calling the pack hers. Her father would not be coming back for it. A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Now what? Who had seen her come up here anyway? She grumbled to herself and crossed the room.

  “You are lucky.” Vincent said casually as the door opened. “David always made me stay for entire celebrations. I fell asleep with my head on a plate many times.” He raised his eyebrows. “He says he has a picture, but I don’t believe him. For all the electronics in the world, I’ve never seen him with a camera.”

  “Sorry.” She started to say. Would it be like this? Would he always be just around the corner?

  He entered the room with a swish of
his robe. “I’m not the type for big parties, either. I can only handle so much before I need some space, especially after dancing with fauns.”

  Charlotte turned away from him so he couldn’t see her blush. She only felt a little terrible for launching Phoebe at him. “How in the world did you and my brother get along?”

  “We complement each other, I guess you could say.” He was looking over her backpack then, tracing the seams with his fingers. “David trained me in a way that would complement my style, not his.”

  “Sounds like he was a good teacher.” She mentioned.

  He nodded. “Your father taught him well.”

  “I thought they had trouble getting along.”

  “They did.” Vincent paused and looked back up at her. “It was because your father didn’t train David in a way that would complement him instead of hold him back that David did so well with me.”

  “Ah.” She said softly. “You know, I loved to sit in Papa’s classes. He had his quirks, but I adored his passion for his craft.”

  “I know. I attended many of his classes.” He looked back down at the pack then. “I remember seeing you laying on the balcony.” His voice was tight and even.

  “I hope I wasn’t covered in mud.”

  “You were always covered in something or another.” He responded. Charlotte thought she saw something in the twitch of his eye, but it was gone before she could evaluate it. “I remember one time you were covered in the remains of some treat from the kitchen. There I was making notes when confectioners sugar drifted down and caused me to smudge my paper.” He said as he continued his inspection.

  “Oh, dear. I am sorry about that.”

  He looked over at her. “I doubt that. You probably don’t even remember it. How could you be sorry?”

  She stared back at him open mouthed and eyed. What was she supposed to say to that? She snapped her lips closed and watched his intensity as he looked back over the pack. Was he the kind to get worked up over the smallest detail? Did the smudge still haunt his dreams? She leaned against the dresser. “Basil always had a little tray for me when I would come running in between adventures.” She frowned as she felt the guilt that her brother didn’t have her childhood wiggle and slide it’s way into her thoughts. “It’s hard to believe I have a brother. It’s hard to imagine Papa being less than a great teacher. Or father.”