It seemed to her that he would read just about anything. He rarely asked her for any one specific thing, just whatever she could find. She wondered if she could get any show of preference out of him for any one subject, so she chose his books randomly. Medical and psychology textbooks, children's books, agricultural magazines, horror stories, newspapers, romance novels, all of these he read without any kind of expression of like of dislike, always he asked for more. One time, Claire watched him read the instruction manual to her computer without batting an eye.
At first, the servants of the manor seemed to her a single entity or force. The maids all looked alike, even though their skin and eye colors varied. They wore the same uniform, and even though their hair was all different colors, they all did them up in the same way. It seemed to her that having separate personalities was prohibited, but Claire did slowly learn to tell them apart. The one who always poured her tea for her was always the same, but she was different than the one who helped her dress in the mornings. They rarely spoke to her, though responded easily enough if she spoke to them first. Claire was intimidated though, and only started conversation when it was necessary.
“How come I don't see any men working here?” Claire mused to Beast one day. It wasn't entirely true, both men and women worked in the library. But Claire meant the Manor's staff. “I could have sworn it was split down the middle when Julius introduced me to the staff, when I first arrived here.”
“The men work at night.” Beast answered, not looking up from his e-paper. “They do the heavy cleaning while you and Julius sleep.”
“Why?” Claire asked.
“So they don't get in the way. It takes a great deal of effort
to keep the Manor as clean as it is.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Claire paused. “How do you
know that?” She asked him. Had he been moving about the
Manor at nighttime, while she slept? She didn't want Julius to
spot him and start asking questions. That is, if he bothered with
questions before calling Security.
“I've observed them from outside.” He raised his head
from his reading to give her a dry look. “I know not to let Julius'
cameras spot me. It was my idea that we never meet.” Claire flushed in embarrassment. “I know. I just-” She
ducked her head and stopped speaking. She had been silly to
worry. Beast went back to his e-paper.
She gave Beast a fond look. She wanted to believe that he
could take care of himself. His senses were keen, he was
incredibly intelligent and devastatingly strong. But she had found
him the the bottom of a junk heap. He really couldn't take care of
himself completely, not alone.
That didn't mean she had to fret over him though. She
wondered if maybe a part of her liked to. She had never had
anyone to fuss over before, that she could remember. She knew
her mother and father had taken care of her when they were still
alive. Her heart remembered their warm love and affection even
though her brain couldn't remember their faces.
Mrs. Kennie had taken care of her, fussing over her even.
Claire smiled. She still did that whenever she visited the Sword
and the Rose.
She still felt a small pang whenever she thought of Mary
Kennie's restaurant.
Her new life didn't fit her exactly right, but it was getting
there, little by little. She didn't really know what would fit right,
or how she would know when it did, but she could feel herself
slipping into a routine, one that she was becoming more
comfortable with as time passed.
*** “What information do you have for me Dr. Keller?” Julius asked the aged doctor through the light screen over his desk. Jacqueline sat in her usual chair on the other side of the desk, clipboard and pen in hand. She was working intently at the moment, speaking to someone on her phone. Julius wasn't concerned about her overhearing his conversation. He kept no secrets from her.
If Julius Cantor had been capable of trusting someone, then it would be Jacqueline Carver. As his Personal Assistant, she knew more about his affairs and businesses than anyone, and much more besides. She knew the man behind the charming facade, the dark places inside of him that rarely showed on the surface. And that knowledge terrified her into complete and unwavering loyalty. Julius never treated her poorly or tried to intimidate her. But she knew how easily he could. How, with the slightest effort, he could make her and everyone who knew her disappear.
Julius watched as Dr. Keller's expression turned evasive. His dark eyes narrowed, he wasn't going to like this news. He was right. “The results are inconclusive.” The aged doctor answered.
“Inconclusive?” An edge crept into Julius' voice. “How so?”
“The trace of saliva left on the teacup was not enough to run a complete scan. The partial scan we took did not match anyone in the database. It's possible the sample was corrupted before you obtained it.” Dr. Keller answered, his expression serious.
Julius felt his temper flare, but it did not show in his face. A small tightening in his shoulders was the only indication. Jacqueline shot him a quick, nervous glance, then returned back to her phone call.
Dr. Keller continued. “If you obtain another sample, we can try again.”
“Thank you Dr. Keller, if I come across anything, I will send it down to you.” Julius pressed a button on his desk. The light screen, and Dr. Keller's face, disappeared.
Julius turned to Jacqueline, her phone conversation was finished as well. “Was he telling the truth?” He asked her, knowing that she had watched his conversation with Dr, Keller while maintaining her own.
Her brow puckered as she concentrated. “He definitely wasn't giving you all of his information.” She replied, her usual nervousness gone for the moment.
Julius nodded, his suspicions confirmed. Something was going on right under his nose, and he knew nothing about it. There was an enemy, close to him, and he did not know it's face. It was not a comfortable feeling for him. He would have to be on guard, more than normal.
He put a gloved hand to his face, the tips of his fingers brushing his cheek absently, but the scratch given to him by his unseen foe had faded and was barely noticeable now.
His enemy was someone that Dr. Keller had information on. Which meant the High Empress knew as well. Dr. Keller was not Julius' employee. His loyalty was to the Empress alone. So Julius could not force the doctor to tell what he knew.
Why was he being kept in the dark? Could it be...?
“E-everything has been arranged with Headmaster Chalmers.” Jacqueline informed him, shaking him from his reverie. “M-miss Claire can start at the beginning of next week.” Julius nodded. “She'll need her school things then.” He said, picking up his silver pen and scrawling on the black square laid into his desktop. He began looking up shops that sold books and uniforms.
“I-I can go with her as early as tomorrow morning.” Jacqueline offered.
“No, that's fine.” Julius said dismissively. “I'll take her myself.” His voice was distant, his mind somewhere else. “By myself.”
Jacqueline blinked at him in surprise. “Y-you'll take her, Sir?” She paused. “B-by yourself?” Whenever the Regent went out about the city, his bodyguards were not too far behind. He had made exceptions when he visited Claire at the Sword and the Rose, and had come back harmed. Jacqueline's lips pursed in a tiny frown, her eyebrows coming together slightly.
Julius nodded, ignoring her worried expression. “I am her guardian, don't parental types usually take care of such things personally?” He looked at her directly and smiled, as if he was making a joke. “And it's hard to have a family moment with bodyguards around, shadowing your every footstep.”
“I-I suppose so,
Sir.” Jacqueline had seen many things in the years she had worked for Julius Cantor. Things that kept her awake some nights. But the warm, genuine smile on her employer's face frightened her more than anything she had seen in the past.
Because, in all those years that she worked for him, she had never once seen him smile like that.
*** There was a knock on her bedroom door. “Good Morning, Miss Claire, it's time to wake up.” The maid called from the other side of the door.
It was early, she could feel it in her bones. They didn't want to move an inch. They rebelled with intense heaviness the very idea of moving out from under her covers.
The maids had never woken her up before. They usually let her sleep till mid-morning, when she woke up on her own. Then a maid would come in to help her dress for a day of exploring the Manor. After two weeks, she had fallen into this pattern.
Some distant warning in the back of her mind made her sit up quickly. She looked around wildly, opening her mouth to quietly tell Beast to leave the room. But she closed it again. He wasn't there. She sighed in relief. He was probably outside on the roof. It was uncanny how he always knew someone was coming before they got there.
“Come in.” Claire called, her voice thick with drowsiness. The maid entered and walked over to the open window. She shut it tightly. “It's a little too chilly today to have this open.” Then she went to the closet while Claire fought her way to full consciousness. She pulled her arms behind her back and stretched her stiff muscles, a huge yawn escaping from her lips.
The maid laid a dress on the bed. It was dark blue velvet with pink lace trim. Claire ran a hand over it. It was one of the ones Mrs. Kennie had packed for her. Julius had not bought any clothes for her yet.
This maid must be able to read minds, because she smiled formally at Claire and said “The Regent is taking you shopping today.”
Claire felt a tremor of excitement go through her. Julius was taking her out! She hadn't spent any time with him since she had moved in, two weeks ago. He really didn't get much time away from work. “For the whole day?” Claire asked, her eyes wide. It was far too much to hope.
The maid's smile changed from polite to genuine, one cheek dimpled. Claire's enthusiasm was contagious. “Until you get all of your school things.”
“Well then, let's go.” Claire threw off her blanket and pulled at the neck of her nightgown. The maid laughed. It was a breathy, light sound. She moved her deft fingers down Claire's back unbuttoning the nightgown for her.
She was dressed quickly, then sat down to have her hair brushed. The maid offered her breakfast, but Claire declined. She was too keyed up, her stomach full of fluttery things. She did force herself to eat a pear while she waited for the maid to fix her hair.
The maid brushed the tangled mess carefully. And much too slowly. Claire tapped her heel against the leg of the chair impatiently.
The maid laughed that light laugh again. It was her real laugh, Claire noted happily. She had finally broken through to someone. That triumph paled in comparison to the prospect of spending the day with Julius though. “What's your name?” She asked, trying to distract herself from being anxious.
“Leslie Martin.” The maid answered after only a brief hesitation.
“I'm Claire, Claire Cantor now. Nice to meet you.” Claire grinned to herself. She thought it was funny, introducing herself to the maid that had dressed her for the past two weeks.
“The pleasure is mine, Miss Claire.”
Claire's mind soon went back to her excitement. “Please do my hair really nice today. For Julius.”
“I am braiding it for you.” Leslie answered. “You will be trying on clothes today, and a braid will help your hair stay neat.” She plaited Claire hair on both sides of her head, around the crown of her skull, and then down her back. The braid was thick and heavy.
“You have such lovely hair, Miss Claire.” Leslie complimented. “I'm glad that I am the one who gets to fix it each day.
Claire turned in her chair, looking up at the maid shyly. “Is it true that red hair is rare?” She asked.
“I've never seen a redhead before you.” Leslie confessed. “It wouldn't surprise me if you were the only natural redhead in the entire city.”
Claire's eyes widened a little. The whole city? Then she smiled. The idea of having something that no one else had made her feel strange and happy at the same time. She was different, unique. But was it a good thing, or a bad thing? The attention she got over her hair was flattering, even if it made her shy. She decided it was a good thing for now.
Leslie broke into her musing gently. “You're all done. The Regent will be waiting for your downstairs.”
Claire hopped up out of her chair and hurried to the door. She threw a hasty “Thank you!” behind her as she left.
*** Julius was waiting in the Main Hall when Claire flew down the stairs. He raised an eyebrow, amused. “There is no need to hurry.” He told her, chastising.
He watched her check herself, walking up to him more sedately. Her smile was radiant. “You're really spending the day out with me?” She asked breathlessly. He could see the disbelief plain on her face.
He smiled reassuringly. “Of course. You will be starting school soon, and there are quite a few things you will need.” Claire beamed up at him. School! This day was getting better and better. “When will I be starting school?”
“In a few days.” He said as he placed a gloved hand on the back of her neck and led her to the back of the Main Hall. Near the elevator was a door. He unlocked it and held it open for her. “Monday to be precise.”
Claire entered the room, looking around. It was cavernous, with large windows set high up on the walls. Her footsteps echoed off the smooth floor, the clicking of her dainty shoes coming back to her hollowly from the roof high overhead. “Welcome to my garage.” Julius smiled at her, enjoying the naked awe on her face.
Hovercars filled the entire room. Rows and rows of them, of all types. Some were clearly antiques, not driven anymore. Some even had wheels, showing how truly ancient they were. She saw four limos parked on one side. Two of them were black, one was white, the last one was a bright, shimmering gold.
Claire stared at the gold limousine. It had a tacky, overdone feeling that didn't match Julius' style of subtle elegance. She didn't think it belonged to sober, middle-aged Augustus either.
Julius followed her gaze, noting the confusion on her face. He frowned in disapproval. “My sister's limousine. She's always been a little...” Claire had a feeling he was searching for a word that wasn't insulting. “Exuberant.”
He led her down the aisle of hovercars, to a sleek black four door. He opened the door to the backseat for her graciously.
“You're going to be driving?” She asked, looking up at him curiously.
He nodded. “I do enjoy driving. A little.” Actually, he enjoyed it immensely. Even he had to admit to himself that he was a tiny bit of a car fanatic. And he rarely got to indulge himself this one little pleasure. He smiled inwardly. Taking Claire to get her school things by himself hadn't been a completely selfless gesture. None of his gestures ever were.
Claire put her hand on the passenger door, looking up at him hopefully. He gave her a calculating look, then closed the door to the backseat. She took a step back as he sighed and opened the passenger door for her.
She smiled radiantly up at him quickly, then climbed into the passenger's seat. “Seatbelt.” He reminded her. He watched her clip the belt into place before shutting the door.
Claire looked around the car's interior. This was more Julius' style. The seats were black leather, the dashboard sleek and simple, yet elegant.
Julius walked around to the driver's side, pulling out his keys. He opened the door and slid in. He shut it behind him while he slotted the key into the starter.
The hovercar hummed to life under his hands, rising six inches off of it's track. The purr of the engine was quiet, but powerful. He couldn't stop the slow smile
that spread across his lips when he heard the familiar sound.
“Seatbelt.” Claire reminded, next to him.
He looked over at her, raising an eyebrow. Was she trying to tell him what to do?
Her face was carefully blank, and her tone had been calm. She looked to the side, avoiding his gaze. Her hands were folded in her lap. They tightened slightly, the only sign of emotion. He gave her a shrewd look, then leaned back and pulled the thick strap over his chest, clipping it at his side. He did have to set a good example, after all.
He pulled out into the middle of the garage, onto the main track, then to the garage door, which was sliding open.
Once it was fully open, Julius shifted his foot onto the accelerator. The car shot forward with just the lightest touch, the humming of the engine still whisper quiet.
He almost sighed aloud. He could only go the car's full speed potential for the half mile of track on the Manor grounds. Once he was past the gates, he would have to travel at the more sedate thirty-five mph speed limit.
Claire looked over at Julius. They slowed when they reached the main track, outside of the gates. Did she detect an ever so slight slump in his shoulders? She knew she could see that glimmer of pleasure in his eyes dull.
She cast her mind around for something to talk about, to distract him. “Where are we headed first?”
“You'll need to get your uniforms, that is our first priority.” Julius replied, his tone was bored.
Claire turned her attention to the tracks in front of them. Each street held six hovercar tracks, three going one way, three going the other. They supplied the hovercars with the energy and upward lifting force to keep them afloat. At regular intervals the tracks crossed themselves, allowing drivers to change lanes. At intersections the tracks connected, allowing the driver to turn down whichever street, or keep moving forward.
Claire Page 15