User blog:Mauller/Absolution 009

Absolution, Chapter:009


It was a morning like any other, the sun rose in the east making the dew shimmer in the new days light. Yet unlike most days, a cloaked figure was waiting in a shadowed glade. The figures clothing was more than adequate to mask their presence and identity. But the lone golden braid that hung from the darkened cowl was enough to reveal this person’s identity.

After an uneventful night, Goldie decided it would be a good time to contact her informant again. So long before the sun had risen, she activated the beacon on her belt then set off to find a secluded meeting spot.

‘Where is that girl?’ She felt that she needed the early-morning stroll to help ease her nerves. The vantage point she found overlooked the forest and allowed her to see any oncoming visitors. And although she knew she was secure she still felt uneasy.

‘Oh gods…’ She groaned when she heard the squealing of a young girl approaching from above. ‘What is wrong with her?’

Things only became worse when a mass of fabric fell through the canopy to the sound of breaking branches. ‘I am here! You there Goldie!’ The girl she was waiting for could not be in a worse position. She had managed to catch her ankle on a branch, to end up hanging upside down.

After a bout of wiggling and looking in the wrong direction, the girl folded her arms and huffed. ‘Where is she? I come all this way...’ She then reached into her cloak and retrieved a small gem. ‘It says she is here… helloooo! Goooooldieeeeeee!’

Seeing the girl arrive in one piece was a relief to Goldie. But she could not stop herself sighing as she walked towards her companion. ‘You could try looking behind yourself.’

‘Waa!’ The girl started flapping her arms although her oversized cloak kept them hidden. Her efforts rewarded her with the branch breaking and a sizable fall to the ground. But lucky for her, Goldie caught her, leaving the girls head dangling above the fallen foliage.

‘Goldie! Where did you come from?’ she smiled and looked down from her perspective at her friend. But ended up grumbling and rubbing her head when she was dropped for the last foot of her fall.

‘You should remain silent till you find me. We are supposed to meet in secret.’ The young warrior chuckled since it reminded her of the times she spent training with her mother. ‘You make such a mess of yourself at times.’ Goldie smiled to herself as she pulled twigs from girl’s hair. It felt heart-warming to be around her friend. She often wondered if the relationship they shared would be similar to having a younger sister. But that thought tugged at her in a way she would not reveal to anyone.

The girl pouted and folded her arms. ‘I know… but you didn’t have to drop me on my head… and I even came this early in the morning.’

‘You are already in trouble, you left these behind during our last meeting.’ Goldie retrieved a small bag from her pouch then gave it to the girl. ‘You should be more careful than the rest of us because of what you are. Just be glad they let you acts as a messenger.’

‘Holy fuzzballs! I can’t believe I left these behind!’ The girl opened the bag, revealing a number of downy red feathers. She then stuffed it against her face and inhaled. ‘Ahh… that’s good stuff. Pains gone now.’ The young girl chuckled then hopped about in front of Goldie. It brought a smile to the young womans troubled face so see her joyful friend.

‘Yes and with the old rumours about those, you should be more careful.’

‘I can’t believe it! I could have sold these and made a killing from that weird medicine merchant... ouch! Don’t hit me!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Then be quiet… and you better have not revealed your identity.’ Goldie leant closer to her companion. But the young girl just huffed and turned away.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Don’t think I am stupid. I use a secretary to go in between, she is really nice ya know.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Goldie sighed and rubbed her brow. ‘The word is intermediary… fine, just don’t do anything that will get me into trouble. Some people would kidnap you and lock you away for your down.’ She looked at her companion who was picking her way through the bag. She knew the girl could be a feather brain at times but she trusted her to complete her work. ‘Well? Do you have any new information?’

<p class="MsoNormal">The girl continued to inspect the red and gold tipped feathers one at a time. ‘Oh… oh! Yes! I do have some new info. Apparently they are from some assassin death cult, thing or something like it. Big on sacrificing their enemies to their god. Don’t know why they are this far west though. Some commotion about them finding someone for some deity or king or something like it.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I see, but they did not seem like assassins… and will you put those away?’ The ornate dagger worried her, she knew of its significance and use. Yet she wondered why such a large group of cultists would be this deep in Order territory. Unless they were after something or someone.

<p class="MsoNormal">The girl grumbled then stuffed the bag inside her cloak. ‘And what ya mean get ya into trouble?’

<p class="MsoNormal">Even though she enjoyed the girls company, Goldie always worried about her friend’s whimsical nature. So to make a point she held the girl by the shoulders and leant in close. ‘Because… every time you do something reckless, I always end up being the person to clean up your mess. So please stay out of trouble while I am working this job. It could have a big pay-out for us.’

<p class="MsoNormal">She steeled herself since she knew how her friend would reply. The girl looked up at her with a pout then looked away. ‘Okay…’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Good. Because I won’t be able to come running if you do. So stay safe Plume… Why are you looking at me like that?’ The young girl started whimpering. ‘What?’ Her stomach then rumbled and she hopped backwards. ‘Oh… you haven’t eaten yet?’

<p class="MsoNormal">The girl shook her head then tried hugging up to Goldie. ‘I had a few berries that I found on the way here. I haven’t eaten in days.’ Most people would end up with their head through a wall if they tried what plume often did. Her friend looked pathetic as her lip quivered, but all of her antics felt endearing to the warrior. She was the only person outside of her home village she felt comfortable around.

<p class="MsoNormal">Goldie sighed and shook her head. ‘You know your tell is very obvious, I know when you are lying remember? You just want a free lunch.’ Although her companion could not see it, she smiled when the younger girl jumped back and pulled up her hood.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Ya horrid! I just want to… what was that?’

<p class="MsoNormal">A deep roar bellowed through the forest, Sending birds and other animals scattering in the opposite direction. The girls waited for a moment till they heard it again.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘We have to go plume, just keep covered.’ Goldie grabbed the girl around the waist and started running.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Why? What was that?’ Plume looked up at the older of the two and wiggled about to gain a better view of where they were going.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘That was a minotaur’s battle cry. And I only know of one in the area. Just hold on, we need to hurry.’ The bad feeling peaked when Plume arrived. But she did not understand why as their surroundings were clear.

<p class="MsoNormal">Goldie knew she had to hurry, the smell of death kept tickling her nose.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘What do you… mean!?’ The young girl started screaming when her companion started running faster and leaping across small ravines.

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">I woke in a cold sweat while gasping for breath, it happened so often now that I no longer worried about it. The same cracked ceiling greeted me along with the sound of people’s laughter from the room above. Small streams of plaster fell from the ceiling along with the occasional spider. It would not normally bother me, except this time it was landing on my face.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Why do I bother?’

<p class="MsoNormal">My arm helped block much of the debris but I was left with the smell and taste of dirt in my mouth. People used to tell me that life was special, but it only felt dull and lifeless. Even the colours and bright fabrics they would wave in front of me looked muted and pale. Regardless of them telling me how vibrant they were. And that I should “Cheer up” or “lighten up” as they would say.

<p class="MsoNormal">Reserved, private, cool, detached, level-headed, secretive, withdrawn. They would label me like my books would label the various plants and fungi within their pages. But the truth was that I felt dead inside. And if the constant nightmares were not mixed with the dreams of happier times, then I would choose not to wake.

<p class="MsoNormal">My bed was comfortable for what I could afford and I would have stayed there longer. Yet life was hard and my thin body was complaining for nourishment. So I sighed and rolled onto my side to check where today's income could come from.

<p class="MsoNormal">On the opposite wall of my room was a notice board with my jobs. Each pinned to the board with a different item or colour to denote how I would complete it. But one in particular was bothering me. Although it was the best paid job I had received, my handler gave no further instructions on how to complete it.

<p class="MsoNormal">I sighed and sat on the edge of my bed while staring at the crude photograph I was given. It was obvious that the person had taken it from a distance. But it was my job to get in close and complete the mission, they wouldn’t risk one of their skilled photographers being caught. Even the magic paper they carried and used would burn the instant it was exposed to the light if mishandled.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Why do you bother me so much?’ I sat there while my foot bounced on the floor.

<p class="MsoNormal">The face of the person smiled back without a care in the world. A thin looking creature no older than me. The hints of a care free lifestyle irritated me but that was no different to any of the more affluent I met in the streets.

<p class="MsoNormal">This particular person made something churn deep within me when I looked at them. Was it revulsion? Hatred? Fear? But why would it be fear? I did not care what happened to me so I was often given the most dangerous jobs. But unlike the other, I completed them with the minimal of fuss and expenditure.

<p class="MsoNormal">My proficiency was the thing that turned the others away from me. I think they became scared of me in the end.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Why am I sat here like this again?’ I shook my head and pulled my hair. ‘Why is this such a nuisance?’ No other job in the past had affected me like this. It had no time limit so I had left completing it for over a month. This was unlike me, why do I draw a blank every time I try to plan for it?

<p class="MsoNormal">I sighed then went about my normal morning routine. Strip, clean, dry, dress, check for mail. A simple list but one I kept to. Why keep to it? Does it matter?

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Of course it does. Without routine I would be nothing…’

<p class="MsoNormal">The various tinctures and balms I had prepared lined the shelves above my desk. Looking over them brought no relief to my quandary. And I found myself looking in the mirror after a moment of deducing possible outcomes of various scenarios I could act out. But every time I went over the methods and tactics I was always left with a bad feeling. As though my stomach was dropping through the floor.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Maybe I should use the direct approach?’ A spark of inspiration but also something I avoided at all costs. ‘Well I guess I have little choice.’ I looked at the other jobs and crossed out those I had completed the previous night. This needed to work, I didn’t think I could last much longer without a large pay-out to cover my loans. The money from my previous work was already gone without a single coin spent on a meal or supplies.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Damn it!’ A few of my tools fell off the desk when I slammed my fist against it. But one in particular caught my eye, an ornate dagger with a wavy blade. The weapon I took from the hands of a man who tried to kill me. The weapon that lead me to this point.

<p class="MsoNormal">I guess it will do, for the pay-out I would be close to buying my freedom. But with everything I have done and everything I know, would this life be done with me?

<p class="MsoNormal">I picked up the blade and sheathed it. And was caught off guard by the person who was staring back at me from across the room. He could be no older than sixteen with messy brown hair that hung down to his shoulders. The rags he wore would let him pass many places without second notice by the town guards. While his cloak would let him hide in the majority of dark corners.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Who… are you?’

<p class="MsoNormal">His scruffy face mouthed my words as he stared back at me. His hand moved to his cheek then touched his lips. The sensation felt odd as my callused fingers passed over the more sensitive flesh. I had never seen him before and it left an unnerving sensation of uncontrolled energy within me.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Am… I smiling?’

<p class="MsoNormal">I laughed as I looked at my reflection, even the boy’s eyes seemed different today as they watched me. But I shook my head and looked away when a faint light bloomed from within his irises.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘No… I can’t do that again… I need to leave and complete this.’ And I needed to do it soon as my hands were starting to shake. ‘I need to go before I blackout. My target should be at the set location.’ The information for the job mentioned a routine the person followed. So I hoped they would still be in the gardens by the time I arrived.

<p class="MsoNormal">The thud from upstairs was all I needed to snap me back to reality. So I left my room and set off to my destination. And even though the strange feelings had calmed, my hands would not settle.

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">I roused from my odd dreams. They were strange and felt more like memories of an event than a fantastical nocturnal adventure. Did I just think that? Although carrying on with that trail of thought, I feel different. As though a blockage had been cleared.

<p class="MsoNormal">My body was comfortable and warm. Even my head rested on a pillow so I assumed I was in my bed. Was it just a dream in the end? Did I sneak back in after Kim kicked me out? I just remember going outside then everything else… blurred. What? What is this smell?

<p class="MsoNormal">An aroma was tickling my nose. I still felt lazy and worn from what happened with Lin. So opening my eyes was the last thing I felt like doing. I could hear Kim talking in the kitchen, so thought that nothing bad had happened in the end. And resting felt more important with how much my chest ached.

<p class="MsoNormal">What is this smell? It is odd but not unpleasant. And why is it so close to me? Did Kim leave something to eat by my bed?

<p class="MsoNormal">I decided to move closer, but the oddest thing occurred. The scent was getting stronger yet I had hardly moved. What is this? My nose bumped into something soft and covered in fabric. The smell seemed to be coming from it.

<p class="MsoNormal">But before I could stick my nose against it for a better whiff, the object shifted and gripped my nose.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘She said you liked feet, so I thought that stupid face of yours might like a whiff of your superior’s tootsies.’ The voice of a young girl filled the room along with girlish snickering.

<p class="MsoNormal">The fabric pushed further into my face while keeping hold of my nose. My body froze when I recognised the voice. And it sent a chill down my spine when I remembered where I had heard it.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘So you aren’t just stupid, you are also a pervert. Sniffing little girl’s feet like this. Does that stupid grin on your stupid face mean you enjoy it?’

<p class="MsoNormal">When I opened my eyes, just as the voice had said, a small foot was gripping my nose. Filling my sinuses with the strange yet not unpleasant aroma. Why does her foot smell familiar? Don’t tell me that I liked feet before I lost my memories? I felt myself flush at the thought when it combined with the memory of watching Kim’s legs.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘You weirdo.’ The girl snickered and started laughing again. But what snapped me back was when her eyes glowed for a second.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘You… but… wasn’t it just a dream? How are you here?’

<p class="MsoNormal">I didn’t know what was happening, the glasses wearing girl was sat next to my bed with her feet on my pillow. The duvet covering my legs felt heavy. It appeared the cat from the girl’s satchel was laying between them. Minding its own business while the girl continued rubbing her foot against my face.

<p class="MsoNormal">Her toes soon gripped tighter and she started shaking my head. ‘Your stupid foot-loving face should feel lucky, you could have ended up dead if Malachi had not stopped you.’

<p class="MsoNormal">So some of what I dreamt had occurred. Then what about the girls, was Amanda alright? I could still hear Kimiko talking, but who was she conversing with? The chatter from the kitchen was a muffled drone but she never seemed to talk at length with Goldie.

<p class="MsoNormal">I felt as though I was missing an important fact, the one thing that had kept me going in that fight. ‘Valis! I need to save her!’ when I went to sit my head bounced off something above me. ‘Ah damn! What is this?’ but nothing was there except the bottom of Kim’s bed. And that was high enough to let me sit with room to spare.

<p class="MsoNormal">The girl burst out laughing as I rubbed my forehead and reached out. ‘This… I remember something like this from…’ An invisible barrier that was half an arm’s length away pushed back against my hands.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh gods! You really are stupid!’ The girl continued her irritating verbal abuse while I inspected the invisible box that surrounded me. ‘Do you think we would let you run off? How stupid do you think we are?’ She smiled but let out the occasional snort when her self-control appeared to waver.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Let me out! I have to save Valis!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Your stupid face is staying there till Malachi says you can go.’ It only further annoyed me when she tutted and waved her finger. How could such a small girl be so arrogant? She was already annoying me and this was the first time we had spoken.

<p class="MsoNormal">The barrier would not give regardless of how hard I hit it. And when I looked at the girl she just smiled and wiggled her toes. Her feet were still on my pillow and inside the barrier. How was she doing that? Was she the one making this weird barrier? Like how that woman and man made those projectiles?

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Let me out of here.’ She shook her head. ‘Fine, then I have to make you let me out.’

<p class="MsoNormal">She snorted, closed her eyes then folded her arms. ‘And how do you think you are gooooing to!’ I grinned when her eyes shot open and she covered her mouth.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Don’t… think this means you have won anything. How stupiiiid!’ She let out a squeal and her body trembled when my finger ran up the underside of her foot. Even though she tried pulling it away, my other hand was gripped firmly around her ankle.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh, so look who is high and mighty now. Let me out of here or else.’ I clawed my free hand and hovered it around her trapped foot.

<p class="MsoNormal">The young girl straightened her glasses, put her hat on the desk behind her then breathed in deep. ‘Never in a million years! Do you think I am stupid! You are the one who is stupid!’ We continued our staring contest. But the moment I saw a flicker of light in her eyes I began my pre-emptive assault.

<p class="MsoNormal">She screamed out in laughter. ‘Ahh! No! Stop! I am super ticklish!’ Nice way of telling me how to deal with you, damn pain in the arse girl. I should be helping valis, not stuck here tickling feet. Even if it is amusing.

<p class="MsoNormal">What sort of person was I before I lost my memory? These random thoughts are getting weird.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘So, you going to let me out now?’ I stopped and let the girl catch her breath. She had gone bright red and was panting from the fit of laughter she had endured. The barrier still seemed in place when I tested it. And the chatter from the kitchen drew my attention when I heard deep and bellowing laughter.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Why you… no one. No one! Has ever done this to me… I will tell your stupid face what is going to happen now.’ She spat out her words while glaring at me. The blue light flickered in her eyes on occasion, I was sure it had some significance to the metaphysical events that were occuring.

<p class="MsoNormal">Yes, my thoughts are getting weird. But I need to deal with this girl. ‘So when are you going to let me out?’

<p class="MsoNormal">The girl gritted her teeth and breathed in deep. Her free foot started kicking at my hand as her face further flushed.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Never!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Wrong answer.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The room filled with high pitched laughter and screaming again. ‘Now how about I remove this.’ The fabric of her sock stretched as I pulled it. The girls eyes went wide and she started shaking her head. She started screaming again and started kicking her feet when I yanked her sock free. All of her pleas to let her go were ignored as I continued my assault.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘So had enough then?’ I grinned as I held her leg. The look she was giving me could have cut a hole through steel yet it only made me chuckle.

<p class="MsoNormal">We remained staring at each other. Time seemed to race yet I was sure only a few minutes had passed. The only thing that brought me out of the trance was the clatter of the kitchen door.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘So what’s going on in here then? Don’t tell me you been pestering the lad Eleanor?’ The gruff voice of an older man filled the room. I had not noticed at first but Kim and a large burly man were watching us from the kitchen doorway.

<p class="MsoNormal">I looked between the two newcomers and the girl. I was still holding her ankle with her bare foot close to my face. Oh no. why do I have such a bad feeling? As I ratcheted my head to the kitchens entrance, Kim’s glare burned into me when our eyes locked.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Martin… what are you doing to that poor girl?’ Kimiko spoke in a quiet yet calm tone. But it felt as though she had hit me in the stomach.

<p class="MsoNormal">The sudden sniffling and blubbering from my side further brought Kim’s ire against me. The young girls face was covered in tears as she sniffled and rubbed her eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘He is being so mean to me… I was just trying to talk with him then he attacked me and started tickling and licking my feet. Then he tried peeking up my skirt.’

<p class="MsoNormal">I jumped from her reply. ‘What?!’ The sly grin she gave me between her sniffling and eye rubbing confirmed it was a ruse. But before I could reply something grabbed my ear.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Let her go now martin.’ I turned to find Kim’s furious face hovering near my own. So I complied with her demand and held up my hands.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Kim… it’s not what it looks like. Really.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The young girl ran into the kitchen while continuing her melodramatic outburst. But my situation was only getting worse as Kim’s eye twitched and she raised her free hand into the air.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘No! Kimiko! wait! I woke up and there was this smell and it ended up that it was her feet. And I just made things sound weird didn’t I?’ My companion nodded. ‘And now you are going to hit me and shout at me?’ She nodded again.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘You stupid jerk!’

<p class="MsoNormal">For such a small girl, she still amazed me with her strength. The burning in the side of my face and ache in my neck further confirmed that fact. And it didn’t help when she jumped on me and started using my body as a hand-to-hand training dummy.

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">Rapturous laughter filled the sleeping cabin as Malachi chortled to his heart’s content. Two excruciating hour had passed since I woke. And the conversation that occurred after Kim calmed down still left me feeling unsettled.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘So you are sure she will be alright? The way they treated her seemed like her death could come at any moment.’ I looked over my tea while taking another sip.

<p class="MsoNormal">The burly man known as Malachi was sat opposite me and Kim on the sofa. On most days we had no need of extra seating. So it remained folded into the wall, leaving the desk bellow it available for use.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I do apologise for what happened. I should have known better than to let Alec and his men go first. So much for promises. But like I said, they are taking her to Lescatie. We were meant to capture the girl and take her back with us unharmed.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Nothing made sense. From what I remembered, the man in silver armour who I assumed was Alec, hated the girls on the farm. And yet the tall and muscular man before me was quite happy to talk with the twins when they came to check on me earlier.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Are you alright martin?’ Kim nudged me while looking concerned.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Yeah, I just feel very confused right now. And my headache is back which is not helping. I just don’t understand why those men hate the girls on the farm so much.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The older man cleared his throat, bringing my attention back to him. He then leant forwards with a stern look in his eyes. ‘Just know this lad. If it was not for that cloaked woman turning up, then you might have lost your own head. What possessed you lad? You were like a berserker from what I saw. If we put tail and horns on you I would have thought you were a male minotaur from the old legends.’

<p class="MsoNormal">I rubbed my eyes and tried recalling what happened. All I remembered was charging at a man and woman a few times, then seeing the girl on my back and getting knocked out. But apparently more happened beyond that. And to make matters worse, the man in silver armour was not happy about Malachi intervening.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I just don’t know, like I said, something inside me burned when the soldier kicked Valis in the face. I didn’t even know Goldie had turned up and tried distracting me. Or that I managed to break free of whatever was holding me.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Girlish snickers came from overhead, the young girl had made herself comfortable on Kim’s bed. And I was sure I heard the odd comment from her about the level of my intelligence.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Eleanor. Leave the lad alone, we didn’t know the full story when we turned up.’ Thinking of his words left me feeling empty. I had told him that Valis was a travelling companion of ours. And I felt grateful that Kimiko and Goldie went along with my story. But the words the wolf woman told me the previous night left me wondering about my past.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Martin? Are you sure everything is okay?’ Kimiko held my shoulder and frowned when I looked at her.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘He is stupid. That is all there is to it.’ The snickering from above grew and only died when the burly man cleared his throat.

<p class="MsoNormal">But I ignored it and smiled while putting my hand on Kim’s. ‘Yeah, I just need to rest a little. It would be good if we can get back on the road again soon.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I tell you what lad, I shouldn’t do this, but that job was set by the church. If you come to Lescatie then ask for my name in the east barracks. As long as you can keep your head cool then I might have some work for someone with your talents. It should also give you the chance to find your companion. Might even be able to give you a hand myself depending on the circumstances.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Kimiko’s eyes lit up. I already knew what she was thinking from the short time I had spent with her. But before she could reply I knocked her on the head and shushed her. She just pouted and folded her arms in return which tickled me.

<p class="MsoNormal">I looked at Malachi and he gave me a small smile. ‘But why would you do that? Weren’t you here to kill Valis?’

<p class="MsoNormal">The large man shook his head. ‘No lad. The job was to find her and bring her back. This entire thing smelt rotten from the start. And Eleanor only confirmed that when we found the girl.’

<p class="MsoNormal">What does he mean by that? The men in matching uniforms seemed to hate the girls from the farm. Even Malachi’s men seemed weary around them and chose to camp near the farms entrance.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘My head is hurting from all of this. But why would they want to kill her from the start?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I don’t know why they want her lad but there is one thing that I can tell you.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The silence that followed was unnerving. The burly man appeared in deep thought as he cupped his hands and rested his chin against them.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘The mission only gave a brief description of the girl. Which was strange in itself and nothing that I had heard of before. It was set by one of the cardinals of the church which is a rarity for this type of job. We were given a golden collar to bind her with and gems to track her. And Eleanor couldn’t detect the girl’s mana, only traces of the were-wolf taint that clung to her.’

<p class="MsoNormal">What does he mean by were-wolf taint? ‘Now I am very confused. So what are you trying to say?’

<p class="MsoNormal">Malachi leant forwards on the sofa and levelled his eyes with mine. ‘What I am trying to say lad. Is that there is something strange going on here.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Our eyes remained locked and I jumped when Kim put her hand on my back. I had not realised that I was leaning towards Malachi till she touched me. ‘Why is it strange though? And why do you think they want Valis?’

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">‘Because lad, she is no monster.’

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