Page 31 of Drawn in Blood
“Ah, Miss Lothbrok,” Chief Thornsten’s voice rang, as he walked toward the group, “I didn’t see you when we arrived.”
Ember squared her shoulders as he walked closer—something about him made her skin crawl.
“I only just arrived, sir,” she replied quietly.
A Warden walked up to the small group, both hands behind his back as he stood tall beside Chief Thornsten. He squared his broad shoulders, his back stiff as a board, green eyes boring holes into the three teenagers. His red, wavy hair was cut shortaround his ears, left longer at the top, and freckles traveled across his tan face.
“Ah, Captain,” the chief said to the man with a nod, turning back to Otto. “Otto, this is Captain Eoghan Balor.”
Captain Balor nodded, shaking Otto’s hand. “My men have finished searching the premises, and everything seems to be clear, no sign of the intruders wandering about or hiding in the barn.” He gave a nod in the direction of the barn and house. “You are free to go inside and get your room back in order, Miss Lothbrok.” He looked straight at her, like they had already been introduced and had known each other for years. A chill ran down her spine.
Ember furrowed her brow. “Oh, no. I don’t live here anymore,” she said, as she shook her head. “I’m with my mother now.”
Chief Thornsten’s eyebrows shot up. “Well then,” he muttered, as he cleared his throat and adjusted the onyx tie around his neck. “I wasn’t aware that she was… here.”Not deadwere the words that hung in the air between them. “Congratulations, Miss Lothbrok.” He cleared his throat, turning back to Otto and Eira. “Otto, I expect I’ll be seeing you at the meeting on Sunday?”
Otto stiffened, and Ember watched as his jaw tensed. “Of course, Chief Thornsten,” he nodded. “I’ll be there.”
“Perfect.” The chief beamed as he picked an invisible piece of lint off his jacket sleeve. “Have a lovely afternoon, Otto, Eira.” He nodded at the couple and then turned with Captain Balor to gather what was left of the officers milling about the front yard before disappearing down the drive and outside of the wards. Ember expected them to turn toward the Echopoint, but instead, each of them disappeared into a cloud of mist without a sound.
Ember’s heart lurched as she watched them vanish, turning to Killian and Fen to make sure she wasn’t seeing things. “Howdid they do that?” she asked, wide eyed as the boys chuckled under their breath.
“When you become a Warden,” Fen replied, “you get a bracelet that gives you the ability to Echo. They can travel anywhere on island without the use of Echopoints or the Yggdrasil Terminal. It’s a pretty great selling point for the kids who want to join the academy honestly.”
Ember shook her head as the boys began to talk amongst themselves about how grueling they thought the academy might be, but her heart sank as she watched Maeve run carefree through the front yard, Della sticking very close by.
This was all becoming very real very fast, and Ember was scared.
The sun was slowly slippingover the horizon when Ember finally made her way back home and through the large double doors into the foyer. She kept waiting for it to hit her, that feeling of coming ‘home’ when she walked inside. She waited for the comforting warmth like she felt sitting in front of the Kitts’ fireplace after school or the way every worry she had seemed to fade away at the breakfast table while she watched Eira float around the kitchen.
She shook her head as she shut the door behind her, taking a breath as she stopped to listen to any signs of the people that occupied her new home. The sound of humming filled her ears, and she was instantly transported back to that small cottage in Galway filled with her mother’s warmth. A smile overtook her as she wandered through the foyer and into the kitchen, whereGaelen was busy plating dinner and putting it on the table, and Aoife was pulling a fresh loaf of bread out of the oven.
“You’re just in time for supper,” Aoife said sweetly, as Ember slipped into the room. “I hope you don’t mind stew and soda bread. I haven’t had a moment to go to the market this week. Sit, sit.” She motioned to the beautifully set table in the dining room where Theo was quietly sitting with his hands in his lap.
“That sounds lovely, Mum.” Ember smiled as she slipped into the chair across from the little boy. Gaelen gently wiped her hands on the apron tied around her waist as Ember’s mouth began to water.
“Is everything alright with the Kitts?” Aoife asked, as she sat at the table and began to cut the piping hot loaf of bread.
“They’re fine.” Ember nodded, watching as plumes of steam spiral through the air from her bowl of stew. “Someone broke into their house, but luckily, no one was home.” She left out the part about what rooms were ransacked. She didn’t want to worry her mother more than she probably already was.
“Oh, how awful,” Aoife replied, as she shook her head. “I can only imagine how terrifying that must’ve been. I’m so glad you were safe at home.”
“Me too, Mum.” Ember smiled, and she meant it. She was scared, and some days felt completely out of place, but she was so happy to be home. Ember’s eyes widened as a red ball of light buzzed through the kitchen, blinking rapidly as it hovered over the table.
Aoife sighed as she rolled her eyes. “I have to take the Helio right quick,” she said, as she pushed away from the table. “I’ll be back in two shakes.” And then she strode off toward her study on the other side of the manor.
Ember breathed a laugh and turned back to the stew sitting in front of her. She took a few bites, savoring the warmth of the potatoes and carrots before setting her spoon down and lookingover at Theo. She smiled as she waved at him, trying to catch his attention. His head popped up and eyes widened, and he looked like he was ready to run away and hide when Ember started signing.
“My name is Ember,”she signed, remembering what she and Killian had practiced in the library earlier that afternoon.
Theo grinned brightly, eyes widening as they lit up, and he gave her a gentle nod.“My name is Theo.”
His smile was so bright Ember was certain it could light the entire manor, floor to ceiling.
Her smile widened as she signed,“I’m your sister.”
Chapter 10
Elemental Magic and Lessons in Braille
