Frost Arch (28 page)

Jack shrugged, “When the line of males died out so did the Fire powers it seemed. As the line went on, the women in the family married and the name changed a few times. So now the last living descendant is Elvira Frost. Everyone noticed that as the line went along, the weather became colder and colder as Ice Mages were married into the family a few times.”

I frowned, “That’s no reason to change to name of Phoenix Arch though.”

Jack shrugged, “This happened before I was born, so it’s always been Frost Arch to me. Dad said the name change happened when Elvira Frost took over reign from her father. Her father died very suddenly when she turned sixteen or something. Heart attack.”

I clucked my tongue, “That doesn’t seem right.”

Jack made a face of indifference and stood from his stool, “History.” He waved it aside, “It doesn’t really matter anymore.”

“Does it snow all the time because of her?” I wondered.

Jack grimaced, “Who knows, Avalon? Does it really matter?”

I considered the question thoughtfully, before deciding it did matter. Something didn’t feel right about this place.

When Camryn entered the stables and hung the manure bucket upon a hook in the doorway she turned to face Jack and I with a sombre expression.

“Guess who I just saw?” She said reaching forwards and petting Midnight, the black Pegasus gently.

“No one coming in here, I hope.” I said, still petting Hawthorne who lay beside me. He seemed very sleepy today.

“No, don’t worry about him getting caught.” Camryn reassured, “I thought I caught a glimpse of Swaggart hiding in the trees behind the stables while I was throwing out the manure.”

Jack leapt from his stool and it clattered to the floor, “Swaggart?” He said; his body tense.

“Yes, I think-” Camryn began but Jack was already halfway towards the door.

“Woah, wait.” She said catching him by the coat and dragging him back, “He ran off when I saw him.”

“Yeah,” Jack scowled, “Doesn’t like hanging around, that one.”

I felt a shiver of fear run down my spine. Was Seth Swaggart really lurking around the stables because he knew I came here so often? Was he really after me? Or did he know I was hiding something here? Whatever the reason, that boy frightened me. Perhaps he was lurking for an entirely different reason, I wasn’t sure. Whatever the case was I didn’t want to run into him. I still remembered how I had felt the first time I had seen him. Scared, and frozen like ice, as though a big metal clamp was around my lungs, choking me. And that was just from looking into his eyes.

“Do you really think he is waiting for Avalon to be alone?” Camryn said doubtfully.

“Who knows what that psycho is up to?” Jack glowered, “But I don’t want him anywhere near her. She’ll be with someone at all times when she’s crossing the grounds to the stables from now on.”

I was rather touched by Jack’s anger and protective nature. I smiled at him and he averted his eyes quickly, huffing.

“I’m sure we’re over reacting. He’s probably a thief.”

Hawthorne raised his large, fluffy head and peered at me with his crystal blue eyes. He clearly conveyed his emotions through his eyes. He couldn’t have been clearer unless he could talk. His eyes threatened me to stay safe, or he would be quite mad if harm should befall me.

I smirked, “Don’t you worry about me” I said ruffling the fur atop his head.

Camryn frowned, “You talk to him as though he is a person, as though you can understand him.”

I shrugged, “Well we all know how smart he is.”

“But how can you be sure of what he is thinking?”

“I’m not.” I said, rather confused by the direction Camryn was taking, “But isn’t it obvious what he’s got on his mind? You can see his emotions through his eyes.”

Camryn raised an eyebrow, “If you say so.” She muttered.

Jack had preoccupied himself with a rather long hair he had discovered on his chin and ignored the conversation. Plucking it with his fingers he mused, “I wonder if Ræven would go on a date with me.”

“Conversation would be very interesting.” Camryn mocked.

“I bet I can get her to talk.” Jack said defensively.

“Because you’ve done very well so far.” Camryn smirked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

“Jack got her to nod last time he spoke to her.” I pointed out.

“Exactly.” Jack nodded eagerly, “Already halfway there.”

I chuckled and Camryn sighed impatiently.

“No harm in trying.” I reasoned.

“Don’t you two have work to do?” Camryn snapped.

“Now that you mention it.” Jack said pulling out his Time-Keeper, “I’m going to go and help in the kitchens.”

“By help you mean-” I began.

“Steal food, yes.” Jack confirmed, “You’re coming too. There’s no way I’m letting you wander the grounds alone, Redding.”

I sighed and stood up reluctantly, giving Hawthorne one last pet before I left. From the corner of my eye I saw him trot back towards his stall. For a creature so large he certainly was lithe.

“Maybe we can go for a fly tonight, Hawthorne.” I called back into the stables as Jack grabbed me by the arm and dragged me away.

As we walked back towards the manor I scanned the nearby forest for any movement or dark shadows hiding. I couldn’t see anything at all and assumed that perhaps Camryn had frightened Swaggart off. I shuddered and Jack noticed, mistaking it for cold. He slung his arm over my shoulder once again like he had done this morning. It made me feel quite comfortable. It was an action of friendship, something that I wasn’t used to really, but it felt right. I wrapped my arm around his waist in response.

“Jack,” I began, “Sometimes I get the feeling Camryn doesn’t like me.”

Jack thought for a moment, “It’s hard to tell with Cam. She’s always so irritable. Sometimes I wonder if she likes me too.”

“You two argue a lot.” I pointed out.

“It wasn’t always like that.” Jack recalled, “We used to get along fine.”

“What happened?”

Jack laughed nervously, “Puberty, I guess.” I smiled and watched my feet as we strolled through the snow, “Girls get frightening when they get older.”

I laughed, “Sometimes.”

“We were best friends as kids. We’re still close, but we get on each other’s nerves easily. Or rather, I get on her nerves these days.”

“You are rather annoying.” I agreed.

Jack gave me a kidney jab with his free hand and I scowled, rubbing my side.

“We just grew apart as we got older.” Jack finished.

“Girls do mature faster than boys.” I reasoned.

“I guess. Maybe I’ll catch up in a few years then.”

However my train of thought was on a completely different track. After all, I was a girl and I knew how most females should think.

“Jack, you don’t suppose … perhaps Camryn bickers with you all the time because she fancies you?”

“She what?” Jack laughed, “Not blood likely.”

I shrugged, “Just a theory.”

We fell silent then and lapsed into thought. I could see the clockwork going in Jack’s head as he thought the idea over. I didn’t quite believe it myself, but girls were tricky things and had different ways of showing feelings. Jack was often thinking about girls. Perhaps Camryn was bitter because he had never asked her out before. Jack would probably think it was weird, dating a childhood friend. Or had they dated in their adolescence? Perhaps it hadn’t worked out. They were two very different people. I thought they would make an awful couple, quite frankly.

“Will you come with me tomorrow?” Jack interrupted my thoughts.

“Where?” I inquired.

Jack smirked, “To ask Ræven Blacklock on a date.”

I groaned, “Why do I have to be there?”

“Moral support.” Jack shrugged, “You can wait outside while I sweep her of her feet, then we can trot along to other business.”

I grumbled, “Fine.”

Jack gave me a squeeze and we entered through the kitchens, Jack instantly plotting to seal some food.

The following morning when I was doing my rounds and lighting the fires manually, Charles caught up with me and we had a highly expected conversation. I had been waiting for this.

“Miss Redding, I’m afraid to say that this can’t go on much longer.”

I sighed and dusted my charcoal hands against my uniform, which was quite black with soot, “I know sir, and I’m trying.”

Charles nodding in understanding, “Master Forsythe doesn’t know about your little problem yet, so hopefully you will have it sorted out before he does.”

I nodded, “I’ll try my best to get my Power working soon.”

Charles pursed his lips, “If the Master finds out, well, I’m afraid to say that he won’t hesitate to remove you from the staff.”

I kept silent but nodded, my heart pounding hard. I didn’t want to lose my job. It would be so very damaging for my ego, which was fragile enough.

Naturally I told Jack what Charles has said about me losing my job. Worried lines formed on Jack’s forehead, and I knew he would be devastated if I left.

“Don’t worry.” He promised me, “We’ll figure something out.”

“I hope so.” I said moodily as we walked into the city together.

I had never seen all of Frost Arch. It was far too vast to walk from one side to the other in a day, and I wasn’t very fit. The only places I had seen were the marketplace and its surrounding shops. In the distance stood the terrifying mountain of Elvira Frost; much too far to walk from the marketplace, so I assumed people got around all day by horse and cart.

When we arrived at our destination Jack began walking quite slowly and wrung his hands together nervously.

Chuckling to myself I ushered Jack towards the Messenger Service shop. With a nervous grimace at me, Jack entered the shop while I waited outside. I paced up and down in front of the shop for a moment, thinking to myself. Surrounding this little building was an assortment of other businesses lining the street. Strange and unfamiliar signs hung everywhere, offering goods and services that I had never heard of before. I stuffed my hands in my pockets and shivered. It was snowing lightly and the flecks of white were settling into my hair, probably making it seem as though I had a bad case of dandruff. The snow didn’t melt instantly on contact anymore. I frowned and tried to avoid thinking about that particular subject. What was taking Jack so long?

As though answering my thoughts, I heard a pair of boots crunching the snow behind me. I turned to face the shop where I assumed I would see Jack standing behind me, possibly grinning, or possibly scowling if he had been turned down. But as I had paced I had found myself standing before a rather dank looking alleyway that was located next to the Messenger Service shop. This alley led to one of the several back streets of the marketplace, possibly one that I had used during my first day here.

It was dark through here and I couldn’t see anyone. I had probably imagined hearing those footsteps. After all, Frost Arch was a busy, noisy place. I turned back and gazed fruitlessly at the other shop windows, but didn’t really see what was behind them. I tapped my foot impatiently.

A rough, cold and pale hand clamped around my mouth, and I felt another arm wrap around my waist and begin dragging me backwards. It took several seconds for me to realise that the hands upon me were not Jack’s. These hands were unfamiliar. I tried to scream but the stranger covered my mouth completely. No one would hear my muffled cries over the hustle and bustle of the city. I tried kicking out and writhing from the strangers grasp, and almost head butt them, but they were much stronger than me. I was being dragged back into the depths of the alley, and no one had seen it happen. Who was it behind me, dragging me away? I was quite sure that I knew, but were they really so strong? The hands were bony and fragile looking but had great strength.

Where was my fire now? My Power was betraying me in this moment of danger. Perhaps Jack would emerge from the shop and wonder where I had gone, maybe see me as I was taken away.

But no. Now it was too late. My kidnapper rounded the corner in the alley and we were surely out of sight now, hidden by shadows in the filthy backstreet. Where was he taking me? What did he want me for?

Before my fears could run amok I was thrust into a stone wall, my face pressing against the freezing rock. The kidnappers hand gripped my hair and held me against it tightly. I heard his harsh voice in my ear as he leant in to whisper to me. He sounded panicked and rushed.

“Are you Avalon Redding of Mortlock?”

I tried to cry and scream but I had no air in my lungs anymore. I simply gasped against the stone wall, my arms pinned behind my back.

“Are you Avalon Redding of Mortlock?” The harsh voice pressed impatiently, “Fire Mage and worker for the Forsythe manor?”

I struggled against the vice like grip upon me, but he just held me tighter. I couldn’t see who it was at all.

“Are you!?” He growled.