Love's First Flames (Banished Saga, 0.5) (2 page)

Jumping out of the bed, he opened the door to his room. Smoke billowed in the hallway, causing him to cough and blink his eyes rapidly. He slammed the door shut, racing to Jeremy, who lay on a cot near Gabriel’s bed. Gabriel shook his youngest brother, screaming, “Wake up!” He vaulted onto his bed, hitting Richard so hard he fell to the floor.

“Gabe?” Richard asked sleepily. His head popped up over the side of the bed, and he moved to crawl back into his side of the bed.

“Fire!” Gabriel said as he grabbed Richard’s arm and moved toward Jeremy, yanking him up and toward the doorway. Jeremy grabbed for a toy train Uncle Aidan had given him, but his fingers met only air as he was heaved forward by Gabriel. “The hallway’s full of smoke. We should crawl to the front door and then out.”

“What about Mum and Da?” Richard asked.

“I’m sure they couldn’t get to us and are already outside, waiting for us,” Gabriel said, his voice trembling as he battled the terror of opening the door again. “Whatever we do, let’s stay together.”

He opened the door, and a roar enveloped them. The smoke had become thicker, and, only by instinct, Gabriel knew to turn right toward the front door. He crouched low, crawling along, hands bumping into a side table, knocking off a battered vase as he struggled forward. Smoke burned his lungs, and he pulled up his shirt to cover his mouth, although nothing helped prevent hacking coughs from bursting forth. Just as he thought he’d never reach the end of the hallway, one he’d always thought short, his hand hit the front door.

Gabriel reached for the handle and pulled himself up. He twisted the knob, his sweaty hand slipping in the heat. On his third try, the door inched open, and cool, fresh air entered. He turned for Richard and Jeremy, pulling them through and looked behind for a moment as Gabriel heard a roar like a train engine. A huge flame was roaring toward them, down the hallway, as though fed by the open door. He jumped last through the door, slamming it shut.

He pushed Jeremy and Richard into motion, propelling them down the stairs and into the middle of the street where he collapsed onto his knees, hacking, with tears streaming down his face. Flames burst out their bedroom window, glass shattering and splattering onto the street below. They turned their backs, shielding themselves as best they could for a moment before turning to watch as the flames licked up the side of the building, searching for more fuel in the brick building.

A distant peal of a bell, rung over and over, heralded the arrival of the fire department. A pair of laboring horses dragged the coal-belching, steam-powered pot-bellied water hose, ready to begin dousing the fire as evidenced by the black smoke billowing into the sky. Firemen hung on the edge of the machine, ready to leap down and fight the blaze the moment they stopped. Gabriel, Jeremy and Richard were thrust aside by the firefighters, and the boys stumbled on the uneven cobblestone, never taking their eyes from the building or the front door. Soon hoses were attached to a nearby hydrant, and a stream of water spewed forth, causing a hissing, popping, crackling noise as steam emerged from where flames had been moments before.

“Da!” Richard screamed.

“Mum!” Jeremy joined in.

Gabriel shook, his voice lost from the coughing fit and overcome with dread as he fought to understand what had happened. “Mum,” he croaked, unable to yell. “Da!” he gasped. He slung an arm over each of his brothers’ shoulders, pulling them close to him, huddling with them in the middle of the street.

After over an hour, while the firemen battled the worst of the blaze, the boys continued to shake and stare at their destroyed home. Mrs. McClowski approached them, wrapping a blanket around them. Gabriel jerked at her gentle touch, reminiscent of his mother’s and turned expectantly, hope and joy lighting his gaze at the thought of seeing his mother. He glowered at Mrs. McClowski before attempting to smile in appreciation for her kindness.

“Come with me, children. Standing in the streets is no place for you,” she said. They attempted to forestall her, and, although appearing emaciated after the birth of a child a year for nearly a decade, she pushed them with astounding strength toward her home across the street and into her small front sitting room on the first floor. “I’ve settled the children in the back,” she said, and Gabriel noted the empty pallets on the floor. “Rest while you can.” She sat, rocking Jeremy until he quieted, and then helped him onto one of the makeshift beds by the fire.

Gabriel glanced around the dark, coal-dust-covered walls. A lamp was lit on a table near the door. An anemic fire in the grate let off sparse heat, and Gabriel shivered after Richard moved toward the other pallet in front of the fire, taking the blanket with him. Gabriel clambered onto a hard wooden chair near them, sitting as though a sentry while his brothers collapsed into a fitful sleep.

“Try to sleep, young Gabriel,” Mrs. McClowski coaxed, dull brown eyes filled with concern. “Dawn is coming soon enough.”

“I want to be awake when my parents arrive,” he croaked, his throat burning with each syllable. He nodded his thanks as he accepted a ratty towel, and wiped away the soot and tears from his face. He pressed the damp towel to his sore eyes, a whimper of relief escaping at the soothing coolness.

“I can’t imagine they’d want to find you exhausted and ill,” she reproached, reaching out to ruffle his black hair. She stilled her movement as he jerked away from her.

“Thank you for your kindness, Mrs. McClowski. I’m sure my mother will be most appreciative.” The slight curve of his lips was a weak imitation of a smile, but he could do nothing more.

“Your mother mentioned her sister to me, and I will send for her when it is light.” She placed the back of her hand to her mouth as a yawn escaped. “I must rest in what little time is left. Good night, Gabriel.”

Gabriel nodded, blinking rapidly in an attempt to keep his eyes open. He played games with his overwhelming fatigue, letting one eye rest as he kept one eye open, jerking awake as his head bobbed to his chest. When dawn approached, and there was still no sight of his parents, he gave up his vigil and moved to collapse next to Richard on the floor.

CHAPTER TWO

RICHARD AND GABRIEL AWOKE to the piercing sound of a baby’s cry. “Gabe?” Richard rasped as he rolled over and banged his head into Gabriel’s. “Ouch.” He rubbed at his head as he sat up on one elbow, looking around the cramped front room. “Where are we?”

“Mrs. McClowski’s. She took us in last night,” Gabriel said, his voice still a few octaves deeper from the smoke, hinting at the voice he’d have in a few years.

“You sound funny,” Richard said with a giggle before he sobered. “Where are Mum and Da?” He paled at Gabriel’s tortured gaze and silent shake of his head. “They can’t be . . .”

“Don’t even think it,” Gabriel commanded as he rose to peer out the front window. Their building smoldered across the street, the bricks blackened as though polished by a shoe-shine boy. “Two buildings destroyed.”

Richard joined him at the window, leaving Jeremy snuffling softly in his sleep by the now defunct fire. They then sat in the small front room, nodding their thanks as Mrs. McClowski bustled in with a few pieces of toast and a cup of tea for them to share.

“I’ve sent word to your aunt. I’m sure she’ll be here soon,” Mrs. McClowski said as she lifted a small child to her hip. “I’ve asked the children to leave this room to you today, but I’m afraid they may come out to see you. It’s quite cramped in the back room for so many of them.”

Gabriel nodded again and cleared his throat, wincing at the raw ache that action wrought. “Mrs. McClowski, where are our parents?”

“I’m . . . uncertain,” she said, a relieved expression on her face as another of her children called out for her.

Gabriel frowned and shook his head at Richard, preventing any questions. “We wait, Rich.” Jeremy slept most of the morning but woke hungry and scared. Gabriel attempted to soothe him as best he could, although there was no food to give him.

When he and Richard had begun to nod off on the hard chairs, and Jeremy had collapsed again in front of the cold fire, Gabriel heard the clip-clop and rattle of a carriage. The street had been eerily quiet all day after the fire. He nudged Richard, and they moved toward the window, leaning on the casement as a well-appointed carriage careened down the street, coming to a halt in front of them and blocking their view of their destroyed home. “Who’s that?”

Gabriel shrugged his shoulders as a thin woman stepped out, wearing a shimmering blue dress that almost appeared black. She pulled a slate-colored wool coat more firmly around her as she exited the carriage. She wore black gloves and a black hat with a veil pinned back. Her harsh features were drawn into a moue of disgust as she glanced around the street, and she raised a square of white linen to her nose as she dodged horse droppings and approached Mrs. McClowski’s door.

“I’ve never seen her before,” Gabriel said as he and Richard raced to the two available seats in the front room as a loud rapping noise echoed from the battered wooden door.

They shared worried glances as Mrs. McClowski bustled toward the front door, smiling obsequiously as she ushered the woman into the room. Gabriel glared at the refined woman who entered; she was careful not to allow any part of her being to touch the walls or furnishings. His gaze clashed with the piercing blue eyes of this unknown woman, and he stiffened his shoulders with defiance. Richard looked toward Gabriel, mimicking his posture.

“So these are what’s left of her then,” the woman said in a harsh, raspy voice.

“Mrs. Masterson, may I say how terribly sorry I am—” Mrs. McClowski broke off with a wave from this woman called Mrs. Masterson.

“Well, stand up. Let me have a look at you.” She nodded to Gabriel and Richard.

Richard shared a worried glance with Gabriel as he remained seated.

“Why should we? Who are you to order us around? Why don’t you go away and let us wait for our parents?” Gabriel asked, animosity rich in his voice.

“I am your aunt. Your mother’s sister. And I’d thank you to keep a civil tongue in your mouth for I’d hate to have to show you what happens to young boys who don’t.” She glowered at Gabriel, an unsightly blush highlighting her pale features. “You are coming home with me.”

“No, we’re not,” Jeremy yelled, sitting up on the pallet. “We’re waiting for Da to come get us. Then we’ll go home.”

“You stupid boy. There is no home to go to. Look out that window. It’s a blackened, charred ruin and also a tomb. Your parents died there last night.” She turned toward Mrs. McClowski. “I would have thought you’d explained this to them by now.”

“I . . . I didn’t have the heart to,” she whispered, bowing her head.

“Well, it’s evident these boys have been coddled long enough, and you’ve only continued the tradition begun by their parents. It is at an end. Now, what are your names?” She glared at them, eyes roving from one to the other as they remained seated in front of her, mutinously silent.

Mrs. McClowski spoke in a hesitant voice. “The eldest is Gabriel, then it’s Richard and Jeremy. They’re very good boys.”

“Doubtful.” Their aunt scowled one more time before pointing to the door. “Come along. I don’t have all day, and my carriage is waiting. When I exit this . . . house, I expect to find the three of you inside that carriage waiting for me. If I do not, I will only be too relieved to escort you to an orphanage.”

“Orphanage? Gabe?” Richard whispered.

“It’ll be all right,” Gabriel soothed as he rose, reaching for Jeremy’s hand. “Let’s go look at the horses and see what the inside of that nice carriage looks like.”

“I want Da!” Jeremy screamed, wriggling until he lay on the floor, thrashing about.

“Jer,” Gabriel murmured, bending and stroking a hand down his back. “You, Richard and I are still together. Mum and Da would be happy about that.” He swiped at Jeremy’s tears as Jeremy looked up at Gabriel in desolation. “Don’t you want to see the horses?”

Jeremy nodded, taking Gabriel’s hand, and the three of them shuffled past their aunt. Gabriel grabbed the bridle of one of the horses so he could pat the nose of the black one, smiling as Jeremy squealed with delight when the horse snorted and tossed its head, causing Gabriel to almost fall.

“Let’s get in the carriage, see what that is like,” Gabriel said. He helped boost his brothers inside and then pulled himself up into it, no step readily available to ease his entrance.

“This sure is fancy,” Richard said as he patted the leather seats. He moved toward the rear of the carriage, looking out the back through a small window. “I wonder what it feels like when it moves.”

“I think we’ll know soon enough,” Gabriel said as he pulled Jeremy to his side.

The door was thrust open, and a small step was placed at the foot of the doorway. A black glove grasped a door handle, and their aunt heaved herself into the carriage. “I sit there, young man. I always face front. You can sit with your brothers.”

Gabriel met Richard’s mutinous stare, Gabriel’s silent gaze coaxing his brother to sit next to him. Gabriel sat between his two brothers, an arm slung over both of their shoulders. All three of them jerked backward in unison as the carriage rocked forward. “Where are we headed?”

“Where are we headed,
Aunt Masterson
?” she snapped. “That is how you must always address me. I am your elder, and I am due your respect. I would have thought your mother would have instilled some sort of manners in her heathen children. Although looking at you, I should have known better than to have expected such from her.” She sniffed as she beheld them in their patched gray pants and faded gray linen shirts. Jeremy’s was nearly threadbare, a hand-me-down from both Gabriel and Richard. Soot and singe marks marred all their clothes.