Ultimate Fireheart Fantasy Collection, page 3
Personally, I wouldn’t have wanted to stand anywhere near him. She was brave, I’ll give her that.
“If you want to monitor me and my House. You can always join us and do a joint investigation. I can promise you; your life will be easier that way,”
He paused.
“Are you threatening an Inquisitor! I could have your entire House burned to the ground in a second,”
Alessandria rolled her eyes.
“But I will join you. At least, I can get proof on how you’re corrupting the moral fabric of our society. But know this Dominicus Procurator if I find evidence of your crimes. All of you will die!”
CHAPTER 5
Passing a black tie servant as she walked in, Alessandria and the Inquisitor entered her Mother's office.
Alessandria shook her head as she could still see and hear Nemeiso moaning and condemning her as he hated the rest of the castle.
She couldn't understand what he hated about it. The rose gardens were perfectly clean and beautiful as was the apple orchard and the other fruit trees and bushes.
The castle itself was a stunning blend of practical and impenetrable granite and beautiful marble. And that was before you considered the stunning murals of battles and ancient relics that lived inside the castle.
Alessandria supposed he could be moaning about the young servants but they were paid three times the legal minimum wage and everyone was equal here. Then Alessandria remembered that the Inquisitor was a foul moany man anyway.
No wonder Daniel had run to his room and Hellen had escaped as soon as she left the shop. To get other Procurators to bring the bodies back to the castle for examination.
Turning her attention back to the present, Alessandria wondered through her mother’s mighty office and despite her visiting here hundreds, if not thousands of times, she still loved it.
The immense circular office with shelves upon shelves of ancient leather books and folders to your left. Then rows upon rows of ancient and mystical objects from by gone eras and father’s travels. It was a paradise for the mind.
Alessandria looked up at the golden domed ceiling to see the evening sky dazzle through the glass.
Nemesio’s heavy footsteps banging against the polished concrete filled the office to Alessandria’s annoyance.
As the two investigators got to the middle of the office, Alessandria noticed the Inquisitor looking and studying the blue circular patterns on the floor. She understood why he was interested. They were stunning in their complexity.
Casting her mind back, Alessandria remembered her father had said they were something to do with the Empire before Ordericous and the founding of the Inquisitorial Orders.
Looking away from the Inquisitor, Alessandria kept walking. Feeling the warm air, from mother’s small fire on the far side of the Office, washing over her face.
In addition, to the wine scented candles, her mother was burning. Or as Alessandria liked to phrase it, the wine her mother spilt and decided to light it.
As Alessandria and Nemesio approached the immense brown wooden desk, that weighted over ten tonnes and at least three metres in width with piles of maps and folders on there, a woman raised her empty wine glass on them.
Alessandria had to admire her mother’s style. Despite, the chaos of maps and folders around her, she still caught your eye. With her long elegant white dress and silver, blond long hair. Even her golden necklace highlighted her well-aged features. Making her look young. Then there was the typical wine glass in her right hand, or sometimes both.
As Alessandria approached her, her mother poured herself another massive glass of black wine. Finishing the bottle.
“Alexis darling, you didn’t tell me you were bringing company! Oh, he’s fabulous. Strong, fit. What noble family is he from?”
“I am not from your disgusting nobility!”
Alessandria’s mother downed her wine and stood up.
“Listen here mister, I am Lady Kinaaz of the House of Fireheart. You do not disrespect me in my own castle,”
Knowing the Inquisitor was about to make things worse, Alessandria jumped in: “Mother, this is Inquisitor Nemesio of the Order of the Sacred Fire,”
“I could have guessed that. You do not get to be in my position without knowing how to spot an Inquisitor,”
“I knew it. Your family is guilty!”
Kinaaz cocked her head and looked around for another bottle.
“Mother, he is here to investigate... Mum you might want to sit down,”
“Your son is dead. He was murdered,” Nemesio added.
Kinaaz fell to the floor.
Whacking her head on the desk.
Her blood dripped onto the floor.
Alessandria rushed over to her mother and held her as her mother cried.
Alessandria wanted nothing more than to rip Nemesio’s throat out. Even Daniel wouldn’t have been that callous. What’s worse is, unlike Daniel, this Inquisitor knew it was wrong to shout that out!
After a few moments, Kinaaz weakly placed her hands on Alessandria’s face.
“Is Justin dead?”
“Yes, and Annalise,”
Kinaaz pushed herself up, brushed herself off and sat back on her chair.
“That’s not good. With Justin dead that is... I need time to think,”
Alessandria shook her head in disbelief. She knew her mother had at times seem cold and distant since her father died. But her mother wasn’t this callous, was she?
“Lady Kinaaz, you will answer my questions!”
“Oh what! My son is dead, and my family is in danger. I need to protect my last two children!”
“Mother as Dominicus Procurator leave that to me. I’ll...”
Nemesio coughed.
“We’ll find out what happened. Have you or Justin received any threats lately?”
Kinaaz busted out laughing.
“Honey, honey, honey when you’re Lady Fireheart. You’ll receive death threats every minute or every day. Especially, when you’re as liberal as us,”
“Okay, but what do you mean when I’m Lady Fireheart? With Justin dead, Daniel is surely the next Heir. He’s the best person for the job. He runs our military and weapons operations,”
Kinaaz looked at Alessandria.
“Inquisitor please give us a moment,”
“Don’t be so stupid. I will not be leaving your disgraceful sides until my investigation is done,”
“Fine. Alexis, yes Daniel will make a great Lord Fireheart one day. But... he can never be Lord Fireheart. Because he’s...well... gay,”
Kinaaz looked around for the wine bottle again.
“Wait! Abortion, gay marriage, gay adoption, everything is legal in this country because of us and other noble houses but a gay person becoming the head of a Noble House is illegal!”
Her mother searched for that bottle of wine.
“Alessandria that is the way it must be. This country has already been degraded enough...” Nemesio stated coldly.
“Don’t you dare speak to me! This is your doing,” Alessandria turned back to her mother who was drinking heavily from a wine bottle. “I do not want to be Lady Fireheart when you die. I am to be a Dominicus Procurator in the field, solving crime for the rest of my life,”
Her mother finished the bottle.
“Alexis, I love you, but you need to grow up. Daniel will never be Lord Fireheart unless there’s a law change. So please grow up and start acting like a future Lady,”
Alessandria started to shake.
Tears began to feel her eyes.
For the first time ever, she realised her life wasn’t her own to lead. She was a puppet for the Nobility.
Alessandria stormed off.
Nemesio followed and grabbed her by the arm.
Out of the corner of her eye, Alessandria saw her mother preparing to throw a wine bottle at him,
“Storm off all you want but I am coming too. As for your law change idea, I know you want it. But the Inquisition will never allow it,”
“Then I will kill you all in the end but I am not becoming Lady Fireheart,”
CHAPTER 6
Allowing the soft warm black silk covers to touch my skin, I laid on my bed with my leathered booted feet in the air. My dull blade was spinning fast in my hand as I tried to forget about that Inquisitor.
I was too rageful to rant or curse my feelings about him so I forced myself to focus on my bedroom.
But he touched me!
Taking another breath and spinning my dull blade as fast as I could in my hand. (I understand why father dulled it for me. But I much preferred the blade when it was sharp!) I focused on my room.
This was my space and no one was allowed inside except another servant that was gay to do the cleaning. He was nice to talk to from time to time but I always hoped he wasn't in here whenever I came back to my room. I didn't want to be around people. This was my room. A place for me to relax and 'centre' myself when the world got a bit much.
Anyway, I turned my head to the left to admire my massive brown chest of draws with various notebooks and blades on the top. In front of a large window that allowed the evening light to shine in and the moon rise.
You might think it weird, me having a collection of blades but I like sharp objects and military history. The stories some of those blades could tell from thousands of years ago in far away lands.
As I turned my head to the other side of the room, seeing the plain stone ceiling as I turned, to see the heavy oak door out of the corner of my eye. In addition, to the tall and thick black metal wardrobe.
I didn't know why I was made to have it so big. I practically live in my black leather cloak and trousers. Anything that covers up my arms.
My dull blade started to slow in my hand as I relaxed and I turned onto my stomach. Resting my head into the big black velvet pillows.
They didn't smell of much, thankfully but I liked that. I hated strong smells. I hated... I just wanted to sleep. Yet going to sleep would involve me lifting up my weighted covers. I couldn't be asked with that.
And it's not weird I need weighted covers but I like the feeling of having something pressed against me. I started to feel my eyelids starting to get heavy.
My door exploded open.
Someone walked in.
I grabbed the knife under my pillow.
Jumped up on the bed and I went to jump. Then I saw it was Alessandria.
She stared at me in confusion, and she wiped a few more tears from her eyes. I hate it when they cry. I don't know how to deal with them.
Then that stupid Inquisitor walked in behind my sister. I rolled my eyes and laid back on my bed. I really didn’t care for Inquisitor Nemesio at this moment.
My back started to warm up as I felt the Inquisitor’s piecing glaze stare with hate at me.
Just to be nice, I decided to ask: “Are you okay, Alessandria?”
I partially cared but the Inquisitor was dampening my mood.
“Did you know you couldn’t be Lord Fireheart?”
She knew!
Forcing myself up, I climbed over the bed and sat on the edge closest to her. I gestured I was going to hold her hand, but I couldn’t bring myself to touch her.
“Yes, I knew. I have to deal with all our military and weapon contracts. I know a good 90% of our laws. I’ve known for years as did father,”
Now, I’m not very good at reading facial expressions but I think she’s making a sad face with a hint of anger.
“The law’s wrong. I can’t run a Noble House. I can’t look after our House and Our people,”
“Not with that attitude,” I said.
“Are you okay with this?”
Before I could answer, Nemesio added: “It does not matter what he thinks. The Law is the Law. You and your liberal allies have done enough damage to us,”
I looked over my shoulder. Eyeing up each and every one of my blades. Wondering which one would be best to cut out his throat with. I hardly had a lack of choices.
Alessandria cleared her throat.
“Alessandria, I am fine with these stupid laws,” then I looked at the Inquisitor, knowing his reaction. “I can marry whatever man I wanted. I can raise children and hold a man’s hand in public. So I am fine about not being Lord Fireheart,”
As I predicted, I knew the Inquisitor would stare at me with hateful eyes and his hands formed fists. If I wanted to really annoying, I could blow him a false kiss but I have standards.
“Alessandria are you here for a particular reason?”
She cocked her head at me.
“Our brother is dead. I came to see if you’re okay,”
I forget when someone dies, you’re meant to be sad.
Trying to fake cry, I tried to force a tear out but I almost looked as if I was mocking my sister by accident.
“I’m sorry. I am not mocking you. I can’t cry over my brother’s death,”
“You did it!” the Inquisitor screamed. “You killed your brother,”
I looked at Alessandria in confusion. Even her eyes widened at the craziness of that idea.
“He did no such thing,” she firmly said.
“You nobility might be able to fool others, but my eyes are clear. Daniel Fireheart I am arresting you,”
He came for me.
He grabbed one of my leather sleeves.
I jumped away. I couldn’t move.
He touched me!
He touched!
I jumped away.
My leather cloak ripped.
As I jumped across the bed, Nemesio grabbed my other sleeve.
Pulling it.
The sleeve ripped again.
Relieving my arms.
Alessandria gave a quiet scream.
The Inquisitor stopped and stared at my arms.
Looking down at my arms, I saw the 3-year-old deep red cuts with circular patterns all over my arms. I still remember the blade dripping with my blood. I ran my fingers over the scars. Feeling their cold painful marks on my skin.
The Inquisitor took a step toward me.
I screamed.
I dived for him.
Alessandria grabbed me from behind.
I kicked her and scratched her.
“Get out!” she screamed at the Inquisitor.
I kept kicking. Feeling my powerful legs hit Alessandria’s multiple times.
Three black armoured women with spears and rifles came to the door to escort the Inquisitor out of the castle.
One of the women shut the wooden door behind them. Alessandria threw me on to the bed.
I grabbed the weighted black bed sheet and pulled it over me.
“I’m sorry,” I shouted through the material.
Hearing Alessandria rubbing her legs, I had to smile slightly not from being proud but... it was my way of coping.
“I know Daniel. I’m sorry for bringing him in here,”
“Are you okay about the Lord Fireheart thing?”
Well, I had to ask. I did injure her after all.
“I will change the law, Daniel. You will be Lord Fireheart,”
“Why don’t you want to be Lady Fireheart?”
“Because Daniel, I don’t want to have to deal with everything. I don’t want to be tied to the House. I want to be out in the world investigating and solving crimes,”
“I can understand that. Why did you come here in the first place?”
Whilst she tried to remember, my body relaxed, and I smiled as the weight of the bedsheet pressed on me. There was something calming in that.
“Oh, the investigation has stalled. There are no witnesses or fingerprints at the crime scene. Tomorrow, I’ll have to start going through the death threats and finding leads there,”
“What about Annalise? She was in a hiding position. She might have seen the attackers,”
“What? You want to use your Flesheater ability to try and see if you can identify the killers using her flesh memories?”
“It’s worth a try. We’ll all lesser magic users in our family,”
“I’ll talk to the Inquisitor in a moment. I’ll see if he can bring us some flesh samples tomorrow morning,”
“Thank you,” I replied and thought I’ll be nice by asking: “Are you okay about Justin? I think you two were close?”
I heard her give a slight laugh. “Yes, me and him were close. When I got back from my 6 months in the military, he made me a Procurator and he trained me to become Dominus. He was great as a friend and a brother,”
Inside my bedsheet fort, I rolled my eyes at the thought of Justin being a good brother. So, I had to say something.
Poking my arm out, and being slightly shocked at the temperature difference, I said: “Alexis, these marks. You’ll learn what happened one day, but do you know what Justin said to me when he found my bleeding body,”
I heard her move uncomfortably.
“What?”
“He said: the useless idiot finally did it,” I paused for dramatic effect and I remembered the rage and upset that my barely conscious body felt. “Then I heard mother come in and raise the alarm. She is what saved me. So forgive me if I am not upset that my brother is dead,”
CHAPTER 7
As the wind blew the rows upon rows of red, golden and purple roses flapped ever so slightly. Releasing sweet perfume into the air.
Alessandria breathed in deeply if only for a moment of calm before her day started. She looked around the rose gardens quickly. Admiring all of its hundred metres of pure natural beauty. From the perfectly straight rows of roses to the interesting shapes of the oyster shells that were used as a border around the beds.
Taking a step further into the rose garden, Alessandria felt the wet morning dew chill her boots. Sending cold pulses through her foot.
She could understand why Daniel loved the morning. Especially, on a cold winter's day. It was the middle of summer now but she still understood.
Casting her mind back to last night, she had paced for two hours after leaving Daniel. She really didn't want to leave him, especially with his blade collection, but she had dealt with self-harming people as a Procurator and she found the more you fussed the worse it got, to a point.
Alessandria was still pretty shaken by it though. How could Justin be so heartless?
“If you want to monitor me and my House. You can always join us and do a joint investigation. I can promise you; your life will be easier that way,”
He paused.
“Are you threatening an Inquisitor! I could have your entire House burned to the ground in a second,”
Alessandria rolled her eyes.
“But I will join you. At least, I can get proof on how you’re corrupting the moral fabric of our society. But know this Dominicus Procurator if I find evidence of your crimes. All of you will die!”
CHAPTER 5
Passing a black tie servant as she walked in, Alessandria and the Inquisitor entered her Mother's office.
Alessandria shook her head as she could still see and hear Nemeiso moaning and condemning her as he hated the rest of the castle.
She couldn't understand what he hated about it. The rose gardens were perfectly clean and beautiful as was the apple orchard and the other fruit trees and bushes.
The castle itself was a stunning blend of practical and impenetrable granite and beautiful marble. And that was before you considered the stunning murals of battles and ancient relics that lived inside the castle.
Alessandria supposed he could be moaning about the young servants but they were paid three times the legal minimum wage and everyone was equal here. Then Alessandria remembered that the Inquisitor was a foul moany man anyway.
No wonder Daniel had run to his room and Hellen had escaped as soon as she left the shop. To get other Procurators to bring the bodies back to the castle for examination.
Turning her attention back to the present, Alessandria wondered through her mother’s mighty office and despite her visiting here hundreds, if not thousands of times, she still loved it.
The immense circular office with shelves upon shelves of ancient leather books and folders to your left. Then rows upon rows of ancient and mystical objects from by gone eras and father’s travels. It was a paradise for the mind.
Alessandria looked up at the golden domed ceiling to see the evening sky dazzle through the glass.
Nemesio’s heavy footsteps banging against the polished concrete filled the office to Alessandria’s annoyance.
As the two investigators got to the middle of the office, Alessandria noticed the Inquisitor looking and studying the blue circular patterns on the floor. She understood why he was interested. They were stunning in their complexity.
Casting her mind back, Alessandria remembered her father had said they were something to do with the Empire before Ordericous and the founding of the Inquisitorial Orders.
Looking away from the Inquisitor, Alessandria kept walking. Feeling the warm air, from mother’s small fire on the far side of the Office, washing over her face.
In addition, to the wine scented candles, her mother was burning. Or as Alessandria liked to phrase it, the wine her mother spilt and decided to light it.
As Alessandria and Nemesio approached the immense brown wooden desk, that weighted over ten tonnes and at least three metres in width with piles of maps and folders on there, a woman raised her empty wine glass on them.
Alessandria had to admire her mother’s style. Despite, the chaos of maps and folders around her, she still caught your eye. With her long elegant white dress and silver, blond long hair. Even her golden necklace highlighted her well-aged features. Making her look young. Then there was the typical wine glass in her right hand, or sometimes both.
As Alessandria approached her, her mother poured herself another massive glass of black wine. Finishing the bottle.
“Alexis darling, you didn’t tell me you were bringing company! Oh, he’s fabulous. Strong, fit. What noble family is he from?”
“I am not from your disgusting nobility!”
Alessandria’s mother downed her wine and stood up.
“Listen here mister, I am Lady Kinaaz of the House of Fireheart. You do not disrespect me in my own castle,”
Knowing the Inquisitor was about to make things worse, Alessandria jumped in: “Mother, this is Inquisitor Nemesio of the Order of the Sacred Fire,”
“I could have guessed that. You do not get to be in my position without knowing how to spot an Inquisitor,”
“I knew it. Your family is guilty!”
Kinaaz cocked her head and looked around for another bottle.
“Mother, he is here to investigate... Mum you might want to sit down,”
“Your son is dead. He was murdered,” Nemesio added.
Kinaaz fell to the floor.
Whacking her head on the desk.
Her blood dripped onto the floor.
Alessandria rushed over to her mother and held her as her mother cried.
Alessandria wanted nothing more than to rip Nemesio’s throat out. Even Daniel wouldn’t have been that callous. What’s worse is, unlike Daniel, this Inquisitor knew it was wrong to shout that out!
After a few moments, Kinaaz weakly placed her hands on Alessandria’s face.
“Is Justin dead?”
“Yes, and Annalise,”
Kinaaz pushed herself up, brushed herself off and sat back on her chair.
“That’s not good. With Justin dead that is... I need time to think,”
Alessandria shook her head in disbelief. She knew her mother had at times seem cold and distant since her father died. But her mother wasn’t this callous, was she?
“Lady Kinaaz, you will answer my questions!”
“Oh what! My son is dead, and my family is in danger. I need to protect my last two children!”
“Mother as Dominicus Procurator leave that to me. I’ll...”
Nemesio coughed.
“We’ll find out what happened. Have you or Justin received any threats lately?”
Kinaaz busted out laughing.
“Honey, honey, honey when you’re Lady Fireheart. You’ll receive death threats every minute or every day. Especially, when you’re as liberal as us,”
“Okay, but what do you mean when I’m Lady Fireheart? With Justin dead, Daniel is surely the next Heir. He’s the best person for the job. He runs our military and weapons operations,”
Kinaaz looked at Alessandria.
“Inquisitor please give us a moment,”
“Don’t be so stupid. I will not be leaving your disgraceful sides until my investigation is done,”
“Fine. Alexis, yes Daniel will make a great Lord Fireheart one day. But... he can never be Lord Fireheart. Because he’s...well... gay,”
Kinaaz looked around for the wine bottle again.
“Wait! Abortion, gay marriage, gay adoption, everything is legal in this country because of us and other noble houses but a gay person becoming the head of a Noble House is illegal!”
Her mother searched for that bottle of wine.
“Alessandria that is the way it must be. This country has already been degraded enough...” Nemesio stated coldly.
“Don’t you dare speak to me! This is your doing,” Alessandria turned back to her mother who was drinking heavily from a wine bottle. “I do not want to be Lady Fireheart when you die. I am to be a Dominicus Procurator in the field, solving crime for the rest of my life,”
Her mother finished the bottle.
“Alexis, I love you, but you need to grow up. Daniel will never be Lord Fireheart unless there’s a law change. So please grow up and start acting like a future Lady,”
Alessandria started to shake.
Tears began to feel her eyes.
For the first time ever, she realised her life wasn’t her own to lead. She was a puppet for the Nobility.
Alessandria stormed off.
Nemesio followed and grabbed her by the arm.
Out of the corner of her eye, Alessandria saw her mother preparing to throw a wine bottle at him,
“Storm off all you want but I am coming too. As for your law change idea, I know you want it. But the Inquisition will never allow it,”
“Then I will kill you all in the end but I am not becoming Lady Fireheart,”
CHAPTER 6
Allowing the soft warm black silk covers to touch my skin, I laid on my bed with my leathered booted feet in the air. My dull blade was spinning fast in my hand as I tried to forget about that Inquisitor.
I was too rageful to rant or curse my feelings about him so I forced myself to focus on my bedroom.
But he touched me!
Taking another breath and spinning my dull blade as fast as I could in my hand. (I understand why father dulled it for me. But I much preferred the blade when it was sharp!) I focused on my room.
This was my space and no one was allowed inside except another servant that was gay to do the cleaning. He was nice to talk to from time to time but I always hoped he wasn't in here whenever I came back to my room. I didn't want to be around people. This was my room. A place for me to relax and 'centre' myself when the world got a bit much.
Anyway, I turned my head to the left to admire my massive brown chest of draws with various notebooks and blades on the top. In front of a large window that allowed the evening light to shine in and the moon rise.
You might think it weird, me having a collection of blades but I like sharp objects and military history. The stories some of those blades could tell from thousands of years ago in far away lands.
As I turned my head to the other side of the room, seeing the plain stone ceiling as I turned, to see the heavy oak door out of the corner of my eye. In addition, to the tall and thick black metal wardrobe.
I didn't know why I was made to have it so big. I practically live in my black leather cloak and trousers. Anything that covers up my arms.
My dull blade started to slow in my hand as I relaxed and I turned onto my stomach. Resting my head into the big black velvet pillows.
They didn't smell of much, thankfully but I liked that. I hated strong smells. I hated... I just wanted to sleep. Yet going to sleep would involve me lifting up my weighted covers. I couldn't be asked with that.
And it's not weird I need weighted covers but I like the feeling of having something pressed against me. I started to feel my eyelids starting to get heavy.
My door exploded open.
Someone walked in.
I grabbed the knife under my pillow.
Jumped up on the bed and I went to jump. Then I saw it was Alessandria.
She stared at me in confusion, and she wiped a few more tears from her eyes. I hate it when they cry. I don't know how to deal with them.
Then that stupid Inquisitor walked in behind my sister. I rolled my eyes and laid back on my bed. I really didn’t care for Inquisitor Nemesio at this moment.
My back started to warm up as I felt the Inquisitor’s piecing glaze stare with hate at me.
Just to be nice, I decided to ask: “Are you okay, Alessandria?”
I partially cared but the Inquisitor was dampening my mood.
“Did you know you couldn’t be Lord Fireheart?”
She knew!
Forcing myself up, I climbed over the bed and sat on the edge closest to her. I gestured I was going to hold her hand, but I couldn’t bring myself to touch her.
“Yes, I knew. I have to deal with all our military and weapon contracts. I know a good 90% of our laws. I’ve known for years as did father,”
Now, I’m not very good at reading facial expressions but I think she’s making a sad face with a hint of anger.
“The law’s wrong. I can’t run a Noble House. I can’t look after our House and Our people,”
“Not with that attitude,” I said.
“Are you okay with this?”
Before I could answer, Nemesio added: “It does not matter what he thinks. The Law is the Law. You and your liberal allies have done enough damage to us,”
I looked over my shoulder. Eyeing up each and every one of my blades. Wondering which one would be best to cut out his throat with. I hardly had a lack of choices.
Alessandria cleared her throat.
“Alessandria, I am fine with these stupid laws,” then I looked at the Inquisitor, knowing his reaction. “I can marry whatever man I wanted. I can raise children and hold a man’s hand in public. So I am fine about not being Lord Fireheart,”
As I predicted, I knew the Inquisitor would stare at me with hateful eyes and his hands formed fists. If I wanted to really annoying, I could blow him a false kiss but I have standards.
“Alessandria are you here for a particular reason?”
She cocked her head at me.
“Our brother is dead. I came to see if you’re okay,”
I forget when someone dies, you’re meant to be sad.
Trying to fake cry, I tried to force a tear out but I almost looked as if I was mocking my sister by accident.
“I’m sorry. I am not mocking you. I can’t cry over my brother’s death,”
“You did it!” the Inquisitor screamed. “You killed your brother,”
I looked at Alessandria in confusion. Even her eyes widened at the craziness of that idea.
“He did no such thing,” she firmly said.
“You nobility might be able to fool others, but my eyes are clear. Daniel Fireheart I am arresting you,”
He came for me.
He grabbed one of my leather sleeves.
I jumped away. I couldn’t move.
He touched me!
He touched!
I jumped away.
My leather cloak ripped.
As I jumped across the bed, Nemesio grabbed my other sleeve.
Pulling it.
The sleeve ripped again.
Relieving my arms.
Alessandria gave a quiet scream.
The Inquisitor stopped and stared at my arms.
Looking down at my arms, I saw the 3-year-old deep red cuts with circular patterns all over my arms. I still remember the blade dripping with my blood. I ran my fingers over the scars. Feeling their cold painful marks on my skin.
The Inquisitor took a step toward me.
I screamed.
I dived for him.
Alessandria grabbed me from behind.
I kicked her and scratched her.
“Get out!” she screamed at the Inquisitor.
I kept kicking. Feeling my powerful legs hit Alessandria’s multiple times.
Three black armoured women with spears and rifles came to the door to escort the Inquisitor out of the castle.
One of the women shut the wooden door behind them. Alessandria threw me on to the bed.
I grabbed the weighted black bed sheet and pulled it over me.
“I’m sorry,” I shouted through the material.
Hearing Alessandria rubbing her legs, I had to smile slightly not from being proud but... it was my way of coping.
“I know Daniel. I’m sorry for bringing him in here,”
“Are you okay about the Lord Fireheart thing?”
Well, I had to ask. I did injure her after all.
“I will change the law, Daniel. You will be Lord Fireheart,”
“Why don’t you want to be Lady Fireheart?”
“Because Daniel, I don’t want to have to deal with everything. I don’t want to be tied to the House. I want to be out in the world investigating and solving crimes,”
“I can understand that. Why did you come here in the first place?”
Whilst she tried to remember, my body relaxed, and I smiled as the weight of the bedsheet pressed on me. There was something calming in that.
“Oh, the investigation has stalled. There are no witnesses or fingerprints at the crime scene. Tomorrow, I’ll have to start going through the death threats and finding leads there,”
“What about Annalise? She was in a hiding position. She might have seen the attackers,”
“What? You want to use your Flesheater ability to try and see if you can identify the killers using her flesh memories?”
“It’s worth a try. We’ll all lesser magic users in our family,”
“I’ll talk to the Inquisitor in a moment. I’ll see if he can bring us some flesh samples tomorrow morning,”
“Thank you,” I replied and thought I’ll be nice by asking: “Are you okay about Justin? I think you two were close?”
I heard her give a slight laugh. “Yes, me and him were close. When I got back from my 6 months in the military, he made me a Procurator and he trained me to become Dominus. He was great as a friend and a brother,”
Inside my bedsheet fort, I rolled my eyes at the thought of Justin being a good brother. So, I had to say something.
Poking my arm out, and being slightly shocked at the temperature difference, I said: “Alexis, these marks. You’ll learn what happened one day, but do you know what Justin said to me when he found my bleeding body,”
I heard her move uncomfortably.
“What?”
“He said: the useless idiot finally did it,” I paused for dramatic effect and I remembered the rage and upset that my barely conscious body felt. “Then I heard mother come in and raise the alarm. She is what saved me. So forgive me if I am not upset that my brother is dead,”
CHAPTER 7
As the wind blew the rows upon rows of red, golden and purple roses flapped ever so slightly. Releasing sweet perfume into the air.
Alessandria breathed in deeply if only for a moment of calm before her day started. She looked around the rose gardens quickly. Admiring all of its hundred metres of pure natural beauty. From the perfectly straight rows of roses to the interesting shapes of the oyster shells that were used as a border around the beds.
Taking a step further into the rose garden, Alessandria felt the wet morning dew chill her boots. Sending cold pulses through her foot.
She could understand why Daniel loved the morning. Especially, on a cold winter's day. It was the middle of summer now but she still understood.
Casting her mind back to last night, she had paced for two hours after leaving Daniel. She really didn't want to leave him, especially with his blade collection, but she had dealt with self-harming people as a Procurator and she found the more you fussed the worse it got, to a point.
Alessandria was still pretty shaken by it though. How could Justin be so heartless?
