“I’m currently on chapter six. Although you can start from the beginning if you need a refresher on the story? I’m assuming you’ve read it?” Her voice was light, innocent. Too innocent.
Aden focused the muscles of eyes, exerting every bit of power he had to force the words on the page to come into focus. His hand tapped anxiously on the wooden arm of the chair. The room felt warm and suddenly much smaller than before.
He could not remember a time in his life when he could not read. His mother often bragged about the fact that he had learned to read like his older brothers almost before he could talk. He had read all the great works and could discuss them with ease and clarity.
In the chaos of the past few days, he had not even looked at a book or letter or parchment.
He could not make out the simple words of an ancient myth.
Aden closed the little book, slamming it a little louder than necessary. “I do not play games, Lady Bielsa. I say what I mean and prefer for others to do the same.”
Standing, he placed the book on the chair behind him and left the room.
Chapter 15
“Quiet,” Isa whispered as a stair creaked behind her. She froze, listening for any other sounds.
“My knees are too old for this,” Luca muttered back to her. But he paused nonetheless, looking over his shoulder.
“He heard our entire conversation this morning,” Isa replied after a few moments of silence. Lifting her foot, she continued her climb. “His hearing ability is uncanny. I don’t know how far it extends.”
“Do you suppose he heard us leaving our rooms?” Blanca asked. She was carrying a lantern and leading the group of three up the staircase into the watchtower on the eastern side of the villa.
“I hope not. The one thing we do know is that he sleeps deeply.” Isa hoped her own words were true. At the very least, the large beast would not be able to creep up on them at the top of the tower without making considerable noise on these same stairs. “But quiet now, save your whispers for the top room.”
Luca breathed heavily behind her. “I’m not sure which is worse—early mornings, late nights, or cursed creatures.”
“Shhh.” Isa smiled at his grumpy humor, but she kept her own opinion to herself. One of these things was far worse than the other two, and they were about to officially decide what to do about it.
Upon arriving at their destination, Luca carefully closed the door, easing it silently shut behind them. Blanca placed the lantern she was carrying in the center of the room.
The top of the tower was less a room than it was a slightly enclosed space in the open air. It had round walls and a roof, but seven tall openings led to an outer rampart that circled it. The rampart was an excellent place to watch for visitors coming up the road, and an even better place for uninterrupted time with a book.
Isa gathered three wooden stools around the lantern, and they all sat down. The chill evening air danced through the tall openings around them.
“This is the worst possible scenario we could have imagined,” Isa began, stating the obvious. “And I appreciate your staying here with me more than I can say.” She paused, looking at their familiar faces in the flickering candlelight. They deserved to know the whole of the truth. “If we do not deliver the Floutast, the Council threatened—”
“We know, dear,” Blanca said, cutting her off.
“Oh.” Isa nodded, smiling to cover her embarrassment. “Of course you do.”
“It’s part of our job to know such things,” Blanca confirmed.
“Though it ain’t part of our job to eavesdrop,” Luca muttered.
“Right. Well, regardless, thank you all the same,” Isa reiterated.
“So, what is the plan of attack?” Luca asked. “Or should I say plan of defense?”
Isa smiled. She truly was thankful not to be in this alone.
“Well, until the bridge gets replaced and help arrives, I’ll stay focused on finding the Floutast so it is ready as soon as possible.”
“I’ll take care of you,” Blanca said, “and take on some cooking and cleaning duties since Cam is gone. Though I can’t say my meals will be as tasty, I can surely keep us all fed.”
“Thank you,” Isa responded. “That is more than enough.”
“That leaves me to find food and fuel,” Luca said.
