57

Expectations

XAVIER

Vendy and Alexander followed our father into a private compartment, where we found my mother, Lilli, Henry and Jaq in the midst of discussion.

“… And then I was robbed by a beggar!” Lilli explained to my Mother, exasperated, waving her hands in sharp gestures to fully illustrate the audacity of such an action, her wings smacking Jaq in the face beside her. “And then I tried to have the Inn receptionist call you and Father Lucas, but they wouldn’t even do that much if I couldn’t afford a room there, and…!”

Father and Alexander slid the train’s compartment door shut as Lilli continued her story.

Octavius wasn’t present.

Alex lowered into the seat beside Jaq, muttering. “Where is Octavius and Officer Ringëd?”

Jaq flinched when Lilli’s flapping wings smacked him in the face again, his glasses thrown askew. “He’s in a different compartment,” Jaq grumbled in annoyance, glaring at Lilli and her obliviously flailing wings while she told the tale of her adventures. “They’re trying to get a hold of Tavius’s sister on com.”

Alex slid a hand through his tangled hair and eased back in his seat, wincing at a scrape on his shoulder. “Octavius seems to have the worst luck with family, doesn’t he?” he sighed.

Jaq flicked his eyes at me. “You really think it was his sister?”

“Master brought up the possibility of some sort of ancestry. A Sentient that controls that many demons can’t be less than a hundred years old, at the least. But if she is an ancestor, it seems Octavius has two murderers in his bloodline.”

Lilli’s prattling died at the mention, and it fell silent suddenly. Father lifted his prominent brow as Mother’s wolf ears perked in question at me.

“Two?” she asked, her grey tail curled delicately round her leg. “Who is the second?”

Alex took a deep breath, then explained, “Octavius’s father. He is the one who threw Xavier from the cliff, those years ago… He was the assassin.”

All were silent.

The train whistle blew, and the ride smoothly pushed forward, the train departing. The ruined city fell behind us through the window, and the night sky painted our view with stationary stars.

Father was the first to break the silence. “Then… you’ve befriended that assassin’s son?”

“Octavius isn’t like his father,” assured Alex. “He’d fought beside us in that battle and risked his life on more than one occasion for us. He’s as much our Brother as anyone deserves. And keep in mind, he passed both Mother’s entrance and graduation examinations in a matter of days. If that doesn’t ensure his place among us, then I question the validity of those tests.”

Mother snorted. “My tests are highly respected. If he passed, then he deserved it, no one is questioning that. However…” She flicked her gaze away in thought. “With the assassin’s son on our side, this could be an incredible opportunity. Perhaps with his help, we may finally find the man and bring him to justice.”

Alex pursed his lips. “He doesn’t know where his father is, I’m afraid. Neither is he aware of what the man’s done.”

Father hummed low. “And do you intend to tell him?”

Alex’s gaze fell.

Father breathed out through his nose. “I see… if he knows nothing, then it seems that is what we’ll discover with questioning. But I feel I must warn you: you will have to tell him eventually. Secrets of this nature are detriment to a soul, if discovered too late. You can keep him ignorant as long as you wish, but the truth will find a way to surface in the end. I suggest you don’t prolong it.”

Alexander gave a slow, grim nod. It wasn’t so much Father’s warning that felt eerie, it was the fact that our father was giving us advice that sounded… well, fatherly. No commanding decrees or militant orders, no cold tone that separated blood ties and kept formalities in check… Bloods, was that rare.

Father nodded back to us, resigned, and turned to Lilli next. “Now, for the real question… What do we do with you, Lilli?”

Lilli’s bat wings folded beside her, stretching taller. “I follow wherever Willow goes, of course,” she said. “I must return her to the palace before Father Serdin learns she’s gone.”

Mother’s wolf ears dropped. “It will not be that simple, Lilli. Willow wasn’t meant to discover the twins. Now that she knows, we can’t simply take her back to her father. She may very well tell him everything. As may you.”

“I wouldn’t…”

“We cannot risk you accidentally letting it slip,” clarified Mother.

She and Father stared at Lilli with deep consideration, the bat growing rigid.

After a few finger rolls on his arm, Father sighed. “I suppose there’s nothing for it… Lilli, you and Willow will have to stay with us. I’ll speak with an illusionist about providing Willow with a more convincing disguise. She could only change the color of her hair and eyes, but a professional Decepiovoker can give someone a new face entirely.”

Mother approved with an impressed frown. “I see. So, when Serdin returns to Grim and discovers his daughter is missing, he won’t know she’s with us. Though I suppose you should remain as you are, Lilli. We’ll tell your father you’re traveling with us in hopes of finding Willow. That shouldn’t be difficult to believe, being our Spirit Daughter. Daniel will understand. This will last until we find Xavier’s vessel.”

Lilli grumbled and sank in the bench, her wings folding. “Oh, very well… I suppose I can’t marry a man who shares a body with his twin, regardless.”

Alexander shocked straight at that. He started to say something, shut his mouth, then clipped. “Sorry? I must have misheard you. Marry whom?”

Lilli chuckled. “Very humorous, Alexander, pretending you’ve forgotten… Oh, and speaking of, do you have my vines? I think I’ve been unspeakably patient, considering it’s long past time I received them.”

“Are you mad, woman?” Alex scowled at her. “I’m not marrying you.”

She bristled. “If you keep up this silly jest, then you’ll be correct soon enough! Now I’m serious, Alex. I want my vines. You’ve taken so long to come back, my patience has worn thin already. So, where are they? And don’t you dare say you left them back in Grim, I’ll scarcely believe such an excuse.”

Befuddled, he turned to Mother and Father and threw a thumb at Lilli. “What is she babbling about?”

Mother seemed wary. “Didn’t your father tell you?”

“Me?” Father cleared his throat behind a fist, his voice dropping to an uncertain mutter that I’ve never heard spill from his lips. “I’d told Xavier of his arrangement, I thought we agreed you would tell—?”

“Excuse me?” Alex’s wolf ears sprouted. “Are you telling me I’m engaged?”

They both looked away toward opposite ends of the compartment. Their usually flawless posture now faltered and squirmed. What in Void was happening? Were these even our parents anymore?

“What!” Alexander barked in outrage, “When in Death’s name did this happen?”

Mother fidgeted, her tone accommodating. “Well, er, Alexander… When you and Xavier first came to live in the palace, there were many lords hoping to arrange you both with their daughters. After you met with all of them, we let you choose who you preferred—”

“I don’t remember choosing such a thing!” Alex cried.

Mother rubbed her temples. “Yes, well, we discovered later that neither of you were aware what you chose the girls for… But it’d been years until that was brought up, and you were already promised by then. Xavier was arranged with Willow, and you with Lilliana. Of course, your weddings aren’t expected until you come of age.”

Anger clipped. “We come of age in a few weeks! I wasn’t given any prior warning! You honestly don’t expect me to concede, do you?”

Lilli wilted, her hurt expression dripping her delicate features. “You… don’t wish to marry me?”

Alex clicked his teeth shut. “I didn’t mean… You can’t actually expect me to…” He gave up and groaned. “Argh, forget this!”

He stormed out and slammed the door, forcing himself into the psyche as I stumbled out.

“You deal with them!” he fumed. “I can’t believe they’d do this—I should have expected it…! Of all the Bloody times to tell me, they…”

I took a deep breath as he prattled on furiously, and I reentered the compartment, bowing to Mother and Father and hoping to Gods Alex hadn’t condemned me to a painful backhand by father.

“He, er,” I began, ignoring Alexander’s continued stream of obscenities in my thoughts. “He apologizes for his outburst. He simply asks for… time, to collect himself.”

Father’s anger simmered in his glare, but he seemed to keep it contained and gave a nod.

Though, I considered to myself, while we’re on the subject…

“If my lord would permit,” I said, habit taking control as I stood at attention with arms locked behind me. “I would like to make a request, on both our behalves.”

“What request?” asked Father.

“Given the circumstances, I should think postponing the engagement would be appropriate? Not that we are ungrateful, but neither of us desire to make the women uncomfortable, with our condition. I would rather delay any weddings until Alexander and I were, well… normal.”

Jaq snickered beside Lilli. She punched his shoulder, making him wince, and she sneered out the window in an indignant blush.

“Granted,” father agreed, massaging his eyes. “Gods Almighty, what a mess…”

Shhhhk!

The compartment door slid open, and Octavius and Officer Ringëd shuffled inside.

Everyone quieted as the two slid the door closed behind them.

“Well?” I asked, his distant expression worrying. Ringëd held the same haunted look, a cigarette trailing with watery smoke between his lips as that feral ferret of his curled around his neck. I prodded, “Any word?”

Octavius held Shade in his arms and pressed the messenger against his chest for comfort. “Yeah,” he hushed, sounding relieved yet puzzled. “It wasn’t Mika. She’s still at home.”

“Thank Oscha for that,” Officer Ringëd muttered, sucking on his cigarette and causing the singed tip to flare red. “She’s never heard of any relatives up here either. I don’t know where in Bloods this woman came from, but it’s too freaky how much she looks like Mika.”

I crossed my arms, humming. “We’ve considered Cilia may be one of your ancestors, Octavius. It’s the only explanation that seems to fit.”

Octavius’s shoulders slumped, seeming frazzled. “I guess so… She looked exactly like my sister. Except for the lighter hair.”

“And she’s a fire-thrower, like that demon girl,” Ringëd added, shaking his head. “It’s just… too weird.”

Octavius nodded emptily. “Same Hallows, same face… It’s definitely creepy. And that Sentient looked like she recognized me, too.”

Jaq scratched his scaled chin, not bothering to put on his peasant persona. “Do you resemble one of her siblings, you think?”

Octavius shrugged and sat down. “Maybe… I’m sorry, guys. I guess it’s my fault this happened, sort of…”

My father stood slowly, exhaling through his nose. “Do not blame yourself for a demon’s actions, young man. You’ve been chosen as a Reaper for a reason, the Mother Goddess would not have sent that messenger to you otherwise.”

Mother intoned her agreement. “And I damn well wouldn’t have considered you as an apprentice, had you any willing affiliation with a demon. We do not have the luxury of choosing those whose blood we share… whether that blood has rotted black or not.”

Octavius nodded stiffly, blushing slightly under Mistress’s penetrating gaze. “O… okay…”

“In any case,” Father said. “Now that we’ve received confirmation from this sister of yours, Alice and I will retire for the night. I heed you all regain your strength and prepare for New Aldamstria. We’re to stay in Everland’s castle. Please be on your best behavior.”

“Especially you, Jaq,” Mother snapped and shot the viper a warning glare. “I was lenient when you drowned Howllord Tykes with your drink last month—”

“He had it coming, Mistress,” the viper justified, then retracted. “With all due respect.”

“Oh, I Bloody well know he deserved it,” Mother snorted. “The bastard was overdue for it, and I thank you for having kept me from tossing my own sherry at him… but we’re in a different territory. One that, need I remind you, popularly hates our kind. We needn’t give them more reason for it, nor do we want to risk a war between our nations. So, I must stress: best behavior. No throwing drinks at a single Roarlord, no matter how much they may deserve it. Am I clear?”

Her last words quivered with authority, causing both Jaq and I to spring at attention, speaking in unison. “Yes, Mistress! Your will is well heeded.”

“For your sakes, I pray that it is,” Mother muttered and left the compartment with Father, her tail swishing behind her.

When the door slid closed, I allowed my shoulder to drip out of attention, exhaling in relief.

Octavius ruffled his hair. “Speaking of drinks, I think I could use a stiff one.”

I grimaced. “That’s the best damned idea you’ve had all day.”

“You’re telling me, Howllord,” Ringëd muttered. Then the officer paused, snapping his fingers. “Oh, Bloods! I almost forgot—Howllord, I need to talk with you.”

I cocked an eyebrow at the officer. “About what?”

“The reason I came to find you,” he said, snuffing his cigarette in the ash tray on one of the chair arms. “I didn’t come here to find Octavius. I came to find you and Alex.”

My brow knitted, bewildered. “Us? Both of us, specifically?”

“Yeah.” The ferret on his shoulder scuttled onto a seat and curled into a ball, yawning before dozing off. “Exactly, both of you.”

My laughter was nervous. “I, er, suppose you’re unaware that my brother isn’t here at the moment, then?”

“You can relax, Howllords.” He waved a flippant hand at me, rummaging through a bag he’d set on the carpet. “I already know you’re both in there, no point in making excuses.”

I glared at Octavius, accusing in a mutter, “You told him, did you?”

Octavius shot up innocent hands. “I didn’t say anything!”

“Calm down,” Ringëd said, kneeling to search his bag more intently. “Tavius didn’t tell me. I already knew, way before he met you two.”

“How?” I demanded.

“I knew from the minute you woke up in Alex.” Ringëd finally pulled out a velvet sack from the bag, untying the strings and revealing a fist-sized, crystal ball. “Or, I guess, sometime after the fact.”

He lifted the ball to me, and as his fingers spewed azure lights, images of my own face spilled into the orb.

“I’m a Seer,” Ringëd explained. “I See people’s past mostly, where they’ve been, what they’ve done, little glimpses into their lives…”

I frowned at the crystal ball that began showing glimpses of Alexander and my past. “Are you saying,” I began, “you think you can find my body for us…? Where it ended up?”

“No,” Ringëd chuckled, tossing the crystal ball up and catching it in a grin. “I’m saying I’ve already found it.”

In the crystal ball, a new image flitted. This one held a young face; the face of a teenaged boy with grey hair that was matted and tossed about his brow, a scar running down his right eye and cheek, with a cast encasing his broken leg.

It was my face.

With numb fingers, I touched the crystal ball, the air flying out of my lungs. “You’ve… you’ve found my body?” I stared at Ringëd: the Seer who showed me my body, as it had been those six years ago when my soul was torn from it. “A-Alive?”

“You bet, Howllord,” Ringëd said smugly. “Alive and breathing.”

“But… but I…” I didn’t know how to reply, this was all happening so fast. “But you’ve only just met us? I-I thought a Seer needed to touch something that belongs to those they Saw visions of?”

“Yeah, that’s the weird part,” Ringëd said. “See, I really came here to finally meet you two in person.” He laughed. “I’ve been Seeing both of your pasts for twenty Gods damned years. You’re like nephews to me, in a weird way.”

I scratched my bandaged cheek. “Then… that’s how you knew of our co-existence?”

“I Saw the night you were thrown off, Howllord. And I Saw what your brother was doing while you were there. And I Saw a vision of your body, alive, hooked up to a machine in a Marincian clinic.”

“A Marincian Clinic…” I hushed, shivering with a new spark of excitement. “You’re certain it was Marincian?”

“The nurses there were speaking Marincian,” he said flatly. “And I’m Marincian myself, so I hear them talking about how he’s in a coma ward in that clinic, wherever it is.”

My thrill deflated. “You don’t know where it is?”

“Not specifically,” he said apologetically. “And Marincia is a long trail of islands, it could be any of them. Sorry… that’s the best I can do, right now.”

“Then,” I murmured, a new plan of action solidifying to mind. “We’ll ask Bianca’s Master which island he’d visited that day, when he claimed he’d seen Sirra-Lynn. Perhaps it will be one nearby that island?”

Jaq snorted from his seat, poking at the feral ferret next to him with a scaled finger. “I for one want to know why a Landish mammal speaks Marincian. Last I recall, most commoners don’t care to learn more than their first language.”

“Oh,” Ringëd shrugged. “Marincian is my first language. Sure, my parents were Landish originally, I still have an uncle over in Brittleton even, but I was born and raised on a province to the west, called Y’ahmelle Nayû. My parents were big into other cultures and all, so that’s just where they ended up.”

“And what of your shift?” Lilli asked curiously from the back, the bat glancing at the feral rodent on the chair. “You seem to understand that one there, so I presume you’re a ferret shifter. Yet, I don’t recall seeing your ears?”

“Or so much as a claw,” agreed Jaq in a huff.

From the door, Octavius laughed nervously. “Well, uh, Ringëd actually doesn’t, uh… have a shift.”

Jaq and I stared at Octavius now. “He doesn’t what?” we questioned in unison.

Ringëd laughed and stretched his arms behind his head. “I have a rare birth defect. I can still understand Kurn over there, since I should have been a ferret shifter, but I don’t have any parts to shift between.”

I gapped at him. “Then… what are you?”

Ringëd rubbed his chin, thinking. “I guess you can call me…” He gave a toothy grin. “A Feral Human.”