Blood and Gold Trilogy

Chapter 9: Fight In The Dark

Hugh's insistence I precede him out the door set the tone for the evening. We were barely out the door when I realized things weren't going to go as I hoped. Kate walked like a girl, for one, barely striding at all and despite my need to stretch my legs I knew it would be the epitome of rudeness to abandon her to her brother. Even though I wanted to do just that.

Hugh on the other hand made horrid attempts at small talk that made the back of my neck itch with the ineffectualness of it. I wondered early on if my kindness had given him the wrong impression, my mind going to Georgina's marriage hints, but didn't have the heart to be cruel.

"Pleasant evening," was one of his favorites, followed by a big inhale of air. "Most pleasant."

To which Kate would answer, "Yes, most pleasant."

Could the pair of them be more uncomfortable together? Or less at ease with the outdoors? I swear Hugh said it over and over again, Kate promptly answering as if she'd been wound up like a doll. If this was the life I'd been consigned to for the duration of the succession, I prayed my mother not be so kind and make it happen swiftly so I could escape the utter boredom I was sure to expire from at any moment.

We walked, or minced, rather, with Kate in the middle of us, myself squashed on the inside where Hugh could keep me safe. It made the whole affair even more awkwardly uncomfortable when he finally attempted to speak to me around his sister.

"Are you enjoying your visit so far?"

What was I to say? That anywhere but there would be preferred? "It's fine," I managed.

"I understand you'll be accompanying us tomorrow evening." Was his voice shaking? I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at the way it warbled between boyish soprano and a more mature tenor. He didn't need me squashing his attempt at conversation.

My amusement died the moment I thought of all that boning once again coming in contact with my skin. "So I've been told," I said.

Someone shouted in the distance, making Kate start so violently I actually grabbed her arm to support her.

"What's wrong?" My magic was instantly ready, the earth grounded through the soles of my boots. I looked around with some concern, but aside from the odd hansom and a couple strolling by on the opposite side of the street, there were no apparent threats around us.

"N-nothing." Kate dabbed at her upper lip with her kerchief, blushing in the wavering light of the streetlamp. "That sound startled me, is all. Please, continue."

I was unable to control the sudden surge of annoyance that reached my mouth before my mind could put a stop to it. "What are you possibly afraid of?" I admit my voice sounded on the snappish side which I immediately regretted. "You're a witch, Kate. You have more power to protect yourself than any thug or threat could possibly compete against."

Kate looked away from me, so hurt I wished I'd managed to keep my tongue in my head. And yet, I wanted to just shake some sense into her. How could anyone live a life filled with so much fear when she had that much magic at her disposal?

Unless... I hadn't considered the fact perhaps Kate was powerless. It happened from time to time, no matter the family. But that couldn't be it. Georgina already told me Kate was the heir to the Brindle coven and only a full witch could take such a position.

Before I had a chance to talk to her about it further, Hugh spoke up. I almost lost my good nature toward him when I caught him smirking at her.

"It grows late," he said. "Perhaps we should head back."

Kate turned immediately and only then did I see the sparkle of tears on her cheeks. She hastily wiped them away, but that did little to lift the guilt from my heart.

I was reaching for her elbow when I heard a second shout, this one closer. Kate jumped again, letting out a soft squeal of fear while Hugh turned with his back to us. I could see his shoulders shook despite his brave front.

Just across from us was a narrow alley, barely lit by the gaslight on the corner, enough illumination available I was able to make out a few details. A single figure raced for the end of the narrow track with two large ones behind. Just as the first made it to the edge of the light, he was caught and dragged back into the darkness. I heard the familiar grunts and sounds of blows I'd grown accustomed to. I did have two brothers, after all, and had learned to take a few punches myself as well as give them.

I think my poor heart was so desperate for something, anything to happen, it set my body in motion before I could second guess what I was up to. But even had I the chance to think things through, I know I still would have acted. Two large against one small equaled odds I needed in all honor to even up.

I heard Hugh shout my name, Kate's quavering cry almost lost in his, but I was already running and, within moments, in the very center of the scene of action. And though I had no idea which side was the right, I automatically chose for the young man who suffered the beating.

I admit I used magic, but to my credit most of my success came from the fact that Damon and Pharo, my most industrious of brothers, had taken it upon themselves to teach me everything they knew. While the two large men had strength on their side, I was faster and more agile. And the techniques our new Asian friend, Chong Wa taught us seemed to fare me very well.

It was dark and everything happened so quickly. When I finally realized I should have accessed my superior nighttime vision, the fight was already over. The young man to whose aid I'd come rallied himself and stood beside me over the prone bodies of the two bullies.

I turned with the inevitable grin of victory on my face and received a shock. I knew him. He'd shared my hansom with me once under sort of similar circumstances.

He in turn stared back at me with something akin to horror on his face. His rather b****y face. I reached out and stroked his cheek, using a thread of magic to heal the cut to his temple. The moment I did, I felt a thrill of connection between us and a stirring inside me I did not recognize. He himself cried out and clutched his eye as if I had harmed him instead of healing him.

"Of all the horrid luck." He backed away from me as if I was the one who he needed to fear.

"You're very welcome indeed," I snapped back. "Perhaps I should have left you to be torn in two by these." I prodded one of the large men with the toe of my boot.

"You need to get away from me." He staggered away another step, deeper into the alley, acting nothing as he had when we'd met prior. Gone was his good-natured smile and the gratitude I'd won. Annoyed at his reaction, I followed him, naturally. No one told Burdie Hayle what to do.

"If you would just allow me," I said, knowing now he was a witch himself, though wondering why he hadn't used his magic to save himself, "I have access to a safe haven for our kind. You would be welcome there, I'm certain." I wasn't though, not really. In fact, I was only remotely sure Georgina would allow it.

"Just leave me be." He was almost to the other end of the alley. I picked up my own pace, pausing momentarily at the sound of a policeman's whistle coming from the other direction, the dull echoing of Hugh and Kate calling for me to come back.

I surged after the ungrateful wretch, reaching for him as we emerged into the street. This side was darker and seemed somehow more sinister, if only in my imagination. My fingers locked on his jacket and pulled him back, his damaged state making it hard for him to fight me off.

"If you're in trouble with law enforcement, I have friends of considerable influence." Why was I trying so hard? He obviously didn't want me around. It took me a shameful moment to admit I didn't want the excitement to end. If I turned around now and went back to the young Brindle's, only boredom awaited. Here at least was a mystery I could amuse myself with for a time.

Oh Burdie. How shallow, my dear.

He tried to pull away from me, fabric slipping through my fingers until our hands met and I yet again felt the power open between us. For some reason, however, this felt entirely alien and yet as natural as ever, with a new component added to my magic I'd never been aware of before.

He gasped and staggered, face twisting in pain. "Please," he whispered.

I released him immediately, feeling a pang of nausea twist my stomach as I did.

"Who are you?"

He didn't get the chance to answer. A pair of horses raced around the corner, a black hansom rattling behind. The horses thundered to a halt next to us, their breath snorting white vapor into the chilling air. The door of the carriage opened and a tall, slim blonde woman leapt out, her movements so graceful I gaped at her. She grabbed my companion and smoothly tossed him inside before turning to me. Her blue eyes met mine for a single heartbeat before her small but powerful hands latched onto me and propelled me forward and into the hansom.

I heard Hugh's voice calling for me, getting closer, backed by the sound of pounding feet and the toot of a whistle. I cast one look outside the carriage, seeing a figure in a black robe, hooded and silent, watching the entire spectacle. It took me a moment to connect the recollection, an instant of recognition. I couldn't be certain, but I was indeed. This was the same watcher from the night of my arrival at the London dock.

I absorbed all of this in a heartbeat, just before the hansom door slammed shut, blacked out windows leaving us in total darkness.

This adventure of mine had gone far enough. I gathered my magic to strike back only to feel something inside me shift and shudder. Before I could sort out what was happening to me, cool fingers pressed into my temples and I knew no more.

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