My Savior's Secret

Chapter 7

Although Mildred had asked me to choose my own outfit, Rubi came to my door yet again. Didn’t mean she, nor I, wanted to, but I couldn’t leave my bedroom without looking fabulous. This dinner must mean heck of a lot to them, which meant the guests must be bigshots.

The dress she’d selected for me was similar to her green tea dress, but it was white and lacy, puffed at the umbrella sleeves, and perkier than its host. At least it was comfortable. She had a good eye.

“Hurry up,” she said, rapping on my door. “The Elrians are here.”

That name rang a bell.

Rubi took me downstairs to the dining hall. A long Maplewood table seated six people, yet the other half was vastly empty. Mildred was on her feet and in front of me before I discerned the new faces.

She smushed me in an embrace. “Thanks for joining us, love!” Before she did the same to Rubi, her daughter strutted away and took one of the two seats separating Rego and Darian. Her brother was more like a brooding ghost in the corner. Maybe a criminal, but I couldn’t blindly trust anything that the mantle-man had said.

Boyne coughed to get our attention. “Take your seats. The Elrians are waiting.”

One of the two new men, the older one with astonishingly lush, styled white hair and groomed beard stirred his red wine. “Now, now. No need to be formal. We’ll be family soon.”

The second visitor beside him, a handsome champagne-haired man, rolled his eyes. He appeared regal in his maroon cashmere coat, thick shiny rings looped through large rugged fingers, dominant composure, yet was expressive in his impudence.

Now I remembered. It was the grandson-grandpa duo.

Rego pulled out a chair for me. I sat between him and Rubi and across the maroon-coat man.

“This is my niece, Scarlet. As you’ve seen at the funeral,” Boyne said dutifully.

“Yes, Shiloh’s daughter. She looks just like her,” the old man said. “Greetings, young lady. You can call me Randine.” He poured me a glass of wine and offered it to me. I didn’t take it, drawing displeased looks from the Weverins and an amused one from Mr. Shiny Rings.

Randine’s pale eyes wrinkled as he smiled. “I personally trained your mother in Etheria’s famed police force. It’s quite a shame we lost such an asset in the division.”

Hesitating, I took the wine glass. “Was she an investigator?”

“Yes. A very good one.”

The Weverins shifted uncomfortably. This wasn’t a greeting. It was an implicit promise to give me information in return for an association. People didn’t make good with others for no reason. Especially those on pedestals.

“You still have to meet the heir,” Mildred told me and put a hand on the maroon-coat guy’s shoulder which he seemed to hate. “This is Randine’s grandson, Cassiel. You’ll become good friends, yes?”

Rubi snorted in indignation—receiving dismissive notice—and checked her manicured nails. Cassiel’s striking grey eyes which showed impatience narrowed when they met mine. They were far from friendly until he wore an enchanting smile that dissolved any discourteousness.

“My apologies for your loss,” he said.

I tasted the fruitiness of the wine, not wanting to engage with someone who expressed their apologies with a smile. The glint in his eyes grew. The wine became bitter.

“She’s just a little shy,” Mildred said with a chuckle. “Why don’t we start?” She called a chef who I hadn’t realized was waiting behind us.

He rolled over a cart and placed all the dishes on the table and began to serve us entrees. Mildred ushered everyone to begin, and I surveyed the options awaiting me. The dishes were so fancy and expensive-looking, I dared to name them all.

“The steak is medium-rare,” Boyne said to Randine. “We made a special request for you.”  The server placed the plate in front of Randine.

“Considerate of you, Boyne.” Randine cut his fillet and forked a slice. “So, Scarlet, how are you holding up? Have you visited your mother’s house yet?”

“We will go this weekend,” Rego informed. We were? Cassiel’s eyes narrowed at him. “The hazard tape is still there, but sooner the better, right?”

“Of course,” Randine said, eyes glinting. “I heard you left college in Canada to travel here. Do you have plans on continuing your studies?”

I poked my steak with a fork. “I’m undecided.” 

“If you ever plan on staying, we have wonderful institutions in Etheria,” he said. “Rego can speak for that as a professor.” Cassiel’s face soured at the mention of Rego’s name, but Randine gave him a strict look. What was his problem?

Rego lowered his utensils. “Of course. We can get you an admission without a problem. You should consider it.”

“Thanks for the offer,” I said, attempting to cut the steak. “But I’d like to get an entry with my own merit. Not connections.” The men sipped their wines in digression, and Cassiel observed me unmoving, almost curiously.

Rubi’s lips tipped up and she lifted her glass at me. When I didn’t get the message, she rolled her eyes. “She’s clearly not fit to be here.” Come on, I thought she didn’t like me.

“Rubi!” Mildred scolded. “We’re only suggesting what’s best for her.” I was sure they meant well, but they didn’t know me enough to suggest what was best for me. “If she marries a rich man, she won’t even need college!”

The men complained, and chuckles filled the table. Only Rubi, Darian, and Cassiel were indifferent and, if anything, unwilling to join.

Mildred put her hand on Cassiel’s shoulder again. “This young man dropped out of the highest-acclaimed university and still owns a nightclub and the most famous casino in Etheria. He’s planning to expand it this year, isn’t he?”

Cassiel shrugged off her hand. “I would’ve a long time ago if I could buy the land. Aren’t we playing nice here for that?” His flippant remark furrowed brows, and he wore another cold smile. “You own most commercial sites and are going after private property now. How much of our estate did you ask for?”

“Calm down, boy. Let’s be reasonable,” Randine pacified him. “Who’s to say no to the Weverins if they give us the advantage in return?” The advantage? Cassiel suppressed his contempt by downing his glass. Randine gave me an apologetic look. “Dismiss his attitude. He’s got a lot to learn.”

Cassiel unbuttoned his coat. “Stop bothering with what women think of me, gramps. Get more exciting things on your agenda.”

Rego who’d been listening while rolling his thin ponytail between his fingers spoke up. “You surely know the reasons you’re here. Please be mindful.”

Cassiel stared at Rego like a predator. “Don’t talk to me, pest.”

Randine rubbed his back as if taming a lion. “Let’s be prudent with our relatives. You have an image to uphold.”

Rego filled himself a glass of water unaffected. When he caught me looking, he gave me a reassuring smile and nudged my elbow to keep eating.

“Regardless, our clans made a fair deal,” Boyne said. “I’m sure it’ll appease the governor.”

Randine raised his wine. “He’s no problem to us.” The two clinked their glasses.

“I must ask, chief of Elrian, how’s your plan for the board meeting coming along?” Mildred said, folding her hands under her chin. “I hope word of our future alliance came to fruition.”

“It’s too early to say,” Randine replied. “It won’t be easy convincing the Defense Bureau to change policies. Elliot’s health is also unpredictable, so until he’s in power, we can’t make rash decisions.”

My knife stopped midway down my steak. “Elliot?”

The Elrian chief wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin. “My apologies for not telling you earlier.” I brought my chair closer, keen to finally get answers. “Elliot Hughes is a close acquaintance of your parents. Your father worked on a project with him at the VDA, but unfortunately after he passed, your mother took over.”

Your father created a project on them. I continued his legacy.

“What’s VDA?” 

A silent, gruff voice answered from the corner. “Volyr Defense Agency.” Darian’s plate was empty, and he was on his phone with an arm slung over his chair.

Rubi clapped, eyes lighting up. “He speaks!” She sat back with a pout. “Why hadn’t I thought of it earlier? He lives and breathes VDA.” Darian shot lasers at his sister which she blew a provocative kiss at in return.

It was the first thing he’d shown interest in. The Volyr Defense Agency.

“Ahh, right,” Cassiel drawled. “Darian wants to be a Guardian. The VDA rejects him every year.” Darian’s jaw clenched. “Guess not everyone can break through without connections.” Darian’s eyes became venomous, and before the rift escalated, Randine thunked his wine down.

“We can’t burden Scarlet by divulging too much. Watch yourselves.” To me he said, “Elliot is president of the VDA and VDA is a…let’s say, special division in Etheria’s Defense Bureau. We work together to protect the island from certain pests, so I happen to know his relationship with your parents and the project.”

Questions I’d repressed since I’d read my mom’s letter remounted. “What creatures are they?”

“I’m afraid no outsider must know.” The Weverins gave each other unsettled looks, and Randine cleared his throat. “As Shiloh’s direct supervisor, even I didn’t know many details of their private mission.”

“No one but members of the Defense Bureau have knowledge about this,” Rego pitched in. “In fact, not much of anything related to the VDA is known to the Etherian public, let alone the mainland.”

Randine chuckled. “You’re lucky to witness the discussion of such confidential matters, Scarlet. It means we trust you.”

Trust me? I felt like they’d tossed me in another funnel of unanswered questions. Moreover, what was with this thick malaise over the dinner table? Don’t tell me family drama would taint this time I took to unwind.

“Look, you kept her from eating at all,” Rego said, seeing my half-cut steak. I was about to grab my knife when he put a hand on my arm. “Let me.”

Cassiel plunked down his spoon. “Let me do it.” Giving Rego a warning glare, he took my plate and sliced the steak deftly into even pieces. His eyes lifted sharply to me. “I’m sure you’re old enough to cut your own steak.”

“I didn’t ask for anyone’s help,” I pointed out. He put the plate back in front of me. “Since you did, thanks.” I was more thankful someone finally didn’t treat me like a child at this table.

Mildred clapped a pleased hand on Cassiel’s shoulder. “I’m glad such a gentleman will be a part of our family.” He looked like he wanted to chop off her hand at this point. She clearly didn’t get the hint.

“Don’t celebrate too soon, chief of Weverin,” he said with near disgust. Chief? That vivacious woman was the chief? “Do you people really think that the old Elliot guy doesn’t have other successors? VDA always picks its own kind. Do you really think this alliance will work?”

Randine placed a hand behind Cassiel’s neck and gave him a brooding stare. “Watch your mouth, Cassiel. If you keep your word, or rather, we keep this to ourselves, there should be no hurdles.”

What exactly was going on here? I sought Rubi for some side explanation, but she was busy getting Darian to speak again when he was consciously ignoring her.

“Of course. We, the Weverins, always keep our promises,” Boyne said. “We’re honored to join hands with the Elrians.” The older clan members made toast, but another thought was reserved in the recesses on my mind.

I put the rim of my glass to my lips. “What about the other guy?”

Mildred offered me a truffle. “Who, dear?”

“He came to the visitation in a cloak.” Mildred dropped the truffle on the table. Everyone either stiffened or continued eating as if it wasn’t their business to answer.

Some glanced at Darian. It was clear the two knew each other, but I didn’t know enough to call them friends or enemies.

Randine took it upon himself to answer again. After all, given his seniority and high-ranked position at, what, some government bureau, he must know a lot more than others about pretty much anything. 

“That man is one of Elliot’s followers. He works for the VDA,” Randine told me carefully. “Like Elliot, he’s…an interesting specimen.” I could guess. 

I put a piece of steak in my mouth. “What’s his name?”

Randine swirled his remaining wine. “Ausmane.” A name as strange as the man.

“Why does he wear a mask and that…cape thing?”

“Why does he interest you?”

I sipped my wine. It was surprisingly good with the steak. “No reason.” It was annoying calling him the mantle-man, so I asked to save myself the trouble. Besides, anyone would be curious seeing his weird getup. 

Darian’s chair scraped back as he rose and thundered out. Was this a normal thing? He had no manners anywhere.

“Don’t mind his tantrums. He’s still a kid,” Rubi whispered to me. A kid? He looked at least twenty, and the scars on his face told a much different story.

I was more than happy when the dinner ended. At the foyer, Randine shook hands with the Weverins and thanked them for the meal, among other insider exchanges I’d tuned out.

When it was my turn, he placed another hand over the handshake. “My final condolences to you. Shiloh was a force to be reckoned with.”

Cassiel flattened his coat beside him. “Yes, perhaps the only smart Weverin to be reckoned with.” Was that a compliment or an insult?  He eyed me. “Though that is yet to be decided.”

Mildred ignored his comment and wrapped an arm around me. “You will come by again, yes? You should show Scarlet around town.”

I tried to wiggle away. “That’s really not—”

“Fine,” Cassiel cut me off. “No point in dragging this out any longer.” 

“Wonderful!” Mildred rejoiced.

Really? Did the Weverins now think I needed a friend or some babysitter because I was feeling lonely? What point of a solo retreat didn’t they understand? And how in the hell would they understand? I hadn't been particularly vocal about anything and still expected them to know their place. 

Guess in the grand scheme of things, it didn't really matter. I didn't need them to know me or my wishes. As long as it was in my control, I did as I pleased. 

I needed no one.