Page 7 of In The Dark
Perhaps I can visit after eliminating my new target. I’ll be in the city after all. The thought runs through my head as I toss the order on the table.
After bathing and dressing with every weapon I own, I leave my quarters in search of Ezra, who’s most likely still sleeping.
The commons isn’t far, through the door just around the corner of my stairwell, separated from everyone else. It’s where the brethren meet with training just beyond the arena doors. If we don’t have missions, we’re responsible for training the new orphans.
When recruiting, the orphans are lined up and forced tohold two rune-inscribed stones to measure their magical capabilities. If the runes glow brightly, they are full Aetheri, and if the runes stall but emit a faint glow, they’re a Halfling that possesses a sliver of magic. It’s possible for Halflings to not possess any, but the king wants some magical capability, often discovered around the age of five.
The brotherhood is separated into three groups of ten based on our best skills: combat, tracking, and infiltration. We’re all skilled, but each brother has a specialty. Mine is disguise and infiltration.
The commons is large, easily holding all thirty of us, and is surrounded with tables and chairs. Similar to a tavern but less fun.
Boots scuff on stone as I walk toward the table of fresh food, my eyes landing on Malrik and Luke eating with a group of others before landing on Ren, who stands nearby.
“Morning, Ren.” I nod, grabbing a few pieces of fruit, not bothering to get myself utensils.
“Isa,” he grumbles back.
My brows rise, as he doesn’t typically acknowledge me. As a precaution for myself, I choose not to have relationships with many of the males here, though I do my best to be cordial toward them when I’m around… sometimes.
Ren is the exception.
A six-foot-six Stone Shaper with medium length black hair and a scar across his left brow—sliced at the tail. He wears linen around his wrists, and I have yet to figure out why.
He’s thirty-one and has been in the brotherhood a few years longer than me, becoming my instructor at only sixteen when I was ten. He looks the same as he did at twenty-eight though: tall, strong, and lean.
Now, he seems to hold a grudge against me—for what, I don’t know. I don’t particularly care, but I’ve learned to ignore him, and he hates that even more.
Though I can’t resist teasing him when the opportunity presents itself. And now, he seems to be in a rare enough mood to tolerate me, so it looks like I’ll be taking it upon myself to piss him off this morning.
“Strange that you’re talking to me today. Did you finally get another target, or are you just bored?” My voice drips with sarcasm, and I hear Malrik snort a laugh nearby.
I know Ren doesn’t typically get a lot of missions—not anymore, at least. I don’t know the reason for it because I haven’t cared enough to ask. I just figure King Elion withholds them or gives missions to the others.
His feet remain planted a foot away as he faces me, dropping his plate to the table. A sneer twists his face.
“How is it that someone so small can be so insufferable?” he asks.
“Am I though?” I chuckle, craning my neck to meet his glare, then drag my gaze over him, ending with a faint smile. “I personally think you’re losing your edge, or maybe the king just feels sorry for you. Keeping you around even though you’re aging out of usefulness. How long has it been since you had a decent mission?”
His jaw tightens, hands curling into fists at his side. For someone who always thinks he’s in control, he sure is easy to unravel. Then he lunges at me, but I dodge effortlessly.
“Oh, come on, Ren. Don’t be so predictable,” I taunt and step out of his reach. “You’re no fun when you’re angry.”
For a moment I think he’s going to try again. When he doesn’t, I throw him a final look over my shoulder and dart for the stairs, snagging some fruit off the table for Ezra. My pulse thrums—not from fear, but from the satisfaction of watching him seethe.
I reach Ezra’s door and knock. A minute passes, but he doesn’t answer, so I try the door only to find three runes preventing entry. I scribble on a temporary counter rune,feeling the magic warm at my fingertip as I infiltrate his chamber.
Counter runes are used to divert the energy away from the original ones and into the one that I write, effectively canceling it out. This will allow me to gain access into any location for a short amount of time before it disappears, leaving the area protected once more, but they don’t require a lot of magic.
It takes all of five seconds for me to gain entrance and step in. He’s sprawled out with his face buried in the pillows—shirtless. At least he had the forethought to shut his curtains, unlike me, so I fling them open, earning a groan.
“Whoever the fuck is in my room better shut those before I kick your ass,” he mumbles groggily.
Looks like he stayed up late too. Ignoring him, I grin and rip the quilts from his grip, receiving a slew of curses.
“Ugh, I’m going to kill you,” he growls.
I snort. “I brought you food… well, fruit. You’ll have to get a plate of the fresh food downstairs. Be careful though. I pissed Ren off.”