Frost Arch (7 page)

As if my prayer had been answered, the next second someone had grabbed hold of either side of my face, a stood between me and the boy. I gasped, but to my relief it wasn’t Jefferson coming after me like I had assumed. I didn’t know this face. This person was a stranger, though I was instantly grateful. A great weight lifted from my lungs and I could breathe again.

“Don’t look at him.” The stranger said urgently, holding my face between his hands, “Just look at me.”

I stared into the deep blue eyes off the young man before me. I was aware that my body still wouldn’t budge, though several seconds later, inch by inch my body became aware of itself again and I found that I could move.

“Can you move now?” The young man said.

I nodded weakly, my lips trembling. I had no idea what had just happened.

“Do not look at Seth Swaggart again. Are you crazy?” He hissed at me, pulling me down the street. I gulped, and kept my eyes glued to the path in front of me.

“Wh-what happened?” I stammered, tripping over my numb feet.

“No one looks at Seth Swaggart. Not unless they have a death wish.” The lanky man dragged me further down the street, his deceptively strong hand gripping my arm.

“I felt … so cold.” I shivered, “I never feel cold. I couldn’t move. It was like I was frozen. I couldn’t take my eyes from that boy. Like he was mesmerising me. Choking me.”

“He was cursing you.” The man said harshly.

I tripped again, but his hold on my arm kept me from falling to the ground.

“He what? How? Why? I didn’t do anything!” My body temperature rose alarmingly as I became panicked.

“It’s his Power.” The man said, his hurried pace slowing to a walk as we rounded a corner, the shops and Seth Swaggart out of view. “I don’t know if he means to do it, he rarely makes eye contact with anyone. Except …” He trailed off.

“Except?” I pressed.

“Except when someone is fated to die very soon.”

I froze on the spot.

“Don’t worry. I think I got in the way just in time. You seem fine to me.” The man looked me up and down, “any longer and you would have been a goner.”

My heart beat furiously in my chest, “I don’t understand. Why would he want to kill me? I was just walking by, and his eyes locked on mine the instant I crossed his path. I don’t even know him!”

“I don’t think he is aware that he does it. It’s like an involuntary action. His Power is drawn to certain people. No one is quite sure why he chooses particular people. I don’t think even he knows. It’s as though he is a missionary for some higher force.”

I gulped, “But you’re sure you got in the way, just in time?” I couldn’t hide the panic in my voice.

“I’m certain.” The man nodded, now letting go off my arm. He seemed convinced that I wasn’t going to pass out.

“I thought the Power Seer didn’t let anyone with dangerous Powers live here.” I huffed.

The man rolled his eyes, “Would you approach Swaggart, now that you know what he does?”

“I guess not …Thank you.” I breathed.

“That is quite all right.” He said, stuffing his hands into his pockets, “Where are you headed?”

“Oh, um.” I remembered that I had a purpose, once again, “The Forsythe Manor … I think that’s what it’s called.” I swallowed.

The man nodded, “Great. That’s where I’m headed now.” He turned to face me and his eyes narrowed as he studied my features, “Have we met before?” He asked suddenly.

I frowned, “No.”

“Humph. Maybe … No … You just look a lot like someone I used to know.”

“Okay.” I averted my eyes, uncomfortable.

The man chuckled and outstretched his hand, “I’m Jack.” He introduced, “Jack Greenwood.”

“Avalon Redding.” I shook his hand.

“Wow.” He gave a toothy smile, “I can see why you never get cold.”

“Sorry.” I muttered, stuffing my smouldering hand back into my pocket. At a first touch, I was sure that the warmth would be bearable, but the longer you left your hand there, the hotter it got, until your skin was burning.

“It was nice. I’m chilled to the bone.” He smirked rubbing his hands together, “So why are you headed to the Manor?”

“Lester Elwood said I might be able to find work there. He said that the Master was looking for someone with a gift similar to mine. Do you live there?”

“I work there.” Jack confirmed, “Live there too. Healer.” He pointed to his chest.

I smiled, “I wish I could do something useful like that. All I’m good at it ruining things, and setting people on fire.”

“Excellent. It should warm the place up a bit then. I can see why Master Forsythe would want a Fire Mage. It gets rather cold in the Manor.” He gave a laugh, mist coming from his mouth due to the cold that I couldn’t feel, “At the moment the maids just light the fires with matches. Takes ages to warm up.”

I smiled but I didn’t have a clue what ‘matches’ were. At that moment I felt my bag twitch. Damn it, I though, I forgot about you.

“Do you think I’ll get a job there, then?” I asked Jack wearily.

“No problem.” Jack nodded, “I don’t think we even have a Fire Mage in Frost Arch.”

Maybe this cold city was the perfect place for me after all.

We walked together, chatting casually for several minutes, passing snow covered trees. Jack was friendly and very funny. I guessed that Jack was around twenty, give or take a year, though after a couple of minutes of conversation I came to the conclusion that he definitely did not have the mentality of a twenty year old. He seemed the kind who enjoyed practical jokes and being smart in situations that did not call for it, yet he radiated good.

Jack Greenwood was tall and lanky with big hands and ears, but there was definitely something handsome about him. His grin was wide and reached his eyes which crinkled at the sides. When he spoke he used his arms and body animatedly to illustrate his meaning or to exaggerate a point. His hair was short, black and windswept, and his complexion was quite pale.

We were on a winding road now, out of the heart of the city, and on our way to the Manor. I desperately wanted to set my little pet free, though I was worried what Jack might think. He seemed nice enough. Beside me he was shivering, and chattering away about someone that also worked in the Manor. I tried to be inconspicuous as I pulled my bag from my shoulders, and untied the string leaving an opening at the top. I put it back over my shoulders, and continued my pace. Hopefully my little friend would escape without Jack noticing. I felt the weight in my bag shift instantly, though I heard no noise. I assumed it had made a run for it though I didn’t look back to see if there were miniature footprints in the snow. We rounded a corner and came to a large white field. The road continued, and about a hundred meters in the distance was a large and eerie looking mansion made from grey stone. A low wall surrounded the perimeter, and beside the mansion I could see stables and fences, though no horses were in sight. Behind the mansion was a vast, dark forest.

“That’s it.” Jack nodded towards the enormous estate.

I gulped, “I’m going to get very lost.”

“Naw, it’ll be all right. I’ll give you the grand tour once I introduce you to the Head-of-Staff. I’m sure you’ll be hired right away.”

I felt a little bit sick, but I gave a nod.

A few minutes later and Jack was leading me around the building to an entrance at the back. He knocked on a door with peeling white paint, and waited for another staff member to open it. It was only a few seconds before a voluptuous, curly red-haired girl was ushering us in.

“Hey Cam.” Jack said to the fiery-haired girl as he took off his cloak and hung it on a nearby hook. Jack turned to me and offered to take my travelling cloak.

“Who have you brought back with you this time, Jack?” The girl named Cam nodded in my direction as I removed my cloak and bag, making sure to hang onto the papers that Lester had given me.

“This is Ava. She’s going to be inquiring about work. Ava, this is Camryn. She handles the stables.” Jack hung my things on a hook.

“Hello.” I muttered, barely making eye contact. I hated that I was so shy all of the time. My social skills were really awful.

“Hm.” Camryn eyed me up and down before turning back to Jack, “She looks an awful lot like-”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought too.” Jack agreed before Camryn finished her sentence.

“Who do I look like?” I demanded.

“Master is in the study. Though I suggest you go and speak to Charles first.” Camryn cut in, her tone dripped with sarcasm.

Jack rolled his eyes and smiled at me, “C’mon.”

I was led through the kitchen, where faces seemed to blur past me. No one really took any notice that I was there, which was fine by me. I was quite happy to blend into the walls.

I was very glad that this house was made of stone, and only a limited amount of furnishings were wood. This would make my life a lot easier. I followed Jack through the manor, not remembering where he was taking me at all. Left, second right, second left, right.

“Jack, who is Charles?” I asked as we approached the end of a hallway.

“Charles pretty much runs the place. He’s in charge of keeping staff busy, though Master Forsythe decides if we hire someone.”

“And that woman I just met? Her name was Camryn … she runs the stables?” I recalled.

“Yeah. She’s a hard shell to crack, that one. Make sure you stay on her good-side too – bit of a temper. She also talks an awful lot.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

I fell silent as Jack knocked on a little wooden door. From the other side a man announced that we could enter.

“Charles.” Jack popped his head through the door, “Was wondering if I could have a word with you?”

“Come in Jack.”

Jack opened the door fully, exposing me to the man known as Charles.

He was a middle aged man, probably forty I guessed, with little colour remaining in his once auburn hair. He was sitting behind a large mahogany desk, piles of paperwork sprawled in front of him. Charles looked over his spectacles at me; “Hello” He raised an eyebrow.

“This is Ava.” Jack informed Charles.

“Hello sir.” I piped up. It was now that I needed to make a good impression, “I’m here because I was informed by Lester Elwood that you have a position available. Mister Elwood thought that I might be perfect, so he sent me over.”

“Ah, yes, we are indeed in need of some new staff. We haven’t even had a chance to go looking for ourselves. It’s a good thing Lester is sending people out way though, definitely saves my time.”

I smiled, glad that they did have a position available. It would have been awfully depressing if they had just told me to go away.

“You have your papers with you?” Charles pushed his spectacles higher up his nose as she surveyed me. I was sure that two days travelling had not done my appearance justice.

“Yes sir.” I hurried forwards immediately and placed the documents on his desk.

I bit my bottom lip nervously as Charles looked over my documents.

“Hm.” He pursed his lips, “Do you have any work experience, Miss Redding?”

I winced, “No sir. I only just left home a day ago. I’m on my own now sir, for the first time.”

“Would you please demonstrate your Power for me?” Charles pressed on. He didn’t seem to care that I didn’t have any previous work experience.

I gulped; not exactly sure what he wanted me to do. I was slightly worried that my nerves would make my Power disobey me, as it so often liked to do.

Chewing down on my lip, I held my right hand before me. Charles watched carefully as I curled my fist into a ball and concentrated hard. A few seconds later my entire hand was engulfed in a merry orange flame.

Charles nodded, and then suddenly inspired he held out a glass filled with water.

“Would you boil this water for me please?”

I nodded. That was easy enough. I took a step towards Charles, and he gave me the glass of water to hold. I held the glass with both hands securely, focussing on heating my palms. After a few seconds bubbles began to rise to its surface. It wasn’t long before the water in the cup was boiling under my touch. I placed the glass back on his desk, where he touched the water to inspect it.

“Ouch. Good, good.” He nodded. “Well Miss Redding. I’m glad to say that the Master, and his wife will thoroughly enjoy being able to have steaming hot baths once again, that’s for sure. We have a lot of staff under this roof, all who have their own responsibilities. Once Master Forsythe has given you permission to work in the household, I will show you to your living quarters, and Jack will give you a rundown of your duties. You will start first thing tomorrow morning. I will take you to the Master myself now.”

I gave a bow, “Thank you sir.”

Charles got up from his seat. To my surprise he was a head shorter than me. I felt rather silly walking next to the squat man. I turned, forgetting that Jack had been right behind me.

“That was rather interesting.” Jack smiled at me, “You’ll have to show me some other things you can do some time.”

I ignored Jack’s remark. I did not think my Power was interesting, useful, or fun in any way.