Pieces of Eight (The Frey Saga, #2)(39)

"Forgot what?" Ruby asked, clearly not acquainted with the issue, having spent the night watching me.

"I forgot that I'd left dead cats scattered-"

Chevelle cut me off. "Why are they dead, Frey?"

"Um, no reason really." They stared at me incredulously. "Just a bad dream." It almost sounded like a question.

"Fannie?" Ruby asked in a low voice, remembering my inquiry when I'd woke in the night. I nodded and they dropped the subject.

Grey came in and Chevelle excused himself not long afterward. Ruby was discussing imaginative training ideas with him when Rhys and Rider found us.

"Good morning, Elfreda." They bowed in tandem. Their synchronized behavior used to make me uncomfortable but now, after our drunken bonding session, it merely made me smile.

"Good morning, boys." And then inspiration struck, "Ruby," I turned to her excitedly, "can Rhys and Rider train me today?"

It was plain that she didn't want to agree, but they spoke up before she had the chance to deny me. "It would be our pleasure, Elfreda."

I saw her throw a glance at Grey, who, shortly after, excused himself from the table and hurried from the room. I knew I didn't have much time.

"Can we start now?" They were standing again already, before they'd even touched their food, so I amended, "Do you mind?"

"Of course not, it is our honor," Rider said.

My grin widened and I rushed from the room, hoping Ruby didn't follow.

"No need to run, Elfreda," Rhys laughed when we were clear of the dining area, "you may query us on the way."

"Was it that obvious?" I asked.

He merely smiled. "What is it you wish to know?"

I wasn't prepared so I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "Tell me about Junnie."

"Juniper Fountain, I presume."

"Yes. Please."

"It is understood that you are aware of her ties with your mother, what else are you curious about?"

"What she's doing now. I know of her pursuits, but why else, aside from searching, is she here?"

"Ah, I see. You are interested in the new council."

"Yes," I lied.

"Since the conflict with Grand Council over the issue of northern rule, Juniper, or Junnie as you call her, has detached her honor from the group. I assume that you are already aware of her surrender of leadership in order to safeguard you and Francine in the village?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Then you know of the sacrifices and hardships she's faced. With the death of her sister, her decision was made, her path sealed."

Rider, who was walking several paces behind us, interrupted. "Elfreda," I turned to look at him, "would you not have Chevelle know of our discourse?"

"No," I answered automatically.

"Then we shall train," he said, turning his arm aside to direct me into the practice rooms.





Oh crap. I hadn't really thought my plan through until I was standing in the large open room where I'd oft been tortured by fire and whip, facing the two dark, silver-haired elves that towered over me. And, to make matters worse, before we'd even began, Chevelle had rounded the corner to join us and Ruby, smug in her triumph, popped through the second door only moments later.

Rhys held a staff that I hadn't noticed him carrying before and announced, "It begins."

I barely had time to let his serious tone concern me before the staff tilted forward slightly, toward me. I immediately took a step back but stopped when I realized the stones at my feet had changed. I was staring at them when a crack sounded and I looked up just in time to see the flash of light coming at my chest. Before I had a moment to react, the light was knocked aside and Chevelle stood between me and the pair of opponents.

He didn't need to speak the word, but he did anyway. "Stop."

Rhys smiled softly and, for the first time, he looked almost menacing. "You overreact, Vattier. We know of her capacity."

"She is bound," Chevelle replied icily.

"You shield her," Rider interjected, breaking their stare. "She will not find her potential without cause."

"We have observed her with the others," Rhys said, "she has the faculty, when you are absent."

Chevelle took two steps toward him at the intimation but, before he could react the way I feared he would, Grey spoke up from the door. "It's true."

I glanced around the room and, though all other eyes were on Rhys and Chevelle, everyone was hanging on Grey's words. To my surprise, Steed had also joined us, standing quietly by the second doorway. He stepped forward as Grey continued. "Her instincts have returned."

I cringed as I remembered flinging him across the room.

The tension in Chevelle's shoulders eased just a fraction as he turned to Grey and I breathed again, now that the confrontation appeared to be over. "Since the temple," Grey added and I recalled catching his fist during our last practice.

"Why did you keep it from us?" Ruby asked, plainly irritated with him.

The group had gathered closer and I let myself relax as Grey answered, only in trouble with Ruby now. "You knew she was improving, she'd bested you without aim." I saw her eyes narrow on him. "Besides," he said, "you seem to make her uneasy."