7. Scarlet
Chapter 7
Scarlet
T here was something on her tongue, a slight presence that she couldn’t spit out. She knew, she’d tried.
“Follow me,” Cassiel demanded as soon as they’d landed back at the complex. She followed as ordered, both Nahal and Aeron disappearing back to their quarters.
Flinging a door open, Cassiel washed the path before her in light.
“Sit down,” he demanded, pointing to a white padded chair in the corner. He carefully placed his jacket on his desk, and rolled up his sleeves.
Scarlet eyed the large desk in the centre of the room, test tubes, glass beakers and papers written in Celestrian neatly placed upon it. Not that she could decipher the words. Only a handful of ranks had the ability to read ancient codex, and even less to write it. It was an inherited skill, gifted down by generations of Sages. Cassiel was famously an alchemist, from one of the oldest bloodlines amongst the celestrials. Alchemists were revered for their abilities to transform and create, and were highly sought after consorts to sire children.
But from her research he shouldn’t be able to read the codex, or write it.
Curiously she turned, noting the shelves full of books, as well as strange instruments she couldn’t even guess what they were for. They were all gold in colour, the metal oxidised at the bottom in the shape of a hand. They were either well used, or Cassiel could manipulate metal. A rarer gift amongst Alchemists, but made sense if he supplied golden weapons to all his staff.
A glass orb sat at the edge of the desk, and Scar reached over to touch it. It was a device usually used by the watchers, to speak across distance to discuss events before noting them down, and from the milky white colour of the cloud inside, it was recently used.
Cassiel had disappeared behind one of the free-standing shelves that he seemed to use to partition the room, but from between the bottles she could make out a solid door.
A slam, causing Scarlet to flinch and settle back into her seat. It was uncomfortable, and had straps on the armrests as well as some by her feet.
“Take off your shirt,” Cassiel said when he re-appeared, his clothes covered by a long white coat. Scarlet tensed, except there was no heat in his words, just clinical professionalism. “Don’t make me ask again, Scarlet. I couldn’t have predicted the Daemon’s actions. He’s marked you, and it’s my duty to check your health.” Turning on the spot, Cassiel found a stool with wheels, and moved it to her side before taking a seat.
Scar removed the fabric she had wrapped around her top half, casually holding it against her breasts. With an impatient sound, Cassiel pulled it from her grasp and placed it on her lap.
He was examining her like a bug, as if her intentions were clearly written across her skin. Which was ridiculous. Of course he couldn’t possibly know she planned to earn his trust so she could discover her brother’s last moments. To seek revenge for his death.
The only evidence was the appointment entry, and even that only named Cassiel as a person of interest. It didn’t give her any details, or reasons for their meeting. She had to figure that out for herself.
“I’m going to run a few tests,” he said, pricking something against her inner arm and drawing blood. Scarlet flinched, but remained still while he filled two vials.
His brow furrowed as he stared at the small hole left behind. “Open your mouth.”
Scarlet obeyed, Cassiel pressing something cold and hard against her tongue. He pushed it deeper, causing her to gag and turn her face away.
“Can you taste him?”
“No.”
He nodded, reaching over to his desk for a notepad and pen. “Talk me through the kiss.”
Scar blinked at him, trying not to squirm in the chair.
Pursing his lips, Cassiel grabbed her jaw. “Was it enjoyable?”
The question wasn’t sexual, despite her being half naked, but it still made her uncomfortable. He hadn’t released her jaw, so she gently shook her head, no.
“Do you taste remnants of the magic?”
No again.
“Hmm.” Finally releasing his grip, only to slap her across the cheek with enough strength her neck snapped to the side. “Did that hurt?”
“Yes,” she ground out, her skin stinging.
“Remarkable.” Cassiel wrote something down on his notepad before reaching over to grab one of the metal instruments, a strange golden rod. “He really was that predictable, choosing you instead of Aeron or even Nahal.”
“Predictable?”
“Of course. Why else would I have invited you to the summoning if not to entice him?”
Scarlet felt the colour drain from her face, and Cassiel leaned forward. “You used me as bait?”
“You said anything, remember?” Cassiel sat back. “You’ve just become useful to me, and if you wish to remain under my service you will continue to act accordingly.”
Scarlet really wanted to punch him in the face. “Yes, Sir,” she said with a forced smile.
“Have you been fitted with the implant?”
The question caught her off guard. “I’m sorry, that’s a –”
“Answer the question.”
The contraceptive implant was fitted to all celestrial women of age until a suitable pairing had been agreed, resulting in the best possible offspring. It made sure there were no ‘accidents.’
“Yes.” Scarlet was thankful her confusion didn’t shape her expression.
“Good, then I can proceed with the brand without having to consider an unwanted child. All those who work for me display my insignia as a sign of respect, you will be no different.”
Scarlet didn’t get a chance to move before the metal rod was pressed between her breasts, a sharp sting followed by an intense burn. Cassiel pulled back, leaving behind a red mark that was identical to the other officers. The alchemist symbol for transformation.
“Perfect.” Reaching behind him, Cassiel grabbed a stethoscope and pressed it just to the left of her new brand. “I’ll have to check your bloods, but on the outside it seems that despite the Daemon marking your soul, you’re unaffected. I wonder whether that will change?” he asked, almost to himself. “I’ll be testing you regularly, so I will see if anything changes.”
“So you want me to just… follow him?”
“Exactly.” Cassiel wrote something else on his notepad before continuing. “Your assignment is to concentrate on him. I want regular updates on everything he says, or does. Even if it seems insignificant, they’ll be made directly to me. Do you understand?”
Shit . This wasn’t part of the plan. How was she supposed to investigate Cassiel if he had her running around?
“But Sir –”
“Daemons are fascinating creatures,” Cassiel interrupted, his gaze so direct that she couldn’t look away. “Allegedly they’re able to expand their power by absorbing souls, which has only ever been found amongst a handful of Unseelie Fae. Their healing abilities are unmatched.”
Scarlet waited, letting him continue.
“Black magic is the most powerful influence known across the realms, only just below Chaos. Yet, they’re able to manipulate it to their own desires without succumbing to it entirely.”
“What specifically do you want me to do?” she asked, finally able to cover herself when he turned away.
Cassiel didn’t bother raising his head to answer, instead frowning down at the notes he’d just written. “Whatever needs to be done.”
Clearly dismissed, Scarlet quickly left. She wanted to stay longer and explore his office. But that wasn’t something she could do while he was there. Stopping just out of sight of his door, she reached beneath her top to touch the new mark. The burn was slightly raised, the area delicate.
A grunt, and Scar looked up to find Nahal standing there. Without any further sound he walked past, moving towards Cassiel’s office in an unhurried stride. Not wanting to hang around and have any more tests, Scarlet quickly made her way back to her new living quarters.
“There she is,” Kit said with a grin, coming up to grab her in a bear hug. “Nahal told us everything. I knew you would kick arse.”
She grunted when the brand ached at the touch, and he immediately released her.
“It’ll be fine in a few days,” he added. “There’s some cream in your bathroom.”
Zaph ignored everyone, sitting at the table with his deck of cards while Aeron glared at her opposite.
“Thanks.” Scar absently touched the mark again, knowing she’d prefer to make a salve from scratch rather than use anything they had. “So, I saw Nahal in the hall.”
“It’s Thursday,” Zaph explained, giving no context.
“Yeah, we all have to regularly subject ourselves to whatever tests Cassiel wants to run,” Kit said with a shrug, his fingers fidgeting with a copper ball. “It’s part of the contract, and why the pay is so fucking high. Thursday is Nahal’s day.”
“Tests?”
“Strength, agility and stamina,” Aeron said, his tone so cold it was arctic.
“Basic shit, like running on a treadmill, weights and blood tests. Nothing to worry about.” Kit grinned, while Zaph grumbled in acknowledgment, his gaze still on his cards.
Aeron shoved himself from the table before crossing the room, each step deepening the storm brewing in his expression. “You want to tell me what the fuck today was all about? Cassiel chose –”
“Come on man, Nahal said that was out of her control.” Kit put his arm around Aeron’s shoulders, only for Aeron to shrug him off.
“Fucking whore,” he muttered, heading towards his room before a knife stuck out the door jamb, only millimetres from his head. Scar hadn’t even realised she’d thrown it. There was a moment of silence, and even Zaph lifted his head up from the table to look at the commotion.
“Oops,” she said, shrugging when he turned back to face her.
If Aeron’s eyes were annoyed before, they were enraged now. He slammed his door closed behind him, her knife quivering from the impact.
“Ignore him, he’s like that with everyone,” Kit said, eyes narrowing to where Aeron had just disappeared to.
“He’s not.”
Kit reached towards the sofa for a pillow, and then hit Zaph over the head.
Zaph shot an annoyed glower at him, but didn’t retaliate. “He’ll get over it,” he said, his attention back on the cards he’d neatly laid out on the table. “Or he won’t.” A shrug.
Leaving the knife from the wall, Scarlet turned to her room, only to have Kit follow like an excited puppy.
“Seriously, Aer is a great guy once you get to know him.”
“I’m sure he is.” She placed the other knife on the nightstand, her bow and everything else she owned in her backpack at the end of the bed. She hadn’t brought much whilst here. It had taken her a while to sort herself out when she first came to London, and what little money she had, had quickly dwindled with the high price of everything. She’d been lucky that the herbs she’d brought from Aetherna had been highly sought after, and even more so when she’d created salves and drinks designed for different ailments. She’d survived with her skills, crafting anything and everything to make enough money to keep going.
“He sends money home, so he takes everything to do with this work personally.”
Scarlet laughed, only realising it was inappropriate when Kit frowned at her reaction. Clearing her throat, she turned to find him leaning against her wall, watching her. “So Aeron’s like Cassiel’s secretary?”
“I wouldn’t say that to his face,” Kit snorted. “But yeah, kind of. Cassiel pays double that of other bodyguard jobs. I honestly thought Aeron was crazy when he approached me at the Troll Market. I think I told him to fuck off before he’d convinced me to apply.”
“So Aeron was the one that approached you?”
Kit nodded. “Yep, he recruited us all. Got me out of a tough situation too. The jobs I was taking weren’t exactly… nice, but they put food in my belly and a roof over my head.”
Scar couldn’t imagine him as a Mercenary, taking any job, regardless of morals. Not with his sunshine wings, and bright, welcoming smile. But she’d also seen him fight, and knew just how dangerous he could be.
“Aeron’s fine, I’ve met worse.” Pulling back the duvet on her bed, she purposely looked at her bedroom door. She was tired, and she had yet to figure out what her next step was.
Kit seemed to finally understand, pushing himself off the wall. “Welcome to the team, Scar. I think you’ll fit in great.” Pausing by the door, he frowned at the fabric covering her mirror.
Before she could stop him, he pulled it off and tossed her the sheet.
“Don’t worry about Aer, he just needs to get to know you. In fact, I think spending some time together will do you some good. Team bonding and all that.”
With her eyes pinned to the floor she nodded. “Sure, whatever.” She’d agree to just about anything right then if she could get him to leave.
“Great, I’ll let Aeron know you’ll be coming with us on our next night off. It’ll be so much fun!”
Scar didn’t move when Kit closed the door behind him, her body frozen. She should have turned the mirror around, and not simply covered it. But then again, she knew she’d have to face him again eventually.
Even though every time she did, it hurt him.
Celestrial spirits stuck in the Null walked the mirrors, only drawn out when in the presence of their bloodline. She tried hard not to accidentally manifest him, knowing his pain was worse when anchored to her life.
Settling her breath, Scar reluctantly lifted her head, feeling the tears swell the second she looked in the mirror, and saw her brother, Silas, standing over her shoulder. She took her time to study him, although the image was already permanently scarred into her brain. He was missing a wing, the one remaining torn and hanging limp. The once white feathers, matching her own, were stained a startling pink that would slowly darken the longer she stared.
He’d been beaten to death, his body covered in horrifying bruises and cuts from where the skin had split from the impact. His right leg had been broken, forcing him to lean on his left, and his right arm had been snapped in two places. The fingers crushed to the point the bones protruded from his skin. Ribs protruded obscenely, his jaw had been dislocated, and his nose was crooked.
But it was his eyes that she always struggled with the most. The left was the same as hers, a blue encircled with the thinnest band of green. But the right was missing, the bone around it shattered from multiple blows.
Scarlet swallowed the bile that tickled her throat, and clenched the sheet tighter in her palms to stop her hands from shaking.
“Hi,” she whispered to the reflection, only for Silas to gently nod his head, his single remaining eye softening. He wasn’t always lucid, sometimes confused, forgetting that he’d died. Those times were the worst, her heart breaking when she had to explain to him what had happened.
Dipping his finger in one of his open wounds he slowly wrote out his question in blood, the bones scraping against one another at the movement.
It always took her a few seconds to read it, considering it was written back to front and with his non-dominant hand.
‘Where r u?’
Scar licked at her bottom lip, which were suddenly dry. “You look better,” she said rather than answering. Silas had tried to get her to drop the idea of finding his missing eye, telling her it was too dangerous. “More… put together.”
Which was a ridiculous statement, and one she instantly regretted saying. Every time they spoke he looked just as he did when she’d found him, but the longer he was connected to her life, the more he started to deteriorate.
Silas gently tapped against the question. ‘Where r u?’
“It’s just a room. Nicer than my last one, right?” She tried to smile, ignoring how his blood trickled down. Silas didn’t always retain new memories since his death, so she never knew what he remembered.
Carefully, he rubbed out his question, only to write something else. ‘R u safe?’
The first tear burned down her cheek, but she was quick to wipe it away. Reaching over, she touched her fingertips to the cool glass, wishing she could really touch him. To hear him laugh and call her silly names like they did when they were kids. But she knew she couldn’t, his voice lost in death. Taken away in spite.
“Of course.”
His clear relief was a punch to the gut, but she kept her smile in place anyway. It was hard suppressing the surge of emotions she tried so hard to bury. She was desperate to talk to him, but he’d only be upset, and even in death he’d lecture her on staying away. At first she’d begged him to tell her what had happened the night he was murdered, and every time he’d become more distressed, refusing or simply not lucid enough to answer. So she’d given up, taken up the training academy’s offer and decided to figure it out on her own.
The light in his eye darkened, a pained grimace across his features. He was hurting, the pain worsening the longer he stood there. It was why she tried to block the mirrors as much as possible. When he wasn’t manifested by her reflection he wandered, stuck in purgatory. Forever feeling the same pain he’d suffered in his last moments, over and over until every part of him could be cleansed by fire.
Which meant until she found the part of him that was stolen, Silas was cursed to walk the space between life and death for all of eternity. He’d never be at peace, and Scarlet would do absolutely anything to help cleanse what remained of her brother.
Silas drew a heart before tapping the centre with his finger.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
I. Love. You.
Scarlet took a deep breath, pushing all her emotions back down until they were locked tight. “I love you too.”