Straight Through The Heart ((ON HOLD))

Chapter Nine

Alisa didn't dare tell anyone about the dream. She hadn't dreamed in years, and to dream of a demon who knew her family name— it must have been because of all the travel, and being in the Parish, and staying in the estate. It was the only explanation.

And one she was going to keep to herself, she decided as she dressed for the day.

She was still uncertain as to what one wore to a Venandi presentation. Rarely would she be expected to wear a dress, though that wasn't to say she wouldn't enjoy the chance to. But she assumed once the meeting was over there would be training of some sort, so she opted for leggings and boots, a fitted cotton blouse and a leather fighting jacket over it. She wore no weapons because she had none to her name, and the jacket would give enough warmth on the autumn morning that a heavy cape wouldn't be necessary.

She had chosen correctly, it seems, for Chey gave her a look of approval as she descended the stairs for breakfast. No longer an Imerman in the sense, his dress was more ceremonial in nature, though it constituted the same long fighting jacket and gloves and boots he was more accustomed to, but in muted greys and whites. His sword hung at his hip, at least the one she could see— the Venandi had no qualms about being armed within the Parish.

"Eat something quick," he said as he pointed to the dining room where Bren was already devouring a breakfast pastry.

Alisa wasted no time grabbing one for herself, taking a bite while she poured herself a mug of coffee. She felt Bren watching her, but she wasn't ready to have another conversation with him. She had said all she needed to say the night before, for the time being, and had to trust that he would uphold his end of their agreement.

"I'll have your belongings brought to you at the Tower once things are settled," Chey was saying to her brother from the doorway.

Bren nodded, taking another bite of breakfast.

"As for you," Chey said, looking at her, "we have at least another month before the Initiation so expect more mornings like this until then."

"Is there a presentation every morning?" Bren asked while Alisa's mouth was full of coffee.

Chey nodded. "Every Venandi and Imerai have the opportunity to be presented to their Council by their family up until the day of the Initiation. And therefore we give each the chance every morning to do so so as not to be accused of favoritism in any way."

"So who will present us?" Alisa asked, finally swallowing. "Since our parents aren't here."

"I will," Chey said.

"But you're High Councilman," Bren reminded him.

"And also the closest thing to family either of you has in the Parish at the moment, so it will have to do."

"Won't the remaining Council members have a problem with that?" Alisa asked, remembering the conversation she had overheard between Chey and her parents.

"The Council can remember who leads them," Chey said with an edge to his tone. "Now, if the two of you are done eating and asking questions, we need to leave."

Neither she nor her brother challenged him, both respectively finishing the last bit of their pastry or the last sip of their coffee before following Chey out of the house. He was already halfway down the gravel driveway by the time Alisa emerged into the early morning chill, shutting the door behind her. With no horses in sight, it seemed they would be walking to the capital center.

She fell in step beside her brother, who was as taken in by the city sights around them as she was. Having been so used to Northwick, it was but a hovel in comparison to the glamour of the Parish. As they made their way from the residential district towards the more commercial portion of the city, the foot traffic on the roads also increased of Venandi, Imerai and common citizens preparing for another day ahead. No one gave Chey or them any attention, too focused on their own endeavors as if they were used to the High Councilman making this daily trek.