Ink and Blood

Chapter 7

As the three friends walk down the street, they stopped by a shop to grab some cinnamon buns. Miles asked the lady about the rolls while Clara looked at some books on the bookshelf.
Finn watched her delicate fingers sliding down the spine of a book, she looked so captivated by the books, it's as if she knew their every word. Finn turned and saw Miles smirking at him for watching her, Finn glared at him and went to look at the jewelry. He saw a pretty necklace that had a gold cage wrapped around a single, red jewel. He thought of Clara and how it would look beautiful on her.
Miles led Clara outside, where they ate the cinnamon buns. Finn bought the necklace.

"What held you up?" Clara asked Finn as he walked out of the store.
"Nothing. Just looking." She shrugged and bit into the bun, Miles winked at him. He handed Finn a bun and they walked back to their destination. Home.

———

I can't believe I stole money from someone. At home, there wasn't anybody to steal from, not that stealing is a good thing; Miles, Finn and I walk through the secret gate in the alley to get to the institute.
We were just in time for supper, we walk into the dining hall while Finn and I laughed at Miles for blindly running into the door.
The room was half full of boys, eating sausage, potatoes and bread. Some of the boys greeted me with a wave and a smile. We see Liam and David sitting at a table, eating viciously. Liam looked up and smiled.

"Hey, everyone heard you stole some loot without Finn even knowing it. Great job." He said. I thanked him and sat down.
"How did you feel? Do you feel weird stealing for the first time?" Liam asked. I nod. "Yeah, it does, but you have to do what you have to do to survive. Including getting rid of your hair pins." They chuckled. "How did you manage to do that anyway?" Finn asked.
I shrug. "Talent, I would always switch things with my mom when she wasn't looking. Which is probably why she always hid things from me."

As they laugh and share their thieving stories, I look across the room at a table to find Kyrian in deep conversation with Gavin. They were good friends even though Kyrian is older than Gavin by seven years. Kyrian and Gavin have been friends before the institute started. Everyone respected them.
I see Kyrian nod at something Gavin said and jumped up on to one of the tables and made an announcement.
"Excuse me, I like to have everyone's attention. I am proud to say we have a new recruit, but not just any recruit, a girl-"
Cheers rung out. I sunk down into my seat while smiling. David patted me and I sat up.

"Yes, yes, she did very good and if we succeed then we will destroy Silas once and for all. Welcome, Clara, to the Sage brotherhood!" Drinks were clinked and laughter, cheers and clapping filled the room. I never felt so happy. Finn clapped and smiled at me.
After dinner was over, we exit the hall and turn in for the night. Finn pulled me aside.
"Hey, I'm really proud of you. You did well, and for your reward, I bought you something." He pulled out a single, red necklace. It was beautiful.

I gasp. "It's beautiful. I love it." I giggled in admiration. I couldn't help it. I felt all warm and fuzzy inside. I look into his eyes.
"Thank you." I lean over and kiss his cheek. It was stubble under my lips, but I didn't care. He blushed.
"I'm glad you like it, just don't tell David, he might consider giving you more trinkets to win you over. " He said. We chuckled. "We better turn in. Goodnight, Clara."
"Night, Finn." I say. I took my leave to my room and closed the flap on my blanket door. I got undress and into a big t-shirt that I borrowed from Finn. It smelled like him.

I got into my cot and pulled the mirror out from my cloak. "Rufus? Rufus, can you hear me?" I whispered loudly. The mirror clouded into a face.
"Clara? Thank God, Lizzy and I have been trying to find a way to get you out but the one thing that could get you out is missing." He said. I frown. "What do you mean? Are you saying there was something that sent me here? I thought it was someone with magical powers. Or a Jedi." I say sarcastically.
"No, I've been thinking on how you got there and there is one thing that has always been powerful enough to do this." He looked like he aged twenty years.