CACKLE- Book 1

Chapter Twenty-Six

"I'm sorry Remi. I know you want to help, but we're spending too much time on this. You were getting close to Ryker before; I think you should get back to it. Leave Theo to me." Anna said, as she braided Remi's hair back from her face.

The two had gotten into a rhythm as the week went on, studying and working to piece Theo's seemingly random symptoms together. As usual, they couldn't make the connection. Not enough to find any alternative means of treatment, that is.

Remi frowned. "It's so frustrating. Her illness doesn't make any sense."

"You need to step away, at least for now." Anna added. "In fact, I've accepted an invitation on your behalf."

Remi's ears perked. "What kind of invitation?"

"I received a special request for your attendance today... elsewhere." Anna said, striding across the room and taking a sea, she lifted her teacup.

Remi stared at her. "What was it?" She pushed.

Anna sipped her tea coolly. "I've called for Avani. She'll be here any minute now."

A pit was forming in Remi's stomach as Anna, not so subtly, avoiding her question. "Who sent the invitation, Anna?" Remi's voice was stern.

"Who else?" Anna raised her brows.

The pit in her stomach grew. "Why?" Remi whined.

"Oh, don't you worry! Hux told me you had inquired about training, so I told him to arrange it." Anna was smirking as she reached for a biscuit.

Just then, Avani burst through the door with several dresses overflowing in her arms. "I heard you've received an invitation. I assume it's an important event, Remi!" She exclaimed excitedly. "I brought you some fine, embroidered..." Avani started, but Anna interrupted her.

"She won't be needing those. She's training with the soldiers today."

Avani blinked in confusion as her mouth fell open. "Well, if that's the case. None of these dresses will do!" She dumped the stack of dressed on a chair and rushed back out the door.

Anna, who was analyzing a cube of sugar, appeared indifferent as she plopped one cube in her tea and another in her mouth.

"Am I doing the right thing?" Remi whispered.

Anna stopped stirring her tea and looked up. "Yes." Her tone indicated she was done discussing the matter. At least here and now, with Avani so close.

Remi nodded once and looked down at her hands. Her magic had been pushing her, tapping against the door in her mind where she forced it to remain. Away from prying eyes and away from temptation.

While Remi still had reserves about what she was doing with Huxley. Though earlier that day Anna brought up a very good point. Without Remi, Huxley would die soon anyway, Remi he may have a chance of surviving what was to come.

Avani returned with a few tunics and trousers with shear skirt coverings, spreading them across the bed for Remi to review. "I would recommend layering a few pieces." She picked up a shorter dress with long sleeves, an opaque set of stockings and tan trousers.

Wearing a dress while training was a ridiculous idea, Remi decided. needed a break from the gowns the woman of this world were being forced to endure.

She appraised the selection and asked, "What would a man wear to train?"

"Well... I don't have any men's clothing for you." Avani laughed as though her question was clearly a joke.

"This is close enough." Remi said, as she picked up a pair of dark, tight slacks with a sheer skirt covering. She pulled the material this way and that. It had a decent amount of give. Ideal for running and jumping. She scanned the pile for additional options. A puffy white shirt lay in the middle of the bed, along with a pair of black leather, knee high boots with lace ties.