SONGS AND TRAILS (Book 1)

CHAPTER 21

Minutes later, Raidean and Finehas were in Mima’s office contemplating how to put back her dislocated shoulder. It was a good thing Caldor agreed to join them after a while of begging him.

“Hold on... hold on!” Mima said as she gulped down a bottle of liquor. “Okay, I think I’m ready.”

“Did she just throw you across the room like you were a piece of paper?” Rai asked, hands on her shoulder contemplating putting it back.

“With one hand!” Mima said with a smile, “One throw! Damn! She’s gotten stronger over the years. I wonder how many bones she would’ve broken if she wasn’t thin.”

“That was her being thin?” Rai asked in disbelief.

“I’m surprised none of you have met this side of her.” Finn commented, “I guess she does know how to go about unnoticed.” Then he remembered what Mima had said outside. “And what was that about putting her in a cage?” he asked seriously.

“I honestly don’t know anything about that.” Rai told him.

“You don’t!” Mima said then turned to Caldor.

They both followed Mima's gaze to him and he just stared at Mima then decided to move Rai over.

“If you want to get shit done you got to do it fast.” Caldor said and placed Mima's dislocated shoulder in its normal place with a cracking sound that both the boys heard. She groaned and cursed under her breath. “Better?”

Mima circled her shoulder, impressed, “Yeah, so much better! See boys? That's how it's done.” she smiled.

“Well?” Finn insisted on Caldor changing the topic right away.

Caldor sighs. “Fine, there have been murders and she seems to be at the scene of all of them with no explanation.” He started, “People had been suspecting her so when they saw her in the last murder covered in blood...”

“Let me guess, just because no one knows her Order?” Finn asked seriously. "They put her in a cage because no one knows of her Order?"

“Yeah, I’ve heard!” Rai said.

“Do you put all your students in cages?” Finn asked sarcastically.

“Not really.” Caldor responded with a flat face.

“But you didn’t mind putting her in one, did you?” Finn pressed.

“I got her out of one!” Caldor clarified.

“Oh, Thank you!” Finn said sarcastically amidst his anger.

“You have all the right to be angry... so does she...”

“You don’t get to decide how I feel about...” Finn started but Mima interrupted.

“That’s enough!" Mima spoke, "Clearly my big mouth wasn’t supposed to mention that.”

“Because they decided to keep it discreet not to look bad.” Finn continued, “Isn’t that why this one doesn’t know?” he pointed at Rai.

"I'm just not the curious type." Rai said.

“Just imagine the reputations that will be...”

“Enough!” Mima stopped Finn midway, “Clearly you weren’t supposed to know either.”

“That institute doesn’t deserve her.” Finn said and moved across the room to be alone. "Neither does this place."

“He’s really upset!” Rai looked at Mima.

“He’ll get over it! He's sensitive.” Mima said. “He’s seen her go through things none of you could imagine so things like this can become a big deal for him.”