Half of Ruby

Chapter 32

The next day, the soft, low tolling of the clock stirred Ember out of her reveries. 

She counted seven strikes, snuggled up inside her soft white sheets. A sense of joy, of exhilaration, burned through her entire body, like a child awakening on Christmas morning. 

Last night. Even the memory of the Ombretroix Coven couldn't offset the slow smile spreading across her face as she remembered Ronan. Talking with him. Admitting their mutual trust in each other.

How does he manage to make everything better? 

"I see you are up, my dear." 

Ember yelped, and for one wild moment, she wondered how Ronan had snuck into room. 

But then the blurry shape on her nightstand came into view—the blurry, fuzzy shape of a—

"Mendax!" 

She scooted back in her bed, heart hammering as the sheets swept around her. 

"Oh, please," said the rat, curling up on the nightstand. "I wasn't watching you sleep. I just got here to claim the payment. No rush, though. You still have five hours." 

Ember took a deep breath. "All right. Can you...can you leave for a moment? I need to change." 

"Oh, I think you have a few things you could pay with right now." With one claw, Mendax gestured at the other contents of Ember's nightstand: her small leather wallet and the silver necklace—Flame's silver necklace. "Even though the silver is a tidbit expensive." 

Mendax's black eyes gleamed with hunger as Ember lunged forwards and snatched the necklace away. "I'm not giving this away." 

"Are you sure, my dear?" 

She nodded fiercely. 

"Then...is there anything else you feel attached to? Anything in this wallet?" 

"Not...not that I know of." 

"Have a look inside," suggested Mendax. "I think it will help you with that." 

Making sure not to brush Mendax with her fingers, she picked up the wallet and unbuttoned it, surveying the contents. 

Inside laid the coins Ronan had given her...as well as....

His note. The note he'd left her....

I can't give this away. This is the first thing Ronan ever gave to me. 

The note didn't mean anything, right? It was only a note. 

But...Ronan....

She remembered how he'd called himself Gus. How he'd been so careful to wear a cloak, to hide himself from her. But at the same time....

I still have Ronan. I don't have Ash. I don't have Flame. 

"Here." 

Before she could doubt herself anymore, Ember thrust the note at Mendax. 

"Take the note." 

Mendax's eyes gleamed. "Was this from Ronan?" 

"...yes." 

"Alas, you still love your Coven more than you love him." 

She gritted her teeth, nails cutting thin crescents in the skin of her palm. "That's not true." 

Mendax laughed. "Whatever you say, my dear Ember. Until next—"

The door banged open, cutting off his words.