The Dark Details

And so it begins - 1

Linus

The girl was nothing special. Linus let out a sigh of disappointment as he watched her struggling to squeeze another book into the already over-stuffed satchel. Straining beneath the weight, the strap finally gave up, ripping free from the bag and flailing uselessly as the contents spilled out onto the ground.

Cursing, Reava swept a fiery strand of red hair from her forehead and gave the bag a frustrated kick, sending several more items skittering across the floor. She blew out an exasperated breath and stared down at the mess, her clear green eyes narrowed with irritation. Scooping everything back in, she almost tripped over the loose strap as she tried unsuccessfully to knot it around the now-empty brass ring on her satchel, then glared around her as though it were someone else's fault entirely. 

Linus pursed his lips. She certainly hadn't inherited her mother's lithe grace, that was for sure. And there was no sign of any particular Talent either. But there were still a few days yet; Linus plucked a palm-size leather-bound notebook from the pocket of his overcoat and opened it, letting it flick through the pages for him until it came to the correct date. A spindly black line wriggled across the thick, creamy parchment like a fracture, undulating with every movement Reava made. She had three days.

Reava was now chatting animatedly to a friend, a tall, broad-shouldered boy with untidy brown hair and an irritating habit of smoothing it down into place every five minutes. She played with her long, loosely woven braid absently as she talked and Linus felt his shoulders sag. It pained him to see her like this, acting so inexplicably human. He'd hoped for a sign or some kind of awareness from her, convinced that deep down she would have realised who she really was but no, she was just as average as every other student in the courtyard. It was a fanciful notion anyway, one he was glad he hadn't voiced to Eustacia. Ah well, it wasn't Reava's fault, she didn't know any better after all; soon, things would be different.

He slid the notebook back into his pocket and froze; he hadn't imagined it, there it was again, the merest change in temperature. It seemed that he wasn't alone after all.

"Mallory," He knew it was her; he recognised the sharp, spicy tang of her perfume.

"Linus, so good to see you." She emerged out of the air, her jet black curls rippling in the wind like snakes. Her amber eyes sparked with amusement at the sight of him. "You're looking awfully middle aged these days." She sighed and raised her perfectly arched eyebrows. "It's a shame when such a handsome man -..."

"Enough." Linus cut in, sharply. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh you know," She pretended to study her nails. "The same as you, checking out the merchandise."

"We agreed that I would oversee the transportation of the-..." Linus began but she waved a graceful hand at him.

"Yes, I know all about the agreement." Mallory rolled her eyes derisively. "But I don't recall seeing any stipulations that prevented us from observing her."

Linus closed his eyes briefly; his head was starting to throb. Mallory often had this effect.

"I can't see what all the fuss is about," She continued airily. "She's very ordinary. Must be those nasty Reaper genes of hers."

Mallory wrinkled her nose.

"I can assure you that she's far from ordinary," Linus snapped, despite his earlier misgivings.

"I suppose she's kind of pretty, if you like that kind of thing," Mallory leaned in, her lips nearly touching Linus's ear. "I know you prefer-..."

"Mallory," Linus stepped out of her reach, uncomfortably aware of her proximity. Damn her. Dealing with the Raithers was bad enough as it was, why did Mikel have to send Mallory of all people? Just another way to get at you. Linus gritted his teeth, staring straight ahead.

"I suppose it will make it easier for Lorcan to bear," Mallory mused. "He'll be pleased when he sees her."

"She's of noble blood," Linus said, bristling. "The daughter of Adalie Gregantis. I would have thought that was of more interest than her appearance?"

"You forget yourself, Linus," Mallory smiled maliciously. "Your noble blood is nothing but a stain on her reputation as far as I'm concerned. If it wasn't for the arrangement, this half-breed would mean nothing to us."

"I find that very hard to believe," Linus said, mildly. "Considering Mikel has spent - I forget, how many years is it? Seventeen? - looking for her. That must sting."

Mallory curled her lip, ugly splotches of colour high on her cheeks.

"She's his bastard. Nothing but an abomination. He only wants her because you thought she was special enough to hide." She shook her head, a grimace twisting her pale face. "It's a joke. I don't know why he gives you any attention at all. And as for this truce..." The word came out as a hiss. "If I were in charge I wouldn't be wasting time with pointless contracts and peace deals, believe me." She pushed her face close to his, amber fire in her eyes. "I'd get rid of the lot of you."

"Perhaps that's why you're not in charge, Mallory," Linus said, conversationally, holding her angry glare. He pushed his glasses further up his nose and slid his hands into his pockets, comforted by the familiar weight of his notebook. "We'll collect her in three days."

Mallory gave him a sly, sidelong glance and he stiffened.

"It might interest you to know that she's heavily guarded," He brushed a piece of imaginary lint from his coat as he spoke, as though it were merely an afterthought not a threat. "The Cloaks are stationed around the full perimeter. If anyone should try and..." He coughed delicately. "...interfere with the agreement, they will be swiftly terminated."

"You overestimate my interest," Mallory's smile was cat-like, all teeth and narrowed eyes. "I have other matters to attend to."

"Make sure that Lorcan is briefed and ready for his bride." Linus said, coolly. 

"Oh Linus," Mallory pouted. "Always so serious. You used to be much more fun."

She gave him a sultry look and ran a hand over his lapel. He caught her fingers in his and pushed her away impatiently. Mallory smirked and tightened the belt of her black mac, smoothing down its billowing skirt to highlight the curve of her hips. Linus looked away.

"Until next time," Mallory purred. She spun on her stiletto heel and melted into the night, leaving a trail of mocking laughter in her wake.