Gift of a Miracle

Chapter 7

The sea breeze was welcoming as beads of sweat rolled down the sides of Kazuki's head. The English weather was indeed unpredictable. The summer was unusually late for the end of September, and could only mean the coming winter would be long and harsh. The sea water was calm and inviting. If he wasn't helping his parents, he would've dived in without a second thought. He looked up at Beach Cove. The half-moon shaped land was a beautiful sight from where they had anchored, though its beauty couldn't prevent his mind from once again returning to the events at the Academy's woodlands.

He had almost read the collection of books Father Benjamin stored in his private quarters at the Cathedral. Still, he found no information to quench his thirst for knowledge. What he'd read, he already knew... Demons were evil spirits and although they were able to possess a human body, they don't have the ability to manifest into their own human form... yet what they'd seen days ago, refutes everything he had read.

Kazuki turned his head towards the open deck of his Father's most prized luxury yacht, when he heard sounds of laughter. This lunch had arrived sooner than he would've liked, although a part of him couldn't wait to get it over with. His parents had been stressed about this event. This was the biggest event since the departure of the Hale family and the death of Lady Benevolent. Business at the harbour had dropped considerably, profits plummeted and even Beach Cove attracted less people than ever before. The last year had been tight for his parents, hence the reluctant call of a coalition.

They had to make a deal with buyers, but on one condition... Beach Cove was to remain under the Williams' name as it had done so for over a century. Although Kazuki was against this coalition (even more so when the Council stepped in), he realised this was the only option his parents had... either that or lose Beach Cove altogether. Something he and his parents would hate to happen.

He felt his mobile buzz in his trouser pocket. He assumed it was a message from Father Benjamin or Jung. It was left unread when a tall, thin man in his early fifties appeared from where the heart of the party settled. He wore a light green and brown tartan flat cap over his thin strands of grey streaked, sandy hair. Thin rimmed silver spectacles clung to the bridge of his nose, making his pale blue eyes bigger than they were.

"Ah Kazuki, the sounds of hungry bellies back there is a sign for lunch to be served." He said in a jolly manner, he rolled up the sleeves of his cream coloured shirt.

"I shall inform them right away Mr. Dancey." He replied, pivoting around on his heel.

"Actually... before you dash."

Kazuki turned back to face him, Mr. Dancey awkwardly checked behind him for any eavesdroppers.

"Oscar told me you were standing in place as a waiter?" Mr. Dancey looked deeply into Kazuki's eyes as if he was searching for an honest answer before he gave the question. "Are you sure?"

Mr. Dancey was an old friend of Father's and along with his wife, were the only two in their community who thought fondly of Kazuki and his Mother. He had a high position at the City Hall and had a few followers but he was still under the control of Lord Baddesley, much to his dismay. He considered himself and the other Council members as puppets with strings and anyone jeopardising the City's status quo, were condemned by others... a consequence no-one wanted to have stained in their repute. For the sake and respect of Mr. Dancey's position at the City Hall, and Mrs. Dancey's reputation with the society, Mother and Father tried to keep their close friendship in the shadows.

"I can handle myself Mr. Dancey." Kazuki replied.

"That I don't doubt... a little birdy told me you have learnt a certain degree of martial arts... and your fellow peers at the Academy fear your acquired skills."