No trace: Part Two of The Accidental Trilogy

Chapter Thirteen

For what turns out to be the last year of this war, I travel the newly independent states of America as a self-appointed hunter of other hunters.

The humans I track, I do so in the midst of their own depravity and vice. Those innocents who survive the violent acts, I simply ignore. And be on my way.

After peace is officially declared in the Paris treaty, I travel south, staying a while in the New Mexico territories, plenty of humans that could have committed some very violent crimes.

I don't kill that many.

Not out of any remaining sense of dignity, but pragmatism. I commit violent acts, I put a target on my back. Some do take a while to subdue, and the tactics used are violent, but I am not a wasteful creature.

Andrea keeps me company and, on some nights, warm.

I keep travelling south, before reaching the southern-most point. I gaze at the ocean.

And then I turn back. I travel north on the west coast this time, which takes longer, as the west of America is a very dangerous place.

There are a couple of people who even attempt to steal Andrea, who are soon sent packing. I am merciless with those who try and take him.

I am in northern Canada, when unexpectedly; Louis makes contact, after six years.

'Amy.'

'Louis.'

'Have you kept up to date with the situation in France?'

'The weather forecast looks good.' I turn the pig over on the spit.

'This is serious Amy. The monarchy here is in peril.'

'Fashion peril?'

'It is on the verge of being overthrown in its entirety. The nobles are considering fleeing the country.'

'They are rather good at that.'

'The Comte will probably declare his support any day. His children will be in grave danger when he does.'

'So, remove them from it,' I reply, bored. Why hasn't Louis arranged transport for them?

'It is not that simple. They are human, Amy, and they cannot be spirited away with mere humans.'

'Yourself, Andrea, Christophe and of course, the mother of those children.' Not to mention the other Khalinynes in their clan.

'Andrea and Christophe are in just as much danger. They may not be nobles, but they are still well known. And the clan does not assist in matters of humans, in times like this.'

Of course. 'And you and the Comtesse cannot travel with the children, because that would make far too much sense.'

'No, we cannot, as the Comtesse's identity is tied to her being a mother to the Comte's heir. You must come.'

'Of course, I must. Because as you know, I follow all orders - no wait, I do not. I'm not a blind sheep, like the rest of you.'

'You are a rogue, Amy, we all know that. That is precisely why I am asking because you have no fear of rule-breaking. Especially when it comes to Rosa's children.'

'Because it's happened before. You manipulative, piece of'

He leaves the conversation before I can insult him properly. Little turd.

No, doesn't work the same.

He's right, as much as I don't want to admit it.

The next morning, I set off for the coast, picking up speed where I can. I reach the port of Nova Scotia and decide to borrow a boat, booking passage wastes time which I do not have.

I put my watery hand into the water that surrounds the boat and move it and what it surrounds, at a cracking pace, moving on through the night and the next day. Andrea is not a fan of water travel and once we reach land, I let him rest before we set off again. While on the move, I contact Louis.

'The Comte made his decision?'

'He has. Where are you?'

'About to pass the country estate.'

'Do not pass it. I am there, with the Comte's family.'

Louis and his sentimentality.

I turn Andrea slightly and head in that direction.

The land looks less well-tended than it did eleven years ago, and the people I encounter not so friendly. I hold the pistol tightly, hoping for once, that I will not have to use it. I dressed carefully, in my homemade clothes, looking wealthy is not the goal at the moment.

I approach the main house on foot, leading Andrea. I do not trust him to anyone before I see Louis.

I scan for them first. They are all on the ground floor. The butler greets me at the door and I am reminded of my first arrival in France.

'Mademoiselle. How can I be of assistance?'

'If you could ask M'seiur if there are secure stables, I would very much appreciate it,' I smile and curtsey, very much aware of the sweat on my forehead and the dirt on my boots.

'Of course.'

Louis comes to the door. 'You rode here?'

'As you see. Are the stables secure?'

'I would not have thought that you would grow attached to a creature that did not benefit you, but I have been mistaken before. There are newly formed stables at the back of the house. Return quickly, we have much to discuss and not much time to do so.'

Back inside, I scan again, as has been my practice, for Andrea's presence. It is an easy task; I have become very attuned to his sense.

The Comtesse glares in my direction and leaves the room as soon as Louis invites me to sit.

'She has been very worried.'
'Of course.'

'The plan is for the Comtesse and myself to leave by carriage for Switzerland, considering our current position, it is not a short distance. Once there, we can travel by speck form to England. I have friends there who will be able to shelter us all.'

'Andrea and Christophe are already there?'

'Indeed. Your role in this is to take the children. They are the Comte's children, his heirs and so are in much more danger than his wife.'

'Am I to meet you in England?'

'Indeed. It will take longer since you cannot travel in speck form with them. The Comtesse has been preparing the eldest, in secret.'

'Am I to head to Switzerland, like you two?'

'No. You will need to head north sooner.'

'Where is the strategy in that manoeuvre? The longer those two are in the country, the more dangerous it is.'

'You are right, but we cannot all head in the same direction. If you feel that strongly about it, you can head west more.'

'Towards Spain.'

'You know your geography, that is a relief.'

'Sarcasm is my realm, Louis.'

'You agree with this plan?'

'What is the planned departure date?'

He is silent and hands me a note, which simply says, 'tomorrow morning.'

Which I then hurl into the fire.