A moment after he said it I started laughing. It was probably the hardest I'd laughed since I came here. "Well, then," I said, grinning broadly, "I can't really argue with you. I pretty much have 'please be sensitive to me' written on my forehead."

He laughed too, understanding the deeper meaning of my words. When we'd caught our breath he spoke. "I'd better go ask Thoran to start a fire in here, or else you're going to be standing in pitch dark."

I looked over my shoulder to see that the bathroom was now giving off no light. I was surprised at the way my body rushed because of it. I told myself it had nothing to do with two certain people promising to be back at this time.

With a now ambiguous smile, I looked back at Cornelius. Despite my fears he seemed quite un-attuned to the intricacies of the thought patterns.

He gave a last comforting smile. "I shall see you later, my dear. Have a good night."

"Same to you," I said warmly.

With that he moved through the silhouetted door and shut it quietly behind him.

It really was pitch dark in here now.

I thought about moving, but was fairly certain I'd injure myself. Especially since my head was still light with adrenaline. I tried to tell myself to stay cool, but in the darkness, where my big, stupid, smile was visible by no one, it was very hard. I succeeded, though, in not letting myself think about it . . . at least that's what I thought. I must have taken longer than I gave myself credit for, because suddenly two bright flames of green appeared out of nowhere, filling all corners of the room. One sat on the long table in front of the couch where the fire had been before. The other was closer to the ceiling in the corner of the study.

Even after seeing the magic flames so many times, I could still hardly believe my eyes. I walked over and sat on the couch so that the fire was directly in front of me.

My initial reaction, like last time, was a desire to touch it. I resisted, but held my hand over it to test its temperature. It was very hot. This seemed perfectly normal until I wondered why the wood of the table wasn't catching. I turned my head to the corner light and saw that it was dangerously close to the bookshelves. I scratched my head. What gives?

After a moment, I laughed slightly at myself.

I was sitting in the room of an impossibly large lodge, full of bad-guy hunters, watching magic fire float midair. And here I am, wondering why the close proximity of fire to wood isn't reacting as it should.

I let out a couple more laughs then puffed back into the couch, I'd have to ask Cornelius about it tomorrow. . . .

I sat like that for a few more minutes, slowly getting more and more antsy. It was definitely dark and there was still no sign of Ikovos. I got up and read some more of the book titles, but was practically forgetting them as I read. I walked into the bathroom and peered out the window on my tippy-toes.

I couldn't see a thing.

With a sigh I dropped back down and started intricately braiding my hair.

By the time I twisted in the final strand I'd realized something. Even if the boys did come back they would surely be very tired. And even if they weren't, they'd made no promises to visit me.

Feeling a little disappointed, I went back into the study and sat down to watch the fire again. I was trying to get used to it so I wasn't always so distracted when I saw it. It didn't help to be entranced every time Jaden decided to . . . do whatever it is he does to conjure fire.

I slowly turned to drop my head onto the large armrest. There was no way I would be able to get to sleep this early, but I didn't have much else to do. And, to be honest, staring at the brilliant, green flames kept me perfectly entertained.

It was nice to have the validation that Thoran really did say I could come back. The curious side of me hoped I would see him tomorrow, but the scaredy-cat side of me wanted the opposite. To my frequent detriment, curiosity usually won out.

I yawned loudly as the fire blurred out of focus.

I liked the green . . . it was different, nice, I guess. But by the time I fell asleep, I found myself wishing it were shades of red and orange instead.

Chapter 7.

Nightmares I WOKE UP WITH A heavy gasp. It took me a moment to realize where I was and even longer for my heart to slow to a reasonable pace.

It was a dream.

I sat up and put a hand over my stomach. In quick succession, I remembered three facts. In the dream I was very cold, I was very alone, and worst of all . . . I shuddered uncontrollably.

Sylvanus was there.

I pushed my hands into my head as memories of the nightmare began to resurface. I couldn't force them out. I stood up and started pacing the room. My stomach was quivering and I could feel water burning in my eyes.

I hate dreams. You can't control them any more than you can control the exaggerated feelings that accompany them. Sometimes it wasn't such a bad thing, but this one . . .

I shuddered again as a yucky ache hit my insides. At first I thought I wished I were home, but when I imagined any of my family consoling me . . . I realized it wasn't what I wanted. I stopped my pacing as I realized what, who, I did want here, right this second.

I shook out my head quickly. It was almost as disturbing as the dream. I tried to sit down, but the feelings overwhelmed me again. Without thinking I grabbed my coat and rushed out of the room.

It was cold in the hallway, but different enough to keep me somewhat distracted. As I followed my feet unconsciously, I felt very grateful that I'd never changed into pajamas last night. I didn't want to go back to the room anytime soon, at least not until it was light out.

I realized now that I was heading towards the side door. When I reached it I pushed through thankfully.

It was still raining and much colder. I didn't care. I leaned back against the wood and sunk down. The roofs out-cropping kept the rain from falling on me, but the ground was fairly wet, seeping water through my pants.

I spent an undeterminable amount of time sitting there, trying to wrestle my head away from two thoughts simultaneously. By the time I noticed a dim glow on the horizon the dream's effects were starting to wear off. I let out a sigh and looked up at the water pouring down. There was no way I was gonna let a little nightmare ruin my day. I leaned my head back with what may or may not have been a forced smile, and closed my eyes.

Just seconds later I heard two heavy boots trudging through the muddy ground, before the door opened beside me.

I looked up, startled to see that it was Thoran. He was sopping wet and looking down at me.

"Come inside and get some breakfast," he said. "We need to talk."

Without waiting for a response he walked inside, leaving the door open behind him. I gulped once, then jumped up to follow his quick pace.

I don't know where he had been this early in the morning, but he seemed suited up for something. A large, sheathed sword hung down from his waste, along with quite a few other unhidden weapons. He wore layers of thick leather with many oddments I couldn't name attached to his belt.

As I had guessed, we ended up at the kitchen. What I hadn't guessed was how busy it was already going to be.

I'd seen it like this before, but before I'd had been well-hidden under a hooded robe. We seemed to make it through the hall okay, but once we got into the cafeteria eyes began to look our way. I kept my head down.

"Why don't you get some coffee," said Thoran. "Then meet me at the table over there." I followed his gesture quickly to one of the few empty tables.

Before I could respond he was walking away towards Sophie. It was nice to see Sophie again, though it seemed more of a background thought at the moment.

I set my eyes on the coffee. The bar was filled with people of course. I didn't want coffee that much, but I wasn't about to deny any of Thoran's suggestions either.

I walked over to the counter and filled a mug as quickly as possible before running to the empty table.

Trying to act normal, I took a drink of my coffee. Only to practically choke on its contents. No sugar, no cream, I'd forgotten to put it in.

I slid the cup a few inches away and forced a glance at my surroundings. Not as many boys were looking as I would have thought, though I didn't know whether that was out of courtesy or disinterest. . . . Still, I felt free to study them. Only a handful were older than me; most were younger. They all looked ridiculously fit and hard-faced. There was a contentedness about them though. And they appeared to eat their breakfasts amidst pleasant banter.

I found myself scanning through the faces quickly soon, and I wasn't unaware of why. It was weird, in this big room full of everyone else, that I still hadn't seen Jaden and Ikovos. I looked back at the table and traced a groove of the rough wood.

"Well, get something to eat child," came Thoran's voice commandingly as he sat down across from me. "We can't have you starving to death."

I looked anxiously up at his all too serious face then grabbed an apple off the platter and took a bite.

Silence followed.

"How was your first night back?" he asked after a while. I was surprised by the nicety.

"Fine." I corrected, "Good, actually." The dream came to mind, but I pushed it down.

Thoran nodded once, then folded his hands in front of him on the table.

"Now," he started. "As you might guess there are a few things we need to go over."

I nodded my understanding, gazing up at him now. He was so rough looking. His hair was charcoal, but had obvious spots of silver dabbled here and there. This continued onto his face, though he didn't have a beard. It was more the unshaven, very unshaven, look.

"First," he said. "Cornelius told me you want to stay in the study." I nodded slowly. Words escaped me. "Alright." He sucked in a breath. "That works out fine. The room is very far from the other boys, which brings us to our next subject."

I waited patiently. My throat was dry now. He seemed to be considering his words.

"You understand the . . . difference between you and the others, and the complications that might present."

I looked around me. In any other situation I might have laughed at the obviousness of his statement, but I was much too scared now.

I glanced back. "Of course." I said. "Yes, I understand."

"Good," he said. I thought I saw the corners of his mouth go up just a fraction. "Then you will know how to conduct yourself properly so as not to put any added stress on the situation."

I nodded fiercely. "No. I mean, yes." I cleared my throat. "Yes, definitely."

"Great." He seemed relieved. "Now that that's done with we can concentrate on the important subjects."

He reached for a plate, added some food, and took a few bites. I did the same with my apple.

"Despite appearances, we have a very dangerous life here," he said, looking at me again. "You must first and foremost learn how to defend yourself."

I waited for him to continue, trying to settle the butterflies of excitement that were building.

"Ikovos told me you're quite adept already, but a little training wouldn't hurt."

I nodded my agreement. Adept was a terribly generous word to describe my fighting skills.

"You can get started on that today," said Thoran. He took a few more bites of food. "And then there's the subject of magic." His eyes seemed to zoom in on me.

"Jaden seems to believe you could be an offense artisan . . . what do you think of that?"

Under his gaze I could barely collect my thoughts. I fumbled considerably. "Well I . . . I don't really know. I mean it's hard to believe but," I looked up at him, "I would like to."

He nodded once and leaned back, seemingly satisfied. "Well, I would have had you start on that right away as well, but it appears Jaden has vanished."

I straightened in. "You mean he's still not back?"

Thoran looked as surprised by my sudden outburst as I was. "No. Neither is Ikovos." He rubbed his whiskered jaw absently. "Though I can guess at where they are."

I turned my eyes down so as not to give any notion of my knowledge away. But then looked back at him impulsively. "Is it safe?"

His eyes turned back to me gravely. After a moment of silence he lightened. "You shouldn't worry about such things." He started to get up. "Why don't you go talk to some of the other boys."

I tried to interrupt, but he was too quick.

"I'll make sure you start weapons instruction today, and don't forget what we talked about."

He was walking the other way before I could say anything.

I huffed heavily then looked around, realizing that I was standing. I thought about his suggestion to mingle, but was officially more afraid of that than him, and walked off instead towards the kitchen.

A cup of good coffee was definitely worth any potential social interactions at this point.

Like three days prior, as the boys cleared out I helped Sophie in the kitchen. Every once in a while one of them would give me a wave or a smile, but overall they seemed rather busy with their lives here. It was odd, if just one regular family came to Tiver they were under constant scrutiny for at least a month.

I heard Sophie sigh as she set the last dish in the cabinet. We were in the kitchen now. Everyone else was gone. I made a mental note to figure out where it was they all went at this time of day.

"I've got to say," started Sophie, "that is a lot easier with you here."

I smiled. "I just wish there was more I could do."

She laughed shortly as she stepped down from the stool. "Not unless you happen to be a master chef."

I laughed too and waved my hands up. "Not me. I either overcook or undercook every time." I paused. "I can bake though."

She looked curious. "Like desserts?"

I rocked my head. "So, so, on that. Pastries are my forte."

She smiled. The first tooth-revealing smile she'd given me thus far. "That's perfect! I'm an absolute wreck at pastries."

Again, I was glad to find some way to be of help. "Cool. Is there something I could make for you now?"