‘By injuring innocent people?’ I interrupted.
‘No Humans were hurt,’ said my father.
‘And what about Mages?’ I said. ‘Have you forgotten about them? Not all Mage’s support the slave market-’
‘Don’t talk to me like that, Avalon,’ he scolded. ‘You don’t understand the full extent of-’
‘I understand better than you think,’ I said.
‘The Mage’s in that market were there to buy and sell Humans,’ he said, becoming pink in the face.
I felt myself becoming frustrated and knew continuing to fight with him would be hopeless.
‘Just … just don’t tell Jack what you have done,’ I said coldly.
‘Why not?’
‘He’s a Healer, dad,’ I said, ‘He helps people.’
I saw my fathers jaw clench.
‘Stop arguing you two,’ said my mother. ‘Avalon, no one was hurt. We just set the stalls alight.’
‘Oh, is that all?’ My tone dripped with sarcasm.
‘Don’t you want to stop the slave market?’ she asked.
‘Of course I do,’ I said, becoming frustrated. ‘But you might accidentally hurt someone. What if there are other parents there, like you? Families who are tying to buy back their Human children.’
My father’s face fell. I knew I had won this argument.
‘Let’s not talk about it,’ my mother said, handing my father a washcloth.
‘Yes, let’s avoid the subject all together,’ I said harshly.
‘What did you do in town?’ My mother said loudly.
I sighed and leaned against the mantelpiece. ‘You may be interested to know that I found out what Martinez’s animal spirit is.’
My mother gasped and my father dropped the washcloth.
‘You saw it?’ said my father.
‘No,’ I shook my head. ‘I went into a groomers and the shop assistant got Hawthorne confused with the Martinez spirit.’
My parents looked at each other with wide eyes.
‘I don’t understand though,’ I said. ‘Why have you not seen this animal yourselves? Doesn’t Martinez take it outside?’
My father shook his head. ‘Tom Truscott tells us that the animal barely leaves the manor and when it does it has multiple escorts. No one has gotten a good look at it, apart from the manor staff. Maria told us that every once in a while, Martinez holds parties to show the animal off – but they’ve never been invited.’
‘Hmph,’ I folded my arms. ‘The lady in the shop must have thought I was an escort.’
‘Hawthorne must be worth a fortune,’ said my mother.
I shrugged. ‘I don’t care how much he is worth. Do you think Martinez would be angry if he discovered that his spirit is not one of a kind?’
‘Probably,’ grunted my father. ‘Do you think the animal will be a problem when we try to rescue Helena?’
I pursed my lips, ‘I don’t think so. Hawthorne will be able to take her on.’
‘Her?’
‘Yes … I don’t know her name, just that she is a female.’
My father sat back in the chair and seemed to be thinking hard. ‘This information may be valuable.’
Chapter Sixteen
The Invitation
The following three H.E.L.E.N.A meetings were just as informative as the first. Each night we met in a different location of Penny’s choosing. The members were hesitant to accept R?ven into the group, as she had no Human relative. They were also suspicious as to why she did not wish to speak, but learned their lessons rather quickly when R?ven began to explain. At the end of the meeting however, everyone was very impressed by R?ven’s Powers. We devised a rescue plan over several meetings.
During the day Jack, R?ven, Hawthorne and I spent our time together in town, learning about Flamethroat. Hawthorne was very popular with the locals. Many children asked to pet him, or sit on his back. Hawthorne seemed to enjoy the attention.
On the fifth day in Flamethroat I sat with Hawthorne on the docks, watching burly men load crates of herbs and spices onto ships. Jack had gone to fetch us something to eat, while R?ven circled overhead in her bird form, enjoying freedom.We’d had much more freedom since Robert and Maria had offered to pay for our room at the Inn.
The sun was setting beautifully against the ocean and the sound of waves hitting the dock was very soothing. I leaned against Hawthorne and heaved a sigh.
Behind me, I heard the unmistakable sound of a horse and cart slowing to a halt. I looked around to see two jet-black horses pulling an elegant charcoal carriage. It stopped only a few meters away from where Hawthorne and I sat. I watched as the window of the cart slid open and a gloved hand beckoned me towards it. I looked around nervously. There was no one else on the dock apart from Hawthorne and I. The hand beckoned again. It would be foolish to get closer, but I was confident in Hawthorne’s abilities to protect me. I got up and made my way towards the cart, stopping when I was a few feet away.
‘Come here, girl,’ said a deep voice. I could not see the face of the man who spoke.