I inched closer, trying to peer inside the dark cart.
‘Who are you?’ I asked, rather nervous. The man ignored my question.
‘That animal spirit, is it yours?’
‘Yes,’ I said.
The speaker leaned forwards. It was a man in a deep purple suit. The setting sun illuminated his dark skin, heavy brow and large curved nose. While I had never seen this man before, I thought I knew very well who it was.
‘Where did you get this animal?’ he asked coolly.
‘I – I inherited him,’ I lied. ‘Who are you?’
I heard a rush of wings pass by and knew that R?ven had landed within earshot, but had not transformed from her bird-form.
‘Inherited him?’ the man repeated. ‘How very fortunate of you.’
‘Who are you?’ I asked again.
The man allowed himself a smile. ‘You are not a local I take it?’
‘No,’ I said. ‘How did you know?’
‘Because you do not recognise me, or the coat of arms emblazoned on my carriage.’
I looked at the door of the carriage. It featured a shield with wings. I was sure I had never seen it before in my life.
‘Martinez,’ said the man, seeing my blank face. ‘Nicholo Martinez. Might I say that you have a very impressive animal spirit.’
My mouth went dry almost instantly. I had been correct in my assumption.
‘You might say that,’ I said stiffly.
‘I myself am the owner of a rather impressive animal companion. I think you might like her.’
I didn’t respond. I didn’t know where Martinez was going with this. All I knew was that I hated him – but if I could get him to like me then it may be easier to get Helena back.
‘I often hold garden parties at my home and I tend to invite those who have extraordinary companions. I must say that you are the first commoner I have seen to own a Vulmessian.’
‘How do you know I am a commoner?’ I said, trying to hide the maliciousness in my voice. It took every ounce of fibre I possessed not to set him on fire then and there.
Martinez looked me up and down before smiling. ‘A hunch,’ he said.
I looked down at myself. My boots were worn and my dress was stained. Of course I was a commoner. Perhaps I could set Martinez alight and threaten his coachman to take me to the manor. No, Martinez would be able to absorb the energy from my Power. I was useless against him.
‘Here.’ Martinez handed me an elegant envelope sealed with a silk ribbon. ‘It’s formal attire. Make sure you wear something nice or don’t bother coming.’
The cart trundled away leaving me standing there, utterly bewildered. I ripped open the envelope immediately to discover a pastel purple invitation. R?ven flew onto my shoulder and read the invitation too.
You have been chosen to attend Nicholo Martinez’s bi-monthly garden party to showcase your animal spirit.
Following this statement was a time and date.
‘You have got to be joking,’ I said to R?ven. ‘Can you believe this?’ Hawthorne sniffed the invitation before looking up at me.
Footsteps behind us indicated that Jack had returned.
‘About time,’ I said, turning around. ‘I’m starving.’
Jack had his arms wrapped around a bag of delicious smelling fish. ‘Who was that I saw you talking to?’ he asked.
I handed Jack the pastel invitation, which he read quickly. His eyes grew wider as he took in all of the information.
‘No way,’ he said. ‘You’re pulling my leg.’
‘Nope,’ I shook my head. ‘That was Martinez. He was interested in Hawthorne.’
‘Avalon, this is great,’ Jack beamed. ‘You’ve been invited to the Martinez manor. And Look! You get a plus one.’
I took the invitation and saw that Jack was right. It stated that I could bring a guest provided that they too had an animal spirit.
‘When is it?’ asked Jack.
I consulted the invite. ‘It’s in three days.’
‘That’s enough time to form a plan. There’s a meeting tonight, we can-’
‘Shh!’ I hissed, looking around. ‘Not so loud.’
Jack lowered his voice. ‘We can tell everyone tonight. I bet they will be really pleased.’
‘Martinez said it was formal attire only. I don’t own anything formal.’
‘We’ll worry about that later,’ said Jack. ‘In three days you will have your sister back!’
~