Flamethroat

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!’

~

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