On the Edge Part 10

One simply doesnat.a Declan smiled back. It was a genuine smile, and it transformed his face. Instead of a blueblood, in the s.p.a.ce of a moment he became a man, a living breathing man, irresistibly handsome, and funny, and someone she wished she knew. The effect was shocking.

Rose looked at her feet, trying to hide her eyes before he saw her reaction. Which was the real Declan? That was the question.

aBack to Brad,a she said. aWhen he hit me with a bat, I flashed at him. It was a low flash, and it didnat kill him, but it hurt him very badly. I still hear him screaming in my sleep. As far as the Edge is concerned, that particular crime has been punished. Now youave opened a new can of worms.a aBut it was a glorious can,a he reminded her.

She laughed in spite of herself and looked up at him. aQuite.

Brad got his a.s.s handed to him, and the Simoen family retaliated by making my job disappear. I donat blame you for it. n.o.body couldave predicted that my job would evaporate. But at the end of the day, I still have no way to feed my family.a aIam sorry,a he said.

aThank you.a aItas like a complex mathematical equation,a Declan said.

aThe balance must always remain at zero.a Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) aIt doesnat always. People get away with all sorts of things.

But we do like to balance the books. People will give you a chance to settle things yourself, but if you go killing and maiming people left and right, pretty soon the entire town will pool its resources and take you down no matter how powerful you are. Letas go back to Rob. Heas a worm, and propositioning me was a low thing to do. It was humiliating. I humiliated him in return. Weare even, and whatas best is Rob thinks that n.o.body knows about this but the three of us.

Heall remember it and you, and heall try to kick me if he gets an opportunity, but itas not like he was beaten in public and became the laughingstock of the Edge. If you go after him and pummel him into pulp, heall have to retaliate. The Simoen family is large and wealthy. My family is very small. I shouldnat probably be telling you this, but all I have are my brothers and my grandmother.a aI deduced that,a he said. aI know that you love your brothers and wouldnat rely on them for protection unless you had no choice.a aI think you understand now,a she said. aI canat compete with the Simoens. My flash is very hot. But if you beat up Rob, I might never get a chance to use it. The Simoens might just shoot me from some tree and n.o.body would blame them.a aThatas wrong,a he said.

She shrugged. aItas the way things are done here. I appreciate you making an effort to understand. I know that it must be very odd to you, seeing as the bluebloods are the ultimate authority in the Weird.a aThatas not strictly accurate. The law is the ultimate authority. Weare simply better trained and educated to enforce it than most other people, but weare as bound by it as any other citizen.a Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) aWhat does the law say about forcing a woman into marriage?a she asked.

aThe law applies only to the citizens of the Weird, and you arenat one.a Ouch. Always on the outside looking in. Rose got up and brushed off her jeans. aWell, itas good then that youall lose and head back home empty-handed.a aI wonat lose,a he said. aBut from now on, Iall attempt to keep the social rules of the Edge in mind.a She blinked, surprised. Declan had more twists and turns than Rough b.u.t.t Creek, which ran through East Laporte. First, he saved Jack. She could rationalize thata"

after all, if he intended to marry her, it was in his best interest not to stand idle while her brother was torn to pieces. But then he rescued Amy and her children, and followed her into the Broken, and now he conceded he was out of his depth, something she thought wouldave shattered his icy bearing. aWhy did you save Amy?a she asked him.

aWhy wouldnat I? She was in trouble, and it was in my power to help her. Thatas what any reasonable person would do. Why did you? You were ready to be bait to save a child of Leanne, who, by her own admission, tormented you in childhood.a aThatas different.a He leaned forward, interested. aHow?a Rose searched for words. She hadnat really given any thought to why she had done it. She had reacted on instinct. aHeas just a boy,a she said finally.

aAnd if it was Leanne in that room, trapped? Would you still have gone to save her?a aYes.a How exactly did he turn the tables on her? She should be the one asking questions.

aWhy?a Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) She pursed her lips. aBecause nothing Leanne had done to me would be as awful as being torn apart alive by those creatures.a aIt was brave of you,a Declan said.

She didnat care what he thought, she told herself. His opinion didnat really matter.

aLet me stay with you,a he said.

aNot in a million years.a Declan, the blueblood, was dangerous. Declan, the human being, was ten times more so. aYou really should stop trying to get into my bed, Declan. It wonat happen.a aIf I was trying to get into your bed, Iad do something along these lines.a In her short dating life, Rose had been hit with a few acome hithera stares, but Declan left them all in the dust. He focused on her to the exclusion of all else, not really staring, but gazing in fascination, as if he were pulling her onto a tightrope above a chasm and didnat care if they both plunged to their deaths as long as she came to him. It pierced her defenses, and Rose blushed, suddenly awkward and hyper-aware as if she were a teenager catching a boy looking at her and realizing for the first time that she was a woman.

aRose,a he said, as if tasting her name in his mouth. aLet me in.a She simply shook her head. It was all she could do.

aShall I strip and try to entice you with my manly body?a And just like that the spell was broken and she laughed. aIt wonat work, but if you do want to make a spectacle of yourself, who am I to stop you, Your Excellency?a Declan sighed. a a Your Excellencya is the proper form of address for an amba.s.sador or a bishop of the Zoroastrian or Catholic faith, as they style themselves as amba.s.sadors of their G.o.das will. Iam neither a Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) bishop nor an amba.s.sador. When it comes to societal niceties, youare hopeless. But have no feara"Iall arrange for lessons. Lots and lots of etiquette lessons.

Luckily, I have both money to hire the best teachers and patience to wait until you learn.a She bristled, and instantly his face snapped into that blueblood stone-hard expression.

aIall get your things,a she told him and turned.

aYou work very hard, and youare too proud to take charity,a he said. aI find it admirable. But thereas a fine line between proud and unwise. As you pointed out, youare a single woman in charge of two boys. Youare unemployed with no prospects of obtaining a new position, youare facing a danger of unknown magical origin, and youare ill equipped to deal with it. I need a place to stay. Iam willing to employ you as my hostess and will defend you and your brothers against this danger or any other for the duration of my stay. I have already sworn not to harm you and your family. You get money and a capable adult male under your roof, while I get a room and three meals a day. To turn me away is both foolish and irresponsible, and youare neither.a She stopped. He was right. aWhat do you get out of it?a aAs Iave mentioned, I intensely dislike sleeping in a tent. But more importantly, Iave made the trip into the Edge, and should I come back empty-handed, with wild stories of some phantom hounds that killed my bride-to-be, Iad be a laughingstock. I canat afford to lose you now. If you persist in this unwise course, Iall pitch my tent right here, in the spot where I stand, and Iall do my best to defend you regardless. However, my defense will be much less effective.a Of course. A purely mercenary reason. She had expected nothing else.

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) The children had to eat. Her grocery supplies consisted of three packs of Ramen noodles, six drumsticks, some rice, a few potatoes, half a container of bread crumbs, and a pound and a half of ground beef in the freezer. And he would protect them. They both knew she would accept his offer. Rose grasped at straws, trying to find some way not to feel as if the choice had been stripped away from her, but found none.

Suddenly she was simply weary. aThatas the other thing I donat quite understand about you. Youare an earl.

You have money. Youare not ugly.a aIam quite handsome, actually,a he said.

Handsome was for ordinary mortals. She rolled her eyes.

aAnd so modest, too. Why are you here trying to get me to marry you?a aIall tell you, if you let me in.a aHow much are you willing to pay?a she asked.

aOur standard rate. A doubloon a day.a It was generous. More than generousa"some families would put him up for a week for a single coin.

aHalf a doubloon a day,a she said.

aNo, you see, the idea behind bargaining is that you ask for a larger amount.a Apparently, he understood sarcasm just fine. He just chose not to notice it, when it failed to suit him. aI know that you in the Weird think that all Edgers are swindlers. We arenat. I wonat take more than whatas fair, because I donat want to feel indebted to you. For your half-doubloon, youall get the use of the bedroom and three decent meals a day, and your laundry done, should you need it. Youall get nothing else. Iam letting you under my roof, and I expect you to behave with respect toward me and my brothers. Should you breach this agreement, youall immediately leave. Should I breach it, Iall refund all related money. Am I making Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) myself clear?a aPerfectly. Should I swear a blood oath?a aNo. Your wordas sufficient.a He rose, picking up his sword. aYou have it.a Rose removed the ward stones. He stepped inside.

aSuppose I offered you a carte blanche,a he said.

aWhat does that mean?a aYou leave with me. Iall support you in a respectable style. Iall pay for the education of the boys. In return weall share a bedroom.a aRespectable style?a She chewed on those words. Here was a contradiction if she ever saw one.

aTwo, three hundred doubloons a month. Enough for a modest but comfortable life. Obviously, I would take care of your rent, tuition for the children, and extraordinary expenses.a aObviously.a She shook her head.

aIs that a yes or a no?a She simply looked at him.

aI take it by your frigid countenance that itas a no,a he said.

aAnd more, you believe me to be an idiot for offering it to you.a aEven if youare not lying, even if you intend to do everything exactly the way you suggest, you asked me to become your wh.o.r.e. I donat have anything against women who chose that sort of life. But Iam not, nor will I ever be, one of those women. If you were to offer me a job, the type of job where I didnat have to earn the roof above my head by spreading my legs, I would consider it. But I donat really trust you farther than I can throw you, and since youare large and muscular, that wouldnat be very far. And Iam not positive it would be a good idea to depend on you for my livelihood anyway. I donat want your money, Declan. Iam not a beggar or a free-loader.a Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) He was studying her, and she wondered if he really had meant the offer or if it was some sort of a test.

Either way, he had her answer, and she meant every word.

aMy money would let you leave this place.a aThis place is my home. Would you do it if you were me?a aNo,a he said immediately.

aWhy do you think I would?a A hint of a mordant smile tugged on the corners of his mouth. aI didnat think you would.a aThen why did you offer?a aI wanted to know what you would say. Iam trying to learn more about you.a She spread her arms. aWhat you see is what you get.a His eyes sparked with green. aIs that a promise?a G.o.d d.a.m.n him. aI meant that I have no big secrets. Unlike you. Why are you shopping for a bride in the Edge?a aIall be thirty in a month. The covenant of our t.i.tle requires me to marry before I turn thirty, or I wonat inherit the domain.a aThatas a bit ridiculous.a He nodded. aOn that weare in complete agreement.a aSo what prevented you from getting married in the Weird?a aIam afraid my reputation among my peers has been somewhat tarnished.a He walked up the porch and held the door open for her.

aWhy?a aIt became known that I had a rather fertile imagination, when it came to private activities.a She stared at him. aWhat sort of private activities?a This time he did smile, and it turned his face wicked.

aDisrobe, and Iall be happy to demonstrate.a

ELEVEN.

IT took Rose a good half hour to get rid of Declan. Shead keyed the ward to him, and finally head left to get Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) the rest of his supplies. She waited for about five minutes, grabbed the wheelbarrow, and drove the body of the dead hound to Grandmaas. If they could figure out what it was or where it had come from, they could find a way to fight it.

The wheel stuck on some random rock. The acrid stench rising from the carca.s.s wouldave made even Grandpa Cletus vomit. Rose thought she would be used to it by now, but no, after a third of a mile, she could still smell the dead b.u.g.g.e.r.

Rose cursed at the wheelbarrow, gritted her teeth, and forced it through the trellis shrouded in tiny pink roses into her grandmotheras yard. She took a deep breath and pushed it back behind the house, out of sight, and threw a tarp over it just in case.

Grandma lonore was in the kitchen, drinking tea. aI heard you lost your job,a she said the second Rose stepped into the kitchen.

Oh, for the love of G.o.d . . .

aAnd I hear you have a fellow staying with you. According to Marlene, who heard it from Geraldine Asper, who heard it directly from Elsie Moore, heas some sort of a looker.a aHeas just a boarder.a Rose went to the sink and scrubbed her hands with soap. The last thing she needed now was a lecture on the terrible dangers of letting bluebloods into the house. aJust a bit of money to tide us over.a She hoped and prayed that once the looker fetched his possessions, head stay at the house and not go searching for her. Having him turn up on Grandmaas doorstep would mean nothing but trouble.

aAccording to the hooligans, this boarder has a huge sword.a Rose rolled her eyes to the ceiling. aWhat else did they tell you?a Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) aNot much. Theyave been very closemouthed about it. Not at all like them. Is he handsome?a aHe is.a aIt isnat William, is it?a aNo,a Rose sighed, dropping into a chair and reaching for the spare cup.

Above them the ceiling shook with quick thumps. The kids were playing in the attic again. aWhat did you learn at Adeleas?a aOh, this and that. Lots of gossip. Paulaas expecting twins.

They arenat her husbandas, and when he finds out, thereall be h.e.l.l to pay. Some other things.a Grandma looked away.

aWhat else?a Grandma heaved a sigh. aDogs have been disappearing. Seth Hines has gone into the Broken. Took his wife and son with him and left pretty much everything behind.

His sister got ahold of him, but he wonat talk. She got very little out of him. Head told her theyad been attacked by something, some strange creatures. Oh, and he claims a blueblood rescued them. Because thatas just what we need, n.o.bles from the Weird.a Yes, they definitely didnat need any more of those. Rose wiped her hands on a towel. It had to be Declan, of course. Who else? aI think Iave got one of those creatures in a wheelbarrow at the back porch.a Grandma lonore rose. aLetas see it.a They stepped out onto the back porch. Rose drew the tarp aside. lonore brushed the tips of her fingers across the creatureas hide, leaned close, until her nose almost touched it, sniffed the charred hide, and straightened.

aWhat is it?a Rose asked.

lonoreas forehead wrinkled. aI donat know,a she said softly.

aLetas brew some tea and find out.a Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) GRANDMA lonore picked up a piece of white chalk and drew a compa.s.s rose on the surface of the table with brisk practiced movements. Georgie stood by the table, transfixed. Jack scooted on his chair, holding his hands together, as if in prayer.

Rose placed a fat candle at tramontane, the anortha point, and lit it. The tiny blade of the flame danced on the wick. A cube of ice graced levante, the aeast.a Rose added a chunk of granite at the ostro, asouth,a and looked at Jack.

aNow?a he asked.

aNow.a Jack opened his hands and dropped a fat green caterpillar onto the table. Rose nudged it onto ponente, the awest,a and spat on it. The caterpillar squirmed, but remained put, pinned by the small charge of magic.

This was the old familiar Edge magic. Not flashy or scientific, but the simple earthy kind that worked.

Declan would sneer at it, just like all of his lofty friends would sneer at her if she ever left with him. That was fine. She had nothing to prove to him and no intention to give up her freedom. No matter how he looked at her.

Grandma lonore snapped a small ziplock bag open and dropped a sliver of the beastas flesh into the center of the rose. The stench nipped at the inside of Roseas nostrils. She grimaced and turned away to gulp some untainted air.

aWhy does it stink so bad?a Jack clamped his nose shut.

aWe donat know.a Grandma lonore motioned them to the table. aHold hands.a They stood around the table, holding hands.

aConcentrate on the flesh.a Grandma lonore took a deep breath and began to chant.

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) aAll that is from all that was, return to your root, obey my words. All that is from all that was, return to your root, obey my words . . .a The magic streamed from them, locking onto the odorous chunk. A thin puddle of water spread from under the ice cube, forming a perfect circle. The hunk of granite shuddered, little flecks of quartz glistening. The flame of the candle grew to two inches. The caterpillar writhed.

The flesh in the center refused to move.

They tried it again ten minutes later.

Nothing.

aItas like itas not of this earth,a Rose murmured.

aThere are other things we can do.a Grandma lonore pursed her lips.

They could and they did. Four hours later, Rose could barely lift her head. Grandma lonore picked up a rolling pin, looked at the chunk of flesha"their third, the first two had been consumed by various spellsa"

and hit it with the rolling pin.

Rose frowned. aWhat for?a aTo make me feel better.a Her cell phone rang. Rose jumped six inches in the air.

aWhoas calling you?a aI donat know!a She pulled the phone open. Maybe it was a job offer. ah.e.l.lo?a aHi, Rose,a a male voice said on the other end.

aHi. Hold on a minute.a She covered the phone with her hand and mouthed aWilliama at Grandma.

aGo.a Grandma lonore nodded to the back porch.

aIall just be a minute,a Rose promised.

She went out the back porch, across the gra.s.s to the old wooden swing hanging from the ma.s.sive limb of a gnarled oak. The night had fallen, the darkness cool and spiced with the delicate, slightly bitter scent of Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Poor Manas Orchids dripping from the vines winding about the tree and the faint mimosa perfume of nightneedle flowers. The house windows cast off weak light onto the darkness-drenched lawn.

aHow did you get my number?a She scooted onto the swing.

aOne of your friends gave it to me. The one with green hair.a Latoya. aHow do you know her?a aI came by your work. I thought maybe I could take you to dinner. They said you were fired.a She heard real concern in his voice. aYes, I was.a aSorry to hear that. How are the boys taking it?a aThey donat know yet.a aSo you need a job? I could ask around . . .a But of course, they wouldnat hire her. Not with her stellar Edge paperwork. Still, it was so thoughtful of him to offer. aThatas very nice of you, but Iam doing okay for now.a A faint edge appeared in Williamas voice. aI heard there was a man involved.a Latoya and her big mouth. By now the whole Edge knew she was let go because of a man. Not that she gave a d.a.m.n about what they thought or said about her. aI wasnat fired because of him. You see, Emerson, my boss, and my father, they used to be friends. I donat even know why Iam telling you this . . .a aProbably because you need someone to talk to. Iam here, and Iave got time.a She sighed and pushed against the ground out of habit, starting the swing swaying back and forth. The chain protested quietly.

aWhat is that creaking?a he asked.

How in the world did he hear it through the phone? aIam sitting on an old swing.a aAh. So what about this Emerson?a Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) aLike I said, he and my father used to be friends. Then my father left. He went on to . . . to adventure.

Emerson stayed behind, married, got a job in the family business, and tried to live a quiet life. I think, though, he always wanted to go off with my father, but never got brave enough to break free. In the last year, Emersonas life fell apart. He didnat do so well as an insurance salesman, and his dad made him run Clean-n-Bright instead. His wife left him. He has money problems, and heas skimming off the top of the business. Itas all cras.h.i.+ng down around his ears. I think every time he saw me, he thought of my dad living the good life somewhere. He wouldave fired me anyway, sooner or later.a aHe sounds like a real prize, this Emerson.a aHeas just an unhappy, angry man. I donat have to put up with him anymore, and Iam glad. Itas in the past now.a aYou know, you couldave told me about this other guy,a William said softly. aIam not afraid of a little compet.i.tion.a She hesitated. aWilliam, I thought we had settled this.a Please, donat make me hurt your feelings again.

He laughed quietly. It was an odd laugh, deep and bitter.

aDonat worry. I remember where we stand. Since you told me something private about yourself, Iall tell you something private about me. I never had a family like you do, Rose. Thatas why I like you so much. Youare kind and smart, and pretty, and you take care of your brothers. n.o.body ever took care of me like that. I think I always wanted to find someone like you to settle down with. To have a real family. I donat know if I would be good at it, but Iad like to try. I would keep you and the kids safe. n.o.body would ever hurt you. Sorry, but I canat just let you get away without a fight.a Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) A heavy weight settled on her chest. There was sincerity in his voice that was impossible to fake. He just laid it all out for her.

aWilliam,a she said as gently as she could. aIam sorry that youare alone. But I donat think Ia"I donat think we, me and the boys, are the right family for you. I know that you think of me as Rose, the big sister to the boys, but Iam my own person. I want to be happy, just like everyone else. When a man joins our family like that, it will be because I love him. I donat think I would ever fall in love with you. There is no spark between us, and you know it as well as I do.a She listened to the long silence.

aYouare an odd woman, Rose,a he said finally. aMost women would enjoy all the attention.a aI have enough attention as it is,a she murmured.

aFrom that man who got you fired?a Rose sighed. aHeas an arrogant a.s.s who thinks Iam lower than dirt. If I could get rid of him, I would.a aI could run him off for you.a aNo, I think itas best I handle it myself. Ia"a She raised her eyes and saw Declan standing two feet away, his sword on his back.

aRose?a William asked. ah.e.l.lo?a Declanas eyes blazed like two white stars. He held out his hand. aGive me the phone, Rose.a aWhoas that?a William asked. His voice lost all warmth.

aLet me speak to him.a Declan reached for the phone.

aI have to go,a she told William. aTalk to you later.a She snapped the phone closed.

ad.a.m.n it,a Declan snarled. aI told you to give me the phone!a She jumped off the swing. aHow long have you been standing there?a aLong enough. Was that William?a She ignored him and headed to the house.

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) aAnswer me,a he demanded.

aI donat have to,a she said, struggling to keep her calm. aYou have no right to order me around.a Rose marched to the back porch.

aYou stubborn fool, you have no idea who youare dealing with.a aI have a very good idea.a She stopped and looked at him.