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“No, thank you,” Aric said. His hand returned to Rochelle’s back and he guided her forward. “We’ll be dropping things off here and heading out momentarily. You should have a quiet day.”
Tora gave a chuckle as they passed, not following after them. “Oh, I’ve got plenty to keep me busy, trust me on that.”
Rochelle smiled once more in the woman’s direction before allowing Aric to escort her upstairs, her head spinning as she attempted to keep up with the conversation. It had been on the tip of her tongue to ask for a key before logic had returned and she’d realized that, most likely, they were expected to use magic. But beyond that, shouldn’t Tora have shown them to their rooms? Surely they had designated rooms. And even if Aric had a preferred room which coincidentally happened to be open,shedidn’t.
Aric walked with her up to the first door on the left and nudged it open. “This will be your room,” he said. “I thought you’d prefer something with a nicer view for the times we’re here.”
Rochelle obligingly stepped inside, finding it was suitably large and comfortably decorated. It wasn’t the size of the room she had at the estate, of course, but she doubted any room in the charming little B&B compared. She saw immediately the panels of windows which offered the ocean view, including a partial view of the docks. She turned to face Aric again, still holding onto her bag. “I do like it,” she said. “I’m just confused about something.”
He quirked a brow. “Oh?”
She pursed her lips, hesitating only a moment before asking her question. “Why does it feel like we’re the only ones here?”
His grin returned, wider than before, and he chuckled low. “Because I reserved the entire inn, of course.”
Her mouth fell open for a split-second. “You did what?” She didn’t know why she asked. It actually made sense for him. The idea was just so surreal she couldn’t wrap her head around it.
Aric was clearly amused as he turned, angled for the room across the hall. “This will be me, if you need me at any point. But for now, drop off your bag and grab anything you might need soon, because we have somewhere to be.”
His words sobered her and Rochelle spun, hurrying to at least place her bag on the bed. She patted her pants pocket, reassuring herself that the Connector Stone Aric had acquired for her after her first month of training was where it should have been, and released a breath. Life in Yafae, and particularly life as the veritable ward of a man like Aric, wasn’t like the life she’d had before. She didn’t need a big purse laden down with a wallet full of cards, keys, or a bulky metal device to go anywhere. She really only needed the right clothes and the Stone, a magical sort of cell phone, and she was set.
Which also meant she was ready and waiting in the hallway before Aric.
He stepped up to her with his usual smirk, hands in his pockets. “I take it you’re ready.”
She held his stare. “Just don’t forget your promise.”
The green in his eyes glowed. “I haven’t forgotten.” His magic flared, encompassing them both, and again their surroundings fell away. Again, they appeared in the shadow of a red brick building, but this time in front of its entrance.
Rochelle assumed it was their destination and quietly waited for his lead. She knew next to nothing about Aric’s actual assignment and, if she were being honest with herself, she was immensely curious to get this chance to watch him work. In a non-violent capacity, at least.
“Be careful you don’t contradict anything I say here that may not match your memory,” Aric said as he reached for the door. He met her gaze with a faintly furrowed brow. “But if you should become uncomfortable for any reason, speak up. Understand?”
Warmth pulsed through her and Rochelle could only nod. She never was prepared for his direct expressions of concern.
Chapter Six
“Aric Vardanyan. To what do I owe the pleasure of this unannounced visit?” The sarcasm dripped almost visibly from Harald Lamont’s words. He narrowed his tired brown eyes at Aric, then flicked a lingering gaze to Rochelle.
Aric settled a hand on Rochelle’s shoulder and let it rest there. “Lord Lamont, this is Rochelle, my apprentice. She’ll be observing our conversation to learn more about how I work, nothing more. Pay her no mind.” This was the easiest way to excuse her presence—without dumping her in the lap of the notoriously lecherous nobleman, at least.
Harald huffed and turned entirely around, putting his back to them. “I’m on vacation,” he said. “Whatever you want to discuss, it can wait until I return to Castleton.”
Aric motioned Rochelle toward the two-seater sofa on the far wall, never taking his eyes off the irritable man he’d come to speak to. Harald Lamont was a pain to deal with, but he was the senior member of King Jensen’s Border Council, and therefore any formal matter concerning the border wall needed to go through him. “I’m afraid there isn’t time for that,” Aric said.
Harald made a shooing motion with one hand. “I have plans, Vardanyan. You’re the all-powerful Sentry. If there’s a crisis, it’s your job to fix it.”
“If it were something I could fix with a single action, I would be doing so.” Aric tucked his hands into his pockets and found Harald’s stare through the window’s reflection. “But I believe it’syourjob to keep watch over the border wall, Harald.”
The older man twisted in place, nearly slamming his shoulder into the glass. “Are you implying I’ve neglected my duties?”
Aric shrugged. “I don’t honestly know the explanation. But there is, indisputably, a problem.”
“How dare you—”
“Five.”
Harald snapped his jaw shut and blinked at him for a long second. “Five?”
