FOREVER KNIGHTS: #4 Battling Black Roses

Meadowbrook, Grier Country

ALAZAR

Stepping out into the circular drive after class, Nora shaded her eyes from the afternoon glare with a forearm. Step faltering, she registered a man leaned against her carriage.

“Please don’t be here for bills.” But it was what he looked like. A black overcoat pinned with gold buttons and matching embroidery twining the front. Every inch of him carefully tailored. Sleek and well-groomed, each blonde hair in place. Dark brows loomed over bright blue eyes, but his tight face expressed deep inconvenience.

Anna came to a stop. “Oh.” She cooed in admiration. “That’s a fine specimen.”

“Does he look like one interested in tutelage girls?” Mera said acidly.

The redhead glowered. “So, what you’re saying is you want him?”

“No. After Vandelhein, I swore off men. They’re boorish, cads and liars.”

“Can’t hate them all.” Anna smirked.

“Watch me.” Mera’s eyes darkened.

Registering Nora moved to confront the stranger, they caught up to her.

“Hello.” Nora said reluctantly. Lowering in a tenuous curtsy as she gripped her tutelage books.

“This your carriage?” He gestured to the Bishop seal over the side, as he faced her.

“Why? Do you intend to steal it?” Mera demanded.

Friendly. Alazareth noted of the willowy brunette.

He eyed them boredly as if barely worthy of his time. “No.”

“Yes, ’tis.” Nora shot Mera a quelling look.

“Then you’re Nora Bishop?”

“Yes...”

“I need a word with you.”

“Is it Nicholas?” She was suddenly afraid.

“No.” His lips tightened. “It’s about a house. A manor actually. Rosewynn Manor to be specific.”

“Isn’t that the creepy crusting Manor outside town?” Anna murmured to Mera who gave a brief nod.

“Don’t you go there with him!” Mera ordered, giving Nora a chiding look.

“I’m afraid she has to.” He lifted a challenging brow.

Who are you? He was surprised by the brunette’s challenging glower. He matched it.

Mera’s face twisted but before she could open her mouth Nora intervened. “Why?”

“Because” He sighed impatiently. “it’s your inheritance. And in order for you to take possession, you must sign you’ve been shown the property and reviewed the parchment work.”

“Inheritance?” Nora gasped.

“Yes.” He drawled.

“From whom?”

I’ve no idea.

“Your Great Aunt, twice removed, Alberta.”

Just buy it. I’m a terrible liar. Alazar willed. I haven’t the patience for these games.

But Deragan ordered me. He reminded himself.

“Who?′

“My former employer. Now can we get on with it?”

“Can’t I just sign it?” Though she was incredibly curious, she was reluctant to go anywhere with a man she didn’t know.

Good instincts. He fought a fond smile turning his lips as he looked in the familiar blue eyes of his former friend.

She listened to me bemoaning Bast on countless occasions. Listened to me grumbling about many subjects truly. I can afford to be patient with her now.

His voice softened. “That’s not the conventional method. And since I’m a solicitor I’m strangely bound to follow the law of Grier.” He gave her a half smile. “To the letter…I know, very mundane indeed.”

Mera made a sound very much like a growl. “Solicitor. What’d I say about men?” She gave Anna a meaningful look. “Exactly.”

Shush. Viper.

“If you require the soul-killer to go, to feel chaperoned we may take her.” He offered with a cold glance.

“I’ll go.” She stared at Nora waitingly.

Hesitating Nora murmured. “No. I’ll be alright. Mera would you tell the twins to take Beth and Airon home?”

Good. I might choke that girl on the carriage ride. He was thankful for the Fallen’s decision not to take her.

“No. I’m not talking to them!” She objected. “But I’ll walk the little ones home.” Her voice dropped fondly.

“Thanks, Mera.”

“No problem. Scream insanely if he becomes…unsuitable.” She waved her fingers toward him, as Nora slid into the leather seat of a slick black chaise. “Don’t forget what I showed you!” She shouted ominously.

Likely bluffing.

Trying not to laugh, Nora looked ahead. As they pulled out, she saw Derrick Black walking from the carriage circle. “Who’s that man?” She asked the solicitor as he reined the horses himself.

“Lord Black.”

“Who was he here for, I wonder?”

“Why?” He queried without looking at her. “Were you supposing he came for you?”

“No!” She gave him a shocked look, but he stared ahead.

“I just thought it odd he was here since rumor is he knows no one in Meadowbrook.”

“He knows someone.”

Seeing that the cryptic stranger would say no more, she watched the road.

Rosewynn Manor, Outside Meadowbrook, Grier Country

The house was about a mile out of town and loomed imperiously over an iron fence.

“Is it really haunted?′ Nora asked.

By the memories of lovers. Alazar gave her a pensive look but decided against the words.

He stared ahead guiding the reins expertly. “Afraid of shadows?”

Unbidden thoughts of the voice flashed through her mind. “No.”

“Then why the concern?” Though his answer was far from reassuring, she’d no response.

“I didn’t catch your name?”

“Bodane.” He supplied. “Sir Alazareth Bodane.”

“Thanks for coming all this way Mr. Bodane.”

“Alazar.” He corrected automatically, giving her a quick look.

Dammit. I should’ve feigned more formality, I suppose.

Rhyers is far better at these games…Wishing for the hundredth time that Deragan had picked anyone other than he for this particular job.

“Sir.” She corrected formally. “Might I say I don’t remember this Great Aunt Alberta of mine?”

What did I name her?

“Twice removed.” He added. “She wasn’t well liked, to my understanding. But this house was loved...Once.”

“Ah.” But she didn’t really understand.

She doesn’t need to.

Entering the house was like stepping into an abandoned castle. Musty and lonely and carrying an utter absence of sound in a place that seemed like it should be bustling with activity. Stopping in the entryway she stared around in awe.