Page 35 of Wicked Thieves
The latter smiled at her as he passed down a tankard from the center of the table, the froth of the ale spilling over the rim. “Anya, good of you to join our sorry lot. I heard your training wentspectacularly.”
It would seem everyone at this table had a sense of humor. Wonderful.
“She’ll get there,” Aeric said, taking her by surprise. “If I recall, you once used the air to conjure ice and ended up giving yourself and Adan frostbite.”
“We were seven,” Adan griped. “Not well into our twenties without the slightest idea on how to make a simple cut.”
“I don’t understand how any of the children can stand being taught by you. I’m surprised they don’t all run away screaming at the mere mention of your name,” Anelize shot back, giving as much as she could take evidently.
Adan’s grin was wolfish as he rested his arm over the back of his chair. “I make you want to run away from me. Good. That will be implemented into our next lesson.”
“Now, now. Settle down, you two. We’re to have supper. Not verbally spar with one another,” Henry said as he brought over what looked to be a plate full of grilled meat.
Anelize could hardly remember the last time she’d had meat on the table, properly cooked and smelling so delicious it made her mouth water.
When her stomach growled, Aeric looked at her with mirth. A look that clearly saidyou’re not hungry, huh?She stepped on his foot beneath the table in answer, to which he bit his bottom lip to stifle a laugh.
Utterly infuriating, this man.
She ate in silence while the others talked amongst themselves. Discussing Watchmen and rebels, the mention of raids commencing that took place unexpectedly whenever the king ordered them to do so, and the Moroi that had been seen lurking in the shadows. Eventually the conversation shifted to her, much to her displeasure, as Henry asked, “Anelize, how was conjuring?”
She and Adan both released heavy sighs.
Henry chuckled. “You know, you always kept to yourself when it came to your practice. I remember your father refused to bring you to us when I suggested having you and Enid learn to conjure. And when I asked you, you refused. As if you were afraid to do so. I always wondered if it was because he insisted you not attempt to call upon your power, or if it was you who did not wish to.”
This was certainly not a topic of conversation she wished to touch upon now of all times.
Still, she forced herself to say, aware that everyone’s eyes had shifted to her. “I was warned not to use my…power upon anyone. My father didn’t particularly like what it could do. It was easier on all of us if I didn’t.”
“Your father was always very careful when it came to you girls. I cannot say I would not have done the same if Wellynhad the same power as you. Regardless, it is a boon to possess during these times. You would do well to remember that now.”
“What sort of power does Enid have, Anya?” Idris asked her, his curiosity palpable though not intrusive.
“Alter,”Anelize answered.
The twins raised their brows in surprise. Aeric appearing to contemplate her words, the significance.
“Two rare abilities, gone to waste.” Adan muttered with the shake of his head. “One who can easily take lives, and the other who could hide in plain sight.”
“My sister would never be a fighter. I doubt she would harm a single soul even if presented with the chance,” she said, narrowing her eyes on Adan. As if he knew the topic of her sister was a sensitive subject, the twin merely took another drink from his tankard.
Henry nodded with fondness. “A gentle soul, she was. Quiet and kind, yet utterly devoted. It is why my Wellyn loved her so.”
“Enid is still very much alive, Henry. No need to refer to her in the past tense. Either of them,” Aeric said suddenly as he tore a piece of bread and dropped it onto his plate.
Henry blinked, realizing what he’d done before sending Anelize an apologetic glance.
Anelize looked at Aeric as he ate, chuckling at something Adan said to his brother that she hadn’t heard. As if he hadn’t sensed the way she had tensed beside him at Henry’s words. As if his own words hadn’t eased a bit of her worries in return.
“What I am curious to know is how anevitdrawn to taking life became an apothecary.” Idris mused, clearly his curiosity about her wasn’t diminishing in any way.
“I was taught everything I know by my father. I suppose itcame naturally to me. It had nothing to do with being a Vedran.”
“And what of your mother?”
She shrugged. “I do not remember much of her. She died when I was a child after she gave birth to Enid. It’s been just us ever since.”
“And your father?” Adan asked, both in challenge and curiosity of his own. His scrutinizing gaze appearing to convey that he wanted to know more about her, despite having been forced to teach her to conjure properly.
