Mathieu (White Flame Trilogy) - By Paula Flumerfelt Page 0,60
two, he looked into Tesla’s eyes and stroked the reddish fur.
“…It’s time to move on,” Mathieu said, his voice soft. Everyone seemed to hear him, though. “Avian is gone and I will miss her, but it’s time to move on and show the bastard who started this just what kind of nest he kicked. I don’t really know any of you, so this may not mean much, but I won’t take this laying down.”
Nathan, who was directly across from him, smiled encouragingly, and Solomon nodded with his arms folded across his chest. “What do you plan to do?” Nathan asked.
Mathieu rubbed the space between his brows. “Well, I need a way to reach out to a few people that I know back in Unith.”
“Who?” Mina said, tilting her head.
Mathieu turned to her. “A woman named Narrie, she’s a user too, and Venee. Narrie should come to us, if possible, but I need to reach out to Venee, to see if she can help us. Her family heads the covert intelligence for the King. Her knowledge is useful. Oh, the man that taught Avian how to fence, too. Demetri Uliff.”
“This woman, Venee, she is ueful in what way?” It was Solomon who spoke this time, leaning forward in his seat and resting his arms on the table.
Mathieu bit back the growl in his throat. Everything about this guy, from the first time they had met to the way he had acted with Avian, pissed Mathieu off. “In the’ none-of-your-business’ kind of way.”
Solomon smirked and raised one eyebrow. “It is my business. Don’t get snitty with me because you couldn’t do your job.”
“You don’t know shit. Everything you say makes me want to punch you.” Mathieu said under his breath, not looking away from the blond.
“The feeling’s mutual, kid.” Solomon chuckled. Both men were on their feet now, leaning over the table, eyes locked in challenge. It was easier for Mathieu to hate the blond than examine the truth in the man’s words.
“Enough.” Nathan’s voice broke the tension between them. “Enough, you two. Mathieu, Solomon is the General of my army. Solomon, just…behave yourself. You two will learn to work together.” The redhead said.
Solomon made a noise of protest, eyes darkening slightly. “This is ridiculous. He can barely control his gift, he’s a child, and he doesn’t belong here. I save him and I dealt with his mopping, but I will not be forced to listen to him prattle on without knocking his block off.” The blond sat back in his chair, looking away. Nathan’s visage flashed with an indescribable look that had Solomon backtracking, literally and figuratively. “I mean, it’s just that he’s untrained, and he might be more of a hindrance than a help, I mean and uh…” Solomon’s green eyes were casting around for help.
Elise’s hand came to rest of Nathan’s forearm. “Shh Nathan, relax. Tempers are running extremely high tonight. Loss makes people irritable, so let’s all calm down; you, too, Solomon.” Many people around the room nodded and sighed.
“Where should I put Mathieu up, Nathan? We don’t exactly have any open rooms.” Kiev was looking out through the glass walls at the setting suns, “And I think that sleep might be best for everyone.”
Mina grinned devilishly and nudged Josette, who was sitting next to her. “I think that Mathieu should bunk with Solomon. Teach them to get along. Plus, it‘s one of the few rooms with an attached bath. They could share.” The glare that Solomon was aiming in his sister’s direction was one that could only be withstood by a twin.
Nathan laughed heartily and beamed at Mina. “That is a brilliant idea, Mina. Solomon, go make accommodations for Mathieu in your room.”
Emerald green eyes narrowed as Solomon stalked off towards one of the rooms Mathieu had passed earlier, everyone watching him through the glass walls as he slammed stuff around, making ’accommodations’ for Mathieu.
“Uh, Nathan…The clothes that I was wearing when…er…” Mathieu started, trying not to look at the very angry Solomon like everyone else was.
Nathan turned, giving Mathieu is undivided attention. “Ah, yes. Your clothes were ruined.”
“Oh…well then…”
Kiev held out the pocket watch Avian had given him so long ago. “Your clothes may be gone, but I saved this. It looked special.” She was smiling at him.
“Ah! Thank you…” He took it with shaking hands, rather shocked. Mathieu hadn’t even thought about the pocket watch, but if he had, he would have been sure it was lost for good.