5

Early in the morning the inspectors left us, I don’t know what conclusion they came to, but Clarissa’s nasty mood in the morning did not promise me anything good. As soon as the gate behind the departing crew slammed shut, I was immediately summoned to the head's office. I was not afraid, lately I have experienced so much that, it seems, I have forgotten how to be afraid. I knocked on the door and after permission went in. The office itself was not very sophisticated, but it was much better furnished than the other rooms in the orphanage. When I entered, Clarissa stood with her back to the door and paid no attention to me as she entered, she walked from shelf to shelf and sorted through the papers on the table. Most likely, she was trying to make me nervous, but I did not care at all, I was seized by complete indifference.

Does life teach you nothing? the head asked rhetorically, giving me a contemptuous glance. “It’s like you were made to cause problems for others. Did you do all this on purpose to sabotage the audit?

“No,” she answered in a monosyllable, she saw no point in explaining anything to her. She has already pronounced a sentence on me a long time ago, it remains only to enjoy the foreplay.

- Not? she mimicked. - I'm tired of your antics, you can pack your things, in two days you are leaving for the city.

- What? I said in bewilderment, she really managed to surprise me. Clarissa smiled broadly, enjoying my confusion, and took out some papers.

“Mr. Kreimer will marry you, all orders have already been given, and if you try to throw out another stupid thing, then I will shamelessly sell you to Madame Marly in a comfort house,” Clarissa said with satisfaction.

“But Mr. Kreimer is an old man, and I'm only fifteen,” I mumbled, omitting the second part of her threat. There were many different rumors about old Crymer in the orphanage, and they all concerned his love for various perversions.

- You are already fifteen years old, you are fully formed and trained in everything. How dare you call a respected person an old man? He is in his early fifties. Master Crymer has done you the great honor of agreeing to take you as his wife,” Clarissa admonished. I have no doubt that this old man paid handsomely for my youthful body, the leader's too pleased face.

- Are you clear? And do not try to run away, I have enough connections in the city to find you and punish you, - she put an end to our conversation.

I turned on stiff legs and headed for the exit, running my escape options in my head. I'd rather surrender to the dark than become the wife of this pervert. The door swung open so abruptly that it nearly hit my forehead. Inga, out of breath, burst into the office.

“Mistress, two noble ladies have arrived, asking to receive them urgently. Invite them here? the teacher asked.

— Lady? Yes, of course, only ... - before she could finish, a middle-aged woman entered the office, she was wearing a fitted blue velvet dress with flared sleeves. And a lot of different decorations. Apparently, to make it clear from afar that the lady is very rich. Is there a fashion for blue velvet in the capital? Already the second noble lady I have seen is wearing it. She cast her sour eyes over the office, at me, and at Clarissa, who immediately put on an obsequious expression.

“What can I do for you, lady?” she asked, and with a look ordered me to disappear. I made another attempt to get out.

- Wait. What is your name? asked the stranger. I sat down in greeting.

My name is Mira, lady.

- How successful it was. Mistress Clarissa, my name is Lady Amalia Holm,” she said, and without waiting for an invitation from the bewildered Clarissa, she very gracefully sat down on a chair. “And I would like to take custody of this girl.

"Excuse my sluggishness, lady, may I offer you some tea?"

“I don’t need anything, I want to finish everything as soon as possible. Don't waste my time, Lady Holm replied.

"Sorry, we should talk in private then." Mira, come out, - the head ordered me. I swung towards the exit.

“The girl will stay,” the lady cut her off. In the ability to give orders, she could compete with the dark.

- As you command. But there is a small problem, Mira has already been promised to one gentleman and is getting married soon. Maybe you are interested in another girl? Younger and fitter, I might recommend...

"Couldn't," Lady Holm cut her off. “I am only interested in this girl. I think it's up to you to settle the matter with her prospective husband. Don't keep me waiting, Mistress Clarissa, I really don't like it. But I will not be indebted if you will meet me halfway. It's up to me to sort out some of the problems you're having with a recent audit.

Well, you're right, I'll be happy to help you.

When it came to signing the papers, I stopped listening to the conversation. To say it was unexpected is an understatement. Am I being taken into custody? Me? What for? Thousands of questions swirled in my head. I looked at Amalia Holm's many pieces of jewelry and couldn't think of a single reason why she needed me. Very soon I was sent to collect things. The corridor on the second floor was empty, as was Ines and I's room. What exactly should I pack with me? Almost all of my belongings belong to the shelter.

A few years ago, I exchanged the silk piece of fabric in which I was found for a book on medicine and a couple of cheap trinkets, among which was a chain with a four-leaf pendant, which is a symbol of our small town.

I threw a tattered shirt and a battered dress into the bag, I don’t think Clarissa will get poorer from this, but I need to wear something, at least at first. Books and my student notebook lay on top. Taking one last look at the place that replaced my home, I looked regretfully at my friend's made bed. We never talked, I hope she doesn't hold a grudge against me. Only now the thought occurred to me that all this time I had put her in danger, the darkness could harm her at any moment. Well, that means it's all for the best.

***

For several hours now I have been shaking in the carriage opposite Lady Holm and periodically experienced her very attentive gaze on me. Riding beside Lady Holm was a rather young girl of noble appearance, dressed in a traveling dress with a lot of embroidery. I hate embroidery. I never understood why people love to complicate things so much. Why do you need so many decorations and decorations? Clothing should protect from the sun in summer and from the cold in winter. But the rich have their quirks.

The carriage bounced on a bump and I glanced at the young lady. Although where did I get that she is from the noble? Unlike Amalia Holm, this girl had a nondescript face, blond hair and gray eyes. In a way, we were similar. She stared at me all the way, as if she wanted to take me apart piece by piece. The unknown was scary, but I wasn't about to start the conversation first. The carriage stopped, I looked out the window and did not see anything remarkable, along the road there were exactly the same trees as those that I had been observing for several hours now.

“Let’s get out,” the girl turned to me and hurriedly left the carriage. Lady Holm stayed inside. Outside, two dark-haired young girls were waiting for us... in trousers. I was taken aback, because I had never seen women's trousers before. On the other hand, it must be very convenient, and I have always respected convenience. They looked at me carefully, but there were no contemptuous glances from them. One of them even smiled at me. I couldn't help but smile back.

- That's her? asked the taller one. She had a rather attractive face, dark hair and eyes. Men's clothing, in spite of everything, emphasized her slender figure and feminine forms.

“Mal gave a pretty accurate description,” my escort replied. I didn't like being discussed right in my presence.

“Something she doesn’t look much like ... well, you understand,” the dark-haired woman said with a strange intonation.

“Mel gave clear instructions and she is never wrong.

“Okay, let’s hope I didn’t make a mistake this time, otherwise it will cost us all too much,” the girl replied. The darkness is with you.

At these words, all three put their middle and index fingers to their temples. I'm just speechless. My whole body was covered with goosebumps, my chest felt cold, and this cold had already begun to creep up to my hands. This is a very bad sign. I slowly started walking towards the forest. The girl darted into the carriage, and two strangers looked at me.

"Don't be afraid," said the tall one. Yep, I immediately felt better. - What is your name? I'm Venira and this is Lane. Can you ride?

- What you want from me? - I whispered, continuing to slowly back away towards the forest, the girls looked at each other and began to walk around me from two sides. They moved very smoothly, as if they were driving game. My deeds are bad, very bad.

“Calm down, please, you can’t be nervous yet, you don’t know how to control yourself. We don't want problems, do we? We’ll just go with us, they’ll explain everything to you,” Venira admonished. But I had already managed to wind myself up to the limit, black ribbons of darkness poured out of my hands, they wriggled as if alive and turned into a cocoon around my body.

“Wow…do you see it too?” Lane drawled, her face turned into a delighted expression, even her mouth slightly parted. Actually, they should be running in terror, not staring at me with their mouths open.

“I can see it, but a new surge cannot be allowed,” she took a deep breath, brought her palms together at chest level and sharply spread them apart. Between them stretched a wide ribbon of darkness, which was much more intense than those that emanated from my hands. I froze, not believing my eyes. In front of me is a girl gifted with darkness, just like me.

"I see you're surprised, but I promise you we won't hurt you." Let go of fear, inhale as deeply as possible and on the count of three, slowly bring your palms together in front of your chest, - she spoke so confidently that I obeyed and repeated after her actions. It only worked out the third time. But it worked! I nearly burst into tears of relief.

My name is Mira. Thank you for helping me.” His voice was trembling from holding back tears.

“Not at all, Mira. I'm sorry, there's no time for explanations, the sun will set soon, and we'd better get on the road right away. Do you ride? Venus asked. And I nodded my head in the affirmative. In the saddle I held myself well, not to say that very confidently, but I did not want to lose my face in front of these girls.

“We got Pie for you. This name is. He is not very quick, but you will be just right. You probably weren't taught how to ride a horse properly. Was the food bad too? I see that yes. Were you scared alone? I mean darkness? When did she first wake up? Questions rained down from Lane as we walked towards the tethered horses.

“Leeeane, stop pestering her!” Venira said wearily. “Forgive her, she always gets excited at the sight of new people.

"Okay," I said huffing. The pie was lower than the other two horses, but still I climbed on it with difficulty. The girls tactfully kept silent, but I saw how Venir was holding back a smile. - How long do we have to go?

“Several hours at a fast pace, before dawn should be in time,” Venira answered.

“Then I don’t mind talking. Silence is very tiring,” I said, remembering the silent ride in the carriage. For the first time in my life, I could be honest with someone other than myself.

By the time we reached our destination, it was fully dawn outside, and the chill of the night had given way to the heat of the morning. We stopped at a stone wall in which there were wrought iron gates. Venira deftly jumped off her horse and, pulling up the sleeve of her left hand, struck a dagger across her wrist, and then put it to the gate. Apparently, love for cut wrists is in the blood of the dark ones. Lane also dismounted, and I followed suit.

Through the opened gate I went right behind the Lane, barely dragging my feet, after all, life in the shelter does not favor long horse rides. But after a few minutes, I forgot how to breathe. A luxurious three-story estate appeared out of nowhere, never seen anything like it in my life. To tell the truth, I didn't see anything but a dilapidated gray orphanage, village houses and a few city streets where the fair usually took place, so it wasn't hard to surprise me. This monumental building of milk-colored stone had huge windows, and carved columns propped up a roof over an imposing porch.

— Where did you drag me? I asked, continuing to look at this colossus.

"Home," Lane replied.