Heart of Iron

Chapter 5: The Pit

Casimir didn't return. So, my first day in Ironmoon ended with Marco's tour of the Big House. And I did my best to map it out in my head and commit it to memory. But I accepted that getting lost was going to be a constant for me for the next week or so, until I was completely sorted. This morning when I woke, I was startled by the new sights and smells of my room. It took a full minute for the memories of the prior day to cut through the fog of sleep.

Now, I was in the kitchen, trying to find something to drink out of. So far, I'd located the bowls, plates, a tall cupboard housing appliances that weren't in use, and fine china. And unfortunately, I hadn't run into anyone since I'd left my room. The house was big, but I got the feeling that most everyone was already out for the day. I was on my own.

The smell of sea salt and confectioner's sugar hit me first. Then a gentle presence and body heat settled at my back as an arm reached around me, opening the cupboard in front of me. Ruby red nails and elegant, long fingers grabbed a coffee mug. I peered over my shoulder, there was a girl, probably about not much older than Sadie, with rich brown skin and a thick curtain of dark hair.

She gave the mug a cursory inspection, full lips moving lazily over her words. I only recognized a few. "...early...killing me..."

Her eyes flitted up from the cup to my face, still talking, "Don't you...Casimir..." Then she turned away from me and shuffled to the coffee maker. A surge of anxiety hit me as I tracked her. Had she been talking to me since she came into the room? Was she still talking to me?

This made it obvious that only a few people knew that I was hard of hearing. I wanted to be irritated with Casimir for not sharing this information, but our meeting was unexpected. There was no real preparation or plans on either side.

Considering this girl was in the Big House, she was either a member of the Ironmoon hierarchy, despite her age, or she was a guest. I doubted it was the latter because neither Casimir nor Marco mentioned anything yesterday about guests. Plus, she appeared too comfortable with the layout of things.

I snatched a mug for myself and made my way over to my kitchen companion. She glanced in my direction as I stepped up beside her.

"Not much of a talker?"

I grimaced. She'd definitely been speaking to me the entire time.

"Actually, I'm hard of hearing..." I said and signed, forcing my mouth into a tight smile.

Her eyes grew wide, and embarrassment reddened her cheeks.

"Oh shoot! I'm so sorry!" She slapped her hand to her forehead, an apologetic grin transforming her face. "I'm sure that my brother told me that. I swear I can't remember anything before I've had my morning caffeine."

A chuckle escaped me. "Just glad you didn't think I was rude."

"If anything, I'm the rude one. I didn't even introduce myself." She took the mug from my hand and poured coffee for me too. "Sugar, cream, or..."

"Black is fine."

"Finally, someone who gets it," she said, sliding my mug back. "Everyone calls me Mariel, but I prefer Mari."

"Mari. That's pretty." I lifted the mug, blowing at the steaming liquid before taking a sip. Sighing, I glanced up and found her watching me over the rim of her mug.

"Rowan, right?"

I nodded and she grinned. "I remembered that much, at least."

"Is it usually like this in the mornings?"

"Like what? Quiet—or, um...oops. Wrong wording." Mari blushed and glanced away from me.

She couldn't know that her fumbling consideration was more of an attempt to accept me than any Blackstone members made in the past five years.