Chapter 3

  New Beginnings…

  It was everything I could do to maintain my stranglehold on my own nerves as I stood in front of Miss Talia’s office door. She finally found someone, after this long? What would they be like? Human? Demibeast? Both? How did Miss Talia even know them? So many questions flooded my mind, and before I could even speculate the answers, I realized I was keeping both Miss Talia and the couple across the threshold waiting. I won’t learn anything just standing here. Steadying myself, I gripped the handle, and pushed the door in.

  The office was as sparse as ever, containing nothing but a shoddy wooden desk with an equally rickety chair, an adjacent oaken chest with metal accents, where Miss Talia kept important documents, money, and whenever the church swung by, me. There was a single window directly behind the desk, letting in rays of sun visible through the dust that hung in the air. They shone on the small, worn-out sofa sat on the right wall, which had seen every prospective parent since this place was built. A second wooden chair faced it, back against the left wall, empty.

  Miss Talia sat behind her desk as I entered. She turned her gaze to where I stood in the doorway and broke into a wide smile. “Sebastian! Please, come in! Have a seat!” She gestured to the empty chair. I took my first step inside and trained my vision on the sofa, where I caught a glimpse of my potential parents.

  A young man and woman both sat on the sofa next to each other. They seemed to be merchants of some kind, dressed the way they were. They wore modest fabrics that were nonetheless much better woven than my own, along with scattered pieces of jewelry that demonstrated a middling but still comfortable wealth. The man was maybe an inch or two taller than me, with short black hair parted to the side and a bit of stubble covering his face. His posture was relaxed, nearly slumped into the cushioning. Not a worry in the world. Was it normal to be that relaxed when adopting a teen?

  The woman, on the other hand, sat with perfect posture, stiff as a board in her long skirt and blouse. Her hair was tied up in a bundle of fancy knots and braids, with a few silver ornaments for decoration. A gold wedding band adorned her left ring finger, matching the one the man next to her wore. There was an air of anxiety around her, like she was nervous for both herself and her husband.

  What caught me most off guard was that they were both human. Up till now, whenever I went further into the city, humans wanted nothing to do with me, or any Demibeast for that matter. They weren’t ever cruel or violent, typically just ignoring me as I went about my business. Even those from the church wouldn’t do more than snub me. But nobody was looking out for Demibeasts besides other Demibeasts. Combine that with my age, the couple looking to only be in their late twenties, and the fact this was a church-funded orphanage…there was a nagging feeling in the back of my mind.

  No, Sebastian, stop being paranoid, I chided myself. This is a good thing, and you haven’t even spoken to them yet. Just let this happen.

  I sat down on the chair across from the couple, folding my hands in my lap and keeping my back straight, like I’d practiced with Miss Talia so many times. She introduced me. “Mister and Missus Mercer, this is Sebastian, the Demibeast housed here. Sebastian, meet Mister and Missus Mercer.”

  “Good evening.” I bowed my head toward them. “I’m Sebastian. I’m sixteen years old, have lived in this orphanage my entire life, and I hope that I will be a great match for your family.” My words were stiff and flat, which made sense considering I was reciting a mental script. I could only pray to whatever gods might be listening that they didn’t notice the beads of anxious sweat running down my face.

  Mr. Mercer was the first to speak. “So, exactly what beast’s blood do you have in those veins, boy?” His voice was coarse as sandpaper, pulverized by what was surely years of smoking.

  The question caught me by surprise, along with his wife, evidently. She gasped in surprise and exclaimed “Gareth! You can’t just ask that!” She smacked him lightly on the shoulder.

  “Well, I just think we should know exactly what we’re getting. Besides, it’s not like he has anything to be ashamed of. Look at those claws!” I didn’t fully understand why, but I tucked my hands under my arms reflexively on hearing that.

  I watched the husband, Gareth, noticeably shrivel as he caught a glimpse of the death glare his wife shot him. He leaned back and turned his head toward the ceiling, apparently goaded back into silence. She spoke up again, “Please, forgive his rudeness. He’s not particularly well versed in social graces.” The smile she wore was cordial, but it felt slightly forced. She must’ve been fighting through her nerves. “You can call me Amanda. I’ve already told you my husband’s name, albeit in an unfortunate manner.”

  “Oh no, no need to apologize, I was just caught off guard!” I held my palms out in a placating gesture. “I don’t mind answering the question at all.” I looked over at Miss Talia, silently asking for permission. She reassured me with a subtle nod and a grin. I took a breath. “I’m a demi-dragon. I have claws on my fingers and toes, sharp teeth, and I can breathe fire.”

  “Wow, you are quite the talented one, aren’t you?” Her voice dripped with honey. “I will ask, however, how physically fit would you say you are? As merchants, we travel constantly and sometimes have to deal with heavy goods. Could you handle that?”

  “I make almost-daily trips in the city center, so I can walk for a while. I don’t know how well I can lift, though.” With each question my discomfort only grew.

  Gareth spoke again. “You said you can breathe fire. How much?”

  “I don’t know, I’ve never pushed it to its limits.”

  Miss Talia finally caught up to the situation. “I think that’s–”

  “What’s the hardest thing you can tear through with your teeth?”

  I’d had enough. I stood up from my chair and made for the door. “Excuse me for a moment.” I swung the door open and slammed it behind me, not caring to mask my frustration.

  I stumbled to the opposite wall and pressed my back up against it, taking deep, shaking breaths. That’s it? I thought. The first adoption offer in my entire life, and that’s all they care about?

  I grit my teeth as Miss Talia exited and walked up to me. “Sebastian, please come back inside.”

  “I’m not going with them.” I looked her directly in the eyes, making sure she understood me. “They don’t want me, they want a tool. One they don’t even have to pay.”

  Miss Talia looked away. “Well, that may be true, but–”

  My indignation refused to be contained any longer. “‘But’ what!? All they see when they look at me is a set of self-sharpening knives and a flint and steel they can’t lose!” I started walking back down the hall, trying to pace off the anger, and to make sure our “beloved guests” couldn’t hear me blowing up. Miss Talia trailed behind.

  “Well, they presented me with all their documentation, and they truly are traveling traders! Think about how much of Cindrune you’d get to see!”

  I scoffed. “Sure. I’ll see so much from the carriage I can’t leave if I want to have dinner.” I pushed aside the door to the dining hall, empty with all the other children upstairs as the sun set.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Miss Talia kept trying to make excuses for them. “They have much more money than we do!”

  “As little of which as possible will be spent on me.”

  “They can train you in their trade, and you’ll have a great job for the rest of your life!”

  “I’m sure they’ll be excited to put up with mentoring their letter opener.”

  “You’ll be so much happier out on the road!”

  “I’m happy HERE!” I turned around and yelled, while slamming my fist on the table next to me unconsciously. Miss Talia took a step back and covered her mouth with both hands. Instantly, I realized what I’d done. The corners of my eyes started to burn. “I-I’m sorry…I mean…I j-I just–”

  I couldn’t finish my thought. Miss Talia wrapped me in a hug tighter than any before, like she was making up for every time she missed one.

  Her shoulders shook with her stuttering breathing, as I heard small gasps and repressed sobs coming from her. Her head only came up to my chest, yet I knew I was the one being held. I felt small again, like every time I had fallen asleep in her lap, or each moment where I’d gotten a scrape, and she kissed it to make it better. Tears started to flow.

  My memories, my emotions, my grief, all of it weighed on me like a stone. One that sank me to my knees on the tiled floor of the only home I’d ever known. Miss Talia followed me down.

  Neither of us said anything for a few minutes. We just sat in the sadness, letting it pass through us before we talked. Eventually, Miss Talia shed enough tears that she could speak again. “I’ve been far too selfish for far too long.” Her voice started to tremble again, “I made you a promise, but I was always dragging my feet, convinced things could stay just as they were. Now look where we are.” She sniffed, and held me even closer. “I have to turn you over to the first strangers who come looking for a Demibeast child, just to keep you safe.”

  At that moment, everything made sense. She was never worried about what would happen to her if I was found out. I felt the context of my entire life being rewritten. Every moment I wanted her to give me up. Every time I felt like a burden to her. All of it condensed into a spike piercing my heart. The pain was unbearable.

  “I…” I held her as tight as she held me, claws be damned. I knew I would never hurt her. I couldn’t hurt her. “I’m so sorry, Miss Talia.”

  “Please, dear…” She sat up straight, and pulled my face into her shoulder. “For both our sakes, speak your heart.”

  I started to sob. Then, for the first time in my life, I said what I felt. “I’m so sorry mom!”

  I don’t know how long I cried into her shoulder. I finally crossed the last gap, and it didn’t matter. I’d still be leaving tomorrow.

  -----------------

  I stood in the doorway, my meager belongings in a cloth sack slung over my back, and my new “parents” behind me on either side. The other nine children stood by Miss Talia–no, mom, as I finished saying goodbye. Mine and hers were the only dry eyes I could see; we’d finished our share of crying last evening.

  Levi ran out from the crowd and almost tackled me to the floor. He grabbed me by the tunic and pressed his face into me, practically using me as a tissue. His heaving sobs subsided for a bit as he asked, “You’re…you’re gonna come visit, right?”

  I used my open hand to hold him by the shoulder. “Whenever I can.”

  I felt Patricia blindside me from the left, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Hey! If you get more time with him, then so do I!”

  The other kids started nodding in agreement. Quickly, more and more of them adhered to me, and wouldn’t let go. Very soon I was dragged to the floor by the sheer weight of the children’s affection, all of them trying to keep contact at once. It was adorable, moving, and suffocating all at once.

  Once I was nearly crushed, mom’s hand found mine in the melee and pulled me to safety against being stampeded. She steadied me with the help of Amanda, then turned around and scolded the other kids. “That’s no way to say goodbye! I know you’ll all miss him, but if you want him to leave in peace, then show him your best smile!” All of them stepped back inside, as mom turned back to me. She stepped forward, and looked me in the eyes. “Take care and be safe, my dear.” She wrapped a hand around my neck and forced me to bend down, so she could plant a final kiss on my cheek. “I love you.”

  I felt a reserve of tears I didn’t know I still had well up, but I kept them in check, to be a good example. “I love you too, mom.”

  She stepped back beyond the threshold, where the other kids did their best to put on a smile, despite puffy eyes and runny noses. All of them waved me farewell, as I turned around, and heard the door close behind me.

  I faced my new guardians, Gareth and Amanda, and asked simply, “So, what now?”

  Amanda answered. “Well, our wagon isn’t too far away. We were planning on leaving the city today, since we just purchased a new shipment of goods. Follow us.” Her and Gareth took their first few steps down the street, and I followed.

  Walking for about half an hour in complete silence, we arrived at the entrance to the middle ring of Ashval. The city was divided into three separate rings, outer, middle, and inner, the buildings and people getting more decadent the further in you went. Travel between the outer and middle rings was completely free, but if you wanted to enter the inner ring, where all the noble houses resided, along with the royal palace at the center, you needed an invitation from the king, or to be accompanied by a noble.

  The outer ring, where the orphanage was located, wasn’t as bad as the slums outside the city, but it was still fairly poor, with most of the people there being manual laborers or otherwise unskilled and uneducated.

  In between the two, the middle ring was where everything happened. Markets, guild houses, trading stalls, all of them lined every inch of the streets. People of all stripes bustled about, human and Demibeast alike. Guards milled about, wearing the royal crest on their breastplates, a shield with an open palm in the center, and carrying spears. Trying not to lose my guardians, we passed a group of robed clergymen who gave me the evil eye as I walked past.

  Eventually, Gareth turned around and said “Nearly there.” A few more minutes of walking, and we were at…the Exterminator’s guild?

  The large wooden building was three stories tall and booming with activity this early in the morning. Outside, I saw a cavalcade of different Demibeasts, all of them different kinds, donning their armor and weapons to prepare for their raids. Soon, they’d head down to the Labyrinth in teams, or if they were crazy enough, alone, and hunt the Lesser and Greater beasts that formed out of the aberrant mana there. Then they’d sell the Manacrystals left behind for profit, the bigger the better. It was incredibly dangerous, but it was the highest-paying job a Demibeast could hope for in this city, considering it was a job only Demibeasts would typically do. Magic is incredibly useful in a fight, and humans had no way of using it on their own.

  I got so lost in my musings that I accidentally bumped into someone. “Hey, watch it!”

  I recovered my senses and apologized immediately. “So sorry, I–” I took in the boy, about my age, standing in front of me. Prominent fangs stuck from his mouth, and he had white fur that ran from his hands and feet up to his elbows and knees. His hair was also white, with shocks of black running through it. He wore light leather armor, and had a dagger holstered on each hip. “Yeah you better be sorry, wimp.” His fur prickled with small arcs of lightning jumping between strands. He’s a demi-raiju, then. “Think you can take on an exterminator?” He pointed to the insignia on his breastplate, a crystal run through by a sword, marking him as a guild Exterminator.

  I stumbled over my words. “Oh no, of course not, I-I mean I did think about becoming one as a kid, but I just didn’t turn out strong enough to be one and–”

  “Sebastian!” I heard Amanda call out for me ahead.

  “Sorry, gotta go. It was nice meeting you though! I’ve never actually talked to an Exterminator before!”

  I ran through the crowd, leaving the Demibeast boy behind me as I caught up to Gareth and Amanda. They stood at the mouth of an alleyway a couple buildings down from the guildhall. Gareth explained “We park ourselves behind here to avoid fees. Come along.”

  He’s pretty nonchalant, I mused. Telling a kid they know nothing about how they avoid giving the king his dues might just be their way of fostering trust.

  The din of the main street got further away as we approached the back of the alley, which turned off to left and right. Amanda pointed down the right, “Our carriage is right there.” She gestured to me to go ahead.

  I sighed and heeded her words. As soon as I walked in front of them I clarified, “Just so you know, I’m not calling you mom and da–”

  I felt the splitting pain of a club hitting the back of my head.

  Everything went dark.