Free Jaded Touch (Vesper) by Nola Sarina Page A

paused as she let her gaze fall upon each of us in turn, “so does your food source.”
    Festus gave a little bow of understanding. As the eldest of the group, he spoke for all of us. “We promise our flawless service, Milady. Thank you for permitting some male muscle on this particular journey. My master takes any heightened security threat with the most solemn severity.”
    Vashni grinned, baring beautiful, white fangs, and her eyes darkened as she spoke of Levitiqas, her former lover. “I know he does. But it is not your muscle my Maids require, dear Gent. Rather, I’m relying on your keen observation of your surroundings, Festus, and Sychar’s glorious, unmatchable speed to whisk my Child to safety should any danger arise.”
    Festus twitched at the insult, but bowed once more. “Of course, Milady.”
    “Any news of the attack, or the perpetrators involved?”
    I listened carefully to Festus’ reply. Any information about it could help me protect Jack, if I could warn him of danger signs.
    “No, Milady. None. We haven’t found any trace of them. For all we know, they weren’t after us: just terrorists trying to cause a scene with a train.”
    “But your master Levitiqas disagrees.”
    Festus hesitated, and then nodded. “Yes. My master always fears the worst in every situation.”
    “A habit he came by through experience, not paranoia.” Vashni’s tone was warning of Festus to mind his manners and not grow complacent with our duties.
    Festus was quick to answer the unsaid warning. “Of course, Milady. Your servants trust his guidance, and yours.”
    I wondered if anyone else heard the hidden annoyance in his words, the way he had to force solemn obedience into his voice. Apparently, Sychar and I weren’t the only ones growing tired of the rules.
    Vashni stroked the top of her Child’s head once more and then flicked her wrist in the air. “Go,” she commanded, and off we went.
    It was a short, fast, exhilarating run through the dark forest to the edge of a clearing surrounding the back bay of the train station. All thirteen of our guard slid out of the shadows like ghosts – ten Maids, two Gents, and the Original Child. Hanging out of the bay was a string of pitch black train cars: the impermeable Defensor, crafted by hand long before I was born by Levi, Festus, and a handful of other Gents. Sychar often expressed longing that he wasn’t yet around when the Defensor was built. His skills as a blacksmith could have aided her creation, and the machine was such a vehicle of pride and black stealth that he wished he had contributed some of his technique.
    We went through the usual motions, though it was bizarre to have Festus lead us instead of Rachel. The driver was one of Festus’ favorites, and they shook hands while the Original Child picked three lesser train men – maintenance workers, rather than the all-important drivers – to accompany us on the journey. Two went up front with the driver, and one stayed in the passenger cabin with all of us to serve our needs until his life came to an end.
    We settled into the passenger car and arranged ourselves around the benches. The Original Child sat between Festus and Rachel. Though the machine was nearly unstoppable, if we came upon another explosion, she’d need protection. They were our strongest Vespers. Their bodies would shield hers, if it came down to that. I found a vacant bench in the far back corner, as far away from the other Maids as I could get, and hunkered down into the seat. I slouched back against the closed steel window and pulled my feet up so I was half-laying on the seat, pulled out my beading pouch and started on a new piece.
    I scowled internally that I didn’t have any more light jade beads, for I’d given Sychar the bracelet with the last ones. I’d have to get more. I settled on some aquamarine beads as the train chugged away. They weren’t quite the same color as Jack’s eyes, but they’d do for now.
    I must have been