Blue at Midnight Read Free Page B

  A group of Rourkes would make
it look like some sort of an accident. Only then can a child of Orsa live as a
human with no one to rule over them: they would be free. A child of Orsa had a
month to build this bond with a human otherwise after a month they would start
to age rapidly and within a year they would be facing death. Either they died
like this or they’d go back to Orsa, where failure was not accepted. It was their
duty to uphold the numbers and Cale knew Christian understood that.   
    The temperature
started to drop considerably and the night sky formed a blanket of darkness,
pierced by the twinkling of stars. Three hours before midnight.    Midnight was the hour of life as this was
the moment a sacrificed human would lose their soul and a child of Orsa would
redeem theirs.  

 
    It was now time to eat, otherwise known as ‘savoc’. It was a custom to
eat together, and if any of their kind were travelling through the area they
would join a local group for savoc. Savoc took place in the most colourful part
of the sea-bed where the magical colours of the coral reef swayed in
harmony.   Delicately the reef surrounded
the various sizes of natural stone, which had been carved and positioned to
form a vast dining space. In addition to this, you would be entertained by
music played on stringed instruments (the last remains of the damned
souls).    Myths of beautiful mer songs
sung by mer people were created by humans but the reality was the opposite. The
music was only fuelled by Orsa to spread harmony and tranquillity amongst their
world.    Amongst all the serenity Cale’s
patience with Christian was wearing thin.
    “What’s wrong? Why
aren’t you eating?” Christian was shocked. He wasn’t aware that Cale had been
watching him. Just how long had he been observing he thought? Paranoia followed
by panic was starting to crawl upon him like a deadly rash.  
    “The barsa fish
doesn’t taste like it usually does,” he responded, staring at his plate,
avoiding Cale’s stare. Before Cale had the chance to respond, he walked off,
agitated.
    Moving swiftly,
he tried to blend in with the others. As he was about to leave savoc he a felt
sudden chill as a heavy hand pressed into his shoulder. Even from behind, it
had the power to stop him cold. Taking a deep breath he composed his expression
then turned slowly, only to lock eyes with a tall, muscular man with a strong
jaw line, wearing a wooden expression and piercing emerald eyes.
    “In a hurry Christian?” asked Sebastian.
    “No. Just not hungry.” Sebastian glared at Christian suspiciously
before taking a step back and smiling.
    “Good, I would
like to introduce you to Lameer... an explorer from the easterly waters.” In
front of Christian stood a lean, slender Rourke, skin like sand and hair the
colour of chestnut, holding a strong posture, just like a typical soldier
thought Christian.   His movement was very
agile as he stepped forward and held his hand out to Christian.
    “Good to meet
you Christian.” Even though he seemed harmless Christian was confused by the
unnecessary force Lameer applied to the handshake. It almost seemed as if he
was challenging him. The two Rourkes stared deviously at each other before
Sebastian interrupted, ordering that a space for three be cleared for savoc.
    “I really should
leave; I need to get back to completing the Room of Rituals,” explained
Christian sternly. Sebastian would never let a soldier interrupt him and get
off so lightly but as it was for a task he had set, he nodded gently and
dismissed him. Rapidly, Christian walked off feeling a little wary. As he
looked behind curiously, his eyes caught a glimpse of Lameer who just happened
to be looking straight at him with a curious expression. Clearly there was more
to Lameer than meets the eye.

Chapter 6

 
    I’ve got everything I need: keys, debit card and phone.   One last look in the mirror, take a deep
breath and just walk out of the front