bequests.’
I must be looking blank, because he says, ‘You know, humans who pass away leaving something for the Brothers in their will.’
I nod.
‘Well, these funds cover the costs incurred in the line of an angel’s work here. But I paid for my car and my house from my own accounts, which are all legitimate, Jordan, I assure you.’
‘I wasn’t accusing you of anything.’
‘I know.’
‘So you’re rich, huh? I have a wealthy cousin. Cool.’ I look up as we approach the first roundabout. I expect to feel the usual gear changes slowing us down, but he doesn’t change anything. ‘Mate, you’re not going to be able to take the curve at this …
Whooooah!
’ I grip the edges of my seat while he power-slides through the turn. As he accelerates out, thunder rumbles under my feet. ‘Dude, for someone who didn’t grow up surrounded by technology you’re not doing too badly.’
But it’s still amazing we haven’t hit anything!
He smiles to himself, obviously hearing my last thought. I try to stop thinking so loudly and look out of the window instead.
It’s not long before we’re heading up Mountain Way. Ilook at the landscape hurtling past without really seeing it. ‘Man, so your house really is inside the monastery grounds. I thought you were pulling my leg.’
‘I don’t pull legs, Jordan.’
‘Ha ha. So do I have to share a room with one?’
‘With a Brother?’
I nod.
‘Your new home may be inside the monastery grounds but it’s nowhere near the Brothers’ quarters.’
‘Ohhh! That’s a relief. So why do you live there?’
‘The monastery grounds are much larger than you’re imagining, with thousands of hectares of forest that stretch across the entire northern end of the ridge. My house is on the east side, and a river runs between it and the buildings the Brothers inhabit. I had the house constructed inside their domain for two important reasons. One is to protect Ebrielle. She will be safe to wander the grounds as she pleases while she’s training.’
‘And the other?’
‘The house is near the Crossing.’
‘Really? OK.’
‘Feel better now?’
I laugh to cover my intense relief. ‘More than you could know.’
He frowns and I hurry to distract him from reading my memories. ‘Still, do we have to go now? I’ve been cooped up in a hospital bed for a whole week. I wouldn’t mind catching up with some friends.’
‘We don’t have time for distractions, Jordan,’ he answers cautiously. He’s on to me; I know it. ‘We need to makethe most of your school break. Today you will settle into your new home. Tomorrow you will begin training in unarmed combat and I will show you the entrance to the Crossing.’
‘OK.’
While looking straight ahead, he continues poking around in my head.
‘Will you stop that?’
‘You’ve been to the monastery before.’
Aw, man. I groan loudly. What’s the point? Until I learn how to stop him he’s going to know whatever I’m thinking! ‘OK, OK. One night last month I camped outside the monastery’s north boundary wall, but a couple of hours past midnight I swore I’d never return. That part of the forest is way creepy. And that’s why I didn’t want to go to your place. But since your house is on the east side, it should be fine, right?’
‘The monastery, the grounds and the house are all protected. You have nothing to fear. Now, would you mind elaborating on “creepy”?’
I shrug and glance out the window.
‘Jordan?’
‘Strange things happen in that northern end of the forest. Everyone knows not to go there after dark. We shouldn’t have ignored the rumours, that’s all.’
‘We?’
‘My mate Danny. We were looking for a place to camp after a long day hiking and it seemed like a good idea at the time.’
‘Even though you had heard rumours about the place?’
‘Yeah, well, we thought it was just an urban legend. The escarpment there is the highest point on the ridge and has the best views over
I must be looking blank, because he says, ‘You know, humans who pass away leaving something for the Brothers in their will.’
I nod.
‘Well, these funds cover the costs incurred in the line of an angel’s work here. But I paid for my car and my house from my own accounts, which are all legitimate, Jordan, I assure you.’
‘I wasn’t accusing you of anything.’
‘I know.’
‘So you’re rich, huh? I have a wealthy cousin. Cool.’ I look up as we approach the first roundabout. I expect to feel the usual gear changes slowing us down, but he doesn’t change anything. ‘Mate, you’re not going to be able to take the curve at this …
Whooooah!
’ I grip the edges of my seat while he power-slides through the turn. As he accelerates out, thunder rumbles under my feet. ‘Dude, for someone who didn’t grow up surrounded by technology you’re not doing too badly.’
But it’s still amazing we haven’t hit anything!
He smiles to himself, obviously hearing my last thought. I try to stop thinking so loudly and look out of the window instead.
It’s not long before we’re heading up Mountain Way. Ilook at the landscape hurtling past without really seeing it. ‘Man, so your house really is inside the monastery grounds. I thought you were pulling my leg.’
‘I don’t pull legs, Jordan.’
‘Ha ha. So do I have to share a room with one?’
‘With a Brother?’
I nod.
‘Your new home may be inside the monastery grounds but it’s nowhere near the Brothers’ quarters.’
‘Ohhh! That’s a relief. So why do you live there?’
‘The monastery grounds are much larger than you’re imagining, with thousands of hectares of forest that stretch across the entire northern end of the ridge. My house is on the east side, and a river runs between it and the buildings the Brothers inhabit. I had the house constructed inside their domain for two important reasons. One is to protect Ebrielle. She will be safe to wander the grounds as she pleases while she’s training.’
‘And the other?’
‘The house is near the Crossing.’
‘Really? OK.’
‘Feel better now?’
I laugh to cover my intense relief. ‘More than you could know.’
He frowns and I hurry to distract him from reading my memories. ‘Still, do we have to go now? I’ve been cooped up in a hospital bed for a whole week. I wouldn’t mind catching up with some friends.’
‘We don’t have time for distractions, Jordan,’ he answers cautiously. He’s on to me; I know it. ‘We need to makethe most of your school break. Today you will settle into your new home. Tomorrow you will begin training in unarmed combat and I will show you the entrance to the Crossing.’
‘OK.’
While looking straight ahead, he continues poking around in my head.
‘Will you stop that?’
‘You’ve been to the monastery before.’
Aw, man. I groan loudly. What’s the point? Until I learn how to stop him he’s going to know whatever I’m thinking! ‘OK, OK. One night last month I camped outside the monastery’s north boundary wall, but a couple of hours past midnight I swore I’d never return. That part of the forest is way creepy. And that’s why I didn’t want to go to your place. But since your house is on the east side, it should be fine, right?’
‘The monastery, the grounds and the house are all protected. You have nothing to fear. Now, would you mind elaborating on “creepy”?’
I shrug and glance out the window.
‘Jordan?’
‘Strange things happen in that northern end of the forest. Everyone knows not to go there after dark. We shouldn’t have ignored the rumours, that’s all.’
‘We?’
‘My mate Danny. We were looking for a place to camp after a long day hiking and it seemed like a good idea at the time.’
‘Even though you had heard rumours about the place?’
‘Yeah, well, we thought it was just an urban legend. The escarpment there is the highest point on the ridge and has the best views over
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