The Dance Of Fire

Chapter 4.

Einar was sitting in his office deep in thought. Since he had returned from her apartment there was a feeling he couldn’t get rid of. Fear. She was scared. He could see it clearly in those dark eyes. But she wasn’t scared of him. It was something else. Someone else. His assistant came in. Bruce and he had worked together for longer than ten years. He would give him only the most discreet assignments and this was certainly one of them. He sat on the other side of his desk opening his folders.

-There isn’t a lot that I was able to gather in such a short time. I am still waiting for reports from other sources.-he spoke. Einar looked at his cold brown eyes. It was always like this between them. Pure business.

-Tell me what you have.-he asked. Bruce got comfortable in his chair, shifting between papers.

-No mention of parents. Her mother was a drug addict who died a couple of months after giving birth to her. Father unknown. She was put into children's homes. Switched between different foster parents and group homes since she was five. Never expressed any willingness to get adopted. The last foster home lasted for five years. She still keeps in contact with them. Go there every week to visit, which is kind of surprising since I have reports on them being not that great. During her childhood, she attended dance classes. Was really good at it. Good enough to win our scholarship to go to university. But after a leg injury, her dancing came to an end. She returned the scholarship willingly and became a teacher at her local dancing school. I have spoken to a couple of her instructors. They all had high hopes for her dancing career and feel sorry it ended before she even started to get professional. As I saw in the medical report, her right foot at the ankle was broken in two places. It happened on two different occasions in the span of one year. It was impossible to recover completely.-his voice was void of any emotions. Einar was silent. Still thinking about everything. He had no idea his company gave any scholarships at all. Just the idea that he could have met her a lot sooner made him feel angry.

-Personal information you have on her.-he asked in a loud voice. Bruce shifted in his seat.

-There isn’t much to go on. She just turned 21 last month. She has been living alone in her apartment since she was 18. Doesn’t have any visitors. Only has friends from work. Her neighbors reported a man visiting her from time to time. But the relationship seemed more friendly than being a boyfriend. It could be one of the kids she grew up with in the foster system. Reportedly, she is saving money to go to university. The only stable thing in her life was her old social worker. He is retired at the moment, but I can send someone to talk to him if you want. I'm not sure if he will say anything more than we already have.-he suggested. She seemed much younger than 21. He had felt it. After this, he had more questions than answers.

It's her, Bruce. I have felt it from the first moment I saw her.-he was so sure. Bruce took a deep breath.

-You have been searching for a long time now. If this is the girl, then we have to be careful. It is going to be just a matter of time before Araphel and his family feel her too.-he warned him. Einar was aware of it. But what could he do? She had refused to talk to him. She didn’t want to get close to him.

-Are we still doing that scholarship thing this year?-he asked. Bruce nodded his head.

-The committee is ready to make a decision next week.-he informed him. Einars' emerald eyes had an idea.

-Cancel the committee. This year I am making the decision. Contact her dancing school. I want them here for a meeting to represent their candidates this year. And make sure to bring their teachers with them. We will all have a nice meeting. Make it happen.- his plan was ready. He just had to get close to her. He was sure if she spent enough time with him she would feel it. She would not be able to stay away from him.

-The girl is already 21. Isn’t she supposed to know already?-Bruce didn’t understand what was happening. Einar thought the same. But something wasn’t right.

-She is too young. Schedule a meeting with her social worker. I want to know what happened to her.-Bruce stood up gathering his papers.

-I just hope we are not wasting time. I know that you have a feeling about it. And her name fits. But she should already know who she is.-he stayed with his opinion. Einar closed his eyes waiting for him to leave. He was sure. That was enough for him. Her name was Nahara. She loved to dance. It was like the past was alive one more time to bring him with her. It happened so long time ago. It felt like centuries. In some other world. In some other place.

He had been searching. Waiting. Until he returned to his home knowing that she was close. Feeling somehow that she would come to him. His search was over. His guards greeted him at the gate. He had been absent for months now. Tired of wandering. Tired of darkness he had to fight with. His second in command came to him when he stepped into the lobby.

-Einar, there is an escort of a princess asking for refuge and rest in your home. They are on their way home but seek two weeks' rest from their travels. They came recommended.-he informed him giving him a letter. Einar took the letter, reading it with a frown on his face. He had not seen the person writing for a long time. Shana never left her castle. Not since she joined the world of shadows.

-It came to my attention that my daughter Nahara needs rest after returning from one of our temples. Her travels have been long and I was informed by her teacher that she needed to have some time before being able to continue to our home. I kindly ask you to let her stay with you for a period of 2 weeks when I will send our army to come and escort her to our home. I would not put the safety of my daughter in any other hands. I trust in you to keep her safe if you welcome her into your home and show her the same kindness that you have shown me.-that was the entire letter. He took a deep breath knowing that it was best for him to refuse. He didn’t want to get involved with that family any longer. He crumpled the paper in his hands, feeling his peace leaving him.

-The princess with her escort is expected to arrive tomorrow. What should I tell them?-he was asked. Just the thought of having a member of Araphels family in his home was enough to wake the rage in his heart.

-Tell them they are refused from entering.-that was the only decision he was willing to make. The warrior bowed his head, leaving him alone. Shana had no right to ask favors from him. She had made her choices. He went upstairs to his chambers, throwing her letter in the fire. They were not friends anymore. Araphel took care of that. Taking off his dusty uniform, he washed his face and lay down on his bed. Looking for the much-needed rest.