Night Watch I: Eliza, Ward of Andrew

*Eliza’s POV*

The Changing of the Guard ceremony had more pomp and circumstance than the Watch at Merry Willows, but that was no surprise. The Wild Ones were a much larger tribe, and their Watch was guarding the Soul of the Forest. I was very careful not to let my eyes linger on Andrew for too long. It would doubtless soon be readily apparent to all that I was not just a murdering exile, but a hybrid, and I wanted Andrew to be stigmatized as little as possible. I was afraid that others seeing me mooning after him like a lost puppy dog would negatively affect his career and social life. I wasn’t sure if he had been seeing men seriously or not since his partner’s death, but I didn’t want to make him a laughing stock and ruin his chances if he was. Andrew was really fucking charismatic, though, standing at attention on the Podium, even if he was bored out of his mind.

Once the ceremony concluded, Andrew walked over, smiling. “I was thinking I could introduce you to-“ I tuned him out when I felt an old, familiar feeling I hadn’t felt in a few years, start keening in my head. A very faint whining, like a tuning fork. I knew Andrew wouldn’t be able to feel it. Shit! I held up a hand and looked around me quickly for the source... couldn’t be far. What the fuck were the odds!

“Andrew, I need a moment, you must trust me.” He wasn’t really the type to fall silent, but he must have seen the look on my face, as he started scanning around us as well. Andrew didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, but I had found what I was looking for: a dark-haired man was approaching with his hands held up. He was about 20 feet away.

“Andrew,” said the man, “your ward is concerned about me. Will you vouch for my good intentions? I wish to approach her peacefully.” He paused and waited. My stomach gurgled and I felt the onset of a mild headache. I kept my eyes on the man. He had the shadowy wings of the black witch moth, and tiny antlers. Of course, to me, he stank, and made me feel ill. But his face was serene and sincere.

Andrew was clearly confused, but a fast learner and did not hesitate. “Eliza, this is Jinxx. He is a member of the Dusk Watch. He traveled here from another tribe and joined the Wild Ones about a year ago. He has saved several lives, he is a brave soldier. I believe Jinxx if he says he has good intentions, but I will kill him if I am wrong he tries to harm you.” I got little butterflies at Andrew's protective words.

Jinxx made a face. “What the fuck, Andrew?”

Andrew got defensive. “So just don’t try and hurt Eliza and you’ll be fine, shit! Like I said, I think he’s a good guy.” Andrew snorted, irritated.

I quickly considered my options. Only Jinxx and I knew the stakes. Neither one of us knew the others' true intentions. It was then, for one of the very, very few times in my life, I was grateful for my mother’s wretched lessons.

Notes

drama!