Bell - The Culling (Book 1): Splinter Skill

Splinter Skill

by A. C. Bell

2018 A. C. Bell

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1 Blissfully Oblivious

Adeline Parker?

I looked up from my lap, where I had my hands tightly clasped together. Thats me.

The admission woman offered a reassuring smile and stepped aside to hold her door open with her back. Come on in.

I smiled and slung my purse onto my shoulder and crossed the hall to her office. Inside, the sterile smell you find in most government buildings was replaced by the pleasant scent of lilacs from a candle on her desk. I waited for her to shut the door and then extended a hand to her, which she shook. Her skin looked unbelievably pale compared to the golden complexion Id inherited from my mothers Egyptian roots.

Its nice to meet you, I said in an overtly bubbly manner that I hoped hid my nerves.

You as well, Ms. Parker. My name is Felicia Spinet, she said as she sat behind her desk. Her red curls bounced as she did so. I anxiously set my rump on the end of the chair across from her. I know this is a little unusual, but I wanted to talk about your application to our academy.

Yeah, I was surprised to hear back from you guys so soon. I didnt realize early admission was a thing in law enforcement. I havent even taken my entrance exams yet. This isnt because of... well, I shifted awkwardly in my seat. I didnt want to seem ungrateful, but at the same time, I didnt want to receive any unearned shortcuts. Its not about my dad is it?

Mrs. Spinet smiled. This isnt because of your father. Your name did put you on our radar because of him, but its you we like. Weve received glowing recommendations from both your high school teachers and your college professors. You have several qualifications that some of our other applicants dont since we dont require applicants to take criminal justice courses in high school. We think you would be a wonderful fit in our academy.

My nerves began to ebb. Really?

Mhm. I did want to ask, though, why you waited so long to apply. I see that you took criminology, sociology, and psychology in high school and got top marks in physical education. It seems like you already wanted to apply, but instead you waited a year after graduation.

My mom and I got into a really bad fight about it, so I tried to find something else I wanted to do. The memory brought a frown to my lips. Mom and I didnt fight often and that fight had been particularly gnarly. I knew it would break her heart when she found out I was applying to the police academy. But even after a year, my major is still undecided because Ive tried not to do the one thing I feel like Im meant to do. So, here I am.

She smiled again. Unfortunately, we cant squeeze you into our Fall semester since our courses are already full, but if you pass your entrance exams and everything, we will have a slot ready for you starting in the Spring.

Warmth swelled in my chest and I beamed. After the meeting, I found myself in the hall, still grinning like an idiot. In the main lobby, I passed a memorial wall for officers lost in the line of duty. Fourth from the left, I found Dads portrait.

My nose tingled as emotion swept through me and I blinked a few times to stop the tears from coming. I fondly fingered the glinting silver badge on his chest in the photo. His shield. His blue eyes, which Id inherited, shone with pride and joy, so happy to be in uniform. I smiled sadly. Just maybe, this time next year, I would be taking a similar picture.

***

A knock at the door woke me the next morning. Nikki, my best friend, was already off in class. Once I was certain I hadn't imagined the obnoxious thumping, I began fumbling out of bed. The knock came again.

Coming, I grumbled.

I finally managed to flounder my way drowsily to the door, not bothering to turn on the light or tame my unruly mane of wavy black curls. It was barely 7:30. Who would dare disturb my sleep? I pulled the door open.

What do you want? I balked in surprise. No one was there. Hello?

I leaned into the hall and caught a glimpse of a figure turning the corner; Of his smooth black hair and absurdly wealthy wardrobe. The tail of his knee-length coat whipped around the corner after him. He didnt look at all familiar. Maybe hed realized he had the wrong room?

I moved to go after him to be sure when my toes bumped into something. My gaze shot down. A dark brown leather-bound book sat at my socked feet, a dark void on the nauseating carpet design in the dim morning light. I bent and picked it up, curiosity now tuning out my drowsiness. Why had this stranger left a book at my door? I hurried down the hall, my socks whispering softly across the carpet.

Wait, sir! I called out.

Scampering through the corridor, I spotted him sweeping through the lobby. The receptionist, typing something into her computer, paused as he passed, not oblivious to his good looks and wealthy attire. He headed for the main doors.

Sir? I called stopping at the opening into the lobby, the book still clutched in my hand.

A feeling of dj vu wisped through my mind as he turned toward me. Something about his sharp features and the laugh lines that framed his grey eyes... I had seen him before, but where? A smile lit his face, as strong and certain as his pale eyes. There was no doubt. For whatever reason, this book had been intended for me. He pushed the doors open into the morning sunlight without a word.

Confused and a bit dazed, I turned and ambled back to my room. The cover of the book was decorated with four small metal tablets in the center, each engraved with a decorative symbol. Staring in disbelief, I pulled a ring off the tiny nightstand below our window and held it in front of the book. A slim ruby was set in the center of a silver crescent moon, giving it the appearance of an elliptical eye. On the underside, a faint line could be seen where it had been resized. My father had left it to me, the only clue we had to the woman who had abandoned him as a baby.

The bottom right engraving on this book was the exact same as the ring. It could be a coincidence. The design was hardly intricate. A tickle in the back of my mind didnt believe that, though. I flipped open the cover and discovered an envelope the size of a playing card. Inside was tucked a note on a piece of thick white parchment, inscribed with three lines in fine penmanship:

If you want further information,

produce this token to the appropriate authority.

Underneath was an address. A token? I opened the manila envelope and emptied its contents into my hand. A strange coin fell into my palm. The same four emblems as on the cover of the book was printed into one side. I turned the cold metal over and found flower blooms sitting in a circle on a larger flower with many petals. I slumped into my chair, thinking as I stared at it. This all seemed very cloak and dagger. I flipped the card over to find three more words: Veritas numquam perit . My Latin was a little rustyand by rusty, I mean non-existentso I'd have to look up what that meant. What was all of this? I opened the book to the first page.

This is a translation of the journal of Xavier Cahn.

Germany, 1523-1529

Luckily, it had been translated into English. Why would a stranger leave a journal about someone from the 15th century? Curiosity burned in me, but I decided I should wait to start reading it until I would have more time, so I closed the book and set it in a drawer on the right side of the desk.