Aurora Peppermint - Beneath the Scales

Published by

H ARMONY I NK P RESS

5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA

publisher@harmonyinkpress.com http://harmonyinkpress.com

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Beneath the Scales

2015 Aurora Peppermint.

Cover Art

2015 Anne Cain.

annecain.art@gmail.com

Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Harmony Ink Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or publisher@harmonyinkpress.com.

ISBN: 978-1-63476-067-6

Digital ISBN: 978-1-63476-069-0

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015905057

First Edition July 2015

Printed in the United States of America

This paper meets the requirements of

ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (Permanence of Paper).

This book is dedicated to Anna, for always listening to me complain about nothing and for always, always, being far more encouraging than I could have possibly deserved. Youre the best, doll.

M ARTUS RAN a hand lazily through his hair, then trailed his palm down to rub at his eyes, and finally let his arm flop onto the bed beside him. It was light out already, and he had to get up, but he was going to postpone waking fully as long as possible, just as he did every morning.

In his life, Martus had been punched in the stomach quite a few times, and the feeling was very familiar. When he opened his eyes he expected to see an angry ex-lover or lovers ex, but instead his curly haired little sister was beaming down at him.

Mar! Up, up, up! You promised youd take me with you today! Member? Bright eyes peered down into his, and Martus easily threw an arm around the small girl and pulled her off his stomach, mindful of her head when he plopped her down on the wood floor beside him.

Yes , Elsaben. Shh. Pulling a pillow over his face for a moment, Martus heaved a loud sigh, then tossed the pillow to the side and sat up. Wh A yawn cut his question off, and his eyes wrinkled shut for a moment. Where dyou want to go, darling?

I want to go wherever you go, Mar! Elsaben grinned, flopping on her stomach to grope under his bed before standing triumphantly with a bent stick in her small hand. You have my sa-word! Martus couldnt help laughing at that, ruffling his little sisters hair and standing up.

All right, then, little warrior, get dressed. As he spoke, Martus tugged on his shirt and went looking for his day pants. The siblings didnt have much since their parents died, but Martus always made sure his little sister had the basic necessitiesclothes, food, water, something that could at least pass for a houseand a little more when he could manage it.

Bet Ill be ready quicker than you! With that, Elsaben was out the door and hurrying down the stairs, hair flying out behind her. It would have to be cut soon, and she was getting to the age where she wasnt overly fond of Martuss styling. Before the fire had taken them, his parents had been lenient with their son, and he had cut his own hair from a very young age. However, that did mean hed gotten very used to dealing with boys hair, rather than girls.

Once hed tugged on his trousers and jacket, Martus stood in front of the mirror for a moment. His jacket was getting shabbynot a surprise since it had been his fathers. His own dark hair had been cut recently enough, but the stubble on his cheeks and jaw was steadily growing into a real beard. He would have to keep an eye out for a razor on their excursion today, and some shaving soap.

Mar! Martus snapped his eyes away from his reflection when he heard his sisters whine. She thundered up the stairs and burst into her brothers room. Im ready! What are you doing? Why do you always have to stare at yourself like that?

A gentleman must always look his best, my dear. In one fluid motion, Martus scooped Elsaben up in his arms and placed her atop his shoulders. Now, I believe you mentioned wanting to go out? Despite his smirk, he looked lovingly at Elsaben as she rested her chin on top of his head, small fingers digging into his neck. Which we shant be able to do if you strangle me, little one.

Sorry. Can we get sweets? Please, Mar? I havent had chocolate in years . She sighed dramatically, drumming her fingers on the sides of his face impatiently.

You havent even been alive for years, Elsaben. I got you chocolate last week. He glanced up to see her pouting and frowned a little. Ill do what I can, all right? Chocolate is expensive, and most people eat it as soon as they get it, so its also hard for me to snag. But, if the princess desires it, I may be able to do something.

With that, they were out of the house and on their way down the road. Altonswood was a poor enough town, and there were certainly abandoned buildings within the city itself, but that didnt mean they were safe. The crime within the city was something you could not only easily see, butif you had the kind of experience Martus didalso smell and taste the second you stepped foot through the gates.

No, the house they were staying in now was safe from all that nonsense. Martus needed it to be, especially considering how young Elsaben was. She may well have known about the brothels and gambling houses within the city, but that hardly meant she had to be exposed to them personally.

Whatre we doing today, Mar? Blinking himself away from his thoughts, Martus glanced up at his little sisters grinning face and let a smile overtake his countenance.

Well, little miss, I was thinking we ought to snag some food for tonight, maybe visit a few friends down at the pub, do some shopping , and then Ill take you back home. Youve not had a bath in days, Martus pointed out with a shrug that caused the girl upon his shoulders to bounce and then giggle, as she gripped his chin firmly.

But, Mar, I dont wanna take a bath! We dont have the proper sorts of magick for it, anyway! Mummy and Daddy never got to finish teaching you. When Martus glanced up at her, a frown had wrinkled her face, and Martus sighed, lifting her so he could sit her on his hip rather than his shoulders.

Im sorry, El. You know Ive been learning as best I can, and teaching you everything I learn, but its hard to find people thatll teach someone whos not got any parents, any money, or anything really valuable. Offering her a wry smile, Martus straightened up when they got to the gate. Smoothly, he brought the hand not holding on to his sisters waist up to his lips and whistled, loud and clear.