Under Fortunate Stars by Ren Hutchings

Author:Ren Hutchings
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fantasy
Publisher: Rebellion Publishing Ltd

ELDRIC

Sëgra City, Sëgra

11 years before the Rift

“Hello?” Eldric shouted as he unlocked the door to the Night Palace suite. He took off his shoes, shrugged off his jacket and hung it neatly over the back of a chair in the reception room. “Jerry? Hello? You home?”

The whole hotel was furnished to such an extravagant level of luxury that Eldric found it almost embarrassing. Their suite had four large connected rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a sweeping balcony with its breathtaking view over the entire city. When Eldric was here alone, the windows glittered with enough city lights to illuminate the entire reception room. But the heavy velvet curtains were drawn shut now; Jereth must’ve come home. The suite was seventy-nine storeys up, on the Night Palace’s most decadent floor, and Jereth had never much liked looking down from it. A terrible fear of heights, he said, ever since he was a child.

“Hello? Jerry? You here?”

There was still no answer, but Eldric heard shuffling footsteps around the corner, and then the faint echoes of laughter. At least two voices—a high, nasal giggle and a lower chuckle—and neither one of them was Jereth’s.

One of Jereth’s fancy shoes was lying in the middle of the reception room floor, and a few other unfamiliar items of clothing were scattered down the corridor, along with a trail of glitter confetti. Swearing softly, Eldric kicked the shoe aside. He had really hoped to find Jereth at home alone tonight.

Jereth had been out more than ever lately, staggering back at unpredictable hours and in unpredictable company. Last week, he’d brought over an obnoxiously loud socialite who’d spilled half her bottle of mint liqueur into the sofa. And a couple of days ago, Eldric had come home to find a mostly-naked man standing on the balcony, unapologetically smoking one of Eldric’s cigarettes.

Jereth’s bedroom door opened and he stumbled out, barefoot, auburn hair in disarray, wearing only his velvet housecoat. His face shone with sweat, and his pupils were unnaturally wide.

“Oh, hey, Leeg,” he mumbled, squinting at Eldric. “Why’re ya dressed up, you goin’ out?” His syllables all slurred together, like he’d forgotten how to pause between words.

“I’ve been gone for hours. I just got back,” Eldric said. He glanced over Jereth’s shoulder at the open door. “Can I talk to you for a minute? Or... you got someone over?”

Jereth closed his bedroom door behind him. “S’fine. We can talk. C’mon.” He walked out into the main room, stopping halfway to grab the back of the sofa for balance before he stumbled forward again and threw one arm around Eldric, staring into his face. “Y’all right, Leeg? Y’look... kinda freaked out. Where were ya?”

“With Dafnë,” Eldric said quietly. “She told me she loves me, Jerry.”

“Hah!” Jereth shook his head. “Wow! How about that, huh? Listen, I was jus’ about to mix up some drinks. Y’wanna drink? I’ll make you a good one. Jereth special.”

“Did you even hear what I said?”

“Yeah, yeah... she said she loves you.” Jereth laughed. “Don’t worry... it’ll be fine.

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