The Inheritance Book 1

Ch 10 Janey Cat: Averi Ann Matthews [Wednesday Morning, Week One]

The invigorating scent of pine trees filled the morning air. Billowing white clouds swirled like cream in the bright blue sky. Warm slices of sunlight peeked through the trees. The perfect day to be outside.

For most kids, anyway. Averi hated the sun. Her mom had had 27 skin cancers. And Averi had the exact same skin type. That was one of the reasons they were leaving Florida--to escape the sun. But daytime outdoor activities were required here, so she came prepared.

Averi tied the floral sash of her big floppy straw hat under her chin and slipped into her long-sleeved sun jacket. This morning's activities were going to be cornhole and badminton, and Averi already knew she was going to suck at both.

She waited in the shade of the field house patio, dreading her turn. Once again, Allora was nowhere to be seen. As Averi understood it, the purpose for bringing them all to the castle was so Allora could get to know them, but she was hardly ever around, except for meals and meetings.

Miss Haversham was always there, though. Watching and taking notes. Reporting everything to Allora, from her perspective of course.

So which one of them, in reality then, would be choosing the heir?

Coach Lennox beeped at Averi with his whistle. "Hustle on over to court one," he barked. "You're playing against Mirabelle."

Averi pulled her jacket sleeves down over her hands and stepped out into the deadly sunlight. Mirabelle was waiting for her, impatiently smacking the badminton racquet against her palm.

The hat shielded Averi's face from the damaging rays, but it also shielded her eyes from seeing the little thingy that they were supposed to be hitting back and forth. Mirabelle won quickly and easily. Averi didn't even care.

"Good game," Mirabelle said happily. She unwrapped a Lifesaver and popped it into her mouth. "Let's go get a drink."

"Okay." Averi would rather do three hours of math homework than endure ten minutes of smalltalk, but felt weirdly obligated to hang out with Mirabelle since all the other kids were still playing.

As they walked across the grass to the drinking fountains at the pool-field house, Mirabelle gave her a bunch of badminton advice, which was pretty funny since Mirabelle was no expert and had probably never even played the game until today.

Averi barely listened to her. She was enjoying the visual interest of the pool-field house.

It was built to look like a small stony mountain. On the pool side, there were patches of green plants and tropical-looking flowers here and there that seemed to be growing right out of the cracks. It blended in seamlessly with the rock waterfall feature of the pool. On the side facing the sports courts and fields, the covered patio felt kind of like a tranquil cave. Or, it would have felt tranquil to Averi under other circumstances.

By the time they got to the drinking fountain, Mirabelle was done lecturing about how to swing the racquet. She seemed to be waiting for Averi to take a turn talking. To avoid it, she took a very long drink. But she couldn't gulp water forever, and Mirabelle just kept waiting.

Under the all-too-familiar agonizing stress of having no idea what to say, she searched around for ideas.

At the far end of the field, an older teen was driving a lawnmower. Averi had never seen him before. He had messy, dishwater-blonde hair, and wore jeans, work boots and a green tank top that revealed lean muscles and a golden tan. Bingo! She had her conversation starter.

"I wonder who that is?" Averi said.

Mirabelle followed Averi's eyes. Her expression changed. "Hmmmm. Very good question. We still have time before our cornhole game, so I'm gonna try to find out." Mirabelle chomped on another Lifesaver. "See ya later."

"Bye." Averi called after her, relieved. Smalltalk suffering over....for now.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something moving in the garden. The silvery-white face of Janey Cat appeared among the bluebells.

Cats were her favorite animal and she had been begging her parents for one forever. She bent down and held out her hand.

"Well hello pretty kitty," she crooned, and moved closer so she could pet its silky white fur.

"Miss Matthews!" Miss Haversham snapped, from out of nowhere. "What did I say about Janey Cat? She doesn't like being touched. She'll scratch you if you get too close."

Averi dropped her hand and stood up, even though she didn't know if she believed her. Miss Haversham seemed more likely to scratch her than the cat.

Janey Cat turned its face up to look at Averi. She was a beautiful kitty with the most striking blue eyes. She sensed something very unique about the cat, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. After one last look, the cat meandered off in the direction of the badminton court.

"Averi! You're up next. Cornhole against Graehm," Coach Lennox shouted.

Averi sighed, straightened her sun hat and headed over. At least she would be playing with Graehm. Her extra efforts to be friendly to him were paying off. He was going to teach her to play chess during free time this afternoon. It would be out of her comfort zone, but if she made an ally, it would be worth the pain.