A/N: This is from a story that I haven't progressed much on called Clockwork Hearts, but I actually wrote this first chapter a while back while listening to Shatter Me, so I figured why not? Hope you enjoy! I may have to try to progress in this story now... Anyway, hope you enjoy!593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS28r0yfSo5
My master used to keep me locked up. He said it was for my own good. Now I wander around with the Flesh and blend in perfectly with them. My master told me that if they found out what I was I’d get hurt. I want to trust him, but sometimes I simply can’t. My master and I live in his manor. The people come and go constantly, like the steady trickle of a leaking pipe. Some stop by the manor for my master’s work. I knew almost everyone. I took one look at a face and recognized them, bringing their name, social class, and relations to my master to the surface. That’s why I found it odd when the two people stopped in and I didn’t recognize them.
“Who are you?” I asked the older of the two people, a girl around the age of sixteen.
“My name is Elmyra. This is my sister, Wren,” the girl- Elmyra- explained, gesturing at the other girl. I quickly stored that information in my database and asked another question.
“Why have you come to Ashmont Manor?” I tried asking this question with what my master had told me was my most pleasant smile.
“We’ve come to negotiate certain… aspects of The Mechanic’s business,” Elmyra responded, brushing a stray strand of her blonde hair from her face.
“Of course, he will be pleased to see you. This way,” I responded, turning to escort Elmyra and Wren upstairs, where my master’s study resided. I felt them about three feet behind me, following. Wren still hadn’t removed the hood she was wearing the entire time. I couldn’t see her face clearly. We got to the landing and I took a left, like so many times before, but this time I felt as though something was wrong. I led them to the study and tapped the door twice.
“You may enter, Hex,” my master’s voice rumbled from behind the door. I opened the door and ushered Elmyra and her sister into the study. The study was large, with a desk made of red oak and bookshelves of the same wood on either side against the walls. In one corner, a table was stacked with books had been placed with a wingback chair for me to read and write.
My master was seated at his desk, his robotic arm resting on the desk. He had lost an arm when he fought in the war, and had replaced it with his own work. He had also made me after the war, to replace his daughter. She had been murdered by the machines, so he took parts of her and made me. I didn’t feel replaceable though. My master protected me and kept me from the Flesh.
“Hex, my dear, go fetch some tea for our guests,” my master told me. I nodded obediently and curtsied before turning and leaving. I hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen.
“The master would like tea,” I called to Anne, the rosy cheeked girl that worked in the kitchens. She smiled and set about boiling the water in one of the copper kettles. A few minutes later, the kettle was shrieking and Anne was pouring the hot water into the delicate china teacups before setting them on the silver tray. She set the sugar, cream, and milk onto the tray and slid it towards me.
“Be off, little dove,” Anne called, and I went straight back up to the study. When I got there, I heard an unrecognizable voice coming from the door. I pushed it open and set the tray on the desk. My master was listening to Wren.
“Keeping her here is too risky. Madame Garret would protect her. We could train her. I’m the top of my class in anything to do with training and defense,” Wren was saying. She had dark hair that fell down her back. She had removed the hood that had obscured her face. She had a strong jaw and an overall pretty face, but wasn't smiling. Elmyra sat there, biting her lip and watching my master and her sister argue.
“I’ll let you train her, but you are not to put Hex in a position in which she might be harmed by judgmental Flesh,” my master said, addressing Elmyra.
“I am certain that everyone that is human will welcome her,” Elmyra responded, accenting the word “human.” I glanced between the three other people in the study.
“What’s happening?” I asked, confusion muddling my thoughts.
“You are going to leave with these girls. They are going to keep you safe. I have to focus on my business,” my master explained. “You will join Garret’s Institution and train there.”
“An institute? But I don’t want to go to an institution! I already have the education and etiquette that Flesh need,” I said.
“It’s not a typical institution. This place teaches you skills you would need it you were to… need to assassinate someone… hypothetically, of course,” Wren said.
“Wren, we are explaining this to someone that may not enjoy violence. Reconsider how you describe it, please,” Elmyra muttered to her sister, but I had already begun smiling.
“When do I leave?” I asked.593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLZHQXZOLM
A/N: This is only the first chapter, so it kind of just ends without any conclusion, but I still hope you enjoyed it! Thanks! Also any feedback would be appreciated. And I might try co-writing for this story if anyone is interested! 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmw6xjBfMO
Thanks lovlies!
-EnnaStark593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAnZV6ELJb
