"Who's that?" Jace asked as he walked in the door. He pointed to the newcomer to the house. He was a middle aged man with attentive brown eyes and short blond hair. His battle worn armor leaned against the wall. He wore dark grey trousers and a black shirt. His jacket was knee length and a darker grey than his pants. Jace could easily see nine pockets in the jacket. Some obviously held stuff while others appeared to be empty.

"He's the captain of the guard and mom's boyfriend," Vadanya explained dully.

Jace glanced from her to him and back again. He remained silent. Okay, why is here now? "That was slightly unhelpful."

Vadanya glanced at him. The slightest hint of anger flashed in her eyes, "What else did you want me to tell you?"

"His name would be nice," Jace muttered.

"Kylle," he smiled warmly at Jace. Jace glanced at him and quickly identified the falseness of it. "You're a little smaller than I expected. It looks like you can't even lift a sword." Jace glared at him. He bit his tongue instead of speaking. They're gonna think I'm crazy. He sighed, "Whatever."

"Is he always like this?" Kylle asked.

Vadanya nodded, "Pretty much."

Jace glanced at her, "No."

Vadanya ignored him.

Kylle looked Jordyn over, "A swordsman huh?"

Jordyn nodded, "Yeah."

Wow, a kid that's actually good for something. "How long have you been practicing?"

"A while," Jordyn nodded, "I'm teaching Jace now." He ruffled his little brother's hair.

Jace ignored him and studied his feet. This sucks. Why does everyone only ever see worth in Jordyn? Why does being able to use a weapon dictate one's place in this world? Why can't I just…I don't know. Never mind. Whatever. Jace shook his head.

Orriyon smiled, "Hi, Jace."

Jace glanced at her, "Hey." He didn't bother focusing on his sister's corresponding voices in his head. Instead he studied Kylle. He was talking to Jordyn about swordplay. This kid is good. I wonder who taught him. He should join the city guard and hopefully he'll be able to toughen up his little brother. That would be even better. Have them both join the city guard.

Jace stared dully at the plate sitting in front of him.

"You should eat," Kylle suggested, "Get some meat on your bones."

Jace glanced up at him, "Actually I'm not hungry."

His mother looked at him, "Eat. You are not leaving this table until you do."

"Would you lay off?" Jace snapped suddenly, "Quit trying to impress your new boyfriend. I don't care."

Kylle's eyes widened significantly.

His mother stared at him, "What?"

Jace swallowed and shrank against the back of the chair, "Never mind." He stared at the plate. That was dumb. Why'd I do that? My life is going to suck for a while. I managed to make Mom mad and I made a bad impression on Kylle. Awesome. Just screw everything up while you're at it. Jace glanced up tentatively. His gaze quickly returned to the plate in front of him. He quickly faded into the background. Vadanya and Orriyon were playing cards on the floor while his mother watched. Kylle and Jordyn were sitting on the couch talking about swords. Jace waited until he was no longer being paid attention to at all. He slid through the kitchen and upstairs. I really messed up this time. He sat on his bed and stared out the window.

"Jace," Jordyn knocked softly and hesitantly on his door. He swallowed, "Mom wants you downstairs."

Jace stared out the window and pretended not to hear him.

"Um, Jace, Mom wants you now."

Jace growled, "Tell her I'm coming in a second."

Jordyn sighed, "By the way Kylle's basically living here now. Mom says that if you lash out like that again then you'll be in more trouble than you can imagine." His brother walked away.

Jace sighed and studied the horizon, "Like I needed any help coming up with a worst case scenario." He slowly got to his feet and walked out his bedroom door.

I'm actually kind of worried. He's never been in his room this much. Jace recognized Jordyn. He stared at the ground as he walked as slowly as he could down the stairs.

"Jace," his mother said once she saw him.

Jace stopped walking and stared at the ground.

"Look at me," his mother ordered.

Jace looked at her but lifted his head as little as possible.

"Lift your head up," his mother said. Her voice held a false gentleness that was meant to disguise her anger.

Jace swallowed and lifted his head. I'm so dead. I'm deader than dead. She's gonna burn me to a crisp.

"I don't want to see you lash out like that again. Do you understand? If you do you will get more than just a gentle reminder."

Jace nodded. He could feel Kylle studying him but resisted the urge to look at the blond man.

It was incredibly rude. You're lucky your mother is so kind.

"Good," his mother nodded.

Jace clenched and unclenched his fists nervously. Is that it? He didn't dare ask out loud.

"You can go back to whatever you were doing then," she nodded.

Jace nodded and walked towards the stairs. Once he was sure they couldn't see him anymore his pace picked up. He shot into his room and slammed the door shut. Instantly he cringed.

"Jace!"

Jace opened it and slid back down the stairs, "Sorry. It wasn't supposed to slam like that."

"Then be more careful with it," his mother said.

Jace nodded.

"I expect you to go with your brother again tomorrow. You're going to spend your afternoons learning swordplay from him every day."

Jace nodded, "Okay."

"That's it."

He went back up to his room, closing the door quietly. I wouldn't exactly call Mom nice. She's a mother. Jace chuckled to himself. Maybe that was kind of mean. He walked over to the bookshelf that sat against the wall on his left side. His bed ran the length of the wall that had the window. A book shelf sat in the middle of either wall. The walls were a dull white. There was nothing on the floor. Anyone would have thought Jace was organized by looking at the room itself. The bookshelves sat exactly in the center of their respective walls. The bed was made and neat. Each side of the bed was the same distance from the right and left hand walls. The contents of the bookshelves however betrayed his lack of organization. Books were stacked on top of each other haphazardly and pulling out one book led to an avalanche. They were also stacked on top of the bookshelves in precariously balanced stacks.

Jace looked through the book shelf. He sighed disappointedly, "I don't remember where I put it. That one was actually interesting." I could try harder to look for it but then that'll create a giant mess of books that I'll never actually clean up. Then Mom really will destroy me. Jace glanced around, "Then again it might be in the living room. Everyone would've gone to bed by now anyway." I could just sit on the couch. The living room would have better lighting anyway. His gaze returned to the bookshelf, "Having something to do would be nice though." The book he wanted was in the middle of one of the stacks. Jace gritted his teeth, "This is gonna be difficult." He carefully started easing the book out of the stack. Don't fall. Don't fall. Please, don't fall. I don't want anyone coming up here because my books decided to attack me. Eventually he managed to get the book and left his room.

"What are you doing up at a time like this?"

Jace froze.

Kylle was sitting on the couch sharpening his sword. He watched Jace carefully.

Jace studied the ground, "Nothing." He slid back up to his room. So much for reading. Of course that's just my luck. He shows up and suddenly everything falls down a whirlpool. Mom's a control freak all of a sudden and I have to learn how to use swords? That's not fair. All to impress that dimwit? "I'll just stay in my room," Jace set the book on top of the bookshelf and sat on his bed, "I mean I've gone a couple days without sleep before."