TWENTY-FIVE – GREGORY
We walk in and find our father in his office. On the way I passed Rose and requested a bath and that I will be headed up in about ten minutes. She grumbled but headed towards the water heater, saying something about me being fussy and bathing too much.
Once in the office, I started it on what we came here for. No point wasting any time, “Evening father, I just heard some terrible news in town. Did you hear about Den’s cousin being murdered?”
“Hi boys, I did. I was actually just at his house.”
So, he admits it, “Oh yeah, how is he doing? He wasn’t doing too good when I saw him leaving the tavern.”
“He will be fine. You know they weren’t very close, after his cousin moved so far away. It’ll probably take a day or so for the shock to wear off, then I think he will be back to the Den we know and love. Stann seemed to be more upset about it.”
“I noticed that too,” I say, “When I saw him, he looked ready to murder someone right back.”
Father shakes his head slightly, “He likely would, if they found the person. Which it looks like they might.” Oh shit, this doesn’t look good.
Grant saves me from having to speak next, “That right? Please tell me the murderer is not in town?”
“I don’t think so, when I was over, they were packing up their travel gear. Stann told me they are headed to Westhaven.” A stroke of luck. I sigh out, “Thank god,” then catch myself and add, “People would have a hard time sleeping if they thought a killer was lurking around town, especially with the market this weekend.”
“I said the same thing. They are leaving in the morning, so I don’t suspect any trouble.” Relief washes over me, I didn’t expect them to leave so soon. Thank god.
“Did they tell you anything about the killer?” Grant asks.
“Only that it was a woman and that she is dangerous.”
“I hope justice is served,” I have all the information I need, so I make my excuse, “I am going to head upstairs, I need to take a bath.”
“So soon?” Grant asks, looking like he wants to stop me.
“Yes, I have had a long day and I want to clean up before dinner. I will come find you later?”
“Alright.” I fight to walk normally out of the room, I am so excited to tell Ash the good news. We don’t have to worry anymore. When I am out of view, I start sprinting. I hurdle myself up the stairs and into my room. She is already deep in the bathtub and the view is spectacular.
She turns her head to look at me when I burst in, I can just barely see the tips of her breasts sticking up in the water. She has her legs bent and she looks to be fully enjoying herself.
“What did you find out?”
“They are leaving town, headed to Westhaven in the morning.”
“Really?” She sits up, excited.
“Yes! I can’t believe we got so lucky. Can I join you?” She nods a yes, and I quickly strip my clothes. Her eyes immediately focus on my raging erection and I find myself apologizing, “I can’t seem to keep him down whenever you are near.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Do you mind if our bath, stays just a bath? I am not in the mood for anything more right now, my head is swimming with thoughts.” I settle in behind her and say, “Of course.” She leans her head back on my and starts threading her fingers through the water, making tiny waves.
“What if they come back?”
“We have to hope that they won’t.”
“I don’t think I can do that. I am filled with so much fear. When they attacked, we weren’t doing anything to deserve it. We were only living together. It was normal and all of us were good. None of us were dangerous or using our skills for evil, but they still attacked. I have no idea how they even found us and I can’t do anything to stop that happening again.”
“You will probably never know, but they won’t find us. We will be careful.”
“Maybe.” Her fingers continue their lazy dance over the water. I lay there, holding her and watching her. At some point, she starts to cry, her body shakes with each sob. I hold her and let her cry.
“Some of the shifters had children, you know? They were harmless. None of them had any powers, but I bet they were killed with all the others. The Ridders are monsters and it is not fair that they get to go around destroying lives, without consequence.”
“It’s just the way it is. There is nothing we can do to stop them or change things.” This only makes her cry more, but it is the truth. There are too many Ridders, it would be impossible to combat them.
“I want revenge. I hate them and want all of them to suffer.”
“No. Ash. You can’t think like that. Some of them are products of their environment. They were raised to think this way and they aren’t even aware they are doing anything wrong. If you blindly hate them, you lower yourself to their level.”
“It’s all wrong. I wish they would just leave us be.” She rolls over and lays her front on my chest. I reach up and run my fingers through her red-blonde locks. She is still crying and now, I stay quiet. I will let her grieve in peace and hold her, so she can feel the full embrace of my love.
We stay like this for a while, long enough for the bath to start to chill. “Ash, let’s get out, the bath is getting cold.”
“Yes, to bed. I am so tired.”
“Not yet,” I chuckle, “We need to eat dinner and talk to Grant.”
“Why? There is no more danger and I am too tired to eat anything.” She hasn’t even bothered to open her eyes. “I can see that. I will talk to Grant, let’s get you tucked into bed. Can you stand up?”
“Uh-huh.” She rises so slow, it’s comical. When she is up, I dry her off quickly with a towel then carry her to bed. I pile the blankets on top of her, then kiss her forehead, “Sleep tight my love, I will join you shortly.”
“Hurry back,” and she is asleep. I could stare at her sleeping form for hours but the sooner I leave, the faster I can be back.
Grant is down in the dining room and he is alone. He is close to finishing eating, so I sit next to him and dig into the spread. Dinner looks divine tonight, mom and Rose outdid themselves. There are venison, potatoes and a whole slew of other cooked vegetables. “Greg, this seems too easy.”
“We lucked out. Ted obviously didn’t see Ash as a threat, if he is leaving so soon.”
“I guess. What do you think pulled them to Westhaven?”
“Hopefully not another group of shifters. I’d hate to hear about another mass killing.”
“What if it was a false lead and they come back here anyway? It will happen eventually. Den and Stann still live here. Not to mention, father.”
“We will be discreet. They won’t find out.”
“I guess we’ll see when the time comes. At least there is nothing immediate to worry about. I am looking forward to sleep tonight.”
I finished my plate, “Me too. Ash is already asleep, I am eager to join her.”
“That’s at least something positive that came out of this, you found her.” He gets up to leave, and places his hand on my shoulder, “I hope you are right and all the trouble is behind us. Goodnight, brother.”
“Goodnight, Grant.”
I help myself to a bit of dessert, then take my leave. There is a spring in my step, thinking of falling asleep with her in my arms.