Chapter 31
 

 

 Faal had followed at a discrete distance as Ms. Foreman had led Lex off to the garage, then, with a sigh, slipped into his study and shut his eyes for a moment. “The woman is beyond intoxicating…” he said softly as he leaned back against the door for a moment.  He wanted to run over and turn on the video monitors…  wanted to see the expression on her face as she strolled through his garage and choose a car…

 

With a sigh, Faal pushed himself away from the door and moved to his desk, making a point at NOT turning the monitors on, or even glancing in their direction.  He needed to regain control and remain in control… Miranda had been right.

 

Lexine Mordant was a danger to him. She made him forget himself. .. made him lose control.  

Any being that could make a 1778 year old fae prince feel and act like a teenage mortal was incredibly dangerous. 

 

This, of course, only made him want her more.

 

He switched on his computer and focused on the task at hand.

 

Rowen Ravenscourt.

 

He’d known of the death curse and the boy’s obsession before hand, but since he had not known Lexine, it had not bothered him.  Now  however, things were different.

 

Lexine Mordant was his.

 

 He’d have to make sure Ravenscourt paid for being a hindrance. Thanks to him and his… ‘attentions’,  he now needed to wait. Faal Dominic was not a patient man. Especially when he wanted something.

 

And he couldn’t remember ever wanting anything as badly as he wanted this woman.

 

A soft chime alerted him to  an incoming message and he quickly read it, a slow smirk spreading over his face. He glanced at the time and made a few quick calculations in his head, then chuckled softly, shutting down the computer.

 

Perfect timing. Now he had something more enticing to occupy his mind and time as he waited for his date with Lexine.  Ravenscourt could wait a bit longer.

 

He opened a rift and slipped through,  quickly changing into the outfit that lay waiting for him, his mind already going over the hour ahead,  all images and thoughts of a certain red head pushed resolutely form his mind.

 

  

 

 
**        Chapter 32    **
 
 

Lex  closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the head rest,  the radio broadcasting one of the local stations turned low. Normally,  she’d have run off to a library or book store… some place where she could lose herself for a short time and not think about things.  Unfortunately, she NEEDED to think about things. And so here she was, parked in the gravel lot of a small park, sitting in her dream car and trying to force her thoughts into something at least approaching rational thought.

 

It wasn’t working.

 

Her thoughts kept bouncing, jumping from Jasmine and her betrayal, to kissing Faal, to being a girl, … to kissing Faal… Every now and then Rowen or Abadon would pop in the line up and she’d hiss in anger and frustration and force her mind back to the problems at hand.

 

She was crazy about Faal Dominic. Who just happened to be her Guardian and there fore, was already guaranteed a place in her life.  She couldn’t get the man out of her head. She wanted to be with him in a way that she’d never imagined feeling before. 

 

Problem number one .. her father couldn’t stand him and despite his  sudden seeming change of heart on the subject, Lex doubted that had really changed.

 

Problem number two…  she’d only known Faal a couple days… the last time she’d jumped into a relationship that fast.. well… it was something she’d never stopped and probably never would stop regretting.

 

Problem number three… a very large part of her wanted him badly enough it was willing to risk everything to be with him… even if it meant getting her heart broken again…

 

Problem number three was probably the biggest one and the one that had held her back from letting things go further back at the house.

 

It was the one that scared her to death. She’d taken all the self defense courses she could, then moved on to combat and weapons training, so that she’d never have to find herself in the position of feeling weak and  lost… of feeling trapped  and victimized… she never wanted to feel any of those things again….

 

But Faal made her feel weak and lost … and some how, when he made her feel that way… it felt good.  Would things happen so that she found herself feeling trapped by him as well? Or worse?

 

Lex sighed and rolled her head to the side to glance out the window at the kids playing on the playground at the far end of the parking lot.

 

And worse yet… what if she enjoyed feeling those things with him too?

 

She gave a soft whimper and pulled her knees up, wedging herself behind the steering wheel. Her eyes fell on the smooth, flawless skin of her arms and remembered how they’d looked before the healings… the web work of criss-crossing scars that covered her arms from wrists to elbows…   Her back had been worse, but that had been done to her, and their presence wasn’t missed… although there were times she swore she could still feel them there…

 

But her arms… those she’d done herself.  There were many times she looked at the skin of her arms and thought they looked wrong.. naked with out those scars…  as much as she hated them and the memories they held… they belonged on her.

 

She wondered if all the hard fought battles through therapy would be for nothing… the need was still there, after all…she’d just gotten better at fighting it… She made it through everything with Rowen.. well.. almost made it through…. But still… two years of crap and she’d only given into the need to cut twice…

 

She closed her eyes and took deep steadying breaths. She could do this. She could get through this.

 

So someone close enough to her to be considered a best friend had betrayed her.  Big deal… she’d been through it before.  She’d survived that, she could survive this. At least Jasmine wasn’t likely to stalk her and throw death curses at her…

 

The image of Faal’s face floated before her eyes and she felt her body react. 

 

And she’d been in love before too… albeit, never like this. And now she’d lost a close confidant to talk to about her feelings and help sort things out…

 

Lex drew  a deep breath and fought back the sudden feeling of panic at the thought of being alone with her feelings…  She’d grown used to confiding really messed up things to her mom or Jasmine…. Jasmine was out and somehow, she wasn’t sure she should drag her mom into this. Not the way her dad was acting… and she didn’t want to cause trouble between them.

 

And with Regan off in Egypt… 

 

She supposed there was always Aiyla, although she wasn’t sure about trusting the woman with a confidence. While she wouldn’t consciously go out and spread rumors, she probably would wind up talking to Nate about things…

 

The only other person she was close enough to was Eire… and somehow, she seriously doubted that was going to happen. 

 

She could phone her sister… or email… or hell, she could open a portal and visit her if things got really bad… she’d always wanted to see Egypt anyways…

 

 
 
**     Chapter 33  **
 
 

He stood looking into the mirror, watching the woman fuss over the large leather bound tome that sat on the pedestal. A glass security case sat nearby, ready to be lowered into place above it.  The room was empty except for her and a single security guard standing  by the door.

 

Faal smirked softly as he traced a finger over the image. The timing wasn’t going to get better.

 

The image vanished, returning the mirror to normal as he stepped to the side and readied himself. He called into place around him the shield that would blur his image and voice to any cameras or listening devices that might be in place, then opened a rift and  calmly stepped through.

 

A waved of power slammed the guard back into the door and knocked him unconscious before he even had time to register the rift opening.

 

The woman managed to give a startled shriek as she spun to face him, and a second wave of power knocked her to the floor and pinned her there.

 

Faal calmly strode through the exhibit, looking the various pieces over as he approached the woman. “Good evening, my dear.” He said with a cold smile as he looked down at her.  “It has come to my attention that you have a few items of interest to me.. I was wondering if you might be able to help me?”

 

There was a sound from across the room and both Faal and the woman turned to see the guard stumble to his feet as he drew his gun.  Faal gave a soft chuckle and walked back towards the guard, the woman held in place by his power. The sound of the gunshot was loud in the enclosed space, but Faal merely chuckled and continued to walk closer, a simple flick of his wrist diverting the bullets as they were fired off to the side.

 

The click of the gun hitting an empty chamber made the man whimper and stumble back wards, away from the stranger in black with the fae features and ethereal eyes.

 

Faal stopped, standing directly in front of the man who was pressed back against the door. “A gun? Really… “ he shook his head in amusement. “I dislike guns, myself. I find them terribly... impersonal.  I’ve always been of the impression that if you’re willing to take a man’s life then you should do so in person. Up close. Look him in the eye, even…” another soft chuckle as Faal turned and indicated a nearby display case featuring a  gilded and bejeweled short sword. He turned back to look at the guard. “Blades, now… no matter what kind, be they dagger, sword… dinner knife…” he held out his hand and suddenly the sword from the case appeared in his grasp. “Are more worthy weapons. A shame so few men die this day and age by the sword… “ he gave a sigh and smiled coldly at the man, who had paled considerably during this discussion and was trying to inch away. “You will be one of the privileged few.. no need to thank me.”

 

The guards’ eyes opened impossibly wide as he suddenly found himself impaled on the ancient blade, staring into those cold, terrifying eyes as he felt his life slipping away.

 

Faal watched the light fade from the man’s eyes as he slowly slid to the floor, then pulled the sword from the body, not bothering to wipe it off.  He let it swing at his side, casually leaving a trail of blood as he made his way back to the woman, who was sobbing hysterically.

 

“Please.. please…”

 

Faal smiled down at her and raised the sword to examine the way the blood coated the glyphs engraved into the blade. “Now my dear… where were we? Ah yes…. You were going to help me retrieve some things… weren’t you?”

 

 

 
**   Chapter 34  **

 

   

Lex parked the car across from the restaurant and shut off the engine, then leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes for a moment.  The street was quiet this time of night, with only the odd car passing by; the side walks deserted, the stores all closed. On this block, only the restaurant remained open. The next block down showed the lights of a single screen cinema showing the latest hit, some slasher movie that wasn’t due to let out for another hour… and the block beyond that boasted a pool hall and hotel.  The street in the other direction held only the occasional restaurant or variety store still boasting an open sign.

 

The soft breeze that wafted through the window carried faint strains of jazz from up the street, telling her that at least one restaurant hosted a live musician or two. She smiled softly, suddenly missing hiding out at her sister’s tavern, huddled in a back booth listening to the musicians while avoiding her brother or whoever else she’d decided she didn’t want to talk to.  She hoped Regan came home soon. She hadn’t realized how much of a presence her older sister had become in her life in the past few months. 

 

Her phone gave a chirp to tell her she’d received a text message and with a sigh she

 checked it.  She gave a soft laugh as she read the short note. ‘Got the news…Welcome to the wonderful world of womanhood… stock up on Midol, tampons and condoms! Hugs luv R.’ Lex felt her face flush at her sister’s note and quickly typed in a return message. “Thanks, sis. One down, two to go. Miss you. Hugs, L’

 

She giggled softly as she wondered if Regan would guess which of the three she’d ‘stocked up’ on already. Her first stop on leaving the mansion had been to a drug store to buy a box of condoms… just in case. She blamed it on a sign board she’d passed promoting breast feeding. She knew soon or later she was going to wind up sleeping with a certain handsome blonde millionaire… and judging by the way he made her insides turn to jello when he kissed her, it would defiantly be sooner, rather than later.

 

As she was about to close the phone she noticed the message light still indicating one unheard message and suddenly remembered the third message she’d never gotten around to answering the other day.

 She glanced at the time and saw she was still a bit early, so she played the message. A smile grew at the sound of her foster brother’s voice and she felt her eyes begin to water. “Damn! Damn damn damn.. I missed him!” she cursed softly as she replayed the message again, just to hear his voice. She silently cursed him for not giving her a number to reach him at. She hated waiting for him to call. He never called often enough and rarely told her where he was.  Regan told her that it was a fact of life that brothers, especially older brothers, were a pain in the ass in one way or another, and she should just accept that. They had to have some way to irritate you... and since Xander wasn’t here in person, this was his way.

 

Lex snorted softly and carefully wiped her eyes. Hopefully he’d call back soon. She missed him.

 

With a sigh she slipped her phone back in her bag and climbed out of the car. An hour and a half of thinking and trying to sort her head out, and she was ready for dinner. Of course, just because she was clear in her thinking at the moment didn’t mean much…. Not the way Faal Dominic made her feel…

 

She was half way across the street when her phone rang and she hastily snatched it out. “Hello?” she asked breathlessly, hoping to hear a familiar voice. The voice she heard was indeed familiar, but far from the one she’d been hoping to hear.

 

“Hey sweets… miss me?”

 

Lex stood rock still in the center of the street. “What the fuck do you want?” she asked coldly, her voice low.

 

“Now now, baby… is that any way to speak to an admirer?”

 

“Is that what you consider yourself, Rowen? An Admirer?  Let me enlighten you…The word is ‘stalker’... in your case preceeded by the term ‘psychotic’. How the hell did you get this number?”

 

There was a soft chuckle from the other end followed by a deep sigh. “Come now, baby... did you really think you could hide from me? I’ll always find you, baby girl… but I didn’t call to argue… I just wanted to let you know that I think you look absolutely stunning. I’ve always loved the way you look in short shirts… but that dress…. Mmm mmmm. I’ll be seeing you soon, baby.”

 

Lex spun in place as her eyes scanned the darkened store fronts and entrance ways around her. He was here! The bastard was here! She felt a sudden chill run down her spine and quickly hurried across the street and into the restaurant lobby. She hated the thought that Rowen had most likely seen her run…  but as much as she’d love to kick that smarmy bastard’s ass… there was that part of her that still struggled with her submissive side.. and Rowen had a tendency to bring that side out in force. It was the only reason she put up with her father’s insistence about having a ‘body guard’…   a part of her knew that all the training in the world wouldn’t mean anything if he woke up that side of her again…

 

    

 

**    Chapter 35 **

 

 

Faal pulled to the curb, smiling as he recognized one of his cars parked ahead of him, and hurried into the restaurant. He’d taken a bit longer then he’d intended at the museum and after cleaning up and changing, he found himself a few minutes late.

 

But at least he knew she was here waiting for him.

 

The sight of the familiar red head seated at his usual table made his heart tighten painfully and he struggled to regain control as he approached. “I’m sorry I kept you waiting, my dearest. I hope you haven’t been waiting too long..?” he said as he sat down opposite her. He caught his breath as she looked up at him.

“Lexine… what’s wrong?”  he asked, startled by how pale she looked. Her eyes had the look of a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car.

 

She gave a weak smile and shook her head as she picked up her napkin. “Nothing… “ she said softly, then took a deep breath and offered him a somewhat brighter smile. “I’m glad you made it... I was beginning to think you’d changed your mind.”

 

He studied her face for a moment, seeing how she tried to hide the worry... and what? Fear? With a soft sigh he allowed her to turn the conversation for the moment, understanding that she needed to. “I had some business concerns pop up at the last minute. I thought I’d clear thing up a bit quicker than I did… again... I’m sorry I kept you waiting.”

 

He watched her smile softly as she played with the napkin. “Have you ordered yet?”

 

She looked up and shook her head. “Oh no… I asked you out for dinner… would be rather rude to order with out you, don’t you think?”

 

He smiled softly and reached out to take hold of her hand. “Lexine… mio dolce, “ he said, his voice automatically accenting the words perfectly. “You can tell me anything…. Please know that. I hate to see you upset… is there anything I can do?”

 

Lex dropped her gaze to her lap, playing with her napkin again. Finally she gave a sigh and nodded. “I guess I can tell you…’should’ tell you… you are my guardian after all…” He watched her face, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand as he held it. “As I was on my way inside… I got a phone call…” He saw her bite her lip for a moment before continuing, still not looking up at him. “He’s here…. Rowen… he saw me. He’s out there watching me…”

 

Faal felt his anger bubble inside him and did his best to contain it. “Don’t worry about him, il mio cuore. You’re right. I AM your guardian. I’ll keep you safe.” He said and gently squeezed her hand as he reached out to stroke her cheek and raise her face. “Perhaps you should consider staying at my house for the time being… I have plenty of guest rooms... and you’d be close to the collections…”

 

He watched the blush rise in her cheeks as she ducked her head again, smiling. “I’ll… I’ll think about it, Faal… although I doubt that will go over well with my family.”

 

“As long as you’re safe, Lexine… that’s all that matters.” He said softly and leaned forward to kiss her hand. “Shall we order?” he asked as he straightened up, removing his hand from her face, but still holding her hand in his.

 

“Oh… I don’t think I can eat anything…” she said softly, her gaze again dropping to her lap.

 

With a sigh, Faal stood and walked around to kneel beside her chair. He reached up and took her chin in his hand and made her look at him. “Lexine. I will handle Rowen. Don’t worry about it any longer. I promise you, he will not bother you.” She looked at him and he could see by her eyes that she was going to argue, so he kissed her, stopping the words before they could come out. “No arguments, mio dolce… it’s my place as your guardian to deal with threats to your safety.”

 

Again he saw that stubborn look cross her face that brooked an argument and he laid a finger over her lips. “Lexine… please... trust me to handle this. You’re going to have to learn to trust me to protect you… otherwise this is going to be a very difficult relationship…”

 

He watched her face intently, loving the chase of emotions that flit over her features as she thought of what to say. “He’s dangerous, Faal... you don’t...” he placed his finger back over her lips again.

 

“Lexine… I’ve lived a very long time. I know how to take care of myself. Trust me. Please.”

 

He watched her eyes dart over his face then saw them close as she nodded slowly. “Alright.” She said softly. “But please… be careful…”

 

He smiled and tipped her head back up so he could kiss her, keeping it gentle and loving, doing his best to withhold the passion he wanted to pour into it and her. “Thank you, il mio cuore. Now… will you please order something? I hate eating alone…”

 

He watched as a soft smile broke out on her face and she gave a soft giggle, picking up the menu. He returned to his own seat, already plotting ways to deal with Ravenscourt…

 

 



Chapter 36
 

 

Through the course of dinner he managed to entice little things about her day from her and was rewarded with the sight of her starting to relax. He loved the gentle sound of her soft giggles and the sight of her smile.

 

 The tale of her first sight of the Seal… little happenings through a day filled with shopping and friendship. It wasn’t until they’d finish their meal and were enjoying a glass of wine that she bit her lip and looked at him in that shy way that told him she had something that was worrying her.

 

He sighed and smiled at her. “Go on, mio dolce. I know that look. What is troubling you, my dearest?”  He watched the color creep into her cheeks as she played with the stem of her glass. She gave a soft, amused snort and looked up at him through her lashes. “It’s nothing, really…” she said softly. “It’s just…. Jasmine …she sounded as if she knew you. She was positive you were trying to turn me against her…”

 

Faal sat back for a moment, puzzled. She’d mentioned her friend Jasmine several times through dinner, but he hadn’t connected it. Surely there were enough Jasmine’s in the world… He sighed softly. “Lexine, il mio cuore… surely you don’t mean to tell me that your friend is Jasmine O’Connell?”

 

He sighed again at the look on her face, knowing it was true. The insufferable woman would find a way to insinuate herself into the Daughter’s life…. “Yes, Lexine… Jasmine was an old acquaintance of mine. We had a… falling out, I suppose you could say. It was a very very long time ago… I take it she’s still holding her grudge…?”

 

She took a sip of her wine then turned that sultry ‘through her lashes’ look at him again. He wondered if she had any idea just how sexy she was when she did that… “I suppose next you’ll be telling me you know Estehl Errin, as well…”

 

“No… I know Estehl Delaney… he’s dating Jasmine…”

 

Faal groaned and rolled his eyes, offering her a soft sad smile to reassure her. “Mio Dolce… of all the people for you to know…” he sighed and watched her as he spoke.  “It’s the same Estehl, I assure you. I should’ve known if you knew Jasmine… he’s never far from her, after all…”

 

She was quiet a moment as she continued to play with her glass. “Why was she so sure you’d poison me against her? “ she asked softly, her eyes on her wine as she swirled it gently.

 

He watched her, deciding what was safe to say, then sighed again. “We were friends along time ago, Lexine. We grew up together, the best of friends… Estehl’s my brother…” He took note of the shocked expression as she looked up at him. “Something  ...  bad…happened to me and I was wronged. Terribly wronged. I…I have never been able to forgive it.  Estehl and Jasmine were both of the opinion that I was wrong in not doing so. That I should have merely accepted things and moved on. “ he snorted softly, his own gaze on the deep red wine in his glass. “It was something that our friendship wasn’t able to endure…” he said softly.   He could feel her eyes on him as she slowly picked up his glass and drained it, reaching for the bottle to pour another. He looked up at her finally to offer to refill her own glass, but she shook her head.

 

“What… what was it that happened…? What…?”

 

Faal sighed and shook his head softly, his gaze returning briefly to his glass. “I don’t think I can tell you, Lexine… not right now. It’s still very painful for me…  Perhaps another time…” he said softly, careful to not meet her eyes. He sighed again and looked up with a soft smile. “Well… perhaps if you’ll be happy with a condensed version…? Suffice it to say…. In my rage over my betrayal… I killed a man. A man neither of them held any love for and would gladly have seen dead… a man whose death brightened many lives… and avenged many more. But his death altered Estehl’s life. It placed him in a position of authority and responsibility that he didn’t yet care to embrace, but had no choice in. A position in which he felt it his duty to ‘punish’ me for my crimes…”

 

 

He took a drink, draining half his glass in a single swallow before continuing with a snort. “I killed a tyrant king, saving countless innocent lives and placed my own brother on the throne in his stead… and what does he do to repay me? He banishes me and declares me outlaw. He actually, at the time, called a Hunt on me... Can you believe it?! He called the Hunt on me…”

 

He realized he was letting his anger show and took a deep breath, regaining control. He shot her an apologetic smile. “Well... enough of that…as you can tell… it’s not something I’ve be able to put behind me very well.” He finished off his glass and set it aside.

 

“I’m sorry, Lexine… I know you want to know more about me…” he offered, keeping his voice as soft as he could. “But perhaps we could start with things that occurred in the last couple centuries and didn’t involve betrayal and such?  Like our favorite movies or colors and such things?”

 

He heard a soft giggle and looked up to see a thoughtful look on her face. “Yus… I think that would be best… one can normally tell a person’s favorite color by their car… but you have so many and all in different colors… although I did noticed that you tend to lean toward black or red….”

 

He sighed and smiled softly at her willingness to accept his wish for a change of subject. “Yes well… I think those two colors look best on cars. I love the way the light flows over them as they move…”

 

 

  

 

 
**        Chapter 37   **
 
 

He followed the light blue mini cooper and its sole occupant as it wound it a way through town and pulled into the drive of the little bed and breakfast. He pulled to the side and watched as she climbed out and walked back towards him. “Are you sure I can’t talk you into coming back with me, Lexine. I’d feel better knowing you were safe.”

 

She giggled softly as she looked down at him. “I AM safe… I’ll be surrounded by my family…”

 

“Who don’t know Rowen is here…” he added softly. “And I get the feeling you’re not all that anxious to tell them…”

 

He watched her sigh and glanced up at the house behind her. A single light was on downstairs n addition to the porch light, and he could see a shadow standing at the window watching them. “I’ll tell them… although it’ll mean the end of my freedom here…”

 

He reached out and took her hand. “No, Lexine. Like I said, I’ll handle Rowen, don’t worry about him. And you’re always welcome at my home. If your parents prefer, I’ll have a driver sent to collect you so you won’t be alone…”

 

She smiled softly at him and leaned through the window to kiss him, her lips soft and warm as they brushed his. He caught the back of her head with one hand and held her for a deeper kiss, their tongues tasting briefly before she pulled away.  “Thank you, Faal.  I’ll tell them… although I doubt I’ll get away without one of them as a bodyguard…”

 

“Will you let me walk you to your door, at least?” he asked with a soft smirk already knowing her answer.

 

She laughed softly and gave him an obviously amused look, her hip cocked to one side. “Faal… please… do I look like a teenager to you? Oh don’t answer that...” she giggled again, and before he could react, stole another quick kiss and ran off towards the house.

 

He watched her running across the driveway and up the steps to the front door and then turn to wave at him. He chuckled softly as he waved back and watched her vanish inside. Confident that she was safe with her parents, he sighed and pulled away from the curb.

 

Time now to find Ravenscourt.

 

 
 
**     Chapter 38  **
 
 

Lex slid inside and closed the door softly behind her, but turned and watched out the window as the car pulled out onto the road. She sighed and let her forehead rest against the cool glass for a moment, a large part of her wishing she’d given in and let him take her back to his place.

 

A very large part.

 

 

The house seemed oddly quiet, even if it was late. Her family, at least, were night owls… With a sigh she remembered Saffron talking about some Goth club he’d been wanting to check out and wondered if he’d some how been talked into letting Aiyla and Eire go with him? Well... Aiyla maybe… Eire was probably out running… and mom and dad were no doubt in the parlor waiting for her. With a sigh she realized she hadn’t heard from them all night…. “Shit!” she hissed softly and let her head thump lightly against the door.  She’d been so upset over Rowen phoning… she’d turned the phone off… and never turned it back on. They were going to kill her. The whole idea of the phones was so they could get in touch with her… and yet the entire time they’d been here… 

 

She gave another sigh and pushed herself away from the door, heading towards the parlor for the lecture she knew was waiting.  Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and slipped inside, quickly closing the door so the yelling wouldn’t wake the other guests. “I am SO sorry.” She said as the door clicked shut and she turned to face them. “I had a problem earlier and…” She stopped dead in her tracks, staring in shock at the person leaning casually against the wall beside her.

 

“Hello, luv…Miss me?”

 

Lex glared at the handsome young man, her hands curling into fists as she started to ease away from him. “Rowen… what are you doing here..? Where’s my family?” she hissed at him, one hand suddenly gripping one of her chakrums.

 

“Why... I came t’ see you, of course.” He said with a grin as he took a step, placing himself between her and the door. “I’ve missed ye, Lexi…” he said, his voice a silky purr as he reached out to stroke one of her cheeks.

 

The chakrum flashed and Rowen jerked his hand back with a started curse, a thin line of blood intersecting the palm of his hand. “What th’ bloody hell did ye do THAT for?”  He hissed then struck out with his other hand, catching her across the face and knocking her back a step. “Ye shouldn’t have done that, Lexine…”

 

“You tried to kill me, you bastard!” Lex said as she caught her balance and turned, her chakrum raised.

 

Rowen gave a sigh and grabbed her wrist. “Aren’t ye passed that yet, luv? That was months ago... and besides…yer still alive, aren’t ye?” She gave a gasp as he pulled hard on her wrist, spinning her to slam against the wall, the chakrum useless with her wrist pinned to the wall. He stepped up and caught her other wrist as the second chakrum appeared and squeezed painfully hard until it dropped to the floor.

 

He pressed forward, pinning her between him and the wall and looked down at her. “Did I tell ye how much prettier ye are now?” he asked softly with a smirk and jerked both her wrists above her head, clamping them together with one hand and freed his other to trail his bloody fingers down her throat. “I was so happy to hear that yer a girl in truth now, Lexine….” He whispered in her ear, bringing a whimper from her as his hand reached her chest, squeezing one breast. “Don’ get me wrong, now, luv… I enjoyed ye just fine before… but this… this is better…” He gave a chuckle as he kissed her throat. “So, luv… I noticed the pretty fella that followed ye home… found yerself a new, handsome, rich man to look after ye, have ye? I rather miss bein’ that man to ye, Lexine… do you take care of him too?” he asked softly as he leaned close, his mouth hovering over hers as he spoke. “Ye used to take *real* good care of me… bet ye could do that even better now, too, hmm?”  Rowen smirked as he brushed his lips gently across hers as his free hand slipped down and pulled the hem of her dress up. “Shall we find out?” he asked softly and kissed her almost tenderly.

 

Lex fought against the need to hide away within herself… to give herself over to him. The submissiveness that had been beaten into her as a child was still there and according to her therapist, most likely always would be

 

 But that didn’t mean she had to let it win.

 

She kissed him back, opening her mouth slightly and when he slipped his tongue in as she knew he would… she bit down.

 

Rowen gave a yelp and jerked his head back, a trickle of blood running from the corner of his mouth, but maintained his hold on her wrists. She smiled at him, relishing the sharp copper taste of his blood in her mouth as well as the look of shocked outrage on his face. To add insult to injury, she hauled off and spit a mouthful of his own blood at him.

 

In response, Rowen merely squeezed her wrists together, grinding them against the wall until she was biting her own lip to keep from crying out. When he was finished cursing and spitting blood, he wiped his face with one sleeve and glared at her, shaking his head slowly. “Ye shouldn’t have done that, luv…” he said softly, speaking carefully around his wounded tongue.  He pulled a small knife from his pocket and flipped it open. “I’m sorely disappointed in ye, sweetheart.” He said as he sliced through the straps to her dress, and then sliced far enough down the bodice until it fell to the floor. A thin stripe of blood welled down her chest where the knife had gotten too close. “We could’ve enjoyed this far more if ye’d been nicer…” he said and sliced through her bra. He watched as it fell free, smirking as her breasts were bared.

 

Lexine took advantage of his distraction to slam a knee upward into him, then leaning backward against the wall, and using his grip on her wrists for leverage, kicked out with both feet.  Rowen snarled, trying to keep hold of her wrists as he dodged her blows, still smarting from the glancing blow she’d managed to get in with her first try. “Bloody fuckin’ Hell, Lexine! Will you knock this shit off! “ He snarled and tossed the knife to the floor to free his hand, then hauled off and back handed her across the face.

 

Lex gave a sharp cry as her head snapped to the side and lights seemed to burst inside her skull. A fresh coppery taste flooded her mouth and she knew this time it was her own blood she tasted. She managed to yank one hand free and clawed his wrist as she continued to kick out at him.

 

 “Damn it Lexine… it didn’t have t’ be this way… but ye leave me no choice.” She saw a glimpse of him cocking back a fist and tried to duck out of the way, but he still held her by one wrist. She gave a whimper just as the blow connected and her head snapped back against the wall with a thud.

 

 

Rowen let go of her wrist and watched her crumple to the floor unconscious. He rubbed his bloody wrist and inspected the deep scratches, cursing softly. His thigh ached from where her knee had caught him and he uttered small thanks for having been able to twist far enough to avoid the full force of the blow.

 

“Damn, Lexine… even as a girl yer still trouble. Yer just damn fine looking enough to be worth it, though…” he said softly as he grabbed hold of her ankles and dragged her out from the wall a bit and retrieved his knife to slice off her panties. He snapped the knife shut and slipped it back in his pocket, then after a moment he smirked and shoved her panties in as well. He knelt beside her looking down at her sprawled naked and unconscious, and bent to kiss her lips. “I shouldn’t have gone through with the curse, luv…. That was a mistake…. If I’d known this was waiting for me…” he smirked and slid a hand down her body.  He gave a sigh. “Damn shame….” He said.

 

 He jerked around at the sound of a door opening and cursed in surprise at the sight of the man in a black cloak that stood blocking his exit. “Saffron! How nice t’ see ye again. Going a bit heavier with the gothic look, are you?” Rowen asked pleasantly as he saw Saffron’s eyes flick to Lex’s body sprawled on the floor beside him. 

 

Saffron’s eyes grew dark as he gave a roar of rage and charged at him.  Rowen cursed again and dodged to the side, scrambling to his feet, trying to keep away from the enraged death elemental. All he needed was a few seconds to call a portal…  So much for the family being occupied elsewhere for a few hours…

 

“What the FUCK are you DOING here, Ravenscourt?!” Saffron snarled as one of his swords appeared in a white knuckled grip.

 

Rowen grinned and laughed softly. “What does it look like? I came t’ fuck yer sister… she’s a damn better lay than she used to be….. Although whether that’s because she’s a girl now... or because she’s out cold…”  He laughed softly as Saffron roared once more and came at him again. Rowen dodged around a chair, and gave a startled yelp as he felt the back of his shirt caught in an iron grip and felt himself fly backwards to stumble over another chair.

 

The first blow caught him across the jaw and Rowen felt at least one tooth crack. Even as he cursed himself for opening his big mouth to toy with the man, he was thankful it was a fist that had caught him and not the sword. Saffron had always been fun to bait… he’d never been able to resist… His breath went out in a gasp as a blow caught him in the stomach, doubling him over.

 

He could hear Saffron cursing as he rained punches and kicks upon him, but wasn’t really paying much attention to what it was he was saying anymore… probably nothing he hadn’t heard before… or maybe promises of a horrible painful death… he was after all the death elemental… part of what had always made it so much fun to annoy him…

 

Another blow connected at the right angle and he felt as much as heard a rib snap, and he began to wish he’d been able to resist baiting Saffron just that once…

 

Rowen blinked in shock at the sudden end to the near continuous blows and saw Saffron looking away. He heard a weak sound and realized Lex must be coming around. He smirked through his pain and called a shadow portal, managing to scramble through. He chuckled softly, wincing at the feel of his rib stabbing him. “Thanks fer the rescue babe…” he said as the portal vanished and he spun the locking spell to keep a certain Death Elemental from following him.

 

He lay back on the floor of his apartment and cursed softly as he waited for enough strength to return to see about tending his wounds. He gently rolled his tongue, wincing at the pain. He couldn’t believe she’d actually bitten him.  “Seems it took ye becomin’ a woman t’ finally grow some balls….” He said and laughed, wincing as he rolled to his feet. “Damn  ... that’s funny…”

 

 

 

 
**   Chapter 39  **

 

   

 

Saffron spun back at the sudden sound beside him in time to see Rowen’s feet vanish through a shadow portal. “Fuck!” he hissed, then turned back to Lex. He knelt on the floor beside her as her eyes fluttered open.  She gave a whimper as she saw him and tried to move away.

 

“Shh... it’s alright, Lex... it’s me... its Saffron…..” he said softly, not expecting much of a reaction to that. He was surprised as she suddenly sat up and threw herself into his arms, sobbing. He slid his arms around her, pulling his cloak over her to cover her as he tried to comfort her. “He got away, Lexi... I’m sorry… I should’ve killed the bastard when I had the chance… but I wanted to hurt him first….”

 

There was a strangled sound from where her face was nestled in his shoulder. “Oh he’s hurting… I got him a few times…wish I could’ve done more…” Lex’s voice sounded soft and weak and rather sad, and he found himself holding her tighter.

 

 “I got him too…” he said softly, stroking her hair. “ If we’re lucky one or two of those kicks did some internal damage and he just crawled off to die a lingering, painful death somewhere.”

 

Lex gave a soft snort. “We’re not that lucky… “

 

“Maybe not... but neither is he...” Saffron said. “He’s deserves a lot worse for what he’s put you through…. And he’ll get it.” He found himself struggling to find the right things to say… he didn’t want to say the wrong thing and hurt her worse or have her angry at him… and he had a tendency to say the wrong thing…  “Lexi… what should I do? Should I call mom and dad? Take you to the hospital? Call the police?”  He felt her tense against him and was afraid she’d slip back into the old Lex and pull away from him with some snide comment. “Tell me what you want me to do….” He said softly.

 

He felt her tense and tight in his arms, curled against him as he held her. “Call Faal… I want Faal… please…”

 

He sucked in his breath, at both the request and the tiny frightened sound of her voice. “Lexi… I don’t….”

 

“Please...”

 

Saffron closed his eyes and sighed. “Okay… “ he said softly and immediately felt her begin to relax against him. “But how about we get you something to wear first? You’re getting my cloak bloody.”

 

There was a high pitched strangled sound that after a moment resolved into a hysterical sounding giggle. He smirked as he felt her arms wrap around him as the giggle collapsed back into tears. He settled himself a bit more firmly on the floor and held her as she cried. He’d need her calm enough to tell him Faal’s number anyhow, so there was no rush.

 

 Dad and Kay were busy with Aiyla on the case and wouldn’t be back for a while yet, and Eire had been called back to the office for something earlier and hadn’t been heard from since.  So it was just the two of them… it felt odd that as brothers they’d never shared much time together when they weren’t bickering... and yet as brother and sister… 

 

He sighed and pulled his cloak a bit more securely around her and rested his cheek against her hair, letting his thoughts drift to thoughts of what he’d do to Rowen when he got a hold of him again….

 

   

 

**    Chapter 40**

 

 

Faal raced back to Willow Dale, the car squealing tires and leaving dark rubber marks on the street as he pulled a u-turn even as he clicked off the phone. Lex needed him.

 

Saffron hadn’t said why, just that something had happened and Lex was asking for him. But it was bad… he knew without even the tone of Saffron’s voice to tell him. He’d known something was wrong almost since he’d left her, but had been too focused on Ravenscourt to pay attention.

 

Half an hour…. He couldn’t have left her more then half an hour ago… what had happened?

 

The house looked the same as when he’d left with just one extra light on upstairs. He expected a half dozen more to flare on as the tires caught  the pavement for another loud squeal as he turned into the lane and slammed to a stop, but the house remained eerily silent and his unease grew.

 

A young man met him at the door, dark and grim, dressed in black with a voluminous black cloak. The only color to him a deep red silk shirt. Even his eyes looked black.

 

 Even in the relative dark of the entranceway, Faal recognized the young man he’d seen with Lexine that first day. “Saffron, I take it? Where is she? What happened?”

 

The young man closed the door and nodded towards the stairs. “I took her up to her room. “ he said softly, and Faal noticed him watching him out of the corner of his eye as he lead him up stairs.  He growled softly in impatience, but followed, his heart beating oddly loud with in his chest.

 

The sight of the tiny red head huddled on the bed against the head board, eyes closed, dressed in black cotton pants and t-shirt almost stopped his heart. The left side of her face was almost one giant bruise from her cheek bone down to her jaw. The jaw itself looked swollen and her lip was split.  He swallowed hard noting the dark finger mark bruises around both wrists.

 

He turned to Saffron, grabbing the man by the cloak and pulled him back into the hall before Lex saw them. “Tell me what happened.” He said softly, his voice as cold as his eyes.

 

Saffron looked back towards the door then sighed. “Rowen was here. Caught her alone. I walked in on him… “ Faal watched the bob of the young man’s throat as he stared at the door to Lex’s room. “She was naked and unconscious with him bending over her…”

 

Faal hissed as he inhaled sharply. “Did you kill him?”

 

Saffron turned to face him, his dark eyes as unreadable as Faal knew his own to be. “I beat the shit of the bastard… would have killed him if Lex hadn’t started to wake up…” Faal noted the tightly clenched fists. “I was distracted long enough for him to slip through a portal...”

 

“Good.” Faal said softly, earning a look that was both surprised and angry. He smiled softly and continued before Saffron say anything. “For what he’s done to Lexine… he deserves more.”  He had a brief moment of regret that he’d shown his true feelings to this young man, but relaxed as he saw the kindred look that crossed his face. Saffron wasn’t going to be a problem when he dealt with Rowen… he might even be a help. “How is she?”

 

Saffron was quiet a moment longer as he looked at Faal, then sighed and crossed his arms. “I don’t know. She won’t let me take her to the hospital or anything… dad and Kay don’t even know… they’re off working the case…”

 

Faal felt his heart skip a beat at that. It was his fault… Lexine had been left here alone to fall victim to Ravenscourt because her parents had run off to investigate the museum robbery and murders… if he waited until later, Lexine wouldn’t have been alone… “It’s my fault…” he said softly, his gaze leaving Saffron and focusing on the door. He was aware of Saffron’s attention focusing on him. “Rowen called her before we met for dinner… I followed her home to make sure she got here safely… but I didn’t see her to the door… I should’ve made sure Clarice was here… “ he said softly and pushed open the door.

 

This time Lex was sitting forward on the bed, waiting for him and he saw her eyes light up at the sight of him. She scrambled off the bed and rushed to him, throwing herself into his arms. He held her close, kissing  the top of her head. “Your brother told me what happened, il mio cuore… I’m sorry I failed you. I swear to you, mio dulce…it won’t happen again.”

 

Lex looked up at him. “You didn’t fail me… you came as soon as I called.”

 

He stroked her hair back, a part of him aware of Saffron watching warily from the doorway. “I’m your guardian, Lexine… it’s my job to protect you… it’s my *life* to protect you… I should’ve searched the house before leaving you… or never left you at all.”

 

Lex shook her head softly before laying her good cheek against his chest. “You only did what I asked… I didn’t want you to drive me home… I didn’t want you to walk me to the door… I was stupid. You tried to keep me safe but I kept refusing you. It was my fault, Faal. Not yours.”

 

He winced at the pained sound of her voice. Obviously her jaw hurt her to speak, as well as her other injuries. “Let me take you to a hospital, Lexine… you need to have those looked after… “ he said softly, not wanting to argue with her further while she was in pain.

 

She shook her head again, barely lifting it from his chest to do so. “No... I’m fine.  I’ll heal… I just… does your offer still stand? About staying with you?” she asked softly and he thought he heard a sharply drawn breath form the doorway. “I don’t want to be here anymore… I want to stay with you … please….? I turned you down and wouldn’t let you help me… and this happened… I’m sorry… please?”

 

Faal felt his breath catch in his throat and was surprised by a sudden burning his eyes. This beautiful, wounded creature was apologizing and begging him to take her in… apologizing for his own failure and begging him for something that he’d gladly give...

 

He gently tilted her face up and felt his heart squeeze painfully at the sight of her tear filled eyes. “You have nothing to apologize for, mio dulce… and of course the offer still stands… I told you, Lexine... my home is always open to you. But on one condition….” He said. “You’ll see a doctor. I’ll have one come to the house if you prefer.”

 

He saw her nod and held her closer, her cheek pressing back against his chest. He remembered Saffron and turned to find the young man standing in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest as he frowned, but wasn’t looking at either of them. Through them, perhaps... but not actually *at* them.  “Saffron.” He said softly and watched the man’s gaze shift slightly to focus on them, a faint blush creeping over his pale skin. “I’m taking Lexine back to my place… she’ll be safer there and I’ll make sure a doctor sees to her. Tell your parents that you are all welcome at any time, day or night.”

 

Saffron’s gaze stayed on him for a moment, before shifting to Lex. Faal thought he was going to argue but after a moment he merely sighed softly and nodded. “Yeah... I’ll handle it. You want me to bring her things over?” he asked, waving one hand at the pile of bags still sitting in the corner. “Most of it’s ready to go now…”

 

Faal eased Lex out of his arms and sat her on the edge of the bed. She looked up at him with confused and frightened eyes. “Yes, thank you… we might as well take it now… you can follow us and see her there safely. It might go over better with your father if you can tell him that you saw to her safety personally…” he said with a soft smirk and stroked Lex’s good cheek. “Stay here, il mio cuore. I’ll help your brother run these bags down to the cars then come back for you.” He kissed her forehead softly then stepped back as a faint rainbow hued bubble seemed to wrap itself around the fire elemental. “This will keep you safe while I’m gone… don’t use your powers, Lexine… it’ll destroy it. I’ll only be a moment.”

 

Lex swallowed but nodded, pulling her feet up onto the mattress and hugging her knees. Faal turned to find Saffron already loaded down with bags and boxes and heading for the door.

 

It took them two trips to get it all loaded between the two cars. Lex was sitting on the edge of the bed with her luggage and messenger bag sitting beside her, packed and ready to go when they returned and he smiled softly as the shield vanished.  He pulled her gently to her feet then, scooped her into his arms, where she wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder.

 

Saffron grabbed the last of her things and the three of them left the house. None of them had spoken a word the entire time, working in silence. Faal found there was something about Saffron that spoke to him... some… dark intensity that echoed in himself and found he was oddly comfortable in the man’s presence. He’d make it a point to learn more about him…

 

 He helped Lex into the car then turned to face Saffron. “Saffron… “ he said softly as the dark young man finished tossing the bags into the back seat of the convertible. “Why don’t you grab your things as well? I’m sure both your parents and Lexine would feel more comfortable if you stayed with her. I have plenty of room.”

 

Saffron looked surprised at the invitation, his gaze going from Faal to Lex. After a few moments he nodded slowly. “Yeah… that sounds good…” he said softly. “I’ll just be a moment.”

 

Faal slipped into the driver’s seat as Saffron ran back into the house. “Where’s he going?” Lex asked softly, and Faal turned to see her huddled on the seat, much as she’d been huddled n the bed.

 

“To get his things… he’ll be staying with us.” He answered softly and saw her mouth open in a surprised ‘O’.

 

“Did he… I mean…”

 

Faal smiled softly and took her hand, kissing it gently. “No, mio dulce... I asked him if he would.  It would be a great comfort to your parents if not yourself, for him to be there… and it will only keep you that much safer.”  Miranda would have a fit when she learned that he’d invited two preternatural investigators to stay in his home, and offered an open invitation to the rest of them. He found himself actually fighting a smile at the thought of her reaction. “If they wish too, I have more then enough room for them to stay as well.”

 

Lex shook her head. “Oh no... no no no. Saffron is enough, thank you. Mom and dad are fine here.” she said softly, glancing out the window as Saffron came bounding back down the steps, a single black duffle bag in his hands. She turned back to him. “Thank you, though.” She added softly. “Oh… what about my car?”

 

Faal smiled softly at her reference to ‘her’ car. “I’ll send someone to collect it in the morning. I want it thoroughly checked over for tampering before you get near it again. But don’t worry. It’ll be back in the garage waiting for you tomorrow, Lexine.”

 

He eased back down the driveway and onto the road, waiting for Saffron to follow, then led the way back to the manor.  They drove in silence, his mind filled with worry over Lex, hatred for Ravenscourt, curiosity about Saffron… “Faal?” Lex’s soft voice called him back to the present and he glanced over at her. “You don’t have to call me ‘Lexine’ all the time… most people just call me Lex… my closest friends call me ‘Lexi’….”

 

He smiled softly. “And which would you prefer me to call you, mio dulce?”

 

He watched her battered face brighten with a coy smile, “Which do you think?”

 

Chapter 41
 

 

Faal saw Lex comfortably settled in her room, one of three large suites. More smaller guest rooms lay in the other wing, but this wing held his own rooms as well as the three suites reserved for ‘important’ guests. And he couldn’t think of a more important or welcome guest than Lexine Mordant.

 

Saffron had the suite beside hers, and Faal’s own rooms were across the hall, both men safely within shouting distance should she need them.

 

Kevin and Mrs. Foreman were both awake and fussing over Lexine. Mrs. Foreman was currently putting away all her clothes and various purchases while Kevin plied her with soothing tea and various snacks that she dutifully nibbled at, more, he suspected, to avoid hurting his feelings then out of any real desire to eat.

 

The doctor had just arrived and was busy trying to shoo Kevin away and get Lexine into the bedroom so he could examine her in peace when Saffron’s phone rang.

 

Faal sat in the chair by the open verandah doors, his attention split between listening to the quiet murmurings of Lexine and the doctor from the next room, and Saffron.

 

“Dad… calm down… she’s safe now… no, we’re both staying with Mr. Dominic. Dad…” Saffron sighed and Faal saw him stare up at the ceiling, the effort of keeping his voice calm obvious. “Dad… put Kay on please…” his voice sounded strained and Faal wondered briefly if it was all due to what had happened or due to something else. “Dad… if you don’t hand the phone to Kay... I’ll hang up.”

 

Faal raised an eyebrow at the sudden increase in volume from the phone. If he listened he could make out every word, even across the room. He bit back a smirk as Saffron sighed again and disconnected the phone, quickly punching another number.

 

“Yeah Kay… I know…let him. I don’t care right now. Rowen attacked Lex… beat her up…. Raped her too, I think… nah… at the house there. Parlor…” Faal looked down to see his own hands clenched tightly, the nails digging into the arms of the chair at those words, and forced himself to relax. He missed some of the conversation while he got himself back under control, coming back to it as Saffron was telling her about them staying with him. “She’s safer here, Kay. Beat that into his head, okay? Dominic has an impressive security system and, one of us will be with her at all times. He’s going to bring in extra security too, couple of body guards for when she leaves the house… yeah, but you know her… she won’t stay cooped up…”

 

Faal turned his head, looking out the patio doors to the night sky. A gentle breeze was blowing, sending the curtains ruffling out from the door, brushing against his legs lightly. He heard a soft cry from the bedroom and listened to the soft murmuring reply from the doctor.

 

He was surprised as Saffron suddenly appeared and took the chair opposite him. “Dad’s pissed, but Kay will take care of him. “ he said softly and Faal felt his gaze on him. “Any idea why he’s dead set against you? I mean… “

 

Faal snorted softly and turned to look at him. “I’d say it has to do with the fact that I used to be quite close to his wife… and now I’m close to his daughter….”

 

“’Quite close’… you mean … you and Kay…?”

 

Faal smirked softly and nodded. “For a time. That ended a long time ago, however. He has no reason to be jealous on that account. As for the rest… “ he shrugged. “Over protective father… Lexine is after all, his youngest daughter... and quite deserving of his love and attention, so I really can’t fault him.”

 

The two of them sat quietly for a while, the only sounds the breeze rustling curtains and trees, and the soft sound of voices next door. Mrs. Foreman and Kevin had retreated downstairs for the time being, no doubt waiting for the doctor to leave so they could rush back in and resume their pampering and fussing. Both seemed quite taken with the fiery red head.

 

“I don’t get you, man…” Saffron said softly, and Faal turned to find himself being studied intently. “You’re obviously hot for Lexi… and she obviously feels the same about you… and yet, when she practically moves in to your house, you invite me along to play chaperone…” his dark eyes intent as he spoke softly. “My dad hates your guts and yet you open your home to him and say it’s no big deal… and you make no mention of calling the police about Rowen…”

 

Faal returned Saffron’s gaze. “What could the police do if I did call them, Saffron? They’d file a report… but we both know, even if they did find him, they couldn’t hold him. And the most the ‘legal system’ would give him for this would be what? Ten years? Twelve?” Faal watched Saffron’s face intently. “I make no mention of involving the police for the same reason you don’t… he deserves more. And when I find him, I’ll see that he gets it.”

 

“You plan on killing him?”

 

Faal considered the cold sound of Saffron’s voice as he asked then shrugged slightly. “Eventually… I have something else in mind for him… Something more… fitting. He’ll die from it eventually if I don’t take pity and kill him myself…” Again, he worried that he’d revealed too much of himself, but Saffron merely nodded slowly after a moment.

 

“Will it be painful?”

 

Faal smiled coldly, a smile he normally let only his victims see. “Yes…very… “ he said and was suddenly unnerved by the sheen of cold sweat that broke out on his skin as the memories tried to surface. He saw Saffron’s eyes narrow as he noticed and offered a weak smirk. “I speak from experience… the memories still haunt me after many centuries…” he drew a deep breath and sat a bit straighter. “It’s why I mentioned pity… it’s not something that one cares to think of happening to anyone… even someone so deserving of such a fate may eventually draw pity…” He didn’t think he’d be one to feel pity, however. Ravenscourt’s suffering was something he’d enjoy too much for pity to enter into it.

 

Saffron was quiet again, his eerily intent scrutiny helping Faal to regain control. There was only so much he was willing to reveal to even this seemingly kindred soul. “I hope I’m not … disturbing you…”he said softly, turning his gaze to the doors again. “I’m not normally so… blood thirsty, I assure you. But for Lexine…”

 

“Yeah… for Lexi…” Saffron echoed softly, his dark gaze never wavering.  “Whatever you have planned for the prick…I want to be there.”

 

Faal looked back at him. “No, Saffron… you don’t.”

 

“Yes, I do… I’m not squeamish, if that’s what you’re afraid of… in case Lex didn’t mention it; I’m the death elemental…  I don’t do squeamish.”

 

Faal studied the young man for a moment. Lex had not, indeed mentioned it, but he’d known anyhow thanks to his own intelligence gathering efforts… it just wasn’t something he’d considered until then. The dark intensity that seemed to radiate from the young man across from him seemed to increase slightly as he waited for Faal to speak.  Finally he nodded and saw Saffron relax slightly, as if he’d been afraid of being denied. “Alright… but I warned you.” He said softly.

 

The two men stared at each other for a few moments, neither saying anything further yet comfortable in the silence. They both turned to look to the doctor as the man slipped from the bedroom and approached them.

 

“No breaks or fractures. Just bruising and a few minor cuts. I’ve cleaned and bandaged them and given her something to help her sleep… although she wasn’t very thrilled at the idea and refuses to take it until she speaks with you. “ he said, looking at Faal as if he was to blame for his patient’s rebelliousness. “On a brighter note… there were no signs of penetration…”

 

Faal felt the breath go out of him and saw Saffron affected similarly. “He didn’t rape her?”

 

The doctor shook his head as he finished packing his bag, removing a bottle of pills and handing them to Faal. “Definitely not… and may I say it’s a pleasure to find that there are still responsible young women out there who manage to keep their hormones under control past their teen years.  A very rare occurrence from what I’ve found.” He pointed to the bottle in Faal’s hand. “Valium… I normally dislike using it, but that poor young woman needs something to help calm her down and from what she tells me, she has a resistance to most prescription drugs. If those don’t help at all… and don’t you dare repeat this to anyone, I’ll deny it and never set foot in this house again….” He sighed and snapped his bag closed. “You might consider trying marijuana… its gentler then most pharmaceuticals and will help relax her. But you didn’t hear it from me!” he stabbed a finger the two men and turned to leave.

 

The two of them watched him go then rose simultaneously, both heading for the bedroom.  Lexine lay, dressed in a pale cream satin nightgown, the blanket around her waist as she sat up to greet them. Her face shone with an oily sheen where the doctor had no doubt applied some ointment or other to her bruises. Faal noticed several white stripes of gaze and tape on her chest and shoulders and quickly looked back to her eyes before his anger returned fully.

 

“Dr. Groves says you’re being a brat and refusing to do as he tells you…” Faal said with a soft smile as he sat on the edge of the bed beside her.

 

“Not surprising…” Saffron said coming to stand beside him. “Lex IS a brat. Get used to it... you’ll be dealing with it a lot.”

 

Faal smirked lightly as Lex made a face and swung a pillow at her brother who smirked in return and grabbed hold of it. He watched as the young man leaned down and gently kissed her forehead, earning a look that spoke of both surprise and love from Lexine as she reached up and hugged him.

 

 “I talked to Kay…” Saffron said softly as he returned her pillow. “I’ll call her back and let her know what the doc said. Don’t worry about them, okay? You know Kay can handle dad… no doubt the two of them will be here first thing in the morning to see you. And you only get that much time because I said dad wasn’t allowed in until then.”

 

Lex giggled softly and Faal noticed the swelling on her jaw already seemed to be diminished slightly, the bruises faintly edged in the green-brown of healing. “Bet dad was thrilled at that...”

 

Saffron shrugged. “Yeah well… he’s probably looking forward to kicking my ass almost as much as Rowen’s right now... why not annoy him a bit more in the mean time?”

 

“Why?” Lex asked, her head tilting to one side as she narrowed on eye. “What did you do…?”

Saffron smirked and looked at the ceiling. “Oh… refused to talk to him... then hung up on him.” He shrugged and offered a smirk. “He was being dad… I talked to Kay instead.”

 

Lex giggled nervously, shaking her head slightly, her eyes wide. “It’s been nice knowing you, Saffron.”

 

Faal shook his head softly. “Don’t worry, il mio cuore… “ he said, reaching out to stroke her good cheek. “I’m sure your brother will be fine. I can always assign a body guard or two to him as well if your father’s wrath proves too strong…” he smiled softly as he watched her raise her finger to her bottom lip and giggle softly. “Now enough…. The good doctor said you need to rest… and we’ve met your conditions… you told him you wouldn’t take the pills until you saw me…” he reached across and picked up the glass of water and pills that lay waiting on the table beside her.

 

“Good luck with that.” Saffron snorted softly and Faal smirked as Lex shot a glare at her brother, but made no move to accept neither water nor pills.

 

“No… I said ‘speak’ to you... not see you…” he saw her stare at her brother, tilting her head towards the door.

 

Finally there was a snort from Saffron. “Fine...I’ll leave… not that you’ll take the stupid things anyhow.” Saffron said and bent again to place another kiss on her forehead. Goodnight, baby sister.” He said softly and Lex smiled, her eyes growing wet.

 

 “Goodnight, Saffron.” She said softly then reached out and caught his hand. “Thank you.” She said softly, her voice firm and Saffron looked at her a moment before glancing at Faal and nodding.

 

 “You’re welcome, Lexi…’Night.”

 

Lex watched Saffron leave, waiting for the door to close softly behind him before she turned to face him. “Faal…I..”

 

He reached up and placed a finger on her lips. “No more apologizes for things that were not your fault, ,il mio cuore. “ he said softly and stroked her cheek as he withdrew his finger.

 

Lex blushed softly and smiled. “Alright… then…. Thank you.”

 

He let his fingers run through a lock of red hair that trailed down over her shoulder, the red  so vibrant and alive against the creamy satin and her pale skin. “ My pleasure, mio dulce…as I’ve said… I’ll  gladly grant your everywish,whim and desire.”  he smiled softly as he lifted the red curl to his lips and kissed it. “All you must do is speak of it and it’s yours.”

 

He watched the blush stain her cheeks as she lowered her eyes, her lips turned up in a shy smile. He held out the hand that held the water glass and the two little white pills. She took the glass then hesitantly accepted the pills as well. She stared at them for a moment then looked up at him, meeting his eyes.

With a sigh she quickly swallowed both pills and set the glass back on the table before turning back to him.

 

“Anything I want?” she asked softly, not meeting his eyes.

 

“Anything at all, mio dulce.”

 

He saw her cheeks darken further before she looked up at him.  “Then I’d like you to stay with me until I fall asleep…. Please….” She said softly.

 

He smiled softly, his hand cupping her face. “Wish granted…” he answered, his voice equally as soft. “Now lie down, mio dulce.. get comfortable…” he said, raising the blanket to tuck around her as she lay back against the pillows.

 

“Faal?” she asked again. “Will you hold me? Just hold me… nothing else right now, I’m sorry.. but it…”

He silenced her words with another finger over her lips and smiled softly. “Wish granted, il mio cuore.” He said softly, and stretched out beside her on top of the thin blanket.

 

She smiled and curled into his arms, laying her head on his chest. “Thank you… just until I fall asleep… you don’t have to stay…” she said softly.

 

Faal kissed the top of her head as he wrapped his arms around her, being careful not to press against any of her bruises or cuts. He didn’t say that it was best that he NOT stay all night, just having her in his arms was temptation enough. “Shhh, mio dulce… you have your wish… sleep now.”

 

He felt as much as heard her sigh and smiled as her arms tightened slightly over his chest. “Good night, Faal.”

 

“Good night, Lexi.”

 

He reached out with his powers to turn off the bed side lamp, plunging the room into darkness that slowly returned to moonlit gloom as his night vision returned. He lay there, holding her in his arms listening to her breathing slow and deepen as sleep slowly claimed her.

 

He waited until he was sure she slept, then carefully disentangled himself from her and slipped from the room. He wasn’t surprised to find Saffron sitting by the veranda doors, the room lit by a single small lamp.

 

He smiled softly. “She’s sleeping. She asked me to stay with her until she fell asleep, otherwise I wouldn’t have.”

 

Saffron  snorted softly, watching him. “Sure… if you don’t mind… I’m gonna stay here tonight…”

 

Faal smirked, chuckling softly. “Not at all. I was going to suggest one of us stay tonight… probably best it wasn’t me… Good night, Saffron.“

 

Saffron snorted softly again, one eye brow raised as Faal turned to leave. ”Hey Dominic… can I ask you something?”

 

Faal turned back, one hand on the door knob. “Of course.” He asked curiously.

 

“What did you say…  you said something to her… mi core… or something like that…”

 

Faal smiled softly, feeling his face grow warm. “ ‘Il mio cuore’… it’s Italian… ‘my heart’…” he thought he saw Saffron’s own face darken in a blush, but the shadows and the warm rosy light from the lamp made it difficult to be sure. “I also call her ‘mio dulce’ … it means ‘my sweet’.   Anything else I can answer for you?”

 

Saffron was quiet for a moment, the dark eyes watchful and intent as always. “Nah…  thanks…. ‘night.”

 

Faal nodded and slipped into the hall. He found Kevin and Mrs. Foreman waiting in the hall, speaking softly and shook his head. “No more, tonight, my friends… she’s sleeping. Her brother is going to sit with her. “ he smiled softly and sighed. “Thank you both.. go get some sleep… no doubt the rest of their family will be here bright and early in the morning… you may resume your fussing then.”

 

Mrs. Foreman gave a soft snort and turned her nose up at him, her eyes sparkling. “We were not ‘fussing’. We were being hospitable and welcoming a guest.. an injured guest at that… come Kevin. We don’t need to stand here an be insulted.” She said with a  smirk hovering on her lips as she tossed her head in mock indignation and left, calling a good night over her shoulder.

 

Faal chuckled as Kevin copied her posture precisely, the up turned nose and flounced turn even more humorous coming form him as he followed her down the hall.  He turned at the end of the hall before the stairs and pointed a finger at Faal imperiously. “Go to bed.”

 

Faal laughed softly. “Yes sir.” He said with a mock salute, which in turn, earned a soft chuckle from Kevin as he descended the stairs. 

 

Once in bed, he lay awake for a long time, thinking of the fate that waited for Rowen Ravenscourt once he got a hold of him. The fact that he hadn’t raped her after all did nothing to alter his fate in Faal’s eyes. No doubt he would’ve in time. Saffron’s unexpected return the sole reason for her escape from that fate.

 

Finally he closed his eyes and tried to chase the images from his mind with thoughts of Lexine… standing among the books as he first saw her, the proper lady in her long skirt and blouse…. Seated in the chair in his library pouring over his books, her reading glasses sliding down the end of her nose…  standing in the sunlight looking resplendent in the short sundress as she’d been that afternoon, fresh from a visit to the Seal…

 

He smiled and let himself drift off to a day dream of him sweeping her off her feet and convincing her to marry him…

 

 

 
 
**        Chapter 42   **
 
 

 

Kay watched her husband as he slashed and stabbed at the practice dummies set up in the training room. Saffron’s news about Lex’s attack had left them both in need of some physical release and so they’d portaled back to the offices . After a furious workout in the gym and a match between them that had resulted in a few nicks and bruises, she now sat and watched as he continued to take out his frustrations on the poor defenseless dummies.

 

She’d been relieved to hear that she hadn’t been raped after all, but that hadn’t seemed to relieve any of the tension from Auron. The man was going to work himself into a heart attack if he kept up this furious pace…

 

Kay glanced at the clock on the wall high above them and sighed.  Six o’clock. The sun was no doubt already rising and neither of them had managed to get any sleep. Had indeed, spent the entire night on their feet, first investigating the two recent murders and theft at the museum, then coming here…

 

She felt exhausted and tried to remember the last time she’d felt this drained. It wasn’t just from being up and working all night, nor from the furious work out she’d just indulged in… it had more to do with all the worry and frustration over Lexi and the Seal, not to mention Auron and Faal…

 

Kay shoved herself to her feet with a sigh and  went to rescue the dummies form Auron, intent on dragging him off for a shower and something to eat before they went to see Lex and Saffron.

 

 
 
**     Chapter 43  **
 
 

 

Pain.

 

Every inch of his body exploding with sheer agony. The feel of the air itself hurt more then words could ever express.

 

He could hear the soft giggling laughter of his tormentor  over the nerve grinding sound of a blade being sharpened even more. The steady sound punctuated by that giggle made him press himself back even harder against the mattress, as if he could sink inside and be free of it all.

 

The sound stopped and he felt his body tense, the movement sending more waves of pain shooting through him. The feel of the steel blade pressed against his stomach and he bit back his scream as another strip of skin was slowly peeled off….

 

Faal sat bolt upright, his skin clammy and cold with sweat as he gasped for breath, his hand going to his stomach and chest almost expecting to feel the bare muscle instead of his skin . For a moment as he struggled to calm himself, he could still feel the band of iron clamped around his throat  and he threw aside the covers violently, swinging his legs over the side of the bed to sit, feet planted firmly on the thick soft carpeting.

 

 It was only because he’d been thinking of it earlier, he knew. It had nothing to do with his planning on throwing Rowen to the same fate…  merely the thoughts had dredged up the memories which returned to haunt his dreams… the memories haunted his dreams enough as it was…. They didn’t need any further encouragement.

 

He sighed and got to his feet,  the pale morning sunlight already starting to spill across his floor. Perhaps once he’d given Ravenscourt over  he’d reconsider having those memories cleansed or at least blocked. The only problem would be to locate someone trust worthy enough to perform the magic required…

 

Faal  headed for the bathroom and a shower, turning his thoughts to the redhead in the room across the hall, smiling at the knowledge of how close she’d be to him from now on. Under the same roof, a matter of mere feet away from him every night.

 

He ignored the lingering imagined feeling of the iron collar about his throat and the remembered burning of freshly peeled skin as he stepped beneath the shower’s hissing spray.

 

 

 

 
**   Chapter 44 **

 

   

Auron glared around him at the elegant manor, the beautifully manicured and landscaped grounds, the tastefully decorated rooms.  He noticed  that the paintings that hung throughout the rooms were originals but weren’t displayed  in a way to draw attention to them. Same with the other art objects and furnishings and .. well.. everything. It was all obviously expensive, yet none of it gave the impression that it was being pointed out that they were expensive.

 

That was one of his pet peeves about most people with money… they tended to decorate with a mind to point out just how rich they were. It rather irritated him that Faal wasn’t like that.. indeed… he seemed to share quite a few of Auron’s own tastes and he tried not to admire his surroundings too much as he followed Kay and the butler.

 

He tried to suppress his resurgence of worry when they’d been told Lex was still in her rooms. Lex wasn’t one to stay in bed, no matter how grievous her injuries or illness. He remembered times when they’d had to threaten tying her down and had even locked her in her room in various attempts to get her to rest and recuperate. All, of course, had failed as Lex had climbed out windows or picked locks or broken spells to call a shadow portal.

 

He stopped in shock in the doorway to find his youngest daughter in sitting bed, propped up against the pillows, still in her nightgown, but with a dressing gown over top as she read a large leather bound book. Two more such books lay on the mattress beside her.

 

A crumb laden plate sat on the table next to her and the butler moved to collect it. “Is there anything else I can get you, Miss Mordant?”

 

Lex glanced up at his question in surprise and blushed, smiling softly. “No thank you, Kevin, I’m fine.” She looked over at them, seeing them for the first time and gently closed the book, laying it aside. “Hi mom… hi daddy.”

 

He felt his heart squeeze tight at the term,  his eyes traveling over the bruises and bandages that he could see, knowing there were no doubt more that he couldn’t.

 

Kay had moved to sit on the bed beside her, and he reminded himself to breath as he followed her. “I’m sorry… Rowen had called and I shut my phone off. I forgot about it… you guys must have been trying all night…”

 

Kay shushed her. “It’s alright. Saffron told us he’d taken you to Faal’s, so we knew the odds of you answering your phone were pretty much nil, despite what you said. I should have called here and left a message for you letting you know we were going out… I didn’t think….”

 

“Saffron shouldn’t have gone to that damn club.. he should’ve stayed and waited for you…” Auron said and was startled by the look Lex shot him.

 

“Don’t, daddy. It’s not Saffron’s fault… he’s the one who saved me.” she said softly, her eyes flashing. “You should be thanking him instead of being angry. He has a life of his own to live.. he’s not my keeper. You shouldn’t expect him to constantly be hanging over my shoulder…It’s not fair to either of us.”

 

Kay smoothed a hand over the  red hair that was more vibrant then remembered. “He knows, Lexi… this is just hard on him..”

 

“Stop it, Clarice.” Auron suddenly snapped, drawing startled looks from both women. “I don’t need to you constantly making excuses for me or playing referee between me and my own children.”

 

Kay looked at him and replied calmly. “Actually, Auron.. yes you do. If I didn’t you would have alienated them all ages ago and you know it.”  He watched her take Lex’s hand comfortingly and saw the fear in his daughter’s eyes. “Now stop blustering and calm down, or leave. I think we’ve all had enough of your attitude lately. You’re here for your daughter, remember? Stop being an ass.”

 

Auron  bit back his angry retort, knowing she was absolutely right but feeling too on edge at the moment. Instead he strode to the bedside and leaned down, kissing Lex’s cheek, trying not to notice how she flinched away from him. “I’m sorry, Lexi… forgive me, please…” he said softly then turned and quickly left the room.

 

   

 

**    Chapter 45  **

 

 

Kay sighed and gave Lex’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Don’t mind him, sweetheart… this whole case has him on edge and what with Faal and Rowen…” she sighed and offered a small smile. “He doesn’t mean it.”

 

Lex turned large frightened eyes to her mother and bit her lip. “I don’t want to cause you guys problems… don’t fight on my account, please…”

 

Kay smiled softly. “Oh baby… don’t be silly. It’s not about you, not really. It’s not really about anything.. its more everything jumbled in together. Your father will be alright… he just needs time to work things out for himself and this case isn’t giving it to him. He’ll be fine.”

 

Lex looked towards the door and sighed, squeezing her mothers hand softly. “I hope he steers clear of Saffron in the mean time… you know how… volatile... those two can be together…”

 

Kay snorted softly. “Lexi , hun… don’t worry about your brother. He’s learning... slowly, but he IS learning. He knows he can’t talk to your father when he’s upset and has stopped trying and that’s prevented a number of fights, trust me. I think it’s starting to sink into your father, too. Especially last night… when your brother hung up on him and called me instead… oh he was furious… but I think it was more at himself then Saffron… he sees that he’s just pushing the two of you away and that you have to turn to me instead of him… it hurts. Especially Saffron. You he accepts coming to me since we’ve been together longer and been through so much together… but Saffron?” she shook her head, amusement in her eyes. “That stings… especially knowing how long it’s taken him to warm up to me at all… to see him turn to a woman he doesn’t even acknowledge as his step mother and avoids spending time with,  rather then to his own father…?  He’s trying to change, Lexi… give him time.”

 

Lex sighed and accepted what her mother was saying. “I suppose my staying here isn’t helping…”

 

“The two of you staying here is for the best. Faal and Saffron are right. You will be safer here, and with Saffron staying with you, your father can’t accuse Faal of anything devious, now can he? This ruins all his imaginary evidence against him, after all…. Would  a thief and murderer invite the very people hunting him into his home?” she chuckled softly. “Without that reasoning to back up his dislike of Faal, he has to consider the reality… that’s he’s just plain jealous.”

 

Lex smirked softly and let her eyes travel back to the door. “I guess so…” she said softy,  hoping that where ever they were, both Faal and Saffron avoided her father. She was afraid of the fireworks that might go off otherwise…

 

**   Chapter 46   **

 

Faal closed the door to his study behind him, and headed towards the kitchen lost in thought. The newest batch of prospects for personal assistant had shown nothing promising, although he had set aside a couple of files for consideration for other positions. And he still couldn’t decide on the right position for Lexine. He’d  mean to pull Kevin aside and have the man go over her file and get his opinion on the matter… not that he actually needed the file… Kevin’s instincts on people were  wonderful  and had been of immense help in many layers of his life, both personal and professional.

 

He just wished he paid more attention sooner… and more often. Miranda case in point.

 

Faal sighed, a wry smirk on his face as he entered the kitchen to find it empty, and set about raiding the cupboards and refrigerator for ingredients and equipment. He had a sudden craving for croissant and didn’t feel like sending out for them.

 

 Miranda was being kept busy elsewhere as much as possible during Lex’s stay. He’d set up an ‘emergency’ need for her to ‘fill in’ in the position he’d be promoting her to later and was making due with his secretaries sending him his business itineraries until they could locate a reliable temp for him. Which accomplished, in a round a bout way, his need to removed Miranda from his immediate life.

 

So things were going nicely.  Miranda was, temporarily taken care of at least, and a needed position was filled with someone he was confident could handle the job masterfully.  Lexine was here with him at last and he felt  he stood an excellent chance of convincing her to remain on a more… ‘permanent’ basis. Especially once he found the right job to offer her…

 

The ingredients assembled and oven preheating, he began mixing everything together, not bothering with a recipe.

 

Plus,  he’d retrieved a full two thirds of the collection and had acquired a few interesting little extras as well, and eliminated  a number of …. troublesome irritants.  Speaking of whom… he wondered how Miranda was coming on the search for Ravenscourt.  She’d insisted on handling it in addition to her new duties, as a way of apologizing for her behavior towards Lexine. Commendable, certainly. He was going to miss her as his personal assistant, no doubt. If only she’d been able to keep her personal feelings aside…

 

Over come with the sudden knowledge of being watched, Faal looked up to discover Saffron standing in the doorway leading to the dining room.  He smiled pleasantly, not letting on how unsettled he was that the man had managed to enter without him noticing. “Good morning, Mr. Mordant. Can I get you anything? Coffee? Tea? If you don’t mind waiting, there will be fresh baked croissant in .. oh…. twenty minutes or so….”

 

He watched Auron watching him for a moment longer in silence before answering. “It’s Azreal.. not Mordant…and you can call me Saffron.. you did last night…” He eyed the baking assortment scattered over the counter. “Don’t you have a cook or someone to do that?”

 

Faal smirked, his eyes sparkling in amusement. “Yes, but she’s on vacation at the moment… normally we make due without her, sharing the kitchen responsibilities while she’s away, but I’m having a replacement starting tonight due to our guests.  Kevin is a marvelous chef, truly, but he doesn’t like cooking for strangers, and Mrs. Foreman, while quite competent in the kitchen refuses to cook ‘large meals’.” He chuckled softly as he lightly floured the counter and began kneading the dough. “And, while I don’t mind cooking and am fairly competent at a stove myself, I have other responsibilities that prevent me from doing it overly often.” He glanced up at Saffron and nodded to the tall stools set under the far side of his butcher block table he was working at. “Care to sit? Sure I can’t get you a coffee or something?” he asked again as he began rolling out the dough.

 

Saffron snorted softly and warily took a seat on one of the stools, taking the one farthest from where Faal was working, no doubt worried about getting flour on his nice dark clothes. “Coffee sounds good, thanks.”

 

Faal smirked and brushed flour from his hands before moving to the sink and quickly washing up. “Mrs. Foreman has made the coffee this morning, it appears… I hope you enjoy fresh ground Columbian. She mixes in a touch of mocha but will deny it under pain of death. I caught her doing it one morning and she still denied it.” He handed  Saffron a mug  of rich black coffee and offered the cream and sugar. “When Kevin makes the coffee, we never know what we’ll find in the pot. He loves the exotic blends and has taken to mixing his own… he’s quite good at it. Me… I grab a bag, grind the beans and start the machine and get whatever comes out… needless to say, I rarely make the coffee.”

 

He caught a smirk appearing on Saffron’s face as he turned to wash his hands again, then returned to the counter and began cutting the dough. “I trust you slept alright? While not designed for sleeping, those chairs can be quite comfortable. Have your parents been in to see Lexine this morning?” he asked softly.

 

A moment of silence then a soft reply. “Yeah, briefly… dozed a bit I guess.  Her mother’s with her now... not sure where dad is.”

 

Faal raise an eyebrow. “May I ask why you say that?”

 

“Say what?”

 

“ ‘Her’ mother.. or ‘Kay’… you never refer to her as your mother...” he said, eyeing the mixture before adding in a bit more flour.

 

“Oh .. that….” Saffron said, staring into his cup as he spoke. “Well… Kay’s not my mother.. my mother died when I just a kid… Kay adopted Lex  about five years ago or so, then met and married our father a couple years after that. I just dropped into the picture last year.”

 

Faal looked at him curiously for a moment as he mixed the dough. “So, Lexine isn’t your sister by blood then?”

 

Saffron looked up and smirk. “Yeah, we’re full blood siblings, same mother and father… the family just got kind of separated and now we’re finally all back together.”

 

Faal nodded, deciding to let the subject drop for now. He began rolling the croissants and laying them on the tray, and changed the subject. “I bumped into Kevin this morning and he told meLexi’s doing better. A bit restless and irritable until I sent up some of the journals for her apparently, but he says she looks much better. “

 

“You haven’t seen her?”

 

Faal shook his head as he finished the first tray and slipped it into the oven, then turned and started on the second. “No. You were both still sleeping when I woke and I had some things to attend to. Mrs. Foreman made you both breakfast I believe and her and Kevin have been spending every free moment they have pampering her silly since she arrived.” He looked up and offered Saffron a wry smirk. “I guess they’ve grown bored with just my company… and no doubt they miss having a young lady around to fuss over.”

 

“Have a lot of young ladies in residence for them to miss, do you?”

 

Faal looked up at the odd tone and smirked, his eyes sparkling. “Not counting my personal assistant.. correction.. *former* personal assistant, who had a room here for when she worked late… just the one. My daughter,  Elaina.” He said, setting the second tray  on the counter beside the cooling racks and began cleaning up.

 

“I didn’t know you had kids.” Saffron said, his voice oddly soft, and Faal had the impression by the tone he’d just fallen under deeper scrutiny, but didn’t look up to see for himself.  “Lex said you’d been married…”

 

“Yes. I’ve been married twice. Both have been gone now for a very long time. I was blessed with one child from each marriage. My son Dorian, from my first marriage, died when he was still very young. And of course, Elaina.  She’s off in.. let me see… I believe  she went to  Prague… no.. that was completed.. let me see…” he said softly setting the last of the dishes in the sink before turning to wipe off the counter. “Venice I believe, this time  She’s one of my best troubleshooters and travels everywhere to fix problems within my companies and investments, implementing ways for them to run more efficiently, that sort of thing. She’s also a wonderful P.R person and I find every excuse to send her to functions in my place… She loves them. Thrives on the opportunity to spend far too much money on gorgeous gowns that she will wear for one evening to completely enchant the entire event, then toss in her closet to forget about. She’s an attention hog, but don’t tell her I said that…”  he chuckled softly.

 

“I’ll keep that in mind, sir.” Kevin said and both men looked up as he entered the room and headed straight  to the coffee maker and poured himself a cup. “Her rooms are prepared and all the prominent and pertinent invitations have been left on her desk, as  per usual. Mrs. Foreman has also removed all of last season’s fashions from her wardrobe to make room for the new. Also, as per usual.”

 

Faal looked at him curiously. “I beg your pardon?”

 

Kevin took a sip of his coffee and made a face. “Oh how bland… how can she stand this…” he said softly and  added a healthy dollop of flavored creamer kept for such emergencies. “Pardon for what?” he asked turning back to face the two men., then sniffed. “Do I smell croissants?”

 

Faal smirked softly as he leaned back against the counter. “Yes but unless you tell me what you’re babbling about, you won’t get any.”

 

Kevin cast Saffron an amused glance. “Was I babbling? I wasn’t babbling. You’re imagining things. I was speaking quite clearly about a single topic making perfect sense. Don’t burn them this time, please… you  still singed a couple last time.”

 

“I most certainly did NOT burn them!” Faal replied indignantly , but snatched up a mitt to check them anyhow.

 

Kevin  grinned at Saffron. “He burned them. He always burns them. Shame, really, aside from the slightly crispy bottoms they’re usually quite delicious.” He said ignoring the glare from Faal. “I’d love to see how much better they taste NOT burnt.”

 

Faal quickly set the croissants aside to cool as the second tray went into the oven. A quick inspection showed all  to be perfectly golden brown. He scooped a few onto a plate and set it on the counter between the three of them. “Ha! See? I told you... perfect… *burn them* indeed…” he shot Kevin a glance, his eyes sparkling in amusement. He wondered what the young death elemental was thinking about their little exchange. The expression on his face was a curious mix and hard to decipher.

 

Kevin snatched up a croissant, juggling it cautiously  as he tore of a piece to pop in his mouth. He closed his eyes and sighed. “Hmmm…  absolute heaven…” he said softly then jobbed a finger at Faal. “And you didn’t burn then because I reminded you. You always burn them...” he licked a slightly singed finger as he tore off another piece of steaming croissant. “ Now.. why wasn’t I allowed to have one of these?” he asked innocently.

 

Faal snorted, letting his own croissant cool a bit more, as he noticed, did Saffron. “Elaina … you were babbling about her rooms and things… you’re talking as if you expect her any minute.”

 

Kevin raised an eyebrow, his eyes sparkling even more brightly. “That’s because we are. Well… maybe not any minute… Miss Elaina has never been much of a morning person, after all...”

 

“You’re babbling again, Kevin.” Faal said, tearing off a piece of croissant. “Laini’s in Venice…. She’d not due home for another week or so…”

 

Kevin popped another chunk into his mouth and grinned. “No.. she’s due home today.”

 

Faal shot him a look. “No... she always come home two days before the festival…” Kevin’s grin grew even bigger and Faal dropped his croissant onto the counter in front of him. “Oh you’re joking! It is not!” He said and  pulled his phone from his pocket, quickly flipping through to the calendar. “Damn! Damn damn damn!” he said, snapping the phone shut and turning to give Kevin and exasperated look. “Why didn’t any of you remind me? Do you realize how far behind that puts me?!”

 

Kevin chuckled, still grinning. “That’s Miranda’s job, not ours… we find it far to amusing watching you scurry about.” He ducked as Faal hurled a chunk of  croissant at him. “Hey now! That was a perfectly good piece!” he said, casting a sad look at the floor where the chunk had landed before turning back to Faal. “Aren’t you going to ask my advice on what to do about being behind in your festival preparations?”

 

Faal eyed him, already going over the list of things he had to get done in two days in his head as he waited for the second tray of croissants to bake. “I suppose you wouldn’t be so cheerful if you didn’t have the perfect solution… cheeky bastard…” Faal said, muttering the last softly, his eyes still sparkling. “Alright then… I give… what would your advice be?”

 

Kevin ambled over to the cooling rack to snatch another croissant, before leaning back against the counter beside the oven. “My advice, as sage as it always is….” he said then paused while savoring another bite of croissant and letting Faal stew a moment longer. “Would be to ask the incredibly intelligent young lady who is currently residing upstairs. I understand she has an extensive knowledge and love of all things literary…  and she would no doubt enjoy it.”

 

Faal stared at him for a moment then suddenly grabbed the startled man and hugged him, kissing him soundly on the cheek. “You’re a genius. I love you. Watch the croissants, will you? And don’t burn them.” He said, already on his way out of the room, leaving a softly laughing Kevin munching away on his croissant and a silently amused Saffron sitting at the counter.

 

“I NEVER burn them.. that’s YOU’RE job!!” Kevin hollered after him and  shoved the last of the croissant into his mouth before snatching up the mitt and opening the oven. With a sigh he pulled the tray out and set it on the stove. “Damn… I burned them…” he muttered softly, prying at one fluffy golden crescent to peer at the slightly too dark bottom.

 

He turned to looked at Saffron, smirking. “We’ll just blame him.” He said grinning and nodded towards the coffee pot. “More coffee? I’ll put on a GOOD batch… no more of this bland tasteless concoction…”

 

Saffron found himself smiling softly in genuine amusement. “Sure.  So what exactly did you just suggest he put my sister to work doing for him?”

 

Kevin answered him brightly as he set about grinding a fresh batch of beans, mixing various flavors until he was satisfied. “Oh that… big thing here in town… it’s got some big long name that I doubt anyone can remember, so we all just call it ‘the festival’.  They’re trying to make it extend for the entire week and will probably succeed at some point, but for now, it basically just runs the weekend. Thursday night sees the formal hoohah  that Miss Elaina has taken to hosting HERE, much to her father’s annoyance. He’s not much for crowds, that one.. especially crowds of over dressed, undereducated  and over opinionated boars invading his own home. The rest of the weekend sees the usual round of fireworks displays, concerts, a small midway with games and such, there’s a parade early Friday evening followed by a gigantic community picnic… and of course,  a crap load of book fairs,  plays, book readings and signings and just about anything else you could dream of that has anything to do with  books.” He turned and leaned back against the counter as the machine dutifully began perking away. “ And far FAR too much Shakespeare.  Did I mention  the Festival is all about books and the like? No? Well.. goes without saying in this town, I suppose…” he chuckled softly. “At any rate,  Dominic being Dominic plays a large part in the whole thing. He always has a new collection or two for display, and donates  a fair number of books for the charity sales, as well as seeing that the various children’s events have sufficient prizes and that sort of thing. And of course he runs the writing contests… no doubt he’s panicking over nothing. I’m sure Miranda had most of that taken care of ages ago and he just doesn’t remember. He has a personal assistant for a reason after all… shame he can’t seem to keep one longer then a few years…”

 

Saffron raised an eyebrow. “Ass to work for?” he asked softly, accepting the butter and a knife for his croissant.

 

Kevin laughed softly, shaking his head. “Oh no, not at all! Quite the opposite really. His problem when it comes to assistants is that he believes in equality. The best credentials, yadda yadda yadda… and since he’s a very active and busy man, he needs someone who can keep up. Thus they tend to be on the young side, and most are invariably women. Which I have a theory on; young women in the corporate world drive themselves much harder then young men, and thus almost always have a much more impressive background. Anyways, in case you haven’t noticed, our Mr. Dominic is quite a handsome fellow, and charming and rich to boot…. And while I have NEVER in any way seen him foster any sort of romantic impressions with any of them, they all seem to develop rather immense crushes on him. Which tends to become extremely awkward for him and eventually causes their work to deteriorate. I keep telling him to limit the applications to men this time, but he can’t stand the thought that true potential is being overlooked by him limiting his search in such a way. And, in the long run, probably wouldn’t make that big a difference since he’s had  male assistants who’ve become enamored with him as well. Maybe he should take the time and effort to alter his appearance.. choose a glamour so far from his own appearance .. add warts or scars or something….” He turned  back to the coffee maker with a triumphant grin and poured two fresh cups, inhaling deeply as he handed one to Saffron. “ Ahhh.. here we go… much better. Those two shouldn’t be allowed near that machine, if you ask me. Care for another croissant?”

 
 

 

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