“Aye, it can be seen tha’ way,” Stacia sighed. “He treasured her callin’ him Unca, even more so when it stopped being in jest. This be one of his fondest memories and he shoves it away from himself. Denyin’ this moment of happiness for years now.” Sighing again, Stacia’s lips were pulled down by a deep frown, “I be sorry, it looks like we be done here tonight. I will take us back out, ya two have plans. I will be holdin’ him and tryin’ to soothe his mind.”
Karen and Fluff looked at each other, trading a small nod. “We’ll all hold him as best we can,” Karen told her. “We’ll wait for another time to do what Fluff asked about. She wants to help him, as much as I do.”
“Aye, thank ya both. I knew ya would make fine additions to our life,” Stacia replied as she pulled them both into a hug. “Come now, let us be soothin’ the man we care for.”
A second later they were back in their bodies kneeling next to Alburet, who was curled into a tight ball with tears trickling from his closed eyes. “Ifin ya will take either side of him, I will rest his head in me lap,” Stacia told them as they blinked back into awareness.
Karen and Fluff arranged themselves to either side of Alburet, holding him while Stacia stroked his brow and wiped the tears away from his face. They stayed there for over an hour, comforting the sleeping form of Alburet. Eventually Fluff and Karen both drifted off to sleep. Stacia stayed awake, stroking his hair. Being an Infernal, she didn’t require the same sleep that the others did. She could go days without sleep with no ill effects, so she stayed awake watching over him the entire night.
An hour before sunrise Alburet’s body went from relaxed to rigid. Stacia’s eyes opened wide as she felt the emotions pouring off of him. She began to sing, to enter his mind, only to be thrown back violently. Her song ended in a ragged, discordant note. Tears formed in her eyes, dripping down onto his unconscious face and mingling with the tears that leaked from his closed ones.
“Shh, I be here for ya, master,” Stacia whispered, her voice cracking as she cried over him.
~*~*~
Seamus stood with his spine straight, hands at his side. The Sergeant stopped in front of him. “Masterson, how long from arrest until the new intake sees the judge?”
“Up to forty-eight hours, sir, normally. That can be extended, but probable cause must be found by the judge in that time frame,” Seamus replied with precision.
Sergeant Grey nodded, “Correct.” Grey turned sharply to advance to the next potential new hire.
Shaking his head as a noise pierced his ears, painfully loud, Seamus winced. When the noise faded he wasn’t in training any more, but talking with Tony in the booking area.
“Hey, Seamus,” Tony called out to him. “Looks like an easy day, only one person for court. Quiet weekend, mostly. ‘Cept this one guy. Rape, assault with intent, assault with a deadly… and those are the minor charges. Sick fucker. Why do people do shit like this?”
Another piercing noise made him wince again, forcing his eyes closed. When he was able to blink them open again he was in a hospital room. Kaylee was on the bed.
She was crying about wanting to be left alone, her head turned away from him. As his brow furrowed he saw a copy of himself standing next to the bed. The copy raised its face to look directly at him.
“You know this never happened, Seamus,” his double stated calmly. “You never saw her crying in a hospital bed. Why do you cling to this fantasy? You’re hurting us. Do you think Kaylee would want us to lie to ourselves like this?”
Alburet backed up, his mind racing, “This is a dream. But why? What does it mean?” The hospital room cracked, blazing white light seeping in around the cracks.
“You’re killing us by clinging to delusions,” the double said from beside the bed which was now empty. “How long from the time of the perp being arrested until he sees the judge? How many days passed from Kaylee being attacked, until you killed her attacker?”
His body spasmed as the room broke into fragments. The light seared his flesh as bits of the memory cut into him, drawing blood. “No, that isn’t right. I know this is a real memory,” Alburet panted as he knelt on white nothingness that seared at his flesh. “She didn’t want to see me anymore, would only talk to David…”
His own voice echoed in his ears, “You are killing us, Seamus. You need to admit the truth.”
His chest ached as the voice continued to echo in his ears. “Truth? What truth?”
~*~*~
Jerking awake sitting bolt upright, Alburet panted heavily, his eyes flickering around the room. Stacia’s arms crushed him from behind, “Ya had me worried. Ya mind was in such turmoil.”
“You okay?” Karen asked, sitting up next to him, having been woken by his violent start.
“What happened?” Fluff asked sitting up on his other side, rubbing her eyes.
“Sorry,” Alburet told them as he tried to get his breathing back under control. “It was a nightmare. Everything is fine.”
“Nay, it be bad,” Stacia whispered. “I could nay comfort ya or stop ya dream from happenin’. We be dancin’ around the main issue of ya memory. I can nay push onward as they nay be allowed to know.”
Alburet grimaced, knowing she was right. He wanted to fix his mind, but what would they think of him if they really knew? “I could ask, but I don’t think she’ll agree,” Alburet replied while chewing his lip in frustration.
“Ask who, what?” Karen asked as she put her arm around Alburet’s waist.
“The contact I have for my NDA. I would need her approval to let you both know why I’m really here.”
“Mindblown?” Fluffball asked softly.
“Yeah, it’s their NDA,” Alburet sighed, relaxing into Stacia’s arms. “I’m sorry for waking you all. I think my mind is beginning to rebel against my memories.”
The women all exchanged a brief glance before Stacia spoke up, “Ask her then, master, please, for us.”
Nodding, Alburet reached for his Mindstone. Stacia handed the bag it was in to him. He sent Victoria a quick message before setting the stone aside. “I’ve asked but it might be some time before…” he cut off as his message icon started to blink. “Or not.”
Message from Victoria AI:
Seamus, that is a lot to ask from us. I will run it past my superiors. Even if they do approve it, each person you tell will need to sign their own NDA. I will send you a copy for each of your companions. Once the forms are signed, place them in your bag and I’ll retrieve them. It might help sway those above me if your friends have already signed the forms.
Alburet sighed, “They want you both to sign an NDA. If you do so, they might let me share my past with you.”
“Give me the form,” Karen replied without hesitation.
“I’ll sign as well,” Fluff added a second later. “You did so much to help me. I would feel horrible if I couldn’t return the favor.”
“Stacia, my bag should contain two forms,” Alburet told his wife.
She dug into his bag, bringing out two scrolls and handing one to each woman. Fluff scanned through the NDA, as did Karen. Karen hissed, “That is a steep price to pay if it’s broken.”
“Yes, but I won’t break it,” Fluff added as she placed her hand on the spot for it at the bottom. She handed the scroll back to Stacia, “I want to help him.”
Karen chewed at her lip for a moment then nodded. “He has his moments. And, I would like to know more.” She followed Fluff’s lead placing her hand on the spot for it, before handing it off.
“Put them back in the bag,” Alburet advised Stacia, who did so. “Now we just have to wait for their decision.”
Chapter Twenty-seven
The moment stretched on for a while with no further contact. “Ya all should be gettin’ more sleep,” Stacia finally said.
Alburet shuddered slightly at the idea of going back to sleep, “I think staying up would be okay.”
“We be assaultin’ the keep in the mornin’. Which means we all need
our sleep,” Stacia replied to him as she backed up and drew his head back to her lap. “I promise ya no dreams.”
Lying back down next to Alburet and draping her arm and leg over him, Karen snuggled in. “I’ll be here.”
Fluff lightly draped her arm over his chest, “We’ll both be here to hold you again.”
Closing his eyes Alburet nodded once, “Okay.”
Stacia began to stroke his hair lightly while singing. As her song built the trio all felt their eyes grow heavy, as sleep rushed forward to claim them. Stacia watched them all nod off, her smile fading. Her shoulders sagged as she let her calm façade drop from her. “Ya worry me, master. I fear ya will nay be able to hold up when the false memories start to crumble in ya mind. I hope ya friend answers back soon, so we can all help ya.”
She was still stroking his head gently hours later when the sun crested the eastern horizon. She took a few deep breaths, putting herself back together. Once she was ready she lifted the magic from them, allowing them to awaken. “Wake me family, daybreak be here,” Stacia crooned softly to them.
They woke together, eyes fluttering open. Karen let out a long yawn, Fluff rubbed at her eyes and Alburet stretched. Alburet noticed his message icon flashing. Tapping it open, he read it.
Message from Victoria AI:
Seamus, it has been approved. Make sure they understand the severity of breaking the NDA, both for them and for you. I hope they are able to help you come to grips with your memories. As your therapist, I am here if you need a clinical opinion. As a friend, which I hope you consider me, I hope you do not hate me once you do face them.
Lips pursed, Alburet read the message a second time, an ominous feeling gripping his heart. “She said that the NDAs have been approved. I am to remind you that you breaking the NDA affects me as well as you.”
Fluff hugged him, “I won’t. I don’t want to hurt you or Stacia.”
“I would never,” Karen added.
“We can come to grips with his memories after we attack the keep,” Stacia commented.
Alburet took a deep breath, “Ladies, what I did to end up here is not something I am proud of. I’ll tell you all about it after we’re victorious.”
Fluff kissed his cheek, “I won’t think any less of you. You stood beside me during my memories.”
Alburet’s smile was pained as he replied, “Okay.”
Karen got to her feet, looking down her own naked body at him. “Oh, come on now. I finally got you to succumb to my wish. It’s not like I’m going to let you go that easily.”
A momentary chuckle escaped him, “I guess not, but we’ll see once you know.”
Stacia came in from behind him, hugging him tightly. “They will nay think any less of ya, master. As ya were there for them, they will be here for ya. Have faith in ya family to stand beside ya, even in the dark times.”
He relaxed into her arms, “As you wish.”
“Aye, as it should be,” Stacia kissed the back of his neck. “Now get ya dressed, so we nay be the last ones ready again.”
“I thought I was in charge of this relationship,” Alburet mock growled.
“Of course ya are,” Stacia said with a smile on her lips as she turned to face him. “I will nay gainsay ya wishes in any way.”
“I think I’m in charge of this relationship, actually,” Karen commented as she wiggled into her leathers.
A flicker of his eyes traced her form, and he couldn’t stop the smile that wreathed his face. “We can discuss that tonight, instead,” he suggested, trying to dodge his own memories.
Karen met his eyes squarely, “Al? Don’t hide from us. We didn’t from you.”
Letting out a deep breath he pulled on his clothes, “I know, but neither of you is a convicted criminal like I am.”
Fluff paused in the middle of pulling her top over her head. “I understand why you have that NDA now. It must have been a serious crime.”
“It was,” Stacia replied in Alburet’s place as he looked away in shame or fear. “He did it out of love of another, though. Just as he would have to protect ya durin’ ya memory.”
Comprehension dawned in Fluff’s eyes, “Oh…”
Karen was settling weapons on her belt when she began to nod. “I doubt he could have done anything I’ll think any less of him for. We’ll find out soon, after we triumph.”
Alburet started to put his armor on, his face grim, “After…”
Stacia kissed his cheek as she shouldered her bag, “I will be waitin’ for ya outside, iffin ya will Copy me real quick.”
Alburet focused on her and Copied her, bringing Kitten into existence. “Kitten, go with yourself,” Alburet said as he put his boots on.
“As ya wish, master,” Kitten replied as she followed Stacia from the tent.
Fluff was a step behind them, “I’ll make sure breakfast is good.”
Karen stopped next to Alburet as he finished putting his armor on. “Al?” He glanced at her, waiting, so she continued, “Would you hurt me or Fluff?”
His brow furrowed, “Of course not.”
“When you doubt us, it hurts.” She walked out of the tent, leaving him to consider her words.
He finished buckling on his potion belt over his armor as he stewed for a moment at her comment. He shook his head as he summoned Bob and Tiny, the silence stretching around him. Two puffs of smoke announced the arrival of his minions. He didn’t greet them as normal, lost in his thoughts as he was. He was snapped out of them by Bob kicking his ankle.
“Hey, you alive in there?” Bob asked, looking up at Alburet.
“Yeah. Sorry, guys,” Alburet greeted them. “We’ll be assaulting the keep today. Are you ready for some action?”
“About time,” Bob grinned, “let’s go kill some stuff.”
“I will be your shield,” Tiny rumbled.
His eyes rested on Tiny for a second, “Tiny, over the last month I’ve noticed you seem smarter.”
Tiny nodded, “Yes. I’m not as smart as Bob, but I am smarter now.”
“I like it,” Alburet replied, clapping Tiny on the back. “I can’t wait to see how smart you are when you become a Destroyer Lord.”
“How smart he’ll be?” Bob groused lightly.
“I know you’ll be smarter, Bob, and I shudder to think of how powerful you’ll be by then,” Alburet placated the Imp.
Puffing up, Bob grinned, “That’s right. I’ll burn the world with my power.”
They left the tent, allowing Alburet to pack it up. As he put it away, Roberto nodded to him, “Early riser today. Excited, are you?”
Putting on a false smile Alburet replied, “Well, this is the reason we came.”
“Fair enough,” Roberto agreed. “We’ll get you to the gate and hold the graveyard for you.”
“Good point,” Gerald added as he came over buckling on his breastplate. “Glad to see I’m not the only one up early today.”
“We’re all a little excited,” Karen added as she handed Alburet the bread and cheese that was breakfast.
“The keep seems mostly intact,” Banthor commented as he joined the growing group. “Tha’ will make it easier for the crafters. The walls look like they’ll be needin’ the most work.”
“I wonder what treasures lie undisturbed inside?” Ioaniss grinned as he joined the others.
“I shall be carefully cataloging them all,” Renful snorted at Jones as he went by. “So don’t even think of absconding with any.”
Ioaniss rolled his eyes, “I’m not a thief. The same can’t always be said about your master though, can it?”
Renful went red, then white as he spun back to Ioaniss, “How dare you slander his name? He has never once taken anything not his.”
“True enough, he just robs them legally by ridiculously understating the value of an item. We both know the truth of the matter, Renful, so off you go.” He finished the sentence with small shooing gestures like one would do to an annoying house pet.
Renful
snarled as he stalked off, his shoulders hunched, muttering the whole time. Alburet watched the curator go before turning to Ioaniss. “I didn’t know you and Sir Dracon have bad blood between you.”
“We don’t, but he has questionable business practices. For instance, you were fleeced for the tome and opener. Those two items are worth more than Vladimir could have offered. Just keep that in mind, and if you would like my assessment of any treasures in the Keep before Renful ships them off I’ll be glad to assist.”
Bowing from the waist, Alburet thanked Ioaniss, “My thanks, Sir Jones. I will gladly take you up on the offer.”
Playing For Keeps (Alpha World Book 4) Page 27
