“How did the hunt go?” Alburet asked idly.
“I was uncertain how far out I should take her, as she is such a low level. I was still confident in my ability though, so I took her out past the goblin fort towards their villages. We did a fair amount of damage out there, though Erin did give me a scare a time or two.”
“I said I was sorry for tha’,” Erin replied, her cheeks reddening. “I did nay know how they act in groups. Me sisters and me never did anythin’ beyond the rats in the village outside the city.”
“I know,” Wilbur replied, squeezing her hand. “You told me and I am not upset. I was just frightened that you would be injured.” He smiled at her, the love he felt for her obvious.
A minute later the carriage came to a halt, “The Victory Lap, sir,” the driver called out.
Wilbur stepped out, followed by Alburet, each of them helping their woman out of the carriage. “We will be some time, James. I believe they have a place around the side for you to wait.”
“Indeed, sir,” the driver replied. “I shall be waiting for you.”
James drove the carriage around the side, leaving the quartet out front. Alburet opened the door, holding it while the rest of the party filed in. The interior was just as he recalled it from some weeks back. The maître d’ greeted them with a professional smile, though the effect was less than welcoming as the smile pulled at the scar on the man’s cheek. “May I help you this evening?”
“We’re here for a celebration for one Erin Crowley,” Alburet replied.
“The rest of your party is already here sir,” the man replied as he pulled on a silver bell pull. A moment later a woman appeared in the doorway next to the maître d, “Follow Allison and she will see you to your room.”
“This way, please.” They followed after the woman, who was missing part of her left ear. She ushered them into a room identical to the one used for Stacia’s celebration. Alistern, Lilith, Grimgar, Almira, Stewart and another woman were already seated around the table. They all stood up as Erin entered the room, followed by Wilbur, Alburet and Stacia. A round of hugs and handshakes went around, allowing Alburet to meet Tabitha, Stewart’s companion for the night.
“Nay me sisters?” Erin asked as everyone was seated.
“This be for those who have braved the wilds and come back from their first hunt,” Alistern told his daughter.
“Aye, but I was hopin’ to tell them the news as well,” Erin said, catching the attention of everyone at the table. She took Wilbur’s hand on the table and beamed at him before turning back to the others. “I have news that they should be knowin’, but I’ll tell ya first.” A small collective intake of breath ran around the table as she paused. She grinned mischievously at the sound before she continued, “I be havin’ found me class. I be a Trapsmith, it seems.”
There was a moment of silence as everyone had to suddenly readjust their expectations. Almira was the first to speak, “A class? You mean you are able to use abilities associated with a class, after all this time?”
“Aye,” Erin cried out with a laugh. “Wha’ did ya think I be goin’ to be sayin’?”
Alburet started laughing at everyone’s startled expressions. “Gods, she is a prankster. Careful there Wilbur, or she might just target you next.”
Wilbur went a touch pink, “I did not know she was going to tell you all quite that way. She did tell me about her and her sisters all lacking a class. A rather unusual problem to have. We were both surprised when she was able to spot and disarm a trap at one of the goblin villages.”
“Is that true?” Lilith asked, turning to her daughter.
“Aye, Ma. It was a crude trap, but it seemed ta glow to me. After a second I was able to pull it apart and then refashion it. The next goblin got a poisoned dart ta the face.”
“So ye be needin’ to speak to the Trapsmith in the mornin’ and train ya ability,” Grimgar cut in.
“Two abilities,” Erin grinned, “got to level ten, as well.”
Everyone around the table started talking, mostly congratulating Erin but there was speculation as well. They were still talking when the servers came in with the drinks and food. Alburet stood up to make the first toast to Erin’s success. Erin was kept almost too busy to eat answering questions about her hunt and helping Wilbur field a few not very veiled questions regarding his intentions toward Erin. Erin glared at her father after his second attempt to grill Wilbur. “He will decide when he be good and ready, so leave off.”
“I want to point out,” Tabitha said quietly. “That Stacia and Erin both apparently found their class when out hunting with the person they want to be with.”
The table glanced at Tabitha in surprise. “Good point, Tabitha,” Stewart said and patted her hand. “I think you might have something there. We should see if Marian or Deidre want to go out hunting, and if they do then have it arranged for their paramours to take them.”
“All me daughters can finally find their paths?” The hope in Alistern’s eyes was bright.
“It is something we can look into,” Almira said.
That prompted a round of speculation about who Marian and Deidre might take with them and why. Two hours later the party was breaking up, with Grimgar and Almira the first two to bow out. Stewart took his leave next, with Tabitha at his side. Alburet had been surprised to learn that she was his succubus. Tabitha seemed to be much more reserved than Lilith or Stacia, almost as if afraid she might say something to upset Stewart. After they left, Lilith took Alistern’s hand and tugged him to his feet as well. They wished the last two couples a good night before departing.
“Wilbur, are you planning on more hunts?” Alburet asked once they were the last ones at the table.
“It all comes down to when she will be free to go. We both have jobs after all, but on my day off if she is free I would gladly take her out again.”
“Erin, talk to Kim about lining your days off up with his if you want that,” Alburet told her. “Also, take some time tomorrow when Kim is there to head over and train your abilities.”
“Thank ya,” Erin beamed. “I will do tha’ tomorrow. See, Wilbur? I told ya he would be fine with tha idea.” Erin and Wilbur stood up, clearly preparing to take their leave.
“Wilbur,” Alburet called out, forestalling them. “I have one question that I would really like to know the answer to.”
“What is that?” Wilbur asked, one arm around Erin’s waist as they paused.
“You will continue on in the guards regardless of your family’s wishes? Have you thought about what you’ll do if they force you to decide between them or your career?”
Wilbur sucked in a breath, “That is something I hope will never come to pass.”
“What if they disown you over Erin? They could publicly humiliate her, as well.” Alburet asked the question curiously to gauge him.
Wilbur’s cheeks went red and his mouth thinned in anger, “I will not stand by and let them besmirch her name. She is worth more than my family name.” He stopped dead, surprised by the words that had come out of his mouth. He looked at Erin, who was staring at him with wide hopeful eyes. “You deserve better than I can currently give you. A man who is afraid to have it out with his family over the woman he loves is not worthy of that woman.”
Erin pulled him into a hug, “Fool,” she said without malice. “I do nay care about ya family name or aught else but ya. Ya be enough for me, family or no.”
“Me sisters and I ha’ always followed our hearts,” Stacia added. “She will nay waver from her decision unless ya force her away, now.”
Letting out a deep breath, Wilbur returned the embrace, “I will not, but she still deserves better. My family will only despise her.”
“Are you willing to meet with me in two days, after your shift?” Alburet asked.
“I can,” Wilbur agreed, puzzled by the question.
“Good. Please meet me at the guild hall in two days after your shift.” He offered his arm to Stacia, “I wish you both a good
night,” They left the couple to their embrace, making their way to the front of the restaurant. Alburet asked about the bill, only to be told it had already been taken care of. “Remind me to thank your family later,” he told Stacia as they teleported to their home.
“Aye, Asthore, I will. Did ya wish to start by thankin’ me personally?” she asked as she unlocked the door, looking back over her shoulder at him with a playful grin.
Chuckling, Alburet followed her inside, “Now that sounds like a very good idea, my little fire kitten.”
Chapter Seven
When Seamus arrived at work that morning, he knew his coworkers would probably hate him for what was going to happen. He stepped out of his car and made sure his gear was in place. The bastard who’d hurt Kaylee should be appearing before the judge today. No one knew yet that he was connected to the victim, technically he should have informed his sergeant of that as soon as the inmate came into the facility. He entered the sally port and put his gun in the locker before entering the building. He kept his face carefully blank to make sure he didn’t give anything away.
“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?”
Seamus felt his eyes tighten but his face stayed blank, “In that case, I’ll take court today. You can handle housing and deal with all of the inmates wanting to complain about petty shit.”
Tony rolled his eyes, “Fuck, knew I should have kept my mouth shut.”
“You never learn,” Sergeant Gray said as he came into the room. “Can’t blame Seamus for taking the easy duty when you just offer it up like that.”
“I’ll transport my weapon and be ready to get the inmate after breakfast,” Seamus added as he left the room.
“But, Sarge,” Tony said as Seamus left, “what about the rotation?”
“Seniority has its perks,” Gray laughed. “Head on down and get ready for wake up and breakfast.”
The next two hours went by in a daze. At one point, Gray even asked him if he was feeling okay. Seamus was able to play it off as just feeling a bit under the weather, maybe coming down with something. Finally, it was time. A few minutes before eight in the morning he went down to housing to shackle up the inmate, his hands twitching slightly as he considered attacking the man there. Tony was there when he arrived, though, and already had the inmate shackled and ready to move.
“Hey man, Sarge was saying you might take off after court today. You should have said you weren’t feeling well,” Tony said, motioning the inmate to follow the lines.
“Thank you, and sorry,” Seamus was able to say as the man who had hurt Kaylee walked past him. Turning to follow the shackled inmate, he said, “Follow the lines. Any deviation from the lines will be met with corrective force.”
The prisoner walked silently, taking the turns as Seamus directed him. They paused in the court sally for Seamus to retrieve his gun. In the small room where the guns were stored inside of locked boxes, there were no cameras. Seamus double checked that his weapon was loaded with non-standard rounds and ready for what he was about to do. He came back out of the room and resumed walking through the connecting hallway to the back of the court building. As they rounded the corner, Seamus stepped forward and firmly pinned the inmate’s ankle shackles under his boot.
The prisoner cried out as he fell to his knees hard. Seamus clamped down on the inmate’s shoulder, drawing his gun and leaning down to hiss at the inmate, “You thought you were going to see the judge today. But scum like you doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air that she did. You deserve so much worse than this for what you did to my daughter. When I see you again in hell I’ll kill you all over again, for eternity.” Seamus fired twice into the man’s head from point blank range, covering the hall with brains and blood.
His heart seemed like a dead lump inside his chest and his blood was ice. He clicked on the safety for the gun then set it down gently, before he laid down and cuffed his hands behind his back. He could hear frantic voices and the pounding of booted feet drawing near as the court bailiffs responded to the shots. The running stopped abruptly as the bailiffs turned the corner on the scene of carnage. One of them puked noisily, all over his own feet.
He ignored the questions directed at him until Sergeant Gray tried to ask him why he’d done it. He roused himself enough to answer simply, “Kaylee.”
~*~*~
Sitting bolt upright in bed, covered in sweat, Alburet’s whole body trembled as the emotions triggered by the memory crashed through him. Stacia’s arms were around him, holding him tightly to her and he was aware of her asking questions. His mind, though, was still locked into the scene of his nightmare and his replies were disjointed at best.
“MASTER!” Stacia screamed at him, and slapped him hard across the face.
Gasping, Alburet blinked as the world around him snapped into focus. Stacia was crying as she clung to him, begging him to be okay. He put his arms around her gently embracing her, his hand stroking her hair to soothe her even as he wondered what he had just experienced.
It was many minutes later before Stacia regained her composure enough to speak, “Master, what happened? Why did ya nay respond to me when ya woke from the nightmare? Are ya okay?”
Alburet took a few deep breaths before he replied, “I had a nightmare about a murder. I don’t know why I keep having them, but they haven’t stopped yet. I was stuck in my head thinking about what happened until you slapped me, Kitten. I don’t know if I’m okay. I think I need to speak with someone.”
“Ya nay leaving me are ya?” She asked and tightened her embrace.
“Not if I can help it, Kitten,” he told her and stroked her hair some more. “I don’t think getting back to sleep is likely now. Why don’t you go start breakfast for us, okay? I need to send a message to someone who might be able to answer some of my questions.”
“Ya will nay leave?” she asked again, pulling her head back to meet his eyes.
“I won’t leave. I never want to leave you, Kitten,” he told her as their eyes met. “Now go on. I’ll be along after I rinse the sweat off and get dressed.”
She kissed him hard as if to reassure herself before she got out of bed. She walked out of the room nude, not pausing to put clothes on. Alburet watched her go, but the memory of his nightmare floated still before his eyes. He got out of bed and grabbed his Mindstone, sending Vicky a message then going to the bathroom to rinse off and dress. He was dressed before the message icon started flashing at him.
Message from Victoria AI:
We’re looking into options to help with your nightmares. It is disturbing that they are beginning to invade your waking mind as well. For now, you are cleared to tell Stacia your full history. Only Stacia, and make sure she understands that she is not permitted to tell anyone else herself, to do so would be considered a violation of the NDA you signed. Please do continue to keep me informed when you have these nightmares, and I will let you know when we’ve reached any further decisions regarding treatment.
Alburet hesitated, half afraid to leave the room. He feared what Stacia would say to him or think of him once he told her. He couldn’t withhold it from her though, they were married and his father had always told him a marriage can’t have secrets. His hands shook as he went to open the door, so he stopped and tried some breathing techniques to calm his nerves. After a minute or two he was feeling a shade calmer and went out to find Stacia.
She was stirring something in a pot on the stove when he found her. He drank in the sight of her naked body, just in case she wanted nothing to do with him after he told her. Swallowing hard, he had to pause to control his turbulent emotions. “Kitten?”
“Breakfast will be done in just a second, master,” she replied to him. “Iffin ya will just take a seat, I’ll bring it over. The coffee is already on the tab
le for ya.”
He took the coward’s path and went to the table, taking a seat and sipping at the coffee she had poured for him. A minute later she brought over two bowls of frumenty, she set his bowl before him before taking her seat. Her eyes met his and she froze as she read the fear in his face.
“Master,” she asked softly as she covered his hand on the table with hers, “what be troublin’ ya?”
Alburet looked away before meeting her eyes. “I’ve been given the okay to tell you about my past. All of it. You might understand why I’m having the troubles I am. However, if you tell anyone what I’m about to tell you then the gods will consider it a violation of the NDA quest. And I will be pulled from this world and not allowed to return.”
Stacia’s face went white, “Do ya need to tell me, master? I do nay care what ya did in the past, ya could have killed the gods of ya mad world and I would be fine with tha’. I never want to risk losin’ ya.”
Alpha Company (Alpha World Book 3) Page 8
