77- A Bitter Snack

As they walked back to the apartment together, Tau had nothing to say to Quayleigh, nor she to him. Rather she found comfort in the meandering pace, the crisp night air, and the safe feeling she got from the way his hand wrapped around hers.

When they reached the door to the apartment, Tau opened it, and she walked inside where she was embraced before she even had a chance to take stock of her surroundings.

"Did they get what they want?" Cole asked, his voice muffled by the way he was holding her, but she didn't care.

He was comfortable, his frame larger than Tau's, and there was always this strange, unplaceable scent clinging to his cloths, like the inside of a roasting hot cabin made of chocolate and gingerbread, that was welcoming, calming, and allowed her to relax.

"They did," Tau replied confirming that it wasn't her to whom he had been speaking. "They caused her great pain in the process though. It was all I could do to convince Uroxuz not to end them where they stood when she collapsed."

"Collapsed?" Cole asked in shock as he looked down at her, setting his hand to her cheek as he gazed into her eye as if he was looking for something. "How are you feeling now, cher? You want me to make you something? Tea perhaps?"

"That sounds nice. Thank you," she replied as Tau took the bag from her hand and she pried her shoes from her feet.

"How's he doing?" Tau questioned as he set the bag onto the coffee table while she hung up her coat.

"He's sleeping for now. There was a mild complication."

Quayleigh heard Cole's response as Tau moved into the kitchen and she made her way towards the couch to see Kyffin sleeping soundly, his arm wrapped in heavy bandages, a faint, but foul smell rising from it.

"Stay back from this one," Uroxuz whispered over her shoulder.

"Why? What's wrong with him?"

"He smells of our world. He has been touched by it, and the living tend not to fare well. He is starting to spoil."

"It happened earlier, when we preformed our version of the ritual you created," Tau told her as he came to join her.

"His magic was, unexpectedly, affected by what we were doing," Cole explained having set the kettle on the stove to heat. "Years of being subjected to the MET's training methods have damaged his magic, and it reacted to the wild magic we were using, in a very surprising way. Turns out, he's a woodland mage."

"A woodland? That's incredible," Quayleigh replied as she looked down at Kyffin. "Does he know his tree? Was he even aware?"

"He does, but he was unaware."

"Did he tell you what it was?"

"A Hawthorne."

"A Hawthorne; how wonderful. Do you think he would mind if I took a look at his magic?" she asked as she moved over the bed and sat down.

"It would be only fair since he took a thorough look at yours," Cole replied as he motioned to the blue book laying out on the table. "That's his there. That's not a true representation though, but if you were ever curious, that's what the MET does to its mages."

Quayleigh picked up his book and glanced through the pages as Cole went back into the kitchen to prepare a pot for the tea. Examining Kyffin's work with the tips of her fingers, she felt saddened by the compositions and stark nature of his lines. Closing her eyes, she sighed and closed the book sliding it back on to the table.

"Is there anything we can do to help him?"

Uroxuz shifted his position around the table and took a deep breath of Kyffin's arm before turning towards her.

"His energy is strong. His body will purge the impurities in time, but a stain shall remain. But if you would grant me permission, I could cleanse his wound," Uroxuz offered as he licked his lips.

"You would ask me for permission?" Quayleigh asked finding it strange that he had directed his request to her, going so far as to set his head against her lap.

"As Tauluthet is my master, and you are his mate, so are you one who I can serve."

"I see. You won't hurt him though, right? No accidently eating his soul and killing him?"

Uroxuz chattered his teeth as he tossed back his head. "There are no accidents in eating. One devours as one should, as one is asked, as one must. But never without being aware. I will do no harm to him. Just pull the death and rot from his wound."

"What do you think?" she asked as she looked back at Tau.

"If you think you can help him, I believe we should trust him."

"Cole?"

"Oh, leave me out of this," he replied as he came out of the kitchen. "This decision be up to you two. I've no idea what Uru be capable of. Either way, it's time to take off that bandage. I put some of my salve on it to try and draw out the infection and it's been on long enough to have done what it can."

"Yes, yes, pretty one. Remove the bandage. I must see the trees arm," Uroxuz remarked as he slithered up onto the bed and coiled his body up behind Quayleigh before wrapping around her and holding her as if she was plush toy.

Kneeling down next to the couch, Cole did his best not to disturb Kyffin, carefully lifting his arm, and unwinding the self-adhered wrapping to reveal Kyffin's, darkened, and strangely scarred, arm.

"Aside from the small black marks," which appeared as large blackheads sitting beneath the surface of his skin, marking the spots where the thorns had pierced through, "his arm looks much better than it did before. The infection seems to be gone."

"It is not what mortal eyes can see, pretty fruit," Uroxuz hissed as he released Quayleigh and moved around the table to face Cole.

Reaching out, Uru clutched his hand over top of Cole's, his fingers wrapping entirely around Kyffin's arm. Lifting up his other hand, he flared out his fingers, offering Cole his palm. "You saw me, when I should have been unseen. Take my paw. And you will see what I see."

Cole sighed as Quayleigh moved off the bed to join Tau on the other side of the table, partially because she wanted to be next to him, but mostly out of curiosity and wanting a better view of what was going on.

"How is this not the worst idea I've had yet tonight?" he muttered as he took a hold of Uroxuz hand.

Quayleigh watched as Cole's eyes closed and his head pulled to the left over his shoulder, the veins on the side of his neck bulging as his muscles tensed for no more than a second. Shaking out his head he opened his eyes and looked down at Kyffin's arm.

"What do you see?" Quayleigh asked as Cole turned and stopped, his eyes lifting from the floor, and slowly moving up the length of Tau's body, stopping above his head.

Closing his eyes, he wet his lips and swallowed, "I take that back." Turning back to Kyffin's arm, he examined it more closely before releasing Uroxuz's hand.

"Cole, what did you see?" Quayleigh asked again, curious about his reaction.

"Him," he said as pointed towards Tau, although he seemed to be struggling to look in his direction. "I did not need to see that. I caught a glimpse of him before, but that was just a bit of his feet and legs. But that, that was the rest of him." He twitched and breathed, and struggled, but forced himself to look at Tau. "Oh, okay, you back to normal."

"His arm, Cole."

"Right, sorry, cher. That was a bit more than I was expecting. But yes, there is something going on underneath. His soul, his magic, there's something clinging to it."

"And you're certain you can help him, Uru?" she asked as she moved closer and gently placed his hand on the top of his head.

"Yes. But as this is your home, and he is your guest, it is you who must allow it."

"Then of course, do what you can Uru. I trust you," she replied as she gently rubbed his head and then stepped back to where Tau was waiting.

"It will be my pleasure," Uru replied as he opened his mouth, wrapped his tongue around Kyffin's arm and thrust his head to the side, his tongue sliding up and off his fingers.

Sucking his tongue into this mouth, he chewed and swallowed, before licking his lips.

"Bitter and fragrant, yet, not nearly ripe enough," Uroxuz commented as he set his hand over the center of his chest and looked down at Kyffin. "That is good. He will recover. It will take him time to adjust, but he must beware. There is little left between here and his heart. Should death grab hold again, even I will be unable to save him."

"I'll make sure he heeds your warning," Cole responded as he made his way into the kitchen, the kettle now boiling. "And thank you, Uru."

"It was a small thing. A bitter snack, and I am hungry as it is. That shall tide me over until it is time for my next meal," Uroxuz replied as he followed Cole into the kitchen. "Will you allow me a taste of that thing that you create?"

"Sure, there's going to be plenty to go around. You going to be okay using a mug? Or would a bowl be better for you?"

"One of these small things with the handle will be adequate."

"I never thought those two would get along so well," Quayleigh whispered to Tau as he walked her back to the bed and sat down with her. "It looks like we're going to have another night with guests."

"Cole said he would take Kyffin with him if he could wake him up long enough to get him down to his car," Tau told her as he kept a close watch on what was happening in the kitchen.

"Reasonably enough, I completely forgot to ask, but how did the ritual go? Did you manage to get it to work?"

"We did manage, and we made contact with Naldinrenu, my friend from the district to the south. I explained to him the situation and told him I would be in contact in a few days. I think it's best if you preform your ritual your way though. I know Kyffin means well, but I don't wish to risk his life for this. While I wish to have answers, they aren't worth the sacrifice of anyone here."

"So, I take it you like him?"

"I do. He's a very interesting person, and we get along well. I know you were upset earlier that I told him the truth about myself, but I do believe he can be trusted."

"I was more surprised than upset over that. I was mortified about the idea of him looking at my book though. I can't even imagine how childish it must have looked to a real mage like him."

"Quite the opposite. He seemed truly impressed by it. He had some questions and I'm certain he will ask once he wakes, but you have nothing to be mortified about. Cole even showed him his book."

"Really? Wow, now that is surprising, on both accounts. He doesn't show anyone his book. Even I've only seen it a couple of times and I was his student. Tell me, does it still look like a crumpled mess?"

"It does," Cole stated as he approached with mugs in hand. "And I happen to like it that way. Adds character and authenticity."

"Unless it completely falls apart. I still think you should let me make you a cover for it," she said as he handed her and Tau the mugs.

"One day, cher, I just might allow you to do it," he said as he returned to the kitchen.

Filling two more mugs he carried them over to the coffee table and set one down, motioning for Uroxuz to join him.

"Okay, this is a bit hot, so be careful not to spill it," he cautioned as he handed Uroxuz the mug.

"I thank you, pretty one," Uroxuz remarked as he coiled himself up and carefully steadied the mug.

"And please, just call me Cole."

Uroxuz nodded as Cole sat down with his back to the cabinet the TV was on before reaching over and glancing inside the bag, a soft smile crossing his lips.

"I remember the day you tried to buy one of these bears."

"He had already wrapped this one up for me as a solstice present," she explained to Tau. "He told me to wait until after the holiday to buy one. He said he would be able to sell it to me at a discount since he would have several still in stock. I should have known that was bullshit the moment the word 'discount' fell from his mouth."

"Hey now. It's not my fault you never buy anything I can discount, cher."

Quayleigh took a breath as she got off the bed and pulled the bear from the bag handing it to Cole. "That bastard dared to touch him. He hid the camera in his eye."

Cole took the bear from her and meticulously examined the damage that had been done. "You know, I'd have flayed him for you, if I had known what he'd been doing."

Uroxuz lifted his head and slithered closer to Cole leaning up against his side as he purred with a strange sort of intrigue.

"Tell me more, pretty Cole. Where would you start? At the head or the toes?"

"You are one creepy fucker, Uru," Cole replied with a soft chuckle as he reached up and scratched him under the chin. "Collar bones, obviously. Hard to keep them alive otherwise."

Uroxuz's teeth chattered as he rubbed his cheek against Cole's being careful not to spill his tea in the process.

"I think he may have a new favorite now," Tau said to Quayleigh as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple.

"That's okay. I'll win him back later," she replied as she snuggled against him.

"I'm sure I can track down another one of these if you want," Cole mentioned as he set the bear back onto the table.

"Actually, I'm going to repair him. I was hoping you would be able to get me a glass eye, to preplace the missing one."

"Sure, that should be easy. I know someone that's bound to know someone, who knows someone that works at the Teddy Bear Hospital in Cove-Atal."

"I'd appreciate that, and…" she paused as she set down her mug, reached over and picked up the bear, staring at its face for a moment before standing up and giving it to Tau. "I'm sorry, but could you excuse us for a minute. I believe when a day goes to shit like this, you should just keep piling it on. Cole, if you don't mind, I need to talk to you, out on the balcony, and no listening in Uru. I need you to stay here and keep Tau company," she said as she made her way to the closet and pulled out Cole's coat, and her winter jacket.

Cole stood up and set down his mug as she handed him his coat. With their jackets on, they took their mugs, and he followed her out onto the balcony, closing the door behind them.

"Cher, what's this about?" he asked, worry written on his face.

"Everything that's happened, recently, it's dredged up things I never wanted to think about," she replied as she leaned against the railing and looked out across the parking lot. "I've been reminded of things that have happened, and I realized that I still have some unanswered questions. I've also left a lot of stuff unsaid between us because I wasn't ready to face any of it. I buried it, and never truly let it go."

"I'm not sure what to say, Quayleigh."

"Nothing, for now. And when the moment comes, say the truth, because this conversation, it's going to change things between us, and I'd prefer it to be for the better."

Cole sighed as he leaned against the railing next to her. "Say your peace and ask your questions, cher. This moment of reckoning been a long time coming."

"That it has Cole. But I need you to know something, before we get started."

"What's that cher?"

"I love you."

"I know Quays. Through it all, that was the one thing I knew never changed."