104- It’s Only A Cup of Tea

After a moment's hesitation, Phaedra blinked and wiped Quayleigh's cheek, before carefully lowering her eyepatch back into place.

"Forgive me," he spoke quietly as he looked away. "That was unquestionably wrong of me. We can jest at being siblings, but in truth we are not. I lost sight of myself and overstepped."

"I promise, I will explain at a better time, but for now, forget what you saw." Quayleigh felt the need to beg and grasped at his hand. She had to ensure that he understood how important it was to her that he keep his mouth shut.

"I'll not speak of it," Phaedra replied, raising his eyes to meet hers.

"You have no idea what that means to the both of us," Tau said as Quayleigh exhaled in relief.

"Wait here while I gather our belongings, then we'll take you out to the car. The least I can do is ensure that you get home safely."

Phaedra stood and walked back to the conference room as Tau tightened his hold around Quayleigh.

"Can he be trusted?"

"I believe so," she replied, finding it difficult to lift her head. "We should head to the condo. It's closer, and I'm suddenly, so tired."

"Of course. I'll try and convince him to come inside for some tea. I'd like to explain things to him before he has a chance to leave our sight."

"It was never my intention for him to find out. It was nice to have him to behave so brotherly, and as odd as this may sound, his actions didn't seem contrived."

"I know. I could see it in his eyes that he was truly concerned about you. His mistake bothers him," he remarked as she clutched at the front of his jacket and pulled herself closer to his ear.

"Tau, where's Uru?"

"He is tending to a matter," he replied, setting his hands over hers as they began to quake.

"Call him back." Her lips moved but the words were near inaudible, and the color drained from her face as she recalled what she had said when the headache struck. "I was trying to tell you about Gerotherine and the ritual, and then the headache… I said Uru. Make it stop. And it did."

Tau's tender smile, the way he held her as she looked at him, reassuring, comforting and kind, it told her everything she needed to know about where Uroxuz was, and what he was doing or had already, done. Leaning against him, he lovingly stroked the back of her head and whispered so faintly that only she could have possibly heard.

"My love, what you said had no bearing on this outcome. He was protecting you as I commanded. I had to protect you."

A cold shiver ran down her spine, his words striking the right chord, causing her to snuggle closer to him. She knew that he had done what she had been planning to do earlier that very day, and had Riannoske not returned when he did, the Magisters execution would have already been scheduled for far later in the evening instead.

She thought she should have been more upset than she truly was. After all, a man was unquestionably dead, snuffed from existence because he caused her pain. The poor Magister had no way of understanding the error, he had chosen to repeat, more than once that day, nor could he have foreseen the inevitable outcome of his actions. He had been given no warnings and he had no way of knowing who and what protected her, or the lengths they would go to, to see it done. Sadly, she was more worried that Uroxuz would once again be caught on camera and that it would somehow be tied back to her.

"Come, sit up. Phaedra's coming with your coat," he said before kissing her forehead.

Shifting onto her knees, Tau stood as Phaedra held out her jacket.

"Are you feeling better?" Phaedra asked while Tau held out his hand towards her.

Reaching out, she felt weak, her hand trembling until it found safety, clutched firmly within Tau's.

"I'm tired, but grateful that the pain has gone," she replied, and as Tau began to pull her to her feet, she felt the long slender fingers of Uroxuz encompass her waist, lifting her, and steadying her until she was securely resting against Tau's side.

"I'm relieved the pain hasn't returned. Shall we get your coat on and get you home?" Phaedra offered; his voice filled with an unwavering remorse.

Turning her back to them, Phaedra and Tau helped her into her jacket, when Harlowe returned with Yechiel close behind.

"Hayden said you were leaving," Harlowe remarked as she turned back around.

"We are. Quayleigh had a headache earlier today and unfortunately it seems to have returned. I'll be taking them home from here. As for what we discussed, our research will continue based on our current theory. Thanks to you, Detective Harlowe, and your willingness to cooperate in this matter, our chances of finding an answer have greatly improved. In exchange, I hope you will consider speaking with your captain about allowing me to provide you with a protective barrier for your station."

"I will. Your offer, given the circumstances, should be appreciated," Harlowe replied before motioning for them to start moving. "Get some rest Vershinin and feel better soon."

"Thank you, Detective Harlowe."

"Yes, thank you," Tau added before turning to Yechiel. "I'm sorry, but Quayleigh needs me. I'll call to check in with you later."

"Don't ever apologize to me for taking care of your girl. I'll be fine. One of these guys is bound to be eager to give me a ride home," Yechiel replied tossing him a smirk. "You feel better Quays."

"You too. And call, either one of us, day or night if you need someone to talk to, at least until I'm satisfied that you've gotten your shit together. Also, let me know if you want some more of that tea. It's amazing what a solid night's sleep can do for you."

"Yeah, I'll do that," he replied as she and Tau turned and walked towards exit, with Phaedra following close behind.

The driver had been given the address of the condo, and they had settled into the back of the car with Quayleigh in the middle.

After the brief apology Phaedra gave for the close quarters, the conversation dwindled into the realm of non-existent and remained so for the remainder of the ride to the condo. A strain and distance had formed between her and Phaedra, and regardless of wanting to resolve the problem, there was little that could be said in the moment. In present company, they simply weren't free to speak.

"You will come in and join us for a cup of tea, I hope," Tau remarked as the building came into view. "I know Quayleigh was looking forward to your lunch together, but I'm afraid this will have to suffice."

Quayleigh watched his eyes shift and his brow curve into a saddened expression. Phaedra looked like a man terrified and desperate. She could see his mind twisting and the gears churning, as if he were weighing every option and every possible outcome.

"Just agree," Quayleigh remarked, holding her hand towards him. "It's so much easier than finding an excuse to refuse. Besides, I know you aren't going to be able to rest until you come in and see for yourself that I'm well cared for. And if it's your driver you're worried about, the parking garage has its own drivers lounge. I remember seeing the signs for it and I've no doubt that the security guard can direct him where to go."

Phaedra remained hesitant as he looked down at her hand, but soon nodded, albeit faintly.

"It's only a cup of tea." His comment came across as lamentable even though he was the first to open his door the moment the car stopped.

Quayleigh didn't know what to make out of his behavior and waited for Tau to exit the car before following him.

"The parking garage is around to the right. Tell the gate guard you're here with a guest of Mr. Dylan Kirkwood and he will direct you where to go," she explained before closing the door and moving up next to Phaedra who was standing silently under the canopy looking at the door. "You seem bothered."

"I suppose I am. It's not like me to do things like this."

"Things like this?" Tau wondered as they move as a group towards the door.

"Deviating from plans. Not informing the Tribunal. Fraternizing with others." Phaedra smiled softly as he glanced down at Quayleigh. "Pretending there is more to my life than a room of books so few will ever have the pleasure to read."

They were greeted by the familiar security guard and informed him of Phaedra's driver so he could call down to the parking garage and insure there were no misunderstandings before they stepped into the elevator and rode it up to their floor.

Quayleigh felt relieved when they finally stepped into the condo. Kicking off her shoes, she headed to the living room and flopped face down on to the couch, before rolling over, grabbing the closest blanket and curling up beneath it.

"Make yourself at home while I put the water on."

She heard Tau say with a chuckle, and when she poked her head out from under the blanket, she found herself looking across the coffee table at a stranger who was clearly very uncomfortable with the situation.

"Is it really so bad being here?" she said as she sat up and removed her eye patch, tossing it onto the table. She no longer saw a reason to hide what he had already seen, and she was curious to see how he would react to seeing it again.

"I don't mean to seem out of sorts," he replied looking directly at her, "I've just never been in anyone's home before. I feel very out of my depth. I have no idea how to make myself feel at home here."

"You sit back and take a breath to start," she said as she watched his eyes wander to her scar and then to the table. "I suppose you're waiting for an explanation."

"It's not that," he snapped, sighed, and took a breath before continuing. "Quayleigh, I really do feel awful about what I did back at the station. I reacted without thinking. Truthfully, you don't owe me anything, let alone an explanation."

"Well, that's a relief," she replied with a skeptical gaze. "I've had a bit of a mixed track record when it comes to how people react to seeing it for the first time. Freaking out seems to be the most common, so thank you, for not doing that."

"At least not outwardly. I'm glad my façade was convincing. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious."

"Come here," she told him, tapping on the sofa next to her.

Standing, he moved around the coffee table and sat down on the couch where she had indicated she wanted him to sit.

"Go on then. If you're curious, examine it."

"Are you certain?" Phaedra questioned as he turned towards her.

"Of course. I'm interested in knowing what you think as the head archivist of the second largest collection of rare and extraordinary books in the world. Have you ever read about anything like this before?"

"Off the top of my head, no," he replied, leaning closer as she turned her head towards the light allowing him a better view. "My initial thought was that it was an illusion, but that made no sense. So, what is the explanation you promised to give me at the station?"

"I'll give you the short version. The day I thought I was going to die, I met Death, and he saved me. I saw him when I shouldn't have been able to, and for whatever reason, he decided to save my eye. Normally, I can't see much of anything out of it, and it looks more like one would expect a damaged eye to look like, cloudy and white. Then sometimes, I get headaches, and this happens. Then I get to see… differently."

"How so?" he questioned as he delicately lifted her eyelid and directed her chin upwards.

"I get to see a person's true self. The thing that makes them, them. Some might call it a soul or the energy that exists within," she explained as he leaned back from her having finished with his closer look. "And yours is astounding. I've seen others with a similar pale teal hue, but I've never seen it move the way yours does. Your energy flows around you like a… a thick cake batter, and it makes you look like you're wearing a heavy cape with a ruffled collar."

"That is quite the image you paint."

"Words really can't do it justice."

"Perhaps not, but do you know what causes this to happen? What could be responsible for the headaches?"

"Yes. I do, and it's troubling because it's magic. Specifically, other people's magic. I don't know if it was the buildings barrier or the wards or if someone was casting directly at me, but something at the MET triggered this today, while yesterday, I wasn't affected."

"That is troubling," he remarked, his hand settled on his chin. "I'm sorry to ask this, but I need you to be completely honest with me, the creature we seek, do you know what it is and why it's here?"

"It doesn't matter what I know, it only matters what I can prove. I was a child when I was touched by Death and despite numerous attempts, I've never been able to contact him. What I know of his world comes from that single conversation we shared."

"And praying doesn't work?" Phaedra sounded almost snide with the way he poised his question.

"No. It doesn't. And even if he can hear my prayers, how would he go about replying? It's true, what you said at the station," she explained as she glanced over the back of the couch to where Tau was standing in the kitchen. "The land of the dead overlaps our own reality, but the living can't interact with it any more than the dead can interact with us. Only when the living become the dead do our realms connect together, the legendary tunnel of light as it were, and it is exceedingly rare for one of the living to be able to see one of Death's servants or Death himself, as it was in my case."

"How certain are you that what you saw was real and not some hallucination or vivid dream?"

"You mean besides my eye?" she asked quirking her brow as she turned back towards him.

"I'm not doubting its validity. It truly is something extraordinary, but please, indulge me. What if this isn't something from a god, but rather a mistake a doctor made in a poorly conceived attempt to fix the damage that was far beyond their capability?"

"Fair enough, I see your point. If anyone should be skeptical, I should think it would be you. But sadly, I have no other proof. Just a personal account. I could describe to you what I saw and felt, but what does that really matter? Belief isn't evidence. All I have is my eye and my life, and if you read the medical report, that I have a really hard time believing the Tribunal didn't give you a copy of, you will discover that I shouldn't have either."

Phaedra sat back and folded his arms taking a moment to think.

"If it is a creature of Death, will you be able to see it?"

"I believe so, but more importantly, with the right spell, I should be able to call to it. And based on its response to Hakan, I have no reason to believe that it won't show up for me."

"That was your plan all along, wasn't it?"

"Close enough," she replied as the kettle began to whistle. "I'm really sorry Phaedra. I know how that must sound. How this is going to sound, but when I agreed to help the police, I was only looking for proof to back up what I already suspected was going on. However, they insisted this was a human's doing and I followed their suggestion because who was I to tell them different? I'm just a convenience store clerk after all, what could I possibly know compared to the police and the MET? I am only supposed to be a go-between."

"I'm afraid you've become far more than that," Phaedra responded, his voice carrying a hint of worry. "You claim you're just a store clerk, but I fear you may have answered our questions too honestly. The paperwork you filled out, that was an aptitude test. Gerotherine had arranged it, and I didn't know what he had given you until Riannoske handed it to me in the van. Quayleigh, you were trained by a magus, and Gerotherine, knows it now too."