Chapter 11: Interesting Evening

It was a considerable walk from The Conjury to the Brindle house, though I admit despite being worn out by it, at least the time it took and the energy expended wore down my anger enough that I was less likely to explode at the mere mention of my adventure.

And good thing, knowing what I was likely to face the moment I walked through the front door. That thought actually made things slightly worse as I stomped my way through the dark and quiet back streets of London, the ringing sound of my boots doing little to satisfy my need to harm something. It's probable I expelled magic energy as well, since even through the late hour I was unaccosted or even approached by some of the seedier residents I happened upon. Part of me wished for just such a dust up with a tyrant or two, but my logical side knew better.

I kept my eyes open, consciously searching for the black cloaked watcher, certain I was correct and that whomever hid beneath that hood had something to do with Jack and the mess I'd stumbled on. But despite my eagerness to find my observer, only terrible intentions in mind, I saw no one who fit the description and again wondered if perhaps I'd only overacted in a moment of excitement.

By the time I rounded the last corner and spotted the familiar front of the Brindle house, the muffled wards as clear a beacon as I'd ever encountered, my feet were aching, my calves crying foul and my temper spent to the point of mere annoyance. And though my irritation could still be biting, I at least was back in control of myself.

The house was well lit despite the late hour. Which precluded any possibility I could simply go upstairs to bed and forget my need for excitement and the trouble it brought me. I squared my shoulders as I mounted the steps on the other side of the wrought iron gate and reached for the doorknob. I felt the wards envelop me in a shroud of stillness as the front door gave way easily.

Georgina and family were already in the foyer. She spun instantly with a gasp of relief and ran to me, embracing me so hard I could barely draw breath.

"Auburdeen, my very dear," she said through a voice hoarse and thick, "we have been so worried."

She drew back, eyes rimmed red, the tip of her nose practically glowing from her distress. Her embroidered handkerchief was quite wet and my guilt rose up to shove aside the last of my anger.

"I'm sorry," I said. "It's been quite an evening."

She tittered a small, nervous laugh, one hand still gripping my sleeve. I looked up, caught Kate's distressed face, Hugh's concern. Even mild Bernard looked as though he'd witnessed the near death of his beloved.

"Katherine and Hugh have been home for hours." Georgina patted my arm over and over as if to assure herself I was indeed real and in her presence. "Escorted by the police, no less." A half sob, half gasp escaped her as her round face crumpled with emotion. "They said you'd been kidnapped by some unknown bandit and were searching for you." She hiccupped softly before going on. "Your mother will never, ever forgive me for this."

"Now, Georgina," a new voice interrupted. I glanced away from her and to the shadows that fell near the staircase. I'd missed him standing there in his black cloak and top hat, with his polished black and silver cane in his hand. He towered over Bernard and Hugh, an imposing figure as he stepped forward with a small smile for me.

For some reason I could not explain, his smile made me feel uncomfortable.

"Auburdeen, dear," Georgina turned toward the stranger, "may I introduce my brother, Lord Samuel Brindle." She waved her damp kerchief at him. "We are so fortunate to have his assistance tonight."

"My pleasure, sister dear." Samuel parted the small crowd without trying and bent to kiss my hand. As he did, a shining gold medallion swung forward, glinting in the light. The pattern on it was so unusual it caught my attention, but only for a moment. His glove was cold, but his lips as they brushed my skin almost hot, distracting me. Again I felt that jolt of something, the same something I'd connected to with Jack and wondered what it meant. His pale green eyes widened just slightly as he, too, seemed to feel it, but he covered it with a quick smile. "I am at your disposal."

"Samuel is with Scotland Yard," Georgina told me in a half whisper.

Why did that make me immediately nervous? Perhaps because Jack had been wanted by the police? Or because of what Vasek said. At any rate, I hoped to not have any further contact with either of them or any need to further require the assistance of the constabulary, so I let it go.

"You must tell us what happened." Why did Samuel's concern seem so false, like a mask he wore?

I told them everything, though found myself editing for content as I went. Instead of mentioning anything about Jack, I claimed it was a girl being attacked. Since Hugh and Kate had been too far away to contradict me, I was safe in the lie. And as for Stella and Vasek, I assumed involving them would only bring me more trouble. Seeing how Vasek himself seemed unconcerned and had kindly let me go, I felt I owed him my silence. Yes, he had abandoned me to my own devices afterward, but the alternative could have been much worse.

Instead, I concocted a fantastic tale of breaking free of the carriage while in truth keeping it far simpler. Damon and Pharo always told me the more outlandish the lie, the more easily it was uncovered.

"I don't know who kidnapped us," I said, "only that I passed out and woke in an alleyway on the other side of the city. Why they took me, I can't say, nor why they released me." Truth. "So, I simply made my way back here on foot."

Samuel watched me closely as I spoke. His expression didn't change, but I knew he had his doubts, could feel it from him. Still, he'd be unlikely to challenge me in front of his sister, especially considering I'd broken no laws nor done anything that would prompt further investigation.

"We're just so happy you're back, safe and sound." Georgina hugged me again. "And that those ruffians saw fit to let you go."

"Indeed." Samuel's lips curled into a deeper smile and my discomfort rose with them. "Very fortunate. I shall look into the matter further, but no harm appears to have been done. I might suggest you be more careful in the future, Miss Hayle?"

He swept out as I sagged a little, my weariness catching up with me.

"Oh my dear," Georgina started to guide me to the stairs the moment she noticed my weakness, "you must be the very epitome of exhausted." She shooed off Kate and Hugh and brushed past Bernard who offered me a gentle pat on the back on my way by. "Clara! Run a bath immediately."

Despite the late hour, I thoroughly enjoyed my soak in the hot tub and even allowed Clara to wash my hair rather than doing it myself. It wasn't long before I was tucked into the large four-poster, Georgina gently kissing my forehead goodnight as though I were but a child.

The door closed softly behind her as she retreated. I sighed deeply, eyes drifting closed, my tired body settling into the feather mattress with great pleasure.

Something heavy landed on my chest and hissed. I jumped, dumping Sassafras on the coverlet with a hoarse and muffled shout.

"Away with you, cat!" I swatted at him with a pillow, but he stood his ground, glowing eyes to baleful amber lights piercing the dark of the room.

"Don't you ever," he swatted at my hand, "ever," he smacked me again, claws extended this time, making me hiss and suck the blood from the scratch he left, "do anything so utterly stupid ever again. Do you hear me, Auburdeen?"

He shook so violently the bed trembled and regardless of the sting of the scratches I felt my guilt return.

"I'm sorry." I reached for him, heard his growl of warning, but ignored it, pulling him to my chest and holding him tight. He squirmed slightly, body rigid. "I really am. I didn't know all this would come from trying to be a Good Samaritan."

"You don't think," he said softly, body relaxing just a bit. "You never do. Everything is one big reaction to you. Sometimes the bad things happening around you are none of your business. Have you considered that?"

I sighed and set him in my lap, stroking his fur. He bent his head and gently licked the scratch on my hand, a thread of demon magic sliding over my skin to heal it. "I know," I said. "I really am sorry, Sass. But the boy..."

"I thought you said it was a girl." He looked up at me. "What boy?"

Naturally he'd been listening. I snuggled down and, in whispers, told him everything. His tail thrashed a few times as I explained what really happened. Instead of becoming enraged as I assumed he would, Sass simply sighed when I was done, head falling to his paws.

"It never rains but it pours with you, girl child." His tail thrashed one last time before falling still. "Are you going to do as you're told and mind your own business?"

"Absolutely." I rolled over onto my back, fingers stroking his ears and cheeks, bringing out the deep, rumbling purr telling me he'd forgiven me. "That young fool is on his own."

Sass muttered something under his breath I didn't catch, but could probably take a good guess at before curling up against me and falling asleep. And even though I'd had one of the most interesting and tiring days of my life, I had a very hard time quieting my mind.

It's difficult to find peace after so blatantly lying to one's demon cat.

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