Chapter Forty Nine

Menay yawned while he was spending his time bathing in the sun on the window seal, he was beginning to feel like he was doing less of his actual role as a familiar with every passing day. Looking over at the clock he knew Raven's last class would be ending soon and besides keeping Carson at bay from taking advantage of Raven this would be yet another day of normal high school life.

This was fine when he thought of Raven being a normal human child but the casual life just no longer settled with Menay as he felt it was just no longer needed now that Raven wasn't human. Even though nothing had yet to happen, Menay knew something was stirring from the warning Joseph had given him over the phone. This feeling he got wasn't just him being paranoid or over protective of Raven.

His ears flicked back on his head like something caught his attention. He stood from his resting position feeling the strong power source running through his body. This power caused him to change into his teenage form while he looked out the window, "Salem, what are you doing here?" He questioned to himself looking for his master whose presence he could feel within range of the school.

Even if she was not in sight he knew she was close, having felt her presence in the same city for days this was the first time she had come to visit. Normally she wouldn't risk coming so close, therefore he needed to know what changed.

Knowing she wouldn't stay long he needed to follow their connection to catch her before she got too far again. Getting dressed in Carson's clothes, so that he could blend in with the rest of the students, he made his way down the dorm staircase following the lead he had from within.

Strange enough even though he had thought Carson's clothes would help him sneak through he the halls easier he hadn't thought about how class had not been released yet and this would ultimately draw attention to him instead. Especially as he passed an elder gentleman that seemed to have nothing better to do.

"Young man, I hope you have permission to be out of class early" The man questioned as he had met eyes with Menay assuming Menay was skipping class.

Menay sighed, he had been caught in these halls enough over the years while keeping an eye on Raven that this wasn't unusual to him. Though, usually when he got caught he had nowhere to go so he was never in a hurry and they would let him go realizing he wasn't apart of the school. This time he needed to catch Salem before she left and didn't have time for them to realize their mistake.

"My mother came to get me early, I need to go to a dentist appointment" He claimed beginning to lie while offering a smile trying to step past.

Though the teacher allowed Menay to pass he did not give way so easily, "Well then, let me walk you to the front so you can check out" He offered taking steps to follow Menay to the front office. Which, wasn't exactly the direction he was going towards and he knew this would only create a problem for him once he got there.

Picking up his pace he looked back over his shoulder trying not to show his annoyance, "No, you really don't have to. I know the way and I'm kind of in a hurry so..." he explained making the excuse that the man would only slow him down. However, he quickly realized insulting him wasn't the best option he had as he was met by the glare that the man gave.

"Then if I go with you, you won't be stopped and have to explain this again..." He explained with a hiss, "Save you time" He adds making it clear that he was going to follow Menay up to the front to make sure his reason checked out for what it was.

Menay gave a slight snarl as he debated on running away, he knew if he just got out of the line of sight he could easily change his form and get away. Though this would mean the only form he could take would be a cat and that would slow him down.

"Medwin, what's taking you so long? Come one we need to go" A woman's voice called out to him as she rushed Menay to come to her already, causing him to let out a relieved sigh.

Looking up to the ceiling Menay scoffed, "I was coming, mom" He claimed while playing the role that was so common between the two. Glancing over his shoulder he looked at the rather tall woman with long curly red hair making her way towards him as she approached to intervene.

"Ma'am are you, do you have proof?" The teacher asked as he pointed to Menay wanting to make sure this was a legitimate child and parent pair.

"Yes and we're late so..." She grumbled while going through her purse, "Here's my parent ID" She claimed while pulling out her card that she acquired for Raven's sake. While she flashed it for a moment she pretended to rush Menay further causing the man to not look into it very hard knowing they were in a rush. So he failed to read that it was only meant to pick up Raven but it worked and Menay didn't stall any longer for him to possibly catch where he had messed up.

"That was close" Menay exclaimed while he praised her on her quick thinking. Though a silence fell between them quickly after that as she hardly acknowledged him while they walked towards the parking lot. Knowing there had to be a reason she was there he wasn't going to ask out right since it seemed to be bothering her enough to not speak freely in public.

Sitting down in the car Menay looked out at the school glancing around making sure they weren't being watched. Like always being on guard it became a natural thing for him to do when ever they were together.

She watched him and let out a sigh, "They aren't around..." She informed trying to put Menay a little more at ease while they held their conversation, "I need you to do something Medwin" she finally informs though she did not explain.

Even without knowing, Menay wouldn't refuse a command given by his master, looking over he gave a soft smile, "Of course, I'll do anything" he accepted her commands with ease before she could even give them.

She scoffed, having forgotten with their distance how obedient he was though she knew he would still be hesitant for this request, "I need you visit an elder's home. About a two hour drive from here" She informed causing his expression to instantly change.

"But-" he went to protest but then realized his words would be disrespectful so he stopped himself, "If they are that close what about Raven?" he asked concerned with leaving Raven unguarded.

She looked back to the school with a sigh, "This is because of Raven, an old friend tells me her master's daughter caught wind of an incubus in this area..." She informed as she still had a few companions from when she was younger to inform her on what was going on. "She's been spending time at this, otherwise almost never occupied, household rather recently becoming high in spirits about finding a mate." she continued to explain why Menay would need to be visiting this household for her, just to confirm her theory that this succubus had her eyes set on Raven.

Menay thought to himself for a moment before he opened his mouth again, "I did not know you still kept acquaintances with your people, that's dangerous" he scolded lightly finding it to be reckless of her to keep any ties to the past knowing she could easily be betrayed. Though even he knew if Raven was discovered then having someone on the inside would help her so he couldn't truly be upset with her remaining close with them, "But I see why, however by master I assume you mean him?" he questioned in a disgruntled manner.

"The elder I was betrothed to?" she elaborated giving a smirk while looking back knowing just how much Menay hated even the thought of that incubus, "Yes, but he won't be there" She confirmed knowing she wouldn't send Menay otherwise.

Menay hissed looking away agitated, the fact that they were even talking about them being so close bothered him and made him wonder just how long Salem knew of this house, "I see but if he knows then why not take Raven away?" he asked not seeing the point in wasting time on checking.

"No, I think only she knows," Salem informed as she had heard from her friend that his daughter was not as powerful as she was supposed to be, "There was another succubus born stronger than his daughter shortly after, I'm sure the elders would choose that succubus be the one chosen for Raven's mate and not his daughter." She claimed clearing up how she was positive that this girl was keeping Raven to herself on purpose.

Menay let out a sigh hearing this, "So it's true, not a single incubus has been born since Raven? That makes him more desired than before" he grumbled knowing he should have taken Raven out of school like he had wanted to, so that this didn't happen.

"I'm afraid so" she sighed looking over to Menay seeing how his attitude changed, "I don't blame you, I'm the one who ordered you to keep a distance from Raven. Nothing we can do about it now" She declared trying to relieve Menay's guilt onto herself.

"We're all to blame," Menay corrected though he knew he was stepping out of line with his comment but it was the truth, "So why don't we just run?" he questioned wondering if she already knew Raven was at risk to be found, why wouldn't they leave.

Salem smiled placing the key into the car turning it over, "I plan to but I need to know what she looks like and what they know before I take him with me, we have time..." She claimed glancing over, "She might look it but she's not eighteen yet" She informed knowing they had time before the succubus were to try anything. Getting ready to leave she planned to drop Menay off even if he refused but before she could put the car into reverse Menay opened the door making it clear he didn't plan to travel with her there.

"I get it, so she couldn't have a child yet even if she wanted to, she's going to keep Raven a secret as long as she can..." He grumbled understanding why Salem was hesitating while he put a foot out the door as he was about to stand, "Okay, I'll do what I can just give me the address" he grumbled as he was grabbed by the arm.

As he looked back to Salem he was met with a scolding expression, "Do not just rush off" She ordered knowing he wasn't planning to go straight to the house like she wanted.

Menay looked down at her hand and back to the school, "But Raven needs to-" as he went to claim that Raven needed to know he would be leaving she cut him off.

"Has he been feeding?" She questioned becoming suddenly interested in how Raven was adjusting to his new way of life.

"Ugh..." Menay mutter slowly settling back down in the car not sure how he should answer this since Raven wasn't exactly feeding the traditional way, "Yes" he muttered rubbing the back of his neck.

Salem gave a soft sigh with a gentle smile to hear that he was able to adjust to the feeding even without any experience, "Then he will be fine. Come here, sit in my lap you're the one who hasn't been feeding and I bet since Raven knows you've been using your human body again, you will need energy." she declared patting at her lap suggesting he sit in her lap in his cat form while she drives him to the elder's house, "You've been using your child's form to preserve what you have, right?" she adds trying to make a point.

"Not exactly true, you forget, I can not only feel when you are close by but feed too." He corrected knowing she had been in the general area for a while now, "Yes I have been using my child's form but that's only because I don't know when the next time you will stop in and since Raven's change I haven't had much time to feed myself." he adds realizing now that she actually didn't intend to talk about Raven but rather make sure he was fine before he went on her mission which bothered him.

She huffed hearing how his response became condescending towards her, "Yes, I guess that's true I have been close enough to feed you haven't I, a little too close then." she agrees, realizing that she should have kept more of a distance.

Hearing how little she seemed to care about Raven's dilemma it caused Menay to snap at her, "You've been here for five days now and not once have you stopped by to check on Raven. If you're not going to care about him, stop pretending like you had him to be different from the elders." Menay snarled going completely out of line as he had taken on more responsibility to Raven than he should have with raising him.

Becoming quickly insulted by his words Salem snarled, "I'm protecting him!" she yelled asserting her authority over Menay.

"Tsk, yeah I've heard that before but if you're right and he's been found, Raven doesn't need that kind of protection anymore." He growled not standing down to her. As he angered her, he could feel a wave of shocking pain going through their connection as a way to maintain his obedience, "He needs you your guidance Salem." Menay snarled fighting through his pain not caring to listen the force between them that made him obedient to her.

She shivered with anger as she didn't like how even Menay was talking back to her just like Joseph had after he found out about Raven's change, "Medwin..." she grumbled trying to remain from smacking him for his crude words.

"No, Salem I can't help him I don't know your kind." Menay continued, "You were raised within the elder's temple you know everything about your kind. You should be the one with him now." He scolded pointing at her explaining his reason for his outburst. "I can't even explain why his roommate is unaffected by him. He's scared of hurting someone and I fear he will stop feeding soon." he explained as all his own worries were being brought to the surface.

With his words Salem calmed down understanding where Menay was coming from, even though she didn't know how to respond. Menay took this as she was finally coming to understand things couldn't go back to the way they were before, "He needs to learn now not to be afraid of what he is, he needs to know what he needs to do to live and most of all he needs to get away from his friends here." he declares informing her that she needed to give up on him being normal just like Raven has to.

She remained silent unable to respond as she hadn't thought about how hard it would have been for either of them having stayed away for so long. "His roommate, is his best friend right?" she asked recalling the only friend Raven ever seemed to make was the young athletic roommate of his.

Menay huffed, "Yes" he informed knowing that he may not have slipped on Raven feeding off Carson though he exposed who it was immune to Raven sooner than he planned to. He decided instead that he just wouldn't tell Raven about Salem knowing yet instead.

She patted her lap again "Come here and feed I don't want to send you there without your strength at its max" she offered again this time in a regretful tone.

"I understand," Menay claimed while he began to take off his clothes, once he was in his cat's body again he jumped into her lap and laid down to get a direct feeding while the car pulled into reverse.

As the bell rung she gave a weak smile looking up to the children who were walking around going back to their rooms or leaving the school "Is he going to hate me when I take him from this place?" she questioned wondering just how fond Raven had gotten of being there.

"Probably, but that doesn't matter right now." Menay responded knowing the same question laid in his mind before.

"You're right..." She muttered softly glancing down for a moment, "Do you know where Joseph is? I wanted to see him before I leave" she questioned wondering if she could spend time with him even if it was just for lunch.

"He's still in Italy, digging up something else." Menay informed knowing she probably missed him the most.

"Oh..." she muttered with a light defeated sigh, "I can't drop you off there but you'll be close enough that it won't take you as long to get there. Call me when you get some news but don't call me to come back unless it's urgent I can't keep coming here or others will find out about Raven" she informed suggesting that she still didn't want them to know about Raven.

"I understand" Menay accepted knowing this would take a few days but with Raven feeding like he was on Carson he knew he didn't need to worry for now.

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