The Eternal Avenger

Chapter Forty: Homecoming

(Claray's POV):

A red Aston Martin met us at the field, a giant, bald, fearsome looking man leaning against the car waiting for us as we approached. He glanced between me and Natasha warily, and I could feel the assassin tense slightly from just behind my shoulder. As interesting and entertaining as it would be to see the two face-off against each other in an attempt to protect me, such action was ill-advised and unnecessary.

"Cassius!" I called, raising a hand in greeting. The giant man's face broke into a smile and he pushed off from the car, grabbing me in one fluid movement and swinging me around in the air. Natasha watched, unsure of what else to do. The man grumbled from somewhere deep in his chest – he never spoke, but the family interpreted this grumble as his version of a purr, meaning that he was happy or content. Natasha interpreted the strange sound as a growl, and I could hear her footsteps as she approached. Cassius put me down, squaring off with the much smaller woman. "Natasha, this is Cassius. He's an old family friend, and he takes care of my mother." She looked between us before nodding, relaxing her shoulders and most likely re-holstering one of her batons behind her back.

"It's nice to meet you," she said, extending her hand to shake. Cassius looked at it curiously before taking her hand and shaking it firmly. His hands dwarfed hers, looking as though they may swallow them alive. He grumbled lowly again and opened the rear of the car to allow us access. He swung the bags into the passenger seat before climbing in and driving off. I watched as we drove through Edinburgh in horror. The city was usually bustling with locals and tourists and it was disturbingly empty. The realization of how close to home recent events had become suddenly resonated with me fully, and I gasped lightly. Both Cassius' and Natasha's heads snapped towards me in unison. "Are you all right?" Natasha rested a hand on my shoulder, and I nodded.

"It's just so quiet," I gasped. Cassius grunted from the driver's seat in agreement. We drove through the city until we arrived near the approach to the castle, where Cassius stopped the car. I knew what was coming, and although it was tradition, it was far from pleasant for me to experience. Cassius handed me a single white flower from the front seat. "I'll be right back," I whispered to Natasha, opening the door and walking a small way up the old street known as the Castle esplanade until I saw a small, easy-to-miss fountain towards the right. I approached slowly, crouching down in front of the stone step, my hand resting on the wrought iron to the left of the memorial as I placed the single flower beneath the now-dry fountain. I startled when I felt a hand on my shoulder, looking up to see Natasha looking at me concerned. Unable to find the words to speak, I gestured towards the fountain and the small plaque above it, which she read. Understanding washed over her face, and she crouched next to me, tracing her fingers over the monument reverently. After a few moments, I stood, and she wrapped her arm around my shoulder comfortingly before guiding me back down to the car, holding my door open for me before climbing in on her side. Cassius grunted – in what I'm assuming was approval. Natasha had won the man over even quicker than I expected. I knew the two would get along if they could get out of each other's way when it came to protecting me. They filled similar rolls.

I settled back into my seat preparing for the drive ahead. It was time that I explained some things to Natasha. I cleared my throat, and she looked at me expectantly. "That's one of the witch memorials left over from the several centuries of active witch hunting in Scotland," I explained as she nodded along in understanding. "It's near where the coven..." my breath caught in my throat, and I felt her hand over mine, squeezing protectively.

"I understand," she murmured. I nodded and smiled, grateful that I wouldn't have to say it.

"My mother is a vampire from Rome." Natasha's eyebrows shot up.