The Agreement

Chapter 15

A loud pop pierced the night sky making Esme jump and drop the book she was reading in the living room. Seconds later the door burst open and the men rushed in, "Are you okay?" Victor asked and she nodded. "Get away from the window Princess."

"Okay," She nodded. "What that a gunshot I heard?"

"Da," Raven nodded as he moved her behind him.

"Hunting is illegal here," she whispered as another pop went off. "Someone's poaching, oh god, the animals, oh god." She started gasping as she clutched his shirt.

"Get Kitten," Raven growled as he grabbed his guns. "I go see animals safe."

"Breathe Angelos Mou," Silas said pulling her into his chest, "Raven will go make sure the animals are safe and sound. Just breathe, you don't want to get yourself worked up."

There was some silence for a few minutes then she heard three quick pops and at the same time a lion's roar and an elephant's trumpet then a couple of seconds later a man's scream.

"Oh my god Yevgeny!" She cried out clutching Silas' shirt then everything went black.

"I'm telling you Raven for the millionth time she is fine and will wake up soon," Sean's voice filtered through the darkness slowly waking her, "now go get cleaned up before she sees you like this. It will upset her again and you don't want that do you?"

"Nyet," Raven's deep voice sighed.

"Then quickly go get cleaned up," Sean said softly. "I promise if she shows any signs of waking up Corey will rush up to tell you."

Raven sighed in annoyance, "Fine."

She laid there too exhausted to move. When she finally had the energy she tried to shift so her back wasn't so stiff. "Go get Raven now," Sean whispered and she heard footsteps. What seemed like a few second but in reality was probably a few minutes she heard multiple footsteps rushing into the room. She tried shifting again then she felt her body being moved, she hissed in pain, "Sorry Pookie, just trying to help you out."

"Doctor Sean," She said hoarsely.

"The one and only," he said as she slowly opened her eyes to see his bright green ones looking down at her with happiness, relief, and concern in them. "Hello there Pookie, glad you came back to us."

"Sorry," She winced then smiled gratefully as he held a cup with a straw to her lips. After a few sips he pulled it back and she closed her eyes. She quickly opened them back up as memories came back to her, "Yevgeny," she gasped.

"Here, Kitten," His voice said in the distance but came closer, "move Doc. I here, Kitten."

Sean stepped to the side and Raven came next to her making her sigh in relief, "Oh thank goodness."

"I here, I okay," He said smiling softly with concern, "Kitten okay?"

"Tired," She mumbled, "I'll be fine."

"Sleep Kitten," He gently ordered as he pushed her hair out of her face.

"Later," She protested, "What happened?"

"Nyet worry Kitten," He picked up her hand and placed it in his then laced his fingers through hers. He smiled when she didn't pull away. "Animals okay, they fine."

"A poacher got on the land and tried shooting as you heard," Owen said adjusting his tie. "Raven went out to check on everything and the poacher tried shooting at him. Safe to say the idiot had very poor aim. Raven shot him in the knee to incapacitate him and well," Owen cleared his throat, "Osiris and Babar decided to serve their own form of justice." He adjusted his cuff links then looked up at her, "Osiris torn off some limbs while Babar crushed his skull. Raven brought them limbs back so it could be reported and send a message to other poachers on what will happen if they cross onto this land. He also shot another poacher that was crossing onto the property but that man is now in prison where the majority of the prisoners are apparently fans of you and very protective."

"He sent to Valley Prison?" She breathed and he nodded. "Oh boy."

"Can we ask?" Luke asked very intrigued.

She tried shifting again so Raven helped her sit up a little more but she couldn't hold herself up, she was too weak. "Try something Kitten?" Raven asked and she nodded. Sean helped her stay upright while Raven got behind her then let her rest against him. "Okay Kitten?"

"Thank you, Yevgeny," She nodded, "Sorry."

"It's perfectly fine Princess," Victor smiled, "we are glad you are allowing us to help you like this. It makes us happy that you are comfortable with us enough to do then when you need to."

"Sorry I'm so messed up," She said looking down at her hands.

"Hey now," Sean said lifting her chin so she was looking at him. "None of that kind of talk. There is nothing wrong with you. It's just the way you are and we are okay with that. Sure we don't like when you have an episode but we know it's not something you can control and we are glad you let us help you while you recover from them. It's nothing to be ashamed about, okay?"

"Yes Sir," She whispered and noticed how all their eyes lit up at it. It confused her but she didn't want to pry and ask about it.

"Good girl," He smiled and she noticed that it sent warmth through her and she found she actually wanted to hear that again. It was very confusing.

"Now you were saying Princess?" Victor asked as he sat at the end of the bed.

"Oh there are zoology classes and vet classes at the prison for the men and women that want to learn about animals and I offer for the inmates to come out to the sanctuary and hospital to get some hands on learning. It helps then learn not only how to help heal but also they can see the harm that humans cause to the animals. It helps them not only educationally but also emotionally."

"You are amazing Darling," Owen gave her a millimeter smile and she realized that she liked it and wanted to see it again.

"So the animals are really okay?" She asked nervously.

"Da Kitten," Raven said as he rubbed his hands up and down her arms. "They good. See in morning. Sleep now. We stay."

She closed her eyes and sighed in relief, "Okay."