Raven of Water

Chapter 9: I Missed You, Lex

Clem still looked worried as I smiled and strode up the steps to the mansion. That strange exhilaration still fueled me, and I shuddered as I took in the dark siding on the house and the ominous lighting illuminating the mansion. Gray clouds still lingered, making the house look like it was straight out of a slasher movie, and I snorted and rolled my eyes at the theatrical-ness of everything as I finally reached the top of the stairs. Once I got there, I was greeted by the door bursting open and revealing the face of my furious grandfather.

"You left last night, Alexandra." His scowl deepened more with every word.

"I wasn't aware that I was expected to stay here last night, grandfather." I knew then that I should avert my gaze from the man to keep him from lashing out in anger, but something in my new-found energy left me refusing to break eye-contact.

"It was a mistake to permit you to live away from the house. I only allowed it because of Jackson's request."

"It wasn't a mistake." I shook my head, leading my grandfather's already irate expression to cloud even further, but, as with the night before, I felt compelled to continue speaking my truth. "I'm happier when I'm away from you and the group, grandfather."

The man bared his teeth, making him look like an ugly caricature of himself as he raised his hand in rage. "You insolent little bitc—"

"You're back, blood letter." Kirroz said as he stepped up behind my grandfather and distracted the man from his fury. "I hope I didn't scare you away last night."

With a snort, I crossed my arms over my chest. Something in that desirously happy look he was giving me made my chest seize and led me to forget all about my grandfather, who I noticed was watching the entire interaction with something akin to growing horror. Then I sighed. Kirroz should just turn back to demon form. He wouldn't seem so charming in his demon form. He'd actually been kind of frightening when I'd seen him...kind of.

"I've met pixies who are scarier than you, Kirroz."

"Most pixies are horrific. I think they are scarier than me." Kirroz said, nodding sagely before stepping around my grandfather and offering me his arm, which I took without hesitation, relaxing as he linked his arm with mine and led me over the threshold.

"You're a speciesist." I rolled my eyes before suddenly coming to my senses only once we were halfway to the sitting area where tea and snacks had been laid out.

As my wits trickled back to me, I ripped my arm from the demon's and looked at the couch in confusion. "What am I doing?"

"Having tea with me as an apology for bolting out of here last night. You didn't even tell me goodbye." Kirroz shrugged before taking a seat then gesturing for me to sit across from him, completely ignoring how the two of us had strode in practically holding hands as if we just knew each other.

The man smiled and continued, "Although, I should apologize. I shouldn't have made the sharing the bed joke. It was in poor taste. I'm sorry."

I felt several pairs of eyes on me, and I turned toward the door to find several magic users, including my grandfather, blinking at me in confusion.

I stared at them in bewilderment as I spoke. "I did tell you goodbye. Well, I said goodnight. Same difference. And fine. I'll have a seat, but only because we need to talk, demon."

"About what, blood letter?" I turned to face him to find the man delivering a debilitating grin that did something to my body as he poured tea, added cream and sugar, then held it out for me. "Here's your tea, Lex."

"My lord, I don't think Alexandra should be rewarded with your presence. Not after the disrespect she's shown. I will gladly—" My grandfather strode in, hands clasped almost as if he were pleading as he shouldered me out of the way.