The Lamb and the Gray Battle

October 3, 2022

Taffy went to Evie's house first, but when all she found were yowling cats on the porch and dogs barking from within, Taffy turned to the Reitman household in search of her. Taffy didn't have to say much to get Evie to follow her.

Cassie, Tess and Lemon surrounded Evie, a barricade against this bad news Taffy was threatening her with. She put her hands on Evie's forearms and forced her to sit. She had plenty of sedation patches if she needed them. She steeled herself before she spoke.

"Your grandmother's body is missing."

Evie shot out of the chair and fire blasted from her lungs. Taffy moved much faster than the body of a ninty-six year old woman should have. Before she grabbed the fire extinguisher, she put a bandage on Evie's arm that shot chemicals directly into her blood stream. Evie crumpled to the floor while Taffy blasted the white foam at the flames. As soon as the law offices of Dethewaite and Sons found out Evie was moving in, the curtains were replaced with fire retardant fabric. Evie hadn't burned anything down in decades, but no one was going to take chances.

Evie was a sobbing lump on the floor. Taffy checked her wrinkled skin for burns. She should have brought some ointment. She'd have to stop past the office and get some. The red welts smarted.

Secure that Evie was neutralized, Taffy continued, "I'm doing all I can to find Bronagh's remains. The coroner has launched a full investigation. The police are involved."

Evie sprang up and darted to the door, but Taffy threw her wiry arms around her.

"Evie, you can't help."

Evie may as well have been chained in iron, struggling against Taffy. "The police won't do anything. They don't care about our kind," Evie whined.

"One, no one knows that your grandmother used to be the great Bronagh an Mhor, blood steeped in demon energy, slayer of the evil breed and last matriarch of Ireland. Two, Dethewaite and Sons have made many sizable donations over the years. Three, your lineage papers are green."

Evie threw Taffy around like a rag doll until her iron grip gave. Taffy cried out when she hit the floor. Just what she needed, a bruise to match the burns.

Evie slapped both hands over her mouth. She dashed over to help Taffy to the couch.

"I'm sorry," Evie cried. "I forget how fragile you are."

Taffy patted her hand, then stroked her limp hair. "Evie, I understand grief." She said, "Everyone, and I do mean everyone, is moving mountains to resolve this."

A chill went through Evie's body.

"I don't want Ao Guang's help," she croaked.

"I've been serving you a long time, Mo Bhanrion," Taffy said, bowing slightly. "Even if King Ao didn't intervene for his own reasons, Prince Nianzang would insist."