Homesick Book 2. The Secrets of Blackthorn Manor

Runes and Records

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Chapter Nineteen

Runes and Records

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Owethu met with him at the top of the stairs, Duchess and Prince sitting on either side of him.

'Any more trouble from our weird little gargoyle?' Adrian asked as he joined him.

'Thankfully no. I think we have had enough surprises for one day,' the naga rumbled.

'Thank you for back there. I hate that my magic can still so easily get away from me. I feel like I'm constantly relying on you and never returning the favour. You must think I'm a pretty shitty mate,' Adrian said quietly. He didn't quite have enough courage to meet Owethu's eyes.

The naga hummed. 'You are... fragile.'

Adrian's head snapped up, indignation on his face. Whatever he was going to say next was cut off at the sight of a large smirk on Owethu's face. 'But, you are human so I suppose I can't blame you for that.'

'Asshole,' Adrian muttered.

Owethu continued, 'You are also young and still learning about yourself. It would be unfair to expect the same level of growth as myself given the age gap.'

'Umm, thanks?' Adrian said with a lopsided smile. The naga bent down, brushing his lips against Adrian's. The practitioner stepped in closer. Adrian sighed deeply then chuckled. 'Heh. You're old.'

The naga actually laughed, a low rumbling sound that made Adrian's smile reach all the way to his eyes. The last of the dread and worry about Prince finally unhitched itself from Adrian's chest. It was like throwing off a weighted blanket.

'What did that man want?' Owethu asked as they drew apart a little.

Adrian blinked. 'Oh, right. I almost forgot. He actually gave me something useful. Odd, I know. Look at this.' He pulled out the photograph and handed it to his mate. He began pointing out the various people, repeating what Simon had told him.

'I was hoping you might know who this is? He's definitely a naga, right?' Adrian said, pointing to the tall figure hiding at the back of the group. When Owethu said nothing, Adrian glanced at the man's face. 'Owethu?'

'I do not know this man,' Owethu said. His expression was stoney.

Adrian could tell that the unknown naga in the photograph was unexpected. 'Is there a chance that maybe you're just forgetting someone in your clan? Your clan is pretty large, isn't it?'

Owethu shook his head. 'No. My sister and I have been second-in-command of our clan for millennia. I know its members from the youngest hatchling to the oldest serpent. Keeping them all in line and knowing their exact whereabouts is a crucial part of our role.'

'Oh.' Adrian looked back at the photo uneasily. 'Is that normal? For an unknown naga to be in the same territory or city that a clan already occupies?'

'Not at all,' Owethu growled, his body oddly still and dangerous. 'This is a large and strange collection of people. What were they researching?'

Adrian frowned. 'I didn't think to ask,' he admitted. 'But I've had enough of Simon to last me awhile and I'm pretty sure there's some things he's trying to hide. I still keep in contact with Professor McFarlane. She's been asking to catch up for a little while. I'm sure I could ask her.'

'This sounds like a good opportunity,' Owethu rumbled. He pulled out his phone and took a photo of the unknown naga. 'I will discuss this with my sister and grandfather.'

'It was taken some odd twenty years ago. The naga wouldn't still be in your territory, would he?'

'If he was bold enough to work with the humans here, then it is possible.'