Guardian

Chapter 17

"Before we start Eleanor's story, maybe a short break is in order. The fire needs tending, and more tea is needed." Thomas swirled the dregs around in his empty cup. They formed and reformed different shapes and pictures. Was that an image of a cat? He snorted. Probably. Figured.

Aidan nodded absently and continued to stare into the fire. It was as though it would somehow speak and give him the answers he was looking for.

Thomas shivered. Perhaps it could? His cousins never told him all that a Soul Guide could do, nor had he ever asked. His experience as a youngster and a cat stopped him from ever wanting to follow tradition. Just the thought of it was intrusive. He got up and went about making more tea to settle his nerves.

Two months ago, he'd not a care in the world. He went to various local pubs in the evenings and played with his band. He made enough money to buy any trinket he might have desired.

Why did that summons have to happen?

The firelight created interesting planes and shadows on Aidan's aristocratic face. It was mesmerizing. What were the odds that he would be the one he was assigned to guard? All of his cousins received assignments with women. In fact, all his relatives and ancestors were with women as well, at least as far as he understood it. Why this man, why now?

As if he knew he was under scrutiny, Aidan shifted uncomfortably and stared more pointedly at the flames.

Thomas brought him more tea. This time, he'd spiked it with a wee bit something extra to take the last of the chill out of their bones.

"So...." The one word drifted around them and settled amidst the flames before flickering out.

"Mhm?" Aidan's voice barely carried across the short distance. In fact, if Thomas didn't have such good hearing, he was pretty sure it'd have disappeared beneath the sound of crackling flames.

"Umm, Eleanor and Fergus. They're the ghosts haunting this house." Thomas didn't know how to begin this part at all. How did he tell this man he barely knew in real life that he would never be the same again?

"Mhm. Wait. Did you say ghosts? As in more than one?"

"I believe so. I saw Eleanor staring out the window one night, and another figure gazing up at her from the courtyard."

"Hmm." Aidan shrank in on himself and continued staring beyond the flames.

"Do you not believe me?"

"It's a lot to swallow."

"Unfortunately, 'tis not the end." Thomas meditated into his cup hoping the words would suddenly appear.

"I assume it has something to do with me being a Soul Guide?" Aidan prompted.

"Aye, ye could say that." Thomas drifted off while hesitating. Should he say more? Could Aidan handle the burden that was about to be placed upon him? He thought of the superstar he always saw shining through the screen and then, maybe for the first time, truly saw the man sitting beside him.

He seemed ordinary. His tousled black hair framed a striking face. Even without the layers of makeup, the man was beautiful. Thomas could recognize that from a strictly aesthetic view point.

He wore his white sweatshirt and red flannel pants like a second skin. He seemed completely relaxed and at home with his purple nail polish and a mug covered in pink flowers. His pouting lips glistened slightly in the firelight.

"Are you done staring yet?" Aidan teased in his high baritone voice.

Thomas shook himself out of it. "Sorry, I never really looked at ye before. I was a bit embarrassed, and frankly, ye put me out o' sorts a wee bit."