Asher Sellinite

Jade Ribbon pt 3

I think I've finally gotten over that second kidnapping, but even to this day I get flashbacks at the smell of my own blood. Star's feeding techniques are surprisingly sloppy compared to the rest of his decorum- funny how he dresses in such a proper Victorian-era ballroom suit... then gets blood all over it. But with how rich he seems to be, I wouldn't be surprised if he has someone else do all his cleaning for him... also, I might be misremembering this, but he kept mentioning Seleena, Avory and Jasmine. Maybe if I would've stayed there another few hours they would've had a feeding frenzy...

I oftentimes think back to the way that basement smelled, heavy iron and copper from the residue of his last 20 or so victims. Smells tend to stick with me more than anything else about a traumatic place- the smell of hospitals, for instance. That disinfectant/alcohol wipe scent that just brings back all sorts of memories. Like that one time I broke a leg and my dad thought I could just 'pray the pain away'. Fun. No, I don't want to talk about it. Memories- shit.

I've just been sitting here, in the little sun-lit nook just to the side of the mudroom, where it all began. I think Asher is concerned by how long I've been sitting here- a few days- and all I've managed to eat was a few cookies Asher brought for me. Funny, I always fell asleep after eating them... I don't have time to be suspicious of Asher- too much going on in my head... and the fae realm in general. Too many Eeriox to be too eerie of- if that's even proper english. I wonder if Asher's asking favors from Courtney to get the cookies... he's done stuff like that before.

I've been hearing lately from Estella that Eeriox have a habit of sedating humans as if they're misbehaving dogs, or at least Courtney does. It's been weird having Courtney back lately... at least Asher refuses to give Estella back to her- presumably because he still sees Courtney as unfit to care for a fragile little pet. Fucking hell, I'm not fragile, if anything, Courtney's ego is more fragile than my weak, breakable, human body.

Marcus and I'd seen Courtney at the Eeriox market in passing whenever Asher had decided to take us both shopping for... collars...? Almost like picking your own willow tree branch so your parent can whip you with it- encouraging your caregiver to keep abusing you. I say "abuse", but Asher is much nicer than I've ever had for a caregiver. Y'know, I used to think Star was the best caregiver ever, how the hell was my intuition that far off? Anyway, Courtney glanced at Asher and then made a run for it- Asher just rolled his eyes, called her dramatic under his breath and moved on. That was probably for the best, honestly. The front door opens, the noise snapping me out of my reflections,

"Mortal, I swear you've been staring out that window, for how long? Only the gods know." I rest my head against the window with a soft thud, Asher's stern- yet caring tone making little difference to my mood. He sighs heavily and plops down next to me, his arm draped around my shoulders- I don't bother looking at him. It's painful to be reminded that he's the one who rescued me, even if it's selfish for me to not even thank him- painful to realize that I almost and very well could've died at Star's hands. I feel Asher's arm tighten around me to get my attention, "Tedrose, my dear mortal, answer me- speak... please."

I shake my head a little and lean into his embrace, prompting him to guide me onto his lap, my back pressed into his stomach. He presses a kiss into my hair and breathes in deep- his arms making me feel oddly comforted yet so vulnerable all at once. Why does this feels so good? Yet again, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop- what's the other shoe...? Hell if I know. I take a deep breath and close my eyes...

"Shh, mortal, you're alright. You're safe now." his soft words sink in and make the tears flow faster until my vision is blurred and my chest is shaking,

"I'm so sorry, master. Is Marcus okay...?"

"Yes mortal, he's fine," he gives a concerned look, pausing to grab my chin, tilting my head up to meet his gaze, "why are you so concerned, mortal? Marcus is much more concerned about you than himself at the moment... you aren't his keeper, right?" I give a little shrug, prompting a slightly sterner look in his eyes, "I am his keeper, alright? It's my duty as his guardian to watch over him and tend to his physical needs as well as his emotional ones. Don't worry yourself with what is not and will never be your job, Tedrose. Okay?" I echo his 'okay' with a sniffle- why am I so emotional lately? This isn't making any sense, I'm supposed to just be grateful to be alive- not... whatever the fuck this is. I let out a deep breath as Asher lets me lower my gaze to my lap,