Burned at the Cross

Burned at the Cross ~ Ch. 12

{[Eamon]}

I watched, mesmerized as Erica followed Alyssa around like a duckling ever since she stayed with us a week ago. Every time I see Alyssa, she isn't that far behind. Alyssa's hair was died into a few shades lighter than golden and looked... different, but good different. She made it clear to father and everyone in the mansion to call her Belle while Erica stayed, just for precautions.

Unlike most days, where she usually looked confident, Alyssa looked a bit on edge today. She jumped at almost every sound, looking around the room. I knew by now that when she was like this, nothing good would come out of it.

And it scared the hell out of me.

{[Alyssa]}

Something wasn't right. It wasn't the feeling that Aiden or Eamon were in danger; there was just this primal instinct in me that something was lurking in the shadows.

It was just a normal day today, Erica following me around, going to Millie's witch shop...

I looked down at Loui frowning. He stared back at me. "Perhaps we'll give you a bath today." I mused.

Loui frowned up at me, his thoughts turned just as bad as mine were. We were both in the parlor, Erica flipping through a book half hartedly when someone came. Greg went to go open it and I heard someone talking.

Bolting to my feet, I hissed in anger. I didn't need to see that damn selkie to hear him.

Erica looked a bit startled at my movement, but got up to follow anyway.

I had to go through the main hallway to get back to my room. Maybe if I just dashed through really fast, he wouldn't notice her. Praying, I alked as quickly as she could. I as almost to the stairs... just a few more steps.

"Belle."

Just reaching the last step, I stopped in my tracks and shut my eyes tightly. Greg must have informed him of my "name". But that didn't stop him from stepping towards me.

I squared my shoulders and turned around to face Kalen. Like always, he looked like he stepped out of a fairytale book. The selkie, in his human skin, gazed up at me. She glared at him.

"Kalen." I said, sounding neutral. "What are you doing here?"

He tossed me a rare, amused smile. "I heard of your... predicament, and I wanted to see you." As he said it, he tossed a look at Erica, his sea green eyes narrowing.

"I'm fine." I chirped, sounding tight even to me.

Kalen smirked. "As always."

That's when Aiden and Eamon decided to make their appearance. "Why, Belle! Who is this dashing young man? A guest of yours?"

"Never." I snarled.

Aiden looked at me surprised and Eamon just stared at Kalen.

The selkie seemed to have a death wish because he chuckled. "I had no idea that I've gotten on your bad side, Belle."

I put a hand to my temple, trying to ease the sudden head ache whenever I talked to Kalen for this long. "I knew it was a bad day." I muttered, and turned away.

{[Eamon]}

I watched as Alyssa walked away, fuming. It was the first time I've seen her so angry, not even her yelling at father compared to this. Looking over the culprit to her anger, I wondered who the man was. The thought irritated him more than it should, that he could possibly be her suitor or fiance.

"I'm sorry for her behavior on her behalf. Would you mind introducing yourself?" father was asking.

The man chuckled again. "Quite alright. Alyssa is always like that around me. I am Kalen Quinn, selkie." he said, bowing from the waist down.

Father seemed to still for a moment, silent.

"I apologize for putting you in any discomfort, Overlord, but I had to see if she was alright." Kalen continued.

What the devil was a selkie? I searched my brain for a clue but found none.

"It's not wise for you to be here." father pointed out. "But I admire your courage for comming here to check on Alyssa."

"Yes, well, that's not the only reason that I came here..."

"What else is there?"

"It concerns Alyssa." Kalen said, firmly.

"I'll have a servant call her down again." Aiden said smoothly.

Kalen's body was tense, as if he couldn't stand to be here. Obvious tension was in the air. Whatever Kalen had to say to Alyssa must be urgent if he wanted to stay longer. His features contorted into a grimace, his long hair messy and disheveled.

Something was going to go wrong today, I was sure of it.

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Sorry, I know it's short, but this kind of explains Kalen more. He was mentioned in ch. 8 or 9 I think... but now he'll play a little bigger role than what I'd thought of at the time. VOTE & COMMENT!