Blood Brothers

Connections

I followed Ciro up onto the porch of the Victorian and into our Master's house. I wasn't sure what had prompted his desire to come here, but I didn't mind coming along. It was our habit to come by every few days, just to make sure there was nothing Le'Roy needed from us, but I hadn't thought two days in a row was really necessary.

Ciro got sidetracked with one of the human girls that had a crush on him and I went to investigate the new voice I heard talking with Le'Roy in the living room. If they had been in the study I would have known not to disturb them, but out in the open was invitation for curiosity.

Le'Roy was talking to a young woman, a gorgeous blonde with sharp gray eyes and French accented English. Familiarity registered before recognition hit me hard enough to punch the air right out of me. It was the trousers on the pretty young woman that really let me connect the name to the face after all these years. It was Katherine. The little princess that had saved me years ago had grown into a regal queen. And headstrong, if the way she was arguing with her father was any indication.

"Got yourself a little crush?"

I jumped when Ciro whispered in my ear, then elbowed him when I turned back to find him grinning smugly at me. He grunted, drawing Le'Roy's attention. I froze as twin stormy gazes turned and fixed on us.

"Ciro, Thomas. Come here."

I swallowed and didn't manage to move until Ciro gave me a little shove.

"Katherine, this is Ciro and Thomas. Boys, this is my daughter, Katherine." I glanced Le'Roy over, then decided he must not remember that I had met his daughter before. That she had saved my life, in fact.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance." Katherine gave a quick incline of her head before rounding on her father again. "I do not need protection." It appeared she didn't remember me either.

"You will either accept them or an entire battalion, until this matter is resolved. I will not have you risking your life needlessly."

"I am not risking my life! That is why I am here instead of back home! Once things cool off and they forget about it everything will go back to normal and it will be fine. An armed escort will only draw unwanted attention and make it all take longer!"

"This is not up for discussion. Your protection is my highest priority. I suggest you make friends, because you will have at least one of them by your side at all times." Le'Roy glanced at Ciro and me as he said the last, making sure we knew the orders we were being given, regardless of how his daughter felt about it.

We both nodded and Le'Roy jerked his chin down in satisfaction before turning a look on his daughter that invited no more argument. Katherine frowned, opening her mouth to argue anyways, but her father turned away, dismissing her. She huffed and turned to us, regarding us for a long moment before sighing.

"I can take care of myself, so do not coddle me."

Ciro grinned, shaking his head. "Of course not Miss." He glanced at me with a sly look. "Would you like to take first watch and get reacquainted?" His smile faded when Katherine cocked her head in question and I quickly shook my head.

"We don't know each other."

Ciro blinked at me. "Oh. Sorry, the way you reacted..." He shrugged and shook his head before turning a winning smile on Katherine again. "Well then, my Lady, if you would like me to escort you anywhere, perhaps see the sights around the city, I am at your command." He gave a courtly bow and Katherine quirked a smile.

"Thank you, sir, but I am quite tired. I think an evening in would be best."

I retreated, backing away with a hurried farewell. "I'll be back before sunup. Bye." Then I was rushing out the door and leaving them behind. There was a little disappointment. I would have liked to have been remembered. But I couldn't really blame her. She had only been ten then. And she probably had more people coming and going in her life than she could accurately count, much less remember. Le'Roy would have been more likely to remember, but I supposed I preferred him remembering me as the strong warrior in his ranks than the half dead human boy he had been about to kill.