Iniquity Approaches Book 2 of Iniquity Series~Complete~

Ch. 36

The silence seemed to stretch on after I informed him of my discovery.

I began to giggle as I stared up at his bewildered expression, pulling up the thick fleece blanket onto us, believing he was now too shocked to move.

'Are you feeling alright, Tom? You look rather pale.' I asked him telepathically watching in amusement as I watched him lay back, with a rather green undertone in his usually pale skin.

He didn't respond mentally, or physically.

So, I left him alone and turned onto my side to sleep.

Waking up hours into the night, while it was still dark out, just like the day before.

I repeated the same routine from the day before. Slowly getting out of bed, and slowly waddling to gather my clothes and making my way into the bathroom to shower.

I almost let out a horrified yelp when I finally my appearance in the bathroom mirror.

I felt a burning sensation between my legs, as my thighs rubbed together, as I made my way into the bathroom. Everything on my body felt raw and sore.

My lips were swollen, my neck and chest held a collection of bluish-purple bruises adorning it, my hips had hand, and finger-shaped bruises along with my thighs, and my hair was completely knotted, resembling a rat's nest.

"Merlin's beard!" I said, gasping lowly, as I practically waddled towards the shower.

The hot water seemed to have helped relax my aching, stiff muscles as I scrubbed the events of the night before off of my body, and relieved the pain I had in between my legs somewhat.

I slowly waved my hand, doing the quick-dry spell on myself before slowly beginning to get dressed for the day.

Today, I went with and dark midnight blue, angel sleeved blouse, and a dark gray floor-length skirt that had a slit on the side of it.

Pulling on my stockings and garter belt, before curling my hair and slipping on my thin dark jeweled diadem before exiting the bathroom.

Once I was out, I slipped my knee-length boots, before pulling out my small bag, along with two thin flasks, slipping them along with my money.

Writing a quick note to Tom and leaving it on my pillow before silently leaving the room, walking down the stairs and out of the inn.

I walked down the road towards what looked like an antique shop. I slowly entered the shop and began walking through it.

I was just about to leave when my eyes landed on a specific book.

It was in Latin, a dark red faded-out color and golden lettering engraved on the cover, the frail pages covered in dust. Ancient Unused Spells.

My eyes quickly scanned the frail pages carefully until my eyes landed on a spell, a Death Prevention spell, or Morse Ne Cantatio. I had learned Latin a while back and understood it perfectly.

Shutting the book quickly before slipping it into my bag carefully.

I also grabbed a serpent ring, that coiled twice before its head ended at the very top, with rubies for eyes. And another ring that had a thin simple silver band and a large emerald stone on it.  Walking towards the front and set the book, and two rings down carefully before looking at the elderly woman.

"How much for all of this?" I asked her.

"The book, I have no need for it. You can have it, free of charge. The two rings will be forty pounds, dearie." She said, placing both in different velvet boxes.

I nodded, quickly handing her the money before slipping my book into my purse once more.

I walked into another shop down the road before walking once more before I found another book: Ancient Forgotten Spells. Again, the book was also free of charge. I bought a charmed bracelet and a silver choker with a sapphire heart hanging from it.

By the time I reached the inn, it was already noon.

As I walked in Tom was pacing the length of the room, lost in thought.

"Oh, you're back." He sighed relieved, walking towards me as I stepped into the room.

I nodded, smiling at him. It was Christmas Eve. We got off on break almost a week ago, I didn't do Christmas shopping, usually. I had gotten a gift for everyone that I'd be spending my time with.

"I found some valuable information while I was out," I said as I plopped down tiredly on the couch.

"Your Uncle, Morfin, was arrested last night. For torturing the Riddles, apparently, Thomas Riddle, your paternal grandfather, and the other two rats were hospitalized when they were found unconscious, and unresponsive." I said, repeating the information the elder woman from the first shop told me before I left.

"Interesting." He replied, looking at the flames in the hearth.

"Are we just about done here?" I asked, slipping off my boots.

"We are." He confirmed, the corner of his lips twitching in amusement as he stared at me.

I nodded in response as I set my small bag onto the coffee table in the middle of the room.

"I've got you something," I said, suddenly feeling nervous.

"For what?" He asked, surprised.

"Christmas is tomorrow. We usually exchange the day before, don't you remember?" I asked, slipping my hand into the bag.

"What is it?" He asked as I set the box onto his hand, rotating it around with his long fingers.

"You do realize that you have to open it in order to find out, right?" I said, rolling my eyes at him, as I crossed my legs before propping them onto the coffee table.

He popped the box opened, his forest green eyes getting the familiar sparkle he always gets as he looked at the ring.

A smirk appeared on his face before he stood up, walking over to his bag before he reached into the bag, fluently pulling out a rectangle-shaped velvet box, handing it to me.

I opened the box carefully, my eyes widening as I saw the delicate silver chain embedded with sparkling green emerald gems and small sapphire blue gems.

My eyes began to water as I looked at it.

"Where...? How'd...? How'd you get this?" I asked, surprised as I lifted it gently from the box.

"I found it in an old antique shop, near the orphanage, the owner gave it to me for a small price." He shrugged, his lips twitching in amusement.

"Thank you, Tom, it-it's truly lovely," I said, as I clipped it onto my wrist.

We spent the rest of the day, talking idly about random things, our plans for the next few weeks. Where I informed him of the dinner slash ball that the Blacks had invited me to.

At the end of the night, after changing into our sleeping clothes, I felt my eyes close tiredly, as I laid on his chest. Listening to his steady heartbeat, contently.

"Merry Christmas, love." He whispered in my ear as I felt my eyes begin to get heavier and heavier.

"Merry Christmas, Tom," I replied drowsily before my eyes closed and I fell asleep.