Inamorata

Chapter Twenty-Six - The Monster

Chapter 26. Author's note - the title is a reference to Frankenstein, a novel that is very pertinent to this story. If you've never read it, I highly recommend it. It's a fabulous, genius piece of literature. Also, votes and comments always make me incredibly happy!

It was not very long before David's home cleared out. The councillors were the first to leave; Marcus, with an affectionate glance for Steel and Nightingale and Councillor Kirkland with a respectful nod for the pair of them.

After them went Nicholas and Pierce. Nightingale noticed that the pair of them seemed to be joined at the hip. She wondered if they were simply good friends, or perhaps even more. However, her answer came to her quickly as she saw Pierce give her a sneaking, sidelong look at the exact same time Nicholas's eyes lingered on the retreating form of Councillor Kirkland.

Caroline moved to leave next, taking with her Steel, with whom Nightingale was unhappy to part.

"Good luck in your last few days at the bordello," she told him, shaking the long-fingered hand he offered to her. Shaking hands was still quite new to her, as her usual method of greeting people (usually her clients) was far less innocent. As a result, she feared she crushed Steel's fingers as she clenched too tightly.

"And you," he said, inclining his head. "Though I'd imagine your last days will be more difficult than mine."

Nightingale raised one eyebrow. "Oh?" she said.

He smiled and leaned forward. As he placed a swift kiss on her cheek, he said, "I think you know why."

"Robin," murmured Nightingale. They both glanced over at the man. He was standing between Clarence and David. He could obviously feel their eyes on him, for his head turned and he gave Nightingale his lopsided smile.

"Your usual clients will be more...difficult after an experience with someone you care for," said Steel. His blue eyes became sorrowful, his brows turning up above them. His entire face was lent a melancholic air.

But she bristled at his condescending tone. "And you know this from personal experience, do you?" she snapped.

He shook his head with a delicate laugh. "No. Not I. Something similar happened to one of my brothers, however. He fell in love with a young man, one of his clients," said Steel.

Nightingale gave a huff. "How could he fall in love with someone who raped him?" she asked, her lip curling with disgust.

Steel arched his eyebrows. "How could you want to defend one of your clients, then?" he countered. "Michael, or whatever his name is. How could you want to protect someone who rapes you?"

Nightingale was silent for a moment before she said quietly. "He doesn't rape me. He...he doesn't understand what he does to me."

Steel nodded sympathetically as they stared at each other.

"Come along, Steel," said Caroline. She approached them, practically ignoring Nightingale as she took Steel by the elbow.

"Thank you, by the way," said Nightingale as the two of them moved to leave, Steel shooting Nightingale a wistful look over his shoulder.

Caroline turned around, her cold face alight with haughty curiosity. "Thank you for what, Nightingale?" she asked. Steel looked between them, and he was not the only one - David eyed them from where he stood with Clarence and Robin.

"I know you don't like me, for whatever reason that may be," said Nightingale. She kept her voice low and smooth, though Caroline's petulant glare made it difficult for her to calmly unbend her pride and thank the woman. "But thank you for what you have done for my sisters and I."