Call Wolf

Chapter Fifteen

SecretS

Charles had been worried about Maria's presence during the confrontation with mayor Gooden but it soon became a non-issue. By the time the three were ascending the grande staircase, following Gooden at a reasonable distance into a more secluded area of the manor, she'd lost conciousness.
Charles would be worried was it not for the faint snoring sounding at the back of her throat. Instead of waking her up he decided just to grab an arm and a leg and carry her the rest of the way.

Unconcious, she was much less of a hassle -- though heavier than she looked -- and Charles and Kripin had soon fallen into a predatory thoughtlessness. They stopped behind a corner just as mayor Gooden disappeared into an office further down the corridor.
"This is it," Kripin mumbled, his eyes undertaking an excited, yellow hue. "He's gonna be alone."
"But we won't," Charles retorted, referring to the dozed off human in his arms.
"We'll leave her here."
"No. If anyone sees her we're done."
"Oh, come on. The worst they'll do is take her."
Silence.
"Oh."
"It's not an option, Kripin."
"With all due respect, it's the only one there is. What are you suggesting we do? Bring her?"

Mayor Gooden jumped as the door to the office slammed open. Waltzing in came a lean, suited fellow. His appearance was impeccable, yet a poorly stored away maliciousness tugged at the corner of his lips. Gooden grabbed the armrests on his chair but paused in the last second, wondering if it wasn't safer keeping the large desk between him and the stranger.
Another man entered not too far behind. He was large and intimidating but what really made Gooden's face an alarming shade of red was the girl in his arms. She was done up, painted, but he recognized her.
This time he couldn't keep up the facade.
"Well, hello there."
"I don't know you! Who let you up here?"
They moved closer.
"Get that thing away from me!" he squealed, his voice a strange pitch, pointing to Maria.
Kripin and Charles shared a look -- maybe their claws wouldn't be necessary to scare the man, it seems Maria had done the job.
Charles let Maria fall into one of the plush armchairs stuffed alongside the walls, the expensive fabric waiting for politicians and benefactors, and got up alongside Kripin, crossing his arms.
"Let's get to the point, Gooden. We know who you are, and we don't have any quarrel with you."
His eyes were still on Maria.
"We do advice you to contain your civilian troop, though."
"The civilian troop?"
Kripin moved around the table swiftly, barely making a sound, and planted an arm around the back of Gooden's chair.
"Yes," he said lowly. "They're getting a little too close, don't you think?"
"I-I do."
"And they have taken too much of the town's funds to be chasing wild goose?"
"Absolutely!"
"I'm glad we're on the same page."
He planted a hand on Gooden's shoulder, making the old man jump, and allowed his claws to extend. Just a bit. Then he returned to Charles' side, crossed his arms. Gooden looked like he'd drop dead any second. And that was that. At least it should have been.

"Why do you hate her so much?"
Kripin and Gooden gave Charles the same look. Both also remained quiet for well over five seconds.
"Boss, we have what we came for."
"Silence, Kripin. Gooden, tell me."
"How could I not, she's--"
Charles' seemed to become twice as big suddenly, making Gooden rethink his words. His eyes traveled to her.
"You have no idea what she's done, what she is."
"She's done nothing but be alive. She's your people and you're despicable for allowing the abuse you have."
"So that's what she's told you?" he stopped Charles halfway through turning back to the door.
Heartbeats. Four of them, all in the same strained rhytm for a second. Everyone looks to Maria.
"What do you mean?"
"Charles," Kripin warns. His eyes hold a silent plea. But it's too late.
"She killed her brother."

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A/N
It's short but I can't procrastinate anymore. Tell me off in the comments so I'm not allowed to leave for 20 days again lol