The Second Mate

NINETEEN

"Gerrant!" The old lady smiled after opening the door. She greeted the man, who was twice her size, with an embrace.

Marianne watched the exchange and grinned when the lycan ushered her closer so the woman could see her.

"This is Agatha." Gerrant introduced to Marianne.

"She's beautiful, Gerrant." The old woman beamed as she caressed Marianne's cheek.

"It's nice to meet you, Agatha. My name is Marianne."

Their introductions were interrupted as the old woman shouted at the staff in the kitchen.

After Nefera left, Gerrant brought Marianne to a restaurant in town. They walked around the establishment and knocked on the back door where Agatha greeted them.

"Why would you bring the lovely lady here? I can have a table ready for you any time of day." Agatha looked at the Brethren werewolf with disbelief.

"We're here for rum."

Gerrant's words made Agatha's features drop as she turned to Marianne with a frown.

"I see. I'll take her upstairs."

The Brethren werewolf nodded at Agatha's response. The old woman gave Marianne an encouraging smile. She went inside the kitchen and beckoned the lady to follow. They entered a sitting room decorated with family pictures. Agatha pointed at a loveseat and Marianne took a seat. The Luna watched the old woman turn to a liquor cabinet. She pulled out a bottle that was a quarter full. Agatha offered the rum to which Marianne declined. She poured herself a shot and drank it before sealing the bottle with a cork. She returned it to the cabinet and breathed out a sigh. Agatha settled down on the armchair close to where Marianne was seated.

"Which bloody godforsaken creature harmed you?" Agatha's strong voice, powered by anger and vengeance, bellowed through the four corners of the room.

The sudden rage surprised Marianne as she leaned back to the chair. Seeing the young lady's retreating form, Agatha calmed herself.

"You must forgive me. I am getting old and I haven't been involved with the supernatural world for decades. But, I guess no matter the century the ways of the Brethren still remains unchanged."

Marianne gave her a questioning look.

"I'm nobody important." Agatha waved off.

"Still and all, I have been in your shoes before. You see, I am the first human Gerrant recuperated from converting." The old woman revealed.

Marianne's eyes widened. Agatha chuckled from her reaction and continued with her story. Agatha Fawcett was a child of a noble family that soon reduced to nothing. The head of the house was addicted to gambling that he even sold his own daughter. Agatha was a lady of dignity and after she had learned about her father's debauchery, she left their estate.

She had taken camp that night. Sleeping on the ground was far more sufferable than her father's actions. She gazed upon the bright full moon and yearned that her faring may be well. Unfortunately, nothing was considered well on a full moon, especially on the supernatural world.

Agatha had cried, her body trembling as the large wolf growled before it attacked her. The silence of night was broken by her screams and the snarling of the beast. The silver blade of a sword reflected the moonlight before the Order pierced the heart of the rogue.

They cleaned up the body of the beast with a spell and motioned to take care of Agatha's unmoving body. The Fawcett lady was still breathing which the Order of the Brethren didn't fail to notice. They had taken her back to the castle where they waited for the Brethren's orders.