Bound By Madness

32. Meeting Family

It was only as I watched him vanish up the stairs that I realized I had no bed to sleep in, as well as no idea if Cicero even wished to share the room he was given but I dreaded the idea of sharing a room with the other Family members after today. Even now I could feel their eyes on me, could hear the soft whispers as they spoke about me. However, after what my Jester Assassin had said... I couldn't find it in me to care even a bit about what they had to say or think, even if it didn't mean I wanted to be around the Family as I slept. Just those few simple words had made years of previous judgment seem to vanish.

There was one thing, though, that even his kind words couldn't make better. I still had yet to have that 'talk' with the pretend leader called Astrid.

"You should hurry before Cicero falls asleep and either figure out the bed situation or at least grab your stuff so you can get changed. You really shouldn't sleep in wet clothing, after all," Amicus whispered, giving a gentle tug on the still dripping shirt that was slowly soaking the towel I wore.

With a quiet gasp, I bolted toward the stairs, running up them before rushing down the corridors to Cicero's room. I didn't slow down until I could see the flickering light of a candle softly illuminating the room that should be hidden behind a door.

Oh good, you're still awake! I'm not too late!

Not that he saw me speak, looking down as he was. But he must have heard me enter because moments after I entered he was speaking.

"Did energetic Faith need something from sleepy Cicero?" He questioned without looking up as he slowly tugged one of his boots off, sitting on the lone bed.

Blinking at the exhaustion in his voice, I instantly felt guilty for anything and everything I might have done to add to it. Walking over slowly, I crouched in front of him and made sure my hands were dry before helping remove the other boot, carefully setting it down beside the other. Grabbing his hands, I looked up at him and gave him the best smile I could manage after seeing the dark circles under his eyes.

No, I do not need anything right now. I just wanted to say goodnight one more time before you fell asleep and to thank you for bringing me here... Actually, to thank you for everything you've done for me since we met. And Cicero? My Cicero, if there is ever anything I can do for you, please let me know. Goodnight my dearest friend. May Mother help guide you into sweet dreams tonight.

Leaning forward, I pressed my forehead gently against his before pulling back and kissing his cheek like I used to do with Bastian at bedtime. Letting go of his hands, I turned and stood up again, walking over to grab my pack and leave the room. I needed to find a place to sleep where I wouldn't disturb my friend's rest. I'd already caused him enough trouble. He didn't need to speak for me to see that much, even if I wasn't sure what had troubled him most because of me.

Perhaps I was simply always troublesome. I would have to work on becoming easier for him to deal with. I didn't want to cause more trouble for my kind Jester Assassin if I could help it.

It's going to be a lot of work, isn't it, Amicus?

Leaving the room, I barely noticed the frown on Ellery's face as I walked past.

Ellery, let's go. Cicero needs his sleep. We... No, not we, I... I have exhausted him enough.

--------

"Well, since we have no idea what kind of skills you have, I would recommend you spend a few days getting to know the other family members and maybe see if Nazir has any small contracts come in that you can handle. If you are going to stay here, you will need to earn your keep. One way or the other," the pretend leader said, scowling as she looked at me.

Of course, but I do have a question. How am I to get back inside once I leave the Sanctuary? Doesn't the door have a password that must be spoken? Cicero whispered something to the door before it opened, but since I'm mute, I cannot whisper the words needed. And I don't think the door would listen to Amicus or Ellery if they said the words since most people don't acknowledge them and I doubt your door would be any different.

Babette gave me a strange look before turning toward the female Nord, "She's mute so she wonders at how will she get past the Black Door when she returns."

"It looked like she said more than that, Babette," the false one said, a frown on her lips.

"Yes, but that was the important part. The rest would only give you a headache, more likely than not. Don't worry, I'll talk to her about the rest of what she said and bring you any important information I retrieve from her," the small vampire spoke, her eyes locked on me as she grinned like a cat watching a small bird.

"Very well. I will consider the matter for a time and once I have determined a satisfactory solution, she will take a contract and fulfill her obligation to the Family. You may both go now so that you may have your... discussion," Astrid spoke before turning away to lean over the stone table and focus on the map laying there.

"Come, Faith. Let us go to my room to... talk," said the Not Child with a smirk.

I was glad that Cicero had seemed so confident the Family would not harm me, because otherwise, I would be certain she was going to eat me. Even so, I couldn't hide the shiver that ran down my spine when I noticed her smirk grow wider, showing off the fangs even more than before.

"She is doing it on purpose. Don't let her rile you up, Faith. Consider this another test, by a different Family member. Except, this one has no worries of death if you fail," Amicus whispered, his hand brushing against my shoulder before pulling away again.

Then what is the worry if I fail her test?

"That, I am not sure yet. Vampires tend to think more long term than most men since they potentially have centuries to exist rather than mere decades. Maybe she just wonders if you will alleviate her boredom? I have no idea how long she has been alive already, but for a vampire within a child's body, it says something that she is part of the last remaining Brotherhood, doesn't it?" Amicus practically breathed the words into my ear as we turned to leave the room.

As we entered the main chamber, the Not Child spoke again.

"Oh, and do make sure that both... Ellery and Amicus was it? Make sure both of them come with us, please. I have questions for them as well and I will know if you are lying when we get to my room and you confirm if they have both attended the... meeting. And I do not like being lied to, especially by Family."