Prelude (Underworld Lucian Fanfiction)

27 - Chapter XXVII: Black for the Sake of Misery

Three nights later. The Study. 5:07 am. 14 November, 1899.

Thumbing the side of his temple, Lucian signed off on the last transfer of the night, a shipment of goods to be sent west. Dublin had requested aid for the winter months. With London rationing itself, the most he could send them was dried produce. It was not much, but it would provide a base. For a good while, he held the tip of the seal-wax over the candle, melting it slow so as to prevent streaks. It was an easy task for patient and steady fingers. With two doses of laudanum, he was neither patient nor steady. He was exhausted. Before the wax was ready, he applied it to the envelope, working it until the circle was large enough, applying the seal when he was finished.

It streaked.

Biting back an expletive, he got up from the desk, stalked to the door of his study and handed the communiqué to the hooded lycan waiting outside. The man bowed his head and hustled down the hallway. He smelled her before she spoke. Rena. Hidden by shadow, she was waiting on the stairs, holding back until he acknowledged her presence. He considered shutting the door, but realised he did not have a decent enough excuse for turning her away. They had already discussed her wages and schedule in the morning, but perhaps she required some clarification on her orders.

At his nod, Rena followed him into the study, closing the door behind her and moving to stand before his desk. Most lycans could sense when he needed to be left alone, so either this was very important or she had lost her mind. He took a seat, clearing the wax shavings away, making a strong effort to sound as if he really meant the words coming out of his mouth. "How can I help?"

Rena stared forward. "The prisoner wishes to leave her room."

"Her request is denied," he said. There was a reason Reinette was in confinement. "Is she eating?"

Rena nodded.

"Sleeping?"

"Yes."

"Good," he said. "Report back by the end of the month. I will have arranged a tutor by then. You are dismissed." Bending to his right, he opened one of the lower drawers, searching for the address of that watchmaker. In spite of the murder that had occurred, life went on as usual in the lycan den. Bills were paid, investments were made, and mistresses were avoided.

That meeting with Xristo would not occur for another four days. Raze had been quick to point out the benefit of snapping two birds with one bite. Jacqueline would have her outing and Mr. Alexander Kerr would have a legitimate excuse for being in the West End. Some rubbish called 'Floradora.' It sounded terrible. He would be in the mood for ripping heads off once it was finished, so it was fortunate the meeting would take place after curtain call.

He heard a woman clear her throat. Briefly, he looked up. Rena had not moved. He smiled, taking out his address book and starting to flip ever so slowly through its pages. It was hard pretending his head was not throbbing. "I take it you have a very good reason for prolonging this meeting?"

He waited.

Amber orbs glinting in the dark, Rena eyed him. Her smell was difficult to read. Her nostrils flared...she was scenting him out. Without a word, she turned around and left. When the door closed behind her, he snapped his book shut. What...the hell...was that about? Rena making a request on behalf of Reinette was akin to Jacqueline asking to join Parliament. They could not be friends yet. It was too soon. Was the woman actually in need? Sabine was convinced Mrs. Fulligan had poisoned her, but that was next to poppycock. His fingers began tapping on the book cover.Curiouser and curiouser.