The Unknown

Chapter 6

Today Alister had left a note on the fridge, declaring I had the day off, and I was to use it to work on my weapon. When I was in bed last night, Alister did a lot of runes on the inside and acquired a strange red chain that was thin, but something told me it was incredibly strong. I brought my bluetooth speaker into the work room. Hinder was blaring through it as I worked, enjoying this chance to just be alone. I have met many strange people and have gone through a lot. It's not that I needed time to process it all. I needed to take some personal time. All work and no play was just not healthy. Of course working on a weapon for work didn't seem the best way to spend your playtime. Alister was probably using it to fuck out the frustrations he has had built up the last couple of days. I wonder if I should start a tally sheet to see how long he can go without getting laid. I giggled softly at the idea and shook my head. He'd kill me if he ever found it. 

I was pulled from my work when I heard the doorbell ring. I got up and went to answer the door. On the other side was McKale. "How can I help you McKale," I asked him. "Alister isn't in right now." "I want my orb," He snapped. "We don't have it," I told him easily. "He's the only one who was interested in it," He snapped. I rolled my eyes, "Had you been paying attention, there were some waiters pick pocketing last night. I bet if you call many of your guests, they will tell you they're all missing something after last night." He glared, "Did Alister have anything missing?" I shook my head, "Would you dare taking anything from him?" He seemed to understand my point. 

He then studied me closely, "You're more than his bimbo." I smiled and mockingly applauded him, "Good job. Alister is powerful, and it is rather foolish to go about accusing him without concrete evidence McKale. If Alister had taken it, he would've just taken it as you watch, too helpless to do anything as he does. Check your staff McKale, one of them have it." I then shut the door in his face and went back to work. 

I had just finished fastening the chain to the blade when I felt eyes watching me. I slid my eyes over to Alister, before sliding them back to my work. "Yes Alister," I asked him. "Anything interesting happen today," He asked me. I shrugged, "Just that McKale showed up today accusing you of stealing the orb from him." "And," He asked, prompting me to continue. I shrugged, "Told him you didn't steal it. I told him to call his other guests and that he had pick pockets posing as waiters. He asked if you were missing anything. I told him no one was stupid enough to steal from you. Plus if you had taken it from McKale, you would make a big show about it while flipping him the bird as he just watches helplessly." 

"You make me sound like a cold hearted bastard," He said and I could hear the smirk in his voice. "I call it like I see it," I said as I finished the area I was working on before beginning the black leather on the hilt. "Anything new in the dream," He asked me. "When there is, you'll be the first to know," I told him. "Is there a problem Ms. Charles," He asked me. "Just that I have a brute talking as I work," I told him. 

"Go get laid Ms. Charles, maybe you'll feel better afterwards," He told me. "The only time I have ever been laid, as you say, was not my choice, so sorry if I won't take your word for it," I told him. I suddenly felt the temperature of the room drop to the point I could see my breath come out in puffs. I looked over at him, and saw his eyes were red. "Sorry Alister, did that just crush the image you have of me," I asked him, eyebrow raised. "That I was a virgin when that thing killed my parents and took me back to it's place where it proceeded to rape and torture me?" Like all women my age I had always had thoughts of the guys I would want to sleep with. The kind who wouldn't turn out to be one of The Unknown had been at the top of my list, followed by not killing me afterwards. However, although I could see past their glamour, I was never trusting enough to just go for it, as my past friends would say. 

"It tortured you," He asked, fangs on display. "Did Mikal not give a full report," I asked him. "Just minor details about what happened to you," He replied softly. "You don't have to worry about me throwing a pity party or whatever. It happened. It's in the past. I don't expect your pity either," I told him. "How did it torture you," He asked softly. "In many ways," I told him, going back to working on the whip despite the cold. His gaze was far too heavy to keep. "It's favorite thing to do was to whip me. The medicine Mikal had given me healed me quickly, but it couldn't do anything about the scars." 

"Can I see them," He asked me. I chuckled softly, "The day you get me into your bed, you can see them all you want. Until then, they'll continue to be for my eyes only." "I can make them go away," He told me, the temperature finally beginning to rise. I shrugged, "I don't mind them. Reminds me I survived hell." I then looked back at him, "Don't you dare change how you talk to me. I enjoy it, makes things interesting." It honestly did. I need a new form of normal after the one I grew up with was ripped from me, and if that new form of normal was a grumpy ancient thing who enjoyed talking about sex, then so be it. It could be a hell of a lot worse. 

After that he stalked off while I got back to work. I went up to my room to relax after spending an entire day slouched over the work table. Taped to my door was a photo of a set of headstones. 

Crissy Charles. Beloved mother and daughter.

Peter Charles. Beloved father and son. 

I flipped the photo over and saw the address for the cemetery they were buried in written in Alister's hand writing. I felt something wet trail down my cheek. I used my hand to wipe it away. It was a tear. I guess I was capable of them after all. I thought I was too damaged to be able to produce them. Looks like I'm learning something new everyday. I went into my room and laid the photo on my nightstand before laying on my bed. Sleep soon took me into it's grips and I didn't mind it one bit.