Chapter 21
Chapter
Twenty-One
Erasmus
I’d just ended a call to check in with Momma when Peaches called. I stared at the number for a couple of rings, making sure I saw it correctly. Peaches and I spoke sometimes, but not often. Anxiety gripped my chest. Had something happened with Aurelia?
“Peaches,” I finally answered. “Is everything okay?” I didn’t bother attempting to keep the worry from my words.
His shaky, answering laugh didn’t calm my nerves. “Nooo… I mean, I wouldn’t say something is wrong,” Peaches hedged. “From a certain perspective, one might think something is actually right.”
That wasn’t confusing at all. “What are you talking about?” I typically wasn’t that short, but recent events made me a little edgy.
“I, uh… I just wanted to give you a heads-up. I mean, I’m not really sure when or why Aurelia pops up in your orbit, but she seems to have taken a liking to you and your mom, so—”
“Aurelia’s been visiting Momma?” That was the first I’d heard about it, and I’d just finished speaking with Momma.
“It seems that way. Aurelia speaks of her from time to time, and that in and of itself is significant.”
I rested my forehead in my free palm while forcing myself to breathe. When I was silent a little too long, Peaches rushed to reassure me. “Aurelia always speaks fondly of your mother.”
I choked on a laugh. “Now I know you’re lying. Aurelia doesn’t speak fondly of anyone.”
“Okay, but she doesn’t say anything bad either, and that is complimentary for Aurelia.”
A sigh welled up from deep within. Momma and I’d definitely be having another conversation soon.
I’d also speak with Aurelia as soon as she popped in again.
Getting in touch with Momma was easier. Putting aside my concerns regarding Momma and Aurelia’s budding friendship, I asked, “What, exactly, do I need a heads-up about?”
Peaches cleared his throat. I wasn’t certain if he was hesitating or not. “You know how Aurelia’s been begging for a scuttlebutt?”
“I do.” Those two words were spoken soft and slow.
“Aurelia’s been doing so well, and I thought… Well, I thought it might be time to relent.”
Sweet Gaia, have mercy. “Are you calling to tell me you got Aurelia a scuttlebutt?” My heart pounded.
“Not me exactly. I mean, scuttlebutts are of Fairy. I can’t very well cross over and snag one. Can you imagine what Queen Silvidia would say? That would be such a breach of protocol, not to mention rude.”
I prayed for Gaia to grant me a modicum of patience. “But you asked for one.”
“Hmm, I did. Between you and me, I don’t think Lucroy’s terribly happy about the situation. I told him I’ll take full responsibility.” Peaches said it like he hadn’t given Aurelia a creature that could rip someone’s throat out in less than 0.2 seconds flat.
“And just how long has she had this scuttlebutt?”
“About twenty minutes.”
I pulled the phone away while I muttered every curse my brain could conjure. “Twenty minutes. And where is Aurelia now?”
“I’m uncertain. She left the orchard about five minutes ago.
That’s why I decided to reach out. I’m not always sure where she goes when she leaves, but she speaks of you and your mother the most so I just assumed—or maybe hoped—it would be to one of your homes.
I don’t have your mother’s contact information, and I’m sure she wouldn’t know who I was, so—”
“So, you called me first.”
“Yes!”
I’d only met one scuttlebutt in my life. Trinket had claimed Wendall Galen, Hellfire Rayburn’s bonded, as her tribe, and she protected him with deadly prejudice. I had no idea if all scuttlebutts’ personalities were the same. Trinket was okay with those she liked. Not so much with those she didn’t.
“And this scuttlebutt—”
“Fuzzy Britches,” Peaches helpfully interjected.
“W-what? Is that its name?” If so, I wondered who this scuttlebutt had pissed off to get that kind of a moniker.
“It is. Thankfully, she came already named. I know how Aurelia fussed over naming Little Fang.”
Yeah, thankfully. “Okay. Fuzzy Britches.” Gaia, I felt like an idiot saying the name out loud. “What’s her temperament like?”
“Oh! Actually, she seems very calm and docile. Ray brought two from Fairy. The feistier of the two rejected Aurelia. It was very disheartening, but then Fuzzy Britches went right to her. It was a sight to see.”
I could only imagine.
“Anyway, like I said, I just wanted to give you a heads-up. I imagine Aurelia will bring her around soon. She’s very proud.” The way Peaches spoke, I didn’t think Aurelia was the only one sporting that emotion.
My phone beeped with an incoming call from Pops. I’d called him before calling Momma and I’d gotten his voicemail. Given current circumstances, Pops rarely allowed my calls to go unanswered. The way things were going, the phone and I were going to be connected for the foreseeable future.
“I hate to break this off, but Pops is calling.”
“Oh, that’s fine. Take care, Erasmus. Thank you for being so understanding with Aurelia. And tell Phlox and Leon we said hi.”
Peaches ended the call, and I immediately pressed the accept button.
“Hey, Pops,” I answered. “Thanks for returning my call.”
“Is everything all right?” Pops got straight to the point.
“As all right as they’ve been.” I couldn’t lie and claim things were great.
I could omit certain recently learned truths regarding all-powerful djinn and their dangerous pets.
I could pull that baggage out later. For now, I kept those thoughts carefully locked away.
Before Pops could ask something else, I said, “I’ve got a question for you regarding wardings and charms.”
“What can I answer?”
I rattled off Franklin’s questions and thoughts.
Pops silently listened. “Do you think he could be right?” I wasn’t sure if I wanted that to be the case or not.
On the one hand, it would be a relief knowing Tenzen couldn’t get past Pops’s wards and that we were safe within the house.
On the other hand, it meant the reason for the change was because he truly did mean Franklin harm.
Pops silently contemplated the question before finally answering. “I believe it is plausible. You are correct in your assessment regarding different charms and the level of magic used to create them. Creating wards isn’t the same as creating charms.”
“But the wards placed around Leander’s home are charm-based,” I argued.
“True, but even those are different than the typical charms. It could be argued that they shouldn’t be called charms at all.
It is simply easier to say and not clarify the distinction.
You are also correct in that they will not be as strong as the wards I personally set surrounding you and your momma’s homes. ”
“Mrs. Hart too.”
Pops growled. “Yes. Your neighbor and her large rat are also protected.”
I chuckled. Pops and Miss Pattycakes did not get along well. “Thank you for doing that. It makes me feel better.”
“Yes… Well, it isn’t a bad idea, having your neighbor’s home warded as well. This creates a larger area of protection surrounding you.”
Pops wouldn’t admit that he’d done something just to be nice. I was okay with that. I knew in my heart, and that was enough.
Fiddling with a loose thread on my shirt, my voice was quieter when I said, “You know what that means, right?”
Momentary silence was my answer. “I do.”
I swallowed hard. “If Franklin’s theory is right, then Tenzen means to harm him. I…I don’t know that I’d survive that, Pops.” Tears didn’t just threaten; they spilled from my eyes, sliding down my cheeks and dripping on my hands. “I can’t lose him. I just can’t.”
Pops sounded like a lion shifter when he growled, “You are not going to lose that human. I have become too accustomed to him to allow that to happen.” Pops huffed. “We will keep him safe, just as we will you.”
I know I sounded like a child, but I couldn’t help but ask, “How?” I was rarely in a situation I couldn’t see my way out of. Pops’s silence was answer enough. “All this waiting is taking a toll. I’m tired, Pops.”
“I know. That’s most likely part of his plan. Huxley wants to weaken you.”
“But why?” It always came down to that singular word. Why?
“I do not know. I wish I did.”
“I wish you did too.”
Pops and I talked a few minutes longer. The whole time I couldn’t stop staring at the engagement ring on my finger. Franklin needed one too.
“You should marry,” Pops said, and not for the first time I wondered if he could read my mind. “We could always hold a celebration ceremony later, when the situation calms. In the meantime, you should make your engagement official.”
I was beginning to think Pops was right. “I’ll talk with Franklin, but now isn’t a good time. This case he’s working on is taking all his time.”
“That is unfortunate.” Pops summed up my thoughts well.
“It is. Franklin will figure it out. He’s a good detective.” I had reason to be proud of my fiancé. I’d thought Franklin O’Hare was a brilliant homicide detective long before we became more than mere colleagues.
“He is capable. For a human.” It was the best compliment I could ever hope for.
“Thanks, Pops.”
“You are very welcome. Just in case there is a break where the two of you can say your vows, I will go ahead and send the wedding rings.”
I rubbed my aching chest while my lips finally tilted in a grin. “Franklin told me you agreed to make them. I know you’re busy and—”
“I am never too busy for my son, Erasmus. I was honored I was asked. Honored and pleased. Franklin O’Hare is very perceptive for a human.”
That drew a chuckle. “Wow, two compliments in one conversation. Franklin will be shocked.”
“I see no reason to relay those particular parts of this conversation.”
“No, you probably don’t. Regardless, I’ll be relaying them anyway.”
Pops grunted. “You may do as you like. Call me anytime.”
“I will. Love you, Pops.”
“As I love you. Take care, Erasmus.” Pops ended the call, leaving me staring at my phone.
“That’s how you end a conversation,” I said to my blank screen.