Chapter 15 #2
“I need you to sort this out sooner rather than later, Redmayne,” Grendel said firmly.
“Keeping a lid on this artifact is difficult, and the on-staff practitioners are chomping at the bit to get their hands on it for study. Too many people know about the skull, or were there when we dragged you and the skull out of the woods.”
“It’s too dangerous for study,” Ezra warned.
“I know,” she replied. “Work faster, before my people break ranks and go over my head, or complain to the wrong person. This much power is enough to outweigh good sense.”
“I’ll do what I can, I promise.”
“See that you do.” Grendel left him there in front of the hangar, hopping in her own SUV and driving off.
Ezra took a minute, then headed to the SUV where the sergeants and Saemund waited for him.
Ezra
The trip back to the university was silent, as was the walk back inside to the library.
Ezra realized how much tension he was carrying when he finally saw Raum again, the professor speaking to his father in the doorway of his office, and his shoulders relaxed and he drew in a deep breath for the first time in what felt like hours.
Lilith came prancing over with her tail high, chirping in reprimand and demanding pets.
Ezra bent and scooped her up in his arms, accepting the head butts to his chin and scent-marking from his familiar.
He enjoyed the cuddles, sitting at the table and burying his face in her sparse fur, letting her purrs wash over him.
“Ezra?” That was Raum.
“Yeah?” he replied, voice muffled, not lifting his head.
“You okay?”
Ezra lifted his head and blinked away some tears building. “Frustrated and depressed. That was hard.”
Raum sat at the table next to him, angling his chair so he could face Ezra directly. “Grandpa told us. That’s really tough. I’m sorry, for everyone and everything. That’s a nightmare.”
“Nightmare,” Ezra said quietly, gently squeezing Lilith, her purrs growing louder. “Good word for the whole thing. A nightmare.”
Raum eyed him with open concern, but Ezra appreciated that Raum held back further questions.
Ezra sat in that chair and realized he was done, his mental and emotional limit had been reached.
They hadn’t done anything physically stressful, but the realization of what he might be experiencing soon was enough to drain his mental and emotional reserves.
“I’m done for the day,” Ezra declared, pressing a kiss to the top of Lilith’s head. “Your grandfather needs to think things through. I’m gonna go back to my room and get some sleep.”
Raum said nothing, head tilting a bit to the side as he took in Ezra’s appearance and the way he was slumped in the chair, holding his cat for comfort.
“I’ll take you back, if that’s okay?” Raum asked after a long moment.
“Sure. Talk to Harlan? I’m gonna pack up Lilith in a minute.”
He sat there in the chair, not moving, holding Lilith and absorbing her love.
“Take your time,” Raum told him softly, getting up from the chair. “I’ll go talk to Harlan. No rush.”
Ezra
Ezra got ready in a mindless haze, habit taking over as he packed up Lilith’s gear to go back to their room. Harlan and Chase said nothing to him about Raum giving him a ride back, both men talking quietly to each other. He hoped the early day would give the couple some time alone together.
Nórr and Saemund both hugged Raum, and gave everyone else quiet goodbyes and nods before departing quietly, the closing door echoing through the stacks as they exited the room.
He finished packing, Lilith staying by his side, ready to depart.
Chase and Harlan both nodded goodbye to him as Raum exited his office, locking the door behind him and carrying a bag he slung over his shoulder. Raum said his goodbyes to the two sergeants, and Ezra followed behind Raum with Lilith at his heels as they went through the stacks.
Raum paused after a moment, letting Ezra and Lilith catch up beside him as they headed for the exit. “I know you and Grandpa have things covered for now, but I’m going to keep researching the skull’s origins and who the skull may be. I want to help.”
“Without you I’d have no access to a High Court Sidhe willing to help,” Ezra said, hoisting Lilith’s bag higher on his shoulder. “And your research may come in handy with solving this mystery. Don’t discount yourself.”
Raum beat him to the exit, and he opened the door for them, Ezra pausing just a moment for Lilith to jump up and into his arms. He didn’t want her walking in the busier section of the library, too many people around to step on her.
Ezra held Lilith and followed Raum to the employee parking lot. Raum’s car was a small, blue SUV, roomy enough for the bigger man and his stuff but not as hefty as the MERS vehicle.
Raum was courteous, as if they were on a date in the movies, opening the rear door for Ezra to put his bag on the seat, and then opening the passenger-side door and letting Ezra seat himself.
Lilith hopped from his arms to the back seat, curious at the new sights and smells, merping as she explored.
“Sorry, she’s excited,” Ezra said as Raum got inside after putting his own bag in the back. “She won’t bother anything.”
“I’m not worried,” Raum said with a soft smile, getting his seatbelt on and waiting for Ezra to do the same.
The drive to the hospital and the Threshold building took only a few minutes, done in companionable silence broken by Lilith commencing with shenanigans in the rear of the SUV.
Raum endured it in good humor, saying nothing when Lilith finally returned to the front of the vehicle, hopping onto the center console and then into Ezra’s lap, purring loudly.
He felt marginally better by the time he got out of the car after they parked at the Threshold building. He was still feeling overstimulated and emotionally overwhelmed, and he wanted some quiet time alone just to settle his teeming mind and heart.
Raum got out of the car instead of letting Ezra wander off to his room alone, but he didn’t mind at all. He carried Lilith while Raum carried Lilith’s bag as if he did so every day, not complaining a bit.
Ezra blanked out on the walk, coming to the door to his borrowed room by rote. He stared at the door for a second, then absently passed Lilith to Raum so he could dig out his key and unlock the door, opening it wide.
Raum let Lilith down and she pranced into the room, heading for the litter box in the bathroom. Ezra took his bag from Raum with a murmured thanks.
He leaned on the doorframe and tried to smile, but he was too tired and far too done with the day, though he was reluctant to leave Raum. A part of him wanted to invite Raum inside, but there was only one bed and no chairs, and he was in no mood or headspace for sex.
“It’s okay,” Raum said, and Ezra made eye contact for a second before dropping his gaze. Raum held out a hand and gently, with so much patience, took Ezra’s free hand in his and squeezed, lightly but enough that Ezra felt the strength in that hand.
Ezra returned the grip and held on, needing the connection, and thankful that Raum knew to offer it without Ezra fumbling to ask.
“Are you coming back to the library tomorrow?” Raum asked after a few peaceful minutes of silence.
“I don’t know,” Ezra replied, before remembering that his time was also his own and that more research was never a bad thing. “I will be,” he said more decisively. “I want to go through Simmons’ research material. He knew the skull was there. I want to know how he knew.”
“Can I come get you?” Raum asked. “I have a class tomorrow afternoon but my entire morning is free.”
“I…sure, yes please,” Ezra stammered out, tongue-tied and feeling a bit of eagerness cut through the lessening overwhelm.
Raum squeezed his hand one more time and slowly let go with a soft smile. “Nine okay?”
Ezra nodded. “Nine is fine. Thank you.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow then. Rest well, Ezra,” Raum said and he walked down the hall, looking back over his shoulder once before he was out of sight.
Ezra sighed, long and loud. “I’m in trouble.”
Lilith mreowed from the room, agreeing.