Chapter 2 #3
“Not really,” Tabitha thankfully answered.
Unlike the rest of us, she was still sitting.
I saw her teacup resting on the coffee table and made a mental note she hadn’t been the one to drop it.
“We are simply discussing a new hire.” Tabitha’s voice was pleasant and her facial features remained soft and loose.
I had no idea how she could remain so calm in the presence of an entity that could kill each of us within the blink of an eye.
“An employee?” Helios questioned. “Why does it take this many of you?”
My attention once more went to Keir. As my gaze traveled to his, I noted that Jima was no longer in his humanoid form.
I couldn’t see his ferret form either but could easily assume he was currently hiding under the couch.
It was Jima’s teacup on the ground. I couldn’t really blame him.
If I’d been able to shift into something less eye-catching—something that could wiggle their way into a safe hidey-hole, I probably would have done the same.
Keir caught my askance gaze and gave a subtle nod. “Employing this individual is not without some potential consequences for all of us. Given that concern, I wanted to consult with others.”
Any interest fled Helios’s face, leaving him unreadable. “That seems unnecessarily tedious and dull.” Helios stood there for a few more seconds, his attention fixated on the cushion Jima had been sitting on or, more to the point, the space below it. His lips hinted at a frown before he vanished.
Our collective exhale was full of relief.
“I swear, I don’t know how you stay so calm,” I told Tabitha as I leaned on my chair, my knuckles white.
Tabitha simply shrugged before lifting the cushion beside her. “If Helios decides to inflict harm, there is little I can do to stop him. He’s gone, Jima. You can come out now.”
Jima’s nose peeked out first, his whiskers twitching as he sniffed the air. His slinky body ran across Tabitha’s lap before settling on the cushion again. Soon enough, Jima returned to his humanoid form, his expression sheepish. “Sorry, Keir. I’m safer in my ferret form, so when I get scared…”
“It’s a normal and natural response,” Elvira said. Her ghostly visage dimmed, her plush lips turned down and her eyes full of sadness. “Do not apologize, Jima.” Before she completely dissipated, Elvira cast her vote by way of saying, “I will keep an eye on Grayson Delarue.”
“Thank you, dear,” Tabitha answered. I had no idea if Elvira heard her or not. As connected as she was to Tabitha, I figured she at least understood the sentiment. “I’m happy to place my faith in Elvira. For what it’s worth, Keir, you have my blessing.”
“Mine too,” Frost answered. “Huxley was a twisted asshole. There’s no telling what he left behind.
” Frost’s tone lowered, hurt bleeding through.
“I got to see a side of him most didn’t and lived to tell the tale.
Trust me, Huxley was demented. If he thought something should be concealed, it can’t be good.
That shit needs found and neutralized.” Frost inhaled deeply before adding, “You know where to find me if you need me.” With that, he ended the communication.
While we did indeed know where to find him, it wasn’t so easy to get Frost here.
“And you, Jima?” Keir asked.
Jima still appeared visibly shaken from Helios’s impromptu appearance.
“I don’t like it, but I won’t fight it either.
It’s a shitty situation, and I don’t think it’s wise to let sleeping dogs lie in this case.
” Jima’s shoulders rolled in on themselves, his clasped hands tight and his face twisted.
“I…uh…probably owe you an apology, Keir. When I got scared, I maybe…kinda…peed on your couch.” Jima’s cheeks flushed deep crimson.
“I’m so sorry. It just kind of happens and it’s hard to control. ”
Keir’s astounded features softened into something that looked a lot like humor. Honestly, it was good to see it on him. “It’s fine. The couch can be cleaned.”
Jima still appeared humiliated. “If it helps, I nearly peed my pants too,” I said, trying to relieve some of his embarrassment. “Helios is scary.”
Jima bobbed his head. “He is.”
Tabitha patted Jima on the leg, attempting to soothe him.
Keir’s soft eyes finally landed on me. “And you, Martin?”
My grip on the chair loosened but remained stiff.
Oak leaves lay scattered around my feet.
I had no idea when I’d leafed out, but it was most likely the dryad equivalent to Jima’s little problem.
“I think Grayson’s presence will create chaos.
Will-o’-the-wisps don’t care about the fallout when they find their treasure.
Many trees and a few dryads have paid the price for their carelessness.
That said, I’ll support you and try my best to offer whatever cooperation I can.
We need to get past the mess Tenzen left if we’ve got a prayer of moving forward.
We can’t truly put the past to rest until we can close the book on Tenzen Huxley. ”
“Here, here.” Tabitha clapped.
Keir inhaled deeply, pushing out his massive chest. “I’ll speak with Grayson. Unless I’ve misread him, I suspicion he’ll get started right away.”
“Good,” Jima said. “The sooner we start—”
“The sooner we’re finished,” Tabitha answered.
My thoughts ran a little harsher. The sooner we started, the sooner Grayson Delarue would be out of our lives for good. And the quicker that happened, the better.