FOREVER KNIGHTS: #13 Salvaging Souls

Rosewynn Manor, Outside Meadowbrook, Grier

DERAGAN

Nick was out with the twins trying to find the rest of the lawns. He’d borrowed a few push-mowers and already they’d worked through a full day and were well into the second one.

Sebastian and Deragan were further behind the house. Working on the orchard which seemed to be coming along much quicker than the work out front.

Because no one can see us using our strength and bits of magic back here. Deragan knew. It’d been only a few days since Nora had seen the headstone and confronted Deragan about being her phantom.

And she’s been avoiding me ever since.

She was taking food in her chambers and had barely left them.

Refusing to come to the Dining Hall at all. For fear of encountering me. He worried he’d scared her too much. He’d known she’d be afraid but had tried to minimize it by letting her discover things bit by bit.

Apparently, I still rushed things. It seemed that no matter how patient he was and how slow he let things develop there was always a backlash when she found out.

Too much to take in, I suppose.

“Do you think she’s getting over the shock yet?” Bast asked, as though reading his thoughts.

“We’ll see. You shouldn’t have rushed things.”

Bast gave him a quick look. Opening his mouth to object but silenced.

We both know I’m only taking my frustration out on him.

But Bast wisely elected to bear the burden. Peering in annoyance closer to the back of the Manor. “Does he ever stop that?”

Nick’s whistling again.

He habitually did while working.

Endlessly.

“Not that I can tell.” Deragan hoisted another branch and tossed it on their cast-off pile. A pile they’d later chop into mulch for a garden.

Apparently, Goliath could hear it over the sound of the machine. The Wolfhound trotted happily at Nick’s side. Clumsily stumbling into him, but Nick didn’t seem to mind the company.

Unsurprising since the NightGuard can be a lonely detail. Deragan was aware. He’d heard Alazareth speak often enough of long hours sit guarding posts with nothing but time to yourself and your own thoughts to accompany you.

Of course, Alazar prefers that.

“Whose that?” Bast suddenly stilled.

Deragan paused with a large branch strung over his forearms to look. “Shit! That’s Worthington.”

They were too far away.

Nick didn’t notice the intruder’s presence over the rattle of the push mower until Worthington was nearly on him. Spotting him at the last moment. “What are you doing here?”

Goliath’s low growl had Nick reaching down to pat his side reassuringly. “Stay.”

“Nicholas Bishop.”

“Don’t say my name. I don’t even want to hear it out of your mouth. Or my sister’s.”

“Don’t threaten me.”

Nick leaned closer to him. “Or what?”

“I didn’t come here to argue.”

Bast moved to intervene but Deragan catching his forearm drew him to a stop.

Deragan nodded toward the trees a distance behind Worthington.

There was a wash of black. And glinting orange.

“Nonis and a few Targue.” Deragan said. “We need to stay back here so we can intercept them if it becomes necessary.”

“He wouldn’t have brought them here unless he intended to use them!” Bast whispered worriedly.

“Agreed!”

“Did you come to get called out?” Nick asked hopefully.

Worthington glowered. “I came to give you the option of getting the rental back.”

“In exchange for what?”

“You know what.” Worthington muttered.

Nora. Deragan knew enough about Nicholas to be unconcerned. He’ll never turn her over.

Nora’s protective older brother would burn alive first.

“I know you’re not implying what I think.” Nick followed him several steps. “You stay the Hell away from my family!” Nick shouted.

“What is that?” Bast asked. Staring at Nicholas Bishop stunned.

“What do you mean?”

“He’s glowing.”

“You see everyone glowing in colors.”

“But his looks like a sunset, all of a sudden. He’s orange, yellow and gold. Bursting with light. I’ve never seen that!”

Goliath had sat as Nick directed but he was shifting in dissension. Head lowered and bearing teeth at Worthington maliciously.

“Do you hear that?” Deragan’s grip bit into Bast’s arm as he twisted to look around.

“The wolves and coyotes.” Bast supplied.