“I am sure. He is an old vampire that has won favor at the court. One of the reasons to try to keep him on our side. We’ll have a couple of hours after we get back before you’re taken by your mother. I’m thinking cuddle time is in order.” Alburet said. He draped an arm around her shoulder as he dismissed the notification.
A soft sigh of contentment was her reply as she snuggled into his arm. “As master wishes,” she murmured a moment later.
When they arrived back at the inn, the place was packed full of people who all fell silent as the duo entered the establishment. Stewart was right next to the door instead of at his customary table in the back. “Follow me,” he said as he walked through the room. The crowd parted for him, leaving a one-person path for them to follow. Alburet urged Stacia just ahead of him and trailed after her. When they got to the foot of the stairs, Stewart stepped out of the way. “Your mother will fetch you in two hours.” He turned back to the room, now filled with excited chatter as all eyes followed the duo.
Alburet took Stacia's arm again as he led her to their room. Once inside he let out a sigh and leaned back against the door. Stacia presented her back to him. “Master, can ya unlace me please?”
The soft words brought Alburet out of his thoughts, a smile falling into place, “Of course, Kitten.” Once he had the laces undone for her she doffed the dress while he got out of his outfit as well. He snagged her after she put the clothing away, dragging her to the bed firmly but gently. He threw them both onto it, pulling her tightly against him. “Cuddle time,” he murmured softly as he nuzzled her neck.
The next two hours he spent just holding her as he considered just what the next two days would mean for him. A wife? He’d given up on the idea of any kind of committed relationship years ago, yet here he was about to have a wife. Did he even deserve this? Alburet's mind churned at the thought. He knew what he had done and he was sure happiness should not be given to cold blooded murderers. He shivered against her as he wondered if this was all going to be snatched from him soon.
He felt Stacia pull him tighter to her, “It be fine, master. Nothin' will keep us apart soon.” Her words struck home, as she seemed aware of his turmoil.
He was about to reply when a knock stopped him. Lilith's voice came clearly through the door. “It is time, Stacia. Say goodbye and come with me now.”
Stacia pulled back just enough to meet Alburet's troubled eyes with her own loving eyes. She leaned down, touching foreheads, her eyes locked on his, “We will be one soon, master. I can nay thank ya enough for all the love ya have given me.” She kissed him gently then left his arms.
Alburet watched her dress quickly then go, wondering if everything would really be okay. She glanced back at him once as she opened the door, blowing him a kiss with a giggle before she left with her mother, the door closing quietly behind her.
Left alone in the room, Alburet tossed and turned on the bed for some time before sleep claimed him.
~ ~ ~
The phone woke him up. Grumbling, Seamus reached for it. “What?” he asked, his voice a bit snippy.
“Seamus, it’s David,” David’s voice was fast and filled with fear. “Meet me at the hospital, please. It’s Kaylee.”
His eyes snapped open as he flung himself out of bed. “What happened? Is she okay?” He shot back quickly as he yanked clothing off the bedroom table.
“She went out last night with someone she met on campus. She was supposed to be back hours ago, but I just got a call from the hospital. She’s in emergency surgery. They won’t tell me anything else yet. Please hurry,” David said, his voice catching as the call ended.
Seamus cussed loudly as he tugged on pants and shirt. Snatching his keys and gun from the bedroom table, he ran for the door, slipping his shoes on as he went. He dimly noted that he didn’t have socks on as he jumped into his car and tore ass out of his driveway, skidding onto the street and accelerating as he went. He was only five miles from the hospital in the rural town he lived in, and at three in the morning the few cops on patrol were not likely to be between him and the hospital. Luckily.
His foot pressed down on the accelerator, easily hitting triple digits on the flat open road. He braked hard to make the two turns he had to make, glad that he didn’t spot another car on the way. He skidded into a spot in the emergency room parking area and ran into the building. He found David in the surgery waiting area, pacing the room.
“What’s happening?” Seamus said quickly as he grabbed his friend by the shoulder.
David spun to him, his eyes red and dripping, “All they’ve said is major damage to her spine and internal bleeding. I’m waiting for the doctor to see me after the surgery.”
Seamus took a deep breath, trying to calm his own fears as he squeezed David’s shoulder. “It will be okay. The doc will come out tell us she’s okay, then we’ll see her.”
David took a shuddering breath, nodding his head, “Yeah, of course. Everything will be fine.”
Knowing his friend might be dealing with mild shock, Seamus stepped out to the snack area to grab two cups of coffee. He was glad he was off today, but tomorrow would be work again. Taking the two cups, he headed back to his friend.
“What do we know about the circumstances?” Seamus asked as he shoved his anger and fear aside, putting on his professional face.
“She got asked out by some kid a week ago, for a date. She was supposed to see the new Star Wars movie, get some dinner then be back around eleven last night. She didn’t come home. I was worried, but thought maybe it ran late and they’d stopped for coffee and talk. Then I got a call from a deputy, I don’t recall the name. He told me that Kaylee was here and about to go in for surgery. I got here then called you.” David’s hands shook as he spoke, “Why? Why her? What happened?”
Seamus pulled his phone out as he stepped into the hall. He called the on-duty sergeant for patrol, “Fred, it’s Seamus. What can you tell me off the record about Kaylee McMullen ending up in the hospital?”
“Seamus? How did you even hear about that? Look, it’s a mess okay? The man who attacked her is in custody. He’s looking at a long list of charges, not least of which is attempted murder, or murder if she doesn’t make it. The detectives are going to be taking over here in a few minutes. I’m just making it to the crime scene now.”
“Alright, thanks. I’ll see you in a few days to get the whole story.” After exchanging goodbyes Seamus hung up and headed back into the waiting area.
David seemed to have gotten a hold of himself some, “What did you find out?”
Seamus took a long sip of coffee before replying, “She was attacked. The big charge the guy will face is going to be attempted murder. Fred told me there are others but the detectives will be stepping into the investigative role.”
David’s hand crushed the cup he was holding sending coffee over his hand, that he ignored. “That piece of shit attacked my little girl?” His voice was hot with venom as he spat the words.
Slapping his hand onto his friend’s shoulder, Seamus shook his head, “Just wait until we get the full picture. We don’t know it was the guy she went out with, but no matter who it was they will pay for it. My word on that.”
David seemed to collapse in on himself, “Okay, but I want justice. I won’t settle for anything less.”
They fell silent as they waited for news. Almost sixteen hours later the surgeon came to find David, his face grim. “Mr. McMullen? I’m Doctor White. I was the surgeon for your daughter.”
~ ~ ~
Alburet jerked awake covered in sweat, his breathing ragged as he tried to recall where he was. Daylight was just beginning to brighten the sky through the window. Shuddering, he got out of bed, moving to the basin and pitcher of water. He poured some water into the basin with a shaky hand and splashed some onto his face. Taking deep breaths, he finally calmed down his racing heart. “It’s in the past now. She’s recovering with David by her side to help her,” he said to himself before he stepped away from the water.