The Brother's smile wasn't warm in the slightest. "I'm already in hell - shit's not going to get any hotter just because he's using me as an example of where he doesn't want to be. "
"You sure about that. "
"Don't worry about me. "
"Easier said than done. " Wrath motioned his hand, like he didn't want to go any further on all that. "We done?"
As Tohr nodded and turned for the door, John gave the First Family a bow and then went after the male.
He didn't have to rush. Tohr was waiting for him out in the corridor. "Listen to me - it's cool. I'm serious-"
I'm just. . . so sorry, John signed. About everything. And. . . shit, I miss Wellsie - I really miss her.
Tohr blinked for a moment. Then in a quiet voice, he said, "I know, son. I know you lost her, too. "
Do you think she would have liked Xhex?
"Yeah. " A shadow of a smile hit that harsh face. "She only met her once, and it was a while ago, but they were cool, and if there had been time. . . they'd have gotten along great. And man, on a night like tonight, we could have used the female backup. "
Too right, John signed, as he tried to imagine approaching Xhex.
At least he could guess where she would go: back to her own place on the Hudson River. That was her refuge, her private space. And when he showed up on her doorstep, he could only pray she didn't throw him out on his ass.
But they had to resolve this somehow.
I think I'd better go alone, John signed. This is probably going to get ugly.
Make that uglier, he thought.
"Fair enough. Just know that I'm here if you need me. "
Wasn't that always the way, John thought as they parted. Almost as if it had been centuries of their knowing each other, instead of merely a matter of years. Then again he guessed that was what happened when you crossed paths with someone you were really compatible with.
Felt like you'd been with them forever.
Chapter Ten
"I shall do it. "
As No'One spoke up, the group of doggen she had sneaked in behind turned like a flock of birds, all at once. In their modest staff room, there were males and females both among the assembled, each dressed properly for his or her role whether it was cook or cleaner, baker or butler. She had found them when she had gone for an idle stroll, and who was she not to take advantage of an opportunity.
The one who was in charge, Fritz Perlmutter, looked like he was about to faint. Then again, he had been her father's doggen all those years ago, and had had particular struggles with her defining herself in a servile role. "My fine lady - "
"No'One. My name is No'One now. Please address me as that and that alone. And as I said, I shall take care of the washing down in the training center. "
Wherever that was.
Indeed, last night with that dress had been a benediction of sorts, the task busying her hands and giving her a focus that passed the hours with alacrity. It had once been the same on the Other Side, her manual labor the only thing that calmed her and imparted structure to her existence.
How she had missed having a purpose.
For truth, she had come here to serve Payne, but the female wanted none of that. She had come here to try to connect with her daughter, but the female was newly mated, with vital distractions. And she had come here in search of some kind of peace, only to be driven mad with inactivity since her arrival.
And that was prior to her near run-in with Tohrment early this morning.
At least he had taken the dress, though. It was gone from where she had hung it when he had answered her knock with such gruff -
Abruptly, she noted that the butler was looking at her expectantly, as if he had just said something that required a response.