What Lies Beneath His Pelt?

CHAPTER 5: DISTURBANCE

She led us up to the third floor where the apartment was located and I couldn't help but look at the interior.

The first thing that would greet you when you entered was the living area. A large couch sat in the middle and tables were on its sides. Behind it was a glass wall that showed the balcony and the forest.

To my left were the refrigerator and gleaming kitchen counters and cupboards as well. To my right was a stairwell that led to the upper rooms. Underneath the stairwell was a mini-office.

"You can freshen up here and I can partially heal you before we go to the house so you can rest." She instructed as she pointed at the door to the side of the balcony.

"Your house? Isn't this it?" Edmund asked, alert.

"Yes, this is our house, but only from Thursdays to Mondays when the cafe is open. We stay at the other house during our day off every Tuesday and Wednesday," Ciara exclaimed as she gestured for us to follow.

She snapped her fingers and servanuli once again appeared.

"Please get them some clothes, okay? Thank you!" She asked and they nodded before they left.

After a minute or two, they returned with folded clothes and a towel. They all smelled freshly laundered.

Edmund and Victor entered immediately and she turned her attention toward Liam and me.

"Do you want to take a shower as well or just settle down with some drinks?" She asked in our direction as she removed her apron. She folded it before she walked towards the counter.

"Uh...drinks. I'll take a shower at home. I don't stink, right?" Liam asked. Ciara chuckled.

"Nope, not at all. So what would you guys like to drink? Tea, coffee, milk, whiskey?" She offered. I didn't even hesitate with my answer.

"Whiskey, please."

"Aha! I see that you are a man of culture. And you, Liam?" She said as a bottle of whiskey floated towards her with three glasses. She arranged it in front of her.

"Same. We were about to get a drink when we came across them." Liam replied. She simply stared at the bottle, her expression solemn.

"Those two...what happened to them was sickening." She mused as she began to pour.

"Can-can you tell us? We want to know how we can help them." I mused. She gave me a sad smile.

"Yeah. The kindness you showed them was the first time they experienced it after a long time. I can give a brief overview but you have to ask Edmund for the details if you care about him."

"Wait, isn't this a breach of privacy? And won't they hear us?" Liam butted in but Ciara simply rolled her eyes.

"The bathroom has noise-canceling magic. Remember, the three of us live here and it would be embarrassing if they heard me during my me time…" she started as she gave a malicious grin. I knew what it implied and could feel my face burning. I had to adjust my pants.

"So, you want to know, or not?"

"Just an overview," Liam mused and she nodded.

"Edmund's grandfather took him from his parents and sold them to the Kage Opus to be used as his energy was strong enough to power weapons. Of course, his parents didn't know. They thought he had died...he was only eleven then, so imagine the torture he went through..." Ciara started as she floated the glass towards us before she continued, " ...Victor came when he was fifteen...so imagine being fifteen and watching over a two-year-old who has no idea what was happening. Victor was a lively toddler and caused a lot of trouble. The people there aren't patient and well…" she trailed off, her anger evident in her scent.

"I can relate. My mom died when she gave birth to me and it was just me, my dad, and my grandfather on my mother's side, since I don't know my grandfather on my dad's side. However, when my dad died, my grandfather took over, and well, when you lose someone important, you change and my grandfather...well, he turned aggressive…" I trailed off. I knew they were expecting me to continue, but instead, I turned my attention to the glass.

Silence fell after that. They didn't ask anymore and I didn't mind.

The silence was only broken when Edmund and Victor entered. I was able to smell sandalwood from Edmund and there was something else about his scent, something familiar. His red hair was straight and long and it rivaled my own. His fox ears and tail were alert.

Victor immediately ran towards Ciara and his sky-blue curls bounced. I was able to smell sage coming from him. She carried him and he snuggled his head on her chest.

"Hey, guys. Feeling refreshed?" She asked as she went back to the kitchen.

"Yes. Thank you so much. The water was refreshing." Edmund said politely. Ciara smiled.

"You're welcome. Would you like something to drink, Edmund?"

"Can I also ask for black coffee since you're offering?" Liam said. Ciara nodded.

"Edmund?" She asked as she put Victor down.

"Coffee as well. I've always been curious how it tastes." He mused as he followed after Ciara.

"Calum, how about you? Any other drink?" She asked and the way she spoke my name gave me a warm feeling.

"Tea, please. I end up having stomach troubles if I drink coffee." I replied as I sat down on the couch and Victor joined me. The couch did not hold any scent, which was unusual because Ciara said three people lived here, and yet, I couldn't smell them.

"Alright. Pure green tea, jasmine, or lemon?" Her voice broke me from my reverie. When I looked at her, she was showing Edmund how the coffee was made.

"Lemon, please. Do you have juice or milk for Victor?"

"Mirulac!" Victor's excited voice came. Ciara smiled.

"What is 'mirulac'?" I asked. Victor went down from the chair and raised his hands towards Ciara.

She nodded and lifted him again. She opened one of the cupboards and he picked up the jar with the 'Milk' label.

"Alright, Victor, you can have your milk. Do you want honey too?" And Victor nodded enthusiastically.

Edmund then sat beside me and Liam sat on the heavy coffee table in front of us.

Ciara handed Victor to me before she waved her hand and a tray with a teapot and a teacup floated toward us. It landed on the table beside me with a soft thump. I said my thanks and she simply nodded. Victor moved to my lap. She snapped her fingers and a basin appeared.

"Liam, switch with Edmund." She ordered and they did as told. Once Edmund was sitting at the coffee table, she turned her attention to him. He stiffened.

"Alright. Is it alright if you take off your shirt? I'll start at the back."

Edmund nodded and carefully removed his shirt. When his scars were revealed, I saw worry and sadness cross her features. She didn't say anything and I moved to see why.

He had cuts on his arms and neck and yellow bruises were on his cheek and shoulders. The blood wasn't from him and I was grateful for that.

With another hand movement, water gloved her hands and it glowed indigo. She then placed it on Edmund's back and began healing.

His face contorted in pain but after a few seconds he relaxed and I couldn't help but stare in awe.

"Look, Wolfman, I am flattered at what you're doing, but you're making me feel self-conscious. Go look out the balcony or something geez." Her annoyed voice came, but I saw a small smile appear on her face. My cheeks heated up and I rubbed the back of my neck.

"Tomato." Victor mused as he pointed at my face. Liam chuckled.

"Great. The only word I understand and it's to further embarrass me." I mused as I turned my attention to the ceramic teapot to my side. I began pouring.

The scent of lemon was strong and I found myself thinking about Ciara, at how vivid her grey-green eyes were, and how her voice sent tingles in my ear.

How would I feel if she kept repeating my name over and over with those full red lips? How would her warm skin feel against my cool ones? And her scent-how did she manage to smell that good? Was it her shampoo, her perfume, or something else?

“Calum, you're spilling tea all over the table!" Liam bellowed and that brought me back to the present. Hot tea spilled all over my hand. I yelped and dropped the teapot but before it could hit anything, it floated.

"Careful with that piece! It's one of the most expensive ones!" Ciara shouted as she stood up. The pot floated down to the table. She snapped her fingers and the spilled tea disappeared.

"Hand, now, unless you want the pain to worsen?" She hissed, but as she took my hand, her touch was gentle.

"You're easily distracted, Wolfman. I thought you were one of the well-focused 'priests'"? She continued, her brow furrowed and still, her grip wasn't tight.

"Well, a lot of s**t happened so yeah, I'm not as perfect as you think." I hissed as I looked down at her and I just noticed how close her neck was. Her scent was closer and more potent at this angle. The tightening in my pants became more uncomfortable.

Mierdazza! Am I going into a rut? But I have suppressants!

I quickly averted my gaze and instead focused on the balcony. I noticed that her movements were stiff as well. I worried that something not meant to be seen was being revealed, so I grabbed the pillow and placed it on my lap.

"It's uh-it's kind of stuffy in here, huh? Do you mind opening the balcony?" I asked. With a snap, the door opened halfway and the scent of pine infiltrated my nostrils. It gave me a sense of relief.

"There. Done. Edmund, let's continue." And she left my side as quickly as she could. An uncomfortable silence fell and everyone could feel it. I cleared my throat.

"So uh, did you grow up here?" I asked quickly. Time to take advantage of the access I have.

"Born and raised, yes. My ancestors were one of the oldest families to ever settle here."

"Oh? That must have been an awesome experience, being able to have that privilege." She sighed and looked me straight in the eyes.

"Look, I don't like small talk. Why don't we go directly to the point, hmmm?"

Something about her tone and her energy made me want to spill everything. I settled on the burning question I have and the reason why I was here in the first place.

"What do you know about Hadansmuto?"

Her grin was filled with malice and I wish I could take back my words. If I knew what that implied, I could have just forgotten about my mission and started a new life instead.

*****

Thank you so much for your support and patience! You can see chapter art from the story on my i********:, artbyellysse, or my Deviantart, reza-delavega. Do not forget to leave a comment if you want!