Exton

Laila cradles her hand after Ramji lets go of it, the pain to the palm sharp and unrelenting. Through her tears she looks at Thea. “Is the contract really dissolved? He is not my master?”

Thea kneels and wraps an arm around her sister. “It is dissolved. He will not hurt you again.”

Rowan kneels and tries to take Lailas hand in her own. Alise motions to Monty to bring some towels to wipe up the blood.

Laila cant stop crying. “I am so sorry... for all this... and my tears, it is all a bit overwhelming. I am glad he is gone, but what am I to do now? I dont want another master... not ever....”

As she speaks Rowan has gently coaxed the injured hand away from her body to inspect it. “It looks like a stitch or two may have torn. Easy to fix...” Rowan adds to herself, But painful... damn Rath to hell...

Alise kneels and wipes up the small amount of blood that hit the floor, just in case. She could feel the energy in the room calming and returning to normal. Laila watches her and starts to apologize. Alise runs a hand over the wet cheek, “Nonsense. None of this is your fault. Remember when Stoney said something about how our children would love you as their nanny?”

Laila nods slowly.

“Well, we were serious about that...”

Lailas eyes go wide, “Really? You would really consider me to help care for your children?”

Alise smiles, “Yes, yes we would. I think you should let Rowan take care of your hand and we can discuss this further in the morning over breakfast. Does that sound all right?”

When Ramji and Gunnaar return, Rowan and Thea are helping Laila to her feet and she is smiling through her tears.

Thea notices the blood on Lailas clothes where she had pulled her hand close. “Ramji, can you help her? I have some things for her but I need to get them from my room.” Then she asks Star to come and help her.

Alise watches as Laila tells Ramji she can walk and he and Rowan take her in the back room to treat her hand in privacy.

“Chiot, mon amour, can I use the cell phone please?”

Stoney nods and pulls it out of his pocket, a puzzled expression on his face, since everyone she ever talked to was currently at the tavern.

“Is the number to reach Mortuis in here?”

Stoney shows her how to retrieve numbers and asks why she is calling the sorcerer.

“I want to make sure he can change the outer wards for Laila... and Ramji too. And we need to show them where the inner wards lay. I told her we would discuss her becoming our nanny at breakfast tomorrow. I hope that is all right with you...”

Stoney grins. “Of course it is. Just wait until Tomas finds out. You had better block the thought from him until it is all settled and agreed on.”