Exton

Alise lays Gracie back down in her crib, finally sleeping after a period of fussiness with a new tooth.

“As much as the poor thing is drooling you would think she is getting ten teeth and not just one...”

Stoney smiles and goes to the crib, an arm around Alise as she gently covers their youngest. As she turns towards her husband her mind is flooded with the images from the alley. The skull, the blood soaked fabric, the smell are all as vivid as if right in front of her.

Mon Dieu! What in heavens name....? Was that actually a person? And the smell....


Alise turns and races to the bathroom where she is violently sick. The images are burned on her mind and she starts to cry. She feels Stoney come in and kneel beside her, pulling her long hair away from her face.

Stoney holds her, letting her sob. His own breathing is ragged. "I am sorry, Chaton. If I had known that was coming, I would have spared you. Ob thinks Pandora caught it as well. It caught him by surprise as well.”

Wiping her tears with the back of a hand, Stoney helps Alise stand. She moves to check on Gracie and then into the twins room. All are peacefully sleeping, Alise worried that they would pick up such horrible images and have nightmares.

“Chaton, they are fine. Too young to have their rest disturbed by our thoughts. Come sit with me, its almost sunrise...”

Alise curls up in her husbands lap and rests her head on his chest. “Who would do such a thing? And then to leave… that... near the tavern. Why?”

“I dont know mon amour. Hopefully the Sorcerer will have some answers...”