Mama!

Also, a special announcement from yours truly!

My brother, Atrivak , has a story posted on his profile that's a novel that follows his characters through an intergalactic war. He's been writing this book for years and finally got it to a place he was comfortable publishing it.

If any of you like action novels that are packed full of drama and intense battle scenes, go give it a look!

Alright, continue on, my heathens.

Alastor's POV

I could get used to this.

This weight against my chest that isn't caused by guilt or something similar. A physical weight that fits against me just right.

The weight of her.

After the little incident with my spell room, we finally made it back up to bed where I'd initially planned to end our night at.

Relieved doesn't even begin to cover how I felt when I caught her. If she had opened that door...it's padlocked and damn near impossible to enter without a key, but who knows what those nasty little spirits would've done just to get their hands on her soul.

She's not for you.

I nearly scowled as I said this in my head, hoping they were poking around in my thoughts how they normally do.

I should've known better than to not warn her further about that room. Now she just thinks I'm hiding something from her, which, technically I am...but it really is for her own good.

If I tell her she'll just be tempted, and temptation only makes the pull stronger, and if they get their hands on her soul...there is nothing I can do to save her.

This is why I keep that door locked, this is why I use my magic sparingly, because it is dangerous.

But I can handle it.

She cannot.

And I won't let her try, I won't burden her with the choice of keeping her nose out of things she doesn't understand. If I don't tell her, she won't go searching for more information about any of this.

She won't even know what to search for.

Plus, if she got in there and touched or broke anything, it could very well send my soul straight to the jaws of hell. Just one broken vial of blood would be all it took.

I take my deals very seriously.

And so do they.

"Alastor, are you even listening to me?"

Suddenly, her voice pulled me out of my thoughts, and I blinked. My eyes trained down to her laying against my chest, eyelids lowered with her lips forced into a disapproving pout.

My heart jumped to my throat from how cute she looked, and I shook my head.

"I was not, my darling, I apologize. I was just thinking about something...what were you saying?"

Her pout lessened and she tilted her head.

"Whatcha thinking about?" She asked me innocently, and I froze.

Shit.

"Uummm..." I drew out the sound as I thought of a lie to tell her, "just about tomorrow...I can't wait to show you more tricks at the studio," I said with a smile, running my fingers through her hair.

She smiled as well, "I really appreciate you taking the time to show me all that...and for sharing your show with me," she giggled softly, looking down as a blush bloomed across her nose.

That familiar feeling I only get around her swelled in my chest, my next words flowing naturally from my lips.

"Fawn, it's an honor to have someone as beautiful as you by my side," I said to her, brushing my fingers across her face.

She chased my touch, turning her head and capturing my palm in a kiss.

"Oh, shut up..." she mumbled against my skin, trying to hide her steadily growing blush from me.

Then her smile faded, and she brought her hand up over mine, touching me for a moment before she brought me away from her face.

She began toying with my fingers, her expression turning thoughtful for a moment.

I waited silently, giving her a chance to spill on her own what she's thinking. After all, she still hasn't told me about what had her bothered from work.

She stayed silent for a minute longer, and I was about to speak, but she beat me to it.

"Hey Al..."

Her voice was small, timid almost.

I brushed my thumb across her knuckles, pulling her a little bit closer to me.

"Yes, sweetheart?" I hummed.

"Do you think I dress funny...?" She asked, sounding borderline embarrassed.

I furrowed my brows in confusion, nearly chuckling at the odd question.

Of course she doesn't dress funny, she dresses smart and looks very attractive in what she wears.

Although, the way her eyes were refusing to meet mine told me this was truly something that was bothering her...so I held back my amusement, softening my eyes before I used my finger to pull her chin up.

She looked at me, her eyes holding a bit of worry.

I shook my head, giving her a gentle squeeze to emphasize my next words.

"Of course I don't think you dress funny, now whoever put that silly thought in your head?" I asked her, a quiet chuckle lacing my words.

At that, her eyes fell again.

My amusement almost disappeared entirely when I realized someone actually had said something to her. The smile on my face faded, and I once again tilted her chin up.

"Fawn, was someone nasty to you?" I asked her, my brows furrowing as my voice turned more serious.

She nodded slightly, and immediately I felt my blood begin to boil.

Who in the blazes hurt her feelings?!

"Oh, sweetie..." I gave her forehead a quick kiss, reveling in how she shifted closer to me, "you dress beautifully, and you look wonderful in your pants. Who is it that has made you feel so down about yourself?" I asked her, although I wasn't giving her much of a choice in whether she answers or not.

I will be killing whoever upset her.

"S'nothin, it was just..." she mumbled, and then sighed, still playing nervously with my fingers.

I felt a bit annoyed that she was still doing this bit, not telling me what I want to know, but then remembered I need to learn a bit of patience.

I am not a very patient man when it comes to certain things, but for her I'll change.

For her, alone...I will change.

So, I gave her a moment to collect her thoughts, watching her fidget against me uncomfortably. I can tell she wants to tell me, so what's holding her back?

Then she finally looked back up at me, "Mindy...she kinda caught me in the break room after you stepped out during break, and...well..." her words faded off, but it was obvious.

Mindy had said something to her, something that stuck with her enough to make her act in such a way.

My grip on her tightened slightly, and my other hand went from being relaxed against her touches to curling around her fingers.

I must've been wearing my emotions on my face, because next thing I know Fawn is trying to calm me down.

"Al, please don't be upset, it's alright, really! I shouldn't let her get under my skin like that..."

This didn't aid in making me less bloodthirsty, in fact, it made me want to dismember my dear reporting lead and leave her to be a disable torso the rest of her pathetic days.

But I know I should probably calm down, and to do so I looked down at Fawn. Those big green eyes stared back at me, nervousness behind them.

My anger fizzled out...the last thing I want is for her to be scared of me.

I took a deep breath, and then let it out, relaxing into the bed once again.

"It's not alright, mon faon, she doesn't have the right to speak to you like that..." I said softly, shaking my head, "did she say anything else?"

Fawn looked at me a moment, and then looked away again in what seemed to be a bit of shame.

She shrugged, "well...she said something about me getting in the way of...um...y-your relationship with her..." she mumbled slightly.

I was shocked.

How dare she.

Fawn lifted her eyes, "is...that true? She said you were 'courting' her before I came along...I didn't...interfere with anything did I?"

I was too stunned to even say a word to that, my eyes wide as I stared at my precious girl.

The fucking gall of that impertinent harlot to say something so wildly untrue to someone it's obvious I have grown a fancy for.

Is she stupid?

My silence lasted a bit too long, because Fawn let her head fall against my chest and sighed, "I guess it's true then..." she murmured, sounding a bit upset.

Quickly I snapped out of it, pulling her up so I could look at her properly, "Fawn, no, that is not true," I said firmly, shaking my head.

She was wide eyed with surprise, but I could see that she perked up slightly.

"It's not?"

"No, my little Fawn, of course not...I'd never pursue such a snakish, pretentious, beastly woman," I reassured her. Then for good measure, I placed a firm kiss against her lips.

When I pulled away, she blinked in surprise, but looked pleased nonetheless.

Her soft frown turned up into a little smile, and I cupped her cheek, "cher...you are the only woman I have ever had eyes for...that isn't just a promise, that is a fact."

The little smile grew, much to my relief, and she put her hand over mine. This time she let me keep my hand on her face, leaning into my touch.

She chuckled, "she's just so pretty...I figured it would make sense for you to want someone like her," she said, and though she didn't outright say it, it was obvious she was comparing herself to that mutt of a female.

I shook my head, slipping my fingers under the hem of the nightshirt she chose.

My red silk...it frames her absolutely beautifully.

Upon my touch, she shivered, and I delighted in that reaction as I drew my fingers up her side gently.

"Litte darling, it takes much more than good looks to gain my favor..." I brought my hand back out and took her chin between my fingers to make sure she looked me in the eyes for my next words, "so much more..."

My last words were quiet, barely above a whisper.

The color that blossomed across her face was the exact reaction I was aiming for. I want her to know that she is the only person I have placed a claim on.

And the little bruises littering her throat left over from my kisses are proof enough for that.

She pulled herself up slightly, and I prepared for her to kiss me, but instead she gently bumped her forehead against mine, nuzzling me slightly.

I was perplexed by the affectionate collision, but returned her action anyway. It was strangely intimate in a way...something that felt like she would only share with me.

"Thanks..." she murmured, and I hummed.

"Of course...and I'll have a chat with Mindy, you won't have to deal with her once I'm—"

"Oh my god, Al, don't kill her!" she said, pulling away from me suddenly with widened eyes.

I cocked an eyebrow, silently asking her why the hell not.

She shook her head, "I-I don't want her to die because of me, please don't, I've already killed one person I..."

Her words came frantic and I realized I've unintentionally triggered something, quickly shushing her and running my fingers through her hair.

"Darling, darling..." I said softly, coaxing her back into a calm state. Her quickened breathing slowly settled, and she relaxed into my chest little by little.

"There we go...I won't hurt her...you have my word," I murmured into the top of her head before kissing her crown.

She let out a soft sigh, nodding her head slightly, "good...thank you...I'll just do my best to avoid her from now on, no killing necessary," she joked lightly with a little laugh.

I chuckled as well, still stroking her hair.

"Yes dear..." I agreed with her, although my eyes darkened as I let them settle on the opposite wall, my smile slowly falling.

"Not necessary at all."

Watch yourself Mindy.

You're walking on thin ice.