FOREVER KNIGHTS: #6 Malevolent Attentions

Carter House, Meadowbrook, Grier Country

LUCIEN

Lucien Sabias watched Meralee Carter wake from the nightmare. Heard the racing of her heart and ragged breathing. He adjusted his position in the tree to peer in, only seeing her outline.

Peeking into her mind he found a woman’s scream lingering there. The Fallen’s scream. Lucien recognized her voice.

Tossing back the blankets, Mera climbed from bed. Throwing on the first dirty gown she grabbed from the floor, as she shouted for a footman.

Where the devil is she going? Lucien peeked around the house. Prepared to follow this strange girl wandering the night. Barely clothed.

He followed her, watching the Carter carriage pull up to Widow Anna Valentine’s Manse. She knocked lightly and eventually a disgruntled butler roused to answer the door. She urgently requested Widow Valentine. Seeing she wouldn’t surrender, the butler stalked upstairs.

Determined viper. Lucien watched from across the road. Staying in the shadow of a high fence.

The sleepy redhead appeared in the foyer in her shift. “Hello.” Anna rubbed her eyes blearily as she waved for Meralee to come in and went to go back upstairs.

“Did I wake you?” Meralee followed on tired footsteps.

“No. I’m always up at…Whatever bloody time is it?” Anna’s voice was dry.

“I wanted to call on Nora, but I can’t without waking the little ones.”

The butler closed the door and Lucien lost view of them. Attuning his hearing as he walked, he caught their conversation.

“So, you show up instead on my steps in the wee hours, as a second option? Flattering.” She smacked her lips sleepily. “What’s wrong with you, Meralee?”

“I don’t know how to tell her I’m having nightmares of something horrible happening to her.”

“That’s not something you tell someone.” Anna sounded appalled.

“They’re horrible nightmares, Anna.” Meralee sighed. “I’m so tired of them I could punch something.”

“Where’s Worthington when you need him, huh?” Anna laughed.

“I’m awake more than asleep. She’s being tortured in them.”

“So, save her.”

“I can’t! I can only watch. Like I float above her. Chained to the sky.”

“That sounds dreadful!”

“I have them during tutoring, in the Breakroom, and even in the privy!” She mumbled.

“The privy? Nothing is sacred…” Anna gasped in mock horror.

“Anna! Be serious. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“Mayhap it’s just a phase. You know, like that sennight I dreamt of that dress before I saw it.”

“That’s not this Anna! I’m not talking about a dress…It’s those two men.” Mera accused ferociously.

Lucien, eavesdropping across the road, stiffen. Me?

“What two?”

Me and Deragan.

Against his hopes, Mera continued her rampage. “They’ve something to do with everything weird happening! It’s been since they showed up in Meadowbrook.”

“Mera you’re talking like a lady of Bedlam! What two men?”

“Nora’s stranger from the dance. He was in town a few days past. When he touched me, it was like I was wrapped in fog. Watching myself from someone else’s view. I’ve no idea how I knew to go to that alley.”

“Meralee you’re not making sense!” Anna objected.

No, she’s not. What the devil is she talking about? Lucien had been watching Meralee long enough he knew it wasn’t characteristic of her to talk so much.

“And that other one,” Their footfalls on the staircase ceased. Levelling as they topped the stairs.

Me?

“What other man?”

“The one you fed me to at the Hallow’s Eve Dance.”

Yes, that’d be me.

“Ooh, Lord Sabias.” Anna filled in dreamily.

At least someone likes me. He thought ruefully.