I huff, yeah I got that impression earlier. If he dislikes people so much, why did he bother joining us for tea? Unless… Oh gods don’t tell me it was supposed to be some mistreated vessel solidarity. A support meeting of survivors. With tea.
I groan. I know Eban suffered at Hyde’s hands and Charlie was clearly treated awfully by Rathbone. But I really, truly don’t belong in that group.
Thinking of Rathbone causes my gaze to flick to Garrington. The son of the man who traumatized Charlie and I strongly suspect, hurt my husband. How does he fit into all of this?
“Or is Charlie avoiding you?” I ask pointedly.
Garrington puts down his spoon and fixes me with a steady stare.
“Well? He belonged to your father for years, lived in the same house as you. And clearly you did nothing.”
A faint flush of color spreads across Garrington’s face. “I got him away in the end.”
I snort. “Too little too late.”
Garrington’s vessel is looking down at his lap, chewing his bottom lip and looking upset.
“I agree,” says Garrington calmly.
I blink in surprise but like fuck am I backing down. “So now you go around rescuing vessels in an attempt to make amends.”
Garrington’s gaze is unflinching. “Yes,” he replies simply.
I throw my napkin down in exasperation and lean back in my chair. “Would be a nice plan, if you rescued vessels who actually needed it!”
“Colby!” admonishes Eban.
But I don’t care. I’ve been abducted. I’m allowed to be rude.
“One of us needs to deal with him,” says Garrington. “Nobody else will be able to get here in time.”
“Unless…” interjects Eban, before Hathbury interupt with a stern, “No.”
Everyone squirms awkwardly. What the hell? Is Garrington threatening me? Talking about punishing me for being rude? How dare he!
A shiver rocks my body, hard enough to rattle my teeth. Then dizziness washes over me. Oh shit. Sudden realization hits me and it’s like being punched in the gut.
I’m ripe. Very ripe. I don’t think I’ve ever been so full of magic.
They were going to host the ‘Pimp Colby Out’ dinner tomorrow. I guess no one thought I was going to be ripe so soon. And right now the only mages here are the ones sitting around this table. Bastion is not a mage, but he is a shifter. His innate magic is enough to call out a vessel’s. But I don’t want him. I don’t want any of them.
“Let me go to Harry,” I say calmly.
Everyone looks at me in uncomfortable disbelief.
I grit my teeth. “Unless you want to rape me or let me explode and burn this house down, you don’t have a choice!”
More uncomfortable squirming. Damn these people are annoying!
“For fuck’s sake, he is chained up isn’t he? He can’t hurt me!”
Eban stands up. “Alright, I’ll take you to him.” He turns to face the murmurs of dissent. “Everything he said is true.”
Finally. Finally someone is listening to me. I almost want to cry in relief. Instead, I climb to my feet and follow Eban to the basement.
The basement is very clean. It’s warm and doesn’t feel too damp. It is very dark though. There is an actual toilet and a small sink. A narrow single bed has been placed in the corner but Harry is sitting on the floor, his back resting against the bed, his cuffed and chained hands in his lap. His head is bowed as if he is regarding his restraints, and his golden hair gleams in the gloom.
My breath hitches at the sight of him. He is still dressed in the pajama trousers and gown he was captured in, and seeing him out of his impeccable suits makes him look so vulnerable.
