Crystal stood like a watchful gargoyle in the corner. I wanted to tell her I was safe in the house, but I didn’t think she would listen to me anyway. If Eric ordered her to watch me, I got the feeling she would rather die than do anything else.
When I began washing my plate, Crystal said, “The maid can do that when she arrives.”
“It’s okay,” I said. “I don’t want to be a bother.”
“Matheson, you’re our honored guest.”
“I know. But I’m also a normal guy.” I cracked a smile. “Does the maid, uh, go into Eric’s bedroom at all?”
Crystal blinked. “I don’t believe so, no. Why?”
I thought about the secret mess behind the door with private amusement. “No reason.”
When I put the plate away, I lounged on the couch, even though I felt like I was disturbing some kind of perfected furniture display while doing so. Compared to the rustic casualness of Ramsay’s barn, I felt like I couldn’t touch anything in Eric’s home, especially not while he wasn’t here.
Crystal sat primly on a chair on the opposite side of the coffee table.
“So… Have you always been one of Eric’s guards?” I asked, trying to make conversation to break the awkward silence.
“Oh, yes. My whole family has always been guards for the pack leaders and their families,” Crystal said with a proud smile.
I nodded, then unpleasantly thought about Neil. “We have a couple of those, too. Although one of them was acting kinda weird when I left for this whole arrangement.”
Crystal frowned. “Why?”
“I dunno. It seemed like he didn’t want me to leave.”
“Maybe because he wouldn’t be able to protect you,” Crystal suggested.
“I’m not sure if it was like that,” I admitted.
I didn’t want to bad-mouth Neil in front of her, so I kept the rest of my thoughts to myself. But even with my short time with Crystal, her sense of duty and love towards Eric was obvious. Not only that, but Eric had trusted her to watch me--potentially trusted her with my life. I couldn’t say I felt the same way with Neil.
Our conversation was cut short as Eric walked in the front door. He smelled thickly of pine and fresh air. But more noticeable was the dark shadow across his expression.
“Sorry that took so long,” he muttered, kicking off his shoes with a little more force than necessary. “We patrolled the entire outer boundary. Human scent was everywhere, and a lot of it was too close for comfort.”
Crystal frowned. “Sir, shall I join the guards stationed there?”
Eric let out a deep sigh through his nose. “No. I want you here, Crystal.”
“Inside or out?”
“Outside, please. Just near the house, if you would.” He furrowed his brow. “But I know you’ve been watching Matheson all day. I can arrange someone else to--”
“No, sir. It was a low-effort job, since Matheson was so well behaved,” she said, giving me a small smile. “I’m ready.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it,” Eric said.
His eyes shut again. He looked totally exhausted. There were dark circles under his eyes that weren’t there when he left this morning. Whatever happened, it seemed to knock the wind out of him.
“Eric, come get some rest,” I encouraged.
“I agree, sir,” Crystal added.
Eric grunted. “Fine.”
The urge to help him came over me, and I rushed to his side, taking his arm in my hands to guide him upstairs.
