“I’ll do what I can, I promise.”
“See that you do.” Grendel left him there in front of the hangar, hopping in her own SUV and driving off.
Ezra took a minute, then headed to the SUV where the sergeants and Saemund waited for him.
Ezra
The tripback to the university was silent, as was the walk back inside to the library.
Ezra realized how much tension he was carrying when he finally saw Raum again, the professor speaking to his father in the doorway of his office, and his shoulders relaxed and he drew in a deep breath for the first time in what felt like hours.
Lilith came prancing over with her tail high, chirping in reprimand and demanding pets. Ezra bent and scooped her upin his arms, accepting the head butts to his chin and scent-marking from his familiar. He enjoyed the cuddles, sitting at the table and burying his face in her sparse fur, letting her purrs wash over him.
“Ezra?” That was Raum.
“Yeah?” he replied, voice muffled, not lifting his head.
“You okay?”
Ezra lifted his head and blinked away some tears building. “Frustrated and depressed. That was hard.”
Raum sat at the table next to him, angling his chair so he could face Ezra directly. “Grandpa told us. That’s really tough. I’m sorry, for everyone and everything. That’s a nightmare.”
“Nightmare,” Ezra said quietly, gently squeezing Lilith, her purrs growing louder. “Good word for the whole thing. A nightmare.”
Raum eyed him with open concern, but Ezra appreciated that Raum held back further questions. Ezra sat in that chair and realized he was done, his mental and emotional limit had been reached. They hadn’t done anything physically stressful, but the realization of what he might be experiencing soon was enough to drain his mental and emotional reserves.
“I’m done for the day,” Ezra declared, pressing a kiss to the top of Lilith’s head. “Your grandfather needs to think things through. I’m gonna go back to my room and get some sleep.”
Raum said nothing, head tilting a bit to the side as he took in Ezra’s appearance and the way he was slumped in the chair, holding his cat for comfort.
“I’ll take you back, if that’s okay?” Raum asked after a long moment.
“Sure. Talk to Harlan? I’m gonna pack up Lilith in a minute.”
He sat there in the chair, not moving, holding Lilith and absorbing her love.
“Take your time,” Raum told him softly, getting up from the chair. “I’ll go talk to Harlan. No rush.”
Ezra
Ezra gotready in a mindless haze, habit taking over as he packed up Lilith’s gear to go back to their room. Harlan and Chase said nothing to him about Raum giving him a ride back, both men talking quietly to each other. He hoped the early day would give the couple some time alone together.
Nórr and Saemund both hugged Raum, and gave everyone else quiet goodbyes and nods before departing quietly, the closing door echoing through the stacks as they exited the room.
He finished packing, Lilith staying by his side, ready to depart.
Chase and Harlan both nodded goodbye to him as Raum exited his office, locking the door behind him and carrying a bag he slung over his shoulder. Raum said his goodbyes to the two sergeants, and Ezra followed behind Raum with Lilith at his heels as they went through the stacks.
Raum paused after a moment, letting Ezra and Lilith catch up beside him as they headed for the exit. “I know you and Grandpa have things covered for now, but I’m going to keep researching the skull’s origins and who the skull may be. I want to help.”
“Without you I’d have no access to a High Court Sidhe willing to help,” Ezra said, hoisting Lilith’s bag higher on his shoulder. “And your research may come in handy with solving this mystery. Don’t discount yourself.”
Raum beat him to the exit, and he opened the door for them, Ezra pausing just a moment for Lilith to jump up and into his arms. He didn’t want her walking in the busier section of the library, too many people around to step on her.
Ezra held Lilith and followed Raum to the employee parking lot. Raum’s car was a small, blue SUV, roomy enough for the bigger man and his stuff but not as hefty as the MERS vehicle.
Raum was courteous, as if they were on a date in the movies, opening the rear door for Ezra to put his bag on the seat, and then opening the passenger-side door and letting Ezra seat himself. Lilith hopped from his arms to the back seat, curious at the new sights and smells,merpingas she explored.
