Page 108 of The Quiet Witness

Soft music resonated through the house, coming from the living room below her. Had he turned on the radio? If so, she didn’t want to disturb his evening routine of a book plastered to his hands and a glass of something sweet within reach.

Kate padded down a couple of steps, bare feet barely making a noise as she bent down to catch a glimpse of the room. There he was, seated on the small bench with his back to her. Fingers gliding effortlessly over the keys, bringing the music to life on his piano.

From the way the notes swirled up in the air, she could tell he had experience, only the proud posture wasn’t there. His shoulders hunched over slightly, as if an invisible weight rested on them.

She knew that feeling all too well, but to see it reflected in him. Unease grew in her stomach at the sight of it. Kate bent down, coming to rest on the upper stairs, entranced.

The music felt as if every thought in her mind was brought to life. As if what felt written in her very veins now spread out between them. Her sadness reflected in the soft tones as it gently climbed higher, mirroring her despair, the feelings of injustice that filled the world.

Closing her eyes, her head moved with the steady rhythm Lucien’s skilled fingers brought to existence. Steadily climbing higher and higher. She could feel the same white-hot rage course through her stomach at the thought of a hand raised to strike a child.

It was as if his music breathed the pain every child living through abuse felt, every single person who suffered from disease or hunger, every animal that screamed for its life to be spared, and every woman or man suffering at the hands of domestic violence.

It was simply the most beautiful thing she’d ever heard.

His fingers played the keys ever faster, a whirlwind of movement she couldn’t pry her eyes away from.

The only tie to reality was the cold wooden floor below her feet, chills seeping into her toes. Unwilling, she moved with the music until the very last notes faded into the tranquility of the house.

Lucien didn’t move from his spot, but his voice broke through her thoughts, dragging her back to Earth. “You intend to keep dancing on those cold feet?” Either her ears were playing tricks on her, or there really had been a slight quiver to the words.

He turned slightly, their eyes meeting.

Kate remained silent, there were no words to express how he had just made her feel simply by playing a piece at the piano.

His smile fell away slightly, he padded the bench next to him. “Care to join me?”

Her feet moved before her mind had even processed his question, feeling like she was both light and heavy at the same time, she sat down in a daze. Gathering her legs beneath her in an attempt to keep the cold at bay.

With a tilt of his head, Lucien summoned Ghost from his spot near the window, scratching him lovingly behind the ears before asking him to lie down in front of the bench. “There, a warm fluffy rug for your feet.”

A chuckle escaped her. “You really have a solution for every problem.” She stretched out her legs, resting her feet across Ghost with a relieved sigh.

“I try to.”

She opened her mouth, hesitating for a second. “I’m sorry for what I said earlier.”

He studied her for a lingering moment, one of his eyebrows raising.

“I felt… as if it was me all over again, my emotions took over. It’s not a solid excuse though. I’m glad you arrived when you did, so… thank you. And,” She bit her lip. “Sorry again, I shouldn’t have said that to you.”

“Apology accepted.”

This time, she raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Really? I thought you were going to say no apologies needed.”

A smirk danced along his lips. “Oh no, your sincere apology was absolutely required.”

She smacked his arm for good measure, getting a low chuckle in response.

“Can I also get that other reward or?” He pursed his lips in a kissing motion.

Kate whirled around, heat already shooting up to her cheeks. “Nice try, fellow, but no luck there.”

A sigh escaped his lips. “It was worth a try.”

She shifted in her seat, bumping against him with her elbow and a “sorry” ready on her tongue. But he merely smiled, his thigh warm where it rested against hers.

With the music gone, the house felt… empty.