They returned to the packhouse together. The brothers disappeared downstairs to clean off the dirt and change. Tom had gone to check on the pups, an old habit. Arthur pulled Finn and Carter into the library, after a quick glance to ensure no one else was there, and closed the door without a sound. He latched the lock, something Finn had never seen anyone do before.
"When you said you freed them all, was Fionn one of them?" Arthur asked. His brows were knit together in worry.
"No, it was Elspeth and two other women. Izadore and Ramsey's mothers. There weren't any others. I checked each room. Well, I mean, there were no other animated horrors in the vault." She felt sick again, her stomach churned.
"You're sure?" He asked again.
"As sure as I can be. I don't know how to detect lingering magic other than smell and the whole place stunk. Izzy checked, that's how I know who the other two were. He didn't say anything about anyone else. I can ask him if you want."
Arthur frowned deeply. "Okay. You both stay here. I'm going to do a parameter sweep and then I'll be back."
"We can help, dad," Carter chimed in.
"I'd rather you both stayed here, okay love?"
They both nodded as Art unlocked the door and walked out in the hall, the door closed securely behind him. Finn walked over to the fireplace and threw on another log as she sat down on the wooden floor, her legs curled beneath her. She moved the timber around with her fingers, to ensure the fire took to the new wood. She hissed slightly when she lingered too long and the flames burned her fingertips.
"Hey! Be careful," Carter said, sitting down beside her. He took her hand into his and kissed her burns softly. He inspected them carefully, to ensure they were not deep.
"I'll heal soon, it's not a big deal," she said as she raised an eyebrow at him.
"Just because you'll heal doesn't mean you should carelessly hurt yourself." Finn just shrugged at his comment. Pain had been such a part of her life, she barely noticed it anymore. His concern was sweet but she had spent so many years seeking it out, she was unsure if she could change her behaviours. Old dogs and new tricks, or so the human saying went. She'd have to ask Eutus.
He held onto her hand and massages it lightly. "You heal so much quicker than we do, is that because of your enchanter side or is it a trait of hybrids?"
She considered it a moment, "I'm not really sure. There aren't many hybrids around. I met one, only once, at the council house but he wasn't part enchanter though, he was part dark elf. The ears and skin tone kinda gave it away."
"An elf and a werewolf?" He asked, eyebrows raised in surprise.
"It's a social faux pas to inquire into people's lineage, dear. Especially hybrids. We are generally unintended consequences of nonconsenting acts."
"You weren't curious?"
"Well, I was," she admitted. "But his tongue had been cut out by his elven relatives."
"Really? Why?" He asked.
"Again, I didn't pry. I also didn't know their specific sign language, which he and his partner were using to communicate. Obeus delighted in teasing me, knowing I would never ask him for a favour. Especially not at the expense of another of my kind."
They sat together in silence for some time. Carter continued to massage her hand, lost in thought. "Why did he take Fionn's body?"
"I don't know. Something perverse most likely. I hope to never find out."
"We'd better stop him, then," he said as his eyes bore into the fire.
(2)
