Marriage is Murder

"You know," Robert said, thinking, "It might be good for her to be a part of this conversation. When one has been bewitched, there is bound to be confusion to follow. I'd like her to stay, I think, as long as she feels up to it." He took the tray and put it on the coffee table. He gave a mug to Khaat and one to Brian and one to Jess, taking the last one for himself.

Brian led her to the sofa and sat beside her. "So how did this happen?"

"It seems that Escobar was waiting for her outside the kitchen door when she left Sparks tonight. Of all people, Ne'Os Emof was there and figured out she wasnt safe. He has always had a fondness for her, despite their differing views on magic."

"You mean because he's a dark arts follower," Brian said.

"Yes, but he would never harm her," Robert said. "Not willingly. He made an exchange with Escobar. He traded his mortality and became a vampire, and in return, Escobar let her go. His spell is gone. And I can't blame Khaat for having every mixed feeling capable of modern man. But that will pass. And she knows it. We've dealt with that at St. Mungos. A bit of time and adjustment and she'll be just fine."

"I led him here," Khaat said softly.

"How did you do that?" Brian asked, not believing her.

"If he hadn't decided to attach me to him..." she began.

"Wait," Brian said. "Did you invite him to England? Give him a portkey? Make him promises?"

"No," she said looking at the floor.

"Then you did nothing wrong."

"Vampires that old are immensely wise," her father said. "Invitation or not, he's going to go where he wants and do what he wants. And I presume he thinks he can take what he wants."

"I wonder if he has figured out he doesn't have the real amulet yet," Brian said.

"No," Robert said. "Clearly not. If he had, he would have been far more dangerous and aggressive."

"Well, now isn't that just something to look forward to?" Brian sighed.

"Maybe I should leave England for good," Khaat said.

"Where would we go, Honey?" he asked.

"Um...no. Not you. Me," she said softly.

"Give it a bit, Khaat," Robert said gently. "Those feelings will wear off."

"Robert, can you live without her tomorrow?" Brian asked.

"Certainly," Robert said. "She deserves it. It may take a day off for her to get her thoughts straight."

"And we will fix the security so that he cannot access you as easily as he did," Brian promised.

"Its hard for me to work with patients at the hospital when you do that," she said.

"Its necessary," Robert said. "Escobar is more formidible, and its very hard to kill one of the undead. We need to take extra steps here. Do you have plans, Brian?"

"I don't know yet," Brian smiled, laying his hand on hers. "If we go out, we'll let you know. Otherwise we'll be here."

"Do yourselves a favor and stay on the estate, Son," Robert said. "She's well protected here. Let her unwind a bit."

Robert also had seen Abbey up and out of bed, sneaking down into the living room. Brian noticed the attentions going to the bottom of the stairs. He glanced that way and saw Abbey there. He was about to speak, but Robert reached for her instead.

"Come see Papa," Robert said to Abbey. When Abbey saw it was alright, she scampered over to Robert, reaching or him, and he picked her up. "And why are you up? Its too early for you to be awake yet" he asked her.

"Dragons, Papa," she said.

"Dragons? Where?" he frowned.

"In my room, Papa," she said.

"Where?" he asked. She made a gesture that to try to show that they were everywhere. Robert looked at Jack. "Do you mind monster hunting, Jack?" Robert asked.

"No monster, Papa! Dragons!" she corrected him.

"Is that the dragon?" Robert asked her. Abbey nodded.

"He not nice," Abbey said. "He bite."

"He bites?" Robert asked. "Did he bite you?" She nodded. "Where?" She showed him two of her tiny fingers. Robert saw she did have a red mark across two fingers. "Well, I guess he does bite. I'm sorry. I'l fix it." He took her fingers in his hand and healed them. "Should I take his teeth out?"

"No," Abbey said.

"You just dont want him to bite, do you?"

"He fly bad too."

"He does?" Abbey nodded and took her fist and slammed it into the flat of her other hand. "Oh," Robert laughed. "I see. I'll have a talk with him." He set the dragon aside. He wrapped her close and rocked her back to sleep on his lap.

"What the heck was that about?" Brian asked.

"I think it was just baby magic," Robert laughed. "There's bound to be some with that many kids together at the same time."