Discover L (Book 2) | Complete |

~~~ Minding Their Own Business ~~~

Bryce was still berating Emrik twenty minutes after they'd arrived back at his home. Emrik had removed their masks the moment they walked through the door, throwing the goldenseal straight into the mix. It bubbled a vivid shade of red, and Emrik continued his mixing, talking to them as if they'd just taken a pleasant day trip.

Bryce had wasted no time in telling him exactly how things had gone, as well as blaming him for it all. Emrik took the verbal bashing in his stride, while L and Robbie tucked into the food he'd had prepared.

"... selfishness really does run in this family. Giving us no way back when we were doing something for you, that's straight up bullshit..."

L frowned, watching Bryce getting more wound up. She hadn't had the chance to question Emrik herself; she did have some things that needed clearing up but Bryce wasn't letting anyone get a word in edgeways. When it looked like he was about to flip his lid, L stood up and walked to him, placing her hand in his. He stopped mid-sentence and stared down at her.

"I think that's enough, you losing it won't change what's already happened. We're back now, we might be able to get some answers if you give him chance to respond." Bryce looked ready to argue but L squeezed his hand, interrupting him. "Please just go and eat something, it'll be okay."

L didn't want to tell him what to do but it looked like the veins in his neck were about to pop.

Bryce took one last look at Emrik, scowling at him before he turned away and sat down next to Robbie. They ate while L rounded on Emrik, it was tough to be intimidating when she was half his size but they both knew she could more than make up for that.

She gestured towards the room, "Okay, spill."

L crossed her arms, watching him expectantly.

Emrik clapped his hands on his knees, and sat on the unoccupied sofa. "I'm sorry for what happened while you were in the Fairy court. The Fairies have always been tricky but I never expected they'd go that far, I am honestly shocked and outraged myself."

Bryce snorted from his seat, but L held a hand up to stop him from going off again.

"When I asked the queen for the goldenseal, she inquired my need and I explained it was you, the Keeper, who would be needing it. That's all she asked, she seemed happy to comply. I wouldn't have sent you if I thought she'd be so underhanded, and to deny you the fast way back was..."

L took a step forward, "What do you mean, deny us? What about a fast way?"

Emrik stared between the three of them, sighing as he resumed.

"She didn't send you straight back, in the way I instructed, it seems she made you go the long way. Probably in the hope that it would delay the potion enough that it wouldn't be viable, or you'd change your mind. The reason is unclear. But what I do want to make abundantly clear, is that I did have an instantaneous return route ready for you. The queen was the one who didn't implement it. The fact that you could think I wouldn't have safeties in place for you is absurd and frankly, a little hurtful."

Emrik aimed the last part at Bryce, eyeing him sharply.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed you were at fault." Bryce had calmed, staring apologetically at his grandfather.

Emrik waved it aside, "No matter, as the Keeper said, it is done now. I'm happy you're all here in one piece and the potion is on schedule. Feel free to eat as much as you like."

They didn't need telling twice, their energy levels were spent and it was nice to take a moment, just to sit there and not do anything.

"I can't believe Queen Elisie would be so deceitful, and after she'd apologised to me." L was still furious, how could she trust the Fairy queen now?