These Cursed Hands (Touch Me With)

Part 56

 "I thought Scratch would join us by now." I frowned as I paced the length of the street, scanning every nook for the white fluff of his tail.

"I'm sure he's fine, darling. Animal instincts," Astarion shrugged, swiftly pulling me out of the way of a passing cart.

"No, something feels wrong. He wouldn't leave my side in this city."

"I'd say Rivington is rather more like a town, but-"

"That is not the point, Gale. I'm worried."

"Well, look. That building looks quite official, no? Perhaps we'll go ask if anyone's seen the mutt." Astarion pointed to a building down the street on the right, a stout, well maintained post with green awnings. A swinging sign hung out front, carved with the title, Sword Coast Couriers.

"Didn't figure you'd be one to go to authorities, Vamps," Karlach teased, taking the lead to clear through the others clouding the street.

"Couriers are not the kind of officials I had to be concerned about," Astarion huffed, running a hand through his hair. I could only half listen to their conversation, trying to find Scratch's thread amongst the dizzying crisscross of the weave.

"Are you alright?" Gale questioned, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"There's too much going on. I can't find him," I sighed, shaking my head as we approached the building. Suddenly Karlach gasped, slapping my shoulder as she pointed to the small yard beside the building. The only thing decorating the fenced in yard were-

"Cages," Astarion hissed, his lips curling into a snarl as he took in the sight.

"They took Scratch," I whispered, my feet carrying me forward without a second thought. At my approach, a woman in leather armor and bold makeup faced me, her nose wrinkling with distaste.

"Woof." I balked at her greeting, my mind reeling as I tried to process if she was simply a madwoman, or making fun of my obviously druidic appearance.

"Did you just bark at her?" Gale looked positively baffled as he pulled out his staff.

"Come now, only I'm allowed to bark at her. Isn't that right, darling?" Astarion swept an arm onto my shoulder, his body stiff as he pulled me closer to him.

The woman sneered, feigning surprise. "Ah. You lot speak. Which means you're not dogs. So what in the hells are you doing in my kennels?"

"I believe you have taken one of my friends." I tried to keep my voice steady as I nodded toward Scratch, who was whining at the gate of his kennel, dark eyes pleading with me.

"That dog is property of the Sword Coast Couriers. And he needs to be retrained." She raised her hand as she spoke, stomping a foot in Scratch's direction. Beside me, Astarion had gone as stiff as a tree, while I trembled like a leaf on the wind. Reasonable. I had to be reasonable. Murdering couriers would get my friends and I nowhere closer to our goal.

"You should not raise your hand at him like that." My words were a deadly whisper, barely loud enough for her to hear.

"I can do whatever I please- he's my dog. Now get out- this is a private yard."

"He is not your dog. He is not 'property.' He is Scratch. And you don't get to threaten him. Or me." I stepped forward, shrugging off Astarion as I pulled Mizora's rapier from its sheath. The twisted red blade glinted menacingly in the sun, shining into her eyes. She grunted, taking a step back. The boy who'd been hovering at her side dashed toward Scratch's kennel, fiddling with the lock.