Pure × Isaac Lahey

43.

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       The sparsely furnished Hale loft remained momentarily silent, Peter staring down his nephew curiously as Derek returned Talia's claws into the Triskelion jar.

       "You know, there's always an element of danger to rituals like this," Peter said with a hidden motive in his voice. "I'm not particularly fond of them. Unless, they somehow benefit me."

       Derek scoffed, well aware Peter wouldn't do it without incentive. "What do you want?"

       "How about a conscience?"

       The loft doors opened, revealing Elora only.

       "Lovely niece, how you compliment me so," Peter replied with false warmth.

       Derek stood as El walked into the home, hugging her tightly. His eyes opened as he sensed another presence, widening as he recognized the figure in the doorway.

       Even Peter stood upon Charlie's arrival.

       Pushing El behind him, Derek's eyes flared blue aggressively. "What the hell are you doing here?"

        "He came with me," Elora replied almost boredly as she moved from behind Derek. "I have his orb, he has no powers." She, changed from her office clothes into skinny jeans and a flannel, approached the coffee table baring the Triskelion box. "Are these hers?"

       Derek and Peter, however, remained focused on Charlie.

       Elora looked into the jar, worn claws standing up in formation fit for a hand. She could sense her aunt as she grazed a palm over the cylindrical jar, answering her question. "Peter, what do you want out of this? Why do you always have to get something out of everything you do?"

        "Because-"

       "What is life worth if you risk everything for nothing?" Charlie said in question as he slid onto the large oak table near the rest of his family, reclining back with his palms behind him.

       Peter hesitated as he sat down in his spot on the sofa, "I hate to agree, but that is right on the nose."

       Derek kept his eyes on Charlie, anger burning in the back of his throat. He finally sat back down, Elora already situated next to Peter.

       "I want to keep them," Peter said to his niece and nephews. "Sentimental value." He addressed Derek, "She was your mother, but she was also my sister."

       Elora, Derek and Charlie all gave Peter looks.

       "What?" expressed Peter with offense. "Am I not allowed a little bit of sentiment?"

       "You do hear yourself, don't you?" El asked with an undertone of a laugh as Derek dropped the last claw into the jar.

       Derek set the jar in front of his uncle, not giving Peter an answer of whether or not he could keep them.

       Peter hovered his fingers over the jar, clearly against the idea of putting his beautiful hands through more hell.

       Derek softly shook his head, on his feet pacing. "Too long," he said, pushing his uncle's hand into the triskelion jar.

       "No wait!" Peter shouted, but all too late. His eyes seared blue, embracing Talia's ghost.

       Elora watched Peter curiously as he adjusted, only pulled when Isaac texted asking where she was. She mildly told him to go to the house and search the Beastiary, having transported the drive to her laptop at home.