Chapter 3
Mrynin closed the door behind, him as he entered the side room, with a bang to let Claire know he didn't want to be disturbed. He really didn't want her to overhear his conversation with began to search for the latest phone he had been given, it had to be somewhere underneath the piles of old clothes and equipment strewn around the room. Mrynin would never classify himself as messy more slightly disorganised. Everything had its place in his lab and there was an order to it; it just wasn't a particularly neat order.
Mrynin smiled in triumph when he found it underneath a pile of his worn jackets and shirts. Grabbing it quickly, he began to dial Amelie's office number, where she was sure to answer. The phone rang through three times before Amelie answered.
"What is it mrynin?" amelie's voice was tense and strained and showed she had no patience to be dealing with her old friend at that moment.
"That is not a very pleasant way to greet people on the phone, Amelie, what if someone had called with important news about Morganville, would you have answered like that?" Mrynin answered in mock hurt.
"Do you have important news about Morganville?" she asked, her patience wearing thin.
"No"
Amelie sighed wearily "just tell me what you want Mrynin"
"I want you to explain to me why you're letting that Collins boy leave Morganville and not allowing Claire to leave with him" that had been the purpose of him going somewhere private and making this phone call, to make Claire's case for leaving Morganville along with Shane. He would miss her when she went away of course, but she would be back and would ultimately be happier with the opportunity to leave Morganville
"Mr Collins has some family outside of Morganville" amelie answered in a cold but perfectly even voice "an aunt, in fact, who at this moment is seriously ill. He wants to go see her"
"But that still doesn't explain why you're letting him le-"
"I'm letting him leave unattended for two weeks and no-one will come after him if he doesn't come back" amelie answered impatiently, cutting Mrynin off. She sighed then and said "I'm giving him his freedom"
"I see" Mrynin replied, suitably shocked.
"You can understand why I couldn't let Claire go with him. Her place is here in Morganville, she is far too valuable to lose."
"I don't fully understand why you're giving him his freedom, though?" Mrynin had never heard of amelie allowing someone to leave Morganville for no reason at all. There had to be one.
There was silence from the other end of the phone before amelie answered "Mrynin, you work with machines and computers, when part of it doesn't work, you take it out don't you? Well Shane is the part of Morganville that doesn't work. He isn't ever going to willingly co-operate under vampire rule. He can't .I'm cold Mrynin but I am capable of mercy. Shane needs to leave."
"Claire will be devastated" Mrynin didn't like that thought or how it upset him, but it was true.
"Well I don't know if he has chosen to take me up on my offer. He certainly has quite a decision to make, Claire or his freedom" it most definitely was, Mrynin wasn't even sure what he would chose.
"That will be quite a conversation between the two of them" Mrynin said, slightly uncomfortable himself at how the conversation must go.
"Yes it will, but it's a necessary conversation" There was slight hint of pity in Amelie's voice for the two young people, mixed in with her usual coolness and detachment.
"I wonder what he will choose," Mrynin said curiosity colouring his tone "he has two forms of happiness to pick from"
"I can't answer that Mrynin, but I'm sure we will all find out soon" Amelie was beginning to sound impatient and Mrynin knew the conversation would come to an end soon
"When will he be going?" Mrynin asked, wondering when he will know exactly what was going to happen between that Collins boy and young Claire. He felt uncomfortable at the interest he had in there relationship and the jealousy he had of it, but there was nothing he could do about it.
"2 weeks" amelie answered quickly, Mrynin knew she had to hang up soon.
"Not long to make a decision then"
"No. Mrynin, how did you even find out about this" amelie asked in a confused tone.
"Claire told me. She…found Shane's pass. Shane doesn't know that, though"
"So the conversation will happen sooner then expected than?" amelie questioned
"I think it shall, maybe even today"
"He might even decide today"
"Perhaps"
"Well I have to go now, Mrynin" amelie said tiredly "we will talk soon"
"Yes, soon" Mrynin said before amelie hung up and he was left in silence
He was left with quite a dilemma now. Did he tell Claire all he knew or wait for her to find out herself? With his decision made he exited the small room and re-entered the lab
"Claire!" he called loudly as he entered the lab.
"What Mrynin?" Claire answered irritably. She looked tired and irritable as she sounded; her hair a mess and a smudge of dirt on her cheek. She had obviously taken her cleaning job seriously. Mrynin had the strangest urge to wipe away the smudge on her cheek himself, but he fought it gallantly.
"I think it's time you went home, you have done enough for today Claire"
"But I haven't been here that long?" Claire questioned, her forehead creased in confusion.
Mrynin raised a single eyebrow "are you questioning me? Because I'm sure I could find something else for you to clean…"
"No, no I'll go!" Claire raised her hands in defeat and made her way towards her backpack at the door
"Good…I think there is something you have to do at home anyway" Mrynin said, hinting at his real reason for sending her home
"Yeah" Claire smiled sheepishly "well…bye Mrynin"
Mrynin threw Claire a half smile "goodbye, little one"
Claire smiled sheepishly at him again and then left, leaving Mrynin alone.
(Hey guys! :) what did you all think of this? was it boring? I'm trying to take my time with Mrynin and Claire so…anyways reviews would be much appreciated lol :D)
