Sandy awoke early the next day, taking in Shadow's scent of fresh-smelling soap and a worn smell of charcoal. She laid there for a few moments, watching Shadow's chest rise and fall as he slept. She should go. . .before Valen wakes up and finds her gone. She sighed, sitting up and fixing her wooden leg on, thankfully, the doctor was coming today.

She headed across the manor, bracing herself for what awaited her in her bedroom. She opened the door to find Amina changing the sheets. Sandy shook as Amina looked at her, dropping the fresh pillowcase.

"Mistress," Amina said, walking towards her and simply wrapping her arms around the other woman. "Are you alright? I saw the-"

Amina paused as Sandy let out an awkward squawking sob. She simply held her mistress as she sobbed, knowing Valen was off with the new maid or somewhere else in the house.

"Amina," Sandy said after a moment, voice watery yet strong. "I need a locksmith, can you get one for me tonight?"

"I'll do my best, Mistress," Amina said, letting Sandy go and helping her get into bed. "If you need anything, just know I'll be right there."

"Thank you. . ." Sandy replied, opening a book on her nightstand to begin reading.

She read Evelina, reaching the end by the time dinner was served. Dinner was brought to her, Amina making up some lie about Sandy coming down with a cold. Shadow cleared his throat as he entered the room after Amina.

"Is it true?"

"Is what true?"

"That you're sick," he said, taking his hand in hers. "If I had known, I would've been by your side."

Sandy smiled at this, squeezing his hand. "No, Amina just needed a reason for me not to appear at dinner,"

Shadow nodded, bringing her hand up to his lips and kissing it. "I'm sorry about last night," he said, red eyes looking into her green ones.

She shook her head, knowing it wasn't his fault or hers. It was Valen's.

"I am, I should've protected you," Shadow continued, pressing her hand against his cheek. "I will. I'll do whatever you need, just ask."

Sandy swallowed, running her thumb against his chest. "Bring my brother back to me," she said, taking in a breath as Shadow kissed her palm.

"Done. He'll be here as long as you want."


"The locksmith came by without Valen's interference, changing the lock on Sandy's door and handing her two sets of keys for it. She kept the first, giving the second to Amina. She threw her arms around Randy once he arrived, nearly wanting to cry at his arrival alone. She let the butler gather Randy's things and put them in the room closest to hers.

Randy hugged her back, his missing fingers aching a bit at the action. He was missing the third and pinky finger at the knuckle. Sandy looked at them for a moment too long and remembered herself.

"Randy," she started, cupping his now full face. "you look like you've been eating again."

Randy grinned, kissing Sandy's forehead. "I have been thanks to my fiancee."

"Fiancee?" Sandy asked, leading him to the reading room where Shadow was.

Shadow was hard at work, paint staining his smock.

"I met her at the theater," Randy informed, sitting beside his sister. His eyes took on a shine Sandy often found in lovers, true lovers, not the kind of company Valen kept. "she said she recognized me cause I looked so much like you," he joked, nudging Sandy.

Sandy laughed, the sound feeling foreign to her. She calmed down, a sudden sadness overtaking her as her mind turned to the theater and her ruined career. "I hope she's good to you," she said, squeezing Randy's hand for a moment. "I really hope so."

Randy nodded, turning his attention towards Shadow as the other man worked. He looked back at Sandy with a smile. If he needed to get rid of Valen for any reason he would.


Night had fallen by the time Shadow had finished his latest piece, tucking it away in the corner of the reading room. He hummed under his breath as he left the room, pausing as something crashed in the kitchen.

Gray eyes lighted upon him, anger unrestrained as Valen walked towards Shadow.

"Look at what you've done by being here," Valen hissed, jabbing Shadow in the chest.

Shadow blinked, then smelled the alcohol on Valen's breath. "You're drunk," Shadow said, moving to walk past him.

"Everything was fine until you showed up," Valen continued as if Shadow hadn't spoken. "then she wants to be your fucking patron. If I'm not careful, you'll end up in her bed, won't you?"

Shadow took in a breath and let it out, he didn't need this right now. What good has Valen done by being here practically tormenting Sandy? He kept walking, fist clenching as Valen followed him, spewing vitriol like it was a second language. Shadow turned then, knocking Valen onto his backside with one hit. The squirrel looked at him for a moment before lunging at him, dragging him to the door and tossing him out.