Chapter 7
Back home
We go back New York very late and I visited the clan with Elisa. Hudson was watching TV.
"Talia, it's nice to see ya again." He smiled and Bronx bonked my leg with his snout.
"Hey, Bronx. I missed you." I rubbed the gargoyle beast's head.
"Is Goliath here?" Elisa asked.
"He and the others are on patrol. But make yourselves at home." He said.
"Oh." I frowned.
"Lassie?" He asked.
"We went to her old home and she met someone she used to know." Elisa explained.
"I was hoping I could talk to him." I said.
He hummed. "I see. Hopefully, he'll be back before sunrise."
I nodded tersely and Elisa and I played cards. I was winning when we heard we heard someone land. But it was just Broadway and Lex. They smiled and greeted me. I frowned deeply and my gaze turned downward as the rookery brothers settled down.
"He'll be here, Talia." Hudson told me.
"Goliath?" Broadway asked.
"Aye, lad." He looked at him.
"Elisa?" I said.
"Yeah?" She asked.
"I win." I showed her my cards. She snorted in laughter.
"How you holding up?" She asked softly.
"Hmmh." I shrugged.
"I understand." She said.
"I don't think I want to go back to the castle." I said.
"That's fine." She smiled.
"Elisa? Talia?" Goliath asked.
"Hey, big guy." Elisa stood up. I did too.
"How was your trip?" He asked innocently.
I rubbed my arm and looked away. "Let's go outside." Elisa said and we went to the balcony. Goliath waited patiently.
"It's been an emotional day. I went back to my house…" I paused.
"And?" He looked at me.
"My parents are dead and my house burned down. And then I met my old girlfriend. She waited so long for me and… I didn't even remember her!" I growled.
"Talia…" He said empathically.
"I broke up with her. Whatever we had, I can't recreate. She waited months, only for me to end it." My hands balled up into fists.
"You did the right thing." He told me.
"I meant the world to her and she was a stranger. I don't even feel sad about my parents..." I felt the tears in my eyes again.
"You feel guilty." He said and I nodded.
"Goliath, she was her first love." Elisa chimed in.
"This situation is a hard thing to bare. You don't have the good things to look back on, only the heartbreak. It is unfair." He stated.
"Yeah…" I sniffed.
"But you will not be alone, Talia. We are a clan and we will look out for you." He half smiled.
"Thank you…" I hugged him.
"It's alright." He hugged back. I let go after a minute.
"I think I… want something to eat now." I said.
We went back inside and Elisa scrounged up a decent snack for me to eat and I sat silently, trying to soak in the atmosphere. It was what I needed. A loving, accepting warmth that just didn't exist at the castle. I yawned as I finished eating. The clan said good night and they went to their spots. Elisa took me back to her apartment and I fell asleep on the couch.
Talia's POV End
Elisa's POV
My phone rang. It was Owen. "Hello?"
"How is she doing?" He asked.
"Talia is… tired." I said.
"Is she still awake?" He wondered.
"No. It's been a rough day for her. Let her stay here." I said.
"… Alright, detective, but she must be looked after. Mister Xanatos is worried about her well-being." He said firmly.
"He's worried?! He and Fox have been emotionally neglecting her since she got out of the hospital." I growled.
"An action they most certainly regret, Miss Maza. I assure you." Owen said in a soft monotone.
I looked at Talia. "If I hear one more thing…" I warned.
"I understand your concern, but it won't be necessary. Mister and Misses Xanatos have realized their mistake and are working to fix it." He said.
"Talia is not one of his schemes. He can't just go to plan B or C or D and expect it to work. It has to be genuine. She has to know it's genuine." I tried to keep my temper in check, but Talia was just a kid who got an unfair deal and had to deal with the consequences of things she couldn't control.
"I know." He said.
I paused. "Is that all?"
"Call me if you think anything is of concern." He said.
"I will." I said.
"Good night, detective." He hung up.
"Bye." I said to the dead line.
I went to bed after that.
Elisa's POV End
Owen's POV
"Sir?" I asked.
"Thank you, Owen. That will be all." Xanatos said.
"Yes, sir." I said and left.
I went to my desk and locked the door. Magic whirled around me as I transformed into Puck.
Owen's POV End
Puck's POV
I wasted no time getting to Elisa's apartment. I floated over Talia. She was asleep like Elisa said. She looked peaceful.
"I'm sorry, Tai." I brushed a strand of hair back. "I thought your memories were hurting you."
A sleepy moan rumbled in her throat.
"Memories of a life gone by, your presences Puck locked away. Talia wishes to learn, one-by-one I command you to return!" I casted and my magic settled over her.
Talia rolled over and groaned.
"I broke the law for you, little trickster. Make it worth my sacrifice and hope Oberon never claims you." I told her.
She didn't answer. I'd be more surprised if she did.
The cat in the apartment hissed and swiped a clawed paw at me. I moved out of the way. The cat wasn't going to tolerate me anymore.
"Wha? Cagney, no. You'll hurt Talia. Go play somewhere else." Elisa moved the cat. She must have not gone to sleep yet.
I whewed. She left and went back to bed.
"I'll see you at home, Talia." I left, but not before giving her her fox.
Puck's POV End
