Please reread chapter 24. I wasn't satisfied with it, but I only now figured out how to change it. Also, I would like the chance to clarify what a servant is.
Servants are a person who performs duties for others, especially a person employed in a house on domestic duties or as a personal attendant. Some examples are a maid, butler, or major-domo. They get paid, sometimes including room and board or other compensation.
Chapter 25
Ups and downs
It was few weeks before I was back to normal. It was March. Ragen and Zara's magic had helped soothe the bad dreams, they reminded me to eat, and go outside. Adri had lessons with Fox. She couldn't stay the whole time, but it was getting close to spring break. I was trying to find Owen. He was talking to Alex.
"How is the project coming, Alexander?" Owen asked.
"It's going good. It helps that I'm just doing code." He typed on his phone.
"…Is everything alright between you, Sanuye, and Renee?" Owen questioned.
"Yeah, they wanted to know how much I'm paying Ragen and Zara. They've been taking care of Tai. Hey, what'd you say to Sanuye and Renee to get them to not murder me? You know, the first time." He asked.
"The instincts their magic gave them was for self-sufficiency, not to please Talia. They also can rebel against orders, should they wish." Owen said.
"How long will they be here?" Alex pursed his lips.
"It's a temporary assignment. When Talia is better, they are free to leave." Owen replied.
I thought. They'd probably leave. I wasn't any fun to around while I was upset. I would miss them though. They were nice. I hoped they thought the same. I turned to leave, now bored. I was going passed the Great Hall when Ragen saw me. His tail wagged as I walked over.
There was a woman with him. She was chubby and just as tall as him. She was black, several shades darker than Renee. Her black hair was put up in a bun with two strands of hair framing her face. Her brown eyes landed on me and they crinkled in amusement.
"This is my girlfriend, Amaka." He smiled.
"So, this is the princess?" Amaka asked him.
"Yes, it's Talia." He told her. She laughed a little.
"Uno momento." I pulled Ragen off to the side. "Ragen, when did you meet her?"
"When you came home." He looked at the floor sheepishly. "I got bored and went outside. But only when I knew you were safe! I met Amaka while I was wandering. Some men tried to take my wallet. She stopped them. We got dinner and talked."
"You didn't call me Mistress around her, did you?" I asked.
"I called you Talia or princess like Owen wanted." He shook his head.
I sighed softly. A few weeks… That was long enough for a date or two. "Tell Owen or somebody before she has to leave. And don't take her anywhere restricted." I told him.
"Ok." He nodded.
"Is everything alright?" Amaka frowned.
"We weren't expecting you so I reminded him about the rules." I smiled, trying to reassure her.
"Oh, I thought I heard you, Tai." Alex walked to us and scooped me up.
"Mine, my princess!" Ragen growled and tried to grab me back.
"No!" Alex said sharply. Ragen whimpered, but Alex already forgave him.
"RAgen, you gotta stop doing that!" She scolded.
"Doing what?" I asked.
"Being so damn possessive. He got in a fight at Chipotle because he didn't like how some guys glared at me. It wouldn't have been so bad if he hadn't kept screaming and making weird noises at them." She frowned.
"Yeah, no, we can't fix that. Also, who are you?" Alex asked.
"Ragen's girlfriend, Amaka." She held her hand out. They shook hands.
"Go play, Tai. I'm gonna be a while." Alex led them away.
"See you later." Amaka said and Ragen waved.
I went to my room and read. I was halfway through the book when my door opened. It was Zara in her fox form. She jumped on my bed, laying her head in my lap. She whined. I petted her. She got too wiggly for me to hold my book. I put the bookmark in and vigorously rubbed her tummy. She yipped and her tail thumped on the bed. After a bit, she turned human.
"Mom wants me to meet Grandpa." Zara told me.
"Are you gonna go?" I asked.
"I dunno." She said.
"Do you wanna go?" I rephrased.
She paused. "What if you need me?"
"I'm better now." I said.
"But what if you need me?" She frowned.
"Zara, how long is your mom taking you?" I asked.
"2 weeks." She answered.
"If, if, I need you during those two weeks, I, or Owen or somebody, will let you know. Ok?" I looked Zara in the eyes.
"Ok." She nodded.
"Good, glad it's settled." I said.
"Your scent's not sad anymore. It's nice. Like a garden and apple cider." She inhaled.
"Zara..." I sighed.
"I love you, Mistress." She hugged me.
"I love you too." I smiled.
"Talia, Zara, come with me." Owen peeked in.
We got up and followed him. He took us to a conference room on the first floor. There was a man with brown hair and murky gray blue eyes waiting for us. He was wearing a nice shirt and jeans. We sat down.
"Talia, this is your birth father, Anthony Jones. He went to jail for arson 15 years ago. You were 2." Owen said.
"It was an accident!" Anthony, Mr. Jones(?), Birth dad... Anthony yelled.
"If you do not control yourself, I must ask you to leave." He reminded.
"Why am I here?" I asked.
"Mr. Jones has something to ask you." Owen said.
"Talia, are you happy here?" Anthony turned to me.
I thought. The last month or so didn't count since I was grieving. This was my home and everyone, the Xanatoes, the clan, Elisa, was my family. I wouldn't forget Mom; she raised me. But Anthony was a stranger. Mom never told me anything about him.
"Yes, I am." I nodded.
"Very well. May I hug you, just once?" He asked.
I furrowed my brow. "Hug?"
"Yes, one hug." Anthony repeated.
"Ok." I got up.
Anthony was taller than me, but not by much. I let him wrap his arms around me. My head rested on his shoulder. He smelt sweaty, but I think it was nerves. The door slammed opened.
"Owen, you lied to me! You said Anthony was coming next week." David yelled then noticed me. "Get off of my daughter!"
"Shut up, everyone just shut up!" Anthony shouted. Then I was suddenly engulfed in flames.
