The knock on the door rang though the house, startling me from where I stood leant over the counter in the kitchen.
"Coming!" I chirped without thinking.
Beth looked up from the dining room table, a slight frown on her face. I glanced at the clock on the wall and felt my own forehead crease. It was late for anyone to be visiting. I walked quickly to my room and pulled my handgun from under my pillow.
Another knock came at the door, this time louder, and somehow more urgent.
"I'm coming already! Hold on…" I growled, striding towards the front door, holding the gun behind my back in one hand. Carefully I pulled the chain undone and flicked the lock, tugging the door open slightly.
My jaw dropped open as my gaze met the familiar gunmetal grey eyes that had filled my dreams for the past year.
"M…Major?!" I said, the incredulous feeling manifesting in my voice.
"Negative. I am Father Tres Iqus." He replied mechanically.
"Right. Of course." I said, shaking my head at my own stupidity. "Sorry. Force of habit."
He hadn't changed in all that time. I guessed he probably wouldn't ever change. He stared at me stonily but for a moment I could have sworn a small smile had graced his lips.
"Um… come in." I said, stepping aside to let him in. "It's been awhile."
I now noticed for the first time that he hadn't come alone. A woman dressed in the garb of a priest strode in behind him offering a smile that made my skin crawl.
"Positive. Approximately 8857 hours." Tres said, looking about the small apartment.
"Approximately." I said, holding back a sigh.
"This is Sister Monica Argento." Tres introduced his companion.
"Ah… A pleasure to meet you, sister." I said, bowing my head slightly.
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Svendrey." She said with another creepy smile. I started slightly, not expecting her to know my name. She must have noticed this as she added, "The Father mentioned your name."
"Oh… I see." I said slowly.
There was a moment silence in which my gaze met Tres' once more. I felt my heart beat escalate.
"I knew you were in the city again. The streets have run with rumours about you returning, but…" I pause, still in shock about my current position. "I honestly didn't think I'd see you."
He tilted his head slightly and looked to one side, in an expression I found hard to decode.
"Persephone…" He said, pausing after my name. If it were possible my heart beat faster. "Time is of the essence. We've come in search of information."
"Of course." I said quickly, ashamed to have thought for even a moment that there was any other reason for the visit. It was a ridiculous notion.
"Is there somewhere in this area that may stock purified blood tablets?" Sister Monica chimed in.
"Patica, just down the road." I said, without even thinking, glancing at Beth who was hiding in the doorway to her room. "It's the nearest place for anything… under the counter. The owner, Miklos Rojyunai, is scum who'd sell anything to anyone if the money is in it."
"Thanks. You've been a big help." Sister Monica said, instantly turning, and striding for the door. Tres hesitated, looking hard at me.
"When this is resolved, then…" He began
"You have your duties. It's got to be hard doing your work." I said, somewhat mechanically.
"Positive." He said quietly. "Until next time."
He strode to the door after the sister.
I nodded, "Until next time."
As the door swung shut I felt my heart leap into my throat.
"Be safe."
"Well, I have to say, that was enlightening." Sister Monica said, trademark grin on her face.
Tres imagined that she thought she would in some way illicit a response from him, but he saw no need to play along with her, and as such remained silent.
"I always thought that you only had eyes for the Duchess of Milan, but apparently I was wrong."
"My lady's words are incoherent." Tres said flatly.
"Don't worry 'bout it. Was just an observation."
"I never realized you still feel the same way about him." Beth said as I brought the food to the dining table. "I honestly didn't think you would."
"He saved my life twice. All I feel is indebted to him." I said firmly, taking my seat.
"You and I both know that isn't true." Beth said, beginning to spoon food into her mouth.
I sigh, knowing it's a pointless fight. "It's not like they are feelings he'll ever return."
"How do you know that?"
The image of Tres after being attacked by the city police leapt to mind. I looked out the window down the street into the seemingly peaceful Istvan night.
"Trust me, I know."