I haven't yet decided what to call pt 2 of Goddess Noir but I did want to post this. I also have no idea when I'll have a chance to write and post more. Maybe after Paladin is done. It's been brought up that some people would like to see Noir as a paperback. I'll consider that over the next couple of months.

Thanks for your support!

Noir1

Corinna stirred from sleep and reached out to Erik, grabbing hold of his wrist.

"What is it?" she asked sleepily as she peered up at him. Eleanor respectfully shut the bedroom door and he heard her walk down the stairs.

"Sleep," he said. He leaned over Sorinji and kissed Corinna's lips. "You need your rest."

"What did Eleanor want?" she questioned.

"A moment of my time. Close your eyes and rest yourself."

After several blinks, she nestled into the pillow and snuggled up with Sori. Erik waited until he was certain his wife was asleep before he rose from the bed. He dressed swiftly, his eyes trained on Corinna's and Sori's reflections in the mirror.

Their daughter flicked her tongue out, her head turning to the side as she let out a whimper of hunger. Corinna instantly stirred and brought the infant to her chest. Erik glanced down to button his shirt and heard Corinna coo as she nursed the newborn.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"Nowhere."

She sighed and closed her eyes. "You should realize it only angers me when I ask you a question and you refuse to tell me the truth."

He glanced up and frowned. "There is someone at the door."

Corinna made no immediate reply. Erik looked himself over in the mirror before he opened the dresser drawer and rummaged around for his mask.

"Who?" she asked at last.

"A woman."

He watched her in the mirror as her gaze darted around. "Don't leave. Have Eleanor tell her that there is no one home."

"I can't." He turned around to face her rather than her reflection.

"Why not?"

"Because I cannot allow her to come for you." He looked to the baby at her breast. "And Sorinji as well."

"Erik—"

"Stay here and keep the baby quiet," he commanded. The power in his voice stayed her in bed. She turned away from him and stroked their daughter's silky, dark hair.

"When you're finished I expect you will return to bed," she said without looking at him.

He fought the urge to return to her for one last kiss, knowing full well it would make everything more difficult. He watched Corinna interact with their newborn—four hours old now, wasn't she?

Perhaps it was better this way for Corinna and Sorinji, he thought bitterly. They had full access to his funds and would live quite contentedly for years. Corinna could marry again if she wished and secure a better life for their daughter. Not even he wanted his assumptions to turn into reality.

"Corinna," he said with his back turned. "I love you."

"It's cold in bed without you," she replied.

Eleanor stood at the bottom of the stairs with one hand on the banister. "Should I have invited her inside, sir?"

Erik shook his head. "Thank you," he said. "You may return to your quarters if you wish."

With a curtsy, she looked at him one last time before she turned and left. He waited until he heard the door close down the hall before he walked into the kitchen and through the back door with intentions of approaching the visitor from behind.

As quietly as he could, Erik slipped through the gate and surveyed his surroundings. Several people were walking across the street, most of whom he'd observed for weeks as he gazed out the upper floor window.

Unnoticed, he approached the front of his home, his frustration mounting as he realized that the porch was obscured by bushes. Through the branches he saw the outline of a woman. She was shorter, thinner than he remembered. He wondered where her assassins lay in wait, as he knew she wouldn't come alone. His only hope was to draw her away from his porch and the family that slept inside.

Once he stood directly behind her, he braced himself and cleared his throat. The Sultana immediately turned around and Erik took a step back.

"Are you Mr. Levesque?" she questioned.

Erik stared at the familiar jade eyes, his lips parted and a question lodged in his throat. He knew her face but he'd never met her before.

She stared at his mask and licked her full lips.

"Mr. Levesque?" she asked again.

"Who are you?" he questioned.

She extended her hand. "I believe you knew my mother."