Apologies for the delay, real life strikes again. A short 'filler' chapter to keep you going.
The single beam of sunlight that had filtered its way through the blinds illuminated the almost naked woman as she sat on the edge of the bed. The other occupant of the room was still half covered by the rumpled sheets, one arm thrown lazily out in sleep, an almost peaceful expression on their face.
Slowly, Ashleigh stood, reaching for her clothes, pulling on the knee length shorts, grimacing as the still damp, salt encrusted material caught against her legs. She examined the black silk of her top, and discovered a broken strap and a rip where one of the seams hadn't been able to cope. She threw the material to the ground, where it landed haphazardly against another dark item. Curiously, she picked it up, discovering Alec's sodden suit jacket. She slid her hand into one of the pockets, and found a disintegrating piece of paper. She felt inside another pocket, not feeling hopeful, and her fingers brushed against cold metal.
It was a ring, she held it up to the light, examining it minutely. Alec wore no ring but his wedding ring, and that was only on certain occasions. He never wore it when 'working' as it would reveal more than he wanted to reveal, but sometimes, Ashleigh would catch a glimpse of white metal on his left hand when he was at home, with her. This ring was different. It was gold, a metal she didn't like, and in the fashion of a signet ring.
She turned it over, to look at the face and saw the wolf's head there. She nearly dropped it in disgust, realising the connection. Since Charles had told her about Le Loup, she had drawn an image inside her head of the man, of the devil who had taken her child. Now she held something in her hand that he had touched, and she felt as if the cold metal would burn her. The wolf's head was a strange, stylistic impression, drawn simply, and she ran her finger over the grooves. Without knowing why, she slipped the ring into her own pocket.
As quietly as she could, she began to open drawers, not sure what she looking for, or what she would find. In one, she found a slim black leather notebook, and opening it, found it filled with addresses, scribbled in Alec's jagged scrawl. As she flicked through it, one caught her eye.
One she thought she recognised.
She turned, checking on the figure in the bed, satisfying herself that he was asleep. Quickly, she ripped the page out, slipping it into the pocket already holding the ring.
She jabbed her foot into the damaged silk that had been her top the day before. Opening the wardrobe door, she pulled out the first shirt she found, slipping it on, wrapping herself in the black cotton. For a moment, she allowed herself the luxury of pulling the fabric up to her face, breathing in the cool scent that he always wore.
Unlocking the door, she walked away, never once looking back.
In the bed, Alec opened his eyes.
