"It's right in here," Faron led the man down the damp staircase. They walked in silence through a maze of rooms, with only Faron knowing the way.
"Here you are," the butler said, handing the man a hastily wrapped package. "It's all there."
"I had better be, servant. I needn't remind you of the consequences if it is not." His voice was hoarse. Faron merely nodded and led him back out, careful to ensure no one had seen them.
"What happened?"
Layla choked on a sob, trying but unable to form words.
"Are you hurt? Did someone hurt you?" he asked, swallowing the panic that threatened to come out in his voice. He very closely inspected her for any signs of injury. I swear, if someone hurt her I'll –
She shook her head no, her body shaking as she wept.
"C'mere." Leo, shattered at seeing her in such a state, wrapped her in his arms.
"Hey, hey, shh, it's alright."
He guided her to the couch, keeping a tight hold of her the whole way.
"Nightmare?"
"Yes," she stuttered out. "'M sorry."
"For what?"
"For waking you up." Layla felt awful for waking him but trusted him enough to go to him. I hope he's not bothered by me.
Leo's grip on her tightened, and she nestled into his chest. "Don't apologize. I'd rather you wake me up."
He held her for a while, rubbing circles into her back and tracing up her arm comfortingly. He gently shushed each sob and reassured her she would be alright.
"It's alright. It was just a dream. You're safe," he murmured over and over, desperate to provide comfort. He wanted in the moment so badly to kiss her, to kiss all the tears away. But he also didn't want his, their, first kiss to be like this.
When her tears finally started to abate, he gently prodded into the matter.
"Same nightmare as before?" He grimaced when he thought about the last time she told him she had a nightmare. Was she this upset and I didn't realize?
"Mmhmm. It's always the same." Always the same fucking dream.
"Tell me?"
She swallowed hard and wiped the tears from her eyes. She didn't look at him for fear that seeing his concerned face would cause a fresh batch of tears to spring free. She wanted to tell him but was so afraid at what he would say. This time, she knew that not only did she owe him an explanation, but she also wanted him to know every part of her.
"Sometimes, I have these terrifying dreams that I'm back at the place I was mutated. They don't happen as often as they used to. I'm not sure why they creep up when they do." She paused, and Leo patiently waited for her to continue. He was insanely curious about her mutation, but she never brought it up until now.
"I told you my father sold us, right?" Leo nodded his head, concerned about where this was headed.
"Well, he had a lot of debts, and could make a lot of money selling us to this place that, um," she stopped, brows furrowed as she mulled over how to explain this to him. She had such a difficult time opening up. "So, people can make a lot of money selling their children, to this place that caters to individuals, not all who are human, who have very specific…tastes. So, they pay the doctor there to change them into whatever they want. I knew someone there who was this insectoid like being, but his buyer wanted him modified to look a certain way to be his body guard."
She fidgeted with her hands. The topic clearly made her anxious.
"Not just anyone can sell, because most people don't know about it. I'm not sure how my father knew, but I think he found out about it through one of his gambling partners. Anyways, our buyer wanted us to complete his…he called it his menagerie. I saw it once. He had a huge mansion, and it was basically filled with gilded cages in different rooms, like a zoo or a museum. He took us into this room with a beautiful pond and trees, but it was actually made of glass so that he could look in. I remember seeing one girl there who looked," Layla paused, wiping away more tears. Her voice started to quiver.
"I remember, how, how sad she looked. She was a hybrid – human and alligator. I was only twelve or so, but I knew what was going to happen. I could tell what he did to her, what his guests did to her. I have nightmares about that sometimes. Anyways, he paid for us to look the way we do."
Leo kept silent, seething. He could hear in her voice how terrified she was, the little tremors that gave way as she spoke.
She sighed. "The buyers are always very specific, and so the doctor doesn't just throw mutagen at us. I mean he uses some, of course, but - it's why we still have our hair…" she trailed off. "I remember it being very painful. I also have nightmares about that." Leo tightened his grip around her, pulling her closer into his lap. He started to rub her trembling wrists affectionately.
"The reason we don't have shells is because the doctor said that they wouldn't grow properly with the methods he used, so he needed to wait until we were more grown. Our buyer was really upset, and we ended up staying there in that facility until we were about 16."
Leo finally spoke, voice strained to keep his emotions in check. He didn't want to upset her more. Four years? FOUR YEARS?
"How did you get out?"
"Some of the ones he was experimenting on to make soldiers and the like broke away, and we were able to escape with them."
"Layla I – I'm so sorry sweetheart. You have no idea," he paused, swallowing his rage, "You have no idea how angry and upset that makes me, knowing you had to go through that. I can't believe – I just - that someone hurt you like that, I can't – It's not ok. I'll make them pay, I swear."
When she heard that, she started to weep.
"No, no," he shushed her. "Don't cry now. I won't let them hurt you ever again. I'll protect you, you're safe. I'm here." I'll kill them, I swear, he promised himself.
They stayed silent for several moments, and it was only broken by Layla eking out a small "thank you," between sniffles.
He pulled her away from him to look at her face, and gently wiped her tears away with his thumb. He frowned at her quivering lip, distraught at seeing how puffy and stressed her eyes were. Before he could overthink, he placed a soft lingering kiss on her forehead. He could feel her then relax into his arms.
"Thanks for telling me," he murmured into her hair. He admired how strong she was to make it through that situation, but could see also how fragile it made her. He had so many questions, but decided to wait for a better time to ask.
"I wanted to, it's just difficult. I've never spoken about it to anyone else before."
She hesitated before looking up into his kind brown eyes. "I trust you."
Leo gulped and bit the inside of his cheek to keep his own tears in check. She trusts me that much?
He allowed himself a small smile, so overwhelming grateful to have her in his life. He felt protective, even territorial.
"I trust you too," he whispered, before pulling her back into his chest to continue their cuddling.
"Stay here tonight?"
Leo felt instantly guilty. Of course, he wanted her stay so he could keep consoling her, but a small part of him was feeling so attracted to her, especially after she admitted how much she trusted him, that he wanted to take her to his bed. I'm such a pig.
"I would like that," she replied timidly, thankful that he couldn't see the blush spread to her cheeks. She had been so anxious to tell him, but he responded with nothing but kindness, and protectiveness. I am safe with him.
Leo picked her up and carried her to his bed. Laying down on his back, he pulled her onto his chest, her head resting on his shoulder. Layla curled her fingertips on his plastron, holding tight. He took the hand that wasn't wrapped around her and gently rubbed her arms, again massaging her tense little wrists. He thought fondly of the time she did the same for him.
"Leo?" she whispered hazily.
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me."
"Yes, I do. You didn't have to be so kind," she sat up to look at his face, leaning on his chest. She smiled softly, eyes drowsy. "I'm very lucky to know you." I love you. The thought came on to her suddenly, startling her, but she knew it was true. "I don't want to burden you with anything I tell you. You have a lot on your shoulders already." She frowned faintly, eyes downcast as she traced the small grooves and scars on his plastron.
Leo didn't know what a full heart felt like until now. He swept her hair behind her shoulder, and ran his hand down her arm.
"You're never a burden. Please don't ever think that," he implored her. "You know, I am so happy that I met you."
She looked up at him through her lashes with a soft smile.
Leo chuckled quietly as she stifled a yawn.
"C'mere," he beckoned, his own voice betraying how exhausted he was. She merely nodded and cuddled into the crook of his shoulder.
Leo stayed awake, vigilant, until he could feel her breathing even out. Her fingers had loosened their grip. He craned his neck to peek at her face, smiling faintly when he saw her content visage. Only then, when he was sure she was safe even in her own mind, did he allow sleep to overtake him.
A loud knock startled them awake. The morning light filtered through the curtains. Leo smiled when he saw how Layla was still tucked up beside him wrapped up in her blanket. She looked peaceful. How in the world did I get this lucky?
BANG. BANG. BANG. The incessant knocking continued.
Layla stirred, before meeting his gaze, looking sleepy and confused. Leo grinned, amused. She stayed by his side even as she stretched, pouting as the knocking continued.
"Jesus," Leo whispered as he stretched and sat up, annoyed at the rude awakening. "I'll get it."
"Just a minute!" He called out. He scowled when he threw his blanket off, the cold air unwelcoming. He shivered.
"Stay there," he instructed her. Rubbing his eyes, he stumbled to the door.
A servant he didn't recognize was standing in the hall. "Sir, sorry to wake you, but there's been an emergency, and we ask that all the guests gather downstairs immediately."
Leo merely nodded. He noticed the servant head next door, so he groggily called out, "She's in here." The servant nodded before moving on.
He turned to look at her as he closed the door. She had wrapped herself tighter in her blanket and had sat up but kept her eyes half-closed. She was clearly drained.
Layla offered him a weak smile. "Who was that?"
He sat on the edge of the bed next to her. "Apparently there's some kind of emergency, and they want us all downstairs now," he said gently, careful with his tone so as not to scare her. His voice is deep in the morning, she thought to herself. A shiver ran up her spine.
Layla pouted when she processed what he had said. "But it's cold and I don't want to get out of bed," she whined. Leo chuckled. She was not a morning person. Her morning voice however…endearing.
He smirked at her, "C'mon sleepy head." He held out his hands and pulled her off the bed. "Did you sleep alright?"
"I did. Did you?"
"Mmhmm," he nodded as he wrapped the blanket tighter around her when she shivered.
She padded off to her room to get dressed.
They were gathered round in the reception room and offered coffee. Malvolia wore sunglasses, looking positively miserable, while Cecelio paced the room. One of the female guests was wailing hysterically.
"It was burned," she kept screaming, as another guest attempted to calm her down.
"Folks, folks," Cecelio rubbed his eyes as he addressed his visitors. "A terrible tragedy occurred last night. Inax was murdered, and we can't have any of you leave until we figured out what has happened. The authorities have been notified."
"Murdered? He was burned!" the frenzied woman screamed at Cecelio.
"His body was found in the study, charred. Unfortunately, until the authorities clear you, you are unable to leave."
Layla looked up at Leo, worried. Leo gave her a reassuring look.
"When will they be here?" another guest inquired.
"I'm not sure. Hopefully soon. We will provide meals of course, and you are free to roam the property, excluding the basement and the study. That's where, well, that's where his body lies."
The guests murmured to each other as their hosts excused themselves.
Leo brought Layla coffee.
"You remembered," she smiled, seeing how he made it the way she liked.
"I hope it's how you like it," he offered her a small nervous smile as he sat across from her. He took his time to study her, concerned about her after the previous night.
"Well, you did say you wanted to play a little detective," he smirked at her, "Now's your chance."
She grinned. "I wouldn't mind looking around."
He nodded. "Me either. I would like to figure out what's going on. Who knows how long we'll have to wait for the authorities."
Her eyes were wide. "Someone in this house murdered him."
Leo nodded while taking note of how nervous she was. He decided his first priority was to help her relax.
"You know, there's one really good place to start," he winked at her.
"How?" she asked animatedly, shoulders relaxing.
"Well, I can be pretty stealthy when I want to be. I am a ninja, remember?"
Layla grinned. "Sometimes I forget. I'm sorry. You're so good at being a ninja I forget you're a ninja."
He laughed and led her out of the room, creeping around the house until they located the cellar door.
She followed him closely, brushing up against him often.
The door was unassuming, blending in with all the other doors in the hallway. Once opened, it revealed a dark stone staircase. The air was chilly and damp.
It was completely silent as they descended the stairs, and Leo groped for a light in the pitch black. Unsuccessful, he pulled out his T-phone to use the light. They eventually descended into a clammy hallway with several off-shooting doors. It was completely silent, and the dampness was bone-chilling. The pair shivered.
Leo carefully and slowly cracked open the first door. Satisfied no one was inside, they made their way in. It was a servant's bedroom, sparse but with all necessary amenities. A few odd trinkets sat on a dresser.
"Nothing terribly exciting in here," Layla whispered. Leo nodded in agreement.
They made their way through three nearly identical rooms, with the only difference lying in the small personal items stashed here and there. The last room at the end of the hallway was a bit larger than the rest, although similarly appointed.
"This is Faron's room," Leo said, recognizing a jacket the butler had worn the night before as different from all the others.
"Woah," Layla whispered. Leo was by her side in an instant, brushing up behind her. He let out a chuckle as soon as he saw what she had referred to. The dress, along with lacy undergarments, that Malvolia had worn the previous night was haphazardly strew across a chair.
"I feel horrible for her husband," said Layla.
"Me too. Can't say I'm surprised though, after last night."
Layla nodded in agreement. They resumed their search of his room. Leo opened the wardrobe, and noticing its odd placement, knocked on the back. It sounded hollow. Inspecting it further, he managed to open it by finding a small hidden latch.
"Layla."
They stepped through into a small cave-like room carved out of rock. A narrow passageway led directly to the sea. The room contained a rusted metal desk stacked with parchment full of strange symbols with scrawling surrounding them. In the middle of the table sat a smooth dark statuette of a humanoid with a screaming face.
"That's horrifying," Layla shuddered, instinctively drawing closer to Leo. "It doesn't feel right."
"It is disturbing," he agreed as he reached out to touch it.
"No, don't! You shouldn't disturb things like that," she said as she grabbed his wrist. Something about the statue seemed familiar to Layla, although she couldn't quite place where she had seen it before. She dared not look at it anymore.
He rolled his eyes, but pulled his hand away nonetheless. "It's not going to infect me."
"Better safe than sorry."
Closer inspection of the desk revealed a journal scribbled with numbers amongst strange words.
"It's a ledger," Leo said. "Maybe this is how he keeps the books around here."
"He gambles," Layla said after studying the pattern of the numbers. "He might have been in debt, it looks like –"
They were cut off by the sound of the bedroom door opening.
"Shit," Leo whispered. He grabbed Layla by the arm and led her through the sea-bound passageway.
The salty breeze hit them immediately as they exited the stony corridor. They were on a narrow stretch of beach, and in the distance Leo could make out a staircase leading back up to the house. A few of the guests were meandering along the coastline already.
He quickly led her away from the entrance, wanting to make it appear as if they had just been wandering amongst the rocks.
"I love the beach," Layla said. She took her shoes off and smiled at the feeling of sand between her toes, despite the chilly air. Leo noticed she had the same soft, content gaze looking out over the ocean that she had the night where they walked amongst the lanterns. She folded her arms across her chest, pulling her sweater tighter around her.
They ambled along the beach, stopping here and there to look at strange seashells and miniature alien crabs.
"This one is still together!" Layla said delightedly, as she picked up an intact bivalve shell. Both halves of the pearlescent shell were still attached and aligned perfectly together.
"Let's keep it," Leo offered, and held out his hand to carry it for her.
They continued to walk in silence for a few minutes, enjoying the view and one another's company, forgetting momentarily about the murder.
"So, it's been longer than ten seconds. Who do you think did it?" Leo teased.
"Hmm. Well I don't think it's Malvolia. Yes she's having an affair but as far as I've gathered Inax was Cecelio's guest, and I don't think she really knew him," Layla hypothesized. "As little respect as I have for her for having an affair, it doesn't mean she murdered a stranger."
"I think you're right. We should head back and look around the house some more."
As they neared the house, they spotted the windows that looked into the study.
"Up for a little rock-climbing?" Leo asked, holding out his hand.
He carefully helped her up the few rocks. He enjoyed the excuse of helping her up to touch her. Even though he had cuddled her last night (and it featured so prominently on his mind he could hardly think about the murder), he kept telling himself he could do that because she was crying. He was comforting her. He still didn't feel totally comfortable, while sober at least, just touching her to touch her.
He had his arm around her to steady her while they peaked in the window.
"Holy shit," she murmured.
"Christ," Leo added.
Inax's body was a charred mess, nearly unrecognizable.
"It looked like he was burned in there. Look at the carpet," Layla whispered.
"There's some burned books too. And the desk is charred. He was already dead when this happened. He couldn't have struggled. There's not enough damage." Leo added. They stared for a few more minutes before heading back inside.