Mr. Johnston waited till morning to ride out to Ivera and Noah's place. He knocked on the door and Ivera answered.

"Mr. Johnston, to what do I owe the visit? I was planning to go into town soon and tell you that I talked to the doctor and he doesn't think Noah should work."

"I'm afraid you're going to have to decide about both my offer and Mr. Hermàn's like now."

"What? Why what happened?"

"I just got a call from the owner of the bank and he said he got wind of your long overdue mortgage and taxes. He has a buyer willing to pay it all and then some. He plans to tear everything down and build a large home for his family. He even has plans to buy back the land you were forced to sell when your husband died."

"I thought you were giving me till just after New Year's to do this?"

"Ivera, New Years is only two days away. If my boss doesn't see something major in the way of payment then you and Noah will be out in the streets. I talked to Royden Hermàn before coming here and his deal to move in here and pay your mortgage and taxes still stands. However even if he does I'll still need Noah to help out at my work. If you're worried about his health, don't be, we'll be working very close. Afterall without me my boss won't hesitate to foreclose on you now. But if you're really that worried about his being around other people, then he can come by after hours and help me. This way he won't be seen by anyone but me."

Ivera sighed, "I don't like it, but I suppose I don't have a choice but to accept both offers. I would feel better If Noah only came in after hours. The doctor said he was afraid Noah's delusions might spill over into reality. But if he was there after hours you could help him, if he starts having any delusions and I won't have to worry about anyone in town finding out. If you'll excuse me I'll call Royden and discuss this."

Noah stood up and said, "Mother you can't be serious! You're going to give me to this guy to do with me as he pleases, then you're going to let that bastard rapist move into this house!"

Mr. Johnston walked over and put his arms around Noah and said, "Now Noah that's not a nice thing to say about someone that's just trying to help and a very cruel thing to say about a poor old man." He nodded to Ivera.

Ivera returned the smile and nodded thinking as she left to use the phone in the other room, 'Mr. Johnston would make a good very good father figure for Noah. I can't believe he would say such a cruel thing about Mr. Johnston. He would never do such a thing. Then calling Royden a rapist. Perhaps this is my fault. I should have realized Noah needed a father figure sooner. Royden did offer to move in years ago. Perhaps I made the wrong choice, when I rejected the idea. When Noah told me he didn't want a babysitter anymore I listened. Perhaps if I allow Royden to move in and spend time with Mr. Johnston, it will help him with these delusions. He'll come to see Royden isn't the monster he for some reason perceives him to be and Mr. Johnston might be able to convince him that he's too young to have strange sexual fantasies about JJ or any other boy.'

Once she was out of the room however Mr. Johnston said, "You know when you consent like you did all those years Noah that it's not rape, it's just sex. Is that not what you always tell JJ."

Noah looked at him, "How…"

"How do I know this? Let's just say I have my sources."

Noah glared at him. The only source he could think of would be the doctor or his best bet, his mother. He wouldn't be surprised if she had told him.

"Don't worry I'll talk to Royden and make sure he knows you're a big boy now. That he now has to make sure you enjoy it as much as he does. Personally I don't really want you Noah. That's more Royden's bag than mine, But your mother isn't a very good fuck toy anymore. Personally I'd rather have your sister. It's a shame she's not a virgin, but it wouldn't really matter in the end. I'm sure those few times Royden took her as a child didn't stretch her out too much. Besides you know how much I could get from selling her to my friends. Not to mention any babies she'd pop out would be very profitable on the black market. Long blonde hair and blue eyes, she'd really get attention."

At that Noah became defensive. He already suspected his mother did things like that. What with all the men she used to bring home. But he wouldn't listen to him talk about his sister in the same way. "You leave Asana alone, you bastard. I'd kill you before I'd let you hurt her. Besides I don't know what l you're talking about. That old bastard never touched Asana."

"Mmm interesting. you have some fight in you. I've never really wanted to do a boy before, but you're fighting me makes me want to try you. At least for now you'll do. As for your sister, well let's just say you weren't Royden's first choice either. He took Asana several times when she was very young. Then she started to avoid being anywhere near him. So he turned to the only other option, you."

"What?"

"I'm surprised you didn't know."

Noah remembered once she did stand up for him and say something like that. But he assumed she was just saying that for his sake. He never imagined it was true.

"You're just lucky the king took pity on her and let her stay after your mother told her she was to be my new toy."

Noah's eyes widened with disbelief, "Mother told Asana that she was going to give her to you to let you have your way with her?"

"Yes, your mother told her straight out that that's what was to be expected. She refused and the king allowed her to stay, keeping her from me. But it's fine I can share you till I tell Ivera what's next."

"What do you mean what's next?"

"Well I can't exactly make a lot of money off your little backside. You've been used up. No now my sights are set on little Rosie."

Noah's eyes got big, "Wait, isn't that Marine's oldest daughter?"

"The one she got knocked up with by an older married man in high school, yes. Yes, she'll be 8, l believe very soon. In a month or so I'll tell your mother and Marine that I expect her to take Asana's place."

"They will never agree to that!"

"Are you sure?"

As much as Noah wanted to scream at him no, no way. My mother and Marine would never do that, he couldn't. "Her father won't allow it."

"Noah, Noah you just don't understand the way of the world. His wife Aiki although hated her husband for both the affair and the child. Eventually came around, and forgave him. Seeing as she was having trouble conceiving she accepted the child, when Marine rejected it. But now that she has had a child of her own she thinks her husband cares more for his first child, that he had with another woman, than his second. Ivera's approval and a little money waved in Aiki's and Marine's faces and the child vanishes. Black hair and green eyes won't fetch as much as Asana's looks but still money is money."

"Then why not now, why wait?"

"Noah, I can't now. I need time to warm your mother up to the idea. Plus I need time to raise a little cash to convince your older sister to let forget the kid exists. If I was the one taking her, then I would do it now. But I need time to line up potential clients. I'm not into small children. I prefer my girls to be a lot older. My personal preference is at least 14. Plus by that age she'll be ready to start popping out babies." Then he thought for a moment and asked, "So Noah how many children does Marine have now?"

Noah glared at him. "I'm not telling you anything."

"You have two choices. You tell me now or I ask to borrow the phone and call Ryoden. He then calls and arranges for a meeting of your mother's society and when she gets the call, she'll beg me to stay with you before running out of here. Then after she leaves Ryoden will show up soon after. I'm sure you know what happens next."

Noah glared at the man, he had no doubt that he would at least try to arrange that. Even if it didn't go exactly as he wanted he was sure he'd find a way to convince his mother to either leave or force him to leave with him. "She's had 4 others."

"Four. Here I thought she was a lot like your mother and wasn't fond of kids. I didn't think she liked them that well."

"She doesn't. Her husband convinced her they should have at least one. She agreed. She didn't think she could get pregnant again so soon after Sig was born. She was shocked to learn she was pregnant again. Only this time with triplets."

"Triplets? And she carried them to term? Was she mad? Doesn't she know that there are still idiots like your mother that believe the devil is everywhere. They already bring fear to people with twins, let alone triplets. Just look at what happened to Katalena and Elijah."

Noah's eyes got huge. He'd heard that name before.