Chapter Thirteen

Rain rubbed his cheek, idly thinking that he was just about due for a shave. The concept was interesting to him, really, even after hundreds of years. His heart didn’t beat, his respiration was superfluous; but, much like a dead body for a period of time, his hair and fingernails all continued to grow…just at a much slower pace. He grew a five o’clock shadow over the course of about ten to fourteen days, and only required a haircut about twice a year. The need for both were generally pointed out by Alex, unless he happened to notice himself by touching his face or having to brush locks of hair from his eyes. The latter would have to be remedied in the next couple of weeks too.

Shaving was still difficult, even after centuries of practice.

It would seem that they had all made the silent, collective decision that important conversation would not begin until Lita took it upon herself to join them in the sitting room. Rain had taken up residence in his favorite chair; a cigarette perched languidly between the index and middle fingers of his right hand, that hand resting comfortably on the armrest. His eyes fell blankly somewhere between the bar and the armoire, just about into the corner of the room. He had settled into this comfortable gaze some moments before as he realized interaction in the room was devolving to small talk, a pastime he detested with a noted ferocity.

Alex sat reclined against the corner of the couch furthest from where Rain was, his legs curled up under him in the awkward, birdlike position he often preferred to sit in. His arms were rested out to his sides, one across the actual armrest of the couch, the other over the back. He watched Amelie closely and curiously as she walked around the sitting room, surveying her surrounding. He kept such close eye on her that he actually craned his neck backwards to continue watching as she walked behind him, over past the bar and towards the armoire. Rain scoffed inwardly, thinking his brother might have a crush.

Or maybe he’s just enjoying the company of the living.

Rain banished this thought to the part of his mind where dead things lurked just as his eyes slipped back into focus, landing on the young woman as she crossed his gaze. He watched as she approached the armoire, and his eyebrow quirked as she reached up a hand towards it, but then settled once more as it hovered an inch away, tracing the air in front of it with her fingertips. She was merely admiring its surface, not attempting to prowl inside.

Her eyes then moved up towards the ceiling before coming down in an arc that met Rain’s gaze with such quickness that it made him blink once. She didn’t seem to notice though, only offering him a gentle smile before saying, “You have a lovely home here, Mr. Moonshadow.”

Rain scoffed and Alex let out a short bark of laughter. “Rain, and thank you.” He said, drawing in some smoke.

Amelie felt a brief flush rise up in her cheeks, worrying that they may be laughing at her expense. A quick glance to Alex and his reassuring soft smile put her at ease though, and she immediately took her curiosity back up. “Rain,” she said, looking back to him, “I like that. It fits your last name well. All very…natural.”

“Funny, since they’re coincidental to one another.” He replied, tapping his cigarette over the ashtray sitting on the chair’s left armrest.

Amelie found that statement to be a curious one, but didn’t take Rain for the type to enjoy prying, so she let it rest at that. Anyway, his cigarette had taken up much more of her attention at this point. She had eased down onto the couch a cushion’s space away from Alex and was watching Rain smoke with noticeable interest.

“I take it people don’t smoke much in proper social circles?” Rain asked, quirking a brow. He was indifferent towards the presence of this young girl, which, by his standards, meant he liked her.

“I’ve never seen someone smoke up close before. It smells funny.” She sat back and crinkled her nose before adding, almost as an afterthought, “No offense.”

“It’s better you think that way,” Rain said, “They’re bad for you.”

“Then why do you do it?”

“I said they’re bad for you. I’m in a different category.” Rain smirked as he said this, taking another drag off his cigarette. Alex gave him a look that asked him to be nice, but Rain disregarded it.

Amelie blinked twice, looking back and forth between the brothers, confused. Rain waved a hand dismissively. “Alex can explain in the kitchen. The teapot is ready.”

Alex jumped up immediately, heading that way, but Amelie just looked more perplexed. “How do you know? I don’t hear it whi…” before she could finish the word, the high pitched noise touched her ear and she quirked a brow at Rain. He smirked, touched his ear, and then pointed off towards the kitchen door where Alex was standing, waiting.

“Come on Amelie,” Alex said nicely, “I’ll fill you in so Rain can stop confusing you.” She nodded and stood, skirting by Rain and his oddness.

“Summarize, Alexander. Not a whole life story.” Rain called.

“Yeah, yeah.” He muttered as he ushered his new friend into the other room. A moment later, the whistling stopped and Rain’s eyes had once more landed upon the empty space in the corner.

They rested there for a series of moments, considering angles and memories and the various other things that an immortal mind has tendency to go over when sitting idle. His eyes shifted towards the door though, when he sensed a disturbance, too subtle for human ears. His mouth pulled to the side, considering it, deciding whether it was something worth investigating. Paying a brief glance to the stairwell, he decided it may be a while before Lita decided to show herself, so he rose from his chair, snatching up his coat from its resting place over the end of the couch and pulling it on as he headed for the front door.

Stepping outside, he quietly pulled the door shut behind him and stepped down onto the grass, his hands at his side but ready as he began to walk along the perimeter of the house, keen eyes scanning the night for anything on the move out here. He briefly regarded the rose bushes under the windows along the foundation of the home. He preferred roses above any other plant. They were durable, guarded, and required very little maintenance. He never paused to consider how that might speak to his personality.

Rounding the corner on the east side of the house, adjacent to the shop about thirty yards away, he paused and sighed, relaxing his shoulders at the site of Lita leaning up against the rather tall maple tree that stood there. She had her arms crossed, though not defensively, and was gazing out towards the tree line.

“This tree is a security risk.” Lita said, not looking to him.

“Oh?” Rain replied, shoving his hands in his pockets and quirking a brow.

“It provides easy access to the window of the room I’m staying in.”

“That’s why I have heavy locks on the windows.”

“An intruder could break the glass.”

“I would hear it.”

“You should cut it down.”

“No. I like that tree.”

There was a long pause. If the maple had been capable of emotion, it would have felt rather awkward and likely would have wanted to slink away, were it not anchored in place. Rain broke the silence when he walked over into Lita’s line of sight, forcing her to look at him.

“Is this why you came down here, to assess the safety of my lawn?”

Lita glared at him slightly. “No. I just wanted some fresh air.”

“That’s just as accessible out the front door.” Rain retorted. “You weren’t taking off on us, were you?”

“Do you see my fucking bag?” Lita snapped.

“No, I suppose not.” He looked up, regarding the leaves on the tree, observing the slight changes in color beginning in their leaves. Fall was on the way.

Lita sighed in such a way that all but contains an apology, then said in a softer voice, “I’m just not sure how ready I am to face that girl in there. I mean what I did…”

“What you did can be worried over at a later time.” Rain interjected. “Right now it is important what you do, because that could save that girl’s life, and probably yours as well. Worry about atonement later.”

“And if I can’t?” She asked. “Atone, that is.”

“Won’t know until you try.” Rain replied softly, his eyes meeting hers once more. “And the best place to start is with that girl in there.”

Lita nodded and sniffled once, but Rain didn’t know if it was to push back tears or just because of the slight chill in the air. She looked up at the tree above herself, taking in all the intertwining branches and mostly green leaves. She thought that in a couple of months she’d be able to see the sky from this spot, until the snow set in. She wondered if she’d live that long, even if she wanted to.

“You know,” she said quietly, “if you ever have kids you shouldn’t put them in that room. They turn thirteen and they’ll be sneaking down this tree to do God knows wh…” she trailed off when she looked back to him and saw him looking down at his feet. “Oh.” She whispered. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even think…”

Rain waved a hand. “It’s alright. Honest mistake. But what about you?” He gazed to her questioningly. “Do you plan on having any kids?”

Lita looked suddenly taken aback, almost physically struck by what he asked. “What…what the fuck kind of question is that?” She asked sharply.

Rain blinked, confused. “Uh, a pretty straightforward one I thought. You’re obviously no longer an assassin, I just assumed you might eventually like to settle down and…”

“And what? Become some little housewife to a litter of screaming brats and some asshole husband? No fucking thank you.”

“I was only asking…”

“Well don’t fucking ask.” She pushed herself off the tree, shooting him a hateful glare. “Don’t you have enough knowledge after however many centuries, vampire? Do you really have to pry into my brain? Fuck, come on, let’s get this tea and cookies horseshit over with.” She turned away, heading around the corner and back to the front quickly, not waiting for a response from him.

Rain stood there, dumbfounded, for half a minute, just staring and wondering what had just transpired. Finally, he balled up his fists, pushing them against his forehead and clenching his teeth for a moment before sighing heavily and shaking his head, fishing a cigarette from his pocket. “I’m going to kill her.” He muttered as he retrieved his lighter. He paused just before lighting it, however, and pulled the cigarette from between his lips. Raising his head, he closed his eyes and took in a deep breath through his nose.

Her scent was there, swirling all around him. It was feminine, but not elegant. It was not like flowers or the spring air, but rather similar to a fall breeze, weaving its way through branches well on their way to a winter slumber. It was the scent of an autumn evening casting its glow over a serene lake. It was the smell of sunset, something he hadn’t experienced in so long.

And then it was gone, replaced with the smell of burning tobacco as Rain made his way back towards the front of the house.

Stepping inside, Rain hung his coat on the rack next to the door, looking first to Alex, who was setting teacups and a pot on the coffee table, then to Lita, who was next to the bar, glancing over the various decanters there. Amelie was nowhere to be seen. Rain looked to Alex questioningly about this.

“Amelie’s in the bathroom, she’ll be right out.” He said, taking his previous seat back on the couch, glancing to Lita as he walked past her. Rain approached her, leaning against the side of the small bar as she picked up a glass and was reaching for the vodka.

“Do you think now is the best time for that?” He whispered softly.

Lita did not look at him as she considered this, but said, “I guess not.” setting the glass back down while trying to hide the shaking in her hands.

Rain sighed and said, “Water it down.” before slipping past her and heading to his chair.

Pouring herself a drink, Lita moved to the far end of the couch from Alex, sitting down and avoiding eye contact with him. She didn’t like the fact that Alex was mad at her, but moreover she didn’t like how much it bothered her. Alex was a good kid, even regarded himself as her friend, and upsetting him was upsetting her more than she cared for.

“Do you want some bread?” Alex asked, and Lita looked over to find his soft, forgiving smile and his hand offering a plate with a number of little squares of bread, cut carefully from a larger loaf. Lita couldn’t help but give him a small smile back, and take a piece with a thankful nod. She hadn’t known him more than two days, but she was sure that Alex had the most unselfish heart of anyone she’d ever encountered.

Eating the small piece of bread, Lita washed it down with a third of her drink before setting it on the coffee table. Pushing the sleeves of her turtleneck up to her elbows, she then leaned back in the couch, waiting for their fourth to arrive and conversation to ensue.

Moments later, Amelie timidly made her way back into the living room, quietly crossing over to where they all sat. She had removed her hair from its braid, and it now cascaded over her shoulder in auburn waves. As she moved to sit down on the floor across the coffee table from the couch, Alex started to get up, to offer his seat, but she waved a hand at him, glancing at Lita. “It’s ok. I like sitting on the floor.” She said with a smile to her young friend.

“Alright, young lady, let’s hear your story.” Rain said, snuffing out his cigarette but immediately lighting another.

“Are you fully intent on killing us all tonight?” Lita asked, waving a hand in front of her face as she shot Rain a glare.

“Well, that depends. Are you planning on drinking all of my booze?” He shot back, smoke jetting out of his nose.

“Look, are you two going to circle and snarl all night, or would you like to hear about the man who wants to kill me, and probably all of you as well?” Amelie asked impatiently.

“Yeah, settle down you two. You’re like a couple of old ladies.” Alex added.

Lita snatched up her glass, sinking down in the couch and putting a boot up on the coffee table. Rain cleared his throat at this, but she ignored him, and he let it go for the moment, turning his attention to Amelie and waving a hand, signaling her to continue. “You have our full attention.” He said in a low voice.

“Thank you.” She said curtly. “Now, as you know, my stepbrother, Michael Calderwood, is trying to have me killed. My father is nearing his final days and when he passes, control of Chicane falls to myself and Michael evenly. I have no doubt in my mind that this plot was an attempt to take the entire city for himself.”

“Doubtless.” Rain said. “But the hard part is over. You avoided the assassination attempt, and now all you have to do is get away, go build yourself a new life somewhere.”

“It’s not that simple.” Amelie replied. “I can’t just run away. If Michael is allowed to control the city, I have no doubt he will do terrible, corrupt things with his power. I can’t allow him to do that to my father’s city.”

“That’s not my concern.” Rain said flatly. “I can offer you sanctuary for a few days, but that’s the extent of my involvement. Who has power in the city of Chicane is of no consequence to myself or my brother.” He glanced to Alex, who reluctantly nodded. He too knew it was not their fight.

“What if it is?” Amelie asked, her eyes concerned as they looked to Alex, then to Rain.

“What do you mean?” Alex asked.

Amelie sighed. “I…I don’t know. It could just be a bad feeling, or a stupid worry, but I think it’s more. Michael, he’s not just corrupt and self-serving. There is something else about him…something more. He almost seems to have a madness about him…something dark, sinister.” She paused long enough to look at everyone, all of whom were staring at her questioningly, and she felt like she was grasping for something just out of her reach, just beyond her comprehension. “I feel like…like he’s planning something. And I think it has something to do with the Gifted.”

“People with powers?” Lita asked, sipping her drink.

Amelie nodded. “But also anything not fully human. That would include you, Rain. Michael spoke about them as if they were impure, like a pestilence. And yesterday I snuck into his room and found some strange things in his hidden study there. There was a journal ranting about how the Gifted would not be tolerated, and a diagram of some strange construct…it looked religious…and a number of old papers covered in odd runes.”

“What sort of runes?” Rain asked, leaning forward in his chair.

“I don’t know. I didn’t recognize them.” Amelie said regrettably.

“Could you draw them?” Rain pressed.

“I…I think so. Maybe a couple of them.”

Rain looked to Alex and nodded over towards his coat. The young man nodded and hopped up off his seat, going to where it hung and fishing a small notebook and pen from one of its pockets. Flipping it open to a blank page, he brought it over and set it in front of Amelie with a smile, and she nodded a thank you to him before he returned to his seat.

Amelie began chewing on her lip. “What if I draw them wrong?”

“It’s alright.” Rain said, snuffing out his cigarette and interlacing his fingers, his elbows resting on his knees as he leaned forward. “Just close your eyes and try to visualize the pages. Draw what you see.” Amelie nodded and did so, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. Everyone fell very silent.

A minute or so passed, and then Amelie opened her eyes and leaned forward, carefully drawing out six different symbols on the paper. They weren’t exceptionally complex, which is probably what allowed her to draw up so many from memory, but it was still a long shot that any might be correct. She sighed nervously and handed over the notebook to Rain, who sat back and began studying it carefully.

“Do you recognize them?” Lita asked curiously. She had leaned over at one point to look herself, but didn’t see anything more than a few haphazard scribbles. Foreign language wasn’t her forte.

“Maybe.” Rain said quietly. “It looks like Piyasu.” Everyone stared at him blankly, even Amelie, who was the second best educated in the room.

“Rain, how about filling in those of us who don’t have four centuries of photographic memory under our belts.” Alex said waving a hand to get his attention.

Rain blinked and lifted his head. “Oh, sorry. The Piyasu were not a culture, they were a religious sect. They existed in central Europe around the twelfth century. They were very noble, like knights or monks, believed they were destined to banish evil from the world.

“So what do they mean?” Amelie asked.

“I’m not definitely sure.” Rain reached up and rubbed his temple. “I only read one book on them, and it was a long time ago, and it wasn’t exactly an established language, more a conglomeration of various symbols from multiple cultures. But this one here…” he tapped one of the runes, “…I believe it equates to ‘the striking hand’ or, more commonly, ‘weapon’. But this one…” he leaned forward, pointing at it to show to Amelie. “Are you sure you have that one right?”

She leaned over herself, then nodded adamantly. “That one, definitely. It was repeated at least half a dozen times on the page I looked at. That’s the only one I’m sure of.”

Rain sat back, clenching his jaw tightly, his eyes laden with storm clouds of concern.

“What is it Rain?” Alex asked. “What does it mean?”

“It’s a verb.” Rain said gravely. “It means ‘to cleanse’.”

“And that’s bad?” Lita asked.

Rain stood, lighting a cigarette and pacing back behind his chair. “Not if you’re referring to a toilet bowl, but it is if you’re talking about a group of people. Have you ever heard of a man named Hitler?” No one nodded. “He killed over ten million people trying to create a pure human race.” Rain glanced at Amelie. “Your brother sounds charming.”

“Step.” She replied. “Do you see now why I can’t just run and hide somewhere? If he has plans to hurt the Gifted population of Chicane or anywhere else, he must be stopped. People with those special abilities are blessed by God, and a great many of them use their powers to help the community around them. They cannot be allowed to be hurt by that awful man!” Amelie took a shuddering breath, fighting back tears.

Alex and Lita looked down, saddened by her concern and adamance, but Rain stared straight at her, his brow furrowing. “What’s your ability?” He asked suddenly.

Amelie looked up, sniffling. “What? I…I don’t have…”

“Don’t lie.” Rain said flatly. “You have far too much of a vested interest in the safety of the Gifted to not have your own stock in the matter. No human is that selfless or understanding.”

“Rain, stop it, she’s…” Alex began.

“Shut up, Alex.” Rain said, not looking to him. He took a step forward, towering over the still sitting Amelie. “What is it? What can you do?”

“N-Nothing.” Amelie said shakily. “I can’t do anything, I s-swear…”

Rain reached down, grabbing her by the arm and tugging her to her feet, pulling her close. “To God?” he asked, “Do you swear to God?”

“You’re hurting me.” Amelie whimpered.

“Rain, let her go!” Alex demanded, standing.

Lita kept her seat, sipping her drink and watching the whole scene coolly.

“Swear to God that you don’t have an ability Amelie.” Rain said one last time. She said nothing, only looked away from him. He shoved her away then, and Alex caught her stumbling form. “Fine. If you can’t trust us, then you’re on your own. Get out of my house.”

“Rain, you…” Alex began angrily, but Amelie put a hand to his mouth.

“Shhh.” She whispered, then sniffled as she took up his bandaged hand. She slowly unwrapped the dressing, then surveyed the deep, reddened cut beneath. As everyone watched, Amelie brought her fingertip to the center of the wound, and just as Alex took in a hissing breath to indicate pain, a soothing, warm white glow began flowing from her fingertip and into his injury. As he watched, the red, jagged edges of cut skin around the opening began to smooth and return to their normal color. They then pulled together, closing up and sealing, leaving not a trace nor scar behind.

Amelie took a step back, leaving Alex to open and close his fist, marveling at the complete regeneration of his palm. Lita let out a low whistle, finishing off her drink and setting it on the coffee table before looking to Rain for his reaction. Amelie looked to him, wiping her eyes as she did. He gave her a nod.

“It’s a useful gift.” He said gently. “Why do you hide it so?”

“For fear of Michael, mostly. And it’s not as useful as it seems. I can only mend small wounds. Nothing severe, and not sickness. Were that the case I could have helped my father.” She looked down, ashamed. Alex placed a comforting hand on her shoulder from behind.

“With practice, it could grow stronger.” Rain said. “Most gifts do.”

Amelie raised her head and sniffled once more, nodding. She looked to Rain then and stepped towards him, raising a hand. “I can heal scars, though.” She motioned towards his eye.

Rain took a step back, shaking his head before sitting back in his seat. “Mine are fine where they are, thank you.” He lit a cigarette as if to punctuate his words.

She looked to Lita hesitantly, but the woman waved a hand. “I’ve earned all of mine.” Amelie nodded, understandingly. She then sighed softly and slipped back down to her position sitting on the floor.

Clearing his throat to break up the uncomfortable silence that ensued, Alex said, “Well, now that it’s cold, does anyone want some tea?”

“I don’t mind cold tea.” Amelie said, smiling to him wearily. It had been a long night, and it was finally settling in.

“I need another drink.” Lita said, pushing herself off the couch and heading towards the bar.

“Make me one too.” Rain said then, after pausing for a beat, added, “No mixer this time.” Lita chuckled.

“So what now?” Alex asked as he poured himself and Amelie each a cup of tea, adding honey to hers and a bit of sugar to his own.

“Christopher, my body guard, said he would try to sort out as much as he could in Chicane and send me word of whether it was safe to return in three days. I’m to meet a messenger outside the Maple City Hospital at noon.”

“Well that’s perfect.” Rain muttered. “If there’s any trouble I can come flaming to your rescue.” He took his drink from Lita as she held it out to him, nodding a simple thank you.

“Lita and I can back you up.” Alex said reassuringly.

“How do we know this Christopher can be trusted?” Rain asked Amelie.

“He has been my bodyguard for four years. I have nothing but trust that he would do anything to protect me.” Amelie said firmly.

“He did seem pretty gung-ho about it.” Lita added.

“Well if that’s the case, how do we know Michael won’t figure out his involvement and squeeze him for information on your whereabouts?” Rain asked, taking a drag off his cigarette.

“Christopher has never shown anything but loyalty towards any member of the Chicane family, including Michael, loathe him though he may.” Amelie said.

“That doesn’t mean Michael would trust him.” Rain replied.

“He doesn’t sound like the sort of guy who would trust anyone.” Alex ventured.

“Except maybe that strange man he consults with constantly.” Amelie muttered.

“What man?” Rain asked.

She shrugged. “I don’t know a thing about him. Nobody does, not even his name. He’s very tall, and muscular, but always dressed in a big black coat and a wide brimmed hat.”

Lita shot up straight, so quickly that she actually spilled some of her drink on her leg, but didn’t seem to notice. She leaned forward, staring at Amelie with intent eyes. “Does he wear a handkerchief around his neck, talk in a voice that sounds like he swallowed a handful of rocks?”

“Uh, I’ve never heard him speak…but the handkerchief part sounds right.” Amelie said after a moment’s thought.

“You know him?” Rain asked.

Lita’s eyes reduced to angered slits and she nodded. “Cleric. My previous employer. I’m going to kill Jonas, that son of a bitch, when I see him. He said he wasn’t involved in any of this. He’s the one who contracted me for the original hit on Amelie and her mother, and the one who set me up to take the fall this time.” Her free hand was balled into a fist so tight that her knuckles were white, and the liquid inside her glass was dancing from the shaking of her hand.

“Is he formidable?” Rain asked.

Lita tossed back the remainder of her drink, then slammed it down on the coffee table. “I don’t know, Rain, he’s been the feared head of a group of assassins for better than a decade. Sounds like kind of a pushover to me, huh? Fuck.” She slumped back on the couch, crossing her arms and shaking her head.

Rain looked around at everyone. Amelie looked frightened, Alex concerned, and Lita recalcitrant, of course, but also nervous. “He sounds like someone with resources…but so am I. Right now we have the advantage of being in a house that is buried in the middle of a dense forest and contains the only people aware of its existence. Only greater distance could make you two safer, and we will work on that tomorrow.” He finished his own drink, setting it on the coffee table and looked to everyone. “Right now, everyone needs sleep. We can view this from a refreshed perspective at next nightfall.”

Amelie looked unsure, but Rain actually offered her a small, genuine smile. “I’ve been around a long time, Amelie. I didn’t live this long stumbling about blindly. You will be safe here, I can promise you that.” Amelie nodded, so Rain looked to Alex. “Why don’t you go get her a room set up upstairs.”

“Yeah, I can do that.” Alex said. He reached over and patted Lita softly on the shoulder. “We’ll take care of you guys, ok?” She scoffed lightly, but looked to him with her firm green eyes and nodded a brief thank you. He nodded back, then stood and motioned Amelie. “Come on, I’ll get you all settled in.”

She nodded, standing and following him. She paused by the side of Rain’s chair, however, and suddenly leaned over, throwing her arms around his shoulders and squeezing him tightly.

“Hrm!” Rain vocalized, tensing as she did this.

“Thank you.” She whispered into his ear, then released him and followed quickly after Alex.

“You’re a brave soul.” Alex whispered as he led her up the stairs. Rain watched them go, visually disturbed by that interaction, his eyes shifting to Lita as they left. She had a smirk on her face.

“Hey, they say you catch more flies with sugar.” She said, snickering.

“I am going to kill you in your sleep.” Rain said flatly, lighting a cigarette.

“It’d probably be best if you did.” Lita replied. She suddenly leaned forward, snatching the cigarette out of his hand and taking one deep drag off it before handing it back. She blew its smoke up towards the ceiling before returning her gaze back to his, which held upturned eyebrows. “This Cleric is no fuckaround, and we’re stepping into messy territory.”

“Well, you and I both know what needs to be done.” Rain said coolly, taking his own drag.

“Can you handle killing a human? You act like a castrated dog in that department.” Lita said skeptically.

“I’m rusty, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. There are exceptions to every rule, and Michael certainly seems deserving. What about you? Are you confident you can handle your old boss, and maybe even your fiery friend to boot?”

“Not yet, but I’m warming up to the idea. I’ll be ready when the time comes.”

“Good, then rest up. We’ll hash out more tomorrow.”

Lita nodded, rising to her feet and arching her back, emitting a loud cracking sound from her spine. She sighed, brushing a lock of hair from her eyes before passing by Rain on her way to the stairs.

“Sleep well Rain.”

“You too, Lita.”