Interrogations

Kole opened the door to the bedroom slowly, wary of an attack from his prisoner, but unafraid.  A shadowy form was up on his bed.  Her chest rose and fell in time to her shallow and steady breathing.  Kole deduced that she was asleep.  He quietly clicked the door shut behind him and approached the bed.  He stopped about half a foot from the footboard and leaned over to shake Carahya awake.

The moment he’d touched her, Carahya grabbed Kole’s arm, pulled him down unto the bed and made a break for the door.  It wouldn’t open.  Kole pushed himself up, unhurriedly.

“You’re wasting your time, Carahya,” Kole said smugly.  “It would take a much more powerful being than yourself to break through that door.”  Carahya turned from the exit to face her captor.

“What do you want from me?” she asked.

“Just some answers,” he replied.  “Who was the man you were with?”

“Why should I answer you?” Carahya growled.

“Because if you don’t, I will have to assume the worst and act accordingly.”  He summoned a wispy shadow of his scythe, then banished it back into the darkness.

“Just like you did to Morgan.”  Her tone was bitter and accusatory.

“A criminal is a criminal,” Kole replied without emotion.  Carahya flew across the room and punched the reaper hard in the nose.  He didn’t even flinch, but sticky, warm liquid rolled unto his upper lip.  He used the back of his hand to wipe off the start of a stream of crimson blood.  With his other hand he caught the girl’s wrist.  Her face contorted with pain under his grip.

“That was a mistake,” the shadow lord warned.  He tossed her back down on to the bed and made his way to the door.  “When I return, I suggest that you be more cooperative.”  Kole made his way to the bathroom to clean himself up.  The flow of blood soon subsided and he made his way back to the bedroom.  Unexpectedly, there was a knock at the door.  Kole diverted his course to answer it and was surprised to find Tibias waiting on his doorstep, carrying two mugs and a blanket.  He brushed past Kole, without waiting to be invited in.

“Tibias, what are you doing here?”  Kole questioned.

“I thought that you could use some help with your interrogation, Mr. Tarrent,” Tibias said with a chuckle.  “If memory serves, your results in the past have been less than successful.”  Kole nodded in acknowledgement as his partner began brewing a pot of tea.  Tibias certainly had a way with women.  Speaking of which…

“I’m surprised Keera didn’t insist upon accompanying you.”

“She did,” the Brit replied, dropping a tea bag into each cup.  “Apparently she doesn’t trust you alone with young women.  If only she’d seen you operate back when we were younger.”  The two men waited in companionable silence as the water boiled and the Brit dropped a tea bag into each cup.

“So,” Tibias asked as he poured the water, “has she told you anything yet?”  Kole shook his head as he opened the bedroom door; Tibias’ hands were full holding the tea and the blanket.  As soon as Tibias entered the room Carahya charged him.

“Please be careful, Ms. Faroth,” Tibias chided as he sidestepped her.  “You almost made me spill our tea.  Now, please have a seat.”  He nodded to the bed.  Baffled, Carahya obeyed.  Tibias handed her one of the mugs with a smile.  “A piping hot cup of tea is just the thing to calm rattled nerves.  I’m afraid I can’t do much about the cold,” he continued as he handed her the blanket.  “It’s just one of the hazards of being around, Mr. Tarrent.”  The two sat silently for a moment, sipping their tea.

“So, you’re not going to ask me questions, or threaten my life?”  Carahya glanced at the man nervously.  “Or is the tea just poisoned or laced with truth serum?”  To her surprise, Tibias laughed.

“I assure you, Ms. Faroth.”  He smiled broadly at her.  “There is nothing in the tea and I see no reason to threaten your life so long as you don’t threaten mine.  As for questions, there are some things I would very much like to know, but we’ll get to that in good time.”  The older man’s kindness surprised the girl.

“Thank you,” Carahya replied softly.  “I’m sorry I attacked you.  I just want some answers.  Since my parents died, the Fortiers have been the only people who’ve cared about me.  They just took me in when I started dating Justin, no questions asked.  Now that they’re gone, I just want to find out who’s responsible.”

“I’m very sorry for your loss.”  Tibias gave the girl a moment to collect herself before he continued.  “Now, that wasn’t so hard; you’ve already answered two of my questions.  I think that we’ll get along splendidly.”