Page 127 of Anywhere

“Aye, take it. Heal him,” Rhys cooed, encouraging the massive creature. “Poison da darkness,” he said, close to the snake’s head.

Inky black fluid drooled from the corner of Rook’s mouth, dripping from his nose and ears as his body trembled in Rhys’s hold. I squeezed the knife's handle to reassure myself but made no move to kill the snake that seemed to be helping. This was dark demon fade magic. That was the only explanation for what I was witnessing.

Rook stopped growling and shrieking as his eyes shifted back to his blue. As the great snake released its hold, I stared wide-eyed at the fangs as long as my hand and dripping with black blood. Rook began to make retching noises as he jerked in Rhys hands. Rhys lowered him to the floor and supported him as he threw up a vile-smelling black liquid. I stepped closer to the edge of the bed, unsure how to describe what I’d witnessed. Had he been possessed? Was he infected with a demon? What exactly did this snake do?

The great snake rose from where it lay across Rook’s shoulders, like a pet, to stare me in the eyes. I swallowed hard as bright blue eyes that matched Rook’s blinked. Its forked tongue slipped from its mouth, testing the air as if inspecting me. It looked at my hand clenching the knife and I followed its stare.

“I’za no gonna use it,” I said, feeling like I needed to explain.

Those eerie blue eyes found mine once more and fear paralyzed me in place. The snake stayed like that for only a moment before slowly lowering itself down and sliding along Rook’s skin. I watched in fascination as it spread out along his arm and once more became one with Rook.

“Aye, dat’s it,” Rhys said as he braced Rook and rubbed circles on his back. This was the side of Rhys that Mari saw. He could toss a man up against the wall in one breath and then comfort him in the next. He was as delicate in his care as he was fierce in battle. My heart bloomed with warmth that this was the type of man that the spirts chose to pair me with.

“That stuff tastes like shit,” Rook said and coughed some more.

“Aye, I’d suspect it would. Come on. I’ll help ya git ta the loo and git ya cleaned up. I’ll worry about da floor later.”

“Fuck, I hate throwing up,” Rhys helped him to his feet. Rook was so unstable Rhys practically carried him to the loo.

I jumped off the bed, taking my first real breath since whatever happened outside, and felt useless. The guys were already in their routine, and because I purposely kept myself separate, I didn’t know what to do in this room that wasn’t mine.

Out in the hall, I searched for one of the dozens of servants who lurked around every corner.

“Sam,” I called out tentatively. “Or Sammy?”

“Aye,” he said from right behind me. I jumped and spun around, holding the knife to his face. “Sorry, me lady, I did’na mean ta scare ya,” he said, and I slowly lowered my arm.

“Sowry, but no scarin’ me like dat, I’z afraid ta hurt ya.” I stuck the knife through the belt around my waist. “Do ya have secret passages or magic ta know when yer wanted?” I asked and looked around at the stone walls. It seemed impossible, but he just appeared where and when I needed him.

A small smile lifted the corners of the man’s cherubic face. “Magic spell, no, but da passages may be a real ting,” he whispered. “Da servents ‘ave little ta no real magic me Lady.”

“I’za no’ supposed ta know about da passages?” I asked.

“Well, dey would’na be much of a secret if ya knew, would dey?” His smile made his soft green eyes sparkle with carefree mischief. He held up a finger. “Me just might be talked inta tellin’ ya where dey be and where dey lead, but only ‘cause I be tinkin ya may be needin’ ta know one day.”

I wasn’t sure what that meant, but it seemed like a conversation for another time.

“Tanks, but I’za be needin’ a bucket o’ water and some cloths ta wipe da floor. Ya know where I’za can find ‘em?”

“Me lady, I would’na be Samual freakin’ Magee if I could’na help ya with a simple wee request like dat.”

Turning on his heel, he trotted down the hall. I jogged to keep up with his quick pace. He pushed open a plain wooden door and revealed a room with jugs, buckets, and brooms.

“Dis be da cleanin’ supplies for dis wing of da castle.”

Sam bent over, grabbed a bucket, and put it under a tap. I watched carefully to see what he used as he picked up a jug and poured a healthy dollop into the water before shutting the tap off. Then he took a wooden handle with what looked like thick strands of woman’s hair off a hook and held it out to me.

“Whaddya do wit dis?” I asked, staring at the strange thing close up.

“Dat be called a mop, me Lady. Come, den. I’ll be showin’ ya how ta use it. Not dat ya need to, ya know. Ya can jus ask me ta do it for ya. I be yer person, after all.” He puffed up his chest. The shiny material of his purple outfit made him look dashing.

“Aye, I’ma no used to such treatment, Sam. I be meanin’ no disrespect,” I said and bowed my head.

“No, me Lady, dinnie be bowin’ ta me,” he said aghast. “Yer gonna be da next queen of da McGregors. Dat means ya bow ta no one. No eva, ya understand? Da sharks in dis place will eat ya if ya show a smidgin of fear.” He looked around and whispered, “Keep yer back straight and yer fist firm.”

Nodding, I looked around, unsure what he meant and terrified there were sharks roaming the castle. This place had strange magic indeed.

Sam chatted happily by my side as we walked toward Rook and Rhys room as if the bloody battle outside had never happened. He chirped on about the gossip of the house and the weather that was expected to blow in.