Page 10 of Rubbing One Out

Chapter 5

Daeliel strolled down the tree-lined lane, spying a bunch of almost ripe blackberries growing in the hedgerow. He shuffled over to pick a couple, popping them in his mouth. They were sweet and juicy with a distinct tart flavour. From behind the bushes, a few bored sheep stared at him, then turned back to grazing.

This morning, he’d lain down on his bed and fallen asleep again. His nightmares had been hazy, but real, and when he’d woken up from his uneasy sleep, Ben was gone, and Tess was lying on his bed. No matter what he’d done to shoo her off, she’d regarded him with big brown eyes, and after a while, he’d given up trying to move her. Instead, he’d gotten up, and dressed and decided to check out the neighbourhood the old-fashioned way.

He’d rather be up anyway. The air was a little chilly, and Daeliel’s shirt didn’t afford him much warmth, but he quite enjoyed the feel of the cool fabric against his skin.

This world hasn’t changed much, he reflected as he walked. It was quite different from the last time he’d been here when he’d landed in London. He wasn’t in the city now, but he doubted much had changed there. Perhaps there would be new buildings and a more cosmopolitan look to the pavements with the variety of people crossing each other’s path, but underneath, it would still be the same city. Diverse, energetic, and a pleasing mix of old and new.

Daeliel, however, was intrigued by Ben Sinclair. The man was a veritable taste-fest with his stubbled chin and swathe of artfully styled hair. And those deep blue eyes? Enticing. They contributed to the overall package of Ben’s clean-cut cheekbones and strong jawline. Not to forget, the glimpse Daeliel’d had of the man in full frontal mode had been a sight to make a Djinn’s mouth water.

“I’m not so sure I want to leave too quickly,” he murmured to a horse as he passed. The animal carried on munching grass. “As much as I want to get back, I feel he could prove a welcome distraction for a while.” Daeliel’s face darkened as he considered going back. Calado’r had only been his residence for the past five years—fifty in human time—and it hadn’t been his choice to be there in the first place.

He refused to call it home. His throat tightened as he thought of Aether and his parents—and of course, the banishing. Daeliel had considered himself past the point of feeling as if his heart was ripped out of his chest, with the accompanying anguish at the thought of Aether’s betrayal.

I still don’t know how you could have done that to me. You destroyed my world. You destroyed us.

As he’d done so many times before, Daeliel pushed his pain deep down into his secret place. This was not the time to linger on a tragedy which should stay buried.

His journey home a few hours later was sombre. He’d been intrigued by many things on his walk, including some old ruins he’d delighted in exploring, which had brought back memories of him and Aether together, stealing away for forbidden kisses.

His good mood evaporated with the thoughts of the past. By the time he pushed his key into the lock—the human use of it did make him smile since he could apparate where he wanted at will—his only greeting was a small animal lying on the inside front doormat.

He stared down at it in confusion. The little creature didn’t move, and Daeliel had a feeling he knew why. He reached down and prodded it with a wary finger. The animal was cool and covered in dirt, its eyes closed. It looked peaceful, but Daeliel knew what death looked like.

It resembled the one he’d seen in the cage in the lounge. A guinea pig, he thought Ben had said. But how had it gotten out and why was it now here, deceased?

“Poor thing,” he murmured, pressing his forefinger to the little furry head, and saying a short invocation to speed the creature’s soul onto better things. Tess trotted in through the open patio door, sat down beside him and looked up, tail wagging. Her muzzle was covered in dirt.

Daeliel swore. His eyes widened. “Did you do this, you horrible beast? You should be ashamed of yourself.” He leaned down and plucked the unfortunate animal from the floor. Tess looked up at him, tongue lolling out of the side of her mouth, not looking particularly guilty. For a dog, she sure had some human expressions.

“Ben is going to be devastated when he comes home and sees what you’ve done, you murderer, you.” He took the dirty, stiffening guinea pig into the bathroom. He supposed he could clean it up, put it back in the cage and Ben would be none the wiser for a while. Of course, he’d be devastated once he discovered his pet was deceased, but that couldn’t be helped.

Even a Djinn couldn’t bring the dead back to life.

Twenty minutes and a half bottle of apple-scented shampoo (the dratted animal had been dirtier than he thought) later, the creature had been placed back in its cage in the corner of the living room. Daeliel preened as he surveyed his handiwork. He hadn’t quite been able to make the creature look as if it was comfortable, as its little limbs had been quite uncooperative, but at least it looked as if it was sleeping on its side.

“I think I’ve saved your bacon, missy,” he scolded the dog as he settled in to watch television and catch up on world events. This modern world could be quite entertaining when it needed to be.

***

It was around six when the front door opened. Ben shouted, “Dae, I’m home.” There was a clatter as he chucked something large onto the dining table. Daeliel winced. He’d polished it to a shine this afternoon and made faces at himself in the sheen of the wood.

I hope the buffoon hasn’t scuffed it.

Ben walked into the lounge, looking tired and a little pissed off. Tess got up and ambled over to him. He patted her head and scratched behind her ears. She closed her eyes in pleasure.

“You look as if you had a rough day. Are you all right?” Dae queried.

“Yeah, I’m good. One of my penguins got injured today, and we had to do some emergency surgery on her.” Ben walked over to the pet cage and stared down at it sadly. Dae held his breath as he cast a glance at Tess, who lay down watching Ben adoringly.

“Oh no. Is she okay?” Dae switched off the telly.

Ben nodded tiredly. “Yes, she’s fine. Some dickhead threw a plastic beer can holder into the water. Daisy got her beak caught and hurt herself trying to get it off.”

Daeliel thought it was cute the way Ben gave his birds names.

“What the holy fuck?” Ben exclaimed as he leaned towards the cage.