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Benedict scowled at the mention of the Rakehell Six, and Mariah hid a smile.
“You dislike each other,” she said.
“Yes, we were rivals in almost everything. Tristian took a mistress from Elias while Isaac wooed Henrietta, much to St John and Daniel’s disagreement. We hurled ourselves against one another in races, the boxing ring, and so on. Competitors in everything we did. But there was a level of respect between us, but we certainly disliked each other. We were nobility, and there were lines we wouldn’t cross on both sides.”
“How do you feel about them having a second chance?” Mariah asked cautiously.
Benedict took a bite of food and pondered.
“If I may be honest? Jealous. God’s Scourge, time and time again, fought evil, and while the Rakehell Six were unfairly murdered, they have a second chance. I yearn to rail and storm how unfair that is, but there must be a reason. But how unjust that we who sacrificed everything haven’t been given another chance. It is cruel and unfitting to our service. But I remain steadfast. I gave my life to save people, and that is something I shall never regret, although…”
Mariah waited, but Benedict didn’t continue. She sipped her coffee before clearing her throat.
“Although?”
“I am pained more for CeeCee than my brothers. It would be highly disrespectful to say it’s because she’s female. CeeCee is very capable, as much as my brothers and I were. And she had powers. CeeCee was one of the strongest witches in our lineage, and should she have had a few more years, she would have been unsurpassed in strength. Her control over her magic was incomparable. Lady Catherine is strong, CeeCee was stronger. More powerful,” Benedict stated sadly.
“She was the youngest?”
“Second youngest. Kit was her twin and younger than her. CeeCee was often grateful for that. It allowed the only girl someone to boss around!” Benedict chuckled.
“I feel your pain, Benedict, and I am sorry,” Mariah said. She knew CeeCee was haunting her inn, the Green Man. But the blood oath stopped her from telling him. Mariah could ease his worries, but a gut feeling informed her this wasn’t the time or place.
“To not know how they died, and they must have, for it is unfathomable that they suffer like me. But I have lived with unknowing for three centuries.” Benedict’s hazel eyes stared over Mariah’s shoulder, and his stare narrowed.
Mariah turned around and saw the same sight she’d noted from her bedroom window.
“Oh yes, we have a neighbour. Klaus Anderson thinks to bully us, but I shall not cave,” Mariah said casually.
Benedict’s gaze tightened.
“You are aware that the bank belongs to this property, and he needs a licence to dock there?” Benedict announced.
“No?” Mariah replied, her mind already turning over.
“Yeah, that land he is docked at belongs to the inn. Therefore, he is trespassing. Do you have your bill of sale to hand?” Benedict asked.
“Yes, let me get it!”
Mariah dashed out and returned, and Benedict showed her the property lines, and Klaus was illegally on her land.
“I’ll call the police and have him removed!” Mariah grinned happily.
“Please do. There is something wrong with the fellow. I do not want you to be in danger,” Benedict said, and Mariah felt warmth at his words. Something was happening between them. Even if she was unsure what!
Benedict
He watched, amused, as the two police officers argued with Klaus Anderson. Mariah had wandered off to talk to the workmen and check out the refurbished kitchen. While Benedict would have liked to see it unveiled, he was more interested in Klaus Anderson. The fool was a sharp thorn in his side. Benedict had been chasing him off for a decade. Benedict had a bad feeling. Klaus noticed more than he should, and Benedict suspected he wanted Vemis. Should Vemis be released, the villagers would be dead overnight.
Even if it would be impossible to drain them, Vemis would slaughter them for the sheer hell of it. No, Vemis could not be freed, but Benedict sensed Klaus knew of Vemis’s presence deep within the inn. Reassuring himself, Benedict reached out, and the Black Cat sent him a soothing wave in return. Vemis was securely imprisoned, and that was what mattered. Klaus Anderson would not wake him from his slumber.
A smile crossed Benedict’s lips as Klaus Anderson waved his arms and shouted, but the officers stood firm, and finally, he untied the barge and pushed away from the bank. But to Benedict’s disgruntlement, Klaus Anderson kept shoving the boat sideways using the long pole. To Benedict’s disbelief, Klaus Anderson tied it up using a few stakes once the barge reached the other side. Klaus sent the inn a triumphant look. Benedict growled. Well, at least he wasn’t looking through the windows anymore!
Benedict scowled. There would be a reckoning with Klaus Anderson. And Benedict knew who the winner would be. He spun on his heel and left to find Mariah.
Mariah
Mariah noticed as she made lunch that Klaus Anderson was now docked on the opposite riverside. Fine! As long as he remained away from her precious property. The officers had cautioned her he’d not been very pleasant about moving on. But they had enforced her rights to her land. She saw out of the kitchen windows that Klaus kept sending disgruntled looks at the inn and the workmen swirling around it.
