FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 3: Stories from the Shower

Nicholas woke suddenly and screamed in pain; his eyes opened and saw blinding red light before he clenched them shut as tightly as he could. Just like the rest of his body, his eyes burned, but whether it was from the light or the acrid sulphuric fumes he smelled he couldn't tell. He forced himself to stop screaming from the burning, though he couldn't do anything about his sobbing cries.

He didn't know where he was, or how he got here. Where was Nats? Mike? Even...Faelen? Nats's new Wolf friend. He prayed for one of them -- for anyone -- to come and help him, but no one came.

His head felt full of cotton or like he'd been drugged, but he tried to concentrate, to focus on something other than the agony bleeding out of every pore of his body, taking stock of himself and everything he could sense.

First was the superheated sulphuric air making his nose and lungs burn as much as his skin; the stench was so strong it nearly covered up the reek of burning fur and flesh. 'Gods, that's horrible!' His stomach rebelled and tried its best to vomit, but instead he gagged; his belly cramped and nothing came up, as though he'd puked everything up already. His throat hurt, and his tongue hung out of his mouth, burned, dry, and cracked in the burning miasma. He must have been panting in the heat for a long time, trying futilely to keep cool.

Second came the searing pain in his wrists and ankles, and the fact that he was stretched as tightly as his body could stand; from the clanking of steel or iron as he writhed in agony, the way his feet dangled unsupported below him, and the way the red-hot metal dug into his flesh, he had to be shackled to the ceiling or something.

Third was the ache in his back from the jagged stone jutting into him. His muscles ached from the position he was in, like the rock had been jammed into him for days instead of...however long he'd been there.

Again, he opened his eyes, though the best he could manage was a squint. The blinding red light was just as strong as before, and he couldn't make out more than the thick crimson haze floating around him. Wherever he was, it obviously wasn't home. It wasn't even on Earth.

He tried harder to see what was around him, and...there! Between the gaps in the roiling red smoke, he saw...something. It looked like a jagged black hole, and...a chair? He put everything he had into focusing on what he saw, and his eyes began to adjust to the glaring light and noxious smoke. He was suspended in and over a chasm, the rough and craggy black walls running high above him and far below. Somewhere down there was the source of the overwhelming heat: lava, or some sort of liquid fire.

And he could barely see the chair -- no, the throne. He could sense that the frame of the macabre piece of furniture was constructed of bones, and it was upholstered with pelts and draped with claws and teeth and garlands of dried viscera. He could feel the pain within it, as though the unlucky Furs used to make it still felt the torment of their vivisected bodies even though they should be long dead. He would have shuddered in revulsion at it if he weren't already writhing in torture.

He could feel an awesome power in the throne, perhaps enough power to free him. Even if it was just enough to stop this pain, reduce the pain, it'd be worth any risk. Death would be preferable to this existence.

Part of his mind, the small, frail part that was still lucid, warned him about using unknown arcane devices, especially when he planned to draw on one so obviously evil in this horrible hellscape. That small part was drowned out by the screams of his nerves, and he desperately reached for the throne's power with his own pitiful magic.

He drew the power into himself, and suddenly everything changed. The sulphur no longer burned his nose or eyes, the light and heat felt no more oppressive than a normal summer day, and even the shackles felt like they belonged on him.

About three metres in front of him, in a gash in the opposite wall, rested a macabre collection of ornate and terrible devices: a rack, an iron maiden, a stand full of knives and whips, and a table covered in thumbscrews and all sorts of other horrid-looking things he didn't know the names of, but he could guess their purposes without trying too hard. In the center of it all sat the throne, a grisly monument to the horror of everything around him.

Some faint voice in the back of his mind screamed at him, trying to get his attention, but the surprising cessation of pain prevented him from listening; all he could hear was unintelligible babble that made no sense at all. He only cared about luxuriating in the blissful end of the pain, and not even the words that sounded like the names of his brothers roused him.

A deep smoky laugh burst from the throne. Nicholas could see perfectly clearly now, despite the reddish light and billowing smoke, and he saw the source of the laughter: the Succubus. She stood well over two metres tall, with a lithe dancer's body. Her skin had the same colour and quality of his grimoire. Nicholas felt himself blush; he was sure it would feel just as soft and supple under his paw pads. Even the magic that he could now sense radiating from her felt exhilarating.

The Succubus's royal blue and gold dress, what little of it there was, was thin and sheer, the updrafts from below making it float around her, at once concealing and revealing. She was muzzle-less like the Imps, but her face was gracefully angular, her mouth marked by thick luscious lips, reminiscent of a dusky pink rose. Her petite nose suited her delicate face, with nostrils pointed down instead of out like his own. Her slitted irises were gold and green, very catlike in appearance, and her eyes stared into his as though laying claim to his soul. On each temple an ebony horn curled out and around her delicate-looking ears, which sat on the sides on her head as opposed to the top, but they also suited her perfectly, though he couldn't have said why. Her head sported a golden mane of long, thick hair instead of head-fur, long and lustrous and more beautiful than that of any Fey creature's he had ever imagined. Behind her whipped a thin furless tail, much like a rat's, but still of the same supple skin gracing the rest of her body, as well as a pair of large bat-like wings, the leather of which undulated like her dress in the soothingly warm breezes.

Her dulcet voice remained just as tempting as the first time he heard it as she crooned, "Naughty doggy. You took power from my throne, and you didn't even bring me the book. Even so, I am very glad you sought me out, little fire dog." She flicked her paw -- her hand -- and a whip made of fire arced across the chasm where he hung and struck him across the chest. He felt pain, but it didn't hurt; instead, it felt exhilarating. He moaned in pleasure as she said, "And soon you will be, too." The bleeding gashes she left on the side of his face with her whip felt like a lover's caress. "I left the portal open for you in the hopes that you would follow your dreams. I have stalked you for a very long time by your reckoning, and you have been more receptive to my advances than I'd hoped you would be. But you failed to bring me the book, and that I cannot allow." She cracked the whip at her feet and as she stepped forward he saw that instead of paws her feet were small cloven hooves, like a goat's, which were as delicate as the rest of her.

'No!' screamed the voice in his head, and for the first time he could make out the words, though they were faint. 'Do not lis...'

...but the words were drowned out by the crack! of her whipacross his legs. "I am your master."

'Wake up!'

Crack! "You are mine forever."

'...can help you!'

Crack! "Obey me, and bring me the book."

The voices started blurring together in his mind as he slipped into unconsciousness.

---

Geoff woke groggily, with his alarm going at 7:30 am. He turned it off and lay in the dark room for a few minutes, drawing in energy from the darkness.

He could hear a small humidifier going in Faelen's room and knew he was up and getting his "fix," too. Geoff was just glad his friend wasn't a Spirit of fungus, mould, or any of the other "Dark" Spirits -- Spirits that fell under his demesne (and supposedly owed him their loyalty). He figured Dirk must be happier with bone as opposed to rot or worms. There were many gross things amongst the "Death" Spirits. Bones you could at least clean.

'School. Ugh. Better get up. I hate the daytime. Why can't we have school at night? Gods, Da was pissed. I can understand why, I guess. I couldn't really explain why I had to go. "Oh, sorry, my pup was in danger. I had to go save his tail so I could stick my dick in it later." I don't think he'd like that answer. Could've been worse, though. I think.'

Dejectedly, Geoff climbed out of bed and walked out of his room to the washroom.

Faelen was just stepping out his room, his smoky grey fur sticking up at odd angles. "I have to take a leak, if you're going to be awhile."

Geoff waved him off. "Nah, I need to go too, then shower. Do you want to go first?" Geoff stood aside when Faelen nodded. His friend walked in and pushed the door partially closed.

Geoff could hear the sound of a very heavy stream of water start falling into the toilet before Faelen called out, "How long?"

"Two weeks. Hopefully I can get exceptions for football, I mean 'soccer,' tryouts tomorrow. I may try for track, but I'm not sure. It seems dumb running on fake ground when there are so many nicer places to run."

The sound of splashing water slowed, then stopped. Faelen flushed and started to wash his paws. Geoff stepped into the dark washroom. Faelen had just turned the small light on.

Geoff stepped up to the toilet and turned his back to Faelen as he began to empty his bladder, while his friend started to brush his teeth. "He was mad; they both were."

They both shivered at the memory. Neither teen had seen their fathers like that before; the manifestation of their Spirits, barely controlled, reminded them of the gap in their powers. Conor wasn't even near any body of water to amplify his powers.

Faelen grunted assent. "I'm not surprised. I would have been mad, too, in their position."

Geoff flushed the toilet after he finished. "I'm sorry. You know, for last night." He stepped into the shower. It was smaller than the one at Nathanial's, not even a metre square; they'd both fit in it at the same time before, but it was a tight fit. Geoff glanced over at Faelen when he didn't respond, nervous.

Faelen closed the washroom door to keep in the steam. "I know. I'm sorry, too. I just reacted when Nicholas attacked, or I guess, stopped you. Grabbing your paw wasn't really an attack, even if it did hurt. Reaching for a book you thought was a grimoire was pretty dumb."

Geoff flinched; Faelen was still a bit mad. "Sorry."

Faelen crossed his legs and leaned back against the sink as the steam from the shower started to roll over him. His sheath was still plump from his morning wood and he unconsciously adjusted his large sac so it rested on his thighs. "It's made out of Succubus skin."

Geoff blushed and turned slightly so he didn't look directly at Faelen. "What?"

"The book. It's made out of Succubus skin. You probably didn't smell the Succubus outside by the back wall, but the book had the same smell. I read that grimoires are usually made out of magic creatures related to the type of magic the book is focused on. The Akita pups are probably pretty good at enchantments. Probably lots of sex-related spells in that book, too. Maybe some hot pointers. I bet that's why he seemed to be such a good kisser."

Geoff's penis was poking out of his sheath. "Stop that. I know you're trying to rile me up."

"Ah! He's catching on!" Faelen laughed. "It seems to be working."

"Yes, you brat. Now stop. I need to get cleaner, not messier."

"You showered pretty thoroughly yesterday afternoon. A quick scrub is probably sufficient. I need a good soaping."

"Hop in. I'll behave; I'm hunting someone else." Geoff moved to the back of the stall, briskly rubbing shampoo over his fur.

"Your prey seems to be leaping into your maw. Not much of a hunt. He initiated your first kiss, not you."

Geoff blushed. "I still find it exciting."

"I noticed."

Geoff looked down at himself and blushed. He was hard and dripping. "Sorry."

"I've seen it before. Many, many, times." Faelen put a lot of weariness into his voice, and Geoff laughed, embarrassed. "I hope the pups are doing okay. They were pretty rattled last night, especially Nicholas. I wonder why he was so...out of it last night. He growled at Nathanial when Nathanial picked up the grimoire."

Geoff was genuinely shocked; the other two pups seemed to really look up to their brother, from what he saw. "What? I didn't hear... Well you, better hearing, yeah, yeah. What was his body language?"

"He didn't know he growled. He was furious and protective. For some reason he views that book as his, and his alone. I doubt it's been like that for long. Nathanial's reaction would seem to indicate he views it as his. Whoever's it is, it isn't anyone out of the family."

"No." Geoff wandered off topic without noticing. "I wonder if Smith gets some sort of power from the feather he wears."

Faelen squeezed past Geoff to let him rinse as he finished scrubbing. "Maybe."

Geoff quickly rinsed off and stepped out of the shower as a naked Dirk slipped in. He wasn't even wearing his bones.

"Sorry pups. Conor is in the washroom and will be there awhile. I need to piss, badly." He stepped up to the toilet. His sheath was a little longer than Faelen's, and almost as thick. His testes were just slightly larger, and hung lower.

Geoff towelled off, unconsciously eyeing Dirk's firm, round glutes and muscular back. He spent a lot of time working out, and it showed.

The sounds of splashing urine tapered off as Dirk finished. "Flushing, Son." Faelen stepped back, and Dirk eyed the shower -- or his son, Geoff couldn't tell which -- as Faelen had skinned back his sheath and was quickly washing his shaft. Geoff couldn't help but eye him, too.

Faelen rinsed himself off. "I'm just about done if you want to shower."

Dirk hesitated, obviously tempted, but shook his head. "I enjoy a shower right after waking up, but I need to get breakfast started. I'll be working out soon, and have to shower after that anyway. Sausage sound good?"

"Sounds good, Da."

Dirk shook his head as he washed his paws. He left the room and went upstairs, his tail arched up and slowly wagging. Geoff and Faelen dried up and finished getting ready for school.

At breakfast, Geoff stood by his chair while Faelen helped Dirk bring out the food.

Dirk motioned for him to sit once everything was ready. "Conor won't be down for awhile. You may not see him until after school." He began dishing out the food.

"Oh." Geoff fiddled with his fork and looked at his father's empty seat. It seemed wrong to eat without him. "Is he okay?"

He didn't get an answer because Conor walked in at that point. Geoff looked at his father and opened his mouth to speak, but shut up when Dirk gave him the evil eye. His da just grabbed a plate of food and went back upstairs without saying anything.

Once Conor was gone Dirk shook his head, making his choker rattle. "He was up till I don't know how late making phone calls and other stuff dealing with someone's mess." He threw Geoff a wry look. "I went to bed at 3 am. I'm just glad that my Spirit powers reduce the need for sleep. He'll probably sleep for most of the day."

"Oh." Once again he screwed up and made work for everyone. "Why, um, would it be so much work? The Demons were gone. It's the Society's business, isn't it? It was a Mage family they attacked."

Dirk frowned at him but answered anyway. "Yes, but some Mage named Ahjee was practically accusing Conor of arranging a Demon attack on your Mage family. He kept pressing Conor for personal information about who we are and where we are from, since it's obvious we aren't local." His frown deepened. "Now we'll probably have the Society poking their noses into our business; be very careful you two."

Geoff decided to wait for this afternoon or tomorrow morning to ask about tryouts.

---

Nathanial woke early, feeling confused, unused to having a Fur cuddling into him. He looked down and saw Micah peeking under the covers at his morning wood. He cleared his throat.

Micah blushed and dropped the blanket. "Morning, Nats. Are you all right? It sounded like you had bad dreams."

Nathanial thought back to his dreams, but couldn't recall any of them clearly. Just Nicholas screaming and begging for help... "Nick! Where's Nicholas!" Nathanial slipped the grimoire from under his pillow and hugged it to his chest with his left arm as he jumped from bed.

Micah looked scared at the panic in Nathanial's voice. "I don't know! He was gone when I woke up. What's wrong?"

Nathanial ran out of his room, still naked. "We have to find him!" Micah followed, whimpering. In the rec room, Nathanial could hear the shower running. He ran to the bathroom and pushed open the door. The curtain was closed, but Nathanial clumsily yanked it open with his left paw as he used his elbow to wedge it against his body, breaking several of the hooks.

Nicholas shrank against the wall, both paws placed in front of his sheath. "Nats! Don't you know how to knock!?" He saw the grimoire in Nathanial's arm, and a faint growl escaped from him. Nathanial was too relieved to notice.

He handed the book to Micah and grabbed Nicholas in a big hug. Nicholas's eyes followed the grimoire.

"Gods, Nick. When I didn't see you when I woke up, I thought something happened. I had horrible dreams all night that you were hurt and trapped somewhere." Tears leaked from Nathanial's eyes and he gave a sob, finally drawing Nicholas's attention to him.

Nick's expression softened and he hugged his brother, rubbing his back and ears. "Hey, hey. Look. I'm here. Nothing wrong. Just relax. Remember, we have school today. Let's just get ready and deal with today. We can talk this afternoon. Shh, shh." He rocked his brother and rested his chin on Nathanial's shoulder as he tried to calm him down.

Micah slipped back into the bathroom, his eyes wide and still looking a bit spooked. Nicholas started when he noticed the pup come in; neither brother had seen their little brother leave.

"Where's the grimoire?" Nick said a bit sharply.

Nathanial came back to himself at the tone. He looked at Micah when he felt a tingle of magic.

Micah said, "I put it back it the cupboard where it belongs and put the key in Nathanial's room."

Nathanial could feel the tenseness in his middle brother's body, and said nothing about the Charm. He appeared to be the only one who could tell when one of his brothers used magic, but he figured they would be able to with practice. They really needed to spend more time developing their skills. Nathanial let Nicholas go.

He watched as Nicholas forced himself to relax. "Ah, ok. C'mon guys, we need to hurry."

'When has Nick been so responsible? Micah may be right; something is fishy.' Nathanial was certain the grimoire was not in the cupboard and the key was not in his room. Well, the grimoire might be locked up. The cupboard was enchanted to be virtually indestructible.

Nathanial realized he'd showered right before bed last night, so he stepped out of the shower and dried off. "Micah, I need help getting dressed and changing my bandage. Can you help me?"

"Sure, Nats." Micah grabbed the bandages and scissors before following Nathanial into his room.

Nathanial was sitting on his bed and about to say something when Micah jerked his head toward the door and flicked his gaze over to Nathanial's backpack. Nathanial just nodded and held up his right arm with his left so Micah could cut off the bandages.

"Can't move it at all today, Nats? You need to get it looked at."

"Yeah, I know. I just don't know how I'll explain it. If it isn't getting better by the end of school, I'll go to the school nurse."

Micah just shook his head and tried to lift the mood by relating some funny stories he'd heard yesterday. Nathanial realized what he was doing and allowed himself to be distracted. He managed to keep in a lighter mood until he left for school.

He immediately knew where the grimoire was when he lifted up his backpack and slung it over his left shoulder. He was careful to make sure Nicholas wasn't alone with it during breakfast.

---

Geoff made sure he left for school early and set out at a brisk jog toward Nathanial's, taking the shortcut through the woods. He glanced back and Faelen didn't look surprised at all. He blushed. 'I must be completely transparent to him. "Many years of dutiful service to my master." He's right. He always has been there for me, never complaining, never hesitating unless he thinks it may be dangerous.' He smiled sadly. 'And he's usually right. He was right the entire time last night, his advice was sound, and it could have turned out really badly. I don't deserve him. I wonder if Da feels like this about Dirk sometimes.'

"We are here because we want to be, Geoff." Geoff turned to look at him so fast he nearly stumbled and just caught himself before he ran headfirst into a tree. Faelen smiled. "No, I can't read your mind. You just kept looking at me with such a pitiable expression on your face, I could guess what you must be thinking about. You and Conor are good masters. You generally seek our advice and listen to it, or give it due consideration. Even if you don't seek it we know that if we volunteer it, you usually don't get angry or dismiss it out of paw. That is why we got upset last night. We were right, as usual, and were doing our best to help our friends. We didn't deserve what you gave us. But we should hurry if we want to catch Nathanial."

Geoff shifted his shoulders uncomfortably as he started running again. "I'm sorry. And, yes, you were right, that is what I was thinking of. We don't deserve you."

"I hope you don't spend the next two weeks beating yourself up, or it's going to be a very long two weeks. You and Conor are very valuable to the Clan. Your father has been a great asset; his financial acumen has greatly multiplied the wealth of the Clan as well as your family's personal accounts. He has sired two Elementals, including a Dark Spirit. His diplomacy has strengthened our position amongst the other Spirits, as well as the Hidden World at large. Da's greatest strength is his combat expertise and combat powers; he could best serve the Clan by becoming the bodyguard of one of its treasures. We are honoured to do what we can to help." Faelen sounded genuinely grateful to be of help.

Geoff wiped a tear from his eye and stepped up the pace a bit.

They slowed down in front of the gates to Nathanial's house. Running through the woods like that was a great shortcut, even if it meant they couldn't take their bikes. A school bus had just pulled away, and Nicholas was standing at the curb. He looked up at them as they walked over. His tail wagged once and then drooped.

Faelen wrapped his arm around Nicholas's shoulders. "Hey pup, you okay?" He nuzzled Nicholas's ear.

"Yeah, it was just a rough night," Nicholas said, blushing. He looked at Geoff. "Nathanial left early because he's walking today, and my bus will be here in a moment. I'll probably start walking to school, too, when the weather is good. You coming by this afternoon?"

Faelen stepped back as Geoff said, "Nah, I'm grounded. Two weeks. Da was upset I snuck out last night." He looked at Faelen. "No reason you can't go out while I'm at home."

Faelen shook his head. "No, Da's upset, too. I'll talk with him this evening, to see what my punishment will be."

Geoff felt shocked at that. Why was Faelen being punished?

His bodyguard nodded to the young Akita. "Catch you later, Nicholas."

They jogged off, figuring they could quickly catch up to Nathanial at school. Geoff was deep in thought when Faelen said, "Something's wrong with Nicholas. His scent is off. I can't place it."

"Is that why you were so physical back there? I thought you might be getting sweet on him. I was trying to decide whether to be upset for not telling me you were gay yesterday when I said I was, or not," Geoff said, relief battling concern. Faelen remained silent. "Are you?"

He sounded slightly evasive. "No, I'm not sweet on Nicholas. I put my arm around him because something is bothering him, and I wanted to get a good smell."

"Are you gay?"

Faelen remained silent for a moment. "Are you asking as my boss, or my friend?"

Geoff stopped running, even though Nathanial had just came in view as they rounded a corner. "Faelen?" The hurt in his voice was obvious. "Why would you even ask?"

"I've thought about it a lot. Da is still single sixteen years after my mother died, and I don't think he has even been on a single date. My life is probably going to be very similar. As a friend I have no problem telling you, but as your bodyguard, it's irrelevant. I'm your bodyguard first and foremost. That is what I was born to be, and that is my duty."

"Fuck your duty! I don't give a damn about it!" Geoff shouted, causing Nathanial to turn around and see them. "You can't just turn off your life because of mine! How can I be happy knowing my best friend thinks he never will be? I want you to find someone that will make you as happy as Nathanial makes me. I can't accept anything less. If need be, I'll lock myself in a secure vault so you can go out. Is Dirk even mad at you?"

"No, he isn't."

"Then if you did like Nicholas, or if you even just want to go out while I'm grounded, do so."

"Where would I go? I don't really know Nicholas; I'm certainly not crushing on him. I've never been out on my own, so I have no idea what to do with myself. Where would I go?"

Geoff stared at him, full of shame and grief.

Faelen snuffled. "I'm sorry, but I'm lost without you. I've dedicated every aspect of my life to being a good friend and guardian. I don't know how to be alone."

Geoff hugged him as Nathanial came to a stop, panting from the unaccustomed exertion.

"Hey guys, what's wrong?"

Faelen disengaged from Geoff. "Nothing. Just family issues. Your arm is worse? You need to get that looked at."

Geoff looked at Nathanial with a woebegone look that changed to concern as he saw Nathanial's arm in a sling. "Can you at least feel it, yet?" Nathanial shook his head. "My father may have contacts who can help you get someone who can help."

Faelen shot him a dirty look.

Nathanial looked surprised. "Why would your dad know someone who can deal with demon wounds?"

Faelen spoke sharply. "Sir, we are going to be late for school; we must hurry." He felt somewhat mollified as Geoff hung his head, ears back submissively. Nathanial looked at them in confusion, but Faelen kept talking in hopes of distracting the Akita. "Nathanial, if you are going to spend much time around Geoff, you'll quickly learn you're lucky if he moves at less than a run. I often have to wear rollerblades to keep pace."

Nathanial looked at how fit Faelen was and back to Geoff in horror. Geoff grinned evilly.

Faelen grinned as well, though his was smugger than Geoff's. "Don't worry; toss Geoff a rope and he'll drag you on your blades; just keep your balance."

Nathanial's voice was small, and he kept looking at Geoff, horrified as they walked at a brisk pace. "I, um... I guess I'd better get some rollerblades and a lot of protective gear."

Geoff kept grinning as he said, "Don't forget the rope, you'll need it. We actually thought you'd be riding your bike today; that's why we were so early. I can see why you didn't." Geoff's humour was returning, and he marvelled at how skilled Faelen was at diverting the conversation.

A couple of blocks from school Geoff noticed Faelen's nose twitch as he looked at Nathanial's backpack. Faelen seemed to consider something for a second before asking, "Your backpack looks heavy today, and your shoulder must hurt. Do you want me to carry it for awhile?"

Nathanial suddenly jumped away from Faelen, panting in fright. "No! No, I, I'm good. R-Really. I-It isn't heavy, not at a-all."

"You brought it with you?" Geoff said, incredulous. "Why? The Fates don't like being tempted, pup."

"It was safer than leaving it at home."

Faelen asked softly, "Nicholas?"

Nathanial looked at him, horrified. "What? Who? What are you?"

Faelen just smiled. "Your friends. We stopped by your house, thinking to catch you before you left. Nicholas was still there. He's still acting oddly. Last night he growled when you picked up the grimoire, and stared at you angrily. I don't think that is how he behaves normally. He didn't act like that at all once the grimoire was out of sight."

The Akita whimpered. "What's wrong with him? Can you help him? Or Geoff's dad's friends? Please, something is wrong. Micah was so scared this morning; he hid the grimoire in my book bag and placed a Charm on Nick to make him think it was locked in its cupboard. He scared me, too. Help him."

Geoff put his arm around Nathanial as he spoke. "We need to know what is going on to be able to do anything, pup." He wasn't sure whether to be mad at Faelen or not for steering the conversation back to where Nathanial remembered Geoff's comment about his father. Faelen deserved his trust though, and if they could get some straight answers from Nathanial it may have been worth it. "You need help, too. We're almost at school; we can talk about this on the way home."

Nathanial nodded and stared up at Geoff with a hopeful and smitten expression. Geoff felt invincible as he held the Akita close, but he hoped he could live up to the pup's expectations.