The Regency Witch and Werewolf

Locked Doors

I layed under the willow tree, my thick black fur helping me to blend in with the darkness. There were lanterns and flames a plenty to light the gardens of the Scarlet house. But most of them.weee put out about an hour ago.

Glancing towards her open balcony window my ears listen to any sounds that would provoke me to climb that wall and enter her room in seconds. But for now nothing. Both I and

Rayden ache to be with her. To hold her to us even if it was just to sleep. But after all these years, we knew we had to be patient with our River. Pouncing on her would not be wise. we didn't want to become one of her nightmares.

Somewhere in the house a clock struck 10pm.and at last she came to the window. Her night gown is a beautiful mint color of lace, ribbons, and flowy fabric. She looked at the willow tree as if she could see me before, closing the doors and blowing out the candles.

Tilting my head to the side I wondered if she did indeed see me. She didn't lock the balcony door. If that was a habit of hers, I would need to change that. I continued to stare up at her balcony till I felt my eyes start to droop. I was just about to take a patrol around the house when I heard it. Her whimpers were soft .muffled. Standing I shifted from Rayden into my human form. I grabbed the pair of black pants I carried with me in my mouth and slipped them on with ease, before starting across the yard and up the wall in seconds. I opened the balcony doors gently and closed them behind me softly.

...She was mumbling and crying softly in her sleep. A approached with caution, slowly moving around here bed before stooping down on my hunches where her head rested. Taking her hand gently I squeezed it just a bit. Her expression relaxed. Her tears stopped falling. Her whispered words stroked a blaze in my heart.

"Don't leave Renor."

I opened my mouth and immediately closed it again. "I am not going anywhere my rose." I felt my whole body tense as her eyes popped open. Her emerald hues seem to glow as she stares at me.

"She said you would come. She was right. She said to leave the door unlocked."

Frowning I stood letting go of her hand and looked around the room. My eyes are starting to every nook and corner. "Whom?" I asked turning at last back to River who was now sitting up to light the candle beside her bed. I quickly moved to light it for her. Her gasp brought my eyes to her again. Her cheeks flushed as she looked at me.

Running a hand through my hair I knew it was due to the lack of a shirt. My eyes landed on her nearby knitted shawl and I slipped it over my head. It didn't cover me completely but it would do for now. A soft giggle as I sat on the edge of her bed had me smiling once more. "Sorry I carried pants and not a shirt with me. I wasn't expecting to have to shift to come check on you. But I could hear you outside. You said someone told you that I was coming. You said she."

"Pen... She calls herself Pen. She has been a ghost friend of mine for a long time. she comes and visits whenever she wants. I was reading earlier and she appeared by my bedside. She said a werewolf would visit you tonight. And when I asked how she knew. She told me she saw one outside my window under the willow tree watching. I simply guessed it was you. When I went to the doors I didn't see you but I left the doors unlocked Incase....

"What if it wasn't me... what if I was an enemy."

"If you were someone I needed to fear Pen wouldn't have been in a peaceful happy mood when she came to tell me. Peach color fabrics blend well with you Mr. Renor.' Her eyes lit with laughter.

I responded to her with a low growl as I leaned in. "Keep the doors locked in the future."

"But how will you get in then?"

I straightened starring at her for a second. You said that as if you expect to see me flying through your balcony doors more often."

"Cause I do.Mr. Black. You're my protector. My dreams have show me that. They never lie. They showed me tonight that, you and Abigail are like my guardian angels. So I have to leave a way for you to get in. "

"Don't worry I will be able to get in. Lock those for now on. But....but you were crying in your sleep before I came to you. You were calling my name softly... what else did your dream show you."I didn't like this dream. It showed we were her protection. For her to cry it would mean a negative outcome. And she is obviously an oracle or seer, dreams are sometimes glimpses of the future.

..."You and I were in the woods. I was scared. we got separated. I thought I was going to die. I could hear you getting closer and then you grabbed my hand and I woke up."