Whitestripe

Chapter 12

After my hair was washed and he started to towel dry my hair, I grabbed the towel from him and moved to sit back on the table. He took residence on the chair I was previously occupying, allowing me to take over. I sat cross-legged while I started on the arduous task of drying.

My hair was easier to dry with a blow dryer and a brush, however all I had was my fingers and this towel so I knew when it had finally dried I would have a fun time with frizz especially with no leave in conditioner. While working on the task, I looked at him. “What do you mean you were obligated to help me because Gryatt had injured me?” I didn’t think he heard me at first because he appeared to be lost in thought. “Hm? Oh, because if one of the elders causes harm or makes a mess, it reflects poorly on all of us, so we are required to make it right.” Oh. “I wouldn’t think too much of it, little hybrid. It's just our ways.” There he goes with the “little hybrid” comment again. Is that his pet name or something? “Why do you keep calling me that, I have a name, you know.” I grumbled. “I’m aware. You just remind me of a little sister who is always getting herself into trouble.” Yep, a pet name. “Rayne, I want the truth.” He straightened said with a commanding tone. I don’t think I could have lied even if I wanted to. “When was the last time you’ve rested?” I looked up and met crimson. “Fully?” he nodded. “I passed out on the scene this morning before 5 waiting for cleanup to come and then went back to the hotel and slept till nine before Gryatt woke me up.” I might as well fess up; they’ll see in the report that I was unconscious when clean up got there. “Before then?” he asked. I had to think. “Saturday? It wasn’t very long. Again, Gryatt was incessant on keeping me awake.” It was Friday. He just stared at me. “For how long?” Hm, tough one. “About 5 hours?”

I was sugar coating it. I’ve been working on this case since the Thursday before last. I got in and started right away, trying to find out what was going on. Once I lost the scent Friday morning, I went back to the hotel around 6 am and slept until 10 am when Gryatt came pounding on the door. The same thing happened Saturday morning, but it was from 8 am until 9 am when he came pounding on my door. That was the day of the closet threat. I relayed the information to Firewing, I had the sinking feeling that he already knew but needed a verbal confirmation. “Explains some things.” He said more to himself than to me. He stood up and reached for my arm, grabbing the towel and dropping it on the table as we left. He led me out the door we came in and to the elevator.

I was led to the basement garage and was practically thrown in the back of a car. He climbed in the driver’s side and pulled out of the garage after turning it on. Apparently, I’m not allowed in the passenger seat? I thought to myself. We pulled out onto the main road and drove for a bit before he glanced in the rear-view mirror at me. “You’re not safe going back to your hotel. Gryatt knows where you’re staying, so I’m moving you. I need you at 100%, so I want you to meet me on Monday at a little café that’s near the apartment I’m dropping you off at.” His eyes moved back to the road. Three days, he was giving me three days to catch up on sleep. “I appreciate it; however, this case is too important to have a break that long. Give me until tomorrow. That should be enough to catch up. It’s 5 pm now, I can get to the room, clean up, rest, eat, and be recharged by tomorrow morning.” He contemplated my offer; I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, though. I wasn’t sure if it was a test to see what my answer would be or if he genuinely was worried about my safety and wellbeing. “I need my clothes and belongings from my previous hotel though, so can we swing over and grab it before we go wherever you’re taking me?” I asked. “No, I’ll drop you off at the new place, and I’ll go gather your belongings and deliver them to you.” I wasn’t sure how I felt him going through my dirty clothes. “Whatever needs to be washed, I’ll send it to the cleaners.” It was like he was reading my thoughts. That’s impossible… isn’t it? Oh boy, there was a lot about this guy that I didn’t know.