Thread: The Butcher's Bill (Prince x LeatrixSage)

Standing under that man's scrutiny had felt obscene. She knew he had seen more than he should. Or felt that he did but... she didn't know just what exactly he was seeing. The fleeting idea of him seeing through her clothes came and went, but lingered just long enough to pinkin her cheeks. She had startled when he stood and his hand had taken hers, and then nearly pulled away when he had bent over it. The chivalrous motion brought up girlish memories of her failed debut to society and her following exile from it. The very thing that made her perfect for her job. She was one of them, or had been. She hadn't had her gloves on, and the back of her hand was still tingling from where his lips had seared her skin. She wanted desperately to rub it away, but resisted the urge for fear of looking too distressed. 'Your friend did just die, she reasoned with herself. ' You should be distressed. She was calm and collected at as he spoke. Of course he was here to find the killer. Of course he wanted to help, that was his job. But, at the mention of being Her Majesty's Royal Magical Crimes Investigator, her teacup clattered on the little saucer in her hand as her eyes snapped up to his. 'He knows!' her mind shrieked with fear as Elisa forced herself to breath. She forced her eyes away from the piercing silver ones that seemed so intent in seeing her soul, with the excuse of reaching for a slice of lemon. Her hand shook until she schooled her emotions and reclaimed the calm of before. She let him finish his line of questions before she looked up again. Despite the clear, cold, clarity in his eyes as they watched her, she felt in her element. Duping, maneuvering, and out witting 'Them' had become a private game of hers many years ago. This Ethan Colton would be no different. Just another peacock with a stuffed shirt. Claudia and I both like to take our strolls in the evenings, she began to explain, allowing some of her pain over the loss to bleed through into her voice. It is quieter, most people are at home and we have the parks to ourselves. Elisa smiled sadly as she shrugged. Last night was no different. I left Claudia, her throat closed up as her eyes stung. Guilt welled up, swamped her, strangled the air from her lungs. She took a long swallow of her tea to ease her throat and then gasped for air as she set it down. She had left Claudia behind that night. I had left her, she started again, swallowing back the urge to cry. Near the park entrance, not even two blocks from here. I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit my pillow. I didn't know she hadn't come home until I cam home at one this afternoon. The careful blend of truth and lie worked in her favor. But, something else was weighing on her mind. She had left Claudia at the theater because she had needed to be up early for the vulture. Claudia had been free to stay. Neither of them had ever needed to fear a man controlling them. Pull a leyline through their body and most will drop like a swatted fly. What if he was right? If something magical had killed Claudia, what had it been? Who was it?... Her mind was filtering through every face, but no one stood out. No one had done anything to stand out. A good butcher never lets the lamb see the knife coming. A little shiver went through her at the thought, but was it not the truth? A hunter did not show his face until his fangs were in your throat. Otherwise, he would have been caught by now. She wasn't with anyone, at least not anyone that I know about. Sighing and pulling herself together, Elisa sat back in a less than lady like manner, slouching against the back of the couch. I'm exhausted, she complained, whining in a way she had seen the vulture use on men of his ilk. I am sorry I can't help you further, Lord Colton. She let her eyes find his and offered the his same phony smile back to him. Really, so sorry.