#{irene001}

Location: Tūmatarau Apothecary

An errand that was supposed to have resulted in a restock of her lavender and valerian root stores as well as maybe a run in with Kiri had quickly turned into a clandestine weave back to her store. Fate sure knew how to keep Thera on her toes.

When she had arrived at the apothecary she should have been more surprised to see Irene Clermont, but Thera would be remiss if she hadn’t wondered after the faintly speckled thread that been weaving its way through her board.

She had tried to warn him. She really had. But even those drawn to magic often questioned things they saw as just possibilities.

Thera had been glad to see her, alive and whole. But she hadn’t wanted to be seen with her. Not abnormal, especially for someone with as many secrets as Irene.

She didn’t doubt that his line had been cut. Now with his eyes stood in a different face, boring into hers. Eyes she had also seen when turning favours with Reverie.

Irene had looked at Thera like she had seen a ghost. Communicated as only she could that she needed Thera out. In a different location. C&C, a warded space, Thera’s space, an offer. Irene would find it, through magic or by her hunter’s whim.

Thera glanced up at the sky as Shay swooped over head. Thera smiled, her crows would guide her if nothing else.

Two months, he’d been here in Asphodel. Only slightly longer since he’d convinced House Endine in New York to initiate him into their organization. It was still wholly unfamiliar and a little bit strange to him. For so long, the idea of an organized group of gifted left such a sour taste in his mouth, and now he found himself among them. Even if it was for his own benefit, a way to give himself another layer of protection, it was not a thought he’d shared with them. A funny thing, given it was a House made up of telepaths, empaths and the like. 

He stood in the hallway of the headquarters, reading through meaningless articles and looking at pictures on his phone, some idle way to amuse himself while he waited to talk to one of the mentors. He noticed Irene walking by and per usual, he was almost content with simply letting her walk by. Most of their conversations up until this point had been a conversation of necessity or simple manners. He had nothing against her, but he’d come here wary of anyone he didn’t know, which basically meant everyone. 

Still, it’d been pointed out to him that he might benefit from making friends. And she’d seemed nice enough the few times they’d spoken, if not just as equally wary of him, as he was of her. 

“Have you seen this movie?” he asks, the question sounding as out of place and sudden as he felt asking it. But he tips his phone so she can see the trailer that’s playing on his screen. Some new movie in theaters and he can’t recall the last time he’d gone to the movies to see one.