Goddard lets her go but remains sitting on the ground. "But...you hate him. I thought he'd be the worst."

"Whatever you say," he shrugs with a grin. "You're going to let Two recognize his ability before you? Tsk."

"I appreciate your concern," she giggles, wrapping her arms around him. She pulls him down for a scorching kiss and toys with both his ears.

"No. He says he wants to drink all my gold away or he won't work for anyone who's not a druchii. We're still druchii to him. Maybe one day he won;t feel that way. Eventually he'll have to and then who knows what he'll do."

Tallyn gets back to his feet. "Gill, I told-" he opens the door wide and scowls. "You. Look, she doesn't want to see you."

Everything seems perfect again. Perfect enough. Otto is back and Goddard is laughing and smiling. Then then warm glow from the fireplace dims and the shadows dancing on the walls feel sinister. Otto doesn't seem to notice, but Goddard begins to panic. The shadows become tentacles and claws, grabbing at Otto, pulling him away. Goddard screams, but there is no sound and he can't breath.

He jerks awake and whimpers, "Father?" He looks around the room before his eyes fall on Aara beside him.

"This may end up being our favorite store then. That's all we want after everything else we go through daily."