Regret Came Too Late

Grace spun around and rushed back inside.

To her surprise, Ed was still standing right where she'd left him in the entryway, unmoving and perfectly still. It seemed he had no idea people had just died right outside.

She took a deep breath, then gently cupped his face in her hands, speaking softly, "Something happened outside. For now, don't go out. Your doctor friend-is he with The Obsidian?"

Ed's lashes fluttered, and he instinctively nuzzled against her palm, his voice low and slightly clingy. "Yup."

"Good. Call him. I need his help with something."

If he were from The Obsidian, he would know how to handle dead bodies. No doubt.

Ed immediately made the call without asking questions. After a moment, he asked, "Grace, why does it smell like blood?"

Grace pulled him toward the couch in the darkened living room. "I got a small cut on my arm. It's nothing serious."

Ed didn't push. He just sat there, silently stroking her fingertips, lost in thought.

About 20 minutes later, Grace heard someone outside.

stood, but placed a firm hand on Ed's shoulder and said, "You sit down. Stay put.

He nodded obediently.

him a faint smile,

Getting called out this late to

and adjusted the glasses on the bridge

Lambert. What do you need?"

bodies lying nearby. "Clean this up. Ed told me you're part of The Obsidian-I assume this isn't your first time handling a cleanup like this. Also, don't say a word to him. In his mind, I'm still someone who can't hurt a fly.

of the

an eyebrow, slightly concerned. "Are you

struggling to keep a straight face. "I'm fine. I'm just a little... surprised. But don't worry, I'll take care of the bodies. I won't say a

"Make it fast. He's still

arrived and cleaned up everything with surgical precision. By the time they were done, it was like nothing had

back at Grace. "All done. You can go back and comfort your boyfriend

the way he said it. Like he was watching some kind of amusing drama unfold. But Grace didn't have

it.

She returned inside.