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.

placed a firm hand on Ed's shoulder and said, "You sit down. Stay put. Do not

He nodded obediently.

him a faint smile, then

expression was anything but pleased. Getting called out this

sharply and adjusted the glasses on the bridge

Lambert. What do you

a cleanup like this. Also, don't say a word to him.

In the stillness of the night, his coughing echoed way

eyebrow, slightly

"I'm fine. I'm just a little... surprised. But don't worry, I'll take care of the

nodded. "Make it fast.

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

leaving, Anthony glanced back at Grace. "All done. You can go back

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

it.

She returned inside.