Hey, readers. My bad at taking so long for this chapter, i was honestly being lazy...

Well, that and Dark Souls III released...

But i will say, that if anything, one chapter a week is the lowest release amount unless something happens.

Anyways, enough of that. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

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“...Siri, is this position really necessary?”

Siri had taken the chance to cuddle up to his back, and began fixing Alex up with all different kinds of strange salves. He didn't feel the concoctions were dangerous, as they were most likely made by grandma Belinda, but he was wondering if the current position was very useful in fixing his wounds. The situation wasn’t helped either by her silent treatment or that her face never gave away what emotions she felt. She had always been this way since they were children, and was one of the reasons he had stopped visiting their house as a young child.

“...Stay still.” Siri stated, nudging his unhurt side and pushing him back into what she likely felt was a comfortable position. The only thing Alex could be grateful about in the whole charade, aside from the uncomfortably lose contact, was the fact that his pain was dissipating.

“...You, are weak. I am stronger, so you do as i say.”

“...Fine.”

Alex watched as her hands pulled a variety of different bottles and cloth from the bag she had been wearing, that also had held the clothes she was wearing now. He actually felt it was strange that she had yelled at him after the comment he made, stating he was weak and couldn't tell her what to do; and yet, here she was tending to his wounds like an older sister regardless. Her way of doing things was probably from the same person that taught her how to heal, her grandmother, who also looked down on those weaker. He couldn’t blame her for looking up to her grandmother, as he had looked up to his father at one point, and decided to not fight it.

That, and the braless breasts in contact with his back were taking a lot of his attention.

Siri seemed satisfied with the treatment after several more minutes, and stood up and sniffed the air. Alex noticed the gesture and sniffed as well, the smell of blood permeating it slightly with the battle in the forest. A tree cracked in the distance, likely felled by the battle that was still going on in the woods. Alex was beginning to think the fight would never end, when the sounds got closer and the two fighters appeared in full view. He stood as the two fighters landed on the concrete nearby, facing each other and breathing heavily.

“This fight is pointless.” The creature said, one eye closed as blood dripped down the side of his face. Alex wondered how the black fog that hid his face was still active, but he didn’t really know how a lot of supernatural powers worked.

“Then you shouldn’t have attacked my friend.” Matt said while growling, clearly still raring to go even with the cuts and bruises lining his arms and legs. He began circling the creature in a predator like motion, waiting for the creature to lower his guard.

“You won’t help?” Alex asked Siri, noticing her hands balled into fist and clenched tight.

“...No, brother is strong. No need.” Was all she stated, watching the fight intently.

Matt suddenly charged, swiping at the creature's face as it barely dodged. It counterattacked, hitting Matt right in the gut and pushing him back several feet. The creature jumped in pursuit, while matt slid to a stop and pushed off the ground. He ducked under the creature's arm and swiped at its chest, spewing blood across his own back that sizzled and caused him to cry out.

The two stood opposite each other again, watching one another. Matt’s muscles gave off heat as he readied himself for the next bout, and the creature pulled its left arm behind it and a black light began shining. The two sat in silence as they readied themselves, but the creature noticed the wolven ears on Matt's head twitch. It spoke in a low voice, and then looked off down the interstate behind Matt in understanding.

“Well, look’s like this is the end of the line here for me.” The creature stated, glancing at Alex and stepping backwards. “I’ll see you again, food. Oh, and you can just call me “The Lord's Shadow”. Ta-ta!”

The creature jumped backwards and disappeared, putting everyone on edge at its next move in case it was lying at what it had said. Alex could now hear sirens blaring in the distance, heading toward them as it signalled the police and ambulance had finally arrived. Alex let out his held breath, happy to be rid of the threat to his life;for now, at least.

---

Alex sat in the back of the ambulance, eyes closed and thinking about the day's events. Mostly, he was pondering on what he had been told by the so called ‘Lord's Shadow’. Some nonsensical thoughts creeped in, like how ‘Lord's Shadow’ was such a cringe-worthy title, but mostly about the new threat the man brought to his life. He could no longer roam the city alone in his detective duties, likely assigned a partner to ride along with him from now on when he went back for active duty. The chief had called him, and given him several days off the force to rest up.

He was very thankful for that, as he’d likely go home and sleep for three days straight after it all. He breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back into the seat, listening to the commotion outside the vehicle. A knock on the door to the ambulance caused him to open his eyes, wondering who it was now that wanted to talk.

“Yea, come in.”

The door opened quickly and Matt and his sister slipped in and sat down. Matt sat across from Alex near the driver's side of the vehicle away from the door. Siri sat a foot away from Alex on the same seat, pulling a book out and quietly reading. The covering was worn, so Alex couldn’t tell what it was.

“Hey Alex, sorry about all this. It’s all my fault.” Matt stated solemnly, removing a bandage wrapped around his wrist. The scar that used to be there had all but healed already, which Alex was a little jealous of since half his own body was wrapped in bandages.

“It’s fine, and it wasn’t your fault. It’s not as if you knew this was gonna happen, right?” Was all Alex said, leaning back again and closing his eyes. He twitched a bit when his side stung, but the pain faded as quickly as it hit.

“No, i mean..”

“Matt, stop. You have nothing to apologize for. In fact...” Alex began, pausing for a breath. “...Your car was totaled, so i should be the one saying sorry.”

“Nah, man. I got insurance on it, so it’s covered. I just feel bad for putting you in this position.”

Alex opened his left eye slightly, locking eyes with Matt. He closed it again, understanding why Matt was apologizing so much.

“...They want you to get an apology accepted from me, don’t they?”

“Yea...” Matt said, sighing as he wringed the back of his neck. “...The boss chewed my ass out, and is forcing me to apologize.”

“So he knows i’m from the Rosemary family, yea?”

“...Yea...in fact...”

“Oh, no. Seriously?” Alex’s brow creased, an ominous feeling surfacing. “Why can’t they just leave me alone?”

“Because i care about you, Alex dear.” Elise’s voice drifted into his ears as the door to the ambulance opened. “Even if we fight, you ARE my only son.”

She stepped into the ambulance and sat next to Matt, nodding at him as he scooted to the side awkwardly to make room. Siri looked up from the book at the door, where two figures entered from and sat down. The first figure was a face he hadn’t seen in a long time, who sat next to his mother. The other figure was one he had seen a lot more recently, far more than since they broke up. The last figure closed the door slowly, sitting next to the first figure. He also now knew who had hired his ex-fiance, his older sister. The raven black hair, with a tinge of red, was undeniably familiar; everyone in his close family had the same color hair, after all.

“Hey Alex.” Victoria said, eyeing the bandages covering Alex’s body. Her brow twitched when she saw the blood staining the injury on the side of his stomach. His sister sat quietly, looking at the bandages as well. Her eyes lingered on the bloody spot a lot longer than the rest of them.

“So, Alex. After the fight we had, and you left, i and your father went home.” Elise stated, crossing her legs under the blood red skirt. “After that, i sat down and began writing up on my paperwork when a servant entered my study hurriedly.”

“And do you know what he said?” She asked,cocking an eyebrow as her brow lowered. “He said my son, who was a human, was caught on camera for the morning news running at the speed of a car on the interstate.”