EIGHTEENTH CHAPTER:

---Crispin’s POV---

To say I was surprised about how much Meri has been through is an understatement. I had to leave many times to get a break, as well as feed. I was lucky Ericson had already set up friendlies for Sarah and me before we came. Though I was worried about my sister staying behind during the day but after Meri fell asleep on Wednesday she went out and on Friday as well.

It still didn’t help me worrying about her. For she stayed and dealt with all those annoying people. I mean I am ok with Miguel and Lucy; they are growing on me. She reminds me of another individual in previous life, which one I can’t say. The only thing I can say is that I don’t think that person was a human being, though I just can’t remember what race or time period.

Looking to Meri as she and Lucy battle out on Mortal Kombat, I can’t help but smile that she has a good friend. Looking to Miguel who brushes off the advances of that girl Cathy, I wonder how things got here. I know Miguel would never quietly stand by and watch as she was abused.

I knew he is a kid, but his job is to guide my liege to us, so we can protect her. I just hate how close we were to losing her, especially to the deranged vampire. I just hope that when my liege starts to remember, she doesn’t forgive Desmond. I really want him to be punished for his actions, I am so over his stalker tendencies.

Though I was happy she was opening her eyes to her foster family. Hearing about how she was in charge of not only all the cooking and cleaning, but she had to do her half-sister’s schoolwork as well. There was also the fact that man, her foster father, had applied for monetary services and assistance from the government on behalf of taking care of Meri after her close dance with death.

There were also questions about Meri’s injuries last year that Ms. Maeva wanted cleared up. I was at first shocked that people accepted Mr. Cogswell lies about her being clumsy or the results of her time with that sociopath, Tom. Like really, one look at her scans from over the past year and I can see that she has been repeatedly injured for years. I was so gleeful when Mama Lola with Ericson standing next to her, scolded the doctors and social workers were being blatantly blinded. The tribal attorney was floored to see the scans himself as he also admitted to trusting everyone but the detective. I don’t really blame Mr. Anderson for believing the experts and questioning Ms. Maeva’s enquiry about her thoughts on it all.

Though I felt bad for Ericson when he had to report to the king. He arrived a few days ago and was observing everything from the shadows. He even went so far as to get her medical reports from when she was 2. He didn’t have to go back earlier since there is proof that Meri didn’t exist earlier. I wanted to question it but there was never a chance for me to speak with him.

Today is Sunday and I am hoping to speak with him. I knew he was planning something for Monday, as Ericson was always leaving to speak with Mama Lola and Mr. Walker. Since today was Sunday even Mr. Lopez came to visit; he even challenged Meri in the game. Though right now he and Mama Lola as well as Mr. and Mama Ang with Ericson were down the hall having a meeting. I could sense the king in there as well, so at the first opportunity I left the room and waited on the far side of the door. If they came out, I could slip in before the door shut and not be seen in the process. I just needed to time it right.

*Cry come back. They will tell us when we need to know!* I could just see Sarah rolling her eyes as she thought this. Luckily, I didn’t have to go back to the room, because the door opened and out came Ericson with the parents. This is when I am so happy that I’m not as big as him, as I stood behind him, meaning I was hidden from view. Except it also meant he blocked the entrance, so I had to wait.

Ericson bids them goodbye, and then turns to me. He doesn’t say anything, just gestures for me to walk in. Walking in behind me he leans against the wall beside the now closed door.

“Crispin how can I assist you?” came the crisp resonating voice of the king. Looking to the man at the far end of the table that truly demanded both respect and fear was my liege’s true father.