“It isn’t right to overhear,” Queen Lisabeth said to Matteo who completely ignored her. “You must apologize to the men in here.”

He stood, still staring at Indenuel, barely containing a sob. The boy knew, and there was little he could do now.

“Matteo, dear boy,” Martin said, walking over to him. “It’ll be alright. We’ll have guards posted around every inch of Indenuel’s house. Tolomon is the world’s best Graduate. Absolutely no one is going to hurt you. There is nothing to be afraid of.” Matteo finally tore his eyes from Indenuel and looked at Martin. “I need you to be brave for your sisters.” The boy looked as though he saw the murder happen right before his eyes. Indenuel’s skin went frigid, waiting for Matteo to condemn him as his gaze turned back, the tears continuing to fall, the sob beginning to come in full force. Indenuel stared at him, saying nothing, trying to give an almost imperceptive shake of his head. Matteo joined in his torture without knowing it, and he still felt protective of the boy. He wanted to assure him everything would be alright, even though it wasn’t.

Martin placed a hand on Matteo’s shoulder. “We will get to the bottom of this so you and your sisters may be safe.”

Matteo gasped, then gasped again. He was starting to panic. Indenuel moved around the desk toward him, but when he saw him coming, he backed away, terror stricken.

“Matteo,” Indenuel said.

He turned and sprinted out of the hallway and toward the back doors, toward the gardens. Instinctually, Indenuel ran after him. Matteo threw open the back doors and ran as far as he could before he stumbled and fell. Indenuel grabbed him, helping him stay steady.

“Don’t!” Matteo screamed, crawling away from his touch. “Get away from me!”

“I must insist we go inside,” Tolomon said as he approached the two of them. “We cannot stay out here. Not when a murderer is-”

“We’re fine,” Indenuel said, feeling heat rise to his cheeks, terrified Tolomon would find out. “I’m not moving Matteo until he’s ready.”

“It isn’t safe,” Tolomon said.

“Then make it safe!” His voice came out far sharper than he intended. “That’s your job, isn’t it?” He didn’t mean to momentarily lose his temper, and at Tolomon, of all people. His emotions had been in a high state ever since last night, and he could only keep them smothered for so long. He hadn’t been able to relax, and he was exhausted. He was bound to make mistakes and snapping at Tolomon would have to be one of them.

Tolomon paused, then his face turned neutral as he pulled out a sword and walked past Indenuel and Matteo, keeping a watchful eye.

“What did you do?” Matteo asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Shh,” Indenuel said, watching Tolomon checking every shadow the garden cast.

“You healed my back last night. You saw it.”

“Shh,” Indenuel said again, reaching out to try and touch his shoulder again.

“You’ll be thrown in the dungeon. I’ll never see you again.”

Indenuel grabbed Matteo’s shoulder and this time he did not back away. Instead, he trembled in fear, which was almost worse. “I know this is hard to understand. You’re confused, but please, it’s better if you just forget.”

“How can I?” His voice trembled, another sob threatened to overtake him. Indenuel said nothing. Matteo was a fragile boy. He wouldn’t understand. Indenuel felt no guilt for murdering them. His guilt only came when he realized he might get caught. And now realizing what it would do to Matteo, he finally felt the first pangs of regret.

Indenuel helped the boy to his feet and gave him a hug. He didn’t struggle, he simply sobbed, covering his face, prompting Indenuel to hug him tighter.

“They can’t hurt you anymore,” he whispered into Matteo’s ear. “They were dragged to Hell last night, where they’ll stay for the rest of eternity. You are free from them.”

“I didn’t ask you to protect me,” Matteo said between sobs, trying to be quiet.

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“No one ever does,” Indenuel said, again checking that Tolomon was far away.

“And you? You’ll go to Hell too,” Matteo said.

“I will do anything to make sure you and the girls stay safe,” Indenuel said as he watched Tolomon walking back, his sword still unsheathed. “You are my family. No one is going to hurt you again. Even if I go to Hell to make sure you three stay safe.”

Matteo sobbed even harder. Martin came out of the house, walking toward him. “If you’d like, I could have some of your staff make him some calming tea. They could reach out to my wife for the recipe.”

Indenuel nodded. “Thank you, Martin.”

He placed a hand on Matteo’s shoulder. “Some guards will remain here to keep you and your sisters safe. Indenuel, we are all going to Dalius’ house to continue the investigation, see if he is well enough to commune with the good spirits.”

Matteo’s knees began to weaken and Indenuel tightened his grip over him to keep him upright. “I will follow, once I get Matteo situated.”

“After some calming tea, he’ll need some rest,” Martin said.

“I’ll take him to his room. Have the tea delivered there. Or…” Indenuel realized he was ordering about a High Elder, and he started to feel flustered. “Or… someone else-”

“It’s fine, my boy. I am happy to help,” Martin said, patting Indenuel on the shoulder before he left.

Matteo shuddered again, his fingers digging into his thin face. Indenuel leaned down again. “Say nothing, do nothing until I return.”

“Will you return?”

Indenuel didn’t dare make a promise he couldn’t commit to. Especially with Matteo. Instead, he helped the boy toward the house and back up the stairs to the guest rooms as Tolomon followed behind. Indenuel helped Matteo into his bed, his body still trembling. There was a knock on the door and Tolomon opened it, stepping aside to let a servant enter, holding a tray with a teapot and a teacup. Matteo said nothing, gathering the blankets around him as Indenuel poured the tea.

“This should help your nerves,” Indenuel said quietly. Matteo took the cup, but also grabbed his hand in his free one. He winced as Matteo squeezed the bruises and cuts no one else could see.

“Please don’t go,” Matteo whispered. “Don’t go to High Elder Dalius’ house.”

“I have to,” Indenuel said, fully aware Tolomon was in the same room and could hear the conversation despite the whispering. He tried to ruffle the boy’s locks, but his heart wasn’t in it. “You have gone through quite the shock today. Some rest will do you good.”

Matteo shook his head, closing his eyes as more tears squeezed out. Indenuel didn’t want to continue this conversation. It was secretive enough, but Matteo was in an excited state. He could make a mistake, and then they wouldn’t have to go to High Elder Dalius’ house to find out who the murderer was.

Indenuel helped Matteo drink more tea. The boy’s grip loosened on his fingers, and he tried to wiggle them to get the feeling back.

“He will be back, Matteo. It’s important you get some sleep,” Tolomon said. He pointedly ignored Tolomon, staring at Indenuel with significantly less terrified eyes, but still terror. Matteo still had a strong grip on his gloves, and Indenuel could do nothing but pat his hands.

“I will see you later,” Indenuel said.

“Promise?” Matteo asked.

He swallowed, his heart pounding. He couldn’t. Matteo knew this. Indenuel didn’t know if he would be back. “Get some sleep, now. Your body needs to relax.” Fresh tears spilled over Matteo’s cheeks. Despite finishing the cup of tea, he still looked like he was going to start sobbing again. “I’ll leave the tea here for if you need more.”

Matteo eased himself into his bed, pulling the covers over him, wrapping it around his head until only his eyes and nose were visible.

Indenuel stood, his legs trembling. He turned his back on Matteo, walking out of the room, trying to calm his own nerves. Tolomon patted Indenuel’s shoulder as he left, but he didn’t have the strength to look at him.

“I need one more moment,” Indenuel managed to get out. “Alone. In my room. I need… I need a moment to breathe. Then I’ll go to Dalius’.”

Tolomon nodded. “I’ll be at your door if you need.”

He nodded then headed toward his room. Tolomon checked the room before leaving. The moment Indenuel shut the door, he eased the gloves off his hands and washed them again before drying them on his dirty nightclothes. He wanted to wrap them in bandages, but there were none to be seen. He cursed quietly before placing the gloves back on his hands. Matteo was in a bad state. He didn’t know if he could keep this all a secret when it was just him knowing, but now with Matteo in on it as well, things weren’t looking good.

“Indenuel?” Tolomon asked quietly. “The girls are here to see you.”

He pulled the remaining glove back on as he headed toward the door. He opened the door to see Tolomon standing beside Emilia and Isla. They had pronounced frowns on their faces, and as soon as they saw Indenuel they ran to him. He dropped to his knees and hugged them.

“Queen Lisabeth said we’re safe here,” Emilia whispered. “Are we? Are we safe from the bad men?”

He squeezed them tightly. “Yes, Emilia. They wouldn’t get you. I promise.”

“Are they trying to hurt you?” Isla asked.

“We don’t know. It’s too early to tell. Have you both had breakfast?” They both nodded. “Good. Now stay in the house. Don’t go wandering off.”

“You look sick,” Isla said, touching his face.

“I’m just trying to keep you two safe,” Indenuel said, hugging them again. “Go play. I will be back.”

The girls nodded before they walked away, whispering quietly amongst each other. Indenuel started following when he paused. His vision swam again. He was leaning against the wall before he realized he was against it.

“Indenuel?” Tolomon asked, alarm in his voice as he checked his face. It was as Indenuel figured. He shouldn’t be awake. Some sort of dark power woke him up from the devil’s sleep to allow him to do this. He never heard of such a thing, but it was clearly possible.

“We need to get to High Elder Dalius’ home,” Indenuel said, walking on unsteady legs, feeling more strength return the more he walked. “The sooner the better.”