Page 91 of Fae Devoted
“Don’t forget Miss Johnnie isn’t feeling well.” Hannah sat on the bed, her body wedged between Johnnie and her student. The human would have made a wonderful she-wolf, though she reminded her more of a mama bear at the moment. “Be gentle.”
“Oh, sorry,” she whispered, chin quivering.
“It’s fine.” Johnnie mock frowned at the chastised witchling. “But no more bouncing on the bed unless you want to see what I ate for lunch.”
“Ewwww.” Charlie’s laugh brought a genuine smile to Hannah’s face, but it vanished when the Director entered thesuite, wearing a different but still wrinkled suit. Two soldiers she didn’t recognize from earlier followed him inside. They left the door open.
“Good evening, ladies.” The Director folded his hands in front of his hips and looked directly at Charlie. “And Miss Charlotte, how are you tonight?”
“Okay.” She sat up and scooted closer to her teacher.
“Did you like the chocolate sundae I sent to your room after dinner?”
“I guess.”
“Thank the Director properly for the treat, Charlie.” Hannah’s arm wrapped protectively around her slim shoulders.
Johnnie heard the strain in the human’s voice, though she tried to hide it.
“Thank you for the ice cream, sir.”
“You’re very welcome. Miss Eriksen’s latest reports state you’ve been progressing wonderfully in your lessons the past few weeks, and I thought you deserved a reward.”
“Can I go to the park again if I promise not to—”
“Charlie, hush,” Hannah interrupted, her face paling.
The Director’s grandfatherly smile wavered then reset as his attention turned to Johnnie. “Dr. Richards informed me he gave you something for the pain.” His lips stretched to display polished, white teeth. “Tell me, Miss Long. Has it helped?”
Miss Long.
“It has.” She had no intention of asking him to remove the iron bands. The man knew as well as she did the analgesic concoction wouldn’t last. And it might be better if Charlie didn’t figure out that it was the cuffs making hersickand come to the realization the facility could use the bracelets on a Fae Touched child as well as an adult. The witchling seemed to be distrustful of the Director already. Her body language and scent broadcast a caution that was either an instinctual response to a nearbypredator or a wariness subtly cultivated by her teacher. Bottom line, Johnnie believed Hannah Eriksen had Charlie’s best interests at heart and would trust in her expert opinion on how much frightening information an eight-year-old could handle—for now.
“Director, it’s getting close to Charlie’s bedtime, and she still needs to take her bath.” Hannah rose slowly but awkwardly from the high bed; a tight pencil skirt made it tricky unless she wanted to flash the Director or disturb Johnnie needlessly. After smoothing the black fabric over her thighs, she turned and helped Charlie climb down. “If we could—”
“Did you enjoy your visit with the she-wolf tonight?” He crouched in front of the witchling and spoke to her at eye level. Hannah stiffened and tucked Charlie into her side. The Director pretended not to notice, his artificial smile intact.
Hannah nudged her to answer.
“Yes, sir,” she mumbled, the hole in her top teeth causing the S’s to sound likeTH. “She’s nice.”
“That she is,” he agreed amicably. “Would you like to visit her again?”
Charlie twisted to look at Johnnie, her gap-toothed smile wide and oh so innocent. “Yes, she’s my friend.”
“If you continue to do well in your lessons and obey Miss Eriksen and the other trainers, I’ll see what I can do.” His eyes flicked upwards, gaze still warm and friendly when they settled on Johnnie. “Good girls get rewards like chocolate ice cream and playdates with their new friends.”
And what did bad girls get? Was he threatening me or Charlie?
“I’ll be a good girl. I promise.”
“Director, it really is getting late.” Hannah’s fingers trembled as they ran down Charlie’s long ponytail.
“Of course.” He straightened and adjusted his suit jacket. “Sergeant Gentry, please escort the ladies to their rooms.”
“Yes, sir.” The shorter of the uniformed men stepped into the hallway to wait.
“Come on, honey.” Hannah held her hand and headed toward the door.
