Page 78 of Five to Love Him
They shook their head, flinched.
“It’s filthy.”
“You’re not filthy. No part of you is filthy, and even if it were, I know where you keep the wet wipes.”
They didn’t laugh at that, not even with one of them, and that was a bad sign, a very bad sign. I kissed that one’s head.
“There. Not filthy. You don’t have to be ashamed, hive. You did nothing wrong. You did nothing shameful, and I love all of you.”
They were silent, shellshocked. So was I, to be honest, but I was still just their ignorant mate who’d given up his right to yammer or complain when I had been so fucking ignorant and unable to see my hive’s needs.
“Hive, I’m not going to work today, or to school. And you’re not either. I’ll—”
“No.” They sniffled, though the one whose hair I’d kissed remained unmoving, glued to me. “No, we have to work. We have to provide for you. We have to make sure… We have to provide. You are our gleaming one, and we will always do that, no matter what.”
“Hive, my love, I know you will, but you can take a fucking sick day, and you’re taking one today. Fuck, I didn’t mean to snap at you, but please. Take a sick day.” I swallowed and made the conscious choice of being a miserable, manipulative asshole. “I’d feel better if I knew where all of you are today, if I can see you.”
“A-are you sure, Leo?”
One of them blinked up at me, his eyes red, the blue standing out brighter for it.
“Yeah, I’m fucking sure. Will you rest here while I call everyone and tell them what’s happening? I won’t tell them anything too personal of course. Is that okay?”
I saw heads nodding and heard one of them say, “Okay.”
The one who’d been so clingy let go of me but coiled into the fetal position. I was angry with myself, so fucking angry about not having a proper bed for them, about making them go through this shit on the floor of my old fucking childhood room, and I dearly wanted to yell at myself or kick something, maybe even punch that vile man, but they were my mate, and anger wasn’t my job. Taking care of them was. I wasn’t great at that, but I would do what I could.
thirty-five
Summer was the worst. It was the season during which all the young ones liked to forget that we had a dress code, and there were several members of the faculty who, too, let lapse their good habits of wearing ties. If they had necks to wear them around, that was.
The telephone on my desk rang, and I was overjoyed to see this landline still in use, no matter what my insolent manservant said about landlines being for old people who lived in the past. I looked around briefly before picking up, but I knew that my secretary wasn’t here yet to take the call for me and inform the caller that I had a secretary, a status symbol still, even if a certain manservant had a different opinion.
“Hello, this is Headmaster Farrow speaking. How can St. Auguste help you with your educational goals today?”
“Principal Farrow.”
“Oh, Leopold. It’s so sweet of you to call, but did I not share my cellular phone number with you?” I cocked my head. “Have they fallen out of fashion already?”
“Uh, no, it’s just I know that you’re at your desk usually, and you don’t always have your cellphone on you. Or unlocked.”
“Ah, Leopold, you know me so well. So what is the reason for your call?”
“Right. Erm, I can’t come in today, I’m sorry.”
He did sound rushed, as if he were holding down some pilgrim because he’d been interrupted in the middle of feeding. Such a bother, really, when those pilgrims struggled.
“Whatever is the matter, Leopold? Anything I can do?”
“It’s the hive… He’s sick. I’m staying home with them, you know, being a good mate and everything.”
I sat up that much straighter, drumming my fingers on my desk.
“I see. Oh, that poor darling. They may count themself lucky to have you. Please, Leopold, call again should you need anything. I would happily dispatch one or both of your interns to assist you in any way they are able.”
“No! I mean, no, thanks, we’re fine.”
“Of course. Do take care, Leopold.”
