Castin quietly shut the door to Elizabeth's room, pausing briefly outside as he let out a long breath. He'd just finished putting Emma to bed, carefully lifting her from her mother's lap to gently tuck her beneath the covers. The memory of Elena had come vividly, painfully alive again as Emma stirred, whispering through sleepy lips, "Cass?"
"Yeah, Em?" Castin responded softly, adjusting the blanket around her small shoulders.
"Please don't leave us too." she murmured, eyes already fluttering shut.
Castin's chest tightened painfully as he rubbed her back through the blanket. He could almost see Elena and Emma together, laughing in a life that might've been his, if things had been different. She would have loved it here.
"You're still the same man I fell in love with," the ghost of Lillian's voice whispered in his thoughts. "You were always so good with kids, Cass."
A tear slipped silently down his cheek. He stood slowly, made his way to the doorway, and blew out the lantern, whispering softly, "Goodnight, Em. Love ya."
Just as he turned away, Emma's sleepy voice drifted through the darkness. "Love you too, Cass."
Castin froze, the warmth of her words wrapping tightly around his heart. He lingered a moment longer, indulging in the fleeting comfort of the imagined past. She's not your daughter, he reminded himself, swallowing the ache before closing the door softly behind him.
He moved down the quiet hall, his earlier softness replaced gradually by a returning grim resolve. Castin spotted a guard stationed outside the hallway leading toward the Rat King's chambers.
"Hey," he began, stopping abruptly and shaking his head. "Sorry, let me try that again. Can you help me reach the king? I gotta speak with him."
The guard gave a brief, respectful nod and motioned for Castin to follow.
A gentle fire crackled in the Rat King's private study, the amber glow casting shifting shadows across maps and scattered parchments. It was late, the palace corridors long emptied of activity, and Castin's exhaustion mingled with tension from the day's brutal revelations. The Rat King looked up calmly from his papers, noting Castin's stiff posture yet emotionally drained face.
"Castin. You've done well."
"Thanks, it was a lot harder than I thought," Castin started, then paused awkwardly. "Your Majesty, ah, screw it. That ain't gonna work."
The Rat King raised an eyebrow, confused yet intrigued. "Something wrong?"
"Yeah," Castin said with a dry chuckle, running a weary hand through his hair. "You've known my name since day one, but I never even bothered to ask yours. Seems kinda rude now, thinking about it."
The King shifted slightly, a faint smile touching his lips. "Well, we've certainly known each other long enough. I suppose there's no harm in telling you now. Come sit."
Castin sank into the chair across from The King, eyeing him suspiciously before saying. "As long as you're not about to tell me your name is something lame like Bartholomew."
The King's ears twitched slightly, his gaze briefly faltering. "Lame?" For the first time, Castin saw what looked like genuine embarrassment flicker across the king's face.
Castin's eyebrows shot upward. "No shit, your name isn't really Bartholomew, is it?"
The possible Bartholomew bristled visibly, quickly regaining composure. "No, of course not," He, who could have been Bartholomew, said defensively, then sighed softly. "My name is Merrik Redmantle."
Silence settled briefly before Castin burst into a series of sharp, stifled laughs. Merrik scowled slightly, clearly rattled. "What's so funny?"
"Listen, Red," Castin smirked, ignoring Red's visible grimace at the nickname, "I'm not calling you Merrik Redmantle. Ever. But 'Red'? Yeah, that suits me fine. No disrespect, okay, maybe a little."
Red sighed deeply, shaking his head. "Is this really what you needed to speak to me about, Castin?"
"Nah, you're right." Castin's smile faded as seriousness reclaimed his features. He pulled Roe's worn journal from his vest and placed it heavily upon the table and then continued "Roe kept records, not just about Naomi, but about his dealings with Nikodemus."
Red's eyes sharpened immediately. "Nikodemus."
Castin nodded gravely. "Roe was supplying him with the sedative, but not just here, somewhere topside too."
Red's face grew troubled, his paw gripping the chair's arm tightly. "Go on."
"He mentioned an outside group, humans, calling them 'smooth skins.' Something big is brewing, and I doubt ol' Niko plans on staying underground."
Red's voice was low, filled with regret. "Trusting Nikodemus was my greatest mistake. He'd always been ambitious, obsessed with technology and innovation. But I never expected him to become a threat."
Castin leaned forward, eyes locked intently on Red's. "What exactly do you know about his plans?"
"Very little," Red admitted bitterly. "Nikodemus was my most brilliant advisor. But his experiments grew reckless, dangerous. His research into what he called 'memory entanglement' should have alerted me sooner."
Castin frowned skeptically. "Sounds like some sci-fi crap. You sure he wasn't always into that whackjob stuff?"
Red sighed heavily. "Perhaps he always was. He spoke of reshaping the world, a world where less people would need to see war first hand. I thought he was a dreamer. I see now he was something far more dangerous.""
"Yeah, you could say that a couple dozen more times," Castin said firmly, tapping the journal sharply. "Collars, mind-control, human traffickers, he's gone off the deep end. We gotta stop him, Red."
"We will," Red vowed solemnly. "Though if he's allied with surface dwellers, the threat has grown exponentially."
"Yeah, and I doubt the surface gangs are packing pea-shooters," Castin growled.
Red's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "We still have Rixis. Maybe he'll provide insight."
As if summoned, the study door creaked open, revealing Garret's solid presence. "Your Majesty, Castin, got some info outta Rixis. He's terrified. More of Nikodemus than us, shockingly enough."
Castin's expression hardened instantly. "We were just discussing him. What'd you learn?"
Garret stepped closer, expression grim. "Rixis described a hidden lab Nikodemus has outside Rat City, accessible through old sewers, explains why Roe used human couriers."
Castin nodded slowly. "Right, of course Nikodemus would want to work with other humans. Did Rixis mention anything else?"
Garret hesitated, uneasy. "Yeah, he did. Nikodemus is experimenting with something he called 'consciousness-transfer.' Creepy as hell, whatever it is."
"We need to end it, now," Castin said fiercely.
The Rat King stood decisively. "We'll assemble a team, fast, smart, strong. Find Nikodemus, end his plans, before Rat City pays the price."
Castin rose as well, determination flaring. "Hell yeah, Red. Count me in."
Garret chimed back in "alright, back to it," his hand on the doorknob "See what other secrets Rixis has."
Garret shut the door turning around and spotting Matias.
Matias gave Garret a quick nod as he made his way to the Infirmary, he couldn't sleep so being beside Talia seemed like the next best thing.
The pressing silence of the infirmary pressed on him as he drew closer, his thoughts drifted to when he first sat Talia in the tunnels leading to Roe's compound. He couldn't help but feel blessed she made it back when she did, Matias definitely owed Kiernan a drink one of these days he thought as one of the nurses recognized him, waved him over and guided him towards Talia's room.
"She was asleep last I saw her, try not to wake her." The nurse warned as he reached for the curtain. "I mean it Matias, she might be your girlfriend but she's my patient first" the nurse quipped before letting Matias in.
Matias took the seat next to Talia's bed, watching her rest. The gently rise and fall of her chest as she breathed hypnotizing him into a state of calm. She made everything okay just by sharing the same air as him.
Matias leaned forward, resting his head on his arms just watching Talia exist. It was a simple comfort that he was desperately thankful he could have the luxury of. He closed his eyes for just a moment as he thought about places he'd like to take her in the future, imagined when they would share a bed together again as he started to drift off.
Talia stirred slowly in bed, her eyes fluttering open to find Matias seated in a chair at her bedside, head resting uncomfortably on his folded arms as he slept. She smiled softly, warmth rising in her chest as she studied him. For once, his usual guarded tension was absent, replaced instead by a peaceful vulnerability that made her heart ache affectionately. She thought back to the night they made love, he'd spent the night then and Talia wouldn't be embarrassed to say she watched him sleep that night too. There was something about watching a Rat like Matias rest, something about knowing how busy, how tightly wound he normally was.
"You know," she teased gently, voice still rough from sleep, "there are better places to catch a nap."
Matias jolted awake, eyes blinking open sharply. He quickly straightened, a blush creeping beneath his fur as he cleared his throat in embarrassment. "I wasn't sleeping."
"Right," Talia chuckled softly, eyes shining with warmth as she reached out to gently grasp his paw. "And I didn't get shot."
Matias exhaled a quiet laugh, squeezing her paw gently, relief evident in his gaze. "How are you feeling, did Naomi apologize to you yet?" he asked gently, a quiet seriousness softening his expression.
Talia scoffed lifting herself slightly, she shook her head with genuine warmth. "Apologized? Matias, after what that poor girl went through, I'm just lucky she's a lousy shot. I don't blame her. Not even a little."
Matias relaxed visibly, gratitude evident in the gentle squeeze he gave her paw. "You're amazing, you know that?"
She smiled warmly, adjusting herself slightly with a faint wince. "But I'm feeling a bit better," she chuckled softly. "Still sore as hell, but nothing that'll stop me."
Matias's smile faded slightly.
"I'm serious Matias, I'm feeling much better."
He hesitated, carefully considering his next words. "It's not that Talia… it's about Edgar."
Her eyes grew solemn, the warmth briefly dimming. "I heard," she whispered softly. "Kiernan told me this morning. I feel terrible for Elizabeth and Emma, Edgar deserved better. That Roe is, was a real son of a bitch."
Matias nodded slowly, grief shadowing his expression. "Yeah, he was."
They fell briefly quiet, sharing the unspoken pain of loss, allowing the gentle hum of morning activity beyond the infirmary walls to fill the silence between them. Eventually, Matias shifted, clearly uncomfortable but determined.
"Look Talia," he began gently, squeezing her paw again, "I talked to the King last night, told him straight out you shouldn't be running recon alone. It's too dangerous, and honestly, I can't take it."
Talia arched a brow playfully, though her gaze softened warmly. "Is that so Matias? And did I get any say in your new career planning for me?"
Matias chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Well… no. But he agreed anyway. He'd actually been planning it himself."
Talia let out an exaggerated sigh, shaking her head in mock annoyance. "Typical of the King. Guess I should be grateful he decided not to ask either."
Matias chuckled, squeezing her paw gently. His voice grew softer, more serious as he leaned closer. "It's not just about the job, Talia. I need you by my side. We lost too many years already."
Talia met his gaze, her eyes softening as playful teasing gave way to vulnerability. "And what about after this?" Her voice was barely a whisper, searching his expression carefully. "Once Nikodemus is dealt with, do we just keep throwing ourselves into the fire?"
Matias took a steadying breath, resolve settling across his features. "No," he said firmly. "I was thinking… maybe it's time we considered walking away from all this. You know, somewhere quiet. Maybe even open our own bakery."
Talia smiled faintly, eyes glittering with gentle humor. "You realize neither of us can bake worth a damn, right?"
Matias laughed warmly, eyes twinkling affectionately. "So maybe not a bakery. But we'll figure something out."
She studied him carefully, tenderness filling her gaze as she slowly nodded. "I like the sound of that."
Matias leaned closer, heart pounding gently in his chest as he took her paw carefully into both of his own. "Talia, what I'm saying is… I want a real future together. No more wondering, no more waiting. Just us."
Talia's eyes softened deeply, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. "You're serious? That's a pretty big step, sure you've got the shoes for it?"
Matias nodded quietly, sincerity clear in every line of his expression. "I've never been more serious."
Just as Talia opened her mouth to reply, a knock interrupted gently from the infirmary doorway. Kiernan stepped quietly into view, pausing apologetically as he noticed their close proximity.
"Hey I'm glad you're looking better, sorry to interrupt Matias," Kiernan said gently, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, clearly amused by their embarrassed expressions. "The Rat King sent me. There's an operations meeting starting soon, and he'd like both of you there."
Talia gestured to her leg "He expect me to hop down there?"
Kieran laughed "We can get you a wheelchair or crutches, he just made it seem important."
Matias sighed softly, offering Kiernan a grateful nod. "Thanks, Kiernan. We'll be right along."
Kiernan lingered a moment longer, eyes twinkling mischievously. "Take your time. I'm sure the King will understand." He winked at Matias before disappearing quietly from view.
Talia chuckled softly, shaking her head with gentle amusement. "Subtle, isn't he?"
Matias laughed quietly, warmth filling his chest once more. He leaned forward, gently pressing his forehead to Talia's, savoring the quiet intimacy. "Think we can pick this conversation up again later? I'm gunna go grab you some wheels"
Talia smiled warmly, her eyes meeting his with quiet promise. "Count on it, I'll see you soon handsome."
Matias stood slowly, reluctantly releasing her paw, his gaze lingering tenderly as he prepared to leave. Talia watched him carefully, warmth and quiet hope blossoming in her chest. For the first time in far too long, she allowed herself to imagine a future beyond survival, a future filled with warmth, safety, and love.
As Matias left, gently closing the infirmary door behind him, Talia sank slowly back into the bed, eyes drifting toward the window, sunlight warming her fur and easing the ache of her wounds. Despite the uncertainty still looming on the horizon, she felt genuinely at peace, knowing finally, unquestionably, that neither of them would have to face it alone.