She hadn’t seen the jester since Luciano had sent him to get bandages. Hopefully, he hadn’t forgotten. She could use a little first aid, TLC.
She could also use a hot bath and a good meal. Harley wondered if Lieutenant Meyers had come back for her. Surely someone would miss her.
She tensed as she heard a key in the lock. The door opened to reveal the jester carrying a large tray with what looked like an assortment of items on it.
He smiled at her, and she realized his eyes were nearly the same green color as his hair.
“Sorry, it took me so long. I wanted to get you some food.” He said, smiling.
Harley wasn’t sure whether to recoil or be grateful. Jesters were usually hired hitmen. Their laugh had proven to be fatal to more than one person. They also usually only worked for dark fae or dark vampire lords.
She wondered what purpose this one served in Luciano’s household.
He sat the tray down on the chaise lounge and motioned for her to sit beside it.
“I’m Aiden. Please sit down and let me look at your wound.”
Harley limped over to the lounge and sat down.
“Did you injure your leg as well?”
She shook her head. “No, I didn’t have any shoes on. It was a long walk.”
“Sorry, I don’t think any of us realized that.”
He was being too nice. She wondered what was up. She was clearly brought here as a prisoner, but Luciano seemed to want to treat her with kindness. That kindness extended to his underlings.
She sat down next to him on the chaise lounge and surveyed the tray. It had a variety of first aid supplies, a glass of ice, two cans of coke, fruit, cheese and a sandwich.
Aiden gingerly took her arm into both of his hands and began to look at the wound.
“It looks fairly deep. You may need stitches. I’ll let Luc know after we are done.”
“Luc?”
“Luciano. We call him Luc for short.”
“Have you been in his employ long?”
Aiden smiled at her. “Let’s talk business later. Let me do something with this wound.”
Harley put a smile on her face, however she was wondering why he wanted to avoid a simple question.
He cleaned and bandaged the wound on her arm before cleaning up her feet. Harley fought back tears at the pain as he cleaned up her feet. He loosely bandaged them before offering her some food.
“Why don’t you eat, then try to rest. I will be back later.”
Without waiting for a response, he left the room.
Harley used simple magic to make sure the food wasn’t poisoned or drugged. She ate what she could and then hobbled over to the bed.
There was nothing for her to change into so she decided to sleep in her clothes. She hated to sleep in dirty clothes on such a fine bed, nevertheless, she had little choice.
CHAPTER SIX
Luciano had dismissed Zoe and the others. He was patiently waiting for Aiden’s return. He was interested to see what the mindset of their new guest was.
He had used her phone to call the Lieutenant and let him know that Harley was safe and under his care. At least that’s what he convinced the Lieutenant to believe.
He wasn’t sure whether Harlowe Kelly was safe or not. He hadn’t decided her fate. She intrigued him. Her power intrigued him. He could sense she had a great deal more power than even she knew about.
With careful cultivation, she would make a strong ally or perhaps something more.
“Ahh, Aiden. Tell me how our guest fairs.”
“She seems calm enough. I’m sure it’s partly a front. At least, I wouldn’t be comfortable being a guest under such questionable means.”
Luciano pondered his statement. “I believe you are correct. I don’t think she is a meek little lamb. I’m sure the fight with the gargoyle took a lot out of her. Tomorrow we shall see more of her true qualities I believe.”
“Sir, I believe she should see a healer of some sort. The gargoyle wounded her deep enough that she needs stitches. The wound smelled like infection, as well. It’s also still bleeding.”
“Thank you, Aiden. I will attend to it personally later. I’m going to try and convince our guest to stay a day or two.
“More importantly Aiden, I need you to get close to her.”
“Why would you want me to get close to a witch? Especially one that clearly works with the law?”
Luciano smiled. It wasn’t a friendly smile, it was rather cold and calculating.
“Let’s just say she fits some certain criteria I have been looking for. I have been looking for years for a witch of a certain blood line. An ancient bloodline, which I thought was long gone.
“Since the shift, there is a whole new pool of paranormal beings to consider. There is a slim possibility that Harlowe Kelley is exactly the witch I need.
“That’s where you come in. The research into her bloodlines will take some time. During that time, I need Miss Kelly to be cooperative. I also need her close, but can’t risk doing that myself. I have too many enemies.
“You, on the other hand, work for me. You have a low enough profile that you don’t yet have a target painted on your back.”
“You can fly under the radar of the other factions and keep the witch close while I find out what I need to know.”
“How do you know Miss Kelley will want to keep me around? Jester’s don’t exactly have good reputations.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of that little tidbit.”
“You just tamp down that crazy side of yours. Keep it to a bare
