Chapter 22: Hidden in Bureaucracy

I went back downstairs. Yvonne and Chloe watched me approach, both of them with looks of concern etched on their faces.

"What's going on, Ral? You've been all over the house in the last hour."

"Mom is still trying to fight the urges driving her. Monique is up in her room fantasizing about me with one of the toys we sell from the store." A projection of the very toy told them what I was referring to. "And either Ryan is totally oblivious to everything going on or is somehow involved."

"What's the plan then?" Yvonne asked with a look of determination pushing away her various other expressions.

"I just got off the phone a bit ago with a law firm that handled some kind of legal action involving me when I was an infant. Michael had said I wasn't adopted through a normal agency, so these papers may have something to do with my adoption. I'm going into town to talk with them and find out what is up with the papers. Are you two going with me or staying? I'd like someone to be here to keep an eye on Monique. She might try to hurt herself and may need assistance if my commands don't hold."

Chloe's eyes widened at my last statement. "Master, you're strong. You shouldn't doubt your abilities."

"The strength of my commands haven't been tested against the manipulations of another Mind Magi yet, so we can't be sure. I would rather have someone here that can call for help than no one at all."

Chloe got up and dropped to her knees in front of me. She pressed her body to my leg as she looked up into my eyes. "I'll stay. Command me and I'll stay." It was just like it had been with Vikkor, which made me want to take back what I had just said. Vikkor had bound and gagged Chloe, used Chloe to make me give in to what Vikkor had wanted. I didn't want Chloe or any of my girls putting themselves in that kind of position again, but if I took Yvonne and Chloe with me, what about Monique? What if she truly impaled herself and lay on her bed, bleeding?

Chloe continued to wait patiently for me to make a decision. She had faith in me and all the things I could do. She was willing to put herself out for me because she knew, not just believed but knew, that I would not forget her. That was an incredibly high standard, and I didn't want to let her down.

"Chloe, stand up, " I said as I held out my hand to her. Without hesitation or question, she stood and took my offered hand.

"I want you to go upstairs and keep an eye on Monique. She has had thoughts of you and she might invite you to join her. If you can help sate her fires, then do so, but do not allow her to hurt you or herself."

For another few seconds, I gazed into those brown eyes. So trusting, so certain. Chloe held me in high regard and gave herself to me willingly. I wouldn't let her down. I wouldn't let anyone down. Gently, I leaned down and kissed her. I gave her a hug with one last thought, "Be safe, my paramour, my Chloe."

She smiled at me and went to the stairs, which left me with Yvonne.

Yvonne stood up but didn't have the desire to kneel before me. "What about Mandy and your Mom?"

"The only fear I have there is Mandy getting turned on and Mom taking advantage of her."

"Do you think it's likely?"

Reaching out to Mandy, I could feel how calm she was. I took a chance and opened up to Mom. She was calm compared to when I was nearby.

"Mandy, I can feel how calm you are, as is Mom. I'm going to go into town about this paperwork. If anything happens, anything at all, call for me. Don't hesitate, okay?"

"Okay, and Ral ... thank you ... I love you... "

"I love you too. Now take care of Mom for me, okay?"

"For us, and yes, I will."

I focused on Yvonne again. "It feels like Mom is doing better now that I'm not around. I've just told Mandy to call for me if anything happens. I'll just have to be ready to leave at an instant's notice."

Yvonne nodded. "Let me get my coat then. I'll go with you."

{hr}

I had been out after a few snow storms, but the sheer volume of snow covering the ground changed the feel of the landscape. Trees looked smaller, details were lost in all the white, and generally, I felt like I had fallen asleep at home and woken up somewhere else. There was still a light fall of snow, but nothing compared to what had hit the night before. Considering the temperature and cloud coverage, the snow wasn't going to go anywhere any time soon.

Yvonne and I got into the SUV. Ryan had been telling the truth. Monique apparently did all the driving in this monster because the seat was set for her height rather than his. I had to adjust the mirrors and everything else so I could drive without crashing. Granted the snow was going to be enough of a deterrent of control on the road, but every little bit helped.

Getting out of the garage was easy, but once I was out of the driveway, it was nearly impossible to know where the road was. Mom's suggestion of the larger vehicle was good, a car would have been stuck in the snow in no time, but Monique's SUV plowed through with only a little fight.

There was a creek that separated our property from town. A paved bridge had been built to cross it because we weren't the only ones who lived out this way. Fortunately, the break in the trees along the creek told me where the bridge was, otherwise, we might have been stuck in the sudden drop of the creek.

For her part, Yvonne sat quietly, watching our progress and trusting that I knew the way. I thanked her for her patience and soon we were out of the deep snow and on a road that looked like it had been recently plowed.

My home town was small, with only one main road running through it and a spattering of buildings. The law firm I had to get to was small considering that it had three partners. It made me wonder about the validity of the paperwork I had tucked between my seat and the console. It had been twenty years since that paperwork had been put together. Why hadn't they grown or moved? Maybe they were happy with the small business. No way.

Finding a parking spot was easy. Only a Jeep and another SUV sat in front of the building. Yvonne and I got of Monique's truck and I led the way in.

A pretty, young woman, probably in her early twenties, was sitting at the desk of the foyer. She smiled, and though she was pretty, I could tell she wasn't happy. In fact, I could feel it. She had hoped to stay at home today. She wanted to be with her fiancé by a nice cozy fire, but Mr. Johnson had called her in knowing she had a jeep that could make the trip. Her impression of him was that he worked too much but didn't take on enough big cases to really make the firm take off.

All of this flashed through my mind. I felt slightly out of control, much like when my Charm had first manifested, but knowing I had the ability I quickly figured out how to turn it off and did just that.

"How can I help you?" she asked politely.

"My name is Ral Setton. I called and spoke with Mr. Johnson about some paperwork earlier."

"Oh, yes, Mr. Setton. Follow me please." She got up and went through the door on my right. That room had a large conference table with eight chairs spaced around it. "Wait here while I get Mr. Johnson."

Yvonne and I took off our coats and sat down. The office was plenty warm, but the scene outside made a cold shiver run down my spine. The snow had piled up high on one building, covering all but the top trim. Another was being cleared away by four guys. It was a diner called Pete's. I was pretty sure Pete was one of the four out there. Thoughts of the diner reminded me of Sally and some of the dates we'd had. I didn't want to think about that. I wanted to find out as much as I could from this lawyer and then get back home.