Michael Sullivan - The emerald storm

"Don't be so dramatic. Ah, see, here she is now. Safe and sound."

Poe escorted a little girl down the steps. Around ten years old, her light-brown hair was tied in a bow, and she wore an elegantly tailored blue dress with fine leather shoes.

"Daddy!" she shouted.

Wyatt rushed over, throwing his arms around her. "Did they hurt you, honey?"

"No, I'm okay. They bought me this pretty dress and got me these shoes! And we played games."

"That's good, honey." Turning to Merrick, Wyatt asked, "What about Elden?"

"He's fine, still in Colnora, waiting for you I presume. Wyatt, you really need to consider my offer, if for no other reason than your own safety."

Wyatt spun on him. "I did your job! You sat there, and told me I did it brilliantly! Why are you still threatening us?"

Merrick looked at the girl. "Poe, take Allie in the kitchen. I think there are some cookies she might like."

Wyatt held her to him.

"Don't worry, she'll be right back."

"Do you like cookies?" Poe asked her. The little girl grinned bobbing her head. She looked up at her father.

Wyatt nodded. "It's okay, go ahead. Hurry back, honey."

Poe and Allie left the room hand in hand.

"I'm not threatening you. As I already said, I'm very pleased with your skills. I am merely trying to protect you. Consider for a moment, what if Royce is not dead? He'll put two and two together, if he hasn't already. You should be afraid of what he'll do to you-and your daughter. Royce will probably kill Allie first and make you watch."

"He's not like that."

Merrick released a small chuckle. "Oh, sir, you have no idea what Royce is like. I will grant you his association with Hadrian Blackwater has tempered him greatly. Twelve years with that idealistic dreamer has made him practically human, but I know him. I know what lurks beneath. I have seen things that make even my hardened heart shudder. Get his anger up and you'll unleash a demon that no one can control. Believe me, he is like that and so much more. Nothing is beyond him."

Allie returned with a handful of sugar cookies. Taking her handtt headed for the door. He paused at the threshold and looked back. "Merrick, if what you say about Royce is true, then shouldn't you be the one who's afraid?" Wyatt walked out closing the door behind him.

Merrick sipped his cider again, but it had gone cold.