Chapter 32: Some Rest

Come on, at least talk to me. I wasn't taking Jhandis's side back there. I wasn't taking anyone's side. I'm new around here so give me a break," Darius ranted.

Ever since they left Jhandis, Kristina had been in a bit of a huff. Refusing to talk to Darius while leading them back to Amelia's home, rather than to where the griffin laid. Darius decided it was best to give her in space and walk in silence, but their lack of conversation started to wane on him.

"I'm not mad. Who said I was mad?" She said somewhat angrily.

"Ok, you know when anyone says that. They're definitely angry."

She didn't respond for a moment, instead an unintentional chuckle escaped her lips, "Yeah, fine. I guess you're right. It's not you who I'm mad at, its Jhandis's words. I don't know why, but they're really getting to me."

"Any truth that you know of or at least internally agree with his words?"

"No! I…no, there's no way."

"Alright, then forget about it. If you think there's no merit to his words, then let them go. Especially when we're about to do something so dangerous. You know, like hunting a griffin."

"Darius, have you noticed how late it's gotten?"

"Yeah, it's gotten pretty dark out. It wasn't cloudy before, but I guess- Is that the moon!" It was early in the afternoon at the latest when they were with Jhandis, but now it was well into the evening. "Where did all the time go. Does time work differently around here?"

"Are your days not 24 hours?" she said with a lot of snark.

"Fine, I guess I just didn't notice the time fly by. Please tell me you have enough sense not to hunt a wild beast at night."

"That's why we're going back to Amelia's place."

"We're?" questioned Darius. "Are you… okay with that?"

Darius's tone wasn't lost on Kristina. "Oh, looking to try something big man? I was just trying to be considerate. I know that you don't have any chips along with having nowhere to go. If you preferred, you could always go sleep in the stables."

"Very funny, I was just being considerate too. How's Amelia going to feel about this? She didn't seem to do very well talking to strangers, let alone letting one sleep in her house."

"Is that the only reason," she teased.

"Plus, you're both beautiful and I'd love to ravish your bodies," Darius remarked without hesitation and with a straight face.

Kristina's eyes lowered as she stared daggers into Darius. "No need to worry, as long as I'm around…" Kristina emphasized her point by grabbing onto Darius shoulder, hard. Enough to make his body involuntarily react. "She'll be just fine."

"I get it! I get it! Uncle! Uncle! It was a joke, a joke!" She obliged. "That's some grip, remind me to never piss you off if I'm in grabbing range, but thanks, I'll take your kind offer."

"Alright, you can sleep on the couch, and we'll deal with the griffin tomorrow. Sound good?"

"Sounds good." With a smile Kristina continued to lead the way, "A whole night with two beautiful girls. If I didn't think Kristina could wrench my arm from its socket, maybe I would've tried something."