"Hello, I'm Logan Moore." the stranger said, holding out his hand. Alexa leaned out the cracked door to shake his hand. Pitch, Patrick and Kaleth all stood tensely behind the door where they could not be seen.
"Alexa." she replied. When her hand touched his a zing of magic like a static shock came from it. Logan retracted his hand slowly and seemed wary of Alexa. He obviously sensed her magic as well. He cleared his throat nervously.
"I am a member of the local council and have been sent to verify the death of Alistar Worstrum." He said quickly. Obviously he was not happy to do this job. Maybe because if Alistar were still alive it would be very dangerous. Alexa frowned seriously and could see Kaleth move closer from the corner of her eye.
"He passed over a year ago. There was a short obituary in the paper." she said. Alexa figured that she shouldn't let this guy know everything. Logan nodded.
"Yes, we saw that. I'm not sure if you are aware but Mr. Worstrum had many reasons to fake his demise and ample means to do so. May I ask how you came to live here, and your relation to him. Have his personal effects been dealt with?" Alexa raised her eyebrow. Those were some big words for someone so young.
"Although I had never met Alistar, I am his great niece. As he had no heirs of his own, his possessions were placed in, my grandmother, his sister's care. She divided the estate between my mother and Uncle. My uncle wished to sell the property but my mother wished to keep it so she bought his half and moved in." she replied with equal haughtiness.
"I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I were to have a look at the house to ensure he indeed has left permanently." Logan said, moving closer. Alexa reflexively took a step back, but stopped at that. She did not have time to refuse him before Kaleth pulled the door open further to reveal his full glory. She had not realized he had assumed his more demonic form with wings, tail and slitted eyes. He gave Logan his most threatening glare. Most would have run screaming for the hills, even if they knew what Kaleth was that only made him more frightening. Logan, however, was made of stronger stuff than that. His eyes did widen in horror, but he quickly covered that up. He made an awkward gulping noise that sounded as though he had swallowed his tongue. After a moment Alexa held up her hand and stepped between them. She did not believe Logan posed enough of a threat that he warranted full Kaleth rage. She was also curious what kind of "Council" would be checking up on Alistar. Kaleth made a rude noise behind her which she chose to ignore.
"As you can see, should Alistar return I am well protected. I can guarantee he is not going to return though. I personally saw him die." she said quietly. She had to give Logan some credit for not soiling himself or fleeing in terror. He nodded slowly, but seemed dumbfounded by Kaleth's presence. Alexa opened the door a little wider and motioned Pitch, Kaleth and Patrick out of the way.
"Come inside and sit for a few minutes. I don't think you need to search our house but would love to have a chat about how he died and maybe you can tell me a few things about the "local council". I'm a little new here and would love to make a few connections." she said. Logan's eyes darted as if looking for dangers and how he could be trapped. He either found it safe or felt he now had no choice but to come in.
"Thank you." he said quietly as he followed her to the kitchen. She motioned to the kitchen chairs and Patrick eagerly sat next to their guest. He held his hand out as well.
"I'm Alexa's brother Patrick." he said. Logan reached to shake his hand.
"Nice to meet you." he said. There was a crackling noise as his hand touched Patrick's and he flinched back. There was a slight odor of burning flesh and it seemed Patrick had shocked their guest. Patrick turned beat red and apologized but Logan only looked at him curiously as he rubbed his injured hand. Kaleth leaned against the counter, his wings rustling and his tail snaking around the floor angrily. Pitch padded silently and almost invisibly in and under the table. Logan never even noticed him between Kaleth's death glare and Patrick's strange introductions. Alexa sat down opposite Patrick and on Logan's other side.
