Petra was struggling. She had stayed as long as she could manage to with Vince that night, and there were things she had thought of to tell both Claude and Jakob. Rather than wait until the next evening or try to call (her phone’s battery was drained), she sat down and went to the old standby of writing. The curtains in her room were drawn to keep out the light, and her desk lamp was on, giving the room some light, but not enough to highlight the entire room. She pulled out some paper and began to write. First would be a brief letter to Claude, and then one to Jakob.
Claude,
I have been thinking things over. You became a ghoul only to be able to protect your daughter and Jacqueline for as long as they exist. While I, personally, have no use for a second ghoul, perfectly useful though you may be. Therefore, before a full blood bond can take effect, I am releasing you to find someone more suitable. The man you are going to meet with today may need you more than I do, as he maintains an information network, though I believe I told you that already. You are, of course, free to forgo being a ghoul altogether – but that means death that much sooner, and much less time with both Many and Jacqueline. Feel free to make the decision today. If you choose him, please have him inform me.
Petra
She folded it and placed it in an envelope, labeling it simply “Claude”. Next, she wrote rto Jakob, espousing much the same, though telling him if he so chose, he could take over having Claude as a ghoul – but they had to be in agreement. When she was finished, she put that in an envelope and labeled it “Jakob”, then called for Nikolai.
“Deliver these.” she said with a yawn. “I need to sleep.”
“Yes miss.” he said, unable to forgo formality with her. He closed the door to her room behind him and headed out. It was very early in the morning, but he set out anyway, heading first to Claude’s. He knocked lightly at the door, and after a couple of moment’s Jacqueline answered.
“Nikolai – what brings you by?”
He held out the envelope addressed to Claude. “Please give this to him.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to stick around and give it to him yourself? He should be back from jogging soon.”
Nikolai shook his head. “I have another letter to deliver. I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright. Take care, ok?”
He nodded and left, making the longer drive out to where Jakob was living with Avery. This time it was what could only be described as a dire wolf that came up to him, investigating. He’d heard about Avery’s ghouled dogs, and assumed this was one of them. It was a she-dog, and she investigated him thoroughly before looking at him with intelligent eyes.
“I have a letter for Jakob. Is anyone awake?”
The she-dog shook her head, then opened her mouth. Nikolai held out the letter, and she gingerly took it with her teeth, careful not to get it wet, then disappeared back behind the house. Nikolai figured the letter was bound to get to Jakob and, task complete, he headed home.