Perseus Burk's perspective on meeting Rosemary

Hello my lovelies,

Ever wonder what Burk was thinking when he first met Rosemary? This alternate POV scene has only been available at the back of the Myrtlewood Mysteries Omnibus as a bonus until now. What do you think? What other alternative points of view scenes would you like to read?

Blessed be xx

***

It should have been an ordinary day, only it felt different. The early spring blossoms stirred in the trees as Perseus Burk glanced out the window of his office, across the town square of Myrtlewood.

He had been around long enough to know it. Some new kind of magic was in the air.

He sat down at his desk, flipping through a thick stack of papers, before returning them to the file marked: Thorn - SECRET.

He slipped that file into a mahogany cabinet and locked it, then returned to his desk to go over the smaller, simpler Thorn file, which he re-read as he waited for his client to arrive.

He didn’t usually work on Saturdays, largely because no one seemed to want to spend weekends with their solicitors, but this case was important enough to make an exception.

He stood up and glanced back out the window to see a woman with wild red hair running frantically across the town towards him. Perseus frowned. This does not bode well.

The Thorns were a powerful and ancient line of witches: a beacon that would lure the worst sort of enemy. The death of the matriarch, Galderall, was a significant vulnerability, especially given what she’d told him of her children.

This granddaughter of hers might be a fully grown adult, but Galderall had confided in Perseus that Rosemary knew nothing of magic. On top of all that she was running late. His frown deepened. He could not fathom how little respect many mortals had for time, given they had so little of it.

When they’d spoken on the phone the day before, Rosemary had seemed argumentative, bubbly and somewhat odd. Despite all this, the sound of her voice had stirred a lightness inside him that he did not recognise.

He heard the sound of the front doors opening and made his way out. As he expected, it was the woman with wild red hair and piercing green eyes. She was out of breath and clearly flustered, looking towards the counter. She hadn’t seen him. He cleared his throat.

“Uhm, hello,” she said. “I’m looking for Percy Burk.”

Percy?

“I’m Perseus Burk.”

“Oh, yes…Perseus, right. Like the ancient warrior or something?”, the woman mumbled. “You sounded older on the phone, and more…well, kind of old-fashioned, but you must be younger than me…” She continued talking, somewhat unnecessarily.

“I take it you’re Rosemary Thorn,” Perseus said, decisively.

“That’s me.”

“You’re late.” He chuckled internally, “And I assure you, I’m certainly not younger than you.”

Despite getting his name wrong, Perseus couldn't help being drawn in by the woman's natural fiery energy and unapologetic nature. She was beautiful in her own peculiar way, as was the fresh spicy scent that she carried, like cherries, cinnamon and chocolate. Delicious.

“Right this way, Miss Thorn,” he said, trying to reign in his unexpected craving for her blood. It had been many decades since he’d had such an urge – centuries, even.

Rosemary gave him an unimpressed look. “Okay, but please don’t call me ‘Miss’.”

Perseus raised his eyebrows. Living for as long as he had, he felt he should be used to the way the world continued to change, but modern informalities often threw him. “Ms then?”

“Just Rosemary, please.”

“Very well. Please take a seat.” He ushered her into his office where she sat down, awkwardly.

He couldn't help but study her closely, taking in every detail of her appearance. Her cheeks were rosy against her milky complexion that only added to the intensity of her eyes. Her clothing was somewhat shabby, but she looked good in it none-the-less. She was unlike any other client he’d ever had.

Rosemary looked at him questioningly. “So, what’s this all about, then? The letter said that Granny’s will instructed you to meet with me alone.”

“Indeed, it did.” Perseus found himself flustered – an uncommon experience for him – and he didn’t know where to begin with the serious discussion ahead.

“And…?” Rosemary prompted.

“Miss–“ he started before correcting himself. “Rosemary.”

She smiled as if privately amused.

He cleared his throat. “You may be aware that the circumstances around your grandmother’s death were… unusual.”

“Unusual how?”

Perseus hesitated. He wanted to tell her everything, but he couldn't reveal too much without driving her from his office in a panic. There wasn’t much at all he could say about Galderall Thorn without mentioning magic. "I'm not permitted to discuss any details that may still be under investigation by the authorities," he said, hoping she would accept his explanation.

"But there is an investigation?" Rosemary persisted. "Someone hurt Granny."

Perseus could see the panic in her eyes and he felt a pang of sympathy. He could almost feel her inner turmoil as if it was his own. He wasn’t used to connecting this way with people, let alone with mortals.

She began to cry while mumbling to herself and all he could think to do was pass her a box of tissues.

“Thank you,” Rosemary said, dabbing her eyes. “It was a risk to have me come here without my chaperone. She usually stops the worst of it.”

“Your chaperone?” Perseus asked, slightly mortified.

“My daughter, Athena. She knows when to shut me up.”

Perseus couldn't help but chuckle, finally realising that Rosemary was joking. "I see," he said, trying to hide his amusement.

This woman was surprising in everything she said and did. It made him feel as if the solid ground he was standing on was crumbling beneath his feet.

"But why was it you wanted me to come all the way here today?" Rosemary asked, her voice serious once again.

Perseus frowned, knowing that he couldn't avoid the question any longer. "My apologies, Rosemary," he said, pulling out a stack of old papers. "Your grandmother's will states that you, and your daughter, are the sole heirs to her entire estate, which she intends for you to look after with great care and pass on to your descendants."

"Excuse me?" Rosemary said, clearly stunned by the news. "I didn't quite catch that last part. It sounded like you said Granny left everything to me. But that can't be right. I hadn't even seen her in years!"

"It is, in fact, right," Perseus said, trying to maintain his composure. "It seems the late Madame Thorn had a very old will."

"Oh - well, I guess that makes sense," Rosemary said and then began rambling again. Perseus could understand the need for her to have a chaperone, though her nervous habit was endearing.

“If you’ll allow me to finish,” Perseus said, not unkindly. “Her will was very old, however she changed it just two months ago…”

“Oh,” Rosemary said. “So I don’t inherit–”

Perseus cleared his throat again, trying to regain control of the situation.

“Sorry,” Rosemary said. “I’ll shut up now.”

“That might be wise if you want to hear the rest,” he said, his voice curt, though internally he was feeling rather bemused by the whole situation. This was not normally how estate settlements went. He eventually managed to inform her about her inheritance.

“Fortune?” Rosemary’s eyes widened. She took the will and pored over it in rare silence.

He couldn't help but observe her shock. She clearly had no idea that her grandmother's estate was worth so much. It was a welcome change from the usual reactions he received when delivering such news – many people were either greedy or entitled. But Rosemary seemed genuinely surprised and unsure of how to handle the situation.

“Now, it isn’t for me to judge,” Perseus said, carefully. “And please understand that from our legal perspective, Madame Thorn was of sound mind at the time she composed this will. However, just between you and me, the police may find it suspicious.”

“Suspicious?”

“Suspicious that she changed her will significantly only weeks before her death – which they also consider suspicious.”

“Oh, I suppose it is,” Rosemary said, folding her arms and frowning.

Perseus felt momentary concerned for her welfare as if she were a close friend and not an odd woman he’d just met. He wanted to help. “If you know of any reason that she may have done so, I’d be happy to discuss the legal ramifications with you, free of charge – off the record, of course.”

“Reasons?! Are you implying tha–”

“I’m not implying anything.” Perseus wanted to calm her down but words clearly weren’t helping. Instead he adopted a more relaxed posture, interlacing his fingers and leaning back in his chair. “I’m merely offering you support – just as I intend to offer you support to sell the house.”

He was testing her intentions. Would Rosemary Thorn respect her grandmother’s wishes? Or would she settle up and leave town a wealthy woman. He, himself, has some interest in Thorn Manor and its many magical artefacts, as did the Vampire Council. If it were to come on the market he would definitely consider purchasing the old place.

Rosemary gaped at him. “I don’t think that will be necessary. I can’t very well honour Granny’s memory if I’m selling her house the moment I inherit it.”

“Take you time; think it over. In fact – here are the keys.”

Perseus Burk watched as Rosemary took the keyring from his hand, her touch sending a shiver down his spine.

She shivered. “Are you alright?” she said.

“Why do you ask?”

“Your hand – it’s freezing.”

Perseus gulped. Rosemary was used to the mundane world. The less she knew about him, the better. “It’s just a condition I have. It affects my…blood-pressure. I’m prone to cold extremities.”

“If you say so,” Rosemary said, sceptically. “Uhm. Thank you, I guess.”

“It has been a pleasure, Miss Thorn,” he said, realising too late that he’s used the formal address for her by mistake. She didn’t correct him that time.

Rosemary left and the room seemed strangely empty. Perseus found himself feeling a strange mix of wariness and attraction towards her. It was a craving he hadn’t experienced in a very long time. He needed to see her again, despite his better judgement, and he suspected that their paths would surely cross again in the near future.

Her delicious scent still hung in the air, reminding Perseus that he’d have to be careful around Rosemary Thorn. But he couldn't shake the feeling of significance that arose from their meeting. He needed to know more about her.

He watched from the window as Rosemary left the office, heading in the direction of the tea shop.

Perseus Burk had a sense of unease. He wasn't used to people, let alone clients, challenging him the way she had. He began to regret giving her the keys to the house. All of a sudden, he didn't like the idea of her staying in the old Thorn Manor, given the circumstances surrounding Madame Thorn's death. He glanced towards his locked mahogany cabinet and made a mental note to keep a close eye on the situation. After all, it was his duty as a lawyer to protect his client's interests, and his duty as a vampire to report anything of note to the Council. He couldn't shake the feeling that something nefarious was afoot.