Hellhound AU

[just_aces]

Sometime round about 1900, a witch summoned a hellhound as a familiar.

He didn't mind it, hellhounds are loyal after all, and if some of her spells left him tired and drained, well, that was what he was there for, to keep her from using too much of her own energy for things. That and to eat the souls of her victims, sometimes.

But then, in the early 1970s, she ran afoul of a much stronger coven.

She was quite quickly banished to hell, but the hellhound couldn't be allowed to go with her, because, well, hellhounds are loyal and she was powerful and would have been able to use him to escape.

So the hellhound was made human, figuring that sixty, seventy, even eighty years if he was lucky would be enough time for the witch to have been consumed, so that even when the human-that-had-been-a-hellhound died, and Death herself realized that he was definitely not where, or what, he was supposed to be, she'd send him back.

But then one Charles Rowland kind of fucked up that whole plan by dying young and immediately running away from Death herself.

So the ghost-who-was-the-boy-who-was-the-hellhound has no idea what he was, or still is, under it all.

But, after a trip through hell to save his best friend (Hellhounds are loyal, after all) and time spent in a familiar position -though not a familiar kitchen- after that has been enough to knock a few things loose...

Comments

[just_aces]

Charles had settled again, just leaning heavily against Edwin's side, eyes having dipped closed again, that previous distant whine having settled into something that was too rough to be a purr, but not enough of a threat to be a growl, but it was something content regardless, because for the first time since getting thrown back into this shape -and having those magically-repressed memories slammed back into a mind that wasn't really equipped to process them- nothing hurt. There was a dull ache, in places, but no pain, and the relief was enough to make him drowsy.

Though as Edwin tensed, his eyes slid open again, gaze shifting to the witches beyond the edge of the circle, the magic distorted them, and he knew he wouldn't be able to get through it, but if they were upsetting Edwin he'd figure out a way even if it hurt. Really it was only the fact that Edwin was right there, close and talking to them and not giving any indication that he actually needed to attack that kept him still and mostly relaxed.

It wasn't even a half hour later that the Night Nurse and a pair of attendants had arrived, and as they'd been appraised of the situation they all managed to keep surprise off their faces, and the Nurse herself was as brusque as ever, greeting Edwin with a short nod, "Agent Payne." Her gaze slid to the Hellhound once again sitting upright in the circle, because things had gotten interesting again after a short while of nothing much going on, "And I see Agent Rowland is feeling more himself again."

Charles knew that voice, and had the unexpected urge to sass her, but wasn't quite sure how at the moment, so instead he just cocked his head, looking for all the world like an inquisitive puppy, which shouldn't have worked for something as large and sharp-edged as he was.

The Night Nurse nodded once again, "Well, we shall be taking him back to the office."
Charles knew her, and knew that even despite the faint memory that he'd attacked her once, knew that she didn't actually mean him any harm, but he still looked to Edwin for confirmation.

[uptightboy]

Edwin truly, honestly, terribly wanted to call the Night Nurse 'Charlie' just for Charles, as he could not. But instead, he just greeted her with a nod. He was also only mildly surprised that the Nurse knew what Charles was...

"Well, this is unexpected but still good news. I'd have hated to house a Hellhound under this roof," Lady Goode remarked.

Edwin turned to Charles too with a heavy heart. He was trying to pep talk himself during this half hour to prepare himself for the absence of Charles. Which was going to be horrible. He was forced to stay at a strange place, with strangers, without the only person he trusted. His only comfort was that Charles was going to be in good hands with the Nurse in the Lost and Found. That was a safe place.

Edwin opened his mouth to tell Charles to go and felt like something was stuck in his throat. His hand was resting on the side of the Hound, never letting go. His fur still smelled like Hell, and it still put a strange buzz in Edwin's nerves, but this was still Charles. And there was a tiny, tiny chance that he wasn't going to see him again. And now he had to tell him to leave.

"Charles," Edwin forced the word out, patting the hound's head. He looked at the collars and the chains and the muzzle and he absolutely hated that he had to see his friend like this. Maybe for the last time. "Go, go then," Edwin said finally, his voice breaking. "I shall see you soon, right?" It would have been more effective if his hands weren't still holding Charles in a death grip.

[just_aces]

The truth was she hadn't known, not really, though like Edwin she'd suspected something was up, because Charles had very nearly been a vengeful spirit, only still very much in control of himself, which those on the verge of turning poltergeist -or worse- weren't.

But to her credit she'd known better than to react with surprise, only confirming that yes, the boys were indeed contracted agents of the Lost & Found department before gathering herself and her retinue to collect Charles.

Charles' ears picked up at Edwin's touch, wholly focused on what he was saying, though the order was in opposition to the way Edwin was still clinging to him, and he wasn't sure what to make of that, he didn't think Edwin was waiting for him to do something wrong, but he couldn't be sure, and so for the moment he stayed put, though he'd started trembling, because he'd been given an order, but he wasn't following it, and it was only the Night Nurse's exasperated sigh and terse: "Quick-sticks, let's go, we can't hold up the Department's operations all day for something like this."

Charles looked to her and then back to Edwin before inching himself away from the other ghost, waiting for the retribution he didn't think was actually coming, but couldn't quite shake feeling like it was going to.
The Night Nurse sniffed once at the mess of muzzle and collar and golden halter, shaking her head, "We'll have to do something about this back at the office." It was the closest she could get to kindness, if the Hellhound that was Charles was going to be kept on neutral ground, she was going to make sure there were no undue influences on him while he was there.

Daphne was waiting, holding Charles' backpack to hand it off to Edwin when he left, except that the Hound leaned in to shove his whole snout into one of the straps -as he couldn't exactly catch it with his teeth- though it was enough to startle the young witch into letting go of the bag with a quiet, "Oh, well, I suppose it is yours."

[uptightboy]

As Charles inched away, Edwin slowly let him go. He put his arms around himself for a second, only to turn away as he felt his eyes too filled with tears for safety. He quickly wiped his eyes and followed Charles.

"The bonds stay," Lady Goode warned the Nurse. "Do not tamper with the asset, it needs to stay as it is until the trial."

As Edwin was reaching for the backpack and it being snatched away by Charles he almost laughed.

"I suppose there should be nothing wrong with having it with you," he said quietly. Right, the only thing that could have reminded him of Charles was also taken away. But that was fine. Edwin had all the intention to raid the witches' library and stock up on research and information for years to come. Maybe the week won't be enough for it... or at least he hoped. He hoped to keep occupied and not scream in fear the moment he lost sight of Charles.

[just_aces]

"Not to worry, the bonds will remain." The Night Nurse replied, though there was something icy under her tone that made Charles pretty sure that the actual temperature in the room had dropped, but far from being concerned by that, it was something he recognized, it was something that made him want to smile, though he couldn't quite work out how to do so in the current shape, especially not with the muzzle still tight around his face.

She was careful, however, only to take hold of the halter instead of the collar, not that the iron would do her any damage, but she wasn't going to put the pressure of it against Charles' skin. She gave Edwin another nod even as her assistants once again fell in behind her, giving space for Charles' new bulk between them, "Agent Payne, I will be by your office this evening for closed-case debriefings, as usual." It wasn't that usual, nothing they had a set schedule for, but her tone, as it ever did, brooked no argument.

Another nod to the witches in presence, "M'lady Goode, you know how to contact the Department if needed." That said, she led Charles and her entourage back through the still-open door to the Department, letting Charles stay in view as it closed instead of leading him away immediately.

[uptightboy]

The Lady's mouth became a thin line as she was narrowing her eyes at the Night Nurse. Though, she said nothing back.

Edwin watched as Charles was being led away and knew that this was the right decision. He will be safe there. This was the best-case scenario under the current circumstances. The remark about debriefing was... new, however. But Edwin didn't show any signs of surprise or confusion, he just nodded.

"Indeed, Miss, I shall be there on time," Edwin said, sending a look at the witches. He may have to stay in this mansion but that didn't mean he couldn't go back to the agency when he had important meetings with the Night Nurse daily.

"Charming lady," Lady Goode huffed. "Now, we will start the preparations immediately. Daphne will brief you on the details, detective. Welcome to our humble mansion for the next week. Hopefully less."

"Cannot wait to get acquainted, Lady Goode," Edwin nodded. "But I am looking forward to leaving the most," he added.

[just_aces]

The comment about looking forward to leaving had Daphne biting back another smile, clearly she'd already decided that she liked the two of them, but it was clear where her loyalties lay. But that didn't mean she had to be rude, especially considering that the Lady had appointed her Edwin's chaperone and liaison for the duration, which was clearly going to be a test for her as much as anything else.

She chattered, gently, as she led Edwin off to the guest wing -the east wing of the manor- giving him a brief history of the coven and the area, the sort of thing that was given visiting delegations from other covens. At the foot of the stairs she debated only briefly before moving upstairs instead of down, she knew ghosts didn't necessarily need creature comforts, but felt like a room with a window would do Edwin some good, especially as the view from the upstairs rooms covered a good section of the neighborhood, "Any supplies you need will be provided, within reason, you're a guest here, not a prisoner, though any outings, even just back to your office will be with a chaperone, which will be me, unless the Lady is given any reason to reconsider the appointment."

[uptightboy]

If Edwin was honest he barely paid attention to what Daphne was saying. All he could think about was Charles and if he was alright. Which he was, he knew that. But being away from him... it was difficult. It was also difficult to accept that Charles was truly a creature from Hell. There was no doubt about it anymore. And Edwin felt a little unsure about it all.

When he was led into the room he looked around, mostly to try and gather his thoughts.

"I am a ghost, I do not need much," Edwin remarked, rubbing his fingers as he looked out the window. It was a great look at a prettier part of London. Not unlike the neighborhood he would have grown up in if his family had moved into their city residence. He will request Daphne to grant him access to the library later. And he had no complaints about her visiting the agency with him. As long as the witches were working to bring this horrible case to its end...

[just_aces]

Access to the library and archives wasn't unrestricted, but it was at least at Daphne's clearance level, which as Lady Goode's assistant was relatively high. He couldn't remove anything, even just up to his room, but as Daphne could continue her own administrative work from anywhere in the manor, she was fine staying there with him as long as he liked.

Later that afternoon, she even gently reminded him of his appointment back at the office, which as he couldn't mirror there would take some travel time, and she didn't want him to miss it, as it was -apparently- a standing appointment with the Lost & Found Department.

She was actually a little enamored of the office and everything in it, keeping her hands respectfully to herself, "Oh, you two have been at this for a while." There was something wistful and even a little awed in the tone, though if she had anything else to say it was interrupted by a flare of light around the office door, which swung open and stayed that way, the honey-sepia of the Department behind it as the Night Nurse bustled through with a stack of folders.

Still visible behind her was the Hellhound that was Charles, just laid out on the floor beside her desk, head cushioned on the backpack that was almost invisible under the size of his skull. The muzzle and the collar, as well as the still-glowing rope halter weren't gone, just shifted around a little, into some kind of harness, almost the same as for a working dog, but he was clearly unharmed, if bored.

[uptightboy]

Edwin was used to reading books in far more unconventional places. So he welcomed the library and yes it could take his mind off of things. Although it was a bit weird to have a chaperone. It wasn't like having Charles around. It was more annoying. But if anything had rubbed off on him of Charles was that he was trying to be... less offending with people who couldn't help doing their jobs.

"We are officially partners since 1990," Edwin pointed at the door to their sign, explaining just how long they had been to this.

When the Night Nurse arrived, Edwin was ready to face whatever she wanted. But then he spotted Charles behind her. And everything made sense suddenly. Edwin's throat tightened as he was watching the hound being bored and not in pain. It had only been half a day and he already missed him so much. Edwin had no idea it was going to be this bad.

"Is he alright?" Edwin couldn't help but ask, raising his wide eyes at the nurse.

[just_aces]

"He's well enough, mostly he's slept. A transformation like that is," she paused, well aware that Daphne was there and probably so she could relay information to Lady Goode and the coven, "taxing, especially when one is unprepared for it." She wasn't saying anything untrue, and wasn't explicitly pointing fingers, either.

She set the files on the desk, drawing up a chair because going through with the legitimate reason for her visit was the only way to ensure they could keep doing it, "I expect he'll be back up and getting into everyone's pockets tomorrow. Making a regular nuisance of himself as only he can."

[uptightboy]

Edwin bit at his lower lip, unable to look away from Charles's form. He wasn't angry at the witches anymore. He was only worried. But... but he did feel comforted by the presence of Charles, even if it was through a door. He went to sit by his desk.

"This may take a while, do be prepared," he told Daphne as he sat by his desk, pulling up the notebook he wrote the case notes. He wanted to tell the Nurse to keep Charles safe, to care for him, to give him a ball if he wanted, or to let him roam and run about... But he didn't. He couldn't. The pen in his hand was trembling as he opened his notebook, and looked at Charles again through the door.

He could talk for hours about closed cases if needed. Maybe until the dull ache in his chest got better... Though he wondered if it ever will. If he himself was also muzzled in a way when Charles wasn't there to take that weight off of him.

[just_aces]

The case review in and of itself didn't take long, mostly because the Night Nurse had an innate sense for when something would be obviously stalling for time and when it wouldn't, but she did give a very clear, "Same time tomorrow, then." For Edwin's benefit as much as that of his chaperone, before departing, as if needing to keep up with business as usual was the most important thing even with an impending trial.

The next evening Charles was in the same spot next to the Night Nurse's desk, but he had a young boy leant against his side, apparently fully asleep, one grubby hand curled tight in the fur of his shoulder the other thumb securely in his own mouth. Charles' head was up, ears forward and alert, though he couldn't help the one fitful wave of his tail as he spotted Edwin through the open door.

By the third day -wherein Charles was seen in passing being chased by a girl with a pillowcase cape and a cardboard sword, only to keel over on his back with his feet kicking in the air when she actually managed to poke him with it- Daphne had realized the actual reason for the appointments, but as her instructions were only to report if the hound was brought back to the mortal plane -or if Edwin left the mortal plane- there was nothing wrong as far as she was concerned, and nothing for her to report. That was also the day that the Coven confirmed that Lower Parliament would be available for a full trial and also that the witch was, indeed, still in Hell, and official forms were filed for her conditional appearance at the trial.

[uptightboy]

Even if they didn't start out without hiccups with the Night Nurse, Edwin is terribly thankful for her help. He had no idea what he would have done if he couldn't have checked on Charles from time to time. It was still hard but seeing that Charles was doing well, and somehow returned to himself, even if he was still a hound, could put some ease into Edwin's chest.

The days were long, and slow and no amount of research and reading could make it better. Especially after Daphne and Lady Gooden confirmed that Charles's owner was still around. And wants her hound back. Which could have meant that she would be able to escape Hell. A rare thing to do.

And finally, there was a day appointed for the trial. However, Edwin was warned it may last multiple days due to the sensitivity of the issue. What he also was surprised by was that many others were also summoned as witnesses.

As they walked into the 'courtroom' with Daphne and Lady Goode, Edwin also had to realize that this case was apparently public, or way too many people were allowed to watch from the gallery. The room was huge as if they wanted to shove a smaller arena of some kind in the middle. And it did look like that with all the people watching from the gallery all around. None of this was helping about Edwin's nerves.

"Yes, buckle up detective, this is going to be a bumpy ride," Lady Goode said, taking a drag from her cigarette.

[just_aces]

The night before the trial there was no case review, as anyone who had been summoned as part of the trial -which included the Night Nurse- was meant to have no contact with either Edwin or Charles' original owner for a minimum of twenty-four hours just to make sure no information could be passed along that would aid either party.

The witch, still referring to herself as the Duchess Nocturna -not that she'd ever held an actual title- was accompanied by a pair of Hell's finest, or at the very least their least-busy, as her release was conditional, only for as long as the trial lasted, the only difference was that if she 'won', Charles would be returned to Hell with her.

Edwin, of course, had the Coven behind him, represented by the Lady Goode and Daphne, both smartly dressed.

While Charles, with the chain and muzzle as well as Edwin's glowing halter-rope returned to the way they'd been, with the latter cushioning the potential damage from the former, was kept in view of all parties, one of the Department's actuaries at his side, as the Night Nurse had received a summons and was no longer considered a neutral party even though the Department as a whole was. The circle he was in wasn't fully-glowing, but was still enough to keep him from jumping anyone, not that he seemed like he was going to, sitting straight, alert and aware and, perhaps most surprisingly, sporting Charles' trademark compass-star earring low on his left ear.

The gallery was an impressive collection of the London supernatural community, ghosts, shapeshifters vampires, and other curious parties and the whole thing was being presided over by Old Bailey himself, an impressive, gaunt figure in his magistrate's wig and robes. He raised both hands for silence before commencing, "It isn't often that we here in the Lower Parliament see the return of a case handled by others, but it isn't unheard of. Though the time passed since the initial case is... impressive." His voice was resonant in a way that made him easy to hear and understand even despite the size of the room, "Lady Goode, if your Coven's historian could relate the reasons for and outcome of your Coven's case against the Duchess, as a reminder for myself and the council?"

[uptightboy]

There were so many people. So many. All with the ability to see ghosts. Edwin had to realize that this may have been the first time that he was being witnessed by this many pairs of eyes since he died. His knees were shaking by the time they reached their designated spot on one end of the room. But the sight of Charles calmed him a little, especially the little dangling earring. It definitely wasn't there when they parted the last time, which was curious, Edwin wondered.

Once again, Edwin had to realize how much he had come to rely on Charles. He missed his presence from next to him, missed seeing his back in front of him as the other shielded him from everything and anything... Especially as he had to look at a witch from Hell, with two demons occupying her. The whole room smelled like the stairs of Hell, and Edwin could have sworn he could feel cold.

"Certainly, Your Honor," Lady Goode answered and motioned to one of the ladies accompanying them. Edwin had heard some of the things the trial was about but listening to the full list of what went down about thirty years before was... a lot. Calling the Duchess's work dark arts didn't even come close to what she was actually up to. Necromancy was one of the main things and the reason she was caught in the first place. Apparently, there was a taboo against using such powers on a dead witch, but Duchess Nocturna had no problem with it. Murder, torture, illegal summoning, sacrifices of the most horrid kind, that was all Duchess Nocturna. Edwin felt sick by the time the historian got to the conclusion of the trial all those years ago. Execution by being burned alive and all her possessions taken. The Hound kept separate as it was already too risky to send it back to Hell with its bonds being still so tight with its owner. The Hound was supposed to be human for a while, and the Coven had left it to Death to deal with it once its time would come. But he ran away and that complicated things.

Edwin licked his lips looking at Charles once the old trial's reminder was done. Knowing what kind of owner he had just made his heart break more. And it made him scared for their future too.

[just_aces]

Charles had had the time for his own memories of the near-century spent with the Duchess to settle some, but hearing the whole thing laid out like that was enough to have him tensing slowly, though he didn't take his eyes off of Edwin, likewise fully aware of Nocturna's eyes on him as often as not, which was not a comfortable nor a comforting thing, especially with the weight of her bonds on him still very much in evidence even despite the fact that they were corroded and worn nearly through in places as they had been when he'd first transformed back, maybe even more corroded now than they had been those few days previously.

Things were simpler, in this shape, the complexities of the trial escaped him, what he knew was that Edwin was there, and needed his support, and he knew enough to understand that if this went wrong, if he was found lacking in some way, he was going back to the Duchess and back to Hell.

The recounting was enough to have murmuring throughout the gallery, which Old Bailey let continue for a short while before raising a hand for silence again, "And making the Hound in question human, this was not meant as a punishment, correct?"
"Correct, it was simply deemed the safest way to keep it away from its banished master until the bonds had time to dissolve on their own, or until the Hound's eventual natural return to Hell."

[uptightboy]

They had no right to take the Hound away, only to keep it away until the bonds eroded. And it almost happened. Maybe ten years or so was needed. Edwin wondered what had happened then... But right now there was another issue more pressing...

Namely, the ownership of the hound. Because eroded bonds were one thing but two bonds at once were a completely different issue. After the recital of the sins of the witch, everyone was aware of the power a Hound held. Everyone was aware that owning a beast like that granted the owner power. Enough power to be summoned from Hell even for it.

Edwin looked at Nocturna as they arrived to the part of the actual trial where his issue was brought up. The so called theft. Before this, Edwin was presented with numerous ways the trial could go. Lady Goode wasn't too optimistic, saying that ownership of summoned Beasts was one of the things all the laws agreed on. Summoners owned their beasts, no question about it. So stealing one was a big deal. The issue was, nobody wanted Nocturna to have her beast back, that was the only thing in Edwin's favor and it wasn't much.

"The Hound is mine, and if this chewing toy thinks he can have it he is more stupid than I thought," Duchess Nocturna spoke and Edwin actually jumped at her voice. He couldn't explain it but it made him feel like a part of Hell was back.

[just_aces]

A growl built in Charles' throat at both the Duchess' declaration and the way it clearly discomforted Edwin, and it was only the Actuary's hand on his head, touch barely there and cautious, that kept him from actually snarling, even just that touch was a reminder of what was at stake here, even though he didn't fully understand what was going on at the moment.

He let his gaze slide to Old Bailey as the barrister spoke again, "Master Payne, we know by the dates that you were in your current state of being when you first met the human Charles Rowland. At that time were you aware of his true nature?"

It was the kind of question that the Lady Goode had done her best to prepare Edwin for, that he should only answer the specifics of the question that had been asked and not give additional information unless it was asked for as clarification.

[uptightboy]

Daphne stepped next to Edwin as he was being spoken to. She didn't say or do anything but Edwin was aware that it was her tiny way of support. He was thankful for it but it did not stop his trembling. He liked his lips, looking at Charles before he answered.

"No, I was not, Your Honor," Edwin answered. It was... kind of the truth. He had the suspicion Charles was not a proper ghost but he truly had no idea what he could be. But he did not state that. Lady Goode prepared him well for the sake of Charles and for the sake of the coven too. It wasn't like the Lady was that afraid of the Duchess but getting her off their back after the whole execution if she had his beast back would be a nightmare.

Edwin could hear some judging murmur from the gallery. Some people truly could not fathom that someone accidentally befriended a Hound. And if Edwin were honest, under different circumstances, he would be one of them. Because why would he take a hound from Hell to his side? From the place where he was tortured for seven decades? The beast smelled like Hell, ate souls and it was filled with dark energies. And it could get so angry... But it was Charles. He was the love of Edwin.

"Liar," the Duchess hissed. "Anyone who walked Hell could recognize its creatures."

[just_aces]

Old Bailey turned a truly withering look on the Duchess, the kind of look that would have made anyone else quail at least a little, though didn't seem to have that effect on her, though it was enough to have some of the gallery going quiet again as well, "The opposition will remain silent. You'll have your turn to speak."

That said he sighed, turning to Edwin and the Lady Goode again, "Lady Goode, whilst human, would anyone who wasn't involved with the initial spell-work be able to detect anything of the creature's true nature on the human Charles Rowland?"
She straightened a little, because while that wasn't exactly a question they'd been expecting, it was near enough to one, "No, your honor, even those involved shouldn't have been able to once the work was finished. He was well and truly human and would have remained so for the duration of that human life."

Charles' eyes narrowed briefly, because he'd definitely noticed that she'd referred to him as 'he' and not 'it', and he wasn't entirely sure what to make of that.

Old Bailey nodded once, the council at the bench clearly noting that information even as the barrister continued, "And master Payne, at what time were you certain of the then-deceased Charles Rowland's true nature?"
That was definitely one of the questions that Lady Goode had prepared him for, no one involved had been certain until he and Charles had actually met with the coven. Suspicions were one thing, even well-informed suspicions, but certainty was something else again, especially for a trial like this.

[uptightboy]

Edwin did wonder how was she aware that he had been to Hell but they had more important things to worry about. The question about the nature of Charles's spell was risky but it could have a positive impact on their case. If nobody could tell what Charles was, not even the ones who cast the spell, then why would anyone want to steal him on purpose? It also explained how they could lose track of him so easily.

"It was when we visited Lady Goode," Edwin said, deliberately leaving out the part 'to seek help about Charles's nature'. "About a week ago," he added. "Only then did we discover the strange nature of his bonds."

Once again, the urge to have Charles by his side gripped him so much that Edwin was sure he would suffocate if he needed air. He couldn't even imagine what would happen if he had to return to his old master. To that witch. Edwin did feel selfish for thinking that the worst thing would be him losing Charles and not a powerful witch gaining more power...

[just_aces]

Charles yawned, as widely as the muzzle would allow, which was still enough to show off the far too many teeth, tongue lolling for a moment, just snapping his jaw shut again a moment later, licking at his snout and settling down instead of sitting upright, as if realizing for the first time that this was going to take a while and he might as well be comfortable for the duration.

The answer did get another murmuration through the gallery, though it was one that passed quickly. Old Bailey gave another nod, "Very well." He turned to the Duchess, then, "Duchess Nocturna, at any point during your incarceration did you attempt to recall or recover the Hound?" It wouldn't necessarily have broken the terms of her banishment if she had done, mostly because even if she'd tried, she wouldn't have been able to do so thanks to the transformation.

"Only once." She replied, lifting an arm to indicate the chain bracelet there, "When this returned, I knew it meant that my Hound couldn't be far off, but by the time I was able to gather myself to try he had already returned to the mortal plane."

[uptightboy]

Already returned? Edwin felt cold dread grip him. She was banished and without her Hound, and there was no way for her to find him. But then... then Charles followed Edwin to Hell.

Edwin looked at Lady Goode for a second but then at Charles. He knew it didn't happen but the bare thought of what if she was faster could not leave his mind. Charles would have left him then? Did he almost stuck in Hell and did Charles almost go back to the witch who hurt him? Did they only escape by sheer luck?

Edwin was wringing his hands nervously. It was his fault this was all happening. It also alarmed him that if the Duchess called Charles to her he might go. It would be an all too conclusive proof of ownership. Edwin so wanted to speak, to ask what kind of question that was anyway, but Lady Goode prepared him well; do not speak when there was no question asked of him. And only tell what is absolutely necessary.

[just_aces]

Charles didn't particularly like that phrasing, especially knowing what he now knew about how thoroughly changed he'd been, and sure, his true nature had already been spilling through at that point, but he didn't think she should have been able to tell where he was, only that he wasn't in Hell any longer. The problem was that he couldn't put that much thought into it at the moment, and he itched to be himself again so that he could argue, so he could say that he didn't trust her and he wasn't going back and that her eye patch looked stupid. But instead he had to settle for glowering and flicking an ear in annoyance.

Luckily the barrister was good at what he did, one would think as much for as long as he'd been doing it, "And with the deceased Charles Rowland's coven-imposed transformation back in place, how is it that you knew where he'd gone when no longer in hell?"
She shook her head, "It was merely a suspicion, of course, as the summons didn't work, but a suspicion that's been confirmed by his presence here." The answer did cause some murmuring in the gallery and among the council, but it subsided before Old Bailey had to quell it himself.