It was obvious Sorcha knew just how much he didn't want to know what Adele was doing behind closed doors. He caught her devilish grin even from the side of his gaze and his lips twitched with humor even as he continued to look like he was consumed with his book. She seemed to grow more comfortable with him and Adele by the minute and he hoped not pushing for information was partly to blame. He could be rather persistent when he wanted something but in this case, he figured the best solution was to back off and let her recover and gain some trust. Then shed tell him when she was ready. Meanwhile their witty banter was heating up, just as he sure it would have at the bar if they had stayed longer.

Her reactions to his goading words only makes him that much more eager to see what she would do if it were just the two for them here now. Her face flared up even more and he could hear her heartbeat racing like a thoroughbred. The cat seemed to notice something too, jumping off her lap like she was clawing him to death or something. Erik chuckled as he watched him walk off. "He doesn't look too happy with you." Adele takes her plate about then and he could see the urge in her eyes as if she wanted to do something to help but he knew Adele would just shut her down. He used to offer to help all the time but gave up after she gave him a good tongue lashing. He knew she wasn't really offended. It just gave her happiness to take care of others.

When Sorcha agreed with him, he tugged his lips into a grin in response, his eyes twinkling with intention. Oh, but how he'd like to take her up on that. But now wasn't the time or place so he'd wait and bide his time. She jumped then to more serious subjects, like the death of her parents. He could tell her upbringing had scarred her. She seemed so vulnerable when she talked about them. It only made his protective nature over her flare up more. When he saw her hand make a fist, it was instinctive for him to reach out and smooth out her hand, but he would be lying if he denied the tingle at her touch. It was like sticking his hand in ice water. He wanted to comfort her and make her feel better. He knew his words wouldn't do that but they were something at least.

She sighed and said everything was confusing. He could understand that. It sounded like a lot to take in and process. He tried to help as he could with the magic thing even though he would never full understand a witch's powers and how they work. She seemed to relax a little more anyway so he took that as a win. She admitted that she had played with the shadow magic a little and that the power was growing. He tilted his head. "Are you still in control of it? That's the main concern, i would think." He was curious of a power that grew when you used it. Sounds useful but he could understand the concern with it too. Especially if it could be used to hurt others. He was glad she was with the one that ha been gifted it for whatever reason. She had a good heart. He could see that much. The power could have gone to someone much worse. He frowned at the thought of a coven getting to feed off of it though. "I'm guessing if they cursed you that they're not exactly good with ethics. So you're like their own battery for whatever they want to do. Are they planning something big or just general mayhem?" He was wondering if shed overheard anything. He realized he was starting to ask now over what may have been a very troubling time for her and his gaze softened, wanting her to know that she didn't have to talk about if she didn't want to.

She growled and he raised a brow. She was definitely frustrated over this and he didn't blame her. Who knows what the coven would try to do with that kind of power? At least he had an idea what he needed to protect her from now. She looked up at him and he felt the need to comfort her again, to reach out to her and let her know everything's going to be okay. But he bit his tongue and listened as she told him how it felt to be cut off from her original magic. He was still holding her hand and without thinking about it, he started to make little circles on her palm with his finger, soothing motions meant to calm. "It's not permanent. If there's a way to fix it, we'll find it. I wont stop till we do." Determination was in his tone as he watched her face.

She wasn't convinced about him going with her but that's okay cause he would get to show her in the morning. She gave him a look but then told him not to blind her and he chuckled. "I'll try but no guarantees." He flashed a smile, watching as she stood and said she was going to lay down. He nodded. "Ok. Rest well." Adele looked up where she was finishing up cleaning the kitchen. "If you need anything, dont hesitate to ask, dear." She waited till Sorcha went to the guest room before giving Erik a pointed look. "I'm going to check on Darlene and the others. You know where ill be if I'm needed." Erik smiled. "Yes ma'am." He waited for her to leave before he went to his recliner and pulled out a laptop. Then he started researching everything from local covens to shadow magic and blood curses.