The corners of my mouth move up. This power of hers is so cool. We’re lucky to have her on our side.
I describe Vicky’s FBI disguise, and Kess changes easily.
“Like this?” she asks, adding some wrinkles to her eyes and forehead without moving.
“Not that many,” I say. “And her hair was a bit shorter.”
Kessley changes again, and I hold up my thumb. “Perfect. Add a black suit and you’re good to go.”
Vicky’s leather and lace outfit is replaced by an expensive looking suit.
I chuckle. “Don’t make it too fancy, you’re FBI, not a movie star.”
“Right.” She adjusts the fabric. “Like this?”
“Exactly.”
The real Vicky takes the list from her pocket and hands it to her older self. I give her the flash drive. “This is weird,” Vicky says. “I never thought I’d see an older version of myself. Now I finally know what I would’ve looked like if I hadn’t been…” She falls silent, but we all know what she means. It’s as if we’re getting a glimpse of a future she’ll never have, a future in which she could grow old with me.
I wrap my arm around her and kiss her temple. “I’m sorry. It’s only for a couple of minutes.”
She shrugs. “It’s fine. I made peace with my fate a long time ago.” She frees herself from my grasp and steps toward the glass doors. “Let’s do this.”
Kessley straightens her shoulders and follows her. She opens the door and walks to the counter with confident strides.
I try to peer inside discretely. It’s quiet, so they can walk right up to the counter. I can see the police officer behind it smiling at Kessley and saying something. Kessley puts the hit list and the drive down and starts explaining. Vicky stands beside her, invisible, and tells her what to say, like a prompter in a play, except that lives depend on the right words now.
The receptionist picks up the note and studies it. She nods and writes something down on a piece of paper. Then she hits a couple of keys on her computer and smiles. I think I can read a ‘thank you’ from her lips. Kessley nods, says goodbye and walks out with firm strides. She goes left, takes a good look around and changes back into herself with a shake of her head.
I can barely stand still, and I can tell by the way Taylar’s hand keeps moving through his hair that he’s nervous too.
“How did it go?” I ask when neither of them speaks.
Kessley shakes her arms and hands and hops up and down. “It went great!” She turns to face Vicky. “Right?”
Vicky smiles. “Yes, you did very well.”
Taylar walks over to Kess and buries his face in her neck. “Thank you,” he mumbles.
“No problem.”
They kiss, and we all avert our gaze.
When I feel like they’ve had enough time to themselves, I beckon them. “Come on, time to save another soul.”
We cross the street again and join Charlie, Gisella and Ginda in the parking lot of the Winged Centaur.
“Ready?” I ask Ginda, who has turned paler since we left her with Charlie and Gisella. Her brown locks seem restless too. I wonder if the werecat-witch scared her or something.
But it turns out something else is bothering her. “What if the Black Horseman is inside? He’ll know I went to get help.”
“True…” I tap my foot on the ground in thought. “You can stay in the car, if you like.”
“But if you need me─”
“We will come and get you,” I promise.
With a sigh, she stares at the ground. “I don’t want you to think I’m a coward.”
“We would never think that,” I assure her. Kessley and Jeep respond with a unified ‘never’.
She raises her head and her jaw sets. “If you really need me, I will help.”
I nod, and she hurries over to Phoenix, as if the Horseman is already on her heels. I can’t blame her. If I could, I would rather run away too and stay out of sight until this whole fight is over and done with. Unfortunately, I’ve been chosen as the lead character in this battle. Peace and quiet won’t be on the menu for a while, and─
My thoughts are interrupted by Charlie, who slaps me on the back. “I don’t know about you, but I could use a drink. And a snack or two.” He shows me a wide grin, and I answer it.
“You always know how to cheer me up.”
He throws his hair over his shoulder with an exaggerated flick of his head. “I know, it’s a gift. I can cheer up anyone.”
“Even that gloomy Black Horseman?” Gisella mocks.
Charlie tilts his head. “Okay, almost anyone.”
He and Gisella go in first, and I make up the rear with Vicky. We keep our eyes open while we cross the bar to Charlie’s favorite table in the back.
I spot Chloe immediately. She’s sitting at the bar, alone, with two plates filled with pancakes in front of her. She’s not eating any of it but staring at it as if they’re her worst enemy.
I bend closer to Vicky. “Is she fighting the urge to eat?”
“I think so,” she whispers back. “But I can’t imagine she’ll be able to resist for long.”
I let my gaze travel through the bar once more in search of the Black Horseman, or anyone who looks suspicious.
“I don’t think he’s here,” Vicky says as she leads the way.
We arrive at the table, but I don’t sit down. If Chloe is fighting against the hunger, she might accept our help. “I’m going to talk to her.”
“No!” Vicky pulls me back.
“Why not?”
“If he’s watching her, he’ll know we’re back.”
“So what? He probably knows already. And he also knows we’ll come looking for Chloe.”
“But maybe he thinks we’re still in The Nothing. We can use that to trick him.” She falls silent for a second. “And what about Trevor’s threat? He said if we kept fighting, he’d make sure you’ll never see your mother again.”
The corners of my mouth move up a little. “Well, my premonition showed me something else, so I’m not worried about that anymore. But you’re right about us being able to trick the Horseman.” I lean backwards against the table. “So tell me your plan.”
CHAPTER 21
I have to admit, I’m not convinced the Black Horseman is watching Chloe, but I agree being a little more careful can’t hurt, which is why Kessley goes to the bar disguised as a young Asian woman. She will order us some drinks and try to talk to Chloe without drawing too much attention to herself. Meanwhile, we’ll watch the other customers, see if anyone is watching the Mahaha. After all, we don’t know if the Black Horseman is able to disguise himself too or if someone else is watching her.
I see Kessley-in-disguise leaning on the bar and ordering our drinks. Then she casually says something to Chloe, who looks up from her pancakes with a small smile. They talk for several minutes. Kessley gestures to our table, and Chloe nods. She stands up, and they walk toward us.
“Guys, this is Chloe. She’s willing to listen to our story.”
The Mahaha nods at us in greeting. I try not to stare at her blue skin and hold out my hand to her.
She shakes it.
“Hi, I’m Dante.”
“Nice to meet you.”
I turn to introduce her to the others when Kessley tugs at my shirt. “We’ll start without you. The bartender wants to talk to you.”
I frown. “To me?”
She shrugs. “That’s what he said. He sounded a bit scared.”
The waiter arrives with our drinks, and I hurry over to the bar.
The bartender is taking an order, but as soon as the customer walks back to his table, he comes over. His gaze darts around the room and to the door and windows before he leans over to me, giving me a full view of the third eye in the middle of his forehead. “You’re Dante, right? Dante Banner?”
It’s impossible to hide my surprise. He knows my name? How? Did Charlie te
ll him?
He must sense my confusion, because he quickly explains. “There was a man in here, a couple of minutes before you and your friends came in. Shelton Banks, maybe you know him?”
My blood freezes in my veins. “Yes, I know him.”
“He was looking for you. Asked me if I had heard of you or seen you. If I knew where you lived and where your favorite hang-outs were.” He shivers a little. “He described some of your friends too. Of course I recognized the description, but I said I didn’t.”
“Why?” I ask before I can stop myself. I grit my teeth. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful.”
He shoots me a grin. His extra eye moves back to the door for a moment. “It’s fine, I understand.” He scans the room again before continuing. “I’ve seen that Banks guy a couple of times before. Not in here, thank God, but in town, and on TV. There’s something dark and sinister about him. I’d say I don’t trust him, but that would be an understatement. So I told him I couldn’t remember seeing anyone who matched his descriptions.”
I relax a little. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He turns away, stops mid-motion and leans back onto the bar. “Listen. I don’t know what that guy is up to, but it can’t be anything good. The good emanating from you is just as strong as the bad that comes from him, so…” he taps my hand amicably, “please be careful. Stay far away from that man.”
He picks up a glass and starts rubbing it forcefully.
“Thanks,” I tell him again, and I walk back to our table.
My friends fall silent when I join them.
“What was that about?” Charlie asks.
I pick up my goblin beer and take a huge swig.
“That bad?” Vicky asks, rubbing my back in comfort.
I take in Chloe, who’s watching me with a worried expression.
“Don’t worry, we told her everything.”
“Really? In three minutes?” It comes out harsh, and I hold up my hand. “I’m sorry, that came out wrong.”
Vicky keeps rubbing my back. “We told her the basics. She’s willing to accept our help.”
Kessley, back in her normal blonde form, leans against Taylar lazily. It annoys me, until I realize it’s better to look like we’re all relaxed and having a good time than to come across as worried.
Vicky uses her empath powers to make sure we’re all a bit more relaxed.
“Tell us what the bartender said,” she urges me when she’s done.
I summarize his story, and when I finish, I’m not the only one who needs a drink.
Soon, all of the glasses are half empty.
“What else did he say?” D’Maeo asks, scanning the room over my shoulder.
“Nothing, except that we should stay away from Shelton Banks.”
Charlie snorts. “That’ll be easy once he’s in jail.”
The other half of my beer is not nearly enough to take away the unease that’s been building up inside me. “Exactly. But he’s not locked up yet.”
“And he obviously knows who killed his trolls and pixies,” Jeep adds.
“He can’t know for sure,” I object. “He can only guess.”
Gisella is playing with the shadows under our table, turning them into a mini tornado that makes the glasses rattle. “Unless he uses his magic to tell him. He might be strong enough to do that.”
“Is he after me too?” Chloe interrupts.
Fear makes her face look worse than it already did. It stretches the skin tighter around her cheekbones and makes her eyes seem even more hollow. Still, her kindness shines through them.
Maël pushes her full glass away from her. “He works for the Devil too, which means it is better if he does not see you. We should assume you will only be safe with us.”
The Mahaha drapes her thin locks over her blue face. “Maybe we should leave then, in case he comes back.”
I try to give her a comforting smile, but with the bartender’s messages still fresh in my mind, I fail miserably. “I don’t think he’s coming back any time soon. But I agree that getting out of here is a good idea. The Devil’s accomplices might be getting restless and decide to check up on you, and frankly, I don’t look forward to another confrontation with him.” I stare at Maël’s full glass longingly, and she slides it over to me.
“Drink it. I do not want it.”
I empty half of the goblin beer before handing the rest of it to Charlie.
I wipe my mouth and turn back to Chloe. “Did they explain the plan to you?”
She glances at the door that leads to the toilets. “They did, but I don’t want Kessley to risk her life for me.”
“Afterlife,” Kess corrects her.
Chloe shrugs. “It’s still a life.”
Kess shoots her a broad smile. “I like you.”
The Mahaha blushes deeply, her cheeks turning purple.
“It’s really sweet of you to be concerned about us, but this is what we do,” I explain. “This is our task. We’re meant to protect you.”
“I know, but still…”
“We’ll be watching Kessley every step of the way while you go to Darkwood Manor with Charlie, Jeep and D’Maeo.”
Kessley squeezes her hand gently. “I’ll be fine. Really.”
A heavy sigh escapes Chloe’s lips. “Okay then.”
Charlie puts down the empty glass and gives Gisella a quick kiss. “I’ll go into the bathroom to open my secret door and send you a WhatsApp when the coast is clear.”
I give him a high five and take my phone from my pocket.
“What about Ginda?” Chloe asks after a short silence. “Is she coming too?”
“She’s waiting for us in the car. We might still need her help here.”
Chloe’s eyes fill with tears. “She’s such a good friend. I’ve been so stupid.”
“Why?” Vicky asks gently.
The Mahaha dries her cheeks. “I should’ve told her what was going on, instead of thinking she would judge me. I should’ve told her I saw part of my death.”
My mouth falls open. “You relived your death?”
She shakes her head. “Only part of it. I can block it out.”
“How?”
She shrugs. “Practice. People have tried before to kill me.” She lowers her head. “Because I’m a Mahaha.”
I swallow. “That’s horrible.”
She shrugs again. “Yeah, well…”
“So that’s why they sent the Black Horseman after you. Their first plan failed.”
She lets out a sigh. “Yes, and Ginda wanted to help me. I don’t understand why I ever doubted her.”
“Don’t feel bad about that,” Vicky comforts her. “The Horseman has been playing with your mind, which has made you emotional and agitated. He wanted you to go through this alone. The doubts you had about Ginda weren’t your own. And your friend will understand this.”
My phone vibrates, and everyone tenses around me. I glance at the message that appears on my screen.
Ready, it says.
Send me another message when you arrive safely at Darkwood Manor, I type back.
Will do.
I put my phone away, take a deep breath and turn to Chloe. “Okay, this is it. Jeep and D’Maeo will try to hide you from sight so you can slip into the men’s bathroom. Kessley will change into you and leave the bar, followed by us. Remember to hold onto Jeep or D’Maeo at all times, since we don’t know exactly when the distance between us will be enough for them to get pulled home. And don’t forget to take Charlie with you too.”
She nods tensely.
“Be careful,” I tell all three of them. “I’ll see you soon.”
After a quick look around the room, they hurry over to the door that leads to the toilets. I can only hope no one is standing outside to see them leave.
I scan the tables around us and step in front of Kessley. “Okay, go ahead.”
Sh
e changes into Chloe so fast that I can barely see it. I lean closer to her and squint at her skin, which is no longer see-through and has an unhealthy blue color. Her hair is still long, but it has changed into a dirty kind of brown, and it hangs stiffly around her sunken face, frozen. Her clothes stand out for the wrong reasons now. She no longer looks as if she’s going to a party. She’s now more like a walking corpse. She smells like it too.
“Well?” she asks.
“I can’t tell the difference,” I say genuinely.
“Well, of course not,” she says in a cocky tone. “What I meant was, can we go?”
“Oh.” I check for any left-over beer on the table and sigh when I can’t find any. “Sure. The party’s over.”
“I wish we were at a party,” Vicky says when Mahaha Kessley walks to the door and disappears outside.
“Me too,” I agree, trying to act casual as I follow our bait.
“Do you think he will fall for it?” Taylar asks from behind me. Nerves trickle through his voice, and he pushes me forward when I pause at the front door.
“I don’t think anyone can see through this disguise,” I answer, peering into the street to find Chloe’s double walking calmly in the direction of the Mahaha’s house. “Except Satan himself maybe.”
“I hope so,” the white-haired ghost answers.
Gisella slaps him on the shoulder and closes the door behind us. “She’ll be fine.”
We set off after Kessley, keeping an eye out for the Black Horseman or anyone else following her. We’ve covered about two feet when a dark shape rises from the ground to her right.
Kessley must see him too, but she pretends not to, like we agreed. It’s a wild guess, but we assume that Chloe wouldn’t see much of the world around her if the Horseman’s power fully worked on her.
Vicky, Taylar, Maël, Gisella and I dive into a driveway and hide behind the wall of the house.
It seems we guessed right. The Horseman stares at the fake Chloe with a content grin on his face.
He follows her at a relaxed pace, confident that she’s going home. And she is, but he doesn’t know she won’t stay there for long. She’ll be gone, and he won’t know where she went. Especially since, of course, it isn’t Chloe he’s following at all.
The Seventh Crow Page 12
