My head began to grow dizzy at the amount of raw power filling the air, and I noticed that even Eae seemed amazed, but he didn’t move. He stood solidly before Greta. The lance of power was twice as wide as a torso now, almost half of Tory’s own height, and all if it hit her directly.
And nothing was happening. Tory seemed equally surprised. Then her face split into a slow smirk.
And she took a step towards the fallen woman. “You hurt my little dragonling, witch. I think it’s time I hurt your little pet. Tit for tat.”
Baba’s eyes widened as Tory took another step. Then she cursed and evaporated, as did her Familiar. All of us stared at the last spot we had seen them, and then as if on cue, quickly glanced behind us and all around us, remembering her Familiar’s ability to appear wherever she wanted. After a few moments of fruitless paranoia, we began to relax, and the dragon I had knocked away landed beside the fallen one, who was now stirring. I stared at Eae, who sneered at me. I sneered back. Then I turned to Tory, who was flinging her hand as if to shake off some vile substance. I saw blue splatters strike the concrete and instantly sizzle through the concrete with a hiss, disappearing from view. She blinked, as did I.
“I think I need a drink,” I muttered.
“You don’t drink anymore,” one of the girls muttered.
I glared in her general direction as Tory rushed over to the two dragons. They shifted back to human form, now naked, and I caught a quick glimpse of their eyes and the horizontal pupils inside fiery red irises. It was an unsettling look.
“Right. I’ll have some cocoa then. We should get inside.”
“Looks like he’s already a few steps ahead of you,” Tory said while pulling Aria to her feet. Sonya helped – even though it was totally unnecessary thanks to Tory’s strength, and pointed at the door to my shop. Eae stood there, one arm around Greta, and his wings covered the herd of little girls like a feathery umbrella.
“Hurry up, Maker. They need shelter and comfort.” Greta seemed on her last legs, casting disbelieving looks at Eae before her eyes fluttered closed.
I nodded. “Hey, let’s get inside, everyone. We probably need shelter and comfort.”
No one argued as we cast furtive looks over our shoulders on our way to the door. I released the ward with a thought, and everyone shambled inside the safety of my bookstore. We quickly settled the girls down with drinks and cookies, leaving a few Guardians to lift their spirits, and I pointed upstairs.
“The adults need to have a talk. You too, Ken Doll.” I muttered to the Angel. “But first, I need to make a phone call. See to the children, Tory. We’ll talk in a few minutes.”
As if on cue, a little girl of six came up to me, clutching the giant cat desperately. “Here, Mister. My mom’s allergic. Thank you for saving us.” I blinked, and Tory looked about to cry. I accepted the massive cat, definitely a Maine Coon as I scooped up its weight. The girl grinned through gapped teeth and skipped away.
“It’s not funny, Tory.” That only made her laugh harder. I shoved the cat in her face, and the cat began to purr. I grinned. “It likes you.” Then I rounded on a heel and plucked out my phone.
What was I going to do with a cat?
Chapter 30
“Alright, asshat. What the hell is going on? What is this thing, really?” I seethed.
The proxy for my client on the other end of the line sounded nervous. I had to physically force myself to remember that this wasn’t his fault. He was an employee. He wasn’t the client, and was technically being shoved in the middle of something he possibly didn’t quite understand. Still, I knew nothing about him.
“I’m… not sure what the book is…” I began to mutter an angry response back, but he interrupted me. “But even if I did, I would not be at liberty to share. Your agreement with… my client was to obtain the item. You were given enough information to do so, and agreed to the contract. You failed to deliver as promised. Asking for additional information on the item was not part of our agreement.” It sounded rehearsed.
“Yes, well, that was before a bunch of innocent people were murdered and I met some of the nastier competitors. And your client mentioned nothing about having to deal with them.”
“There are always competitors for items with this type of price tag…”
I grumbled unpleasant things under my breath, finally giving up. “Fine. Since the parameters have changed, and you are unwilling and unable to share more details, I expect your client to share his money instead.”
“I will pass on your request.”
I threw out a ridiculous number.
There was a pause on the line. “My client accepts.”
“Wait, you’re with him right now?”
“No. He gave me a limited authority for negotiations in the event things were different as anticipated.” He answered. I wasn’t Agent Jeffries, but he didn’t sound like he was lying, and this was a pretty common tactic. After all, there was no point in having a proxy if they had to bother you with every single detail of the exchange. They typically left guidelines for price, delivery, and other negotiation tactics.
What the hell had I gotten myself into? This had just become a million-dollar deal.
“Now, I have no problem taking your boss’ money, but your answer does concern me a bit. He is literally willing to pay a million dollars for a book… but you won’t tell me what it is. And three murderous thugs also want it. And over a dozen people – innocents – were murdered simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Silence answered me.
“Fine. I’ll let you know when I get it. If I can get it,” I amended.
“My client wishes to remind you that it would be unwise to fail…” His voice was shaking.
I chuckled. I couldn’t help it. “Yeah. Let him know that line officially terrified me into doing the job for free.”
“Oh, okay…” I heard scribbling on paper.
“Hey. That was a joke.” The other line was silent before he mumbled understanding. “You don’t get out much, do you?”
“I shall await your call.”
“Yeah, okay.” I hung up and whistled sharply for everyone to join me upstairs. They did, the stairs creaking alarmingly underneath the Angel’s weight. Which was odd to me. I had subconsciously assumed that since his wings were made of feathers, he must be light, like a bird. Just proved my heavenly knowledge was not up to par. Greta – awake now – stared wonderingly at Eae until he began to look uncomfortable. He folded his wings in tightly to his back, and tossed on a light, long jacket I hadn’t seen him holding. A feather fell to the ground and I stumbled. “Um, Eae. You dropped something. Aren’t those things kind of important?”
He merely glared at me and then kept walking, leaving the fallen feather. I stared from his back to the feather. “It’s just that, remember the first time we met, and I swiped one of your feathers? You-”
“Stop. Talking.” His voice hit me like a blow. Then Greta slammed her purse into my chest.
“Do not speak with an Angel of the Lord. Unless you’re willing to be Saved first.” She arched a brow. I winked back, and continued up the stairs. I heard Tory arguing with the girls at the base of the steps, idly scratching the baby saber-toothed tiger in her arms. The Reds wanted to join us.
Like any good dad, I backed her up. “Reds, listen to Tory. Please.” They glared up at me like typical angry teenage girls. I put on my best scowl. “You just disobeyed a direct request and snuck outside last time we came up here to talk… and you were almost killed for it.” They looked guilty, eyes downcast, but still stubborn, so I tried ego. “The girls down there are terrified. And all the adult bad asses are upstairs, so I need you and the Guardians on point. Keep them safe.” A change crossed their faces as they realized it was important to be downstairs. Much better than being ignored while the adults talked over their heads. They turned back to the room and began scowling at the windows, pacing back and forth like soldiers. “Which reminds me,” I mutt
ered under my breath as Tory climbed the stairs. I closed my eyes and imagined the ward going back up. A scream of power ensued and the bars zapped back into place with less fanfare than last time. The griffins were giving the little girls rides on their backs, so they didn’t even seem to notice.
“Nice,” Tory said, glancing down at the Reds with mild anxiety, still stroking the cat.
“You okay?” I asked, watching her eyes. She flinched, nodding too quickly. “Any idea how you, uh, well…”
She shook her head, eyes unfocused.
“Right. Well, me neither. I guess we’ll figure it out later. Just keep me updated if you have any odd sensations or experiences. It might clue me in on what exactly is going on. Deal?”
She murmured something affirmative, then walked past me up the stairs, fingers trailing the bannister in a specific manner, even though she seemed entirely unaware with her obsession over the cat. As I followed her, I realized that she was subconsciously tracing the wood grain. Perfectly.
Now, I knew during our schoolyard fight with the Grimms she had lost an arm and been healed by the mysterious green sprite, but also that whatever had healed her had been cast down into Indie’s grave, instantly growing the massive silver and white tree that now dominated the gardens of Chateau Falco. She had also been used as a conduit by the other sprites to ward Jacob Grimm against using his power to escape.
But as far as I knew, she had never before had the ability she had displayed today.
It bore consideration. And scrutiny.
A lot of strange things had happened that night.
I had met some kind of sentient being trying to coerce me into using my Maker power for itself, and I had only just managed to regain control before it began to control me. I glanced down at my cane thoughtfully, now back in its makeshift sheath. As if by magic… I smiled. It had worked flawlessly so far, although no one had noticed its unique abilities. My mind roved back to the night with the Grimms.
Indie had died, and then come back.
I had tapped into some power beyond my Maker ability, which the Horsemen of the Apocalypse had seemed very interested in.
And I had run into the mysterious bearded Ginger in that… other place. The White World, my subconscious had aptly named it.
I blinked, suddenly halting just outside the door to the loft. Pandora had called the realm that the Grimms went to the Dark World. Was I just connecting dots out of convenience, or were the two somehow related? I placed that uncomfortable thought on the back boiler. I knew there was a veritable army of Grimms still out there in that place, just itching to come over and decapitate me as many times as was magically possible for killing their leaders, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm.
I composed myself, allowing my anger to flicker to life on a slow burn. As always when I let my anger free, I heard a pleased groan from the depths of my soul. That… other portion of myself that seemed to piggyback on my Maker power. At least, I thought that was the case. Better assuming that than that I had a dark alter ego inside of me, just waiting to take over my body. I found that I was gripping the ornate silver head of my new cane and shivered. I let it go, and the cane winked out of existence.
As did the dark whispers. I waited a beat, and a slow smile began to form. It really was working!
I shook my head. Research later. I had enough problems on my plate as it was.
I stepped inside to find Alucard making drinks. Tory sat in a chair, gazing at nothing as she petted the cat. A forgotten glass of chilled, murky absinthe sat on the table beside her. I smiled at the drink, but was more than a little concerned at her state of mind and her mysterious nullification powers. But as far as I knew, only Eae had seen it, and… “What the hell are you doing here, Eae?” I blurted.
Chapter 31
Greta was standing behind one of the chairs, and Eae lurked directly behind her like a shadow. She had already checked several times to be sure he was still present, standing behind her like a… guardian Angel. No…
Eae nodded grimly. “Yes. That is exactly right.”
“I told you I didn’t like you doing that.”
“Instinctual. I don’t like heathens doing good in the world yet refusing to recognize the Almighty. But that’s the free will thing for you.”
“Amen,” Greta murmured, scowling at me.
I nodded. “True. But that doesn’t answer why you’re here. I thought you were impotent to interact with our world.” His fingers flexed in fury at my choice of words. “Which is why you use a gang of little choir boys to fight your battles.”
Greta jumped to her feet. “Nate Temple! How dare you mock an Angel of Heaven!” Her chest heaved with rage, and I had no doubt that if she had a drink in her hand she would have bludgeoned me. Smited me. Whatever was acceptable before the eyes of an Angel. And I was pretty sure Eae would have given her free rein to do as she pleased. Free will.
Eae and I weren’t exactly enemies. In fact, he had gotten me out of a scuffle that literally could have kicked off Armageddon. Well, I had done all the real work. He had simply done the paperwork afterwards that cleared my name between the parties of Heaven, Hell, and the Horsemen. I was thankful to him for that, but at the same time…
He had kind of been an unbelievable prick to me during the entire ordeal.
Granted, he had thought I was allied with demons, thanks to a fellow wizard framing me, but still. First impressions stick.
I folded my arms. “I’m not disrespecting his demographic. I’m saying that he himself is an asshole. And I’m still waiting on an answer.”
Eae’s face did an odd quiver, and then he let out an abrupt laugh. It sounded odd, forced, unpracticed. He seemed as surprised as the rest of us. Alucard was standing as far from the Angel and Greta as possible, watching us. I began to wonder why neither Greta or Eae had drinks in their hands, and then almost laughed at the thought of seeing Alucard – a vampire who was as allergic to religious artifacts as one could be – serving an Angel and a woman who likely had every inch of her body covered with tattooed crucifixes. Alucard noticed my gaze and then looked abruptly startled as he realized he had never offered me the drink he had made me. He began to move, and I thought about telling him not to worry about it. I didn’t want to lose control of my powers.
Then again…
One drink wouldn’t get me drunk, and I did so love the taste of absinthe. And Alucard had mastered the mixing of absinthe better than even myself. Maybe he used voodoo from his hometown to make it especially delicious.
I accepted the drink and took a thoughtful sip. The explosion of anise and fennel on my tongue almost made me groan. The soothing burn spiraled down my throat, and the dark presence inside groaned approval. I stopped drinking immediately and released the cane handle.
That probably wasn’t good. Although no one could see it until I grabbed it, I kept right on unknowingly grabbing it. Like I subconsciously wanted to hear the dark voice.
I sat down on my Darlington Chesterfield with a sigh, placing the drink on the stand as I watched everyone. They were all watching me. Especially Eae and Greta. Tory was staring in my direction, but didn’t really seem to be paying much attention. She looked more introspective. Then a thought hit me as my gaze passed over Alucard. “How are you even standing in the same room as an Angel?” I exclaimed. Alucard blinked, then stiffened, apparently not having considered the thought himself until now.
“I… I don’t know,” He answered dumbly, staring at Eae curiously.
“Well, obviously, it’s because I’m not at full… capacity at present,” Eae grumbled.
“Um, well, you sure seemed to be at full capacity when you appeared out of nowhere to save Greta, Feathers.” I watched him, curious.
“I don’t know why I’m telling you this, other than the fact that she needs to know,” he placed a powerful hand on Greta’s shoulders and she looked about to faint, “and you will not leave it alone until you receive an acceptable answer.” I nodded, leaning back.
; “Don’t tell me it has anything to do with this go…” I instantly corrected myself, rubbing my eyebrows, “this damned book…”
Eae cocked his head, reminiscent of a bird, and stared at me for a few moments. “No. I know not of what you speak.”
“I’m not sure if that’s good news or bad news,” Alucard murmured, watching the Angel thoughtfully. I had to admit, he was handling it very well. I began to think of how amazing it was for Alucard to be standing in the same room with an Angel, and then realized that everyone should be just as astounded. Well, except for me. My first encounter with the holy jerk had been in a bar. Specifically, a bar fight.
“Spill, Feathers.”
He scowled again for good measure, and then proceeded to talk. “I was judged after the incident last year. Although my brothers agreed with the outcome, they were less than pleased about the events leading up to it. Thus I have been cast down to earth to serve as a guardian Angel until I am deemed worthy of returning home.”
“And you chose… Greta.”
My old employee shot me a glare hot enough to melt steel.
Eae nodded. “She is worthy. And… she is near to you…” I blinked.
“You’re keeping tabs on me?”
He hesitated. “Not particularly, but if I’m to be down here I chose to be near your side as you seem to have a pension for attracting… memorable attention.”
I scratched my stubble thoughtfully. This news was a little alarming. Even though he wasn’t down here specifically to watch over me, it had entered his consideration. Which meant I felt like I had a parole officer.
And I wasn’t much of one for authority.
But… a thought hit me.
Silver Tongue: A Novel in The Nate Temple Supernatural Thriller Series (The Temple Chronicles Book 4) Page 15
