I felt a faint flicker to the air on my right, and knew I was too late. I threw up a last-second shield of air.
A force slammed into me, shattering my shield, and knocking me back several dozen paces. I briefly landed on my side with an expulsion of pain as the air shot out of my lungs, and the spare clothes went flying into the air. Then I continued to tumble ass over teakettle, feeling and smelling several slick icky patches along the way, until I finally came to a stop. I gasped, trying to get my breath back, shuddering in pain as my entire side felt bruised.
And I heard laughter. Great, booming, snorting bouts of laughter. From three different throats. I climbed to my feet and picked up the spare clothes as I limped back to the group, finally getting my breathing under control. Asterion was practically crying he was laughing so hard, clutching his knees as his overly large prayer beads swung in front of his chest. Alucard was clapping and Indie, upon seeing my face, was desperately trying not to show me how funny she thought it was.
I scowled. “Ha. Ha. Ha,” I muttered.
“Fool me twice…” Asterion managed between snorts, his massive nose ring swinging freely and dripping Minotaur snot as his laughter again got the best of him.
“Okay. I get it. I’m an idiot.”
Asterion finally began to calm down, taking deep bellows of breath before he finally extended to his full height with a sigh. He took one look at me, and his eyes shot up to my hair, and he instantly fell over, laughing all over again. I turned to Alucard and Indie. They took one look and doubled over, barely able to breathe.
I lifted my hand to touch my head only to find my hair sticking straight up on one side, styled perfectly with a fresh, steaming pile of… a totally organic – and extremely fresh – form of hair product… I stepped up to Asterion, childishly ripped off a patch of his leg hair – at which he suddenly stopped laughing – and used it to try and wipe off the majority of the mess. He clutched his thigh with a wince, but continued his laughter, slowly climbing to his feet.
“Oh, how I wish there had been more people to witness that…” he wheezed.
“Not very Zen of you, Asterion…” I muttered.
He chuckled, shaking his head. “All in good fun. I believe you are now experiencing exactly what I felt during that dragon ordeal…” he winked. I rolled my eyes, nodding. Glancing back at my friends, I threw up my hands in protest to find they were still laughing. But as I turned back to Asterion, I was also grinning at the ridiculousness of it. I deserved it.
And you know what?
I had wanted something to boost everyone’s spirits. I had just hoped to be uplifted too, not to be the brunt of the humor. Oh well. It took care of my friends. Which was what truly mattered to me. I wanted them to know that deep down, I didn’t only introduce them to new worlds of hardship and pain, but also to the fun side of the supernatural.
I winked at Asterion, and he nodded knowingly, shooting a quick look at my friends still giggling behind me. He reached out a hand and gripped mine in a firm shake. “To what do I owe the pleasure, Temple? Your visits are becoming a ritual, it seems.”
I nodded distantly, murmuring under my breath as I stepped closer. “I need some help, but I also want you to take a look at Indie. See if you can sense anything… off about her.” Asterion blinked, frowning slightly. I slapped his arm. “Don’t give it away. I’m serious. Just do… whatever it is you do and pay attention for anything unusual. I don’t know what else to say.”
He hesitated. “She looks… sickly.”
I shivered. “I know…” I turned to my friends. “You guys coming?”
They were smiling, but Indie glanced about the field thoughtfully. “Where exactly are we following you? We’re in the middle of a field.”
I smirked, growling good naturedly under my breath. “Rookies…” Asterion shook his massive horned head in amusement. “Lead on…” I told him.
We walked for a few minutes, seeming with no apparent goal in mind, and I began to hear Indie and Alucard whispering doubtfully to each other. Then, between one moment and the next, we were suddenly in a massive circular area surrounded by fiery torches, and a pool of never-ending darkness beyond that. The very tips of the earth blazed in a fiery red as if the horizon was experiencing a wildfire. But it was just a beautiful sunset, frozen eternally at the last moment.
The Dueling Grounds.
I glanced back to gauge their reactions since they were walking behind us and likely would have simply seen us disappear into thin air. The air rippled a moment later and Alucard stumbled to a halt, flinching in recognition. His startled gaze took me in, remembering the first time we had met and how he had ‘killed’ me here.
But he hadn’t known at the time that one couldn’t die at the Dueling Grounds.
Indie appeared a heartbeat later, fingers outstretched as if to claw someone, and face set in a murderous snarl. Then, like an idiot, I realized how stupid my timing had been.
She buckled to her knees, grasping fistfuls of the earth, and she began to shift.
Horns abruptly sprouted from her head, and coarse hair burst out all over her body, shredding her clothes as she shifted. She grunted once, climbing to her feet, her new clothes a tattered ruin, and she was a good eight feet tall. Alucard gasped, using his vampire speed to suddenly dart a dozen paces away. Indie snorted through a somehow more feminine-looking snout than Asterion’s wide nose, eyes ablaze as they latched onto the Minotaur, who looked utterly stunned. He pointed at her in disbelief, then his gaze locked onto me. “That. That is definitely off.” He hissed, but it wasn’t like he wasn’t shouting loud enough for all to hear.
“Indietaur!” Alucard yelled.
I didn’t have time to roll my eyes as I quickly jumped in front of her, holding up my hands. “Indie. It’s me. Nate. I’m fine. That idiot is Alucard. And this is the totally peaceful Buddhist, formerly known as the Minotaur. He’s a friend and means us no harm,” I begged, making no sudden movements. She began panting louder, and shook her head as if from a particularly abhorrent smell. But her face looked confused. “Yes. That’s right. There. Is. No. Threat.” I slowly spread my hands, and began inching lower and lower to the ground in a slow squat. I had read somewhere that matadors and cowboys used the tactic to soothe and calm startled animals. I continued inching, as slow as molasses, down to the ground, until I was squatting on my heels, palms flat on the earth.
In my peripheral, I noticed that Alucard hadn’t moved a muscle, appearing as still as a statue.
Indie’s gaze was locked onto mine as she panted, the fury in her eyes fading fast as she struggled to regain control. This would be a first. She was doing it! I wanted to clap for joy, but didn’t want to risk startling her.
“Incredible!” Asterion boomed, the sound shattering the peaceful blanket I had so lovingly settled around Indie’s instinct.
And all hell broke loose. She leapt over me, pounding towards Asterion in a blur of cloven feet, legs as thick as my torso, one hand lifted behind her back as if ready to throw a football.
Asterion grunted in bewilderment, but instantly lifted his arms to defend himself from her rage. I rolled to safety beside Alucard, thinking furiously. “At least it’s here where no one can really get hurt,” Alucard whispered, pulling me to my feet by my collar in one smooth vampiric motion. As if I weighed as little as a small pillow.
I nodded absently, turning back to see Indie unleash her fist straight at Asterion’s nose. He lifted his own fist to meet perfectly with hers so that it looked like they were purposely punching each other’s fists. The meaty thud should have shattered both of their hands, but instead it merely made Alucard and I cringe like teenagers at their first horror movie. I heard a single pop as if one of them had simply cracked their knuckle, and both fists stayed exactly where they had connected, strength versus strength locking them in place in perfect balance.
Indie dipped her head and lunged, but Asterion twisted at the last second, grasping her by the back of the neck, slam
ming her down into the earth. Her hooves scored into the dirt as she kicked and bellowed, but Asterion simply held her down, and began chanting to her.
The very air began to vibrate with power, and his voice seemed to make my soul quiver like a struck guitar chord. Alucard watched in shock, eyes flicking to me questioningly. I shrugged absently, transfixed with the sound that I could physically feel. I could almost imagine envisioning the selfsame air shimmering before me in waves of spectral light, but shook it off. Then again, I noticed Alucard take a step forward, reaching out with one hand as if to pluck something from the air, so maybe it wasn’t just me. He frowned, obviously not touching anything.
Indie’s hooves slowly calmed, and she shivered violently with one last snort of defiance. Asterion kept right on chanting, focusing entirely on Indie. After a few tense moments, she stopped moving altogether, and with one last sigh, her form rippled beneath the Minotaur’s palm, and she was suddenly human again. Asterion opened his eyes, smiled in satisfaction at his success, and then ripped his hand away as if burned, realizing Indie was stark naked.
He turned his back to her, taking a big step and holding up his hands as if about to be arrested. “My apologies, Indie.”
I rushed to her side, turning her over. Her eyes stared up at me, clear and calm, and she let out a slow, languorous smile. “That was… nice.”
I blinked. “Nice?”
She nodded back, gaze drifting up to the sea of stars above us. “Yes, I feel so relaxed. Like with the monks the other night…” But she sure didn’t look better. I would have guessed her to be a cancer patient.
“Well, don’t fall asleep on me.” She laughed softly, and I helped her to her feet. I began to take off my coat for her to cover herself, but she pinched her nose and took a step back.
“I’d really rather not. I think after so many times I’m kind of comfortable with you guys seeing me naked. Especially with,” she waved a hand at my shirt, “that as my alternative.” Her eyes twinkled, and I scowled at her for good measure. I instead handed her the clothes still clutched in my fist, which I had brought for just this occasion.
Asterion was blindly handing a scarf behind him, something that had been attached to his robes, a sash of some kind. But it was large enough for her to make a toga of some kind. She took it rather than the outfit in my hands. I glanced down to see streaks of manure and growled. Indie wrapped herself up in the scarf like a cloak. Asterion wouldn’t turn around until she insisted she was decent. Even then, he glanced at me as if for permission.
Indie didn’t like that one bit. “You don’t need his permission,” she warned, “you need mine.”
I grinned at the helpless look on his face and shrugged. He slowly turned to face her, ready to spin back away if necessary. Seeing her clothed, he let out a heavy sigh and nodded, meeting her eyes finally.
Then Indie flung open the sash to flash him.
He practically fell down in shock, and Alucard and I burst out laughing. Indie smirked at me, then covered herself back up. Asterion stammered apology upon apology, but Indie just grinned at him. “I’ve spent too much time around Nate. His penchant for distasteful jokes has rubbed off on me. But your glance got under my skin.” He nodded respectfully, climbing to his feet. “So to speak…” she added, laughing lightly.
“I apologize for seeming to ask his permission. It wasn’t intended as anything but courtesy.”
“My body. My permission. No one else. Nate gets that. The rest of the world needs to catch up to modern times.” I began laughing harder at the look on Asterion’s face. She rolled her eyes, and extended her elbow, offering him the chance to lead her to the table near the edge of the ring of torches. “Chivalry is not dead, but it has changed a bit. But some things never go out of style…” she winked. He let out a breath of relief and escorted her to the table, regaining his composure.
Alucard and I followed. “She’s a wild one, alright,” Alucard whispered. I nodded, smiling proudly.
We joined them at the table and took seats. “Sorry about that, Asterion. I take it Nate has told you about my… affliction.” Indie began. He nodded back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
“He hadn’t described it accurately enough. I especially didn’t think it possible to shift to a creature like me. More just the human variety of freak. To shift into a creature as old as me…” he whispered as if to himself, eyes glazing over. He snapped back to focus. “Is astounding. If I hadn’t been studying Buddhism, I doubt I would have been able to calm you so quickly. It would have been a brawl.” His eyes flickered to mine, squinting as an idea registered. I grinned back. “Which is likely exactly why he brought you here of all places. Without warning any of us.”
Everyone turned to face me. I shrugged, nodding with a faint smile. “I wanted to see what would happen. I need to know her limits. And what better safety net than here?”
Indie didn’t look entirely pleased, but at the same time, she looked accepting of it. That if anything would have gone horribly wrong, no one would have had to die.
Because one couldn’t die at the Dueling Grounds.
It was technically on a different plane of existence.
“Was this what you were referring to, Temple?” I shook my head, causing Asterion to frown. I hoped the brief look on my face let him know to drop it. But knowing him, it wouldn’t be enough, so I began to talk.
“No. Well, part of it. I wanted to know if you knew anything about Grimms too, but I also have a few more questions.” He hesitated a moment, but then motioned for me to continue. “I want to know anything you may know about Van Helsing, Baba Yaga, or the Huntress. You clammed up pretty quick with Midas. I want you to share. Now.” I added. “I also have questions about one of my friends, and some unique abilities she has begun to manifest…” I added cryptically. Everyone glanced at Indie, but I shook my head. “No, not her. Pretty sure she would skewer me for referring to her as a friend,” I smiled. Indie nodded proudly. Then she stood and walked over to me, sitting down beside me and snuggling into my shoulder. I squeezed her thigh and whispered, “Good job. You should have seen the look on his face.”
She whispered back just as quietly. “Oh, don’t think you won’t be paying for that later. You. Used. Me.” She never stopped cuddling as she issued the threat, which only made it worse.
My kitty had claws. I deserved it, but it still made me smile. Indie had always been confident with strong independent streaks. It was one of the characteristics that had drawn me to her. But that confidence was increasing as her powers evolved. Even though she couldn’t control them yet, I could see the seeds of her resolve and inner strength growing firm roots. It was pleasant to see. Knowing that she would definitely be able to protect herself from any of my enemies in the future.
Hell, she would protect me from my enemies.
“Spill, Asterion.”
He sighed, and nodded as we all got comfortable in our seats.
Chapter 41
Asterion stared off, gathering his thoughts.
“What are you building over there?” Indie asked absently.
I glanced over to see a pile of lumber and assorted tools. I turned back to the Minotaur and he was smiling at me knowingly, nodding. I instantly willed him not to say anything, and his smile died abruptly. “Just… just tinkering.”
Indie turned back to us, nodding, but Alucard was watching me curiously, having noticed the brief exchange. Surely he knew. He had heard me bring up the idea at the bar.
“Do you know anything about Indie having no control? Any way you know of to help her?” The Minotaur looked troubled.
“None that are worth the cost.” I opened my mouth to press him, but the glare he shot me was warning enough. “Trust me. You don’t want to deal with that… man.”
“We need to figure something out, Asterion.”
He nodded agreement, grasping Indie’s tiny hand in his meaty palm. “Practice. Meditation. Breathing exercises. Find your inner peace, child.” She sm
iled politely, but I could tell she was disappointed. “One must not rush these things. You are a,” his eyes twinkled as he cracked a grin, “Sister Grimm.” He frowned, chewing his lip. “Or Grimm Sister. Regardless, you were a mortal and became something greater. This is… unusual to say the least. Give it time.”
Again, she nodded politely, but her mind was elsewhere, frustrated.
I decided to drop a bomb. “Indie…” she turned to face me. “Did you touch the book?”
Her face locked rigid, frustrated. “I already told you…” she began. I held up my hands.
“I know, but you said you blacked out. I need to be certain that you didn’t touch it. These people are chasing us, because they sense it. I have only touched the case, and Baba stole that from me the first night, so that can’t be what they are tracking.” I glanced at Alucard who threw his hands up.
“I was with you the whole night!”
“I know. That’s why I’m asking the only person who actually saw it.”
She continued staring at me, and I spotted a small tear of frustration building in her eyes. “I don’t know!” She shouted, throwing up her hands as she let out an angry breath. “If you think I’m behind this, then you don’t know me at all!” But she had suddenly come down with a strange sickness. And had no recollection of the auction.
She prepared to stand and I held out a hand. “I’m not accusing you, Indie. This item is obviously powerful, as are the people after it, so I’m merely thinking outside the box. Perhaps you touched it, and the force of power is what knocked you out? Is something like that possible?”
Her eyes danced in self-defense, but she finally let out a sigh and sat back down. “I don’t know, Nate. I don’t think I was anywhere near it. Last thing I remembered was them wheeling it out, and then I woke up with the case next to me, five rows back from the podium. But the case was lying next to me and everyone was dead. I still held the drink and paddle in my hand, so I doubt I nabbed it, managed to make it back to my seat, and then blacked out after picking the paddle and drink back up.”
Silver Tongue: A Novel in The Nate Temple Supernatural Thriller Series (The Temple Chronicles Book 4) Page 22
