by Brandon Witt
I looked over at the irises once more, and in so doing felt a part of Jordskote with me. While new buds were forming, there were still only the original five flowering stalks. I’d almost expected they’d be gone, that Jordskote had just provided them for a sense of comfort to me, to honor my relationship with Brett. That would have been enough—more than, actually. I felt my eyes grow moist once more as I stared at the fragile flowers. That she had continued to let them thrive was more than I could have hoped for.
To my surprise, I let out a laugh when I realized these five flowers had been a tribute to our love longer than our love had even lasted. Much longer. Well, that wasn’t true. Some part of me that I’d given away to Brett would always remain in love with him. It was a peaceful realization that such an understanding no longer caused me pain.
Caitlin yelling my name broke my reverie. I cast one more look out to the sea and then to the monument of flowers under the willow, and turned and followed Caitlin’s path down the cliff.
“Geesh, Finn!” Caitlin was leaning against the passenger side door of my truck, arms crossed, flushed face clashing with her cotton-candy hair. “What were you doing up there? Did another nymph show up to give you more useless advice?”
I whirled, looking over my shoulder, expecting Amalphia to be right behind me. “Fuck, Caitlin! Shut up! Disrespecting them isn’t going to accomplish anything.”
She waved me off. “Seriously!” She raised her fingers in air quotes. “It is neither the Creator’s nor nature’s way to flood before the falling of rain… What the fuck is that shit?”
“Caitlin! Really! Come on, save it for later, at least.” Picking up the pace, I darted toward the driver’s door as I fished my keys out of my pocket.
“Yes, nymph, my younger sister’s been kidnapped by the fucking Vampire Cathedral after they tried to kill our parents, all so they can get our retarded baby brother to come for a visit! Yes! Please, oh, please take the time to tell me about rain and floods!”
I threw open the driver’s door and leaped in, reaching across in the same motion to unlock Caitlin’s door.
She got in, still ranting. I hit the gas pedal before she’d gotten her seat belt on or her door shut.
“And I love Dad. You know I do, but Amalphia? Really? What other answers could we expect? If Ventas had shown up, we’d have something real and practical to work with. Shit, even Cenera. She’d have made more sense than water-for-brains!”
I let out a shudder. “It always wigs me out that you and Mom turn to Ventas. She terrifies me.”
Caitlin rolled her eyes.
“Well, she does.” I pulled the truck onto the Five. “I feel like she’s always one step away from starting a hurricane or tornado or something.”
“Of course a strong woman would freak you out. I’m surprised you can handle any of them, since none of them are scantily clad muscle daddies.”
I opened my mouth to make some butch lesbian retort but caught myself. “Are we really going to do this right now? Cynthia hasn’t even been gone a full day yet, and we’re already at each other’s throats—we’re not gonna be able to help her at all if this is how we’re gonna start.”
Her glare blazed into me. I kept my eyes on the highway. Finally, she let out a huge exhale. “Fine. I suppose you’re right.” She expelled another storm of breath. “I’m sorry. Just between Mom and Dad and Cyn, I’m about to come unhinged. And it didn’t help seeing Allison when we left the hospital.”
“Did you really apologize to me?” Ignoring the traffic around us, I turned and gaped at her. “I’m even more worried than I was before!”
She glared at me again, then laughed. “Shut up!”
For some reason, her reaction made me laugh as well, and then we were both cracking up. We laughed until tears were rolling down our cheeks, and I nearly had to pull over to the side of the road because I couldn’t see. Probably wasn’t all that funny, but if ever two people needed to laugh, it was us at that moment.
When we’d both settled down, I decided to milk the sibling camaraderie, considering how rare it was with the two of us. “I couldn’t believe how quick Allison got to the hospital. She was there in less than twenty minutes.”
Caitlin’s expression sobered, and I regretted that I’d pushed it. But too late now.
“You doing okay?”
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at me. “I’m not you, Finn. I can function when the person I love leaves me.”
It didn’t take effort to refrain from retorting back. She was right, and I had it coming. If I’d done a better job of handling my emotions, maybe we’d not be in this mess now. If I’d not tried to be the hero when the “love of my life that I’d met a whole day and a half before’s” best friend was killed, we definitely wouldn’t be in this situation. I wouldn’t have used my power to find the Square, and the Vampire Cathedral wouldn’t have known about me and wouldn’t have had any reason to attack my parents and kidnap my sister.
Caitlin’s long black fingernails curved over my wrist when she reached across the cab of the truck. “Hey, Finn, I’m sorry. We’ve been through this. There is no way you could’ve known any of this would happen. I get that. It’s not your fault.”
I kept my eyes dead ahead and gave a little nod.
She let out a sigh. “No, really. I was just mad, and I’m frustrated and scared. I know you’re hurting as much as I am.”
I glanced over at her, waiting for the punch line.
She just shrugged.
We drove in silence for another few minutes before she spoke again. “At least Amalphia said we’re on the right track. I think that’s what she meant, anyway.”
A laugh broke from my throat. “Now I know something has possessed your body if you’re even being gracious to Amalphia.”
She gave me a glare, and all felt right with the world again, even if the glare seemed more obligatory than genuine. She glanced around, as if coming awake. “This isn’t the way to the airport.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Well, don’t you think we should maybe get there? We don’t wanna miss our plane. This is the last flight to Costa Rica today, and I’d rather not piss off the Vampire Cathedral any more than we have to. We can’t afford to lose any more family members.”
“We’ve still got four hours until takeoff.”
“Yeah, so? Do you really think this is the best time to get a burger from Rascals?” I could hear the hint of frustration behind her teasing tone.
“Nah, don’t need Rascals.”
She waited, but I didn’t say anything else. “So where are we going, Finn?”
I took a deep breath and then let it out, waiting for the explosion I was sure would follow. “The Square.”
Three
FINN DE MORISCO
Caitlin was surprisingly quiet when we crossed Imperial Street and entered the Square. It could have been due to her nerves, coming to the place that had started all the drama, but it also could have just been because her throat was sore from screaming at me.
It didn’t take long for her reserve to wear off. “I still don’t think this is a good idea.”
“For the tenth time, you don’t need to come in here, and it’s probably a good idea if you don’t, but I want to get as much information as I can before we show up at the Vampire Cathedral.”
She gave a slow look around the Square. “I can’t believe this place is the reason you’ve been abandoning your family.” She motioned up the block toward the shop labeled Porn next to a burned-out lot, then gave me a look that didn’t try to withhold judgment. “I mean, seriously?”
“I’ve never even been in that one, Caitlin.”
“Yeah, I bet.”
I hadn’t. Why go in there when you could get whatever sex you wanted in the back room of Bar? I couldn’t imagine what they’d have in the back room of Porn. I bet Schwint knew firsthand. I’d have to ask him sometime. Although, considering how addicted I’d gotten to what I’d already partaken of,
maybe it was best I didn’t know.
It was easy to see the Square from Caitlin’s perspective. I’d nearly forgotten my initial reaction to the place. In the light of day, like now, it looked like a condemned ghost town. Only a few people wandered around, and the sunshine highlighted every broken window, empty storefront, and burned-out shell. Even the marble courthouse, which was supposed to be a showstopper—surrounded by a small forest of coniferous trees, in the middle of the Square—lacked the ornate detail to really pull any attention.
“It’s better at night.”
“It would have to be.” She took off without waiting for me. “Well, let’s get this over with. We gotta get in and get out. We can’t take the chance of missing our flight or having you experience a relapse.”
“I told you, there’s no danger of that. For fuck’s sake, I’m here for Cynthia, not to—”
“Thank you so much for not finishing that sentence. I have no desire to know what you did here.”
That made two of us. Talking to Caitlin about the Spor-induced orgies sounded like one of the most uncomfortable things I could think of.
We passed the courthouse, and I motioned toward one of the stores that sat catty-corner from us on the next block. “It’s right there. Gifts. We’ll just find out what she knows and then drop in to see if Marina can help and get out of here.”
Caitlin stopped in her stride and turned and looked at me. “You dragged me here to go to a gift shop?”
I ignored her and kept walking, cutting across the street and part of the courthouse lawn.
Pausing at the door of Gifts, I waited for Caitlin to catch up. “You really don’t need to go in here. This witch is not pleasant, and she nearly killed Schwint the last time we were here.”
She let out a snort. “If you’re trying to scare me, you’re going to have to do better than she tried to kill a fairy. So not impressed.” She pushed open the door and walked past me, glancing up when the door chime sounded.
I followed her through and glanced around the interior, trying to find Hazel. The only person in sight was some stick-thin hippy chick in a long, crinkly brown skirt and orange tank top. Probably hoping to buy incense or patchouli or something.
With a quick sweep across the store, Caitlin turned toward me. “This place is lame.”
I motioned toward the back side of the square glass case in the center of the store. “They’ve got a bunch of those monster figurines you used to love so much.”
“Hmm, hmm. Don’t think I didn’t notice the unicorn statues. The Square might be more for wannabes than I thought.” She took a step closer to the center counter before looking back at me. “What’s this bitch’s name again?”
“Hazel. But don’t—”
“Hazel!” Caitlin’s voice cut through the stillness of the room, causing the hippy to jump where she was bending over inspecting something. “Hazel!”
“Thanks, Caitlin. Can you be a little careful here, please? Whether you think the Square is for wannabes or not, I do know what I’m doing here, and it’s not exactly safe like Mascarada.”
Before she could respond, the hippy girl wafted over, pulling her long, coppery dreadlocks back, revealing a kitchen-yellow cloth headband. “I’m sorry, can I help you?” Her voice was soft and timid. Mouselike.
Caitlin sized her up and squared her shoulders, clearly stating she was vastly superior to the waif in front of her—despite the willowy redhead easily besting her by six inches. “We’re here to speak to Hazel. Who are you?”
“I’m Allison. And I’d be happy to help you in any way you need.”
“Allison?” Caitlin’s voice lost some of its bravado. Not that I could blame her. She was already thrown off by seeing her ex this morning, and now hearing her name in this place surely didn’t help.
“Yes. Is there something you need?” She swiped at her hair again. The tendrils were thick and stiff and fell back to their original places instantly.
I stepped forward, but Caitlin cut me off, her control regained. “We need to speak to Hazel. Can you get her for us?”
Allison shook her head, her face giving off a little cringe like she expected Caitlin to explode. Smart girl. “No, I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“Well, can you call her, then?”
Another shake. “No, I’m sorry. I can’t. Hazel died, but I can help you if you need anything.”
My breath caught in my throat as I gasped. Clearing it, I stepped around Caitlin. “What do you mean Hazel died? I just saw her four or five days ago.”
“Are you family? I’m sorry to be the one to tell you, but she—” Allison’s voice cut off in a gasp of her own as her watery blue eyes looked up to meet mine. “Oh! It’s you!”
“What happened to Hazel?”
“I… uhm…” The girl backed up nervously, letting out a squeak as her backside ran into the counter. “Hazel wasn’t… well, you see….”
“Allison!” The sternness in my voice surprised even me, but too much was on the line to waste time being nice or polite. Every second this girl stuttered around was another moment who-knew-what happened to Cynthia.
Allison looked up again, wide-eyed at my voice. Even Caitlin looked at me appraisingly.
“What happened to Hazel?”
“I… I…” She looked past us out the window, as if trying to find help. Apparently not finding any, she brought her attention back to me. “I’m sorry. I know who you are, but I can’t tell you what happened to Hazel. I just know she’s dead. I wasn’t told any more than that.” She cowered like she thought I was going to strike her.
For some reason, I knew she wasn’t being forthcoming, which was kind of surprising, considering how afraid she seemed of me. It told me she was even more afraid of something or someone else. Probably a bunch of somethings or someones, considering she was working at the Square.
I tried another tack. “If you know who I am, then you can tell me the same things Hazel could’ve.” She started to shake her head, but I pressed on. “Why do they want me to go to the Vampire Cathedral?”
Her headshaking stopped, and her brow knitted. “The Vampire Cathedral?”
“Yeah. You said you knew who I was, so why do they want me there?”
“I only know you’re powerful and not to be harmed. I don’t know anything about the Vampire Cathedral.”
Just like I was clear she knew more about Hazel’s death, I was also certain she truly didn’t know anything about me being called to the Vampire Cathedral. Hell, maybe she didn’t know they were the ones pulling the strings in the Square.
Caitlin found her voice once more. “Listen, you little bitch, we don’t have time for this shit. Either tell us what happened to Hazel and what the vampires want with Finn, or I’ll show you what real power looks like.” She let her eyes travel down the girl’s clothes and back up. “I’ll show you what powers a real witch has.”
If she thought this girl’s outfit was bad, it was a good thing she hadn’t met Hazel in her Halloween-witch getup, complete with a fake wart on her nose. She took another step toward the cowering witch.
I grabbed her arm. “Come on. She doesn’t know anything, and what little she does, she won’t be telling us.”
Caitlin gave me a dirty look over her shoulder. “She will when I’m done with her.”
“As intimidating as you are, there’s a lot worse things in this Square than you and me.” I tugged her arm, expecting to have to drag her out of the store. If I could.
To my surprise, she yanked her arm out of my grip, turned, and marched over to the door.
Once outside, Caitlin turned and started to say something—probably chew me out for bossing her around—but I cut her off. “Hold on. I need to check out one more thing. Real quick, I promise. Then we can go.”
Without waiting for a response, I rushed to the next corner and crossed the street, then stopped outside Bar.
Caitlin didn’t offer any sarcastic comments about me taking time for a drink. While she had to
be even more confused than I was, she obviously realized the Square was more than it seemed, enough to let someone who’d spent time here take the lead—even if that someone was her annoying little brother.
“I’d like you to come in here with me too. I don’t want us to split up. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I have a bad feeling.”
“Bad feeling? You think? We got two hurt parents and a kidnapped sister. Glad you’re catching on. And I’d like to see you try to go in there without me.”
“All I meant was… never mind.” I reached for the door, then paused again. “There’s a werewolf with a pretty mouthy attitude inside. Please don’t pick a fight.”
In response, she pushed past me and flung open the bar’s door.
Actually, Farvin probably wouldn’t throw up too much of an attitude with Caitlin, as pretty as she was. His girlfriend was the one I needed to worry about, unless they were looking for another three-way partner again.
Caitlin halted a foot past the entryway and turned to me, addressing me in a mock whisper. “A glass-block bar with red backlighting? Could it be any more cliché?”
“Thanks for taking my warning seriously, Caitlin.” Automatically, I stepped toward Schwint’s and my favorite seats and halted. I’d never been in here when Marina wasn’t behind the bar. In her place stood a beautiful man—tall, blond, and muscle-bound. Obviously werewolf. Looking away, I gave a quick, cursory glance around the bar. Only three other people sat there, all huddled together in the back corner booth. No Marina. No Farvin.
I brought my attention back to the werewolf behind the bar. Unlike Allison, he clearly wasn’t the slightest bit afraid of me. However, he obviously recognized me as easily as she had.
