Insidious Monsters: Eldritch Blues Book 2, page 13
“Milo, I presume.”
“That’s me. And I’ve been studying the images Devyn sent on your behalf. Come, join me.”
He indicated one of the sofa huddles and I noted the pot of tea set on the coffee table along with two cups.
“I hope that’s a fresh pot. I’m parched.”
He grinned. “Of course. Make yourself comfy.”
We took an armchair each and he poured the tea.
“Help yourself to milk and sugar.” He slid a cup my way and waited for me to add both before speaking. “Now, symbols throughout history have meaning and most are universally recognized, like the ankh symbol on the man who tried to kidnap your friend.”
“It was an ankh and a zigzag.”
“Yes, two symbols combined as one.”
“What does it mean?”
“The ankh means many things: life, male or female genitalia, and it can also represent the sun rising over the horizon. The zigzag is often used as the symbol for lightning, energy, and movement. Together they could mean the energy of life, or life force being moved or siphoned.”
I sat forward. “Okay. That makes sense as this Holy character is draining mystics.”
“Hmmm. But only your necromystic could see the symbol on this man?”
“Right.”
“And the other symbols you sent me? The ones the mystic ghosts had on their wrists.”
“Archie saw those too.”
“And Devyn just sent me another image found on one of the survivors. One they all could see.”
What was he getting at? “You think the fact that only Nandi could see the first symbol has significance?”
“No. Mystics can see things regular humans can’t. The human who attacked your friend must have used powerful glamour to make his face look like someone she knew. The tattoo may also have been hidden by magic, but your friend somehow managed to see past that. It was probably weaker than whatever glamour he used on his face.”
“And the ghosts’ tattoos weren’t hidden.”
“No. The tattoos on the dead mystics were different to the one on the cultist. They could mean sacrifice or givers of power. Which makes sense considering they were being fed on.”
But there was skepticism in his eyes. “What are you thinking?”
“Honestly, it feels like a mash-up job to me. Like someone grabbed a book on symbology and created their own using whatever they could find. Symbols can provide cohesion, give a cause a focus, an identity. There are no powers in a symbol other than the ones we give it.”
“Are you saying the Holy just made up these symbols so the cultists had something to believe in?”
“Yep. I think you’re wasting your time focusing on the symbols. They’re not going to help you find this guy. The passage you sent me, on the other hand. Now that is intriguing.”
My pulse sped up. “You can read it?”
“I identified the language as cuneiform, Sumerian, but it’s encrypted.” His eyes lit up. “Cleverly so. I’ve been working on trying to find the cypher.”
“Sumerian? I was expecting you to tell me that you didn’t recognize the language at all, considering it was found in the eldritch realm.”
His eyes went round. “Really, wow. Where did you find it?”
I sighed. “Long story short, my mother was killed in the eldritch realm, and I found it on a gravestone someone planted in the last place she was seen.”
He scratched at his chin. “Now that is creepy.”
“Right? So, how does this someone know Sumerian?”
“The eldritch world is merely a different reality, August, and it may share many elements with our world including language.”
“Yes. Luphin understood me and spoke to me in English.”
“Luphin? Is that someone you met on the other side?”
“Yes.”
His eyes lit up. “Fascinating.”
“How long before you can crack the code on the inscription?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll keep working on it.” He narrowed his eyes. “From what you’ve told me, this could be a message for the rift walkers. Why else put it on a gravestone in the exact spot your mother died and why encrypt it?”
He had a point. But who would leave this message? “Will you let me know as soon as you have something.”
“I’ll pass a message through Devyn.”
“Or I could just give you my number.” I gave him a cheeky smile.
His cheeks went pink. “I prefer to keep my connections to the outside world limited.”
“Is that why I was told not to bring my handler?”
His expression shuttered. “Partly. Look, August, I’m happy to help you but I can’t associate with the Order. I have my reasons and I’d appreciate it if you respect that.”
I held up my hands. “Hey, I’m no fan of the Order either. I’m only working for them because they can help me with a…predicament.”
“Oh?” He poured more tea into my cup. “Do tell.”
I couldn’t help but smile. He had a charming air that instantly made me feel at ease, plus my Telarion situation was hardly a secret. “I have an aberrant inside me.”
He raked me over. “Inside you, like…possessing you?”
“Not exactly.” I filled him in on how the aberrant-host situation worked. “So, the Order says they can help separate us, but I have to do some jobs for them first.”
“It sounds like they’re using you.” His jaw hardened. “Kinda what the Order does.”
He wasn’t wrong. “I don’t have much of a choice. I’m running out of time.” I told him about my hunger, leaving out the delicate parts. “Another month and I might be too far gone for them to help me.”
“The word ‘monster’ is relative,” he said. “Do you consider Telarion a monster?”
“No. Not anymore.”
“If you’re different, they call you a monster; out of the norm, you’re called a monster. If you can do things that others cannot it threatens them and so they label you a monster.”
I was getting the feeling this was a little personal for him. “Is that why you’re hiding here? You’re different too?”
His smile was bitter. “You could say that. But my different could be your salvation.”
My pulse quickened with hope. “What do you mean?”
“I think I might be able to help you.”
“You can separate us?”
“Maybe. I’ll need a sample of your blood.”
“Can I ask why?”
“Best you don’t. Just trust me. Please.”
“I barely know you.”
“But you know Devyn and the Guild and I’m part of that dynamic. She trusted me with you, and you know Devyn, she doesn’t trust easily.”
He had a valid point; besides, my gut said to trust him. I needed all the help I could get. “Fine. Let’s do this.”
“I’ll get my things.” He stood and hurried across the room to a cabinet on the wall.
My phone buzzed and Lothos’s name popped up on caller ID. “Hey.”
“August, we have an issue.”
“Wait, how do I know this is you?”
He sighed. “Of course, Barathos tricked you once. You need to be sure it’s me. I saved your friend Nandi. I’ve allowed Telarion into my inner sanctum and you and I have never had sex.”
I exhaled, because there was no way Barathos could know about that. “Okay. It’s you. So, what’s this issue? Was there a problem with the contract?”
“No. The contract is fine, but Barathos has invited us to a Failte. It’s a gathering to welcome a new nova prima into the fold. Almost like a ball.”
That nova prima was me, except our relationship was fake. “So what do we do?”
“We must go. If we do not, it’s considered an insult.”
“Okay, fine. Then we go. When is it?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“What, that’s super short notice. Can he do that?”
“He can do whatever he wants. He’s a prince.”
Annoyance flared in my chest. “And what if I had other plans?”
“You’re my nova prima, your only plan should be me.” His voice dropped to something husky and compelling and a shiver ran over my skin.
I cleared my throat. “Lothos?”
He made a soft sound of exasperation. “You will have to be compliant. Receptive to my attentions. You will have to seem smitten. Can you do that?”
My stomach fluttered. “How smitten are we talking about?”
“Don’t worry, August, I will not take advantage of you. I gave you my word and I stand by it. A kiss or two, nothing more than we’ve already shared. It would be best if Telarion didn’t attend.”
“Why?”
“He isn’t invited.”
Crap, Telarion wasn’t going to like that. “Lothos, I can’t make him stay away.”
“Look, August, Barathos leaves for Faerie after the Failte. He’ll be gone. You’ll be free. All we need to do is get through this one event. All Telarion needs to do is trust me and make himself scarce for this one evening.”
He was asking for one evening to complete our charade. Not an unreasonable request. “Okay.”
“Good. I’ll have a dress sent over and I’ll pick you up at seven tomorrow evening.” He hung up.
I stared at the phone, stomach trembling with foreboding because Barathos was a first-rate wanker and the last thing I wanted to do was spend any time around him, but if it was the only way to keep him off my back, then so be it.
Milo returned carrying a black leather box. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“In that case, roll up your sleeve and let’s get this over with.”
I obliged, foreboding turning to excitement. The contract I had with the Order stated that they’d leave me alone as soon as I was free of Telarion and as long as my aberrant appetites were gone. If Milo could help me, then I could be free of the Order sooner rather than later. But what about Telarion? My excitement died.
Would he get the answers he needed if we followed this route?
And did I want him to?
eighteen
After I’d filled Quentin in on Milo’s theory about the tattoos and the inscription on the gravestone, the rest of the journey passed in silence.
My gut told me to hold back on Milo’s offer to help me unbind with Telarion. Quentin was a friend, but he represented the Order. His loyalties were with them whether I liked it or not.
He retreated to his study when we got back, but not before reminding me that we had another mapping session in the morning. It was also an opportunity to speak to Luphin and tell him that he’d been mistaken about his guy crossing the rift. The vine he’d given me to summon him was in my pack and looked surprisingly fresh for a plant not attached to the earth.
Uncle Fred, Nandi, and Archie were finishing up dinner when I entered the kitchen, and thank goodness there was shepherd’s pie on offer.
I grabbed a plate and joined them at the table.
“I cooked before they told me they were getting takeout,” Uncle Fred said. “But the leftovers will keep for tomorrow.”
“How’d it go with Milo?” Archie asked.
I relayed what Milo had said, dropping my voice when I got to the part about him being able to separate Telarion and me.
“You didn’t tell Quentin, did you?” Uncle Fred said with a proud gleam in his eye.
“No. I can’t trust he won’t tell the Order and I’m pretty sure they won’t like it.”
“Because it takes control away from them,” Uncle Fred said. “It was always about control with them.”
“So we keep this on the down-low,” Archie said.
“I really hoped those tattoos would help us somehow,” Nandi said. “But we’re back to square one now and the Holy is out there somewhere, probably recruiting a new cult.” She took a deep breath. “I’m not going to live my life in fear. I have a job and clients, and if he wants to come at me, I’ll be fucking ready next time.”
I couldn’t argue with that. “We’ll make sure you are. I’m sure Celine can whip up some mystical armor.”
She nodded. “I’ll call her later.”
A yawn ripped through me. “I’m gonna get some sleep. I have to map tomorrow and then I have a ball to go to.” I fluttered my eyelashes.
“Wait, what?” Nandi grabbed my hand as I tried to leave. “You can’t just drop that bombshell and walk out.”
I pulled away with a chuckle. “Tomorrow. I’ll fill you guys in tomorrow.”
I hurried to my room to find it empty. Yeah, I’d hoped to find Telarion here, waiting for me. I’d hoped to have some alone time with him, even if we couldn’t be intimate.
I missed him when he was gone. Like a visceral ache in my soul.
It was more than the bond.
It was that four-letter word filled with hearts and flowers and commitment.
I got ready for bed and climbed under the duvet, eyes already heavy with sleep. Would he be back soon? We needed to talk. He needed to know about Milo’s offer because accepting it would mean taking away Telarion’s chance at discovering who he’d been before he became an aberrant.
As much as I wanted him in my future, I couldn’t deny him his past. It had to be his choice. Even if it was a choice that took away our future.
* * *
Morning came in a blink and Telarion slept deep.
I carried him with me to breakfast, resisting the urge to wake him up so we could talk. He was entitled to his rest.
The conversation would have to wait till later.
I was finishing up my cereal when Nandi burst into the kitchen, hair in disarray, face still slightly puffy from sleep.
I dropped my spoon into the bowl with a clatter. “What happened?”
“Devyn just called. The van transporting the mystics to the asylum was in an accident last night. It swerved off the road and into a ravine.”
“Oh no! Is everyone okay?”
She shook her head. “They’re dead. Everyone in the van is dead.”
“Fuck.”
She plonked her butt in a seat and reached for my coffee mug, taking a huge swig. “The guild is investigating. The cams on the front and back of the van show there was no other vehicle on the road.”
“They think the accident was caused by magic?”
She nodded. “Or the Holy.” She raked her fingers through her hair and gathered it up into a messy bun. “He’s out there and he just made sure the last three people who could identify him are dead.”
“Call Celine. Do it now.” I pushed back my chair. “I need to hit the road, but you text me as soon as you’ve spoken to her. She must have some idea why this guy has such a boner for you.”
“I’m no more powerful than any other mystic,” Nandi said. “I don’t get it.”
I gave her a hug and kissed her temple. “I love you.”
“I love you more.”
I left her to her phone call and set off to find Quentin. I had an eldritch guy to summon and some questions to ask.
* * *
Quentin was extra solemn on the drive to Silent Hill Trail. I left it for about twenty minutes but then had to ask.
“You okay?”
“No.”
“Okay, that was nice and straightforward. Want to share why?”
He exhaled through his nose. “I wish I knew. I just have this…feeling. A bad feeling.”
“You say that as if you’re not used to having bad feelings.”
He blinked sharply. “I don’t usually. I just get the job done.”
I couldn’t help but feel partially responsible. “Things have been a little crazier than usual since you got assigned to me.”
His frown deepened. “That’s just it. It’s no more crazy than usual. I had a charge who was infected by an aberrant before, remember?”
Ah, yes, poor Stefan. “But you didn’t have to work with him and his aberrant, did you?”
“No.”
“And there was no haunted house that ended up being a mimic and almost ate your charge, was there?”
“No.”
I was on a roll. “No cult on the tail of your charge’s best friend.”
A smile tugged at his lips. “Nope.”
“And you didn’t have to live with three nutty investigators who have a penchant for getting into scrapes.”
The smile bloomed. “True.”
I slapped his knee. “So give yourself a break, dude. You’ve got this.”
“I have?” He shot me a glance filled with warmth.
“Yes. You’re not a robot, Quentin. You’re allowed to feel stuff.”
He was silent for several beats. “Thank you, August. You’re a genuinely kind-hearted person.”
I looked across at him in surprise. “Once again, you say that as if you’ve never met one of those before.”
“You’d be surprised, August. You’d be surprised.”
* * *
Telarion surfaced when I was halfway to the forest, filling my mind with awareness of his consciousness.
“Hello, sleepyhead.” I slowed my pace slightly to give us a moment to chat before I hit the forest shade.
What did I miss?
“Nothing much this morning but there are a couple of things we need to talk about.”
Go on.
“Lothos called last night. Barathos has invited us to a Failte.”
That word…it sounds familiar.
“It’s like a welcome thing for a nova prima. I have to go with Lothos.”
I will be there.
I winced. “You can’t. You’re not invited.”
I don’t require an invitation.
Oh, so he could be all up in my face when he felt like it, then vanish when the mood gripped him, but I wasn’t allowed to take some time out?
“I don’t want you there.” There was a snap to my tone I hadn’t intended. I blew out a breath. “I can handle it. Besides, didn’t we agree to give each other space?”
We agreed not to kiss again.
