“But the demon.”
“It’s managed, Blake,” she said. “Frankly, it’s none of your business.”
I tensed at that.
“Because I’m just the monster,” I said.
“You’re a monster, but that’s not all you are,” she said. “If it helps you feel better, I did some research, we discussed some, and I’ve got a pretty good working theory on what you are, now.”
I remained silent, waiting for her to elaborate.
She didn’t.
“Dammit, Rose,” I said.
“If it helps,” she said, “We believe you now.”
“But you’re leaving me trapped?”
“Yes. Had to happen, now that we know.”
I looked at my friends.
Of all of them, Alexis looked the most unhappy. An unlit cigarette dangled from her lips.
“Alexis,” I said.
“I’m really sorry,” she said.
“About what? What’s going on?”
“We can’t move you easily,” Rose said. She turned the mirror until it faced the wall, not the bookshelves. “This will have to do.”
“Hey,” I said. “Wait, woah, fuck no. That’s not giving me an answer.”
“It’s best if we don’t tell you,” Rose said. “As I was saying, we can’t move you easily. If you’re willing to be quiet and not kick up too much of a fuss, we can leave this like it is. If you make a problem of it, then I’ll have to put down a rune of silence, or maybe even erect a temporary wall. I don’t want to do that.”
I was silent, but it wasn’t out of any kind of obedience or cooperation.
My hands clenched at my side, I stared at her.
“Did Conquest get to you, or are you ten times the bitch that Grandmother was?” I asked.
“More likely the latter,” she said. She turned her head. “What?”
Jeremy spoke, offscreen. “We’ll be taking our leave. Something’s come up. As agreed, we’ll vacate the premises.”
“What came up?”
“Things went… poorly, with our local ambassador. The wraith is free, not bound as a familiar, and may have started off a chain of events.”
“I’ll come,” Rose said. “Assuming you won’t try to harm me?”
“No. This might need all available hands. I’ll explain on the way.”
I watched as they filed out, one by one.
“Sorry,” Alexis said.
Outrage seized my throat.
Ty was among the last to leave. I saw Evan in his hands, moving to stand rather than lie on his side.
He saw me, and offered me a wing-salute and a wink.
Maybe my only ally in this, and it was against his will, but he was still leaving.
The doors slammed shut.
10.x (Gathered Pages)
Notebook 27:
Note: Archiving paper letter, sent.
Mr. Samaniego,
Thank you for your latest shipment. It was just what I needed. My sister was thrilled with the katana, and intends to use it regularly. I did pass on your warning about katanas being far less effective than they appear to be in movies and video games, but she didn’t seem to care. I’m caught between worrying she’ll get killed when it breaks at a critical moment or fall into a funk and be impossible to deal with for a week.
All the same, the gift bought me a week of her listening to me. That matters a lot. Thanks again.
To answer your question, things are heating up here, but are still under control. A storm is brewing, and things that would stay away have been gravitating closer. It isn’t the other practitioners at work. I can’t help but imagine savvy crows lurking near a place that will soon be a battlefield. Your offer for help is appreciated, but wouldn’t go over well. I don’t know about the other locals, but Sandra has made it clear she knows who you are and would rather you stay away.
When you next collect from the black stipend, can you put some of it toward a bid for plastic explosive, low priority. While you’re in that neighborhood, can you double check the rocket fund? I could use the extra firepower if things go south.
I’ve finished the wiring on the radio. It’s a week earlier than you asked for. Recording and live feed options. The live feed will kill batteries, so I included some with a good lifespan to them just in case, in a second routing. To activate the hidden camera, use a pen or something else to depress the space between the AM and FM buttons. I’m interested in hearing if you can see the camera lens without turning it on. Reminder: your average practitioner will be able to look and see if something’s watching them, even if it’s a camera. It’s a little heavy too, thanks to the extra batteries, you might want to watch out for that.
My best to the kids.
– Andy
■
Notebook 27:
Note: Archiving paper letter, received.
Andy boy,
Good go with the camera. Not so bad.