The world knew of it—or at least certain organizations inside the government did. Marilyn had divined that they called The Following a cult, and it was as good a word as any for the group. Truthfully, Marilyn didn’t care what they called themselves, so long as they weren’t against the creatures coming through.
This meeting wasn’t supposed to happen. Marilyn and Tina both knew that. The groups were supposed to operate independently, with brief but important conversations to understand the direction each was heading.
Marilyn’s direction wasn’t exactly fitting in with the overarching plan, apparently, and communicating via the Internet would no longer suffice.
So here they were outside the cafe, waiting for this mystery man.
Another few minutes passed, and Marilyn sipped her tea quietly. Neither she nor Tina spoke.
Eventually, she saw him. He looked like a businessman—a well-dressed businessman. His suit was blue, and his jacket buttoned smartly. He had a blue tie on and a white shirt, and his cuffs showed about an inch from the suit’s sleeves. He was tall, over six feet, with dark brown hair parted to the side. He was thin, but athletically so.
All in all, an attractive man.
A good representative, Marilyn thought, not moving from her seat.
She didn’t need any sign or words to tell her who she was looking at. The Sight did that for her.
The man approached the table and sat down in the open chair. He crossed one leg over the other and gazed at the two women.
“Marilyn and Tina, I presume?” he asked.
“And you would be?” Tina asked, no sign of nervousness in her voice now.
Marilyn had chosen her partner well when she decided to venture down this path.
His gaze was like staring at a stone gargoyle. “You can call me Richard.”
“Does Richard have a last name?” Marilyn responded with a small smirk.
He didn’t match her grin. “Richard will suffice.”
“Very well.” Marilyn sat up and moved her cup of tea out of the way. “You asked us here, so would you mind telling us why?”
The man looked out at the sidewalk. It was a busy Miami afternoon, with people moving to and fro, ready to start their weekends.
“I have to travel a lot,” the man remarked without looking over. “It’s nice to come to a warm place like this. You two were smart in picking your spot.”
“That suit making you hot?” Tina asked sarcastically.
The man shook his head, still keeping his eyes on the sidewalk. “I’m cold natured. This feels fine.” He turned back to the two women then. “This meeting was called because of your actions down here. The Five aren’t what you would call pleased with the direction you’re taking things.”
The Five was the name of the faceless group that pulled the strings in the Following.
“Why not?” Marilyn asked. “I didn’t know there were rules to be followed.”
The man stared at her nonplussed, his face showing nothing but the slightest bit of disdain. “There are always rules to be followed, even if you don’t have them spelled out for you. Out of all the sites we are in, your location is the only one currently making national news like this.”
Tina grinned. “You saw that?”
“It would be hard to miss at this point. We’re certain the government sees it as well. We have it on good authority that they’re down here right now.” The man tapped his finger once on the table. “Here. In Miami.”
Marilyn shrugged. “What of it? Didn’t you make a lot of news a few months ago up in Boston? If I’m not wrong, you had a rash of vampires running across the entire city?”
Richard’s face twitched. “Mistakes were made in Boston. We’re hoping not to make the same mistakes again, which you two seem hellbent on doing.”
A silence fell across the table then, one that a weaker woman would have felt fear of. Marilyn didn’t. She understood the powers that came from the dark arts, and her Sight said she wasn’t in danger right now.
Although I might be one day, she thought. This man will kill you and Tina if he thinks you’re a threat to the overall organization.
Richard leaned back in his chair, relaxing a bit. “So, I’m here to understand exactly what it is you’re doing. The order came down, and I know that you got it loud and clear. You’re to continue operating, but for the time being, you’re to stay off the radar. You two have done the exact opposite, and since you brought up Boston this doesn’t seem to be the same set of circumstances, does it?”
“How do you mean?” Marilyn asked. She reached forward and picked up her tea, taking a brief sip before sitting it back down.
“Fools or not, the people in Boston had some kind of organizing principle behind what they did.” His voice lowered some as he spoke the next sentence. “They were looking to follow the creatures they called over. There’s no following happening down here. Indeed, I’m not sure the beings you’re summoning can be followed.”
Marilyn nodded, glancing away from the man and to the inside of the cafe. She and Tina had thought this would be the problem. They’d discussed it previously.
“Are The Five growing weak? Has the overall strategy changed?” Marilyn’s voice sounded dismissive, as though the Five and their messenger boy didn’t matter in the slightest.
“Careful with your tongue, witch,” the man snapped in a harsh whisper. “You may lose it if you’re not. I didn’t come here to answer your questions. You’re here to answer mine. Now tell me. What is it you hope to accomplish?”
Marilyn turned her gaze to him. “That’s simple, Richard. We’re creating chaos.”
The man listened to the sentence stoically, just as he had everything else Marilyn said. After a few seconds, he asked, “And how does that fit into the overarching scheme? How does that fit into the Five’s wishes?”
Marilyn held the man’s gaze. “You had something up there in Boston, didn’t you? Something that let those people pull over their Mythers.”
The man waved his hand, saying continue.
“We’re not using those. Nothing we’ve used can fall into the hands of these government organizations you’re running from. So from that angle, we’re protecting you and the Five.” Marilyn leaned forward. “In fact, the heat we’re pulling down on us should give you room to operate elsewhere, no?”
The man raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”
“If they’re here, in Miami, they aren’t elsewhere, right? That school they’ve built? I can see it. Maybe not everything, but enough to know that there aren’t a lot of kiddos up there. A few dozen maybe at most. They can’t possibly police everywhere, and they’re also not ready—”
Richard interrupted. “That’s what the coven in Boston thought, and look what happened to them.”
“We are not them. We’re not entrusting this chaos to a creature we pull over, and fire isn’t going to wipe what we’re calling off the map.” Marilyn’s voice grew hard. “What we’re doing here is creating chaos, more every day. So bring the government, and bring those students. While we’re here killing them, the Five should be building strongholds elsewhere.”
Richard uncrossed his legs and scooted his chair closer to the table. He leaned forward and picked up Marilyn’s cup. He looked into it briefly, then took a sip before setting it down.
Marilyn could have put a curse on him at that moment. She held her hex, though.
“If you are caught, you know what we expect you to do, right?” Richard asked, still leaning over the table.
“Yes. We’re not like the other cowards you recruited in Boston,” Tina almost spat. “We took our oath seriously.”
Richard nodded. “Good. Because we won’t have another group falling into their hands.”
Marilyn nodded. “Is there anything else then? Do we have the Five’s blessing to continue?”
Richard leaned back in his chair, crossing a leg over the other. “Continue your chaos. But understand that we’ll be monitoring it. If we think thi
s is getting out of your control, understand that witches aren’t the only ones with powers. The Five’s justice will be swift and heavy.”
Perhaps the Five’s justice should have been swifter up north, Marilyn thought but did not say. Instead, she smiled. “Very well, then. We’ll continue down here, and you just make sure you’re doing your part. When we’re finished in Miami, the rest of this country should be fortified.”
Finally, the man smiled, and it was a wicked thing.
Marilyn understood then that this man knew death well, intimately even. The Sight told her that he had killed before and would do so again. That he might even enjoy it.
“You worry about your business,” Richard instructed. “The Five will worry about theirs.”
Chapter Nine
The doll’s face split in an evil grin. “How are ya, cock sucker?”
Dr. Bradley Tharos’ eyes widened despite his resolve to not show emotion.
“Yeah, it’s got a potty mouth, professor,” Remington apologized from behind him.
The group in front of the doll was relatively large. Dr. Tharos, Dean Pritcham, the two FBI agents, and the three students were all in a room beneath the University. The walls were bare and the light above bright and harsh.
Dr. Tharos was standing closest to the doll, about ten feet away. It was trapped on a small chair, one designed for a toddler. Its legs and arms were strapped with heavy tape, keeping it completely confined to the chair.
“Have you ever seen anything like this?” Claire asked.
Dr. Tharos gave a shocked laugh. “No.”
“But you can see it, right?” Remington asked. “It’s not just a doll?”
“Go fuck yourself,” the doll called loudly, its voice echoing in the small room.
“I can see it,” Dr. Tharos answered.
“Your mind is nimble enough then,” Lance cut in. “We weren’t sure if you’d be able to. My partner and I are starting to see the Mythers, but it takes time.”
“No, I see it just fine,” Dr. Tharos whispered.
“You can see me a lot better if you get closer, you four-eyed twat,” the doll cackled from its small chair.
“That thing curses more than I do,” Jack whispered.
Claire was amazed by the creature, completely in awe. It was a doll, but when it spoke, it took on the lifelike attributes of a human. Its facial features moved just like Claire’s did when she spoke. “What is it?”
“I’m the thing that’s going to gut you from groin to sternum if you don’t shut your prissy mouth,” the doll hissed.
Claire slowly turned her head to Jack. “This thing is much worse than you.”
Jack didn’t even look at her. His eyes were practically attached to the doll.
“Do you remember who you are?” Dr. Tharos asked.
“I remember who your mother is,” the doll shot back.
Dr. Tharos took a step closer, and Claire felt her heart thud harder in her chest. It’s tied down. It’s not going anywhere. Don’t freak out.
Still, the doll was just so nasty, she couldn’t help but be afraid of it. She’d have to ask Frank about how they’d captured the thing later.
Dr. Tharos walked up to the chair and circled around it, his own eyes somewhat wide. “Do you remember how you got inside this body?”
“Just the curve of your mother’s ass,” the little thing spat.
Dr. Tharos reached the front of the chair. He stared at the creature for a moment and then looked over to the FBI agents. “It’s clearly a possession.”
“What’s that mean?” Remington asked.
Dr. Tharos turned once again to look at the doll as if he couldn’t believe it was actually sitting next to him. “Well, a spell was used to put something inside the doll. A ghost, or some other malevolent entity.”
“How do you know it’s not just a doll that was brought over?” Remington asked. “Like one of those evil things from the movies.”
Dr. Tharos shrugged. “It’s possible, but even in the movie, how did the doll get possessed? It was a ghost of some sort. No, someone put this entity inside the doll, and that changes things somewhat.”
“How?” Claire asked. That’s what she really cared about, how this was going to affect her and her team.
“Before, we thought these ghosts would be ephemeral things. If they’re inhabiting physical bodies, it creates a new level of potential harm.” Dr. Tharos turned from the chair to look at Claire. “If we freed this thing, it would certainly try to kill you using any means at its disposal. Ghosts don’t usually have those means.”
“They can move objects,” Marissa interjected. “How is this thing different than that?”
“Bend over and I’ll show you,” the doll offered with a sick grin.
Claire shook her head. “You’re disgusting.”
It giggled. “I know you are, but what am I?”
“Goodness.” Claire looked at Tharos. “Sorry, I shouldn’t say anything to it. Marissa is right. How is this thing different than a ghost being able to move objects?”
Dr. Tharos kept his eyes on the doll. “Moving objects and actively planning someone’s demise are very different things. This Myther can do anything a human can. Ghosts can’t do that.” He shook his head. “Now we know for certain that there are witches involved. The danger increases if they’re creating possessions.”
Claire looked at the grinning doll. Part of her wanted to rip its head off. A very large part. “Where’s Frank? Why isn’t he here? Did he come back from Miami?”
Remington nodded. “Yeah, but we’re asking him to do some more research on these ghosts.”
Claire raised an eyebrow. “Frank, doing research?”
Remington shrugged. “He doesn’t know much about ghosts, either. He wants to find out what he can about them, so he’s doing this on his own.”
Now Claire raised both eyebrows. “What did you bribe him with?”
Remington grinned. “I promised him we’d let him go to Cabo when this is all done.”
The Veil Bar was a hole in the wall joint at the end of an alley. One that was never frequented by humans. Only Mythers knew about it, the best Frank could tell. He hadn’t been to the bar in quite a few months, but when he needed information, this is where he went.
Frank didn’t know if something similar existed in Miami. He’d only wanted some rest and relaxation down there.
Now, though, it was time to do some work.
Plus, there was Cabo to think about.
The bar’s door opened, and Frank walked past the large Cyclops named Timmy.
“Where ya been, Frank? We all thought your liver gave out on you,” the one-eyed Myther called as Frank made his way to the bar.
“Ye will never be so lucky, ye ill-wishing buffoon.” Frank climbed up on the stool. “This thing is still entirely too tall. You don’t think about your smaller patrons at all, do you, Norstrom?”
Norstrom was a beautiful looking man behind the bar. “Man” wasn’t the right word. Frank wasn’t exactly sure what he was, only that he had wings growing out of his back.
Norstrom didn’t waste time as he talked. He had a glass in his hand and was already filling it with beer from the tap. “Why, out of all the leprechauns in this city, are you the one who gives me the hardest time, Frank? You see Ralph down there at the end of the bar? He comes in here every day, and I never hear a peep out of him. You? You show up for the first time in months and start in about the damned chairs.”
“Because those other leprechauns don’t respect themselves like I do,” Frank settled onto the stool. “They think it’s okay they have to live in a tall Mythers’ world. I don’t.” Frank looked around the room. “Where’s Bosephus?”
Bosephus was a self-righteous centaur who didn’t like Frank much. Truth be told, Frank wasn’t super happy to be in here asking for him either. Bosephus was a good Myther, if a bit of a sanctimonious prick.
Plus, he’s the key to Cabo, Frank thought.
Norstrom set the beer down. “He’s upstairs.”
“I gotta talk to him.” Frank picked the beer up and took a long sip. “Now. Can’t wait.”
Norstrom stepped back from the bar. “Why?”
“You know why,” Frank said, still holding the mug. “I wouldn’t be in here asking for that pompous jackass for any other reason.”
Norstrom came forward again and leaned on the bar with his hands. His question was a whisper. “This got anything to do with what we’re hearing about Miami?”
Frank nodded.
Norstrom straightened and took in a big sigh. “Go on up. You know the way.”
“Thanks, Norty.” Frank hopped off the stool.
“Norty?” the bartender asked.
Frank shrugged. “I don’t know. I like it.”
“God preserve me. Just get upstairs, Frank, and go out the back on your way down. You’re scaring off customers.”
Frank grinned as he walked off. “Bringing in customers, ye mean. Those of the female persuasion, of course.”
Frank found the stairs and went up. Above the bar was a studio apartment, although Frank wasn’t completely sure who lived in it. Norstrom, Bosephus, someone else?
The centaur was in the small kitchen area when Frank arrived.
“I wish you only had hooves. That’d be funny to watch you cook with,” Frank commented as he walked to the centaur’s side.
The stove was on, and a pan was sizzling on it. “Frank, it’d be funnier to watch you drink beer with hooves. Why did Norstrom send you up here?”
“Because we need to talk.” Frank nodded at the pan. He couldn’t see it from his low vantage point. “What’s in there?”
“Bacon,” Bosephus answered. He turned the heat on the pan down and turned to Frank. “What are you here for?” He didn’t wait for a response before heading toward the living area.
Paranormal University: Second Semester: An Unveiled Academy Novel Page 9