by Sofia Grey
Katherine’s lips twisted. “I’ve met her at the séances and afterwards, but I wouldn’t say I know her…” Her voice trailed away. Next thing, she smacked her forehead with the back of her hand. “Duh, I forgot the obvious thing. My friend Tristan is the one who rounded up Nanette and Dante for the séances. I’ll ask where he knows her from.”
Suki’s hand moved to mine, our fingers twining together on the table. “I guess we’d better sort out some hotel rooms. How soon are we leaving?”
Common sense warned me to tread carefully, but I ignored it. “We? You’re staying here, babe.”
“And why would I do that?” Her calm tone fooled me.
“Let me see. We’re hoping to find a missing girl who’s in hiding from Knife Man and possibly flush him out in the process. We can’t go to the police as they’re convinced Dante is guilty, and we don’t have a scrap of evidence to the contrary.” I squeezed her hand. “And as for Armageddon? The guy who owns it has been extorting money out of Dante for years and has no qualms about setting a bunch of heavies on him. Lots of good reasons for you to stay here.”
“Even though I have contacts that we could use?” One finely shaped brow lifted over her currently fierce brown eyes.
I cupped both hands around her cheeks, the movement catching her unawares. “It freaks me out how much you’ve had to deal with recently. Please back off and give me the peace of mind that you’ll be miles away and not involved with this.” Dropping my head, I leaned in and swept my lips across hers, a fleeting touch to gauge her mood.
“What about my peace of mind, babe? It works both ways.” A quick, hot kiss. “I’m coming with you.”
12.3 Dante
I stared at Eve without really seeing her. I’d wondered why Alistair wanted Josh, and I’d been too distracted to think properly about it. A dozen questions bubbled up, the words tripping over themselves as I tried to make sense of this revelation.
“Why? I mean, why does he want it, and what about mine? Why hasn’t he come after mine?” Before she could answer, I threw another at her. “Why didn’t he tell me to steal it?”
She stepped closer, her mouth brushed against my ear, and I felt a chill run down my body. “I shouldn’t be telling you this. I’m breaking every rule so you’d better listen up.”
I nodded. My lungs were tight and my stomach churned. Just when I thought I had a handle on things, something else blindsided me.
Eve’s voice hissed at me. “There are seven Talismans in total, and Alistair wants them. He already has two, and I guess he’s planning on getting yours and Josh’s. There’s no point asking me why because I don’t know.”
Seven? I’d gone from thinking mine was unique, to imagining they were plentiful and now back to a tiny number.
“You listening to me, Dante?” She must have realized my attention had wandered.
I nodded. “Yep. Go on.”
“And he can’t just take them. They have to be offered.” She paused.
“So if Josh hands it over, he’ll be fine?”
She snorted. “If Alistair asked nicely, would you give him your Talisman?”
“No-o, probably not.”
“But if he threatened you with something, you might?”
My first instinct was to say no. My Talisman was a part of me, more than just a piece of jewelry or a fashion accessory. An icy hand squeezed my heart. Kitten. Alistair knew about her. He’d seen her face when he sifted through my memories in that hideous way he did. He’d shown me an image of her screaming… dear God, if he threatened Kitten, or Gran, I’d hand it over in an instant.
“It’s not just the Talisman.” Eve sighed and moved back, her eyes downcast. “When I said offered, I meant as an offering.”
I swallowed past the bile rising in my throat. Offering. I couldn’t ask for clarification, I just waited for her to continue.
“I’m sorry, Dante. Josh would have to offer himself in order for Alistair to take the Talisman.”
No. I would not let that happen. I’d make sure Josh didn’t go anywhere near Alistair. My knees wobbled, and I moved to sit on the low fence where Eve had been. “Christ.” My thoughts swirled in a crazy torrent, and I sucked in one rapid breath after another before I could speak clearly. “Eve, you implied that Alistair wouldn’t kill me. But if he wants my Talisman as well…”
She blew out her cheeks and let out a noisy puff of air, her eyes darting back and forth over my face. “I don’t think he will, not yet anyway. I wouldn’t, if it was me. I’d use you as an errand boy first.”
A hysterical laugh threatened to escape. I was already Alistair’s errand-boy, but I guess Eve didn’t know that. So not only did I have a scant three days left, I also had to warn Josh to stay well away.
* * * *
Another partially built new house on another first-time-buyer estate. How many times had I done this? I was sick of being a homeless drifter, and when I closed my eyes a wave of despair rolled over me. It would all be over soon. Was Nan just playing me? I couldn’t take the risk that she wasn’t. I owed it to her—and Ash—to find out. Please God, let me find her before I have to go and see Alistair again. She hadn’t called back, and her phone was switched off when I rang her number. It was too late to call Josh. I’d save that pleasure for the morning.
I unrolled my sleeping bag and sprawled out, not bothering to undress yet. Eve sat nearby, slumped with her back to the wall and her head lolling forward. It astonished me that spirits would sleep, but there was a lot I didn’t know, and Eve had definitely highlighted that. My mind flashed back over our conversation, fast forwarding to the scary parts.
“Eve?”
She sighed and lifted her head.
I took her grunt as a reply. “It’s not a coincidence, is it, that Nan’s at Armageddon? This has to be something to do with Alistair.”
Dark eyes met mine, and she yawned briefly before running her fingers though tangled black curls. “Took you long enough to figure it out.”
I swallowed. Images of Nan’s familiar face swam before me. The bizarre events of the poker night had taken on new significance: the roll of dud notes; Ash; Nan going missing; Alistair was behind it all.
“When did Alistair learn about my Talisman?”
Her dark eyes were awash with sympathy. “I think you know the answer to that one.”
“From the beginning?”
She gave a tight nod, and I sighed.
“When I thought I’d summoned him, he was waiting for me? And everything that’s happened since…” I closed my eyes, lay back, and pressed the heels of my hands into my tired eyes. I wanted to howl like a baby. “You were talking about free will. I’m not sure I buy that idea anymore.”
“Well you should. Why not think of it as a game of chess. Alistair’s put his pieces into position, and he’s trying to back you into a corner, but you don’t have to do what he wants.” I heard her gum popping. “So what are you going to do? Why aren’t we at Armageddon now?”
I sighed and stared at the ceiling some more, and thought longingly about Kitten again. “The club is shut tonight. We’re going tomorrow.”
12.4 Katherine
We were back in Manchester before nine in the morning, and I asked Josh to drop me off at Tristan’s house. He shared a sprawling, Victorian terraced house on a quiet street a short bus ride from the city center, with a fluctuating group of students. It was unlikely he’d be at Uni, he rarely went to early lectures, but since I no longer had my old phone I couldn’t ring him first. I stood on the doorstep and peered up at the bedroom facing onto the street. The curtains were still closed. I pressed the doorbell and left my finger on the button. The buzzing sounded like a demented wasp.
Seconds later, I heard the locks clunking, and the door flew open. Tristan, dressed only in boxers, his hair disheveled, looked what could only be described as pissed off. “Well you took your time.” His snarl made no sense, but he stepped back and waved me inside, slamming the door behind me. “I’ve b
een ringing you for the last two days, where the fuck have you been?”
“I’ve lost my phone. What’s the matter?”
He led me into the kitchen where Melissa was brewing coffee. She gave me a nervous smile. Tristan sank into one of the chairs at the table and scrubbed his hands over his face before speaking. His voice was gruff. “It’s all gone. All the equipment, the lab time, even the fucking van. All repossessed. Our grant has been revoked.” He scowled at me. “Chaz has lost his scholarship funding, and the Head of the Psych Department has been fired.”
I clung to the nearest chair for support, my father’s threat ringing in my ears: “I should remind you that you’re not the only person relying on my patronage.” He’d funded my entire department via anonymous scholarships and grants—a wealthy patron with seemingly bottomless pockets. “What will happen to Chaz?” Like me, he had only months to complete his course.
Tristan shrugged. “Fuck knows. He’ll probably have to defer it for a couple of years until he can afford to study again.” I seethed once more. I had painstakingly saved enough money to be able to finish my studies, but if all our research had gone, it would be a nightmare to replace it. Melissa slipped her arms around Tristan’s neck and dropped a kiss on the top of his head. It was a stark reminder of Dante, and I dragged my attention back to the reason for my visit.
Tristan hadn’t finished his rant yet. “While you’ve been swanning around, the study group has been falling apart. Your research is fucked, Kathy. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the fucking Police have been all over us, looking for information on Dante. Did you read about that?”
“How do you know Nanette and Dante? Where did you meet them?”
“Have you listened to a fucking word I’ve said?”
“Dante was set up. He’s trying to find Nanette, and so am I.” With an effort I relaxed my death grip on the chair and wrapped my arms around myself. “Are you going to help me?”
12.5 Josh
We waited in a city center café for Suki’s contact to show and made uncomfortable small talk over frothy lattes. I was relieved when Katherine rang me.
“Tristan’s cousin recommended Dante when he heard we were looking for a psychic. I don’t know how he knows Dante or Nanette, and Tristan has no idea, so we’re going to meet up with him tonight.”
“Why wait until tonight?”
“Bones, his cousin, sings in a rock band with a regular spot at Armageddon, and they’re playing tonight. It’s the best way to find him, apparently.” Her voice went muffled for a moment as though she was moving around. “I’m going with Tristan and some of his friends.”
I glanced at Suki, staring unfocused at the street outside. “We’ll come with you.”
When I put my phone down on the table, Suki caught my eye. “He might be here now, with us.” She sounded matter of fact, and a shiver trickled down my spine. “Without Dante and Eve, I have no way of knowing what Gabe is doing, or where he is.” She gestured toward a nearby table. “He might be there.” A nod at the empty seat next to me. “He might be sitting with us right now, laughing at you.”
I shivered and she noticed.
“He’s here—I’m sure. Did you feel that? Like icy fingers on the back of your neck?” Panic sounded just a few breaths away, and I grabbed her hand and held it tight.
“Don’t, Suki. It’s crazy to think like that.” Uh-oh, that was so the wrong thing to say. She tugged her hand free and pushed her chair back a little way.
“Thanks, Josh.” She bit the words out. “Gabe was trying to send me insane as you know. Looks like he might have done a better job than—”
“Suki.” A deep voice interrupted us. “Sorry we’re late.”
I reined in my frustration and pulled together a smile for her colleagues.
Ever the professional, Suki masked her anxiety, and greeted the two men, air kissing their cheeks and chattering in a bright voice.
I doubt they noticed the tension in her hands and the fear in her eyes, but I saw them. They tore into me as sharp as any knife.
There was little extra information about the ongoing research into Alistair’s dealings, but since they were also going to Armageddon tonight, we agreed to go with them. I needed to do something to divert her attention until then, and tracking down Dante was top of my list.
I snagged her hand again, brushing my thumb in a gentle, soothing motion. “Let’s go to the tattoo shop. See if Dante’s been there.”
* * * *
Suki flashed me a tight smile as we climbed out of my car. “Follow my lead, okay?” Without waiting for my reply, she sashayed into the tattoo parlor and leaned on the counter at the front of the shop. It was a smarter place than I’d expected—a double-fronted building on a busy road, clean and tidy inside. A skinny girl bending over a customer glanced over her shoulder at us.
“Be right with you,” she called, and then returned her attention to the piercing she was working on. To our left, an enormous bald man worked on a leather-clad biker’s arm tattoo, a swirling Celtic pattern taking shape beneath his surprisingly deft fingers.
The skinny girl joined us a few minutes later, her gaze flicking over us both, before settling on me. “Can I help you?”
Suki cleared her throat. “I’d like to speak to whoever’s in charge.”
The words had barely left her mouth before the girl spoke again. “Oh my God, you’re Suki Bridgewater! I love your show. I loved the interview with Mick Manners. Tell me, is he as much of a dick in real life as he was on the show?”
Suki laughed and shook the offered hand. “Thank you. And as pop stars go, he was interesting.”
“Are you here for a piercing? I could give you a beautiful belly button. Or some ink? We’re a bit shorthanded at the moment,” she hesitated and glanced at her colleague, “but I don’t mind shuffling our appointments for you.”
“Afraid not, I’m looking for some background information. Are you the manager here?”
The girl winced and shook her head. “Naw, I just work here. The, boss is, uh, off sick at the moment, but maybe Giant could help you? I can ask him to take a break. Why don’t you come into the office and wait for him?”
We followed her into a tiny room, declined her offer of drinks and watched as she scuttled back to her colleague. Suki took a deep breath as though composing herself and turned to look at a pin board on the wall. It was covered with designs and drawings, press clippings from local papers, and a single postcard pinned in the top corner. I frowned and stepped closer, it looked familiar. Very familiar.
“Hey, babe.” I stared at the card. “Recognize this place?”
She touched the image. “Looks like the beach near Anita’s place.”
“It is.” I tugged the card from the board, stabbing its pin back into the cork. I turned it over to see a blank space. It had never been used, but the caption at the bottom confirmed my thought. Trearddur Bay, Anglesey. “Just out of the picture, is the gray mansion where I met Dante. He must have left the card here.”
Footsteps behind us jogged our attention. “Rezzie said you’re looking for the manager?”
The bald man filled the doorway, but his smile was friendly, and Suki leaned forward to shake his hand. “We’re actually looking for Dante. Have you seen him?”
I saw a flash of anger in his eyes. His voice was hard when he spoke. “If you’re looking for a story, I suggest you go read the tabloids. We don’t have anything to say to you.”
“We heard what happened to Ash.” Suki kept hold of the man’s hand. “Dante is a friend of ours. We’re trying to help.”
“No offence, Miss, but he never mentioned you.”
I shoved up the sleeve of my fleece jacket and showed him my Talisman. “He wears something like this, doesn’t he?”
“He might.”
This was getting nowhere. I pinned the postcard back onto the board. “If you speak to him, please ask him to call Josh and Suki.”
12.6 Dante
I
counted my dwindling cash supply and tossed up a few ideas in my head. Time was running out equally fast, and I desperately wanted to see Gran. Say goodbye to her. I dug out my phone and rang the nursing home, making an appointment for late morning. It beeped at me as I disconnected. Battery low. There wasn’t time to charge it. I’d do that after I’d seen Gran.
It amused me that Eve rode there on Bonnie, squealing in my ear as I accelerated away. “Faster,” she urged at the corners, her excitement infectious.
I’d rather have had Kitten tucked in behind me, hands tight around my middle, but Eve was company, and I was grateful for that. The Yorkshire weather was closing in, and motorway traffic was slow, but we arrived eventually, and I managed a smile at Eve’s vitality. So vibrant. She must have been a right character when she was alive.
After parking in the deserted visitor’s car park, I stayed astride my bike a few moments longer, listening to the engine ticking as it cooled.
Eve stepped in front of me and fiddled with her hair. “Well? Are we going inside?”
“I, uh, want to see her on my own, Eve. Can you come back later?”
She rolled her eyes at me and pouted.
I stayed firm. “This is private.” I couldn’t handle an audience.
After one last, defiant pink bubble, she disappeared, and I let out a ragged breath before digging through my saddlebags. I didn’t have much in the way of personal items. Anything of value had already been sold, but I had a strip of photographs, and I wanted to leave those with Gran. With the little bundle of pictures tucked securely inside my leather, I walked slowly into the building, my mind awash with memories. Who would look after Gran when I was gone? Who would visit her? I felt sick at leaving her all alone.
She hurled herself into my arms as I entered her room. “Dante,” she cooed, “you came. You’re all wet. Can we go see the puppies again?”