“It’s Neil,” Seymour said. “Lou wants us to go back to my dad’s place. Says they found something.”
Day peered curiously at the screen. “Well, that’s very vague, isn’t it?”
“A wee fuckin’ bit.” Seymour looked to Sariel. “What do you think, Daddy? Go see Lou and his merry bunch of ghosts or start on the list?”
Sariel had started to tidy up the kitchen, but he paused to consider Seymour’s questions. “I am not sure. Mr. Morénas-Mostro does not seem to like you all that much.”
“Trust me, the feelin’s mutual.”
“I imagine he would only reach out then if it was especially important.” Sariel hummed. “Your father’s apartment is near the coffee shop on our list. It would not be terribly out of the way.”
“So, back to Hallowed Grounds?”
Day lit up immediately. “Is that where the milk was?”
Seymour chuckled. “Yes, kitty girl. We can get ya’ some more.”
“Yay!”
“Are you all right to drive?” Sariel asked.
“Huh? Oh, ’cause of the drink?” Seymour shook his head. “I wouldn’t even think of drivin’ if I had the slightest buzz.”
“I thought a buzz was the point of consuming alcohol.”
“I consumed only one glass. I’m good.”
“Ah. Just as well. You’ll have time to sober up on the ride over there.”
Seymour blinked. “What do you mean?”
“You left your vehicle at the parking deck.”
“Fuck!”
Sariel insistedon calling a taxi service to retrieve Seymour’s truck as he deemed the chances of being spotted by a human in such a public area was too much of a risk. People tended to frown on other people appearing out of thin air, after all. Seymour couldn’t really argue with that logic.
After all, seeing demons and angels and all the other monstrous folk poofing in and out had scared the hell out of him the first few times he’d seen it. He found it didn’t bother him quite as much now.
Maybe he was just getting used to it.
The way his heart danced when Sariel touched his hand, however…
No signs of getting used to that anytime soon.
The mere brush of their shoulders in the back seat of their ride created a wonderful warmth Seymour felt all the way down to his toes. Right when he thought it couldn’t get any better, Day stretched out across their laps and curled up, purring away. Of all the things he thought he might find coming back to Somerstown, this was definitely not one of them.
Whateverthiswas, anyway.
The feeling continued after they retrieved Seymour’s truck. Even the annoyance of having to pay extra for it staying overnight wasn’t enough to dim the wondrous sensation. He suspected he had a concussion from the squeak or squawk whatever it was throwing him around, but still.
This, however mysterious and strange, was definitely special.
Seymour found a place to park on the block where his father’s apartment building was, and they headed upstairs. Luckily,Sariel remembered the number on the door, so they knew where to go. As before, the door opened.
Sariel walked in first with Seymour right behind him, Day perched up on his shoulder.
The apartment had been completely torn apart—the furniture was upended, cushions had been ripped open and burned, the pictures were all off the walls, and every cabinet in the kitchen was open.
