“Nah, don’t need Rascals.”
She waited, but I didn’t say anything else. “So where are we going, Finn?”
I took a deep breath and then let it out, waiting for the explosion I was sure would follow. “The Square.”
Three
FINN DE MORISCO
Caitlin wassurprisingly quiet when we crossed Imperial Street and entered the Square. It could have been due to her nerves, coming to the place that had started all the drama, but it also could have just been because her throat was sore from screaming at me.
It didn’t take long for her reserve to wear off. “I still don’t think this is a good idea.”
“For the tenth time, you don’t need to come in here, and it’s probably a good idea if you don’t, but I want to get as much information as I can before we show up at the Vampire Cathedral.”
She gave a slow look around the Square. “I can’t believe this place is the reason you’ve been abandoning your family.” She motioned up the block toward the shop labeled Porn next to a burned-out lot, then gave me a look that didn’t try to withhold judgment. “I mean,seriously?”
“I’ve never even been in that one, Caitlin.”
“Yeah, I bet.”
I hadn’t. Why go in there when you could get whatever sex you wanted in the back room of Bar? I couldn’t imagine what they’d have in the back room of Porn. I bet Schwint knew firsthand. I’d have to ask him sometime. Although, considering how addicted I’d gotten to what I’d already partaken of, maybe it was best I didn’t know.
It was easy to see the Square from Caitlin’s perspective. I’d nearly forgotten my initial reaction to the place. In the light of day, like now, it looked like a condemned ghost town. Only a few people wandered around, and the sunshine highlighted every broken window, empty storefront, and burned-out shell. Even the marble courthouse, which was supposed to be a showstopper—surrounded by a small forest of coniferous trees, in the middle of the Square—lacked the ornate detail to really pull any attention.
“It’s better at night.”
“It would have to be.” She took off without waiting for me. “Well, let’s get this over with. We gotta get in and get out. We can’t take the chance of missing our flight or having you experience a relapse.”
“I told you, there’s no danger of that. For fuck’s sake, I’m here for Cynthia, not to—”
“Thank you so much for not finishing that sentence. I have no desire to know what you did here.”
That made two of us. Talking to Caitlin about the Spor-induced orgies sounded like one of the most uncomfortable things I could think of.
We passed the courthouse, and I motioned toward one of the stores that sat catty-corner from us on the next block. “It’s right there. Gifts. We’ll just find out what she knows and then drop in to see if Marina can help and get out of here.”
Caitlin stopped in her stride and turned and looked at me. “You dragged me here to go to a gift shop?”
I ignored her and kept walking, cutting across the street and part of the courthouse lawn.
Pausing at the door of Gifts, I waited for Caitlin to catch up. “You really don’t need to go in here. This witch is not pleasant, and she nearly killed Schwint the last time we were here.”
She let out a snort. “If you’re trying to scare me, you’re going to have to do better than she tried to kill a fairy. So not impressed.” She pushed open the door and walked past me, glancing up when the door chime sounded.
I followed her through and glanced around the interior, trying to find Hazel. The only person in sight was some stick-thin hippy chick in a long, crinkly brown skirt and orange tank top. Probably hoping to buy incense or patchouli or something.
With a quick sweep across the store, Caitlin turned toward me. “This place is lame.”
I motioned toward the back side of the square glass case in the center of the store. “They’ve got a bunch of those monster figurines you used to love so much.”
“Hmm, hmm. Don’t think I didn’t notice the unicorn statues. The Square might be more for wannabes than I thought.” She took a step closer to the center counter before looking back at me. “What’s this bitch’s name again?”
“Hazel. But don’t—”
“Hazel!” Caitlin’s voice cut through the stillness of the room, causing the hippy to jump where she was bending over inspecting something. “Hazel!”
“Thanks, Caitlin. Can you be a little careful here, please? Whether you think the Square is for wannabes or not, I do know what I’m doing here, and it’s not exactly safe like Mascarada.”
