“I know it seems harsh, at this point.”Ignatius wore a very faint smile, like a senior partner watching a junior attorney dig a hole during a deposition.“But the rules are there for good reasons,lirai.Your safety is our primary goal; then, and only then, your comfort.”
“Order of operations,” she muttered, and set the stupid latte down.She didn’t even like coconut.There were twopains au chocolaton the tray, and they looked good—but how could she trust the food?
“It’s very natural for you to be doubting any evidence we could provide.”The old guy was utterly imperturbable.“Even that of your own senses.You are attempting to force this situation to obey the rules of the daytime world.It will not, and you’ll have a great deal of difficulty for some while yet.”
The daytime world.“Shoes and some decent shampoo.”She glanced at her list, just now noticing how jagged and uneven her penmanship was.Her hands just wouldn’t stop shaking.“And a laptop, because?—”
He shook his iron-grey head, a precise little motion not daring to ruffle even a single hair.“You will use it to attempt contact.We cannot risk your safety, or a civilian’s.”
Civilian.What a telling little word—it was the way cops talked.You were on one side of the line or the other, with no straddling or, God forbid, time-sharing.“You aren’t acting like the good guys here, you know.”
“Who told you we were?”The blond obviously thought she was a rude little bitch; she longed to return the favor with interest.“All we are is the lesser evil, ma’am.”
“What’s your name again?”So I know what to call you when I stick a pin in a voodoo doll.
Of course, if monsters, mad gods, and superhuman monster hunters were real, it might even work.Maybe she could addvoodoo dollto the list?
“Jake, ma’am.”He even gave her a cheeky little wink, very sure of himself.“Short for Jacob, but so long as it’s notlate for dinner?—”
You get more irritating the more I hear you talk, kid.“So you’re not the good guys.At least you admit it.”
“We could discuss the nature ofgoodquite philosophically, if you were so inclined.”Ignatius gave the blond a quelling glance, a brief odd bluish light folding over his eyes before fleeing, returning them to human darkness.“But Jacob is quite correct.We are indeed a much lesser evil, Miss Stellack.And though we might be sorry for it, the fact gives us a latitude of action necessary for defending what we must fromhimand other creatures.”
Latitude of action is a pretty fancy way of saying you’re well aware said actions are inexcusable, young man.Doing her famous Granny Goose impression wasn’t going to get her anywhere, though.And she was starving.
If they’d drugged the pastries, she’d find out.The plates were whisper-thin porcelain, a few decorated with tiny hand-painted forget-me-nots.Neither of them made a move while she took apain au chocolatand glanced nervously at the door to the hall.
It was open.The dark-haired guy was probably right outside.They’d arranged the whole “almost get eaten by monsters” event to drive home the point that escape was, if not impossible, then going to be very difficult.
And now she knew what was waiting outside.
Despite being mass-produced, the pastry was still tasty as all get out.The blond watched her while she chewed, maybe trying to be encouraging.And, impossibly, as soon as she swallowed the first dose of simple carbs and oven-fried butter, everything suddenly seemed much more manageable.
“Keep talking,” she said, grimly.“Go down the list, and tell me what youwilldo.Then I’ll write an updated version.”
Ignatius studied her for a few moments, and his thin lips curved the slightest fraction.He absolutely reminded her of an old criminal prosecutor, aware of every human foible and just waiting for roadkill to ruffle his feathers over.
“Yes,lirai,” he said, as if it was a formal response, and used a single fingertip to bring her list closer to his slice of the table.“We will do what we can.”
Room Service
The kitchen—wide,airy, and with its granite countertops ruthlessly scrubbed—was their usual pre-patrol meeting point, though Ignatius would probably have preferred his Elder and Younger use the armory.
“Real cute.”Jake shook his head, shrugging into his coat.“Putscell phoneandIDat the top of every list.Stubborn girl.”
“That’ll serve her well when she faces the Flame.”Ordinarily Erik would be preparing for patrol with their Younger, but instead, Ignatius was going to take point tonight.It was Father’s first time on patrol in a while; Erik’s job was to be on call for thelirai, who had spent the afternoon making progressively longer lists of things for her protectors to fetch and carry.Some, like shoes, were reasonable enough.Others, however… “She wants houseplants?Father didn’t tell her we’re going to travel?”
“Control wants more daylight before we do, though.You’d think they’d want her locked up in an active temple by now, but…” Jake tested his knives, spun them, and slid bright blades back into their homes, then popped his jacket collar.Grunts always complained about higher-ups having no idea what the front lines were enduring; it was a very human reflex.Probably the only one a Son had left.“I think she’s just being difficult.”
Taking all the identifiable packing off luxury purchases was going to be a chore, but it was better than slogging through muck and killing shadowbeasts.He didn’t envy Jake that at all.“Well, her entire life’s been turned upside down.”
“Shoulda sealed her first thing,” Jake muttered, as if that would have done any good in this situation.He shook his head, settling his coat afresh over layered clothing plus the weapons rig.“Easier to make her see reason, but no, you had to be all noble.Anyway, Father’s bringing his sword.”
That was news.“Sounds serious.”Of course, aliraiat a frontier, almost forgotten temple—even just a potential—wouldn’t go unnoticed.The non- or semi-sentient would gather; the smarter unclean would be planning.
“It sounds overprepared.”Jake was a big believer in improv.
Ignatius’s feelings on preparation closely mirrored Erik’s own, and Erik further thought improv wasn’t any goddamn use without planning providing a foundation.“Well, weareBoy Scouts.After a fashion.”
