Eloise ushered us inside Artemis’s apartment and immediately began interrogating her. Artemis answered calmly, telling her about the travel, the research, the history. All true.All incomplete.
Eloise narrowed her eyes. “What are you not telling me?”
Artemis looked at me for permission.
I nodded, and she told her everything.
Eloise stared as the truth landed, then she collapsed onto the couch. “I need a cigarette,” she said faintly.
Artemis reached for her phone, saying she had pictures to show her and froze. “I left it. At your place.”
“It’s all right,” I said. “I’ll have Caliban bring it.”
I had been surprised that the human technology was still working, but Artemis described her device as “durable”. I was becoming more impressed with human innovation every day.
I pressed the mark on my wrist.
Caliban appeared beside the table.
Eloise’s jaw dropped.
“Good evening,” Caliban said pleasantly, as though he hadn’t just appeared out of thin space in a Manhattan apartment.
Eloise stared at him. Then at me. Then at Artemis. Her mouth opened. Closed again.
“Artemis left her phone,” I said, because someone needed to keep things moving. “If you would retrieve it.”
“Of course,” Caliban replied without hesitation.
I hesitated, then added, “And, if it is acceptable to Artemis, I would also appreciate a change of clothes. I would like to stay tonight.”
I didn’t look away from Artemis as I said it. I didn’t want to assume.
“Please,” she murmured.
The tightness in my chest loosened at that.
Caliban turned then, finally taking in the rest of the room. His gaze landed on Eloise, and he stopped short. For just a fraction of a second, his composure slipped, like he had not expected this variable.
Then he recovered.
He straightened his jacket, smoothed it out, then stepped forward, extending his hand. “Caliban,” he said. “A pleasure.”
Eloise stared at his hand like it might explode, then she took it. “The pleasure is,” she said slowly, “entirely theoretical at the moment.”
Something unreadable passed between them. Interest, perhaps. Curiosity. Whatever it was, it lingered just long enough to be noticed.
Then Caliban vanished, the space where he had stood suddenly empty.
Silence stretched.
Eloise blinked once. Then twice. “Right,” she said finally. “I’m going to need alcohol.”
“I have some,” Artemis said quickly, already moving toward the cupboard. “No need to leave.”
Eloise nodded absently while Artemis fetched glasses and a bottle of whiskey. We sat together like this was normal, like interdimensional appearances and dragons and ancient bargains were things you could process with whiskey andgood company.
A moment later, Caliban reappeared, carrying my clothes, neatly folded, and Artemis’s phone in his other hand.
