I spend a moment critically thinking about this offer. If I go with them, I could lead them astray. I could make sure they never find Saint Mark’s. I could do other things to them as well, if necessary. But I could also slip up and give myself away. I don’t understand why Russ Roth doesn’t know what he is, and therefore what we are. It’s like he’s in a fog or something. Perhaps due to the banishing spell that Pie worked on him.
But even if he doesn’t realize he’s an eros, he’s still dangerous. So I say, “I would love to come on your hunt.” Because I need to keep my eye on this man. And make sure he can’t ever find his way back to Saint Mark’s.
Russ repositions his glasses in front of his eyes and cracks a grin. “Excellent.”
And when he says this word a shiver runs up my spine and I have doubts.
Maybe he does know who I am.
I wait patiently as Big Jim reassembles Russ’s gun, puts it in a case, and then rings him up and says good day.
Then I hand over my piece of paper with the word ‘money’ on it, and load the truck up with seven more generators and a new phone with plenty of plastic minutes.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE - PELL
By the end of the morning, I have woven enough rings together to start the tricky part of actually fashioning the mail into a bag. That takes a couple hours because I have to clamp the edges together. Then I am stumped as to how to close it up tight enough that the rings can’t slip through. So I think about this, coming up with a couple ideas. I could make a button. I could make hooks. I could try to fashion a leather drawstring.
But I can’t decide, so I take a break and go up to the roof.
The sun is hitting the edge of the cathedral in a way that makes it appear to glow. I take in the tall spires and the Gothic architecture. The intricate beauty of the cathedral has always amazed me. It’s so massive, I can’t imagine humans building it.
But, of course, humans didn’t build it. It’s magic. Made by the gods, or something.
I didn’t wear my new pants this morning. I didn’t want to ruin them. So I’m still wearing the same pants from weeks ago and they are becoming stiff and caked with soot and sweat. So I decide to take a longer break for lunch and a trip into the hallways to find something else to wear that is clean, but not fancy.
Pie is loving the pants. She says everyone in Vinca wears clothes. Even the satyr chimeras. And once she can open the portal for me, she will take me shopping.
I picture this new world she’s in. I’m not exactly jealous, but… I can’t deny that my heart longs to see it. I would love to be there with her.
I go back downstairs, take off my apron, rake the coals and cover them with ash so they will cool, and then head up towards the cathedral for some food before I go tripping through history looking for work pants.
The sanctuary is surprisingly quiet when I get to the path that leads up the hill. Not a single monster in sight. They are probably up to something. Something not good. And I should find them and figure out what that not-good thing is, but then my gaze lands on the black tomb.
And the door, which is visible.
Why now? That’s what I ask myself. Why does this door appear now? There has to be a reason and it must involve me, because I’m the only one who sees it.
I know I shouldn’t let it tempt me—I should wait for Pie to learn her magic so she can see it too, and then I could take her with me when I enter—but I am tempted. Also, that curiosity I had earlier is back. Like a cold chill creeping up my spine. Something between a warning and a revelation. And before I even make a decision I’m walking towards the imposing black statue.
I stop at his feet and look up into his eyes. He’s only a little bit taller than me, but he seems very imposing. Those gold horns don’t help, either. It gives him the look of royalty.
“Who are you?”
I don’t expect an answer, of course. But I do kind of get one. Because the metal door to the tomb opens a crack with a loud squeak.
An invitation.
Now the question is, should I accept?
There are a hundred reasons to walk away and practically none to go inside, but I take a few steps in that direction anyway. And then I guess the decision is made because I’m standing in front of it. Fingertips touching the metal. Gently pushing it open.
It’s the same view as earlier with one difference. There is a lit torch on the wall just to the right of the dark passageway.
“Hello?” I say. Then I shake my head and let out a huff. Didn’t I just say I wouldn’t do that a few hours ago?
When I look over my shoulder to see if any of the monsters are watching, they aren’t. The entire place is quiet. Then I hear small voices from somewhere deep in the maze of tombs. The radio. I think they must all be gathered around that radio.
I turn back to the tomb. “Is anyone in here?”