I hear Thomas walk away as I frown hard at the floor. Things are moving faster than I wanted, but I suppose there's no help for it. Without their understanding, I would have attacked some helpless schmuck off the street or ended up as a crazy psycho that needed to be put down. I'd never let it get that bad before, but so much has been going on that I forgot about it.
Shaking my head clear, I look behind me at my br*ast wrap, seeing that it's a lost cause. Sighing, I grab the two sides of my button-up shirt and tie them under my br*asts, doing up a few of the buttons for modesty's sake. Reaching as far as I can, I snatch my pants up and put them on, tying the pant's string just as the sound of Thomas and Jake's footfalls reach my ears. I look up as they walk through the doorway, and a wave of desire rolls under my skin, making me hold my breath. Turning to the window to distract myself from wanting to lick both of their chests, I'm surprised at how late it is.
"You're welcome to stay here tonight if you want," Jake says as he reclines against some pillows, looking relaxed and content. Thomas shifts his eyes over to Jake and grunts, but doesn't protest his offer. Having never been in this position before, I'm of two minds on what to do.
Biting the corner of my lower lip in indecision, I look from the window to the guys and back again. Both of them are watching me, Jake with thoughtfulness and patience, while Thomas looks resigned and weary.
Coming to a decision, I turn to tell them that I'll take my chances walking home when Jake frowns and says, "I really wish you'd stay. There's so much that we need to talk about."
Snapping my mouth shut, I mock glare at him before saying quickly, "I still need to volunteer for the Nightshade investigation and my cat will be lonely without me."
I turn and make my way to the front door, only to stop with my hand on the doorknob when Thomas' soft words reach me.
"I'm the person you need to talk to then."
A sharp stab like a needle in the middle of my back makes me stiffen and my vision unfocuses. When I turn my head to look over my shoulder, the hairs on the back of my neck rise as the events leading up to this moment flow across my mind's eye like puzzle pieces snapping into place.
Finding Ricky in the alley, meeting Thomas, seeing the Fireside leader using what I now suspect was a Chosen ability. Everything was connected, leading me here, to this place, to this time, to these men.
My head feels foggy yet sharp at the same time, my hazy vision locking onto multiple threads connecting the three of us that weren't visible before. The thread connecting Jake and Thomas is strong and glows with an inner red light. A quiet voice inside tells me that this means their connection is practically unbreakable. The thread leading from me to Thomas is shadowed in places, while the one from me to Jake is a little brighter. Everything else is murky as though I'm looking underwater, but the red threads are pronounced in vivid relief.
When I blink, the threads are gone, and it feels like I've been staring at the sun for too long. This same thing had happened a few times while I'd been growing up, but I always ignored it. After all the unusual things that have happened, I'm not sure if I should anymore. However, this is not the time to contemplate what it means. Mentally shaking my head, I push what happened to the back of my mind to think about later.
Giving up on going home, I lean against the door and cross my arms over my chest.
"Let me guess, you're in charge of the investigation, right?"
My eyes narrow as Thomas slowly nods, and I start to understand the pieces of the puzzle that have become my life.
"You realize that everything that's happened has been orchestrated by someone else, right?"
My head starts to hurt as the corner of my eye twitches with suppressed indignation and anger. I put my hand up to my eye to rub it, trying to get it to stop.
"I'm not a chess piece and I refuse to follow someone else's idea of what I should do, even if they are Gods. I'm sorry guys, I like you, a lot, and I'd love to get to know you both better, but I won't allow anyone to guide me by the hand like a child."
Jake and Thomas are looking at me wide-eyed, their mouths open in shock. Turning back around, I open the door and walk out while both of them yell at me to come back.
(*****)
Clouds gather under the sliver of moon still visible during its waxing crescent stage, obscuring what little light I have to see the large rebuilt hotel in front of me. A tug in my gut makes me growl low in agitation. The sensation has been happening ever since I left Thomas and Jake behind, and I'm not happy about it.
Something, probably that cat-eared Goddess, is trying to manipulate me into going back to them, but I refuse. I understand that there's a connection between us, but I'm not going to let anyone or anything dictate my feelings or actions.
It's my life, gods dammit and if she doesn't like it, she can pick a different stooge.
Feeling the tug in my gut lessen, I nod in determination and watch the activity surrounding the Hotel where my target lives.
A large parking lot encircles the building, making a stealthy approach difficult, if not impossible. Collectors are walking the perimeter at different intervals, some even looking like they're on a break with a lick or drink in their hands as they walk or lean against the stone structure.
Grinding my teeth in frustration, I scan the area as my mind flits from plan to plan, trying to figure out a way into the building. A flutter of movement in the shadows to my right makes me sharpen my gaze, focusing on a person in a full-length cloak standing still between two piles of crumpled concrete. The clouds choose that moment to let the meager light of the moon shine down, illuminating a feminine face that is vaguely familiar under the hood.
Watching her closely, I carefully make my way over the roofs towards her as I filter through the faces in my memory. Her image hits me like a slingshot when the wind picks up, making her skirt ripple out. I land softly on the ground on the side of the crumbled building, making sure to keep the still-standing wall between us, wondering if I should approach her or continue my surveillance. The choice is decided for me when her whispered words reach my ears,
"I know you're there, child. Come out and let me see you."
Suspicion makes me cautious, but I don't want to lose a possible opportunity to get information. Taking a quick glance around to be sure there isn't anyone who will raise an alarm if they see me, I slink quietly around the wall, making sure to come up from behind her, so I have an escape into the city if it's necessary.
"How?" I ask softly, not wanting to alert anyone to my presence, but curious about how she knew I was here.
She turns slowly, as though she's wanting to be sure she doesn't spook me into running, and smiles softly.
"I am an Acolyte of Bast. She told me you would be here at this time."
I grind my teeth a little at the god's blatant interference, but privately concede that it does help in my search for answers.
"Is that how you knew what I was?"
She tilts her head in a nod, and I feel irritation boil inside me. The gods must have arranged for her to be in that container with me, so she could help me escape.
"How can you follow something that put your life in such a fucked up situation?" I hiss.
Her smile turns sad as she informs me, "Because I was able to help you, and in doing so, I made sure you would be here to help mankind."
Guilt tries to worm itself into my mind, but I push it away. She made her choice and though it was because I had been an idiot as a child, it didn't mean that I was the one responsible. No matter the reasoning behind it, everyone is responsible for their own actions.
"Thank you," I say simply.
She nods with the same look on her face and pulls out a small wrapped bundle of clothing, holding it out to me.
"You will need these to enter the house."
Walking forward, I accept the package and undo the twine. A simple cloak of the same material and design as her own is wrapped around a simple gray dress. Handing her the cloak, I slip the dress over my head before taking it back to wrap around my shoulders.
When I raise my eyes to hers to thank her again, she holds up a hand, "There's no need for thanks, it is what I was needed for. We need to get you in to see the Head Elite." Her voice is soft but final, I nod in acceptance.
Taking my hand, she guides me out of the wall's shadow into the moonlit parking lot. A few of the Collectors nod hello or raise a hand, but no one speaks as we make our way to a side door hidden in darkness.
"Service entrance," she murmurs, her lips barely moving.
The door opens quietly into a scone-lit hall, the flickering light making eerie pictures on the wooden floor and walls. As the door clicks shut behind us, my hackles rise as an ominous feeling settles in my stomach.
'Curiosity killed the cat,' whispers through my mind, making me swallow hard as a shiver of dread travels up my spine.