Page 118 of Kick the Candle (Knight Games 2)
I cleared my throat. Logan was the wrong person for me to say this to, especially the first time. "My affections are spoken for ...and happily so."
He nodded. Met my eyes. I said my goodbyes and headed for home.
The Doghouse
On my way back to Red Grove, I tried to call my father to begin the supplicatory process for a later closing date. He didn't answer his phone, an oddity for my super real estate agent dad. Usually, he could sign papers, show a house, and answer his phone simultaneously. Hell, I had suspicions he answered his cell on the toilet.
And that's when my anxiety really took off. What if Anna Bathory had gotten her hands on him to get to me? Julius said the nekomata and the vampires were sworn enemies. The nekomata were close to obtaining the book, which would mean Anna was desperate. My dad might be strung up in her dungeon at that very moment. Or drained by Julius! Worse, what if either one of them compelled him to do something really drastic, like jump off a bridge or be used at the Mill Wheel by any female vamp who wanted him? I started to sweat thinking he might be dead or permanently missing. Why hadn't I thought to give him some sort of protective charm while I could?
When the phone did ring, I snatched it up so fast I swerved into the opposite lane. "Dad?"
"Um, excuse me. I'm trying to reach, Grateful Knight?"
"This is," I said. I recognized the voice but couldn't place it.
"It's Silas, Detective Silas Flynn."
"Oh, Silas. What's up?"
"Unfortunately, I'm calling on official business related to the crime scene at Maison des Etoiles." I pictured the werewolf in my mind. I'd seen him at Valentines but voices always sounded different to me over the phone. I'd completely forgotten I'd given him my number, and that he'd promised to call with information on the finfolk and mountain troll attack.
"I traced the finfolk back to a community living in Red Grove Lake. The finfolk king claims he knew nothing of the perpetrators' plans. I expected as much. No supernatural in their right mind would admit a connection."
"Uh huh."
"But here's the interesting thing, Grateful. He claims there've been Nightmares in the area. Became a little flustered just talking about it. A few of his people have gone missing and he blames them. He believes our perpetrator was possessed by one and didn't know what he was doing."
"I had a woman come into my ER possessed by one. She was infected at Red Grove Lake. Sounds like we have an epidemic on our hands."
"Do you know much about them? We've never encountered this problem before on the force. Normally, Nightmares are a mild annoyance to humans, not a threat," Silas said.
"You know about as much as I do. A magical entity has to be facilitating the possessions. Nightmares can't do that on their own. Any idea who might be helping them?"
"None."
"Did you find out about the troll? Was he a victim as well?"
"We can only assume. The trolls were...uncooperative. I couldn't get any information out of the community and narrowly avoided becoming a lot thinner under one of their clubs."
"Ah. But given the troll's natural tendency to avoid humans, it would fit the profile."
"I was thinking the same thing."
"So what can I do to help, Silas? What are your next steps?"
"Since you live in the area, would you mind investigating again at Red Grove Lake, maybe seeing if you can find where the nightmares are organizing?"
"They're incorporeal. My understanding is they have to go back to the netherworld during the day, unless they've possessed someone."
"Exactly. With this type of activity, I wouldn't be surprised to learn they're congregating in that region, a mass possession. You mentioned the human was possessed at the lake. Did you ever find out why she was there?"
"No. It's not a popular tourist attraction, especially in winter."
"Can you investigate? See if you can find out why she was there and when she became possessed. Maybe look for signs of a nightmare settlement."
"Of course."
"Good. I'd do it myself but I'm going to be indisposed for a few days. Full moon."
