Page 76 of Old Secrets

“Hundreds of people came here, unarmed, and basically groveled. When I told them I wanted those who ordered the innocents killed, they began making plans, gathering supplies, and working to lure the bastards to us so we can deal with them. If magic won’t work, we have tools that will. I think it’s an opportunity we can’t afford to ignore.” Shrugging, I urged my parents to take a seat with us where we’d set up camp, and I offered them each a bottle of water. “The one woman seems infernally sweet and absolutely tortured over what she’s been through. If they didn’t obey, their families were also sacrificed.”

My parents winced.

“Yeah, that alone made me pause for quite a bit. Those who came here are definitely fanatical, and I think we can use that to our benefit. I’ve already told them their lives are worth more than their deaths, and that the ones I wanted to see rotting were the masterminds behind the murders. They were prepared to pay any cost.”

My father’s expression softened. “She’s making a good point, my love. Karma’s friend has been quite firm about reminding us we may not be the only victims involved in this.”

Accepting the status as a victim hurt, and I marveled at how my father shouldered the burden. I spotted the friend in question, and Mellisa waved and headed our way.

“Having a good time with your new patients?” I asked, grinning at the woman.

“I’m challenged to say the least. We were warned of trouble. How bad is it?”

“I’m being worshipped as a goddess of retribution, and I don’t like it, Mellisa.”

Mellisa raised a brow at me. “I’m sure I can come up with an appropriate treatment plan given some time and more relevant information. I prefer that you don’t like it, because therapy plans for the opposite problem are a bit trickier. Jake, I’m assigning you as her current therapy plan in the interim. You know what to do.”

My husband snickered. “I think I can handle the basics. We’re going to be going on a bit of a hike, and it’s their monsoon season. Karma has determined we are all going to look like drowned rats in short order.”

“Drowned rat is not a good look on me, but I’m sure I’ll manage. What’s our goal?”

“We’re planning on taking out the leaders of Greenwich after some of our new friends lure them to the refuge.”

“We’re going to Mount Everest?”

“We’re going inside Mount Everest, apparently. And from what we’ve learned, it’s going to be a lot of hiking through a tunnel and cavern system.”

“Yes,” my father confirmed. “There are a few entrances into the mountain system. They descend below the surface of the Earth. There are markers to show the way, although the route can be treacherous for the uninitiated. Only a few have entered our refuge, but those few have been damaging enough.”

“I’m suspecting a sorcerer, Mellisa,” Jake said, careful to keep his voice low.

The witch cursed. “I know most of the common counters for their basic powers, and I’ll make sure to use it on as many of us as I can. That would explain a few things I wasn’t certain about. Why do you suspect a sorcerer?”

“Who else would benefit from the slaughter of infants in arms, using such ‘sacrifices’ as a disciplinary tool? Once the children are six, they’re inducted into the cult properly. Until then, they’re fodder for sacrifice.”

“Those motherfuckers,” Mellisa hissed through clenched teeth.

“Karma did not take that news well, but she held her temper—she didn’t even chitter once, not until we were off to ourselves and I was annoying her.”

“Asshole.” I stole from him and issued a huff. “What do we need to know about sorcerers?”

“I think you’ve figured out the basics. They harvest power through pain, suffering, and death. I’ll make sure our team is kitted for a sorcerer—or more than one. It’s probably an entire coven of the bastards. In any case, we will make certain they die swiftly. Frankly, I don’t give a shit if there’s mercy involved or not, but if they’re using sorcerers, they don’t deserve any mercy whatsoever.” Mellisa cracked her knuckles. “Now that I know what’s going on, I’ll get together with Amelia, get us kitted with what we have available, and make sure we keep a close guard on you. Fanatics get, well, fanatical.”

“Jake got worshipped, too. He really didn’t like it.”

Our therapist rolled her eyes. “Did you tell them you were married?”

“I introduced him as my husband, and they flung themselves to their knees and started bowing. I had to tell them to stop smashing their faces against the floor.”

“I’ll ask one of the locals if they believe in handmaidens here. If so, I’ll have Amelia shift and make her your guardian, following after those dogs or lions your parents created in Japan.”

“Where are those dog things, anyway?”

My parents pointed in the direction of the plane, and sure enough, after everyone had escaped, two stone dog-lions emerged, and they prowled our way. They sat nearby and waited.

“That’s not at all creepy. What are we going to do with them?”

“They will guard as needed and kill as needed. I have given them the responsibility of smelling intent,” my mother stated. “They ignore past transgressions and only consider the current state of the soul they’re examining. We shall see what these cultists truly believe soon enough.”