“I thought he was omniscient. Aren’t all the Children of Chaos?” I frowned. Had that thorn in my side duped me?
Melody shook her head. “Not in the way you might think. They must all have similar networks that allow them to give that impression. Take Gaia, for example. As she controls where Chaos goes, she can probably use all magicals with that gift to see and hear through. As for the others… I don’t know what their networks are, but they must have them. I imagine they wanted to keep an eye on the mortal world after they were shipped off to their otherworlds for being meddlesome.”
I frowned. “But how does that relate to me?”
“You and the djinn have something in common where Erebus is concerned. You’re technically one of his minions, too. So, if anything, or anyone, knows how to detach someone from Erebus’s ‘network,’ it’ll be the djinn.” She shot me a hopeful grin. “And the book should be filled with general information about Erebus, as well, since it’s very old and is aimed almost exclusively at djinn lore, and ergo, Erebus lore. From what I’ve found, it was written before the Bestiary was even founded.”
I gave a low whistle. “She’s going to be dusty. I’ll pack my antihistamines.”
“Then don’t go operating any heavy machinery.” Luke snickered, pleased with himself.
“I’ll try to keep away from the combine harvesters and cherry-pickers, just so you don’t worry yourself over little old me.” I gave him my best butter-wouldn’t-melt smile.
“I don’t worry about you,” Luke replied stiffly.
I made a show of wiping my eyes. “Ouch, that hurt. You wound me, Luke. You wound me deeply.”
“With skin as thick as yours? I doubt it,” he huffed.
“I might look like an elephant, after all that goat cheese in Greece, but I’ve got quite a thin skin, really.” It was only half a lie.
“Did you know that elephants, when they see humans, have the same mental reaction that we have to puppies?” Melody chimed in.
I mustered a lackluster chuckle. “I imagine it’s similar to the reaction Luke has to you whenever you enter a room. Although, that might give him too much credit—he’s probably just the puppy.”
“That’s not true!” Luke protested. “I’m not some puppy.”
“Could’ve fooled me. All you’re missing is the wagging tail,” I shot back, but I wasn’t really feeling it. Usually, landing a comedy jab gave me a rush of satisfaction. But this one just left me… hollow. Maybe another symptom of anxiety. Or maybe I needed to take another dose of my pills. I was supposed to take two a day, but I’d upped it since leaving the monastery. The mind gremlins had grown rowdier than usual after my first orange-poison trip, and the only thing that kept them vaguely at bay were those pills. Truthfully, it hadn’t been this bad since I’d first met Harley and messed with the gargoyles back at the SDC. My condition, and my gremlins, hated being ignored. Soon, I’d be taking half a bottle to stop them fighting their way through.
Luke opened his mouth to retaliate, but Melody put her hand on his arm, and he closed it instead. He eyed me curiously, making me feel as if I were under a big, glaring spotlight. Why was he looking at me like that? Did he know something was wrong with me? Could he sense it? I hadn’t told them about my delusional disorder, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t see it in me.
“So, I guess this means I’m going back to the SDC for a while?” I didn’t want to banter anymore. And I didn’t want them to start asking questions. “I can go and get the book, and I’ll drop in on my sister at the same time. You know what, this could be good timing—I’ve kind of missed the place.”
“Aww, you miss her!” Melody clasped her hands together. “I’ve actually wanted to meet the famous Harley for a long time. Why don’t Luke and I come with you, to keep you company? I’m very interested in learning more about the SDC and in putting faces to the names of all these people you’ve been telling us about. The Rag Team—that’s what you call yourselves, isn’t it?”
“Muppet Babies, and I’m only an honorary member,” I corrected her, using my preferred term. “But I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come along. Another time, maybe. I should scope out the security first before I bring the new Librarian over. We wouldn’t want you causing a ruckus, now, would we?”
Luke nodded. “I agree. I’ll need a full security report before we can even think about going.”
“I’ll be fine. No one will know who I am,” Melody replied desperately.
“Even so, we can’t take the risk.” Luke offered her an apologetic smile. “You said it yourself, Melody—we’re safe here, with the spirits protecting the house. The SDC is unknown territory. I’m sorry. I know you’re eager to meet Harley and the rest of Finch’s… uh, Muppet Babies, but it’ll have to wait.”
She sighed sadly. “Being the Librarian sucks sometimes.”
“But it comes with some damn good perks.” I flashed her a wink.
Honestly, my reasons for keeping Melody away weren’t entirely selfless. I wanted to keep her safe, sure, but I had no clue how my mental state would play out. Even if it was just a case of severe anxiety layering itself on top of my gremlins, I needed to be around people who understood my condition in case it got worse. Which I had a horrible feeling it might. I’d already had four pills today, and I may as well have been taking Tic Tacs.
Five
Finch
There wasn’t much more to say after that. Luke wouldn’t let Melody run wild in San Diego, and I had a book to find and a sister to hug. So, I’d said “See you later” to them and popped my head in to say thanks to Cecily and Richard before heading back to the closest thing I had to a home. I’d have preferred a glitzy set of ruby slippers to get me there, but a chalk door to the Science Center and using the front door worked just as well.
It felt weird to walk these hallways again after everything I’d been through at the Fountain and the monastery. I kept expecting a monk to suddenly appear and usher me into a pottery studio or something. Instead, I got some curious looks and whispers from the other members of the coven.
That’s right, lads and lasses, get a good eyeful—the boy is back in town. I checked my phone and saw a message banner. I’d texted Harley the moment I landed, so to speak.
You’re back?! Meet me in the Alton Waterhouse Room! I promise I won’t strangle you.
Not exactly the fanfare I’d been after, but at least I’d get to see her. Man, I really had missed her. Being the Count of Compartmentalization, I hadn’t let myself linger on it, but all that delayed emotion crashed into me at once. Having to keep secrets from her, and not letting her help me, hadn’t been easy.
Fifteen minutes later, I stood nervously outside the Alton Waterhouse Room—formerly the Luis Paoletti Room. A fitting tribute to our fallen director. I’d want something way bigger if it were getting called the Finch Merlin Room, but hopefully there’d be no homages to me anytime soon.