RD 2 Ch 34

Chapter 34

I already had several talismans made from Simone’s blood to help me track her down should I ever need to find her. I had ones with Gloria’s and Bobby’s blood, too. Never knew when one of your own needed finding. I had learned that lesson the hard way in my previous life.

Activating one, I felt a pull in a direction. I followed that feeling through the streets at a steady walk. The last thing I wanted to do was spook whoever Simone might be following.

Twisting my way through the island’s narrow streets, I felt the direction shift drastically as I turned a corner.

There was a small restaurant with seats in it overlooking the ocean, and I strode in, using the talisman and my own observation to find Simone who had on a different appearance than when she had left Hercules.

“Is this seat taken?” I asked.

“It is now. Sit, enjoy, and keep me company while I people-watch. You know, that spot over there has lots of people coming and going.” She nodded to a building about four down on the other side. “Best view I could find of it casually.”

I used Soul Gaze to look down the way. “The Clan has a big problem.” There was yet another demon heading into the building, and this one was different. They were all ugly as sin but distinct.

Demons looked… well, like they were burnt to a crisp at first. Their skin was pitch black, hard, and rough. Their eyes were a deep, burning red, and their bodies weren’t symmetrical. That was probably the most off-putting part of them. When they possessed and demonified somebody, one limb might double in length, while another was stunted. Meanwhile, their forms could swell oddly, a giant right shoulder or a distinct tilt to their bodies.

The ones that had been in a body for a while smoothed out quite a bit, getting more of an armored carapace as the black skin thickened. They didn’t lose the asymmetry, but at least they weren’t walking lumps of coal.

And that fact was how I knew these demons weren’t that old. They were older than two years but less than five if I had to make a guess. At least, that’s how long they’d been in the bodies.

In fact, that made me more concerned than anything. It meant someone was likely converting Heros Clan members.

It was clear how the demons ran over humanity at the start of the rapture. Those who were positioned to defend us were completely inept.

“That’s not good.” Simone was responding to my earlier comment. “I had hoped that it would be a minor affair. So… I don’t see the big guy with you.”

“Pretty sure he went to go drag Zeus into the mess. Probably more.” I scanned around us making sure no one was listening. Infiltration was not my specialty. Instead, I just relied on my Soul Gaze to keep tabs on people. “So. How’s this for a date?”

Simone, even plain-looking, had a way of moving that drew the eye. And she became even more enticing when she locked eyes with me and slid her thumb along the inside of my arm. “I like the tension.” Her eyes shimmered with excitement.

“Down girl,” I teased.

She snapped her teeth at me playfully. “Just having fun. Given all we are going to do is wait.”

The server came by and took my order before moving off. I used a cloth napkin and folded it over several times before nipping my finger enough to draw blood and scribbling out an inscription.

“So, is this the part where you go in, swords blazing?” Simone asked. “I really want to see what those stats can do.”

“Nope. We need the clan here. If for nothing else, it helps them see it with their own eyes and have proof of what is happening. It would also prevent people from coming and trying to help the demons because they think we’re attacking someone they know in the clan if Hercules or Zeus would kindly stand behind me while I cut them down.” Lifting my head, I eyeballed the giant cliff on Zues’ island and then went back to the inscription, making a few more flourishes and hoping I could get this right before scribbling a message.

“So, until they come, we can just have a date.” I grinned at her, activating the talisman that turned into a bird and flew out of the restaurant, only drawing a glance.

The server came over and placed two plates in front of us.

“You know we should make some more of those talismans. I really like the vampire class you were running around with… not to mention that girl who was imprisoned, was calling herself your… what was it again?” Simone smiled as she started to cut the fish on her plate.

“No idea what you’re talking about. Vampire? Who’s a vampire.” I played along. “Also, she called herself my blood whore.”

She chuckled, and I felt her foot under the table. The tablecloth hid her antics as she played along the inside of my leg, teasing her way up my thigh. “Nyx said you bit her and sucked her blood.”

“When did you start talking to Nyx?” I frowned.

Simone waved her cell phone at me. “She gave me her number.”

I rolled my eyes. Of course, Simone got her number. “That’s good. Would hate for you not to socialize,” I answered dryly.

“She’s really sweet. Asking about you a lot.” Simone’s foot started to wander closer to her favorite part of me.

“Actually, can you ask her if she’s with Circe? Would be good to bring her here,” I said. My mind was more focused on the demon problem.

Simone shrugged and started tapping away on her phone. The whole clan was a strange dichotomy of ancient and modern. “She’ll go find her.”

“Responded fast,” I commented.

“We text a lot.” Simone sent another message and put her phone face down. “But I’m here with you. I have you to myself again.”

I leaned over the table and shared a kiss with her. “You do. Get all you can because I’m pretty sure Gloria is going to call dibs for a bit when we get back.”

“Any plans on that?” she asked, eating daintily as if her foot wasn’t teasing me beneath the table.

“Nothing concrete. The smith won’t make armor for me if I’m going to outgrow the set. But I think she’ll work for the physique requirements.”

Simone frowned. “But if it’s a system item…”

“I know. She was being particular. Sometimes crafters are like that. You just have to deal with their requests and requirements.” I shrugged. “So, that means I really want to get myself dropped into the bottom of the Ionian Sea.”

“Is it alright if I don’t come?” Simone looked sheepish. “I know you are big and strong, but I don’t want to see that. I don’t like seeing you get hurt even knowing you heal.”

“That’s fine. It’ll be pretty boring anyway. Days of letting water pressure try and crush me while my regeneration fights to keep me whole,” I said.

“How will you breathe?” She poked at her fish, suddenly losing her appetite after my comment.

“Talismans. The upgrade to my Blood Ink has given me absolutely tons of options for what I can do.” It had cracked many talismans and inscription options wide open.

Simone paused and looked out towards the building she’d been watching. I was at a far less ideal angle to see it, but I did my best to casually glance over and scan the group coming out of the building.

“All of them?” she asked.

“Most. One’s not,” I said, turning back to our meal. “It seems to be a hot spot. After we finish up here, let's go for a walk until we hear back from the leaders of the clan.”

As if I’d summoned it, a new message made her phone buzz.

Simone glanced at her phone. “Circe wants us back at the palace.”

“Fine. Let me finish this first. It’s actually really good.”

***

“Explain.” Circe stood in the entryway with Hercules and Zeus as I stepped back inside her palace.

“I spotted a demon while touring with Hercules. Simone followed them, and that building appeared to be a hotspot. Multiple demons coming and going,” I reported quickly.

Hercules held up my note. “This one.”

“That would be the one. I’m concerned, though, because these demons are active and moving through the clan. They may have other spots in the clan that they are using. If we hit that one, they’ll all go to ground.” I didn’t like this strategy. If I had it my way, I’d just go through the clan, cleaning house with a sharp sword.

“Lock down the islands,” Zeus said.

As he did, smoke came up through the ground, and Persephone’s illusion appeared. “Why are we locking down the islands?”

“If you are going to listen in, make yourself known,” Circe admonished without glancing her way. “We have a demon problem.”

“This is exactly why no one gets to know where I am.” Persephone latched onto the opportunity.

“Yes, yes. That’s a conversation we will be having.” Hercules sighed. “For now, we have a greater issue. Demons in the clan… I thought any remaining demons were in hiding these last thousand years.”

“Minor issue. We slay them.” Persephone tried to take the paper from Hercules who smacked her hand away. It briefly turned to smoke.

“Aunt. If you wish to participate, perhaps you should come in person. It seems it’s been longer than we realized.” Zeus spoke like someone who’d been lied to one too many times.

“Then I will,” Persephone declared. “Lock the islands down. I will be there within the hour.” She swirled and disappeared.

The other three elders looked around like they weren’t quite sure what to do about her.

“It’s best if we put a few people on the building to monitor and record everyone who’s coming and going. That way we have a list to work through if some get away. If you don’t mind, I’d like Bran to tour Olympus before we begin. My aunt might be upset at the delay, but I can think of a conversation I’d like to have with her in the meantime.” Zeus glanced at me.

I nodded. “Easy enough. Simone here will help me disguise myself, and I’ll walk as much of the clan as I can, taking notes of places and names. However, for this, I would like to be able to make a small trip from the clan after this.”

All three leaders grew slightly stiff.

“With guards, it should be okay,” Hercules offered. “Where?”

“For my titan bloodline, I need water pressure for the first step. A deep sea dive. The deepest place near here is the Ionian Sea,” I told him.

The leaders relaxed. “That’s not bad,” Zeus said. “We can send a ship and a team to protect you while you work on what I assume is a titan physique? You really are a nice blend of the Borrson and Heros. Though, we got the lucky end that held onto you.” He chuckled and rubbed his beard.

“A healer, too, would be good,” Circe offered. “I know you are tough, Bran, but we cannot risk you at present.”

Guards and a healer would be fine.

As long as I got to start this whole physique thing as soon as possible, I would be happy. I was pretty sure I was already several inches taller.

“What are we waiting for?” I hooked my arm in Simone’s. “Let’s get searching. And you all should prepare anyone you might have that can dig secrets out of those we find.”

The elders nodded and broke apart to get their people moving.

“Another date?” Simone smiled. “I’m a lucky girl. Even luckier because it seems we get a third.”

Nyx slithered over now that the elders of the clan were moving. “I hope it’s okay if I join you?”

“Were you listening in?” I asked.

“No.” She shook her hands in front of her head as her snakes danced out of the way. “No one would dare try and eavesdrop on them. Just seemed like you two were off to do something. I… uh… would like to join.”

Simone hooked Nyx’s arm. “It would be wonderful for you to join us. Bran has told me a little about you, but I’m still impressed every time I see you again. You are quite lovely, or maybe you are getting lovelier every time I see you?”

Nyx blushed bright red. “I think there are still some changes happening.”

“What do you think, Bran? She’s lovelier, right? Medusa was supposed to be the most beautiful woman right?”

I knew exactly what Simone was doing, but it didn’t stop me from seeing Nyx’s hopeful face and going along with the ploy. “She does. I mean this politely, Nyx, but you seem prettier after the transformation than before.” She had enough difficulties accepting her change. Continuing to encourage her was just being kind.

“She was cute enough before but could have fit in with any of a dozen of the Heros ladies. Now, though? She stands out in a very good way. Makes me want to take her back to the room, Bran.” Simone practically dragged the stunned woman behind her.