FHC B3 Ch 59: Grimm Funeral Part 2

A silence came over the room. Devon stared, unmoving, till eventually I broke the gaze. I glanced toward Alice but she wasn’t looking anywhere else but the other Grimm.

I could see the ice ripple across her skin, and the air start to wisp. Thankfully, Adeline positioned herself between her and Devon. With her gaze blocked, she finally looked to and nodded slowly.

Good. Stick to the plan.

Alice avoided looking at the older Grimm and continued her hushed conversation with Adeline. When I searched for Devon, he was gone.

Where the he-

“Astra. Cain,” Devon said.

His voice was as dead as his stare. I didn’t think it was possible, but it lacked what little bit of personality remained in his neutral tone and somehow slipped into even more monotone.

I turned and studied him. His back was upright, and clothes were clean. Even his hair looked groomed and maintained. But like Astra, beyond the physical, there was a tiredness that oozed out of his body.

He moved, almost lethargic, unanimated. And as he stared at the two of us, he remained eerily still, like a statue.

Astra lightly smiled. “Devon. It’s been a while.”

“Yes,” he said.

Astra paused as if waiting, but when it was clear that Devon had nothing else to say she cleared her throat.

“How have things been? Has the… Prime kept you busy?”

Devon sighed and closed his eyes.

“Will you say what you want to say?” he said. As he opened his eyes, he turned and examined me. “And you. I can smell the desire radiating off you. It’s almost as bad as Alice.”

“Can you blame us?” I asked.

“I’ve done my part. There’s nothing more to say.”

My finger twitched, and I pushed away the urge to snarl.

“We’ve learned a lot since we last saw you. Things that should be answered. Things I know you probably can’t answer. Not entirely.”

At this, Devon finally regained a hint of life. His eyes narrowed, but just as quickly, they returned to being dead distant. The whiplash bothered me. But even as I sent more mana into my eyes, I saw nothing around him.

There wasn’t an easy explanation for why he acted the way he was. If it was magical, a binding, something–I could have seen it, or I hoped so.

“If you know, then why?” He said, voice cold and low. “I did my part. I burned myself to give you information. I owe you two nothing.”

Part of me wanted to scream at him. He was angry, that was clear. But so were we. The journals–the information he hurt himself to give–didn’t help us. They gave us information so mired in secrets and mystery that it couldn’t have possibly helped us in any way. At least not without the answers. Not without further questioning.

You’ve already gotten onto Alice about this. Don’t be a hypocrite. Wait till after the funeral. This time isn’t about him or you. It’s to give Alice closure; then we interrogate him.

Instead of arguing, I smiled politely and nodded.

“I’m sorry for bringing it up. This isn't the time.”

Astra stepped in. “Cain’s right. The both of you can deal with your problems later. For now, we’re here for Elias. For Alice. And whatever you’re going through, Devon. I know you care for her and him. Peace, for now?”

Again, his eyes reacted but returned to being zombie-like before I could blink.

“Apologies, Astra,” Devon said, backing away.

He left and headed toward the older Grimms, who had kept a respectful distance during our conversation.

As Devon started talking, I tugged on Astra’s sleeve and motioned her toward Alice Adeline looked uneasy, but Alice had started to walk toward us.

Before we were fully separated from the rest of the room, Astra extended her hand along with a chain.

“Þǫgn heiminn.” (Silence the World translation: Thogn Hay-min)

Mana flared in my vision, a subtle grey-white that extended from the chain and bubbled outward. It enveloped us, leaving space about a meter out before stopping. As the mana settled into place, the glow lessened but started to swirl in a slow clockwise rotation.

“What was that?” I asked.

“A silence incantation. It was originally used to prevent witch’s and sorcerers from being able to chant or verbally cast. But I prefer using it as a privacy barrier. You can speak freely in here. Until the incantation ends,” Astra explained. She took a second to stare at the both of us, before smiling. “So what is you plan on doing? Is it Devon?”

“You can tell?”

“It’s obvious to anyone who knows you. Especially, Alice. You’re mana is unstable, your emotions obvious. I won’t ask why you are riled up, but tell me what you plan on doing about it.”

Alice glanced to Devon. “We plan on asking him questions after the the rite.”

“What kind of questions?”

“The kind I doubt he wants to answer,” I chuckled.

The two didn’t laugh.

“How do I help?” Astra continued.

Alice blinked slowly. Astra ignored the surprise on my face and shrugged.

“I’m going to assume that you wouldn’t be doing this for no reason. You’ll want to force Devon to do something he won’t want to do. And as much as I admire how strong you’ve gotten, we know it’s not enough. So tell me how I can help.”

Beyond the barrier, the older hunters stared, curiosity on their faces. But Devon remained transfixed on the covered lump. He never looked away, but stood still.

Like a statue, unmoving. I have no idea what’s running through your head right now. Is it anger? Sadness?

Alice pulled my attention back and adjusted her hood. Her hair had falled out of place, but she tucked it behind her ear and rolled her shoulders back. If it wasn’t for the tension in her fingers, I wouldn’t have been able to tell what she was feeling.

“If you are willing to help, then we need restraint. He’s stronger than us, and can run away. Will you bind him?”

Astra sucked her breath between her teeth. “That’s a tall order. There’s a good chance that his strength will overcome my chains.”

“Then-”

“But I’ll try,” Astra interrupted. “I know a few incantations that can help.”

“If you don’t mind me asking. Why are you so willing? I’m not trying to underappreciate your help, but why?” I asked.

“Because you’re not the only one with questions.”

Three clicks later, Astra ended the incantation. We split apart, Alice and I going to our own corner of the room. She avoided looking at the covered body, but I caught her stealing a few glances as time went on.

We watched the others, the older Grimms talking casually. Even Devon joined in the conversation though he would give simple answers, little more than a few words at a time.

Eventually, the last person expected to arrive finally entered the room.

As the door slammed shut, Garret looked up.

His eyes were red, strained, but he looked clean. His expression was hard to read, till he looked to where the Elias’ body lay.

His eyes shifted, and he stalked forward.