He looked surprised, but that quickly changed as he plastered on a neutral expression.
“You are quick to judge based on a limited exposure to what you call ‘snake oil’. Taken out of context, even the most benevolent and innocent act can come off as depraved. We do not believe in harm and I certainly am not creating religious zombies. Anyone you attempted to call that would be horrified.”
“Seriously?”
“You can dismiss my words as nonsense, but that doesn’t make it so. I speak the truth. The grace of The True One has been shown to us all and we have faith. My followers have seen and embraced this truth.”
“Your truth, but it doesn’t make it mine? So, while this is good and all, can you show me Emma Lynn.”
“I’m afraid that I can’t. She isn’t available.”
“Make her available.”
“I believe that this is going nowhere. You are the first seeker who hasn’t joined us. I won’t give up on you, but you won’t be seeing Emma Lynn or any of our members at this time.”
I couldn’t force him to make her appear. Unfortunately, I’d pushed as much as I could. Surprisingly, he was still determined for me to join his little cult. He should have thrown me out after the way I’d really let him have it. If I can’t get more access to the people in the Institute, then I’d have no way of getting in touch with Emma Lynn. I needed to rethink my strategy.
Jarl rang a gong and Anna came in.
“Shall I take her to a room?” she asked.
“Marty will be leaving us.”
“No, I didn’t mean to fail.” In a fit of desperation, she threw herself at his feet. “I’ll do better, I promise.”
“Be at ease and please rise. Marty needs time to contemplate what she’s seen and heard. But I have a feeling we’ll be seeing her again.”
“The True One is merciful. Thank you for your kindness your highness.”
On the way out, Anna was quiet. I thought she’d see me off without another word. My refusal to join upset her. She took it personally, which was odd. She paused on the threshold.
“I have something for you.” She snapped her fingers and in her other hand a large sack appeared. “This is yours.”
I made no move to grab it. I wanted to know what was inside it first. I didn’t trust these people as far as I could throw them.
“It’s a gift. His Highness said to give it to you.”
“Open it first.”
“You are a guarded one.”
She opened the sack and it was filled with the incense herbs. That was all I needed to see, and I snatched up the sack, cradling it to my chest.
“I’ll tell him you are pleased with the gift. And, it’s edible. It has the same effect if you smell it or chew it. I look forward to your return.”
Outside of the Institute, I ran into Francesca, who was accompanied by two burly and brutish security guards.
My mouth fell open in surprise. No way was she here? Did I miss a connection between her and the followers of The True One? During the interviews, the donors gave the impression that they didn’t go out much.
“Oh Marty, I didn’t know you were a believer. How truly wonderful,” said Francesca.
“Actually, I’m just a seeker.”
She looked at me long enough that I nearly squirmed.
“A seeker is very special to us. Please say that next time you’ll come back with me or one of the others?”
“The others?”
“Why yes, all of the donors are believers and visit daily. I have to be going, but call on me soon.”
I left Francesca and the Institute of Reawakening wondering if I was in over my head.
24
Things were falling into place or maybe it was that they were just coming apart.
I rubbed my aching temples. When did things get so messy?
My new priority was getting access to that cult. I was going to become a believer if I wanted to get into the Institute.
I ignored Margie as I walked in and she did the same. Muffin and I headed straight for our “office”. I didn’t pass any of the Wolf Agency investigators, who were known as “wolves”. It was still extremely awkward being co-located with our rivals.
Let Sterling be in. I could have asked Margie, but that would require talking to the harpy. Actually, a harpy was probably nicer than the crotchety receptionist. She probably spent her time off pulling the wings off pixies and drowning kittens.
“Sterling, we’ve got problems.”
“We sure do, Marty,” said Miles, who crept out from the partition where he was hiding.
I swore and he laughed, but the sound was missing any kind of amusement in it. Why is he here?
Muffin growled, a deep rumbling that reminded me of thunder. His fur was standing on edge and he was tense at my side. Seeing his reaction put me on high alert.
Sterling cleared his throat, breaking me out of my staring match with the enforcer.
“Miles was just bringing me up-to-date about your training and progress. Or, should I say lack of progress? Are you not clear about the importance of training?” asked Sterling.
“Of course, I know how important this is. And, I don’t appreciate being accused of not trying. I’m trying, it’s just not working too well.”
“Indeed, it is the not working part that brought me here today. It also brings up the need for a magic disrupter,” said Miles.
Disrupter! Just the word was enough to spear me with fear and dread. Everyone knew what a disrupter did. It was one of the most effective ways to prevent a supernatural creature from accessing their magic. It stopped a shifter from shifting, magic users from doing magic, and other unpleasant things to supernatural creatures. They were only used on prisoners.
“What is he talking about?”
“It’s for your own good,” said Sterling.
“I somehow doubt that.”
“Don’t be difficult,” Miles said to me. He didn’t look away from me
