Which would be never. I hoped to be out of here by nightfall. Xavier would send his people here when the sun set.
Jarl had people in his office, but when he saw us, he shooed the people out.
“You may leave us, Isa.”
“How are you feeling Marty and what brings you to my office?”
He looked so poised and innocent, but his treachery was deeply entrenched in his heart and soul.
“I think you know,” I said.
He stopped what he was doing and damn me if he didn’t seem so genuine in his confusion and surprise. Why for once, couldn’t someone be exactly what they appeared to be?
“I’m not sure why you think I know the reason for this unscheduled visit.”
I stalked up to his desk. Anger and disappointment made my next words come out as harsh darts.
“I know what you did. What you did to me during that sham of a religious ceremony. The Ceremony of Unity is complete crap. If you don’t produce the Jamisons and let Emma Lynn go, then I’ll take the evidence I have, about your twisted blood magic, to the enforcers.”
That got to him and the moment he processed what I said, he glared at me. How easily the mask of caring and compassion disappeared.
“I think you’re confused. It’s been a lot to take in. You should spend more time meditating to clear your thoughts.”
I was at his throat with my blade at the same time Muffin made his move. The devil dog was on top of Jarl’s desk snapping and snarling at the man.
“I know what you’ve done with the help of that creep, Wayne Brownstone. You are stealing magic and powers. That’s wrong and illegal. I won’t let you get away with this. If you don’t stop performing the ceremony and giving out the incense, then I’ll tell the enforcers. – ”
“I –”
“I’m not done, so do yourself a favor and shut that mouth of yours. I want the Jamisons returned and Emma Lynn released.”
“I see that you are serious about this. Very well. I need time to recover the Jamisons. I’ll also see about changing the formula in the incense and we don’t need the ceremony. We can still take offerings without it.”
“A blood oath – that’s all I will accept from you. Swear to it.”
I pressed harder with my blade and crimson dripped down his neck.
“I swear to let the Jamisons and Emma Lynn go onward to their future.”
“You forgot about the incense.”
“And, I will stop giving out the incense. Are we done here?”
“Yes, quite done. Don’t be stupid and think to retaliate.”
I pulled my knife away and slowly put it back into my boot sheathe.
“Where am I meeting the Jamisons?” I asked.
“In the Mid Line. I can have them there around dusk. Be at that trendy, little burger place,” he said.
“BAM?”
“Yes, that one. And, you can leave now. I don’t want to see you here again. Do we have an understanding?”
“We certainly do.”
I stopped at my room long enough to grab my bag. No one stopped me on the way out of the Institute. I sprinted towards the Wolf Agency. It was closer than the house and I wanted back up with this.
33
I wasn’t far away when I ran into Leia Hamm and her husband. I tried to duck down a side street to avoid them, but Leia wasn’t having it.
“Marty!!! Norman, this is the girl I was telling you about. She has a devil dog, see it’s with her.”
“That dog looks rough. We should stay away from it, especially in your condition.”
Mr. Hamm was doing his best to pull his wife the other direction, but she had dug her heels in and wouldn’t be pulled away. She must not know that he hired me.
Leia started telling about all of the excitement we’d had together.
“And was there when I took down a demon. She’s also been to the Institute with me and is probably a seeker just like you. Isn’t that the best?”
By the time she’d finished, his worried expression had turned to one of bafflement. Oh, I get it buddy. If I hadn’t lived through those events, I’d questioned it too. And, this was the first time I’d seen him since his rude treatment of me before. I hadn’t given him my findings about his wife.
“It’s lovely to see you again Leia,” I said carefully.
“Yes, I owe you so much. Have you eaten lunch?”
“We really shouldn’t bug her. She looks busy and –”
Leia smacked his arm. “Stop it. Don’t be rude. A little socializing won’t hurt you.”
“Actually, I have a previous engagement.”
“Oh that’s too bad. Can I at least get you dessert? Please,” asked Leia.
Would this delay things too much? I really didn’t want to stop, but it helped with client relations. And there was still several hours until Jarl agreed to have the Jamisons meet me.
“Do you mind the walk? That bag looks heavy. Norman can carry it, he’s rather strong. I know he doesn’t look it, but there’s muscle, it’s just heavily padded.”
“Not at all.”
I wouldn’t have cared it if weighed hundreds of pounds. Nothing was going to stop me from getting away from the cult.
“Are you moving out of the Institute? I hadn’t realized you’d joined. When did you become a disciple?”
“Long story. I’ve decided not to continue with the Institute.”
“But no one does that. Then again, I’ve never heard of anyone leaving either. Everyone loves it there. I’ve been wanting to move in, but my husband not knowing about it, well, that made it difficult. Now maybe that will change and that’s because of you. Had we not met, then I wouldn’t have ever felt comfortable telling Norman about The True One. He’s agreed to be a seeker.”
“Are there other married couples there? I hadn’t noticed any, but I also wasn’t looking for that.”
“No, but His Highness would like to see more couples and even children.”
Jarl and that bastard of a god would love
