Chapter 6
CHAPTER
SIX
Cradling Day in his arms, Seymour hurried outside with Sariel.
It took Sariel a few seconds to get his bearings, but he was able to direct them away from the apartment building.
Seymour became aware that he probably looked insane cradling a big invisible cat judging by how a few people stared at him, but he just ignored them.
He had questions.
A lot.
“Okay, so what the fuck did Day eat?” Seymour demanded. “Is that even safe for her? I mean, if she’s supposed to eat people. Like, what if she has allergies?” He stared down into her big green eyes. “Do you have allergies? Is that a thing?”
Day meowed curiously.
“It was a drakeling,” Sariel replied. “The other monster was a troll. They are capable of extraordinary regeneration.”
“That’s why he got back up after you broke his neck?”
“Yes.”
“Fuckin’ fabulous. So, is any of that safe for her?”
“She does not appear to be distressed. We can keep an eye on her, of course.”
“Of course.” Seymour glanced back over his shoulder. “So, uh, now what? Because as far as I can tell, we found Day and fuck all else, and we’re supposed to be finding a robot guy’s head.”
“The monsters who attacked us were members of the mostri ribelli.”
“The mos—ree what now?”
“They are a group of monsters who are in open rebellion against the Mostro Family.”
“And they are again…?”
“The family of monsters who rule over the city.”
“So, these rebel guys.” Seymour petted Day more frantically. “Did they kill my dad? Are they the ones who stole that fuckin’ robot’s head?”
“I do not know.” Sariel frowned. “Absolis and Vilanos said we would find the witness at the apartment.” He nodded at Day. “As there were no other spirits present, we must assume they meant her.”
Seymour looked at Day. “Is that you, lil’ girl? Do you know what happened back there?”
Day’s ear twitched, and she meowed.
“Okay, cute, but not helpful.”
“Meow?”
“Come on. Is there anything you can tell us ’bout the robot head or who mighta killed my dad?”
Day meowed again, more insistently.
“Sorry, lil’ girl. I don’t speak kitty cat.” Seymour sighed, and he nudged Sariel. “Don’t suppose you got any ideas?”
Sariel frowned. “I also do not speak kitty cat.”
“Okay. Did that troll guy say anything to you?”
“No. I am afraid I did not dedicate any time to interrogation.”
“Right, right. Just, you know, whoopin’ some ass and stuff. Got it.”
“It is most strange they attacked us at the apartment. I can only assume they must have been watching it.”
“Waitin’ for somebody to come by. Like us.”
“Yes.”
Seymour stared ahead at the crowded street, his heart sinking into his stomach. He had no idea where they were, and every fiber of his being screamed to find his truck, start driving, and never look back. He didn’t care about the money, his father, or anything else.
Fighting Godzilla put things in perspective, and all he wanted to do was go the fuck home.
Never leaving the house again.
Yup, that was fine.
He could order groceries on his phone and everything else through fuckin’ .
As if somehow sensing his distress, Day meowed and put her paw on Seymour’s cheek.
“Hey, I’m okay,” Seymour said with an uneasy smile. “Just, uh, this is a lot. My dad was apparently a witch who worked with faeries and maybe kinda got murdered over it. I guess you knew that, but I sure as hell didn’t. Fuckin’ crazy, right?”
Day meowed sadly.
“Dunno nothin’ ’bout the man, so this has all been pretty wild.” Seymour paused. “Plus all the monsters and stuff.” He looked back over his shoulder, looking to Sariel as he asked, “And, uh, speakin’ of monsters, where exactly are we goin’ to get away from aforementioned fuckin’ monsters?”
“Hallowed Grounds is close.” Sariel placed his hand on Seymour’s shoulder. “It is in the territory of Mr. Q. Mostro. We should be safe there. The mostri ribelli are quite brazen, but I do not think they would attack us there.”
“Why? What kinda monster is he? Fuckin’ Bigfoot?”
“No, I believe him to be an eldritch being.”
“The fuck is that?”
“Interdimensional cosmic horror.”
Seymour made a face. “Wow, he sounds fun.”
“I do not understand why that sounds fun.” Sariel seemed alarmed. “That should be the exact opposite of fun.”
“It’s just… Never mind.” Seymour scratched Day’s ear. “So, you think we’ll be safe here?”
“Maybe.”
“Okay—”
“Well, perhaps.”
“Can you just lie and say yes?”
Day meowed in what may have been agreement.
Hallowed Grounds had once been a large church with elaborate clerestories, tall arched arcades, and a fantastic upper gallery.
The floor was a rich dark wood, and all the religious imagery had been removed except for the stained glass in the clerestory above.
The pews had been removed to create space for tables and chairs, and the pulpit was gutted to create a stage.
It was empty at the moment, but a chalkboard sign promised future poetry readings. A cluster of overstuffed sofas and chairs created a welcoming and warm entrance, and the mammoth counter had an equally impressive glass display case packed full of tasty looking baked goods.
Sariel led the way up the stairs into the gallery, finding an unoccupied table in the very back. It was quiet, as more of the customers seemed to be down on the first floor enjoying the sofas, and Seymour was glad for the isolation.
There wasn’t anyone here to stare at him petting his invisible cat.
He set Day down on the table. “Okay, lil’ girl. Can you, uh, stay here?”
Day tilted her head. “Meow?”
“Stay here.” Seymour looked around anxiously. “Maybe we can find a pen and paper? Somethin’ for you to write with? Can you do that?”
Day wiggled her front paws. “Meow.”
“Okay. I am taking that meow as a yes or at least a strong maybe.”
Sariel tilted his head. “It did sound rather confident.”
“So, uh. I gotta get some coffee or a bottle of vodka or fuckin’ somethin’ right fast. I’ll see if I can get some paper down there.” Seymour frowned. “Do you guys want anything?”
“I am fine, but thank you.”
“Day, uh, you want some milk?”
Day’s eyes widened. “Meow.”
“Is that not actually bad for cats?” Sariel asked. “As they mature, I believe they stop producing the enzyme needed to break down lactose products.”
Day scowled at him, her ears flattening as she let out a tiny hiss.
“Okay. That’s definitely kitty cat for I can have whatever the hell I want ’cause I ate a monster earlier.” Seymour scratched the top of Day’s head. “Oh, yes, you did, pretty girl. Yes, you did!”
Day immediately perked up. She purred and smiled sweetly, headbutting Seymour’s hand.
“You are spoiling her,” Sariel accused.
“So?” Seymour grinned. “She’s an awesome magical kitty cat girl and our star witness, remember? Don’t think it’s such a bad idea to let her have a treat, huh?”
“I suppose if she can fully consume a drakeling, then she can also digest milk,” Sariel mused.
“Awesome. Watch her, and I’ll be right back.
” Seymour patted his pocket for his wallet on the way back down, deciding to stop off in the bathroom first. Once inside, he took a few deep breaths and tried to clear his mind.
His muscles still ached from the battle, and he needed a few moments to think.
Hell, he needed days and an entire team of rocket scientists.
No, monster scientists.
Was that a thing?
That needed to be a thing.
Probably at least a four-year degree—
“What are you doing?”
“Jesus fuckin’ Christ!” Seymour shouted, throwing his fists as he whirled around to find Sariel right behind him.
“I am sorry.” Sariel pouted. “I did not mean to startle you.”
“I asked you to stay back there and watch Day!”
“I am watching her.”
“From here?”
“Yes.”
Seymour wasn’t going to argue with a man who had a hundred eyeballs hiding somewhere, so he scrubbed his hand over his face and sighed. “Okay, well…”
“Are you all right?” Sariel frowned, stepping into Seymour’s space. “You are quite flushed.”
Seymour’s heart thumped. “Okay as I can be, I reckon. It’s a lot, you know? All of this is a lot.”
“I am sorry if… my transformation added to your distress.” Sariel frowned.
“What? You goin’ full eyeball angel?” Seymour laughed weakly. “No. I was, uh, definitely shocked, but hey. That’s the real you.”
Sariel fidgeted, looking at his feet. “It did not frighten you?”
“Nope.”
“Really?” Sariel frowned deeper, his gaze still cast downward. “I find that very difficult to believe.”
“Okay, so, it was mildly, uh, surprising?” Seymour cringed. “Definitely not what I was expectin’ at all. But also, wow, really amazing. I, I never really understood bein’ awestruck before, but you can officially consider my struck bein’ awed.”
“Please.” Sariel shook his head. “It does not matter. We need to focus on the mission at hand.”
“Come on now. Don’t do that.”
“We must find how to speak with Day—”
“Hey, which one of the signs is the most self-deprecatin’?” Seymour gently cupped Sariel’s chin, tipping his face upward so he could look him in the eye. “’Cause that’s what you’re givin’ me right now.”
Sariel blinked. “That would be Pisces. Or oh!” He gasped. “Perhaps Cancer, another water sign known for their vulnerability, especially in regard to their own emotions. They are also quite sensitive and moody, which may result in a lower sense of self-esteem and the self-deprecation you speak of.”
“God, that’s fuckin’ adorable.” Seymour smiled warmly. “That's what I like about you. Well, part of it. The way you light up when you’re talkin’ ’bout that stuff.”
Sariel’s eyes widened, and his skin flushed bright pink. “Are you sure it is not my celestial light shining through my human disguise?”
“Well, whatever it is.” Seymour beamed. “We make it through this bullshit, I would still love to take you to get that coffee.”
“We are at the coffee shop now.” Sariel managed a little smile. “I would say you succeeded.”
Seymour laughed. “Yeah, but I had plans.”
“Plans?”