Chapter 23
As they pulled in to park in front of Peggy’s, Dylan felt Gabriel’s eyes on him.
“You don’t have to do this. Don’t you think this is a little reckless?”
Dylan flashed a soft smile. “Yeah, it probably is, but it’s better than just cowering trying to figure out what’s going on. The wards Homer put on the property should keep us safe.”
“But you don’t know for sure.”
Dylan shook his head. “Nothing is ever certain, Gabe.”
Gabriel rolled his eyes and sighed. “Fine. I’ve got your back, though. I’m going to make sure we don’t get trapped in there.”
Dylan chuckled. “Let’s get in there.”
As he walked through the door, he saw a sudden flash in his mind’s eye. His father bringing him into the restaurant after visiting Homer. The interior had not changed from what Dylan remembered from his childhood. It was like walking into a time capsule. He felt a wave of nostalgia sweep over him, but he pushed back those feelings, hoping he would get to revisit them later. The irony wasn’t lost on him. He was experiencing a rare moment of remembering his father when he was likely about to speak to the thing that killed him.
“Dylan Coates?” A voice called out. He turned to see a familiar face, though he couldn’t place the name. He’d gone to school with her, that much he knew for sure. She smiled at him. “I haven’t seen you since we graduated high school.” She looked past him. “Gabe? What brings you boys in?”
Before either of them could answer, a voice came from the direction of the bar. “Friends of yours, Kathy? Bring them over here and introduce me.”
Dylan had never heard the voice before, but he knew it. There was no question in his mind. Kathy blushed and whispered as she motioned them toward the bar. “That’s Johnny. He’s the owner, bought the place a few years back. He’s okay, but he can be a little weird. The place is a little dead right now, but earlier it was packed, and he had some kind of seizure. It was almost like the day his nose just started gushing blood, but worse. He seems fine now.”
Dylan tried not to smirk. He knew what had caused the seizure. He could see Gabriel tense beside him, glancing back toward the door. Kathy introduced them to Johnny, who was glaring intently at Gabriel.
“Thanks Kath. I think Joey needs some help in the kitchen. What can I get you boys to drink? You look like you need something strong.”
Kathy disappeared into the kitchen and Johnny lowered his voice, and Dylan thought he heard a tinge of fear. “I swear on my life the drinks aren’t poison.”
Dylan glared at the man, considering. “Gabe, what do you think?”
Gabriel chuckled, glancing around. “Better safe than sorry.”
Dylan smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “He’s right, not taking anything you have to offer, except answers.”
Johnny looked shaken. “What kind of answers?”
Dylan rolled his eyes. “What the fuck do you think? All I know is what I’ve read, and from what I’ve read, it sounds like you are the motherfucker that killed my dad. Is that right?”
Johnny smirked and started wiping down a glass. “Maybe. War’s hell. Maybe I did, but if I did, it’s because he was on the wrong side of everything.”
Dylan gulped. “What do you mean, wrong side? What the hell is this war even about?”
Johnny growled. “You’ve already picked a side. What does it matter? Though your friend there probably knows more than I do. I’m just a soldier, does what he’s told.”
Gabriel spun around. “What do you mean by that? I’ve lived in this town my entire life.”
Johnny raised an eyebrow. “Really? I thought…”
Gabriel stammered, and Dylan asked. “Thought what?”
Johnny sighed. “Like I said, I’m just a soldier who wants to go home. That’s it. I came through a gate that opened one day. I was guarding it, and thought someone was coming through, and I went through thinking I was going to be a hero. Before I could find my way back to the gate, wards drove me away, and I’ve not been able to find anyone who can open a rift to sneak me back across.”
“Homer sealed it and put up the wards because you killed his son and nephew.”
“Look, kid, this isn’t the time or the place for any of this. Hell, I don’t know how you got past my wards. They sure seemed to keep whoever controlled that gate out of here.”
Dylan shrugged. “I am not my uncle. You should be thankful. I’m asking questions, not just coming in here guns blazing.”
Kathy walked out of the kitchen, smiling. Dylan plastered on a fake smile until she’d passed.
Johnny sighed and called Kathy over. “Kath, I’m going to step out for a bit. Your friends here want to talk business. Keep an eye on the bar.”
She raised a curious eyebrow, but nodded.
Johnny shook his head and turned to Dylan. “I have an office in back, but it’s small.”
Dylan forced a chuckle. “Let’s step out back then.”
Johnny raised his hands and nodded, leading them through a back door.
Once the door had closed behind them, Dylan kneeled and touched the ground. He looked up and asked. “What are these wards supposed to be against?”
Johnny looked surprised. “Against the enemies of the realm.”
Dylan chuckled. He looked at Gabriel, who shrugged.
“Why did you send someone to kill Gabe?”
Johnny’s eyes went wide. “I didn’t!”
“Bullshit. Some beast attacked us at my mother’s house. It was like it hunted us down. You’ve all but admitted you chased my dad and his cousin on this side of the gateway.”
Johnny shook his head slowly. “I didn’t chase anyone. I’ve not killed anyone here. That would be sacrilege. This world is neutral ground.”
Dylan shot a look at Gabriel and let out a sigh before turning back to Johnny. “I know what I saw in my vision. You were killing Gabriel.”
Johnny gulped. “You have visions?”
Dylan nodded. “Like my mother, and her mother before her.”
Tears brimmed in Johnny’s eyes. “The legends were true. My gods.” He fell to his knees. “My lord, forgive me for everything I’ve said. I didn’t know.”
Dylan took a step back, glancing at Gabriel, who shrugged. He crouched to meet Johnny’s gaze. “I think we need to start over, and this time from the beginning.”