16. Aster
Chapter 16
Aster
F arnsworth extends his hand to help me stand. “What can I help you with, Mr. Charboneau?”
“I’m not exactly sure what I’m supposed to do now that I’ve made contact with the Horror.” I brush my jeans off. “He’s… dangerous.”
“Of course he’s dangerous. That’s why we exist.”
“Right. I mean, are there some tools I should use or something?”
Farnsworth has the nerve to look annoyed with me. “You didn’t read your dossier?”
“I did. That’s how I found Hudson.”
He purses his lips, but relaxes when Abigail appears behind him, wrapping her arms around his legs and peeking out at me. I wave at her and she giggles.
“The whole thing,” Farnsworth continues. “Page three.” He snaps and the folder appears in his hands. He hands it to me. “Go on.”
I take it, flipping it open and realizing page three was on the back of another sheet. “Sorry.”
“Quite alright. It’s your first time.”
As I read, my heart sinks. “Well, shit.”
“Yes, unfortunate. I never said this was an easy job. The risks are high, especially with a Horror as volatile as yours.”
“He threw knives at us.”
Farnsworth nods. “In the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours, I imagine he’ll fully manifest. That’s when your mortal is in the most danger.”
“So I have two days or less to drag Chester back.”
“The Horror. Don’t use their living name and make them human. They are not. Any humanity they once had is gone, and yours doesn’t sound like he had much to begin with.”
“Awesome.”
“You can do this, Aster. We wouldn’t have selected you if we didn’t think you could.” He steps forward. “Rely on your instincts and connection to the mortal to guide and protect you. Crash can be helpful too.”
I nod. “Okay.”
“You know what to do now?”
“Get him to tell me his underworld name. Cast a circle. Once he’s contained, recite the incantation, then jump in the circle and drag him back to the hell from which he came.”
“Correct. The Horror will do anything to avoid that. Anything. Be prepared.”
I nod.
“You have a lot of help. The house spirits, Crash, and the target’s sister.”
“We had to send her away. She was agitating the Horror.”
“She’ll be helpful when it’s all over.”
“Okay. Thanks, Farnsworth.”
“Tell me, Aster, did you read the chapter on love bonds?”
“Um, sounds vaguely familiar.”
“Hmm, well, you may want to revisit it.”
“If this is some commentary about me being attracted to Hudson, then don’t bother. I’ve got way bigger fish to fry than my ailing love life.”
He gives me a strange smile before bowing his head slightly. He raises his finger for me to wait, kneeling to listen as Abigail whispers in his ear. A genuine smile replaces his other one as he stands.
“Abigail would like to meet your dog sometime.”
“Can he come here?”
“No, but maybe we can allow Abigail to pop in.”
“You’re always welcome, Abigail.”
The little ghost girl giggles, peering out more fully from behind Farnsworth, revealing the burned side of her body and reminding me of her sad demise. At least she seems happy here.
“Ready to go back?” Farnsworth asks.
I nod, bracing myself. “I’m ready.”
A mist spreads around me, and when I blink, I’m falling to my knees in Hudson’s living room. Otto barks, launching himself off the couch and into my arms. I hold him, petting him and kissing his ears, noticing that Hudson is sound asleep. Crash sits in an armchair and two other spirits stand behind the couch.
“Did I miss anything?” I ask.
Crash grins, swinging his leg. “Oh boy, did you.”
“What does that mean? Did the Horror show up again?”
“Nope.” Crash appears behind me, putting his hands on my shoulders as he leans in and whispers, “The human has a thing for you.”
“I thought you said he was being manipulated?”
“Not the feelings. Those are real. Just the expression of them. Apparently he had himself a naughty little fantasy as he drifted off to sleep. He whispered your name and was rubbing himself. It was very exciting to watch.”
My body heats with embarrassment and curiosity. “What?”
“In my day, it was so hard to be openly gay. I adore seeing it so celebrated now. He wants to bang you. He wants to get in your pants and swallow your long, hard?—”
“Crash. Stop that.”
Crash cackles, disappearing and reappearing behind the couch. He leans over Hudson, brushing his hand through his hair, making him stir. Hudson mumbles my name and my breath hitches.
“See?” Crash says. “I’d be very careful though. I have a feeling our resident Horror won’t appreciate Hudson catching feelings for someone else. Did I say that right?”
“Say what right?”
“Catching feelings? I heard it on a TV show made two years ago.”
“Um, yeah, I think that’s right.” I bite my bottom lip. “I need to figure out where the Horror is right now.”
“Kitchen. Seems to be home base since he met his end there. Did Farnsworth help?”
“Kind of, yeah. I need to get his name. His underworld name.”
Crash scrunches his nose. “Not an easy feat. He won’t give it up without a fight.”
“I figured.”
“Maybe you should rest too,” Crash says. “While the Horror is dormant. You’re gonna need it because when he shows up again, he’ll probably be much stronger than he was.”
“Super.”
“I’ll keep watch.”
I nod, cuddling Otto close and settling in the recliner next to the sofa where Hudson sleeps peacefully.
“I guess a quick power nap wouldn’t hurt.”
“It won’t,” Crash assures me.
“Promise you’ll wake me if Hudson gets up or the Horror appears.”
“Cross my heart and hope to die. Again.”
I shake my head but close my eyes, hoping for at least a few minutes of rest. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night.