Chapter Eight
The next day, I went shopping. Alone. It still surprised me when no one tried to stop me from leaving. Especially after that induction ceremony. How could Silas let me leave after witnessing that? But then again, it wasn't as if he'd have to answer to the authorities. And I'm not even referring to his God-claim. I'm talking about the fact that all the people he murdered were alive and well. There was nothing I could report. I guess I could tell the police that they were a bizarre cult that drowned their new recruits and resuscitated them, but it would be my word against theirs. And I wasn't even sure if consensual drowning and resuscitation were a crime. I suppose it could be considered reckless endangerment.
I pondered all of this while I bought a few essentials at a shopping center in downtown Helena. Although the clothing that had been selected for me (by Silas himself, no less) was fine, I needed more, so I wouldn't have to do laundry every few days. I also wanted things I had picked out. Putting on underwear that “God” had chosen for me gave me the yucks.
After I made my purchases, I should have headed back, but my feet got a mind of their own, and I found myself wandering around the shopping center. It was an outdoor situation with shops, restaurants, and other businesses lining the street. There was an area for entertainment and even a carousel. I stopped to watch the carousel spin in its carousel-shaped building made mostly of glass.
That's when he bumped into me.
My packages went flying with the force of the blow. And yes, it felt like a blow. The guy was big enough to knock me off my feet with a casual nudge, but he'd been walking at a fast clip that had added some oomph to his hit. Luckily, he also had fast reflexes, and he caught me before I fell.
Gasping, I looked up into a pair of the most stunning eyes I'd ever seen. Hunter green with glittering striations of ivy and peridot. No, I don't talk like that. Who talks like that? No one. It was those eyes. They made me a poet. Or an artist. All I could think about was how impossible they were. Nature couldn't have come up with that. So dark and yet so vibrant. The rich hues enhanced the paler tones that wavered through his irises like a watercolor painting.
Then my vision panned back to take in the rest of his face. Cheeks tapered in like a wolf's, with a long nose between them, leading my stare down to a pair of pouting lips that seemed out of place. And yet, it all worked. Too well.
“I'm so sorry,” he said. “Are you all right?”
I cleared my throat and stepped back. “Yes, thank you. I, uh, I'm fine.” I bent to retrieve my packages.
He crouched with me, his thighs stretching a pair of worn jeans. I glanced at him. The jeans notwithstanding, he was dressed pretty upscale for Montana, with an expensive leather jacket on over a collared shirt. I reached for one of my bags with a shaking hand.
“You're trembling,” he said, taking my hand. He helped me up and over to a bench. “Sit here. I'll fetch your things.”
I watched him gather my bags and come back to me.
“There's a restaurant right there.” He motioned, but I couldn't look away from his face. “Please, let me buy you some coffee. Maybe dessert? Sugar helps shock.” He grinned. “They make an amazing bread pudding.”
“Bread pudding is my favorite,” I blurted without thinking.
“Mine too!” He held out his hand. “I'm Garret. Garret Demos.”
I took his hand. “I'm Indigo Darling.”
Garrett's brows lifted. “Like in Peter Pan ? Wendy Darling?”
“Yes.” I started to draw my hand away, but he used it to pull me to my feet. Startled, I looked up at him again.
“I love that,” Garret said. “Come on, let's get inside. It's cold out here.”
In a daze, I let him lead me into the restaurant, still carrying my bags. All in one hand. Inside, we were welcomed and seated immediately. The staff obviously knew him—the server arriving with a cup of coffee along with the menus. She asked me what I'd like to drink, and I ordered a hot chocolate.
“Such a lovely name,” Garret said. “Indigo Darling.”
“It was given to me by the nurse on duty,” I murmured, enthralled by his eyes again.
Garret frowned. “The nurse? Not your parents?”
“I don't know who my parents are. I was left in a hospital emergency room. Wrapped in a blanket and set on one of the chairs. Not even a note.”
“Holy shit!” He gaped at me, then hurried to say, “Sorry about the cursing. You surprised me.” He paused, then said, “So, the nurse named you. Is that normal?”
It wasn't the first time someone had asked about my name, but it was the first time it had been done in such a gentle, genuine way. His accent was slight but rhythmic. Strong but soothing. It lulled me into calm and made me want to tell him everything.
“No, I don't think so,” I said. “She must have insisted or something. Indigo for my eyes and Darling because she loved Peter Pan .”
“So I was right.” He grinned again.
That grin must get him women hand over fist, I thought to myself. Then I wondered why that mattered. I was taken. I was in love. Wasn't I? So, why couldn't I remember what Jake looked like?
“About Peter Pan ? Yes,” I said. “I suppose it's nice that I made an impression on her.”
“If your eyes looked anything like they do now, I understand.”
Before I could respond, the waitress returned with my cocoa and took our orders. We both had the bread pudding, but Garret also ordered a basket of french fries and onion rings combined. It was the perfect combination of comfort food for me. I hoped he intended to share.
“So, what do you do for a living, Indigo Darling?” The way he said my name made it sound like an endearment.
“I'm a law clerk. I work for Gable & Wassen.”
“I haven't heard of them. But that doesn't mean anything.” Garret chuckled. “Not a lot of law firms out here, I imagine.”
“Uh.” I cleared my throat. “I'm actually from Spokane. Just visiting.”
“Oh.” He leaned back. “How long for?”
“I don't know. I was supposed to be here for a week, but that's . . .” I shook my head. “What do you do?”
“I'm a, uh, investigator. A private investigator.”
“Really?” I made a soft huff. “You know, we hire them occasionally for clients, but I've never met one.”
“I'm your first?” Garret waggled his brows.
I snorted a laugh. Then I frowned. “How do you not know the law firms out here if you're a P.I.?”
“Oh, I've never worked for a law firm.” He shrugged. “I guess I'm not reputable enough.”
“So, you just take on individual clients? Regular people hire you?”
“Yup.”
“And do you get a lot of work, or do you just charge a lot?”
“Oh, you'd be surprised how much work I get. A lot of people investigate their spouses or even a potential spouse. Sometimes it's just a lover. Women do that a lot.” He frowned. “Sorry. Was that rude?”
“Not if it's the truth.”
“It is. Men don't seem to care if their lovers lie to them. It's only when paperwork is involved that they start to worry.”
“So you follow people around and take pictures of them cheating on their spouses?”
“Sometimes.” He shrugged. “Sometimes it's just a background check. Or it's something altogether different, like tracking something down. I found a lost cow once.”
I burst out laughing.
Garret grinned. “You have a beautiful laugh. It's perfect for you.”
My laughter faded as I stared at Garret. I had the oddest urge to follow him wherever he led. Just walk away from the craziness I had stumbled into. It wasn't such a stretch. I'd been contemplating leaving Montana earlier. But this wouldn't be leaving Montana, would it? It would be running away from one man to go to another. Or would it be running away from two men since Jake was possessed? That question alone should have decided things in Garret's favor. Not that he had asked me to go anywhere other than this restaurant.
Ugh, what's wrong with me?
Our food came while we were having our little staring contest, and then we gorged ourselves on sweets and fried food like a couple of kids. I was happier than I'd been in ages. Relaxed. I felt so at home with Garret. Odd, but in light of everything else I'd been going through, it felt normal.
“Can I see you again?” Garret asked suddenly.
“Um.” I looked away.
“Fuck, you have a man, don't you?”
“It's complicated,” I murmured.
He chuckled. “Of course it is. Look at you. How could it not be?”
“Me?” I snorted. “Look at you. How are you single? Or maybe you're not. Wait. It's not that you aren't single. You're technically single even though you date a lot of women, right? You just don't commit to any of them.”
Garret laughed as he leaned back. “I'll take that as a compliment even though it's a little insulting. And no, I'm not dating anyone right now. I know this sounds hokey, but I'm looking for the one. I'd like to settle down.”
“Wow. I didn't think men actually said that.”
“Not even your man?”
“My man isn't my man anymore,” I whispered. “I'm not sure who he is.”
A little frown creased Garret's forehead. “You weren't just putting me off. You were telling the truth when you said it's complicated.”
“More than you can imagine.”
“Do you wanna talk about it?”
I laughed. “You'd think I was crazy.”
“Try me.”
“Another basket?” the waitress asked as she walked up.
Garret lifted his brows at me.
“Actually, can I get a hamburger, please? No, wait. A bacon cheeseburger.”
“Sure, honey. Garret?”
“Make it two,” Garret said, still staring at me. “And another basket.”
“You got it.” She hurried off.
“The past year has been hell,” I started.
I couldn't believe I was going to tell this to a stranger. But Garret didn't feel like a stranger anymore, and I needed someone to talk to. Someone sane. Someone who didn't worship a man who might be God or the Devil. Or maybe something worse than either of those.
“Indigo Darling, I know all about hell,” he said. “You can talk to me. Tell me anything.”
So, I did. I told Garret about Jake's cancer, his miraculous recovery, and our insane trip to Montana. When I got to the part about the cult and commune—let's call a spade, a spade—he went still. Real still.
“Indigo.” Garret took my hand and leaned in. “I know those people.”
“You do? Have you investigated them?”
“Yes. It's my current job.”
“What? Really? Oh, God. Who's investigating them? Are they dangerous? I think they're dangerous. I mean, if I told you what I'd seen, you'd think I was nuts.”
“Yeah, you said that already.” He pressed his lips together, then said, “I can't tell you everything. Confidentiality agreement.”
“Oh,” I whispered.
“But I can tell you without a doubt that they're dangerous and the person who sent me after them is very powerful. Indigo, you've got to get out of there. Today. Get your boyfriend and leave.”
I was shocked that he told me to take Jake with me. I suppose a part of me was thinking that Garret was still flirting with me and might use this as a chance to play the white knight. But the fact that he wanted me to take Jake with me made it more real. And terrified me.
“I can't,” I said. “He won't go. He's . . .” I shook my head and looked away. “I can't believe I'm going to tell you this.”
“Hey.” He leaned into my line of sight. “I've seen some crazy shit—things you wouldn't believe. But I will believe anything you tell me, Indigo. Anything. Because I know it's the truth.”
“You don't know what a relief that is to hear.”
“I can imagine.” Garret shook his head and looked out the window. Then he seemed to come to a decision. “I'm going to tell you what I know first. Then I hope you'll feel comfortable enough to share what you've experienced.”
“Okay. That would be great, actually. Thank you.”
“All right.” He glanced around the restaurant, then focused on me. “Silas, the one you mentioned, had another group like the one you're involved with. It was in Spokane.”
“Of course it was,” I muttered.
Garret nodded. “I assume that's how he met Jake.”
“It was Jake's twin sister who brought Silas to Jake. Jake was in the hospital.” I swallowed roughly and said, “Waiting to die.”
“I see.” Garret nodded. “Well, then, she might have been a part of Silas's group in Spokane. They were raided, and Silas was thought to be dead. There was some speculation about that, though, and it looks as if it was correct. Silas survived and fled here.”
“Someone tried to kill Silas?”
“Not specifically. They tried to apprehend him and things went poorly. Silas's group was killing people, Indigo. Drowning them and reanimating them. Silas has some kind of supernatural power. When he brings someone back from the dead, he takes control of them. They function and seem normal, but when it comes down to it, they're slaves.”
“I knew it!” I hissed. “I knew it wasn't just about making them stronger. They're different after he brings them back. I thought it was because they believed with absolute certainty. You know, fact versus faith? But now that you've said that, I can see it. They get this blank look on their faces whenever he tells one of them to do something. It's not just obedience. It's complete submission.”
“So, you've seen it done.” Garret leaned closer. “It hasn't been done to you, has it?”
“No.” I waved at myself. “Do I seem like a slave?”
“No, but I had to ask.”
“Yeah, I get it. I'm treated differently because of Jake. And because I'm not really part of the group. They're trying to convince me, but it just feels off.”
“I'm glad you have good instincts.” He grimaced. “There was another theory that I was hoping was incorrect. It's about Jake.”
“You know about that?” I asked as more weight slid off my shoulders. Garret wasn't just believing me, he was also confirming my suspicions. “You know about Michael?”
“Yes. I know about Michael,” he said grimly. “The theory was that he took Jake's body as his host. As I said, I was hoping that was wrong.” He shook his head. “I'm so sorry, Indigo. Michael is just as bad as Silas. He started this shit. It was just Michael at first, forming an army for God. At least, that's what he told people. He preys on the broken ones. The people who have lost everything and need to blame someone or need something to believe in. To fight for. Michael is great at recruitment. Supposedly, he jumps into his target and convinces them by speaking in their minds.”
“Holy shit,” I whispered and thought about how Jake always came home with someone new. An “angel” taking over my body might convince me too. Especially if I was vulnerable.
“Yeah. It was a good scam. Then Silas suddenly showed up and took over.”
“What are they?” I whispered. “Please, tell me Silas isn't God.” I leaned closer to add, “Or the Devil.”
“He isn't God or the Devil,” Garret said. “And Michael isn't an angel. He's a ghost.”
“He's a what?” I leaned back. I had considered possession, but not by a ghost.
“Michael's a spirit. The soul of a person who has passed on. And a strong one at that. He can possess people and jump from body to body.”
“Silas said all angels are incorporeal and so Michael needs Jake to host him.”
Garret snorted. “Come on. Why would God make angels incorporeal? Wouldn't that hinder them a bit? How would they raze cities and do all the terrible shit that angels do? Spirits can't affect the corporeal world. They'd need to possess a human every time. And that's ridiculous.”
“Oh, you're preaching to the choir. Even after I watched Silas bring people back to life, I doubted him and his stories. But those people are so devoted to him.”
“Yeah, because they've been enslaved.”
I nodded. “As I said, it makes sense now. That's why Silas inducts them into the group with that ceremony. Once that happens, they can't betray him.”
“Exactly.”
“I noticed that there was tension between Michael and Silas. I wondered about that. That makes sense now too. Silas barged in on Michael's con.”
“It's not just a con. Michael wants an army to protect himself. He doesn't want to go back to hell.”
“Hold on. Are you saying there are people coming for him? Like real angels?”
“Not angels.”
“Demons?”
Garret paused. “I think those labels are limiting. Like the word hell. I used it so it would be easier for you to understand. But hell doesn't exist, not as you think. Hell is an afterlife. It's not Dante's version or even the more traditional Christian version. I like to think of it more as a place where the dead go to spend some time before coming back. And it has guardians. People who make sure the residents don't leave. And when they fail, there are others who bring those souls back.”
“And those other people are the ones coming for Michael?”
“Yes. His skill of body jumping makes him harder to catch. So, he's evaded them for a while now.”
“Body jumping. So, he can leave Jake?”
“He can leave and return.” Garret shrugged. “I'm sorry, Indigo, but Jake is compromised. He's become a willing host. Michael won't want to lose him.”
“At least he's alive,” I said.
“Don't go back there.” He took my hand again. “Come with me. I can keep you safe. And I promise, I'll try to help Jake.”
“Indie.” The voice was so low, almost a snarl, that I didn't recognize it at first. Still, it startled me into turning toward the sound. And there was Jake, as if Garret had summoned him.
“Speak of the Devil,” Garret muttered.
“Jake!” I shot to my feet, my hand sliding free of Garret's grip.
Garret stood as well, but he didn't say anything more. He just stared at Jake.
“We're leaving,” Jake said and grabbed my hand.
“The lady hasn't eaten her lunch yet,” Garret said in a smooth, welcoming way. “Why don't you join us, Jake? Or is it Michael?”
“It's Mr. Davis to you, Demon,” Jake snapped.
I gasped and looked at Garret. “Demon?”
“I am not a demon,” Garret said. “And you are not an angel, Michael . I know that's you. Stop pretending to be Jake. Oh, excuse me, Mr. Davis.”
Jake's face twitched and his grip became painful.
“Ow!” I jerked on his hand.
He eased up immediately, but when he looked at me, I knew it wasn't Jake anymore. Garret was right. It was Michael in control.
“Michael, let me go,” I said.
Amazingly, he let go. But he also said, “He's one of the hounds, Indigo. You can't trust anything he's said to you. Fuck, he probably targeted you.”
I thought back to how Garret had plowed into me. Had it all been a ploy to talk to me? My heart plummeted as I looked at Garret. Because Garret was looking guilty.
“Another team warned us that you and Jake were coming. They asked us to look after you. So, yes, I bumped into you on purpose. But everything I've told you is the truth.”
“Then tell me the truth now. Are you a hellhound?”
Garret grimaced, glanced around at all the people who were now staring at us, then whispered, “I'm a Hound of Hades . It's not the same thing. I'm one of the good guys, Indigo. My real job is—”
“Enough of your lies, Demon!” Michael snapped.
Why was I so upset? I had just met this man. There was nothing between us. And yet, there was. When I was talking to Garret, I felt something I thought was real. Only to discover that I'd been played. Again. How fucking typical. As the men argued, I picked up my packages and walked away. I was over both of them. All of them.
“Indigo!” Michael caught up with me. “You're lucky I saw you through the window. God knows what he would have done to you if he'd gotten you to leave with him.”
“God knows,” I muttered. I still wasn't sure about Silas or Michael. I wasn't sure about anything. But it didn't bode well that Garret didn't follow us. I looked back to see him still standing by the table, staring at me.
“Come on, let's get you home.” Michael took my hand.
I jerked my hand away from him and left the restaurant.
“Indigo!” He hurried up beside me.
“I want to speak to Jake! You bring him back right now!”
“Fine,” Michael snapped. Then he shuddered. When he spoke next, it was Jake, “Indie, Michael's telling the truth. That's one of the demons we're here to fight.”
“Jake, how do you know that Michael's an angel?”
Jake scowled. “That demon has influenced you.”
“No. I've doubted this from the beginning. So convince me. How are you certain?”
“Michael makes me stronger, Indie. I can feel the truth when he's in control. I can feel his determination.”
In light of that, Garret's claim that Michael was a ghost became suspect. How could a ghost strengthen someone it was possessing? Shouldn't it be the opposite? And would a spirit give up control to its host so easily?
“Look, I understand if you want to leave. Go back to Spokane. That's fine. Just, please, don't go with that man. He's not really a man.”
I weakened. A part of me knew it was reverse psychology. Tell someone they can go, and they won't want to. But it still helped me to relax and remember that this was Jake—my Jake. He loved me. No matter who was inside him, Jake loved me. He would never lead me wrong.
“No. I'm not leaving you,” I said and took his hand.
“Indie.” He pulled me into a hug. “I love you. Thank you. I know I can always count on you. No matter what happens, you're with me. That kind of loyalty is rare. Thank you, baby.”
I loved him, yes. I'd stick by him as I always had. So why were his words making me cringe?