Chapter 5 #3
“From what I could do back at the Station, yeah.” No amount of internet research had turned anything up.
Tristen’s full name, which was unique enough that it might have been expected to produce something, yielded nothing, though she hadn’t been surprised on that front.
For one, there was a good chance he wasn’t registered here in any legal sense of the word, and for another, even if he was, she doubted whoever had brought him here would have done so under his actual name.
Searching “New York City” combined with “miracle healing” had given the predictable results of any and all churches and faith centers that put “miracle” anywhere in their message, title, or description—of which there were many—along with dozens of new-age style spiritual healing clinics.
“But the library here should have copies of the local newspapers going back decades that I didn’t have access to at the Station.
Any articles written when Tristen was a kid wouldn’t necessarily have been online yet, and the library should have copies.
” Digital copies, most likely, that she would probably need a library card to access, but she could figure that out.
“I might find something that gives us a better idea of where to look.”
“I suppose,” Morgen said slowly. “But I don’t love the idea of splitting up in a city this size.”
“Ah, but here we have the magic of cell phones.” Nyx lifted hers, displaying it as if she were a street magician revealing the final result of a magic trick.
“Cell phones are literally the opposite of magic,” Morgen pointed out.
“One might consider them more parallel types of utility.”
“The overwhelming presence of technology has driven magic to near-extinction on this planet. There is no room for coexistence.”
Nyx sighed. “The point being, there’s really no danger to splitting up in a ‘city this size’ because we can just call each other if one of us finds something.
” Her fingertips brushed Alihana’s hilt.
Do you want to back me up here? she asked.
Surely if an ancient planetary soul agreed with her, Morgen couldn’t argue.
He is quite correct about the inability of magic and technology to coexist, Alihana said.
Nyx gritted her teeth. I meant about us covering more ground by splitting up.
I have seen no evidence that you are particularly adept at researching this subject. It would save time if you were present whenever Kaden discovers Veld’s location.
She dropped her hand from Alihana’s hilt. So much for hoping the soul of her planet might back her.
“I don’t think—” Morgen began, but he didn’t get any further.
“It’s a good plan,” Kaden cut in from the periphery of their group. He had, as usual, been so silent up to that point that it was easy to forget he was there. “We’ll each call if we find something.”
“Great,” Nyx said, forcing a chipper note into her voice in hopes of dissuading Morgen from further argument. “Let’s plan to meet back here at seven?”
“Let’s not,” Morgen said.
“You want to keep searching later?” While she applauded his enthusiasm, Nyx couldn’t say she shared it.
Portaling through the pockets of the Between, then being cooped up in the car for hours, followed by fighting the traffic on the way into the city meant she was more or less ready to call it quits for the day now, only there was so much daylight left that she felt irresponsible doing so.
“No, I do not want to keep searching later.” He put his hands on her shoulders and pointed her back at the window. “Look out there, little Guardian. What do you see?”
“A lot of buildings that make me feel claustrophobic and will make it very hard to find Tristen Veld?”
Morgen slapped his hand to his forehead.
“The correct answer is ‘opportunity’. A chance to explore a wide array of cultures and peoples in one place. According to the literature I’ve read, New York is considered a convergence point for various cultures of this planet.
We should take this opportunity to explore that. ”
The “literature” he’d been reading was a New York City travel guide book.
“I think we’re in the gentrified part of New York, because that’s where privileged assholes with no qualms about engaging in child trafficking are most likely to be.” She sent up a silent apology to all nice, non-rich, law-abiding Manhattanites. “And we’re not here on vacation.”
“We also aren’t on a deadline. I know, I know,” he said, holding up a hand to forestall her immediate protest. “You want Tristen found sooner rather than later. But whether it takes us two days or two months, it makes little difference to us from a practical standpoint, now that the Station has allowed you a longer leave of absence than they were previously willing to grant you. So let’s work while there is daylight, and once the daylight is gone, let’s have dinner. ”
“You already picked out a restaurant, didn’t you?” Nyx accused.
“It is my job, as the only fun-loving member of this otherwise task-oriented party, to ensure everyone takes a break instead of running themselves into the ground.”
She sighed. “Where are we meeting you and when?”
He told her, the answer eliciting another sigh. He would choose there. It was so very touristy, and Nyx was getting the feeling Morgen loved being a tourist.