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{"id":2298,"date":"2021-02-27T18:04:20","date_gmt":"2021-02-27T18:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bangbangboomcomic.com\/wp\/?p=2298"},"modified":"2021-02-28T20:19:25","modified_gmt":"2021-02-28T20:19:25","slug":"dib3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bangbangboomcomic.com\/dib3\/","title":{"rendered":"3 – We Plan, God Laughs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chapter 3 – We Plan, God Laughs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bright and early Sunday morning, Joey Tripepi emerged from his lovely, south Boston home on 1st Street, dressed in his churchly best. He and a pair of his goons climbed into his modified, extra wide Plymouth and headed out for mass. Miriam waited for several minutes after they had turned the corner before stepping out from behind the wooden fence across the street, which had served as her hiding spot for the last twenty minutes. Naomi stayed close behind her, once again tightening the belt on her spring coat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMiriam, I\u2019m not sure this is a good idea,\u201d she said, not nearly for the first time, even as she followed her across the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As far as Miriam concerned, it was the only<\/em> viable idea. She had spent the last several days convincing herself of that. \u201cIt\u2019s not like we\u2019re breaking in,\u201d she reasoned. \u201cI\u2019m just going to knock on the door and see what I can learn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut you told Mr. Tripepi you would meet him Tuesday.\u201d Naomi looked up and down the sidewalk in paranoia. \u201cIf something happens to the book before then, he\u2019ll know it was you.\u201d She tugged on Miriam\u2019s elbow. \u201cLet me ask Darby if he has another copy he can give you to make the trade with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not asking him for anything,\u201d Miriam replied stubbornly. \u201cNow shh.\u201d She hopped up the three steps to the main entrance and reached for the broad, brass knocker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was louder than Miriam expected, and she startled a little and let go after only the first knock. With a deep breath to settle her nerves she wiped her sweaty palms against her pants. She was just in the middle of another knock when the door opened a crack, and stern face appeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho\u2019s there?\u201d asked the woman in a deep voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam gathered herself up to her full height, which was still nowhere near the woman\u2019s, and stuck her chin up. Her \u201cdisguise\u201d wouldn\u2019t have fooled Joey himself had he been home: she had dressed in a suit coat and pants, her long hair drawn up tight beneath a cap. \u201cMy name is Jordan Price,\u201d she introduced herself, doing her best attempt at an indescribable European accent. \u201cI\u2019m an archivist from the university. Mr. Tripepi is expecting me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMr. Tripepi is at church,\u201d the woman said, unimpressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam heaved a sigh and pretended not to notice Naomi fidgeting behind her. \u201cOh, of course he is. Well I can\u2019t very well come back tomorrow when classes are in session, now can I? Would you mind if I come in to wait for him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The woman eyed her distrustfully. Miriam stared straight back, anxiety beginning to prickle along her seams like in the club when facing down Joey himself. But she hadn\u2019t ultimately buckled then, she reminded herself; she wasn\u2019t about to back down to glorified bouncer. The worst that could happen was she\u2019d be thrown out. Right? After a moment, the woman snorted. \u201cWhat is it you want?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here goes nothing<\/em>. \u201cThere\u2019s a book in Mr. Tripepi\u2019s collection he said deserved my attention,\u201d Miriam said, trying to sound mostly disinterested. \u201cI believe he was hoping I would authenticate it for him, or else, alert him of it being a forgery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The woman\u2019s eyebrows rose; apparently Joey was proud enough of his stolen tome that all his subordinates had heard about it as well. After a bit more hemming and hawing, she nodded and took a step back. \u201cYou can wait inside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d Miriam touched the brim of her cap but was careful not to tip it, for fear of her curls springing free. \u201cThis is my assistant, Ms. Yale,\u201d she said, gesturing for Naomi to follow her inside. \u201cAnd you are\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi smiled nervously and gave a tiny curtsey. The woman nodded in return and gruffly introduced herself: \u201cI\u2019m Abigail.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA pleasure to meet you, Miss Abigail.\u201d Miriam looked the woman up and down: she was tall and broad, like just about everyone on the Slate Street Gang, it seemed, her ashy blonde hair done up in pin curls. \u201cI don\u2019t suppose I could trouble you for a glass of water?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abigail hemmed some more, but beneath Miriam\u2019s unfaltering stare and Naomi\u2019s shy smile, she gave in. \u201cCome with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The place was large for a city house, with tall ceilings and lots of cozy, well-furnished rooms. Despite his brutish size and appearance, Joey \u201cThe Brick\u201d seemed to be quite the collector of delicate trinkets: the foyer boasted several glass display cases filled with statuettes, and a glance into the dining room as they passed showed several shelves holding antique painted plates. The kitchen seemed a better fit for a gangster and his crew\u2014a large freezer and a full knife block especially drew Miriam\u2019s attention\u2014but even it featured framed paintings and ceramic bobbles on every available surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMr. Tripepi is quite a collector,\u201d said Miriam. \u201cMore so than books.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe boss has very sophisticated tastes,\u201d said Abigail, with a pride and confidence that dared Miriam to disagree. \u201cHe\u2019s a great man.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi moved closer to one of the shelves that held a small collection of ceramic roosters. \u201cIt must take an awful lot of work to maintain so many surfaces.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abigail puffed up a bit as she poured Miriam the glass of water she\u2019d requested. \u201cI do a lot of the dusting myself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh! Well, you do incredible work.\u201d Naomi smiled at her sweetly. \u201cEverything is immaculate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abigail mumbled a suddenly shy \u201cthank you\u201d as she poured a second glass. Miriam couldn\u2019t help but eye Naomi as she sipped from hers. Oh, I guess that\u2019s just how she always looks when she smiles<\/em>, she thought, feeling foolish for remembering when they had met for the second time at the courthouse\u2014the warm and unusual sensation of being welcomed so gladly. An unfamiliar emotion bit at her stomach, and she coughed a little. \u201cYes, excellent work. I certainly hope the books are in just as fine condition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course they are,\u201d Abigail retorted. \u201cI\u2019ll show you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She led them back the way they had come in, and as they passed into the north half of the house, movement caught Miriam\u2019s eye that caused her heart to skip: there was someone else. Straight back from the main entrance past the foyer was the staircase to the upper floor, and seated across from  it was another barrel-chested goon. He was reading from a newspaper and didn\u2019t so much as glance up as they passed, but Miriam\u2019s nerves frayed a little nonetheless. What if there were even more in the house that she didn\u2019t know about yet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t matter, because we\u2019re not here for trouble<\/em>, she thought determinedly. I just want to get a peek if I can, so I know it\u2019s worth it.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of Miriam\u2019s concerns flittered away at the first glimpse of their destination: Joe\u2019s library. Every available wall was lined with bookshelves that stretched nearly floor to ceiling, arranged in such neat and perfect rows that Miriam may have finally experienced a pang of irritation at the state of her own small, cluttered room. With a fireplace against the far wall and a broad, gentle lighting and a plush sofa at the center, it was a perfect comfort space for any bibliophile. If this was the kind of cozy luxury offered by a life of crime, maybe it was worth considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat a beautiful room,\u201d Naomi said brightly, moving toward the sofa. \u201cA shame, that\u2019s it\u2019s too warm now for a fire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Mr. Tripepi\u2019s favorite room,\u201d said Abigail. \u201cYou can wait here for him, if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam cleared her throat. \u201cYes, this will do just fine.\u201d Her eyes darted from one shelf to the next, seeking a familiar spine. \u201cDo you happen to know if the book in question is here, so that I can get started?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, I wouldn\u2019t know,\u201d Abigail replied a bit too quickly. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to wait for Mr. Tripepi.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHappily.\u201d Miriam flashed her a smile, even known she couldn\u2019t match Naomi for charm. \u201cWe\u2019ll call if we need anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abigail frowned, but she nodded. \u201cDo that,\u201d she said, and as she left she made certain to open the library door all the way. \u201cJust keep this open.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course! How else would you hear us, if we call?\u201d Miriam then took another sip from her glass and moved closer to the nearest shelf to begin investigating. Grumbling, Abigail returned to the foyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi set her glass down on one of the end tables and moved up close against Miriam\u2019s side. \u201cI think we should go,\u201d she whispered. \u201cThis is dangerous, Miriam\u2014what if he comes back?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll at least be gone an hour,\u201d Miriam reasoned. \u201cWe\u2019ll be long gone before then. Now help me look\u2014it might be in here somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not. It\u2019s above us.\u201d When Miriam turned to stare at her in surprise, she sputtered over an explanation. \u201cWhen we scryed before coming here, I saw…I think it\u2019s in the study, upstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBlast. We\u2019d have to find a way past that other guard, then.\u201d  Miriam took another sip as she leaned back to see if Abigail was close by; she stood in the hall opposite the dining room, inspecting a row of fine china ornaments. \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll go ask him where the bathroom is. If he takes me upstairs there might be a chance\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI could…make a distraction?\u201d Naomi suggested, fingering the cuffs on her jacket. \u201cIf I made a ruckus in the kitchen\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam straightened up, unsure if she was more touched by the gesture or concerned for her safety. \u201cYou\u2019re the one worried about the danger. I don\u2019t want you to put yourself in trouble for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Naomi shook her head. \u201cI\u2019ll be careful,\u201d she promised, taking Miriam\u2019s glass from her. \u201cGo first, and if you can\u2019t slip upstairs, I\u2019ll figure something out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOkay\u2026\u201d Miriam nodded, determined to extend her trust to her new friend. \u201cDon\u2019t go too far. We can always just leave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know\u2014I won\u2019t.\u201d Naomi smiled at her. \u201cGood luck.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam felt her cheeks go hot, and before she could say or do anything embarrassing she thanked Naomi and headed out of the library. Even if Naomi did<\/em> smile like that at everyone, it still felt pretty good to be on the receiving end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abigail was still occupied further down, so Miriam held her breath and snuck across the foyer as stealthily as she could manage. The second guard, absorbed in his newspaper, didn\u2019t look up until she stood directly in front of him, but he didn\u2019t look surprised enough to have not noticed her coming. He stared at her expectantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExcuse me,\u201d Miriam said, keeping her voice down as if embarrassed as she put a hand to her stomach. She was by no means a practiced or talented actress, but she\u2019d learned from a young age that the best way to lie was to look the person in the face, and she was determined to do so now. \u201cMight I borrow your bathroom?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The man pointed toward a door under the staircase across from him. Miriam was only barely successful in keeping the disappointment out of her face; there wasn\u2019t going to be any slipping past him, except with Naomi\u2019s help. With a nod of thanks to the man she slipped into the bathroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe she was right\u2014this is a stupid idea.<\/em> Miriam turned on the sink and wet her hands so she could smooth a few errant curls back under her cap. Even if I find the book, how could I get it out? No\u2014getting it out wasn\u2019t even the plan anyway, right? I just need a peek<\/em>. She kept the water on so the guard wouldn\u2019t suspect anything as she stared back at herself in the mirror. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone had always told her she had her father\u2019s eyes. She met their reflection and wondered if Joey had thought the same thing, when she introduced herself to him at the club. It should have been an intimidating thought, considering what her father would have said could he see her now, but instead it filled her with an unexpected surge of courage. He had never backed down from a challenge, and certainly neither had Boston\u2019s infamous Brick. There was no reason she couldn\u2019t be as bold as them, and every reason why she should.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it matters to you, you fight for it, Miriam<\/em>, she told herself fiercely. Every inch of it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of glass breaking. Oh, no, I hope that wasn\u2019t one of the plates<\/em>, Miriam thought as she turned off the water and flushed the toilet. I told her not to go too far<\/em>. She crept to the door and could hear a commotion from the kitchen. When she cracked the door open, she even glimpsed the guard heading into the hall with his newspaper left behind. Whatever Naomi\u2019s distraction had been, there was no use in wasting it. Miriam slipped out of the bathroom and dashed up the stairs as quickly as she could without making too much noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam was greeted on the second floor by the largest cat she had ever seen: pure white, with a pronounced snout and pale, yellow eyes. It darted away from her down the hall, toward the north end of the house that sat above the library. Remembering what Naomi had said, she followed on her toes. There\u2019s a saying for this<\/em>, she thought. About cats and how they end up<\/em>. Even so, she chased the cat to the end of the hall and through the partially open door on the right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a study, just as Naomi had said. Even more book shelves lined two of the walls, though rather than being novels and tomes, they looked more like photo albums and ledgers. A handsome, mahogany desk stood at the far end of the room, and sitting on top of it, right out in the open, was the book. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam dashed over to it. She held her breath as she ran her fingertips over the cover, tracing the angelic sigil that adorned it. Her heart pounded as she began to flip hastily through it. Almost immediately some of her enthusiasm waned; the pages didn\u2019t feel<\/em> as old as they should, and she thought she could smell tea on the leather cover, as if it had been aged artificially. Undoubtedly it wasn\u2019t an original text, but rather some reproduction trying to pass itself off. Even so, it appeared to be written entirely in Hebrew, with a few translations in English scrawled into the margins. She noticed a few glyphs she recognized. Just as she was coming to realize she would have to make a decision about it one way or the other, she flipped to a page with another familiar symbol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was the demonic sigil that had been embossed on the door knob of Georgie\u2019s club: the seal of the demon Gremory. Miriam\u2019s attention latched onto the text surrounding it, but rather than being in Hebrew like the rest, the letters were completely foriegn to her. It bore no helpful translations or notes like other sections of the book. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gremory and Poiel<\/em>, Miriam thought, struggling to recall everything she knew about both entities. Something must connect them<\/em>. She continued to page back and forth through the book and noticed no other sigils she recognized as demonic. If someone was faking this book, why would they slap in just one other demon\u2019s name? Do they not know any better? But this can\u2019t be coincidence, either!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam\u2019s curiosity bubbled, and almost without conscious thought she scooped the book off the desk. After a quick glance to the door she tucked the whole tome into the back of her slacks and drew her coat down over it. He said it\u2019s mine<\/em>, she told herself, hands shaking and legs itching to run. If it\u2019s for real, I have to have it!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Something brushed her calf, and Miriam yelped before she could stop herself. The white cat she had glimpsed earlier stared up at her curiously. She gulped. \u201cAre you friendly?\u201d she asked. \u201cBecause I could really use an alibi right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cat didn\u2019t react in any way to indicate how it might behave, but Miriam could hear footsteps in the foyer below, and she didn\u2019t have much choice. \u201cHail Bastet, goddess of cats,\u201d she whispered by way of a prayer, and she scooped the huge feline up into her arms. It squirmed at first, but she didn\u2019t get claws or teeth, so she considered herself blessed and headed swiftly out of the study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She reached the top of the stairs just as the guard was reaching the bottom. He glared up at her, clearly suspicious, but Miriam didn\u2019t break stride as she hefted the cat\u2019s weight and descended. \u201cSorry,\u201d she said. \u201cIt looked like he had something in his mouth. I know how animals can be when they have something they\u2019re not supposed to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe,\u201d the guard corrected her, unconvinced. He held out his arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam quickly handed the cat over. \u201cOh? What\u2019s her name?\u201d When the guard continued to stare back at her with distrust, she cleared her throat. \u201cNevermind. I think we\u2019ve disturbed the house enough and should probably show ourselves out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With her chin held high, Miriam stepped past the guard and beelined towards the front of the house. She could feel the book shifting beneath her coat and began to sweat\u2014would he be able to see it? His footsteps followed her toward the entrance, and the tread of his heavy soles behind the clack of her flats made her want to take off running. She reached the foyer just as Naomi and Abigail emerged from the direction of the kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh!\u201d said Naomi. \u201cMi…Mr\u2026.?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMs. Yale!\u201d Miriam chirped, and as soon as she got close enough she snagged Naomi\u2019s elbow. \u201cI heard a commotion! I hope everything\u2019s all right?\u201d Without waiting for her to reply, she nodded to Abigail and then guided them toward the exit. \u201cGood! I\u2019m afraid we can\u2019t wait for Mr. Tripepi any longer and must go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey, hold on a minute,\u201d said Abigail, following after them. \u201cWhere were you just now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSorry to leave so abruptly, but tell Mr. Tripepi I\u2019ll be in touch,\u201d Miriam rambled on as she twisted the front door open. \u201cThanks so much for your hospitality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey!\u201d Abigail gave chase\u2014she may have even reached for them. Miriam didn\u2019t look back and didn\u2019t know. With one hand still gripping Naomi and the other twisted behind her to keep the book from bouncing free, she hopped down the front steps to the sidewalk and kept going. Her haste could have only made them look more suspicious, but her better instincts had finally kicked in and she couldn\u2019t make her legs stop. Did Abigail have a gun? Would a hardened Boston thug be bold enough to open fire on two fleeing girls in the middle of the street on a Sunday morning? She couldn\u2019t even begin to contemplate what those odds were, and just as she was ready to take off running for real, she felt Naomi yanked back and instinctively turned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow hold on just a minute,\u201d Abigail said crossly, gripping Naomi\u2019s shoulder. Poor Naomi was too startled to look frightened; it made Miriam absolutely sick. \u201cWhat\u2019s that you\u2019ve got behind your back?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam\u2019s mind went briefly white before she could recover a decent enough lie. \u201cUh…a corset!\u201d She took a step back, still trying to tug Naomi along. \u201cAll the rage even in men\u2019s fashion down south.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Abigail tightened her grip on Naomi\u2019s shoulder as if she were a hostage and gestured with her other hand. \u201cLet me see.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Miriam gulped. \u201cI-I don\u2019t have to show you anything. We\u2019re leaving.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot until I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs there a problem here?\u201d interrupted a man\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All three women startled, and Miriam\u2019s pulse hitched even another notch when she felt someone step up behind her. Even though she didn\u2019t recognize the voice she somehow was convinced that it was Joey Tripepi himself; her imagination whirled with a host of gruesome fates that might await them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then she realized that Abigail\u2019s expression had gone slack, while Naomi\u2019s brightened with a hesitant relief. Shivering, Miriam turned to see who it was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The stranger was, without a doubt, the tallest man Miriam had ever laid eyes on: nearly seven feet tall, she was sure of it, even with his posture slouched. His pale suit was understandably cut too short at his cuffs and ankles, and his hair was pure black against his equally pale skin, straight and glossy as if it were a wig. He looked over the scene calmly, the hard lines of his angular face intimidatingly impassive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cElijah!\u201d Naomi exclaimed, clasping her hands together. \u201cWh-what are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was concerned about you,\u201d the tall stranger replied, though it sounded far more like a reprimand than sympathy. He motioned for her to step forward. \u201cCome along, now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi obediently did so, and Abigail was just thrown enough by the man\u2019s sudden appearance that she let go. \u201cNow…now hold on a minute,\u201d she said once she\u2019d gathered her wits. \u201cThese two were snooping about Mr. Tripepi\u2019s home, and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine,\u201d interrupted Elijah, taking Naomi\u2019s shoulder once she was close\u2014again in a way that seemed too similar to how Abigail had been holding her hostage only a moment ago. It set Miriam back on edge. He extended his other hand to Abigail, and with a flick of his wrist like a stage magician, he produced a white business card. \u201cPlease give my regards to Mr. Tripepi. If anything is misplaced or damaged, he can call me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abigail accepted the card, mystified. She looked up into Elijah\u2019s face and must have found something there she didn\u2019t like, as she gulped and took a step back. \u201cI had better not see you back around here,\u201d she told Miriam and Naomi in an attempt to save face, shaking the card at them. \u201cI\u2019m going to tell him all about this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGo ahead,\u201d Miriam retorted. \u201cHe can\u2014\u201d Elijah withdrew his hand only to settle it on her<\/em> shoulder; she flinched with apprehension. Though it felt as if he were delivering a warning to close her mouth, it gave her the creeps, and she wasn\u2019t about to let anyone who spoke coldly to Naomi get away with that. \u201cHe can call me at the university,\u201d she finished. \u201cJordan Price in antiquities, like I said.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abigail glared at her suspiciously, but another glance at the towering Elijah prevented her from saying more. Scowling, she turned in full retreat to head back to the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi released a long, elated sigh and turned to look up at their surprise benefactor. \u201cThank you, Elijah. I\u2019m sorry you had to intervene like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam, on the other hand, didn\u2019t relax. She took a step away from Elijah to shake his grip from her shoulder\u2014and so she could face him without craning her neck all the way back. How could a human be<\/em> so damn tall? \u201cHow did you know we were here?\u201d she asked, probably less kindly than she should have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah regarded her with an uncomfortable intensity.  \u201cI don\u2019t believe we\u2019ve met,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh!\u201d said Naomi, flustered. \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d She moved closer to Miriam and touched her arm; it was impossible not to find her <\/em>at least a little reassuring. \u201cThis is Miriam Vance,\u201d she introduced. \u201cMiriam, this is…Mr. Elijah Sands. A colleague of mine.\u201d She hesitated for a moment and then clarified, \u201cMy superior, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA pleasure to meet you,\u201d said Elijah, and though he smiled, the stiffness of his pronounced cheekbones and the muscles around them gave his face an eerie, almost plastic appearance that didn\u2019t help at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSame,\u201d Miriam replied, tempering her obvious mistrust in light of Naomi\u2019s introduction; she didn\u2019t want to get her new friend in trouble with her boss, after everything else. \u201cUm, thank you. For helping out. You probably shouldn\u2019t have given him your card like that, though. He might actually call.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not concerned,\u201d said Elijah, and his easy manners certainly corroborated that. He motioned for them to follow him. \u201cDo you need a lift? I\u2019m parked nearby.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam was tempted to say they would walk to the nearest bus stop, but Naomi was already falling into step behind him, the slight pressure of her hand against Miriam\u2019s arm spurring her along as well. She gulped and followed.  \u201cYes, thank you. If you can drop us off over at the Common that would be very convenient, assuming it\u2019s not too far out of your way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah turned to lead them around the nearby corner; as soon as his back was turned, Miriam leaned into Naomi\u2019s ear and whispered, \u201cIs this okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d Naomi reassured her in kind. \u201cHe\u2019s a little, um, eccentric, but he\u2019s a great man.\u201d She moved her hand to Miriam\u2019s back, helping to stabilize the book that was still tucked rather haphazardly into her belt. \u201cWe\u2019re safe now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOkay. As long as you trust him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They reached Elijah\u2019s car, which was disappointingly of a very normal size. Miriam eyed it along with its owner and her suspicion was momentarily waylaid by  her curiosity. How in the world will he ever fit in here?<\/em> she wondered as he opened the rear door for them. She climbed in, and while she was taking a moment to make sure she wasn\u2019t crushing or bending the book, Elijah slid in behind the wheel. She missed seeing the moment in action, and when she did look, he was seated quite comfortably in the driver\u2019s seat. Though the top of his head was closer to the car\u2019s roof than she was used to seeing, he suddenly didn\u2019t appear nearly as tall as he had out on the sidewalk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are my eyes playing tricks on me?<\/em> Miriam wondered as Naomi settled next to her, and the car pulled away from the curb. She shook her head. It doesn\u2019t matter now. I got what I came for<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She reached behind her to feel out the shape of the book beneath her jacket. Even if Naomi trusted the odd Elijah, Miriam didn\u2019t dare reveal her prize to him. But it was hers\u2014she had reclaimed it by her own wits, and as soon as she had privacy, she might finally have what she\u2019d wanted for so long. It made her giddy to think about, and she had a hard time keeping her manners impassive as they made their way back uptown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi spent the trip buzzing with excitement. Miriam had the book\u2014would she try to use it as soon as she was home? Would she be able to puzzle together the notes and translations\u2014would she be as excited to finally meet an angel as Naomi was to reveal herself? It was all she could do to keep from squealing from delight. It felt like it had been ages since she was able to really stretch her wings, and her shoulders itched with anticipation. Despite the rather rocky start, her plan was back on track and soon to be fulfilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, she\u2019s going to have so many questions<\/em>, Naomi thought. It can\u2019t hurt to tell her…almost everything, right?<\/em> She glanced to Elijah in the front seat, but of course he was impossible to read. It\u2019s not as if he\u2019s ever been shy about revealing himself, even to humans. If Miriam asks, I won\u2019t lie to her.<\/em> She nodded to herself with conviction, only to come across a new worry. Oh no, but what if she asks about Gremory? Her seal was on the entrance to that club, and<\/em>\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam cleared her throat. \u201cSo, if you don\u2019t mind me asking,\u201d she said, and Naomi held her breath, \u201cwhat is it you two do? Naomi, you said he\u2019s your boss, but I don\u2019t think you\u2019ve ever mentioned your work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, no, I guess I didn\u2019t.\u201d Naomi looked to Elijah again; she hadn\u2019t even begun to think of a passable backstory for her current self.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m an anthropologist,\u201d said Elijah without missing a beat. \u201cI study people. Miss Yosef is my assistant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam gave a quiet snort and then cleared her throat again as if to cover it up. \u201cOh, is that so? Any particular area of history?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, not particularly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Miriam shrugged. \u201cAll right then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi worried her fingers in her lap. \u201cBut you can see why it caught my attention then, right?\u201d she said, trying to smooth over the awkwardness. \u201cThe book?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, certainly,\u201d said Miriam, though she continued to watch Elijah with what Naomi considered to be a very unwarranted level of distrust. \u201cIt\u2019s a shame we weren\u2019t able to get our hands on it. I sure hope Mr. Tripepi makes the most of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh…yes. Rather, we should hope he doesn\u2019t.\u201d It\u2019s her prize, after all\u2014I guess it makes sense that she wouldn\u2019t want anyone to know she has it<\/em>. She straightened up and brightened her tone. \u201cBut either way we really appreciate your help, Elijah. Lucky that you happened to be nearby. I\u2019ll make it up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat isn\u2019t necessary,\u201d he replied. \u201cYou\u2019ve done plenty of fine work for me already.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam pulled a face but didn\u2019t comment, and the conversation soon died out. Which was probably for the best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As promised, Elijah dropped them off at the Public Garden. Miriam thanked him for the ride but her eagerness to be away from him was palpable, and Naomi leaned into the driver\u2019s side window to try to smooth things over. \u201cShe\u2019s really wonderful,\u201d she whispered. \u201cPerfect, even\u2014you\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure she is,\u201d he replied, though his thin smile failed to reassure. \u201cBring her to me when she\u2019s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cO…Okay.\u201d Though Naomi was well used to his peculiar manners, for the first time his pale eyes gave her a chill, and she backed away from the car. \u201cSee you later!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah drove away. He was barely out of sight before Miriam gave a great shudder. \u201cUgh! No offense, Naomi, but your boss gives me the willies.\u201d She pulled the book out of the back of her pants and instead tucked it into the front of her jacket. \u201cWalked all over my grave with those long legs of his.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a great man,\u201d Naomi said automatically. \u201cI think you\u2019d like him, if you…got to know him better. He knows so much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you say so.\u201d Miriam gave herself one more shake and then started marching down the sidewalk. \u201cIn any case! Let\u2019s get this back to the apartment before anything else goes wrong.\u201d Her eyes gleamed. \u201cLet\u2019s see if we can\u2019t summon an angel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cY-Yes!\u201d Naomi hurried into step alongside her. \u201cI can\u2019t wait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam led them into her apartment, and though Naomi hadn\u2019t thought to ask ahead, she was relieved to see that Odelia, the roommate, was not at home. They headed straight into Miriam\u2019s bedroom, where Miriam immediately shed her jacket and cap; her brown curls almost seemed to stretch as they unfurled, as if grateful to be free. She hopped onto the bed, and Naomi joined her, her heart pounding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t get ahead of her,<\/em> Naomi told herself, blushing a little as Miriam ran her fingers over the book\u2019s cover reverently. Let her find it on her own.<\/em> She ducked her head, smiling to herself. She\u2019s going to be so surprised!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam flipped through the pages, her eyes alight with fascination. Her fingertips danced over the different passages, and Naomi could see her lips even forming a few words now and again, among the Hebrew and Latin inscriptions. Much of the text she had included only to make the book longer, with long lists of mundane heavenly details and passages borrowed from other tomes. But as Miriam flipped to a particular page, her heart skipped. Gremory\u2019s sigil glared up at her in slashes of dark ink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGremory,\u201d Miriam whispered, pointing to it, and Naomi\u2019s mind went blank with panic. She lifted her head. \u201cDo you know anything about this demon?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cN-No!\u201d Naomi squawked. Miriam\u2019s eyebrows lifting made her sweat, and she fought to sound less suspicious. \u201cSorry, no. I don\u2019t know anything about demons…other than they\u2019re not to be trifled with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Miriam frowned thoughtfully as she swirled her thumb around the curves in the sigil. \u201cHow strange, to have a whole page devoted to this one demon.\u201d She flipped quickly back and forth through the pages. \u201cSeems like the only demon mentioned at all. Why would that be?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI, um. I have no idea.\u201d Naomi drew her thumbnail to her teeth only to realize that might look even more suspicious, and she forced her hand back down. Why did I ever include this? What was I thinking? <\/em> She swallowed and looked away. \u201cWhat about the summoning?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMm! Right.\u201d Miriam shook her head and continued her hunt through the book. \u201cIt\u2019s not very long, is it? Probably for the best since it\u2019s going to take a long time to translate\u2014there are glyphs in here I don\u2019t recognize at all let alone can read!\u201d A smirk tugged her lips. \u201cToo bad there isn\u2019t a real Jordan Price I can ask. Now what happened to that…aha!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam opened to the book\u2019s final section: the invocation rites. Naomi cast all other worries out of her head and sat up straighter, watching Miriam\u2019s every move. Will she want to try it now?<\/em> she wondered as Miriam traced her path through the text with her fingertips. I hope she\u2019ll at least follow all the instructions\u2014she has the candles, I\u2019m sure she has chalk and\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBlast!\u201d Miriam scowled and shoved the book away from her. \u201cIt\u2019s a damn fake.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWh\u2026\u201d Naomi blinked, caught entirely off guard. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a fake!\u201d Miriam exclaimed, throwing her arms up. \u201cOr an amateur, or some half-baked English hobbyist! Look.\u201d She drew the book back to her, pointing out the seal of summoning that Naomi had painstakingly inked. \u201cYou draw the circle to protect yourself during the invocation, and another circle around that, and in between you write out the angel\u2019s corresponding Psalm. But this isn\u2019t even the right verse!\u201d She scowled again bitterly and began pointing out other labels and sigils. \u201cAnd it has these seals that correspond to the Principalities that Poiel belongs to, and the zodiac and planet she rules under and all that, and those<\/em> are right, so how could they miss something so obvious? And why is the pentagram inside<\/em> the seal? That defeats the point of having the seal in the first place!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She pushed the book away again, all but shaking with frustration. Naomi gaped and stuttered, her heart in her throat. \u201cWell, of course\u2014\u201d She stopped, chewing her nails. Of course I didn\u2019t put in the right verse! That would be so dangerous if this got into the wrong hands!<\/em> \u201cWell, you know<\/em> the right verse, don\u2019t you? Can\u2019t you just…try it with that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have<\/em> tried it,\u201d Miriam said, though her anger was starting to give way to a more precarious emotion. \u201cNot with Poiel, but other angels, before now. God damn it\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam flopped onto her back, her breath leaving her in a heavy sigh. \u201cI should have known. It\u2019s just another of Mr. Fairchild\u2019s tricks after all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut…no! It\u2019s not, though.\u201d Naomi drew the book closer to her; her hands shook with the memories of so much time and care put into its construction. \u201cI\u2019m sure it\u2019s…it\u2019s close<\/em> at least. Please don\u2019t give up, Miriam.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh Naomi, I\u2019m sorry.\u201d Miriam pushed her glasses up so she could rub her eyes. \u201cGod, I\u2019m so gullible. And we could have been in real trouble today, all for this…this forgery<\/em>.\u201d She let her hands fall to her stomach. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have dragged you along like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut no, I\u2026\u201d Naomi scrambled after some explanation. She flipped through the pages, struggling to remember if she had included any buried hints that would at least encourage Miriam to make the attempt. At least if she<\/em> believed she was doing the right ritual to summon an angel, that would be excuse enough for Naomi to make her entrance\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan you believe Joey Tripepi himself thought it was real, too?\u201d Miriam continued, and she gave a short bark of laughter, even though her voice was already growing rough. \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll just mail it back to him. He can waste his time with it, then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi cringed, but it already felt too late. She couldn\u2019t think of what to say\u2014she couldn\u2019t find anything she\u2019d already written that would help. The perfect, choreographed introduction her book was supposed to represent had already crashed into rubble. She looked back to Miriam lying on the bed, who suddenly appeared so devastated, so despondent, that it broke her heart twice over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You could just tell her<\/em>, Darby had suggested, but Naomi felt as if the entire world had shifted beneath her feet. She hadn\u2019t prepared for this, nor the unexpectedly fierce guilt she felt for having disappointed someone so much, and the panic of having to reveal herself unrehearsed. That had never<\/em> worked in her favor before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u2014I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Naomi stuttered out, and unable to do anything but follow blind instinct, she climbed off the bed. \u201cI should go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Miriam fumbled her glasses back into place as she sat up. \u201cYou\u2019re leaving?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, I\u2014I\u2019m sorry. I don\u2019t want to bother you.\u201d With no clear idea of what she was talking about, she headed for the door. \u201cI\u2019ll come back another time, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d Miriam crawled down the bed toward her. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Naomi couldn\u2019t wait. It was challenging enough to breathe all of a sudden, and she fled from the apartment, passing a confused Odelia on the stairs on her way down. She burst out onto the sidewalk gasping and then kept going, suddenly nervous that Miriam with all her determination and grit might have followed her out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coward!<\/em> she scolded herself as she rushed away from the building. Why couldn\u2019t you have just told her? What will she think now?<\/em> She chewed anxiously on her fingernails as Boston\u2019s post-Church traffic rumbled on alongside. Oh, but she looked so upset! What if saying too much made it worse? What if she\u2019d be mad I hid it from her? This was such a stupid idea to begin with!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi glanced behind her, but seeing that Miriam wasn\u2019t actually following her, she slowed to a halt. She even stayed there for a while, watching the building\u2019s entrance to see if Miriam might barrel out of it. As the seconds ticked by and that became less and less likely, Naomi\u2019s heart sank, and she scolded herself all over again for being disappointed when she<\/em> was the one who had run away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will I do now?<\/em> she thought, grimacing when she remembered that Elijah likely hadn\u2019t gone far. He would be anxious to hear about the transfer of magic he\u2019d been expecting to take place. If he found me today, he\u2019ll find me again when he wants to. He\u2019ll be so cross with me for not just getting on with it.<\/em> With a deep breath she forced herself to fully straighten up and continue down the street. I have to think of some other way, and maybe just…stay away from him until then. I won\u2019t let him down\u2014I\u2019ll figure out another method.<\/em> She gulped. I don\u2019t have a choice.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam slumped on the bed again and glared up at the ceiling. She stayed that way until Odelia peeked through the open doorway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMiriam, honey? Everything okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFine.\u201d Miriam pushed her glasses up again so she could swat at her eyes. As sweet and accommodating as Odelia always was, the last thing she wanted was for anyone<\/em> to see her upset. \u201cJust…taking a rest, here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Odelia was too kind to leave her be so easily; she stepped into the room. \u201cI saw your friend Naomi leave in a hurry,\u201d she probed gently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, yeah, big hurry.\u201d Miriam continued to glower at the ceiling, willing herself to be annoyed rather than dwell on the sting of rejection that was worming under her ribs. \u201cWould have been polite to give me some warning, but I\u2019m sure she\u2019s got lots of really important things to do. Her and that two-story creep of a boss, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Odelia sat down on the edge of the bed; Miriam quickly turned her head away. \u201cDo you want to tell me more about it?\u201d she offered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Miriam said quickly, even as her throat tightened around the words. \u201cIt\u2019s nothing anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll right.\u201d Odelia gave her arm a pat and then stood up once more. \u201cThen you\u2019re free, right? Come here and let me show you what I brought home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam pursed her lips. There was a hard pit forming in her stomach\u2014determined not to be upset, but just as determined not to dissipate any time soon. What she really wanted was to be alone and angry for a while. Even more than that, though, she wanted Odelia to at least believe she was fine for the moment, so with a tiny, childish grumble she slid off the mattress and drew herself up. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She rounded the bed, but rather than lead them out of the room, Odelia simply drew Miriam into a hug. Miriam didn\u2019t even try to fight it at that point; immediately the strength went out of her, and she sank gratefully into Odelia\u2019s warm and welcoming arms. It wasn\u2019t the first time her enthusiasm had barreled her straight into a wall, nor the first that Odelia had been there to pick her bruised ego off the floor. She was sturdy, but soft, and her gentle hum of empathy reminded Miriam so much of her grandmother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s so stupid<\/em>, Miriam chastized herself as she sniffled into Odelia\u2019s shoulder. All that work, for nothing. Why am I even upset? I should have known better.<\/em> She burrowed deeper into Odelia\u2019s embrace as if to block out the traitorous thoughts. And Naomi\u2014I barely know her! It\u2019s only been a few days! So what if she smiled so pretty\u2014she probably smiles like that all the time! For everyone! And why should I care if she does?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She remembered Naomi\u2019s concerned face as they marched up to Joey\u2019s door\u2014how right she was to be cautious! It was no wonder Naomi was so eager to get away, realizing how much danger Miriam had thrust them into, all for a good-for-nothing book. The sudden realization of what Abigail could have\u2014and might have\u2014done to them without the eerie Elijah\u2019s interference made her blood run cold on top of everything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam shook her head, but she quickly fell still again when Odelia softly hushed her. She let the worries slip away for a little while and took what comfort she could from her wiser roommate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRough morning, huh sweetheart?\u201d Odelia said after a while, and when Miriam nodded, she gave her one more squeeze and then eased her back. \u201cYou wanna talk about it now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam shook her head. She\u2019d managed not to thoroughly<\/em> embarrass herself by sobbing outright, but she accepted Odelia\u2019s handkerchief to dry her watery eyes. \u201cI\u2019m okay, really. Just…a few disappointments at once, that\u2019s all.\u201d She straightened her blouse and skirt after all the flopping about on the bed. \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t apologize.\u201d Odelia fussed with Miriam\u2019s hair for a moment, brushing it back with her fingers and then gave her hand a tug. \u201cNow<\/em> come see what I got. First good greens of the season\u2014asparagus and broccoli, great big bushels I got on sale. We\u2019ll roast them up for supper tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam rolled her eyes as Odelia tugged her into the kitchen to see her bounty\u2014vegetables were low on her list of things to be excited over. But they were a blissfully welcome distraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miriam cast one long, bitter look at Sefer Poyel<\/em> and shut the door behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi was so anxious to cross town as quickly as possible that she very nearly unfurled her wings after all. Instead she took a cab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She rode the elevator to the top floor of Darby\u2019s Atlantic Ave apartment building, fiddling with her own fingers, heart in knots. It was definitely a mistake to come to Darby, of all people, for advice, but the circumstances had become too specific to rely on anyone else. Her angel brethren would never have approved of her taking a familiar in the first place, Elijah would only scorn, and even if there were a few demons in her acquaintance that knew the ins and outs of humans and magic, none could be trusted. She wouldn\u2019t dare expose Miriam to the dangers of Hell\u2019s curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s just going to say again that I should tell her,<\/em> Naomi thought even as she rapped on the door. Which isn\u2019t helpful at all. Unless…maybe he can convince me this time that it would work<\/em>. She stared hard at the door, only just realizing she had been too preoccupied with her concerns to scry on him before coming, if only to make sure he was at home at all. He\u2019s a liar, though, so if he says I really should, can I trust that at all?<\/em>  She speculated herself into an anxious stupor and jumped when the door finally opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Darby stood on the other side, dressed in a casual sweater vest and slacks. He regarded her with cool surprise which very quickly slid into cool amusement. Naomi didn\u2019t like it one bit. \u201cOh, it\u2019s you,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat timing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs this a bad time?\u201d Naomi asked, even though she desperately hoped that Darby wouldn\u2019t ask her to leave. When he stepped back to let her enter, she did so. It wasn\u2019t until she was past the threshold with the door closing behind her that she fully registered that he had company, and that it was the very last person she could have hoped to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She had changed a lot since the last time Naomi had seen her\u2014still tall, but narrow and angular, with pale skin and short, almost platinum blond hair\u2014but the eyes were the same. Wherever she went, her lavender eyes flashed like jewels, and Naomi would never mistake them. For the briefest moment as they met each other\u2019s stare, there was surprise and trepidation in her face; so brief in fact, that the smirk that followed convinced Naomi she had imagined it entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGremory,\u201d Naomi said, breathless and pinned into place like a moth to a specimen board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCaught me.\u201d She was reclining deeply on Darby\u2019s chaise lounge in a sleek, cream-colored blouse, a champagne flute in her hand, easy as a queen surveying her domain. \u201cI\u2019m going by Georgie, now. It\u2019s Naomi, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes.\u201d Naomi gulped, mind full of static. She couldn\u2019t remember why she\u2019d come here in the first place. Why oh why hadn\u2019t she thought to scry on Darby first! \u201cYou\u2019ve changed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Georgie chuckled. \u201cAnd you haven\u2019t changed at all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChampagne?\u201d Darby offered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had to pick Naomi\u2019s hand up himself and fit the glass into it, but once he had, Naomi held it, barely even aware. She couldn\u2019t bring herself to look away from Georgie, who in turn was watching her closely. Once her glass was full Darby nudged her toward a chair, and like a puppet she allowed it. She sat down as he retook his own chair and his own drink closer to Georgie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy, isn\u2019t this a lark,\u201d he said, eyeing the pair of them. \u201cTogether again.\u201d He lifted his glass in a toast and drank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Georgie did the same, but still Naomi could only stare. Her wits were very slowly returning to her, and she became painfully aware of how easily Georgie might steal the truth of why she\u2019d come from her mind. She had always seen straight through her, except for that one time it had mattered most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSorry to intrude,\u201d said Naomi, at last tearing her focus away to fix on Darby. \u201cI didn\u2019t know you had a guest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo? Why, here I thought that was the very reason you are<\/em> here.\u201d Darby arched a curious eyebrow. \u201cIs that not your one true gift, after all?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, well\u2026\u201d Oh, I should have agreed with him<\/em>. Naomi\u2019s fingers twisted anxiously around the stem of her glass. I can\u2019t say why I\u2019m here in front of her. But if I did say I came for her…then I\u2019d have to think of a reason for that!<\/em> She squirmed and started to get back up. \u201cI can come back another time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe were just talking about you,\u201d said Georgie, stopping her in her tracks. \u201cDarby here says you\u2019ve been fraternizing with humans again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Darby waved dismissively. \u201cI would never,\u201d he retorted. \u201cThat\u2019s far too close to the truth, and you know how I feel about that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi gulped. She wanted nothing more than to get out, but she couldn\u2019t bring herself to retreat until she knew just how much Darby had let slip. Cursing herself for ever having gone to him for help in the first place, she retook her seat. \u201cLike you said,\u201d she replied carefully, \u201cI haven\u2019t changed much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Georgie frowned and tried to cover it by taking a sip of her champagne. \u201cIt\u2019s at least a little different when Elijah is skulking about though, isn\u2019t it?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cElijah does not skulk<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI agree,\u201d rejoined Darby. \u201cHe\u2019s as tall as a lamp post\u2014hardly within his nature to be inconspicuous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Georgie gave him a side-eye. \u201cYou\u2019re<\/em> the one who invited me here to gossip about what he\u2019s being so secretive about. Unless you\u2019re objecting specifically<\/em> to the word \u2018skulk\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, precisely that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 I have to know what she knows,<\/em> Naomi thought, her eyes darting between them. If Darby already told her it\u2019s Miriam…she\u2019ll ruin everything. I\u2019ll have to give up and find someone else.<\/em> She took a sip from the champagne just to smother the bitterness threatening to show in her face. The last thing she wants is to see me succeed.<\/em> \u201cI know you\u2019re both very curious, but it\u2019s really not  your business if I want to have a familiar. Your kind do it plenty.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Darby sipped his champagne, while once again Georgie\u2019s usually impeccable composure lapsed, however briefly\u2014could it really have been concern that darkened those lavender eyes of hers, before she was able to paste the smug superiority back into place? \u201cAnd Elijah is…okay with that?\u201d she asked with increasingly blatant curiosity. \u201cI thought Heaven\u2019s Decree outlawed that a century ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot that you would know,\u201d Naomi replied before she could stop herself, and that time there was no doubting or mistaking the coldness that dug into Georgie\u2019s expression then. \u201cBut yes, Elijah has already approved my choice, even. A very fine young man who I\u2019m hoping you\u2019ll stay away from.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi was not a skilled liar by far, but all she hoped for in that moment was to determine just how much Darby might have revealed. If he had already told Georgie all about Miriam, there was no chance that Georgie would pass up the opportunity to rub it in her face. It wasn\u2019t in her nature to be coy for too long. But Darby didn\u2019t attempt to correct her, and Georgie herself looked too irritated by the news for Naomi to believe he\u2019d said too much after all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA man this time?\u201d Georgie brought the champagne to her lips. \u201cFascinating.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd so, is that why you\u2019ve come?\u201d Darby suggested. He, on the other hand, was so at ease, Naomi might have believed he had forgotten about Miriam. \u201cTo crow to the lesser class about your good fortune and the strapping young buck now bound to serve you for eternity?\u201d He snorted. \u201cNow that I\u2019ve said it, I must admit I\u2019m a bit jealous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFamiliars aren\u2019t worth the trouble,\u201d Georgie retorted. \u201cTrust me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She pushed to her feet; as had been the case for millenia, her every movement was graceful almost to a fault, and Naomi could not help but stare. She handed her flute to Darby and carded her fingers affectionately through his curly hair, which he did not respond to. \u201cI think I\u2019ll show myself out. It\u2019s getting a little stuffy in here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf she gives me the boy\u2019s name, by my word you\u2019ll be the first to know,\u201d Darby promised lazily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi kept very still, holding the champagne in her lap as Georgie swept past her without a second glance. Just when she had reason to hope that might have been the end of their excruciating encounter, Georgie paused at the door. \u201cWatch yourself, Poiel,\u201d she said, and though her tone was teasing, Naomi had always been able to see through her, too. \u201cTaking a human familiar is very<\/em> different from taking a human lover, no matter how much experience you have with the latter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi ducked into her shoulders. \u201cGood to see you too, Gremory.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Georgie chuckled. \u201cWell, I tried,\u201d she said, and with that she finally left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi watched her go. In her mind\u2019s eye she scryed on Georgie making her way to the elevator, and it was only once she was safely a floor below that she bounced from her chair. On one breath she downed the champagne and crossed the room to take Georgie\u2019s place on the lounge at Darby\u2019s side. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell her?\u201d she demanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Darby placed his two flutes aside, not a care in the world. \u201cTell her what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAbout…about Miriam, of course!\u201d Naomi leaned closer and lowered her voice, as if there was still a chance Georgie would overhear them somehow. \u201cDid you really not tell her?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOhh, that. Of course not.\u201d Darby cocked his head. \u201cI held back on purpose thinking I might earn more of your trust, so I can talk the rest of your scheme out of you eventually.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi let out a long sign, but she hadn\u2019t forgotten why she had come, and she was eager to say her peace before any other intruders interrupted them. \u201cYou know I can\u2019t. I need your help again, Darby.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Darby released a long-suffering sigh of his own, though it was decidedly manufactured. \u201cSo the book didn\u2019t work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe saw through it immediately!\u201d Unable to sit still, Naomi pushed to her feet and began to pace. \u201cThere were a few things I changed on purpose\u2014it would have been too dangerous to keep it intact\u2014but she could tell! And now she\u2019s given up on summoning an angel altogether.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Darby watched her impassively and made a circular gesture. \u201cHave you considered trying\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t<\/em> suggest I just tell her the truth,\u201d Naomi interrupted, and he leaned deeper into his chair. \u201cI\u2019m not going to\u2014that won\u2019t work.\u201d She stopped pacing so she could face him directly. \u201cWill you please tell her the book is real? You\u2019re the one who gave it to her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy dear, you have always been an inspiration to me,\u201d Darby drawled, and seeing the face she pulled, he quickly added, \u201cAnd I mean that very kindly. But I\u2019m the playwright, not the actor. It wouldn\u2019t do for me to get involved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut you\u2019re already<\/em> involved,\u201d Naomi insisted. \u201cYou agreed to give it to her in the first place! I just need you to convince her to try again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Darby sighed again, and he ran a hand back through his hair to resettle the curls Georgie had mussed. \u201cI suppose…that\u2019s true enough. Though don\u2019t you think she\u2019ll find it a trifle suspicious if I waltz up to her and declare it so?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll arrange a meeting.\u201d Naomi returned to the lounge so that she could go back to whispering; Darby watched her hurrying about with bland amusement. \u201cI\u2019ll keep an eye on her, and when she\u2019s out and about somewhere, I\u2019ll tell you where to go\u2014you can just bump into each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy, how conveniently contrived.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease, <\/em>Darby. I\u2026\u201d Naomi hesitated, licking her lips, and went through with it. \u201cI\u2019ll do a favor for you<\/em>, next time you need one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Darby\u2019s eyes swiveled toward her, and though his face didn\u2019t change much, his intensity certainly did. \u201cWill you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes. I…I promise.\u201d Though Naomi already felt regret creeping up from her fingernails, she clenched her fists tight in determination. \u201cSo? Will you do it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, when you put it like that\u2026\u201d Darby shrugged. \u201cI suppose yes, I will. Though do take care that it\u2019s nowhere unreasonable, whatever this meeting place ends up being. If I\u2019m going to be out in public it might as well be in character.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d Not wanting to push her luck\u2014or wait to see if Darby would invoke the promised favor right away\u2014Naomi returned to her feet. \u201cI\u2019ll call you with the details later. Thank you, Darby!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou know,\u201d Darby said as she headed for the door, just like she feared he would. \u201cShe really does worry about you still.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naomi\u2019s heart gave a heavy pang. Despite her better judgment, she looked back; Darby was reaching again for the champagne, and God help her he looked sincere. But she couldn\u2019t believe that he meant it. It was far too dangerous, even more so if it were true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Cursed Stag always lies,\u201d Naomi replied, and Darby shrugged in acceptance. \u201cBut thank you for this. I\u2019ll call you soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Too afraid that Darby might try to reply, she dashed out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 3 – We Plan, God Laughs Bright and early Sunday morning, Joey Tripepi emerged from his lovely, south Boston home on 1st Street, dressed in his churchly best. He and a pair of his goons climbed into his modified, extra wide Plymouth and headed out for mass. Miriam waited for several minutes after they had turned the corner before stepping out from behind the wooden fence across the street, which had served as her hiding spot for the last twenty minutes. Naomi stayed close behind her, once again tightening the belt on her spring coat. \u201cMiriam, I\u2019m not sure this is a good idea,\u201d she said, not nearly for the first time, even as she followed her across the street. As far as Miriam concerned, it was the only viable idea. She had spent the last several days convincing herself of that. \u201cIt\u2019s not like we\u2019re breaking in,\u201d she reasoned. \u201cI\u2019m just going to knock on the door and see what I can learn.\u201d \u201cBut you told Mr. Tripepi you would meet him Tuesday.\u201d Naomi looked up and down the sidewalk in paranoia. \u201cIf something happens to the book before then, he\u2019ll know it was you.\u201d She tugged on Miriam\u2019s elbow. \u201cLet me ask Darby if he has another copy he can give you to make the trade with.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m not asking him for anything,\u201d Miriam replied stubbornly. \u201cNow shh.\u201d She hopped up the three steps to the main entrance and reached for the broad, brass knocker.  It was louder than Miriam expected, and she startled a little and let go after only the first knock. With a deep breath to settle her nerves she wiped her sweaty palms against her pants. She was just in the middle of another knock when the door opened a crack, and stern face appeared. \u201cWho\u2019s there?\u201d asked the woman in a deep voice. Miriam gathered herself up to her full height, which was still nowhere near the woman\u2019s, and stuck her chin up. Her \u201cdisguise\u201d wouldn\u2019t have fooled Joey himself had he been home: she had dressed in a suit coat and pants, her long hair drawn up tight beneath a cap. \u201cMy name is Jordan Price,\u201d she introduced herself, doing her best attempt at an indescribable European accent. \u201cI\u2019m an archivist from the university. Mr. Tripepi is expecting me.\u201d \u201cMr. Tripepi is at church,\u201d the woman said, unimpressed. Miriam heaved a sigh and pretended not to notice Naomi fidgeting behind her. \u201cOh, of course he is. Well I can\u2019t very well come back tomorrow when classes are in session, now can I? Would you mind if I come in to wait for him?\u201d The woman eyed her distrustfully. Miriam stared straight back, anxiety beginning to prickle along her seams like in the club when facing down Joey himself. But she hadn\u2019t ultimately buckled then, she reminded herself; she wasn\u2019t about to back down to glorified bouncer. The worst that could happen was she\u2019d be thrown out. Right? After a moment, the woman snorted. \u201cWhat is it you want?\u201d Here goes nothing. \u201cThere\u2019s a book in Mr. Tripepi\u2019s collection he said deserved my attention,\u201d Miriam said, trying to sound mostly disinterested. \u201cI believe he was hoping I would authenticate it for him, or else, alert him of it being a forgery.\u201d The woman\u2019s eyebrows rose; apparently Joey was proud enough of his stolen tome that all his subordinates had heard about it as well. After a bit more hemming and hawing, she nodded and took a step back. \u201cYou can wait inside.\u201d \u201cThank you.\u201d Miriam touched the brim of her cap but was careful not to tip it, for fear of her curls springing free. \u201cThis is my assistant, Ms. Yale,\u201d she said, gesturing for Naomi to follow her inside. \u201cAnd you are\u2026?\u201d Naomi smiled nervously and gave a tiny curtsey. The woman nodded in return and gruffly introduced herself: \u201cI\u2019m Abigail.\u201d \u201cA pleasure to meet you, Miss Abigail.\u201d Miriam looked the woman up and down: she was tall and broad, like just about everyone on the Slate Street Gang, it seemed, her ashy blonde hair done up in pin curls. \u201cI don\u2019t suppose I could trouble you for a glass of water?\u201d Abigail hemmed some more, but beneath Miriam\u2019s unfaltering stare and Naomi\u2019s shy smile, she gave in. \u201cCome with me.\u201d The place was large for a city house, with tall ceilings and lots of cozy, well-furnished rooms. Despite his brutish size and appearance, Joey \u201cThe Brick\u201d seemed to be quite the collector of delicate trinkets: the foyer boasted several glass display cases filled with statuettes, and a glance into the dining room as they passed showed several shelves holding antique painted plates. The kitchen seemed a better fit for a gangster and his crew\u2014a large freezer and a full knife block especially drew Miriam\u2019s attention\u2014but even it featured framed paintings and ceramic bobbles on every available surface.  \u201cMr. Tripepi is quite a collector,\u201d said Miriam. \u201cMore so than books.\u201d \u201cThe boss has very sophisticated tastes,\u201d said Abigail, with a pride and confidence that dared Miriam to disagree. \u201cHe\u2019s a great man.\u201d Naomi moved closer to one of the shelves that held a small collection of ceramic roosters. \u201cIt must take an awful lot of work to maintain so many surfaces.\u201d Abigail puffed up a bit as she poured Miriam the glass of water she\u2019d requested. \u201cI do a lot of the dusting myself.\u201d \u201cOh! Well, you do incredible work.\u201d Naomi smiled at her sweetly. \u201cEverything is immaculate.\u201d Abigail mumbled a suddenly shy \u201cthank you\u201d as she poured a second glass. Miriam couldn\u2019t help but eye Naomi as she sipped from hers. Oh, I guess that\u2019s just how she always looks when she smiles, she thought, feeling foolish for remembering when they had met for the second time at the courthouse\u2014the warm and unusual sensation of being welcomed so gladly. An unfamiliar emotion bit at her stomach, and she coughed a little. \u201cYes, excellent work. I certainly hope the books are in just as fine condition.\u201d \u201cOf course they are,\u201d Abigail retorted. \u201cI\u2019ll show you.\u201d She led them back the way they had come in, and as they passed into the north half of the house, movement caught Miriam\u2019s eye that caused her heart to skip: there was someone else. Straight back from the main entrance past the foyer was the staircase to the upper floor, and seated across from  it was another barrel-chested goon. He was reading from a newspaper and didn\u2019t so much as glance up as they passed, but Miriam\u2019s nerves frayed a little nonetheless. What if there were even more in the house that she didn\u2019t know about yet? It doesn\u2019t matter, because we\u2019re not here for trouble, she thought determinedly. I just want to get a peek if I can, so I know it\u2019s worth it.  Some of Miriam\u2019s concerns flittered away at the first glimpse of their destination: Joe\u2019s library. Every available wall was lined with bookshelves that stretched nearly floor to ceiling, arranged in such neat and perfect rows that Miriam may have finally experienced a pang of irritation at the state of her own small, cluttered room. With a fireplace against the far wall and a broad, gentle lighting and a plush sofa at the center, it was a perfect comfort space for any bibliophile. If this was the kind of cozy luxury offered by a life of crime, maybe it was worth considering. \u201cWhat a beautiful room,\u201d Naomi said brightly, moving toward the sofa. \u201cA shame, that\u2019s it\u2019s too warm now for a fire.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s Mr. Tripepi\u2019s favorite room,\u201d said Abigail. \u201cYou can wait here for him, if you want.\u201d Miriam cleared her throat. \u201cYes, this will do just fine.\u201d Her eyes darted from one shelf to the next, seeking a familiar spine. \u201cDo you happen to know if the book in question is here, so that I can get started?\u201d \u201cNo, I wouldn\u2019t know,\u201d Abigail replied a bit too quickly. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to wait for Mr. Tripepi.\u201d \u201cHappily.\u201d Miriam flashed her a smile, even known she couldn\u2019t match Naomi for charm. \u201cWe\u2019ll call if we need anything.\u201d Abigail frowned, but she nodded. \u201cDo that,\u201d she said, and as she left she made certain to open the library door all the way. \u201cJust keep this open.\u201d \u201cOf course! How else would you hear us, if we call?\u201d Miriam then took another sip […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2361,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"yes","footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2298","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-damned"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bangbangboomcomic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2298","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bangbangboomcomic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bangbangboomcomic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangbangboomcomic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangbangboomcomic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2298"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/bangbangboomcomic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2298\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2413,"href":"https:\/\/bangbangboomcomic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2298\/revisions\/2413"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangbangboomcomic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bangbangboomcomic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2298"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangbangboomcomic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2298"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangbangboomcomic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2298"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}