Ghost Light

They were the two oldest and largest cemeteries in Harborsmouth, each encompassing acres of city land.  It was a lot of ground to cover, but at least Torn had helped us narrow the search to two possible locations.

“Thank you,” I said.

“If you wish to thank me,” he said.  “Bring back our children.”

I nodded and turned toward the wall where we’d entered from Club Nexus, but the door was gone.  I turned to Jinx who shrugged.

“Ahem,” Torn said.  Torn stretched catlike and slid down from the table, his boots silent as they hit pavement.  “This way.”

Torn sauntered with feline grace toward the end of the alley.  The sea of cats parted as we followed their leader.  I wondered where they had hidden the exit.  Was the door somewhere in the brick wall?  The alley mouth?  I just hoped it wasn’t inside the dumpster.

I walked up behind Torn and he stepped aside with a flourish.  We were standing facing a dark street that looked entirely real.  I rubbed my forehead trying to make sense of what Torn was showing me.  The energy jolt I’d received when entering the club was wearing off and I was too tired for games.

Torn pointed to my left and I gasped.  The entrance to Club Nexus, still guarded by the ogre bouncer, stood a few doors down from the alley.  How could that be possible?

“We aren’t inside the club?” I asked.

Torn looked down at our feet standing inside the alley and lifted his eyebrows.

“Now that is a matter of opinion,” he said.  I stepped out onto the sidewalk, testing a theory, and turned back to Torn.  He nodded and smiled.  “You are most definitely outside the club.”

I looked up at the night sky, a grin pulling at my lips.  We’d found the answers we were looking for and saved valuable time.  The strange geography of the cat sidhe’s pocket of Club Nexus meant we didn’t have to go back through the club to find an exit—and I wouldn’t have to face the stares of snoopy curiosity seekers.

I cracked my neck and lowered my head to look at my companions.  Jinx slid her crossbow into her bag and Ceff nodded.

It was time to go find the kids.

Chapter 21

We crouched beside a stone wall, the gates of Ocean Overlook a mass of wrought iron protruding from the gray swirls of low fog.  During our walk to the cemetery the fog had rolled in off the ocean to pool at our feet.  I pulled myself upright and peered over the rock wall.  Iron fencing was set deep into the stone, with sharp points aimed at the sky.

We wouldn’t be climbing over the wall.  Ceff was already sweating profusely from the close proximity to so much iron.  No, we needed to make a run for the front gates—if I could get them open without being seen.

I scanned the cemetery grounds for a caretaker or security guards.  Fog flowed between headstones like specters, but I saw no sign of humans.  No telltale flashlight beams cut the night.  If there was a guard on duty, he wasn’t nearby.

“Looks clear,” I said.  “I’ll be right back.”

“Wait,” Jinx said.  She rummaged in her bag and pulled out two small plastic containers, each the size of a contact lens case.  “I almost forgot.  Take these.”

“What are they?” I asked.

“Ear plugs,” she said.  “I use them when I’m out clubbing.  They should muffle the flute’s music.”

I smiled and tucked the earplugs into a jacket pocket.  Jinx was brilliant.  Ceff moved more slowly to take his and I was reminded that we were in a hurry.  He couldn’t take much more iron exposure.

“Thanks,” I said.  “I’ll have the gate open in just a sec.”

Ceff’s skin was pale, but he nodded and pulled the trident from his pant leg.  He kept the handle collapsed and held it in a reverse grip, the tines of the weapon pointed toward his torso and slanted against his forearm.  Jinx readied a bolt, but kept her crossbow between her body and the road.  At a passing glance they looked unarmed.

The entrance to the cemetery was on a dead-end street and we hadn’t seen any traffic so far, but it was best not to take chances.  We couldn’t risk anyone seeing our weapons.  It wouldn’t do the children any good if we ended up spending the night at the police station.

I crept forward, shoulders tight.  Ever since we’d left Sir Torn and the club behind, I’d had the itchy feeling that someone was watching me.  When I was halfway to the gate, I spun on the ball of one foot and scanned the darkness behind me, but Jinx and Ceff were the only people in sight.

I let out a shaky breath and returned my attention to the cemetery.  The gates were made of wrought iron crafted in an ornate pattern.  They towered overhead at approximately seven feet at the highest point.

I pulled a bottle of clary sage from my pocket, unscrewed the cap, and squeezed a dropper full of the oil onto one of the gate hinges.  The air filled with the sharp, herbal scent and I proceeded to oil the remaining hinges.  Clary sage was the only oil I had on me at the moment.  I hoped it would help to keep the metal silent when it came time to push the gate open.