Squatting in the middle of a hundred pounds of dead bugs loses its charm fast. I put the knife in my waistband, shove the letters in my pocket, and tuck the bottle under my arm. With my good hand I close the bedroom door and head down the hall. Brimborion will know where to find me.
I’m sacked out on the library sofa when he knocks a half hour later. I open the door, and when he sees my bare Kissi arm, he doesn’t try to come inside. He hands me a widemouthed clay jar sealed with an old cork stopper.
“I told the witches someone on my staff was hurt. I think they believed me. They said this will help but it might stain your sheets.”
It’s not really funny but I can’t help but laugh a little.
“Keep it,” I tell him. I hold up my apparently healed hand.
“We can’t pretend nothing happened if I’m slathering that stuff all over me. I’m a pretty fast healer, and when the pain gets too bad, well, I’ll probably be drunk a lot for the next few days, so you don’t want to schedule me for any banquets or ballet lessons.”
Brimborion nods.
“I can tell them you’re working on the new sewage project.”
“Good. That sounds so fucking boring no one is going to bother me wanting to help with that.”
I get a piece of paper from the desk, write a note, and hold it out to him.
“I need you to do one more thing. Give this to Vetis.”
Brimborion plucks the note from my hand with his fingertips, trying to keep his distance from the Kissi hand.
“Go ahead and read it. I know you’re going to.”
He unfolds the paper. I watch his eyes as he scans it a couple of times before putting it away.
“You want to arrest Deumos.”
“And everyone who works with her.”
“Do you think she had something to do with Lahash?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“It’s like what that famous Greek philosopher Bugs Bunny once said: ‘I don’t ask questions. I just have fun.’ ”
He blinks at me like he’s waiting for a translation. I nod good night and close the door.
Back on the sofa, I take a swig from Bill’s bottle of Hellion moonshine. This stuff could grow on me. I’ll have to get him to send more.
I look around for a Malediction and realize Brimborion didn’t bring me any cigarettes.
See? One thing goes right and everything else falls apart.
Should I tell Vetis about the crank call? What am I going to say that isn’t going to make me sound weak? Maybe I’ll have him keep a closer eye on Brimborion.
Hell really blows.
I have a pretty good idea of what’s coming the next day when Brimborion tells me Semyazah is on his way up. The only good thing is that it will be direct and contained. For now.
Semyazah bangs on the library door but he can’t get in. After bug man’s visit, I’ve laid even heavier hoodoo on the place. Sulfur and arsenic above the door. A line of iron filings across the entrance.
I get the door halfway open and Semyazah shoves his way into the room. Merihim and Marchosias come in behind him. Merihim has red patches on his face and arms where he’s added some tattoos. More protection spells. Marchosias is dressed like Ilsa, She-Wolf of the SS’s stunt double.
They notice my bare Kissi arm. They try not to make faces. None of them succeeds.