the one with all the humans? It’s neutral territory. Nothing stands in the way of getting to this side as long as there’s an invitation. Black, silver or green veil, makes no difference. Unless you arrange for the proper wards to keep things out.”
How creepy. “You mean the mortal plane can be invaded at any time? The Earth could start crawling with supernatural creatures with just an invitation?”
“Who’s to say it isn’t already?”
I gulped air, my throat feeling raw from too much espresso. I felt suddenly vulnerable.
Elmo patted my knee and tilted his head to one side, then the other. “I wouldn’t worry too much. The Vyantara keep a low profile, at least for now. Millions of panicked mortals are the last thing they want. They prefer doing their dirty deeds in secret.”
I shook my head and felt lost again. My ignorance overwhelmed me. “They taught me only what they wanted me to know, which obviously wasn’t much.”
“But that’s about to change, yes?” He winked at me, just like Aydin had done. “You have new teachers now. It’s time for you to learn the truth.”
An understatement if ever there was one. I should leave Elmo’s now, get out of this tunnel and back on the street. My head swam with questions and I needed to absorb everything Aydin and Elmo had told me. Knowledge was power, and I could certainly use a whole lot more than I had.
“Tell me about Saint Geraldine.”
“I don’t know much, and what I do know won’t be helpful.”
“Then tell me what you think the Vyantara has kept from me that I should know.”
Elmo made a T with his hands. “Time out. Chalice, I’m happy to help you, but I’m an old elf and it’s past my bed time. I’m not even sure how much I should tell you.”
“Tell me everything,” I said, puzzled by his unwillingness to answer my questions. I pointed in the direction of the door. “I’m about to head back out there, into the arms of my slave masters, and I’m completely at their mercy.” The anger inside me mixed with my resentment over being helpless. I barely controlled the volume of my voice when I said, “I’m seeing the light at the end of a very long tunnel, a tunnel that’s been my life for over thirteen years. I finally feel hopeful. Do you know what that means to me?”
Elmo blinked. “I, uh… No.”
“It means freedom, Elmo.” My eyes began to sting and I shut them to fight back stupid, shameful tears. “I thought I’d forgotten what freedom felt like, but I haven’t. And I want it back. With your help, with Aydin’s help, and maybe with the saint’s guidance—if she speaks to me—I won’t have to answer to the Vyantara anymore.”
Sighing deeply, he wiped his hand over his face and yawned. “Okay, fire away.”
“How do I kill an immortal gargoyle?”
“I have no idea.”
Well, that was a long shot, but worth a try. “Does Saint Geraldine know how to kill a gargoyle?”
He gave me a pitying look and I said, “Okay, so you don’t know that, either. But can you tell me if fallen angels exist?”
“I’ve never seen one myself, but I’ve heard rumors. You should ask Aydin.”
Who was probably at the Fatherhouse right now, but I wasn’t planning to go back there yet. It was time for me to go to church.
“What can you tell me about Geraldine?”
Elmo shrugged. “Like I said, I don’t know much. But I do know her remains are enchanted.”
Obviously. I’d held her hand and experienced its power. “Do you know how it happened?”
He appeared lost in thought before saying, “Geraldine had once been an ordinary girl living in a small Spanish village during the eleventh century, right around the time of the First Crusade. She became less ordinary when she started channeling the voices of angels.”
An angel whisperer. I’d never heard of one, but there was always a first. “Was she possessed by angels?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know, but her village parish accused her of being
How creepy. “You mean the mortal plane can be invaded at any time? The Earth could start crawling with supernatural creatures with just an invitation?”
“Who’s to say it isn’t already?”
I gulped air, my throat feeling raw from too much espresso. I felt suddenly vulnerable.
Elmo patted my knee and tilted his head to one side, then the other. “I wouldn’t worry too much. The Vyantara keep a low profile, at least for now. Millions of panicked mortals are the last thing they want. They prefer doing their dirty deeds in secret.”
I shook my head and felt lost again. My ignorance overwhelmed me. “They taught me only what they wanted me to know, which obviously wasn’t much.”
“But that’s about to change, yes?” He winked at me, just like Aydin had done. “You have new teachers now. It’s time for you to learn the truth.”
An understatement if ever there was one. I should leave Elmo’s now, get out of this tunnel and back on the street. My head swam with questions and I needed to absorb everything Aydin and Elmo had told me. Knowledge was power, and I could certainly use a whole lot more than I had.
“Tell me about Saint Geraldine.”
“I don’t know much, and what I do know won’t be helpful.”
“Then tell me what you think the Vyantara has kept from me that I should know.”
Elmo made a T with his hands. “Time out. Chalice, I’m happy to help you, but I’m an old elf and it’s past my bed time. I’m not even sure how much I should tell you.”
“Tell me everything,” I said, puzzled by his unwillingness to answer my questions. I pointed in the direction of the door. “I’m about to head back out there, into the arms of my slave masters, and I’m completely at their mercy.” The anger inside me mixed with my resentment over being helpless. I barely controlled the volume of my voice when I said, “I’m seeing the light at the end of a very long tunnel, a tunnel that’s been my life for over thirteen years. I finally feel hopeful. Do you know what that means to me?”
Elmo blinked. “I, uh… No.”
“It means freedom, Elmo.” My eyes began to sting and I shut them to fight back stupid, shameful tears. “I thought I’d forgotten what freedom felt like, but I haven’t. And I want it back. With your help, with Aydin’s help, and maybe with the saint’s guidance—if she speaks to me—I won’t have to answer to the Vyantara anymore.”
Sighing deeply, he wiped his hand over his face and yawned. “Okay, fire away.”
“How do I kill an immortal gargoyle?”
“I have no idea.”
Well, that was a long shot, but worth a try. “Does Saint Geraldine know how to kill a gargoyle?”
He gave me a pitying look and I said, “Okay, so you don’t know that, either. But can you tell me if fallen angels exist?”
“I’ve never seen one myself, but I’ve heard rumors. You should ask Aydin.”
Who was probably at the Fatherhouse right now, but I wasn’t planning to go back there yet. It was time for me to go to church.
“What can you tell me about Geraldine?”
Elmo shrugged. “Like I said, I don’t know much. But I do know her remains are enchanted.”
Obviously. I’d held her hand and experienced its power. “Do you know how it happened?”
He appeared lost in thought before saying, “Geraldine had once been an ordinary girl living in a small Spanish village during the eleventh century, right around the time of the First Crusade. She became less ordinary when she started channeling the voices of angels.”
An angel whisperer. I’d never heard of one, but there was always a first. “Was she possessed by angels?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know, but her village parish accused her of being
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