Page 7 of Mason
I move the stupid ball down the hallway and toward Jimmy's room.He never closes his door all the way.I'm hoping I can do some snooping while they're all distracted watching a movie.Out of the three of them, Jimmy is the cleanest, but that's not saying much.The floor of his room is cluttered, but at least there are some pathways I can maneuver this thing down.
I find out quickly there is nothing of consequence anywhere at my current eye-level.It was too much to hope he may have dropped something on the floor, or left a note sticking out of a pants pocket.Still, I had to try.
"Where is that rodent?"I hear Elmer ask.
Crap!Crap!Crap!They must be done with the movie.I was so focused on looking for clues about whatever they've gotten themselves mixed up in, I tuned everything else out.
"Here mousey, mousey.I've got a nice, big piece of cheese for you," Elmer says, his voice closer than before.
What is it with these assholes and cheese?
Turning around inside the ball, I set it in motion down the path between clutter piles hoping I reach the hallway before Elmer.I don't want them catching me in a bedroom.They might lock me up for the rest of my stay here if they do.
I pump my tiny mouse legs as fast as they'll go and manage to coast out into the hallway just as Elmer rounds the corner.He stares at me for a minute like he suspects something, but then he picks up the hamster ball, tucking it under his arm.
"Found him," he says, walking back into the living room.
"Put him back in the cage, then set it on the coffee table," Rudy instructs, laying out what look to be blueprints.
Once my cage is on the table, I get a better look at the documents.Finally, some answers!At least I'll know what I'm dealing with now.The not knowing has been preying on my mind.
The name Emberloch Manor is stamped in the corner of one of the blueprints, along with an address in Midnight Hollow.My mouse is a creature of habit and enjoys the security of routine, so I don't get out much.I have a general idea where Midnight Hollow is on a map, but I've never been.And since I don't know where I am right now, I have no idea where I am in relation to it.This house isn't the same one Rudy had when he was dating my mother.
As Rudy goes over the layout, my mouse feels excited at the idea of conquering the obstacle course the mansion presents.He enjoys the challenge.The human part of me, on the other hand, understands the dangers this hairbrained scheme will bring.
After he's done with the blueprints, Rudy pulls out a picture of a small amphora."Once you get inside, look for something like this.Whatever room it's in will no doubt have all kinds of security, both technological and magical to prevent people from getting into it, but you'll squeeze in a crack somewhere and open it from the inside.We'll do the rest."
Rudy, Elmer, and Jimmy keep talking, but I focus on the picture and the layout of the house.It doesn't seem they have much information.Shouldn't they already know which room the amphora is in and what kind of security system we're up against?I've got a bad feeling about this.Even for them, this is reckless.Maybe I can make a run for it when they let me loose to get into the Manor.
"Oh, and one more thing," Rudy says, pulling me from my thoughts, "that collar has a tracker, so don't even think about trying to escape once we let you loose to enter the building."
Well, sugar biscuits.There goes that idea.
Chapter Ten
Hex
"Hesaiditwasa misunderstanding," Cipher tells me as I take another swig of beer."And I believe him.You didn't hear the way he sounded."Cipher may have blocked my mate out of loyalty to me, but he'll still tell me how he feels about the situation.
I shouldn't have left Mason at the cabin like I did.Or said that hateful closing line.People on the outside of a misunderstanding have a broader perspective, which is why they roll their eyes and think how ridiculous the whole thing is.But when you're someone involved in the situation, there are emotions at play that color your perception.I believe my feelings about Mason's absence in my life are valid, but I should never have lost control and laid such a low blow.
"I need to focus on finding Kory right now.Once that's done, I'll handle things with Mason."I won't have a choice.We're Fated – him, me, and Kory.For better or worse, we're stuck with each other.Not very romantic, I know, but I'm still a touch peeved.Once I process this whole thing and get over myself, I'll go back to missing my insufferable wolf.
"Did you find anything in the background information we have on Kory that stands out?"I ask.I went over it several times and couldn't find anything.Cipher may have seen something on a deeper dive.
"Nope.He keeps himself out of trouble.He has an inheritance one of his aunt's left him, plus the cabin his mother passed down.Pays his bills on time, and doesn't owe anyone a significant amount of money."
"It makes no sense.Who would want to take Kory?He's sweet and kind-hearted.He's still got an air of innocence about him that we lost long ago…" I trail off.I want my mouse mate back.I need his light and his love.
"I've got feelers out.If there's buzz about that involves him, I'll hear about it."Cipher stands and pats me on the shoulder."We'll find him."
I nod as he walks off.Draining the last of my beer, I toss the empty into the recycle bin and hoist myself off the stool.I've only had one drink, so I'm sober enough to work a locator spell and do a bit of scrying.I just need a lead.Even a small one will do.I'll take anything at this point.Kory's been missing for several days now, and I'll grasp at the smallest straw if it leads me to him.
As I reach my altar room, I feel Mason trying to tug at our bond, and I push back.I've mostly been able to block him out, but he bleeds through every now and then.I'll let him in when I'm ready, but at the moment, he's a distraction.I need to focus.
Closing the door behind me, I snap the candles to life.A map is lying on a low table where I left it last time I tried this.Sitting on a cushion, I pick up a pendulum and close my eyes.Witches have varying types of power.Some are excellent with elements, some divination, some hexes and curses, and so on.My strong points are unravelling spells, combat, and as my moniker suggests, hexes and curses.I can do some minor healing and work with elements somewhat, but tracking and astral projection are not my forte.
As a secular witch, I don't have a patron god or goddess, but I'm getting desperate.Sifting through deities, I try to remember any associated with mice.It's such an unusual connection I'm having trouble thinking of one.Hearth and home, there's a deity for that.War, there's a deity for that.Love.I guess if all else fails, I can call on a love goddess.Deity for the Underworld.I hope to all that's good and pure I don't need that one.Deity for the sun.Wait… that's it.I think I remember at some point, Apollo was associated with mice.Calling on Apollo to show me where Kory is, I mentally cross my fingers the old gods are still listening to the appeals from this mundane realm.Who knows what they get up to now that they've distanced themselves from humanity.