Grimm: A Novel In The Nate Temple Supernatural Thriller Series (The Temple Chronicles Book 3) (18 page)

“I find that on a regular basis, it is beneficial to realize where your enjoyments come from, and how much work is done to bring them to you. To put yourself in their shoes once in a while.” He spoke in a deep baritone to no one in particular. I nodded.

“You obviously recognize me.”

He nodded, unimpressed. “Pour yourself a drink, sit back, be quiet, and listen, Temple. You might learn something.” Then he turned to Ashley and Mallory, leaving me to stare back in surprise. “My name is Kingston. Welcome to my humble estate. I’m sure you’re interested in the fire last night, but I want to hear more about you before we talk business.” He didn’t look in my direction, and I could feel Ashley’s tension grow as it became apparent that she was the center of attention, not me.

I poured a few fingers of scotch, and after a moment’s hesitation added two more. I scowled at nothing in particular as I realized I also wanted one of those damn ice balls. I began to stand.

Kingston lifted a hooded glare my way. That was all. Just a look.

I found myself sitting back down by reflex. He nodded once, returning his attention to Ashley. I sighed, adding a few ice cubes to my drink. Then I leaned back as Ashley and Mallory alternated speaking, answering polite questions posed by Kingston. He was relentless, wanting to know everything about them.

But it was the darndest thing.

He wasn’t interested in anything, well…
important
.

Instead, he seemed only interested in mundane things.
What they did for a living and if they enjoyed it. Their fondest childhood memory and what made it so important to them. Who would they most like to meet, both alive and dead. What did they do for enjoyment and why. If they had family, and if those loved ones lived nearby or out of town
. We had each managed to polish off a plate of the delicious food during our talk. Time stretched on, and I found myself feeling rather sleepy, the pain in my stomach a gentle lullaby of faint pain, manageable and almost possible to completely ignore thanks to the spell and the pain calluses I had obviously formed.

The room grew silent, drawing me out of my daze to see Kingston nodding in genuine appreciation. “Thank you for sharing your life with me.” He smiled at Ashley, eyes crinkling at the corners in worn, often used lines. “I find it beneficial to understand the true nature of a man – or woman – prior to discussing business. Now that you have satisfied a lonely old man’s curiosity, how may I be of assistance?”

He turned to me, waiting expectantly. I guessed it was finally my turn, although I found it curious he hadn’t also peppered me with a background check. Perhaps he already knew enough about me, or more likely, all he had had left to learn about me was my character, which I hoped had been learned by watching me play servant earlier.

I must have passed his test, so I leaned forward to play word games with the mysterious old man, wondering what I may have gotten us into by stopping in to check on Asterion, the Minotaur.

Chapter 16

I
chose my words carefully. We still knew nothing about the man. I couldn’t confidently answer whether or not he was clued in on the supernatural community at large. He could just be a wealthy old guy living out his days at the back end of nowhere.

Or he could be something else entirely.

Mallory had eagerly filled a second plate at some point and was now wolfing it down as if it were his last meal. My own now empty plate sat before me. Ashley was leaning back into the couch, legs tucked beneath her hips, looking stuffed and sleepy.

“I was concerned when I heard about the fire. As I’m sure you are aware, I was once arrested on your property a few years ago by an upstart police detective looking to make a name for himself by single-handedly solving a celebrity murder investigation.”

“Your parents.” He answered, eyes distant.

I didn’t pounce on the answer like I would have in the past, demanding to hear if he had known my parents before their murder. One, because I had already found the killer, punished him personally, claiming my rightful vengeance and burying the hatchet, so to speak. It still hurt to think about, but not many people had the option to speak with the spirits of their deceased relatives from beyond the grave. I had it better than most, but it was still a sucky situation. I would have given anything to have them back in the land of the living. I could really use their help right about now, which briefly brought my thoughts back to the suspiciously locked-down Armory. Kingston watched my eyes thoughtfully but didn’t speak.

“You didn’t press charges, for which I thank you.” He nodded, more in appreciation of my thanks than in acknowledgment of his choice to not press charges. I took a sip of my drink, thinking. “May I ask why you chose not to do so? I was obviously trespassing, and you must wonder what I was doing on your proper-”

“You were visiting a friend.” He answered simply. I blinked, not sure how to respond. Kingston saved me from over thinking it. “He told me afterwards. Asked if I would grant you access to visit from time to time.” I blinked again.

Well.

“You know the M… that Asterion resides on your property?” I changed what I had been about to say, still uneasy about speaking so openly with a stranger.

He nodded. “We have a lease and everything. Even among old friends, I don’t do much without documentation. I learned long ago to keep my business separate from my pleasure.” He smiled. “Our friend wanted a break from his past, a safe space to clear his head, and I had the ability to assist him. He’s set up on auto draft somehow.” He winked.

I leaned back, thinking.
A friend from his past. Payments. Documentation. Obvious wealth.
Who was this guy? He didn’t grant me the time to ask.

“The Grimms or their functionaries burned down Asterion’s field late last night. The cops came. Found nothing. Left. Then you three arrive,” he pointed at my stomach casually, “When,
at the very least
, you should be in a hospital bed. It’s… intriguing.” He drummed fingertips on his glass, waiting for an explanation.

I smiled in acknowledgement of his fatherly concern. “There was a piece on the radio about it. Is… is my friend okay?” I asked, suddenly heartsick. This was all because of me. He was an associate of mine. Which was now synonymous with the word
target
.

Salted Earth Policy
.

Kingston watched me with hooded eyes for a few moments, as if debating his answer. He spoke after an eternity, drumming his fingertips on his glass again as if to find the right words. “The attack… tried his faith. He is safe. Gone now, but safe. He left. Won’t be able to come back for some time. Not sure if he wants to come back after that.”

“Oh.” I replied softly, looking down. My eyes were watering. Ashley reached out a hand and touched my arm, which was shaking slightly. I looked up and smiled gratefully at her, then set my glass down on the table, taking a deep breath as I faced Kingston. “The Grimms are after me. It’s my fault your property suffered damage. I will repay you.”

The farmer watched me, and then his face stretched into a tired smile. “Thank you for accepting responsibility. I was more concerned with the admission than the money. It was just a field, after all.” He lifted a hand at the house in general and let out a soft chuckle. Then he abruptly stood, looking resigned to end the discussion as his eyes darted towards the front door curiously. “It seems you have an unscheduled appointment waiting outside. We’ve kept him waiting long enough. Don’t damage the house, if you please.” He added as an afterthought.

“Um… what do you mean unscheduled appointment?” I asked in bewilderment as he reached out to shake my hand. I took it, surprised at the force in his grip. He turned to kiss Ashley’s hand and then traded grips with Mallory.

“Appointment?” I reminded him.

“It has been a pleasure meeting you in person. One hears so many things. It’s nice when they end up being close to the truth,
Nathin Laurent Temple
.” He winked.

I rocked back on my heels.

Wow.

He had gotten my name exactly right. And when I say
name
, I mean
True Name
. The dangerous kind. The one that could be used against you. For spells and dark intentions.

“Sure, Kingston…” I stammered, letting him politely lead us towards the front door. “Speaking of
names
,” I enunciated the word, “What is your real name, if I may ask?”

He chuckled, reaching behind me to open the front door. “I suppose you’ve earned it.” He turned to me with a faint grin, the opening door letting in a wash of frigid air that woke up the last vestige of my sleepiness. “My first name is Midas. I added the last bit to fit in with the age we now live in.” Ashley and Mallory were studying the lawn warily. I blinked at the man before me. Midas Kingston… or was it
King Midas
?

He nodded in response to my unspoken question. “Now, you don’t want to leave your guest waiting. Mind the rose bushes. They took forever to get right. Come back any time.” He offered. I nodded numbly and stepped out the door, checking the pistol in my pocket as I scanned the front lawn.

I quested out with my power to locate the…
appointment
Midas had mentioned.

The door clicked softly behind us and I spotted a figure in black standing in the shade of a tree with an umbrella in one hand. He was tall, gaunt, and looked calmly menacing.

He didn’t look familiar, but judging by his getup I was pretty sure I knew who he was. He waved lazily, motioning for me to approach him rather than the other way around. He couldn’t come closer to the house uninvited. Either that, or it was the sunlight keeping him from attacking. An umbrella… yep, sunlight bothered this guy. Which meant… I scowled back at him, speaking over my shoulder to Ashley and Mallory. “Stay behind me. I think this is Alucard.”

“Who?”

“The Vampire I thought I killed yesterday.” And I trudged forward to stake a vampire.

One way or another, this would be over quickly.

For good this time.

Chapter 17

I
approached the stranger with caution. I was pretty sure he was a vampire, and not just any vampire, but the same conceited punk I thought we had killed yesterday in the sewers. The one who had led the kidnapping ring I had effectively shut down. The little shit that thought he was powerful enough to name himself
Dracula
spelled backwards – Alucard. But then again, he
was
in charge of the vampire coven, so it was a safe bet that he was at least marginally powerful, perhaps even a famed Master. With a name like his, he must have had something backing it up in order to prevent his metaphorical blood juicebox being taken away from him every day at vampire recess.

So I needed to tread with caution.

My rage was steadily building as I realized I hadn’t ended the problem last night, merely ending the operation – temporarily – by taking out his flunkies. Which tended to piss off the boss in most cases.

Which would make my upcoming conversation with Achilles – already a grim proposition since I was no doubt going to accuse him of setting me up – a tad bit harder. I hadn’t taken out the leader, so the problem still existed. And his bartender was history.

I sighed, drawing in the power at my feet, glad that at least my anger was present. Thanks to Mallory, I felt strong enough for a scrap, but power like his usually had a cost. Typically spells like that laid the person out into a coma for a day or so, but so far I was still going strong in the energy department. No time for half measures, I strode forward.

I reached the shade of the giant tree and stopped a few feet away from him. He didn’t so much as shift his stance, remaining in a lazy lean against the trunk. Still, I kept my friends behind me with an outstretched arm as I nodded at him in greeting, my face set in a disgusted grimace. He tipped an imaginary hat back at me politely in greeting. His eyes were dark, distant, and lazily aware. Like a lion. Appearing bored and disinterested, but I would bet he didn’t miss a thing going on around him.