Chapter 16: Strange Connection
The phone rings once. Twice. Three times. Four.
I am holding my breath, clutching my cell to my ear with my eyes wide. Staring into the darkness of the closet. Please. Please. Please.
It goes to voicemail. Just a deep male voice instructing me to leave a message. No name. No 'thank you for calling'. Just that. 'Leave a message.'
I hang up and hit redial. Again, voicemail.
I redial.
Finally, on the sixth try, there is a click. The soft, low voice speaks to me, and I am struck dumb.
"I assume this is something of great importance, for you to repeatedly call at such a late hour."
"I…"
There's a sigh, and I can hear the distant rustling of bedclothes as whomever it is flips them back in agitation. I grip the phone a little harder. Come on. Beverly. SAY SOMETHING.
"How did you get this number?"
"Are….are you Stephen Strange?"
"What do you want."
"It's…I…I'm Beverly."
"You have ten seconds to tell me why you're calling my private cell at quarter past eleven. Then I'm hanging up. I don't have the time or the patience to tolerate these sorts of calls."
And finally, I am able to whisper one word.
"Phobos."
There is dead silence. A long, long silence. And then…
"Are you alone, Beverly?"
"Yes. They've…they went hunting…"
"They. So they're together at the moment. Do you have any concept of how much danger you're in?"
"Yes."
"What is your relationship to Phobos?"
"I'm his brother's mate, sir."
More silence. I can hear other sounds. Clothing being hastily drawn on, I'm assuming. The metallic clink of a belt buckle, perhaps. The heavy thump of a pair of boots being yanked up and tied.
"Get to a place where you won't be disturbed for a little while. There's no telling when they'll be back. I'll come to you."
"But how? I can't just drive to the airport and wait! And I'm really only looking for the Tremor you protect. I need to find her Aunt. Because – "
"I'm aware of the situation. And I don't travel by plane. We're wasting time, Beverly. Do as I say."
His voice is as commanding as yours is, but without the quiet air of menace. It is the tone of one who is used to being obeyed without question. Without even meaning to, I'm getting to my feet and making my way out of the closet and into the hall. The basement would be the stupidest place to go, so I head to the living room. I feel like throwing up, so great is the tension in my stomach. Maybe I shouldn't have called. You referred to him as a threat. And now I'm bringing him here?!
"I just need the Tremor's – "
"Stop moving, and stop talking. I need to triangulate your exact position for the spell to work."
I freeze, facing the door. If my heart beats any faster, it will leap right out of my throat. But I don't speak and I don't move.
There's a click as he hangs up without saying goodbye, and I lower the phone slowly to set it on the coffee table. Will he knock? Are you and Phobos even now on your way back, covered in gore and chuckling with one another? I am going to be in so much trouble if you two catch this wizard here.
A fiery ring appears out of nowhere to my right, and I whirl around to face it just as a tall man in a red cloak and blue robes steps through. He looks down at me, unsmiling, and we stare at one another for a few shocked seconds.
"You're just a child. How is it that you haven't been consumed yet?"
"I honestly don't know, sir."
He closes his green eyes for a moment, then opens them again. And he reaches out to shake my hand.
"Dr. Stephen Strange. It's a pleasure to meet you, Beverly. Right now, both Phobos and Deimos are over a hundred miles away. I will know if they're on their way back. We are safe for the moment. Sit down. I have quite a few questions, and I'm certain you do as well."
We move to the sofa in front of the fireplace, and I watch with fascination as he sits down beside me. He really does look like a wizard, like something out of a storybook. I know I should be a good hostess and offer him something to drink, get up and light the fire, but all I can do is sit dumbly with my hands in my lap and stare at him as he begins to speak.
"I have known about their existence for many years, and we largely stay out of one another's way. I do not approve of their feeding habits, and their level of power poses a significant threat to this planet and its people. But they feed relatively little, and sleep for extended periods of time. There are other more grievous dangers to attend to. That a few handfuls of people go missing every 27 years is less of a concern. Of the two of them, your lover is far, far more deadly. Beverly, I don't know how this happened. But you're not going to live much longer if you remain here."
"I love him."
Stephen sighs and turns to glance at the fire. It ignites with a whoosh. He clearly has abilities that I do not, as you would say.
"I'm not unsympathetic to your emotions. Otherworldly creatures do have their appeal. I'll leave it at that and say no more on the subject. Why is he awake right now?"
"My friends and I, we, we tried to kill him."
"Are you completely insane?"
"He asks me the same thing pretty much every day. Please….please, I need to know how to find Tsugi Tremor. She's the only one who knows what this is like! The only one I can talk to! Her niece is under your protection, Phobos said. Can you….."
"I'm not letting you or either of the Clowns anywhere near Holly. I can give you Tsugi Tremor's contact information. But I warn you; you may end up learning more than you wished to know."
"She's been with Phobos in his kill form!"
Dr. Strange tightens his jaw, but he refrains from saying whatever he was about to say.
"Beverly, if your whole purpose in wanting to speak with Tsugi, or Uzume as she was once known, is to find out how to bed a giant immortal monster, perhaps you'd be better off just watching explicit Japanese animations."
"It's MORE than that! She was in LOVE with him! And still is! And I'm in love with Deimos and I don't give a fuck what you think about that! I'm not interested in your opinions! I just wanted a phone number!"
My cheeks feel hot, and suddenly I want to slap this smug asshole and throw him out of my home. But he knows about you. His information could be valuable. It feels bizarre and good to be able to just…just TALK about you and not have to guard my words.
"Watch how you speak to me, young lady. I am one of a very limited number of people who have knowledge of the being to which you've unwittingly pledged yourself." He points a warning finger at me, and in the firelight I can't help but notice that it's covered with scars. Something terrible must have happened to him. I wonder if Phobos did it.
After a moment, he continues. His voice slightly gentler.
"They aren't of this world. Endlessly hungry and immeasurably strong, your lover is a member of a now-vanished species that has no name in any language we can speak. Deimos is billions of years old, and the forms he takes have been many throughout his long history. The one thing that stays the same are the Sacred Markings. The lines on his face. They're always there in his kill forms. The first time I came across mention of him was in an ancient book at the place where I was trained, in Kathmandu. He was credited with bringing down an entire continent of human beings back in the earliest days of the Roman Empire. They simply called him The Hungry One. At that time, he had not yet split from his brother. The Unified Creature was definitely something I would have taken notice of and thwarted if I could. But split, each half is less hungry and slightly more docile. I have spoken with Phobos at length. I have never met Deimos. I only know of him. Tsugi can't help you navigate these waters as much as you hope she will, Beverly. Her lover is restrained and kind, sensitive to her feelings and to her situation as the wife of Lester Tremor. I would advise you to leave her alone. But if you insist, and I know from your eyes that you have every intention of continuing your search no matter what I say, then I will give you her information. But I must ask you to be cautious about what you say. Deimos has a temper that is beyond sanity. He can and will kill you if you annoy him sufficiently. And every single thing you think, feel, say or do will get back to him. He can read human souls like newsprint."
Tears are welling up in my eyes, and I feel like breaking something. Or running out into the rain and not stopping.
"So I'm doomed no matter what, and it's just a question of when."
"Yes."
"He doesn't love me?"
"I didn't say that, Beverly. It's not for me to guess at the emotional state of a being like Deimos. I don't doubt Phobos's love for Tsugi. But Deimos? He is altogether a different creature. Whatever amusement you bring him now may very well wear off in time."
It's horrible, hearing these words spoken aloud finally. I've always sort of suspected that you would tire of me one day, and kill me. Maybe I'm letting myself dream silly, stupid dreams and get lost in a fantasy that can never come true.
But you held me and kissed me. Healed me. Killed an enemy of mine. You purr when you groom my face and you let me feed you apple pie and you cuddle and laugh with me and your voice is like tender thunder. We made love, and you stayed in your human form to keep from hurting me. Those things matter, don't they?!
I cover my face with my hands and lean forward in misery, wishing I hadn't gone looking for answers at all. There's a gentle hand on my back, and I lean against the man at my side and let him comfort me.
"I wish I could tell you that everything will be alright. I hate to see strong young women in distress."
"But you can't."
"No," he rubs my back, and it feels good to be held by a human even under these circumstances, "I can't give you false hope. It would be irresponsible."
"I want to stay anyway. I came to die here, with him. And I want to stay and follow this all the way to the conclusion. Ok?"
Dr. Strange sighs, but I feel him nod.
"You don't need my permission, Beverly. I'm not your father."
"I wish you had been. You seem nice. Sort of."
"I thank you for the compliment."
We sit like this for a while, and even though I do have a million more questions I don't want to ask them anymore. I look up at him, and his eyes are stern and kind and intelligent. God, I really do wish he was my dad. But he's not, and I dragged him out of bed in the middle of the night, and you and Phobos will be back soon because you said you'd be here before midnight, and I don't want you to catch him here. Even though you'll find out eventually anyway. I don't know how I'm going to explain it.
"Can you leave me Tsugi's number?"
"Yes, I will."
"And do you think I could maybe call you once in awhile? Just to talk?"
"Of course."
"Thanks for coming to see me. I know how dangerous this is."
His hand goes to his stomach, and he looks slightly uncomfortable for a second.
"Phobos left me with a permanent reminder of why it's unwise to tangle with a White Clown. Those claws are sharp. Maybe Deimos would let you file his."
Despite my worry and sorrow, I laugh a little ruefully at that. We get to our feet, and I hug the man tightly.
"It's good to have someone to confide in. My old friends suspect something is going on, and they're going to get themselves killed soon. I can't tell anybody about Deimos. I'm lonely and no one in the world seems to understand."
Stephen kisses my forehead, then steps back.
"Deep breaths, Beverly. You've stepped into very dangerous water, but who knows what the future holds? Maybe you're the only one in all of the multiverse who has the ability to tame this beast even a fraction of an inch. He's made this home quite nice for you."
"You should see the upstairs."
"Perhaps next time. I sense movement. They'll return soon. Here."
He holds out his hand, and a slip of paper appears in his fingers. On it is written a phone number and an address. I look up at him in gratitude and give him a final hug before he turns to conjure the flaming circle again.
"Goodbye, wizard."
"The preferred term is…. oh, never mind. Goodbye, lover of Deimos. I wish you well."
And then he's gone.
I take the slip of paper with me upstairs again, and I tuck it into the desk drawer. Then I wash my face and change into my nightgown. I don't know if I should mention tonight's visit, or the fact that I fully intend to call Tsugi as soon as I'm alone again. Wearily, I climb into the bed. Right to the center. And I curl into a tight ball to fall asleep, trying to quiet my whirling mind.
Some time later, I come groggily awake to the sinking of the mattress and soft growling voices speaking to one another. I open my eyes.
Huge white Clown on my left. Huge white Clown on my right. I reach for the larger one, and you wrap your arms around me and cuddle me against your side. Behind me, Phobos nestles into a comfy position and pets my hair. You both seem sated and docile, while outside the storm rages. I bury my face in your soft satin regalia and cling to you, frightened and worried about what will happen when you inevitably find out about my visitor. But for now, there is drowsy contented purring and tenderness. You must love me. I know you do. I want you to love me. God, please love me.
"Deimos."
"Sleep, Dream. You are the safest creature in all the world tonight."
Behind me, Phobos nuzzles my hair.
"Indeed you are, little Morsel. Rest."
Should I say anything now? While you are both full and relatively happy? I blink away the sleep in my eyes and look up at you, touching your face.
"I did something. Deimos."
"Oh?"
"Yes. Because…because I was curious and I need to know what it's like being the lover of one of your kind in the long term, and I'm lonely for someone to talk with about all of this and I know I probably made a mistake and I'm terrified of what you're going to say and do when you find out but I have to tell you anyway because I promised I would never hide anything from you and I love you and all I can do is ask for your forgiveness and…"
You're sitting up, and on the other side of me I can feel Phobos sit up as well.
"Heart of the Void, what have you done?"
"I…I called Stephen Strange. Looking for the Tremor he protects, so I could find Tsugi and speak with her."
You seem to swell with rage.
"You did WHAT?!"
"Oh calm yourself, brother. The girl was just curious." Phobos waves a clawed hand languidly, then takes me by the shoulder. His yellow eyes are gentle, almost amused.
"So you spoke with the sorcerer, did you? I do hope he's healed up well from our last encounter. I have, of course. But the man packs quite a punch, figuratively speaking. Was he kind to you?"
I can feel you getting off the bed to come round to the other side, looming over your brother and I threateningly.
"You have no CONCEPT of how angry I am, Beverly!"
"I'm sorry! I just…I needed to know! Deimos I love you! And it's LONELY being the only one in a relationship with one of your kind!"
"If you cannot handle it, perhaps you shouldn't be in such a union."
I'm stung by your words. But Phobos turns to look up at you with mild annoyance.
"Stop heckling the little Morsel, Deimos. Curiosity is built into her kind." He looks back to me, and I'm shaking and near tears. "I'm assuming he portaled here to speak with you?"
"Yes. Yes, he did. And he was cool, but polite. He said he didn't want any of us near Holly, but he did give me Tsugi's contact information."
"I could easily have given you that. No matter. Deimos, do stop bristling. Come back to bed, your mate requires a soothing touch."
"I am LIVID." And indeed, your eyes have gone deep red and your fangs have lengthened. "Some stranger was in my home?! Speaking with my mate?! And at your behest, no less! Did he touch you?!"
You lean down to sniff me, and I avert my eyes guiltily.
"HE DID!"
"Brother, stop making a spectacle of yourself. There was clearly no impropriety. The sorcerer has a mate of his own."
"Then I shall pay her a visit and touch her in return." You flex your claws, snarling.
"You will do no such thing. Come back to bed and relax. The last thing we need is the annoyance of Stephen Strange in our lives. Your mate did nothing too terribly bad. Besides, I think a friendship between Uzume and Beverly would be perfectly appropriate. I can even bring her here if you like."
You bristle, aggravated and ready to rip someone in half. But your brother's words seem to mollify you. After another few moments of tense growling, you stomp back to your side of the bed and sit down. I feel terrible for upsetting you, but there's no denying the excitement that comes into my chest at the mention of Tsugi being brought here.
You and Phobos are speaking to one another in your own language again, and I don't dare interrupt. There are moments of explosive annoyance from you, soothing purrs from your brother, and I bite my lip and hug my knees to my chest, just waiting. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, you huff out a deeply grumpy sound and flop down on your back. I timidly scoot closer to you, and after a moment you paw me against your side and groom my temple.
"You cause me endless complications and annoyance, Beverly Marsh. I am certain that no matter her demeanor, Tsugi Tremor does not put Phobos through such aggravation."
"Can you forgive me?"
"I do not see why I should. You brought a strange man into this home. A sorcerer, no less."
"He was polite and helpful, in his own way. But he thinks you might kill me."
"Keep being an unbearable thorn in my paw and I shall. But you've gotten your way, Dream. You will meet my brother's lover, and hopefully this will satisfy your warped curiosity. Now go to sleep. Tomorrow will be something of a challenging day."
I snuggle down almost happily between you and your brother, my back to him and my hand moving up to stroke your chest.
"Really? What's going to happen?"
"We will take you to meet Tsugi. In our human forms, I would imagine."
"WHAT?"
"You heard me. Prepare to travel tomorrow. Instantly, of course, though I know how unpleasant you find it."
"I think I can bear it for a little while! Deimos, thank you!"
I hug you tightly, giddy with excitement, which only seems to annoy you more.
"Ohhhhh just go to sleep, Dream. We will guard you as you slumber."
I shouldn't feel so safe, nestled here between two child eating killers. But Phobos scoots a little closer, snuffling my hair and purring, and after a few minutes the deep rumble of your own purr vibrates my hand on your chest. I could die of bliss right now.
"I love you, Nightmare."
"Hush, Rest. I love you as well."
My eyes close, and I rest my head on your shoulder. Reaching back to find Phobos's massive clawed hand as well to drape it over me. And then I'm out like a light.
Morning comes, and you are gone from the bed. Phobos is resting on his tummy, buttercup yellow eyes closed, but I know better than to touch him. Instead, I carefully slip out of bed too and pad off in search of you. I don't have to look long. Huge and brooding, you take up almost the entire bay window that you stand before in the living room, looking out over the rain-washed front lawn with its tangle of weeds and patches of sunflowers. I move to stand beside you, sighing in contentment.
"Good morning, Deimos."
Those glorious red eyes shift to look down at me, the morning sun making your wild hair glow like flames. I reach up to touch it, ignoring the adorable warning growl that you direct at me for the assault.
"California today?"
"I suppose so. We will of course bring Pierrot with us. Do you have anything you wish to pack?"
"Just a change of clothes, I guess. How long will we be staying?"
"No more than a few days. The company of humans is appalling to me. Unless I am actively engaged in consuming them."
"I'm so excited for this! Thank you, Nightmare, for allowing me to meet your brother's lover. I know she's married to a member of the family, so I won't make mention of their relationship. I just want to talk to Tsugi."
"Your fascination is understandable, I suppose. After all, I daresay you and Tsugi are the only two beings in all the Multiverse who have loved our kind. Odd as the thought is to me."
"He said they made love in his kill form. So it IS possible."
"Of course it is possible. Painful and messy, but possible. You are a masochist, Beverly."
I take no offense at the dig. Instead, I wrap my arms around your huge form from behind and kiss your satin-clad shoulder.
"I love you."
It is your turn to sigh now, and you click your claws against the sill a few times in agitation.
"Go and pack your belongings. We will leave within the hour. Phobos will call ahead to warn his lover and her family that they will soon be playing host to two monsters and a mentally unstable wisp of a girl with a dangerous obsession. Now be advised that Tsugi's husband thinks Phobos is merely a family acquaintance. Do not mention their love affair in front of the others. You will speak to her alone."
"Of course! I'll be good, I promise. Deimos, do you think that Bill and Mike will try to come to the house again while we're gone?"
"Perhaps. If they do, the house will protect itself. The illusion will hold. I shall deal with these meddlesome little brats soon enough. But for the moment, they may enjoy a few more days of life. Now go. Pack a few of the dresses I manifested for you, and your diamond necklace. I want it to be clear that you are well cared for. My brother and I will be in our human forms, of course. We look like twins, except for the eyes. And I am still slightly taller."
I love that about you. Your size, your demeanor, even the grumpiness. Pressing a final kiss to your back, I turn and slip back upstairs to pack what you told me to pack. Phobos is awake now, standing in the bathroom with his shirt off in his human form. He's shaving, which I find amusing. He can change his appearance at will, which presumably includes facial hair. I reach under the bed and pull out my suitcase, humming happily.
"Good morning, Morsel. Did you rest well?"
"I did. I don't think I've ever felt safer."
"An unusual response, but I understand."
He wipes his chin and cheeks and comes into the bedroom to hug me. He sweeps me into a dance, whirling me about the room as I giggle.
"You will love Uzume, my dear! Or Tsugi as she is called these days. She is clever and amusing and warm. I even grudgingly enjoy the company of her husband. The entire family is fascinating. They will be delighted with you."
"I hope so! Your brother doesn't seem to be looking forward to the visit."
Unexpectedly, Phobos leans down and kisses me. I'm stunned, but I hold still for the pleasant contact. Then he releases me and reaches for his shirt.
"My brother has never been in love before, and you are his muse now. I sincerely hope that you know what you are getting into, Beverly Marsh. Attracting his attention in such a way means a lifetime of having the most powerful creature in existence pad after you wherever you go, demanding your undivided attention. Never betray him. Never attempt to leave him. He is not me. He will not let you go. I believe he would kill you first. He will not strike you, he will not abuse you, but he is going to keep you with him and there is no escaping it now."
"You make it sound so appealing." I laugh, going to the wardrobe to pull out a few dresses and a nightgown. "I want him to keep me. I want to stay with him for the rest of my life. I'm completely in love, Phobos. It's one of the myriad reasons I want to meet Tsugi. I want to know what it's like to love a…..Phobos, what are your kind called? I hate the word monster. It seems like an insult."
He makes a deep, growling sound in his chest. It is the sound of a black hole consuming a galaxy. It is the sound of pure loneliness and pure hunger. I shudder. Phobos finishes buttoning his dark purple shirt and sits on the edge of the bed to put on his socks and shoes.
"In your language, I suppose you could call us Eaters of Worlds. In time, we would consume everything if we did not restrain ourselves. It is why we sleep for 27 years. Gives the prey a chance to repopulate. Ah, Deimos. There you are. You might want to shift before we leave. Let's not frighten the villagers. And I need to call Tsugi."
For you have appeared in the doorway, filling it. You duck slightly and come into the room, huffing out a noise of irritation when your brother tells you to change shape. But you do, and the elegant man with the enticing red eyes stands in your place a moment later. Taller than your twin by perhaps four inches. You appear fully dressed, but in a blue shirt. I come forward and catch your hands in mine.
"You look gorgeous, Nightmare. I'm so proud to be seen with you."
"Yes well….have you finished packing?"
"Not yet."
A half hour later, packed and ready, you gather us in the living room. Phobos slips on his dark glasses to color the buttercup-yellow eyes, and you put on yours as well. Then you are taking my hand, and Phobos takes my other hand.
"Now click your heels three times." He tells me gravely. You snarl at him, unamused.
"Do not be a fool, brother. Dream, close your eyes. This will be unpleasant."
And oh, do I know it is.
The freezing cold encompasses me. Pain, emptiness, stomach-churning dizziness, and then we are standing in the yard of a three story farmhouse under a sky dark with clouds. I look up at you, wide-eyed.
"Welcome to California, Dream. You are about to meet Tsugi Tremor. And the largest family of professional assassins in the nation."
"Do I look ok?"
"You look quite nervous, and you smell like excitement and fear. I find it charming."
"Come, Deimos. I will tap on the door. We are expected."
And then Phobos is mounting the steps. I clutch at your hand, wanting to feel close. He raps on the door three times, and it opens.
A tiny woman with a frothing riot of dark curls down to her waist answers the door, peering up at him with huge dark eyes. He surveys her for a moment, then scoops her into his arms. Is this Tsugi?
"Glory. My scampering kitten. Is your sister in law here?"
"Hi Phobos!" She squeals happily, and kisses his cheek. I glance up at you, unable to imagine you displaying such behavior with your food. But Phobos is not you. He's wholly different. In his arms, the girl Glory is prattling excitedly.
"Tsugi's inside, and Lester and Darwin and Maria and Roxy and Red and everybody! We're making fried chicken for dinner! And mashed taters and peach crumble because Lester knows you like it! Oh! You brought your brother! Hi Deimos!"
She waves.
Stunned to the core, I watch you approach and delicately kiss her hand.
"You KNOW these people already?"
"We've met." You tell me coolly. Then we are being ushered inside by Glory, and I don't have time to register the new fact, or the utter weirdness of your cordiality toward this family.
And this...this is how I meet the Tremors.