Chapter 39: A Surprise Visitor

As we drove through the busy city towards Filbert Street, I held Solomon's basket in my lap. Katya was anxious to not only get him back, but to meet the giant as well. While I was curious as to what Otus actually looked like, I wished that Charlie had thought through his plans more carefully.

The sun was shining today and many people were out doing their shopping around Cathedral Square. I hoped that Uncle Paton didn't have a hard time driving through the city. While I was grateful for the rescue, I wondered how he knew to be at the right place at the right time. The fact that we only escaped out of pure luck bothered me.

When the truck came to a stop in front of Number 9, Katya practically jumped out of the car with excitement. She didn't wait for me as she went right to the front door and knocked. Maisie had already answered by the time I reached the top step. She was shocked to see us and I thought I saw panic in her face. "What's wrong, Maisie?" I asked. She didn't answer me, she just pulled me into a tight hug and asked me if I wanted to get something to eat in the kitchen. "No, I'm fine. I want to see Otus first."

The panic set in on her face again. "Paton! You have visitors!" She yelled up the stairs. "It's Infinity and Mrs. Kettle." Everything about her seemed awkward and anxious. I felt bad that I hadn't been home and she had to deal with all of the terrible things that had been happening lately, but I would have to wait to talk to her about them later. I ran up the stairs behind Katya.

When we walked in the door, I was amazed to see an almost 8 foot tall man sitting on Uncle Paton's bed. I was in awe at how people so large had once existed in this world. Charlie had even once told me that Otus was short for a giant. While his height was extraordinary, everything else about Otus was tired and sad. Wisps of thinning white hair clung to his head, and a large white beard cascaded way past his chest. His face was lined with wrinkles and he had large bags under his hooded black eyes. I was only able to tear my eyes away from him when I felt fabric brush against the backs of my arms, as if something was trying to squeeze by me. When I turned to look, Charlie yelled my name and sprung off of the bed. It caught me off guard. "You used a sword!" He exclaimed. "You ran in front of us like it was nothing. I think that is the coolest thing I have ever seen you do."

I felt a blush creep to my cheeks. It felt good to take change. I grew tired of running away whenever things got tough. I foolishly thought things would get better and sort itself out, but the Bloors continued to push and shove and take whatever they wanted. Now, it was time for me to be brave just as Charlie and my father were. "I didn't want anything bad to happen to you. But you were supposed to bring Billy back. Were you unable to find him?"

"No, I found him." Charlie shuffled his feet and pushed the door behind me closed. "He didn't want to come back. I think he's enchanted like you and mom were. I tried my hardest to get him to come home with me, but I wasn't able to convince him."

"I wish I could say that we'll get another chance, but I'm positive they'll make the painting even harder to access after what we just did." I sighed. "Manfred is going to kill me whenever we go back to school."

"Manfred Bloor isn't going to lay a finger on you." Katya said sharply as she plucked Solomon from the giant's lap. "If he does, you cut them off. Do you understand?" She turned her focus to Charlie. "In all the excitement, I forgot to tell you both something very important. Gabriel Silk's petition to reopen the Pets' Café has gotten so many signatures that the Onimouses will likely be successful."

I had expected Charlie to be happy about the news, but instead he looked absolutely panicked. "Oh, no. I just remembered something." He turned to look at me. "When we were fleeing the chapel, did you see Norton Cross?"

"Who?" I frowned. The name wasn't ringing a bell.

"The doorman for the Pets' Café. He must be one of the shadow's followers. He may have even caused the Onimouses' accident."

I hadn't studied the faces of the others chasing us, for I hadn't heard them speak. I had only focused on the woman with second-sight, Mrs. Tilpin and Manfred. I vaguely remembered the café's former doorman. He was a very large man that often wore shirts with funny animal prints on him. Why hadn't I noticed him there? Katya had told me to be aware of my surroundings at all times, but I had just charged into the fray with my sword raised. If that man would have gotten a hold of me, it would have been the end. I shuddered at the thought.

Katya comforted Charlie the best she could. "We'll just make sure he doesn't go back there, my dear. It will be okay."

"You don't understand," Charlie's hands flew up into his tangled hair. "I told Mr. Bittermouse to contact Norton, to help repair his door. I put him in danger."

"He was already in danger, Charlie. They weren't trying to beat down his door for no reason." Mrs. Kettle said. "We'll make sure he's safe. Infinity and I will go over there right now so you don't have to worry about it. You have enough on your plate." She eyed the giant that seemed to be staring off into the distance. "I mean no offense, Mr. Yewbeam, but I'm sure Charlie is making plans for you."

"Charlie is always making plans." I eyed my younger brother. I wondered how he would get out of this one. While he wasn't the smartest kid, he was definitely one of the most resourceful ones.

"He's taking me to see my wife." The giant said.

If Katya was as surprised as I was, she didn't show it. "That's wonderful." She put her free hand on my back as a way to tell me that we were leaving. "We'll be off now and let you get on with things. Good luck."

We left the room and she shut the door quickly. "You're really not going to let me see how this plays out? You know who is wife was, right?" I whined.

"We're needed somewhere else, dear. I'm sure that Charlie will tell us all about it when he comes back. Right now, we need to go talk to the Onimouses and possibly Mr. Bittermouse."

After a quick goodbye from Maisie, Katya and I left the house. As we walked towards her truck, I caught a glimpse of what looked like a shadow running behind the house. I stopped walking and stared. Had someone from the chapel followed us?

"What are you looking at?" Katya asked me, clutching Solomon's basket closer.

"There was someone there." I insisted. "Keep an eye out on the other side of the house. I'm going to go find out who it is." With a low murmur and a bright light, I summoned my sword so I could protect myself against whoever I would find. I made my way around the house, but never found anyone. Was I just imagining things?

"You're just paranoid because of how the day has gone. You checked and nothing was there, so there's nothing else you can do." Katya headed back towards the truck and I had no choice but to follow.

We went to the home of Hector Bittermouse first, but he was not home. It seemed that his porch and door had been repaired, though. Had he contacted Norton Cross after all? I hoped that he was okay, but there was nothing we could do if he wouldn't come to the door. Katya decided that when we got home, she would call the police and have them do a welfare check on him.

The Pets Café had been empty as well. There was nothing else for us to do and I had missed whatever adventure Charlie had in mind for nothing. "There will be plenty things for you to do in the future, I'm certain." Katya ruffled my hair. "Why don't you train tonight?"

So I trained. I trained until my arms were tired and my hands bled. I didn't stop until the sun sank behind the trees and the moon took its' place high in the sky. Even though hours had passed, I heard nothing from either Charlie or Uncle Paton and I was beginning to worry. Otus had said that Charlie was taking him to his wife, Amoret. As far as I knew, there were no paintings of the King's children.

When I awoke the next morning, I immediately called Maisie. She informed me that they still hadn't returned home, but she was able to tell me where they were going. They had gone to the Castle of Mirrors and it made my heart sink. The sickening feeling went away almost immediately, though. Maisie then informed me that Paton and Charlie had completed their task and would be on their way home after they got some rest.

I didn't wish to train at all, so I spent the day polishing kettles and descending into boredom. Katya was too busy working at her forge, Salem was still lost to the world, and Charlie was gone. I was finally saved from my boredom when the familiar jingle of the bells above the door rang through the store.

I briskly put down the kettle I was polishing and stood to my feet, peering over the shelves to see who had come to visit. I was greeted with a familiar head of dreadlocks and kind bright eyes. For the first time since Tancred's death, I was seeing Lysander Sage smile. "Infinity! Are you doing anything tonight?" He asked me, eyeing the kettles that I had abandoned.

"No." I said almost too quickly. "Did you want to hang out or something?"

"I wanted to invite you to a celebration. Right now, actually. My dad is waiting out in the car." He jutted his thumb towards the door behind him. I was surprised he wanted to celebrate anything after the week he had, but if this was enough to let Lysander smile for just a little bit, then I wanted to be there. He had been a good friend to me and I wanted to return the favor.

Katya was fine with me leaving as long as I was in the company of someone she deemed fully capable of keeping me safe. After changing my clothes, I followed Lysander out to the luxury car that Judge Sage had parked outside of Piminy Street.

While Lysander embraced a lot of his ancestors' culture, Judge Sage was a straight laced man. He kept his head immaculately shaved, his facial hair closely groomed, and his clothes were always carefully ironed. He was a kind and warmhearted man, but his position still made him intimidating. He had tried to fight for me when I had been attacked, but the Bloor influence had been too strong, even for him. "Good evening, Infinity. It's nice to see you in good health."

"It's nice to see you too, sir." I said meekly from the back seat.

I had been expecting us to go into the Heights, mostly because that's where Lysander lived. I was confused when we passed the large, sprawling house that belonged to them and headed up towards the Thunder House. Lysander had said that he was having a celebration, not a memorial or a funeral. Suddenly, I felt that everything about me was wrong. Should I have worn darker colors? Should I have spent more time on my appearance? I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. The thought of facing Mr. Torsson after I had been useless in saving Tancred made me feel guilty.

We pulled into the driveway and parked the car. Lysander and Mr. Sage were quick to get out, but I wasn't. Tears filled my eyes and threatened to spill down my face. I wasn't prepared for this. I silently followed them into the eerily quiet house. There were no turbulent wind storms, no booming thunder. I didn't say anything as we walked into the dining room. I looked around at everyone present. Gabriel was there, along with Emma, Fidelio and Olivia. They were all smiling strangely and I felt uncomfortable until someone grabbed me around the waist and practically threw me up in the air. I let out a loud shriek and as a reflex, threw my head back to disorient my assailant. My head had come back and hit something hard, causing whoever had a hold on me to let go. "Jesus, Infinity. I already knew you were a good fighter. You didn't have to prove it." The familiar voice halted me in my tracks. I turned to look at a familiar crown of blonde hair and a breeze almost knocked me back on my butt. Tancred Torsson had one hand up to cover his eye.

I heard what sounded like a hybrid of a shriek and a sob leave my mouth as I stumbled backwards, balancing myself on the table. Tears blurred my vision and my legs threatened to give out from under me. Tancred Torsson was alive. Somehow, he had survived Dagbert's drowning attack. I wasn't usually an affectionate person, but I was so happy to see Tancred with a healthy pink glow to his skin that I nearly tackled him to the floor. He wrapped his arms around me in a strong bear hug. We were fighters and we were survivors. For the first time since everything happened, I believed that we would make it out of this. Ezekiel Bloor and the Enchanter wouldn't win.