“If anything, call out for me and I’ma set it off.” He warned under his breath. “Aight?”
I gave a short curt nod as the door opened with the final tap of the card key. That was the very last thing we needed. If they thought Dr. Holmes was the most dangerous mythic in the Underground, they have yet to meet his only male heir.
We stepped into another lobby that was heavily guarded. Just beyond the barrier we could see the enclosed cells where they held some of the most dangerous mythical beings in the Underground. I went through the entire process of being searched. My fingerprint was taken, and I was made to wear some sort of vest made of a heavy material that didn’t feel as if it was made for the average body. It was technology I’ve only heard and read about in articles where there are certain objects, and matter that can stop magic or repel it.
“You’re catching him in a good mood, Miss. Even after that trial, he’s somewhat in a good mood after being given blood. The fucking monster,” the guard spat as I followed behind him.
I managed a half smile after taking notes from my staff saying I need to learn to smile and express myself more. We came up on a metal box, same as others when the walls suddenly transitioned to glass, revealing Dr. Marvin T. Holmes, my old college dean sitting on the edge of his white bed looking drained, and old. His yellow face flushed and dragged from the weight of old age. The white spots in his eyes looked dull and gray and the white jumpsuit he wore had blood splatter around the collar. When his eyes locked with mine, I saw a flicker ofrecognition before he immediately masked it. We’ve never met before let alone had a conversation, but I sensed he picked up on something familiar with me.
“Have a seat here. He won’t be allowed to cross this barrier so you’re safe but try not to provoke him,” the guard said. “I’ll be standing outside. You have 20 minutes.”
I sat down, posture upright with a single blink as he remained on the bed. Dr. Holmes simply stared at me before smiling as he slowly got up.
“I told them I don’t want any visitors. This incompetent fucking place…Who are you?” He asked.
“My name is Himora Clarke. I am with the Mortal Affairs Department.”
He pulled his chair back and sat down before me, taking a moment to get comfortable until he silently winced in pain.
“They keep these lights bright in here because they know I hate it,” he said as he looked around. “Does it bother you?”
“No.”
“It will…eventually,” he said. Dr. Holmes leaned against the table with his hands coming together to stare at me. “As you age…going years and years…centuries even, should you decide to slow your age down, and you almost always will… Little things like lights,” looking up as his eyes flickered against the brightness. “Heat, sun, certain oils and lotions. The smells and taste of food, if you still eat human food, will begin to fade. The less you feed, the quicker you age…the more you drink…the more the youth stays with you…it’s really a remarkable disease…” A slow stretch of his lips began to part as I saw the blood tinted saliva glossing in the cracks of his teeth. Most likely, his own blood if they were feeding him which I doubt.
“My sister would have loved to meet you…A Vae as my niece calls herself. A fae that had the unfortunate path of coming across my bloodline…How…beautiful.” He said in awe. “Do they know what you are? Should I tell them? You won’t leave out of here alive the moment they find out,” he whispered in a low voice, a voice only I could hear before his words became silent. “That you are related to me.” The threat was made, but I was prepared. I am always prepared. “Have we engaged in sexual acts before in the past?”
“I am here to ask you a few questions,” I said instead.
“So we have…” He said as he leaned back in the chair. With a trembling hand, he gently smoothed his thin silver hair back. “I apologize for my looks as I have not been able to keep up my appearance given my current living situation. They keep me on a drop of blood…enough to keep me coherent and breathing…They know they can’t kill me…only starve me out until I parish…but I will only be here a little while longer. I’m just waiting until it’s time…”
There was a sudden silence that fell between us as I blinked. The double meaning wasn’t lost on me, but it did cause my mind to briefly wander.
“We have never had intercourse, nor have we ever interacted with one another. I do not have much time, and I understand I am being watched. I am looking for your daughter.”
“I don’t know where she is,” he said suddenly as he shook his head. The usual spiel of denying her as if he’d been questioned time and time again. “I have no relationship to Maggie’s mother or her–––”
“I know where Ms. Norwood is, and I know where Poette Davis is. I am speaking about Raven Holmes––”
Dr. Holmes suddenly jumped out of the chair with it flying back against the wall. The bed flipped up with everything else pushing back as he jumped over the table with his face inches away from mine, showing his blood-soaked fangs with a heaving chest. I could hear the guards anxiously trying to get back in, but I heard Mr. Park stop them as I sat calm and collected. Not even a flinch. Whatever barrier they put in place for him not to cross, it was futile. Not only did he cross it, but he was also seconds away from my face when I stared at his fangs. I simply adjusted my frames, unfazed.
“If you want any chance of saving your daughters, you will retract your fangs and listen to what I have to say… You said that you are not the last First Family left in court earlier.”
“They will never find them!” He stammered with his fist slamming on the table. So to buy time to keep them from killing you, they need to find the others. Just as I suspected. My daughter will eventually be found out and I, along with her father, will do whatever to protect her. I blinked, looking at the cameras with a shift of my gaze before looking back at Marvin Holmes. My voice fell silent as I mouthed the words, letting him watch my lips.
“Your heir and only son is standing right behind me so if you dare to make a move, it will be your last and the Underground as we know it will completely be destroyed. Everything you’ve worked so hard to keep together will be gone.”
Dr. Holmes slowly sat back in the seat, calm and collected with his eyes looking over my shoulder. He didn’t know who to look at, but I could see the guilt in his eyes. The guilt of a father who never got the chance to be and eventually abandoned the idea of it until the grandson came along, or so I thought.
“My name is Himora Clarke,” I said out loud before silently mouthing. “I am married to your son who was born to Poette Davis, the twin to Raven Holmes. We are looking for the rest of the Holmes and extended family because they are in danger and will be considered a threat in the Underground as well as above the moment you are killed. When I leave, please find a way to communicate with me so that we may speak further in private.”
“My…s-son…”
Marvin Holmes stopped himself from saying it out loud as he looked around with a shake of his head.
“He’s…”
“Alive,” I finished. “Yes.”
