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16
Zoltan showed me a way out—heseemed pleased that I would leave without robbing him, and even believed I might be able to bring him some dragon blood. Before I could contemplate how that might occur, I had to find Dimitri and deal with these dark elves. Or find Dimitri and run before the dark elves got tous.
I wasn’t itching for a fight, and I highly doubted the alchemist I needed was one of the dark elves out harassing suburban neighborhoods. These were probably some lowly minions sent to hassle me. Bonus points if they killedme.
As soon as Zoltan was gone, I used my inhaler. If this new development—I glared down at my faulty lungs—was going to interfere with jobs, I would have to cave to the doctor’s suggestion to get the steroid inhaler. Either that or take a more serious stab at figuring out how to de-stress and lower inflammation. It probably involved drinking mai tais on a beach somewhere and not battling giant spiders. Howboring.
The inside of the carriage house was just as junk-filled as I’d left it, but there was no Dimitri. Sindari trotted soundlessly through the door as I was peering behind tarp-coveredpiles.
You’re sure he’s not outside?I asked silently, not sure how far away the dark elveswere.
No. I smell him and sense him inhere.
Where?
The house creaked and groaned, as if it were talking to us. Or threateningus.
Sindari padded uncertainly around. I remembered the toy train box that had caught Dimitri’s eye and found the shelves he’d been looking at. My night-vision charm wasn’t designed for reading or making out fine details in the dark, so I turned it off and shined my phone’s flashlight at the area. The shelves werefullof boxes. I didn’t see a train kit, but it was hard to tell what lay under all thedust.
You’re close tohim.
I shined the light upward, but this section wasn’t under the loft. Only the ceiling lay above, a hole in one spot showing clouds scudding across the starry night sky. He wasn’t up there. I tilted the light down, thinking there might be anothertrapdoor.
Behind you,Sindariwarned.
I whirled, hand on mygun.
A faded image of Dimitri floated in the air, more like a holographic projection than a flesh-and-blood person. He glowed with a faint yellow light. His feet floated above the floor, and ethereal vines wrapped around him, also glowing. In the image, he was blindfolded andgagged.
Sindari? Ishe…
Not really there. It’s a projection from somewhere else. But this place is muddling mysenses.
The vampire said it’shaunted.
It’s definitely magical, a very old enchantment, I believe. I couldn’t tell you what species of magical being createdit.
The dangling and bound Dimitri was clutching a box in his hand—the dusty trainbox.
Zoltan said all the junk here is stuff that people brought for the house, like sacrifices to agod.
A god who lovesjunk?
Apparently. Maybe if I give it something it deems worthy, it’ll let him go. Let usallgo.I glanced toward the front door and wondered if I would be allowed to simply walk outside, or if the floor or some portal to another dimension would open up and swallowme.
What will you offer?Sindari asked warily.The most valuable thing you have isme.
I’m not giving it your figurine. Also, you have a high opinion of your self-worth.
I simplyknowmy self-worth. You cannot deny that I’m far superior to your othercharms.
That’s possibly true, but Fezzik and Chopper have gotten me out of a lot ofscrapes.
Have they ever flung themselves off a cliff and into the ocean to lure a dragonaway?
No. I concede your point. You’re infinitelyvaluable.
I ran a finger along the other charms on my necklace. Even if they weren’t as valuable as Sindari, they were all irreplaceable, and almost every one represented a quest and a battle I’d undertaken to acquire it. But what else did I have that might tempt the house into releasing Dimitri? Was it even truly responsible or was this some other trick of Zoltan’s? A component of hissecuritysystem?
