Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X, #1)(142)

When he and Mae stepped into Leo’s house, they found a makeshift movie studio. Cameras and equipment Justin couldn’t identify had been arranged around the living room, and a transparent plastic screen sat near one of the walls. He stared around in amazement.

“What’s all this?”

“Your answer,” said Leo excitedly. His worse half came strolling in, looking as unpleasant as usual.

“Saw a news story about a shooting on the Nordic land grant,” Dominic remarked casually. “They say a pr?torian was involved.”

“Must have been a lucky break for them,” Mae replied evenly. “Having one on hand.”

Meanwhile, Leo could barely contain himself. “Let’s do this.” He put on a skintight black suit and hood, similar to what scuba divers wore, except shinier. He flipped on some of the equipment and shifted the clear screen so that it was between him and them. And then, just like that, his form became translucent and smoky and shot across the living room. He took off his head covering and grinned, looking at all of them expectantly.

“It’s not fast enough,” said Mae, speaking at last.

“And there’s no way someone could set all this up without the victim noticing,” added Justin. He didn’t know if he should be relieved or disappointed that they hadn’t proven the fraud. “It’s a good effort, Leo. Really. But I don’t think it’s a match.”

“Good effort?” Leo’s eyes bugged. “Do you know how long it took me to set this up? To get ahold of this kind of light-refraction equipment? I’ve looked at that video’s code a million times! It wasn’t tampered with. Whatever we’re seeing was done on site, and this is a match. If it’s not this, then it really is some kind of mystical apparition!”

Justin and Mae exchanged glances. “That’s becoming more and more of a possibility,” he muttered. “I’m sorry, but this isn’t it.”

Leo still looked a little put out that his brilliance wasn’t being lauded, but he made no more protests. “I can keep trying.”

“I don’t know that it’s needed,” said Justin. “What we really need is to find an unlicensed cult serving a Celtic death goddess.”

“Isn’t that what you do all the time?” asked Dominic, a challenge in his voice.

“A little harder when they’re not licensed,” Justin retorted.

Leo didn’t seem so sure. “Didn’t you used to be tight with some groups in the underground?”

“Very tight,” murmured Mae.

“My best source couldn’t help,” Justin said.

She suddenly frowned. “What about your other one? Geraki?”

“I—no.” The suggestion momentarily stunned Justin, then he shook his head adamantly. “No. Definitely not. He’s not a source. He’s a stalker at best.”

“I don’t like him either, but he’s wired into that stuff, right? And he claims he wants to help you. He even did kind of help you.”

“He’s crazy,” Justin told her. That, and Geraki wasn’t like Callista. Superficially, they shared a lot of the same traits. Both were cunning and charismatic. Both were smart enough to command others without calling attention to it. But there was something about Geraki that made Justin’s skin crawl.

Because you’re connected, said Magnus. And he knows things about you.

He could help if you’d give him a chance, added Horatio. Probably with this. Most certainly with your calling. You need to start learning the craft.

“Justin?” Mae leaned toward him, eyes concerned. He realized he’d spaced out. With a feeling of dread, he made his decision. He had only a few days left. Desperate times and all that.

He sighed. “Excuse me a moment.”

He went outside, leaving the rest of them looking confused. “Call Demetrius Devereaux,” he told his ego. “Voice only.”

“Justin,” boomed Geraki when he answered. “Look at that. And here I thought I was going to have a boring day.” Even without seeing him, Justin could imagine the smug look.

“You claimed you wanted to help me last time. Is that still true?”

“No small talk, huh? What kind of help could a megalomaniac like me offer?”

Justin gritted his teeth. “I’d like to know if there’s an unlicensed religion in the Pan-Celt grant. One serving the Morrigan.”

“Haven’t heard that name in a while. Why would I know anything about unlicensed religions? You’ve made some mistake—a rarity, I know.”

“Goddamn it! We all know you’re lying. I’m not asking you to give up anything on yourself and whatever nonsense you’re running.” Justin paused to take a deep breath. “I won’t say anything to SCI. But I need to know about this group. They’re killing innocents, and even if you’re crazy, I don’t think you want death on your hands.”

“‘Crazy’ is an arbitrary term. And someone like you isn’t in a position to judge sanity.” But Geraki didn’t outright refuse. “If I could do this—and I’m not saying I can—what would you give me in return?”

“What do you want? And don’t ask for something illegal.”

“All I want is for you to do what I asked the last time we met.”