Bad Apple (The Warner Grimoire) (5 page)

“Oh don’t worry,” Boeman said. “Streaker is not so lightly discouraged. Though he can be a little too rough if I leave him off the leash for too long, but you took care of him, didn’t you boy?”

Sam looked grimly at Simon. “Our
motto
. Tell me you didn’t...”

“
Ex vita luce
,” Simon whispered.

Sam let go slowly. “Still backwards,” he said. “It’s why you passed out.” He stared past Boeman. “This was your doing.”

Boeman sneered. “That’s what you get for not telling him what he is. You keep someone in the dark, and then they make mistakes. You would know all about that, wouldn’t you?”

Sam took a step back, braced as if to grab Boeman.

“Sam,” Molly said. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

“I’m not,” Sam said. “This man loves fools. Believe me, I know.” He stepped closer to Boeman. “The only foolish one here tonight is him.”

Boeman smiled. “Oh, am I now?” He leaned forward. “Only the fool doesn’t see the foolishness within himself, Thatch. To be wise is to know your foolishness. Are you a fool, or are you too wise for my tricks now?”

“Final warning,” Sam said. He reached under the counter. Simon saw the candles Sam had been looking for that morning were sitting next to the pumpkins. It made sense now. “Leave now, or I’ll--”

Boeman swiped his hand through the air. Sam’s voice instantly froze in his throat. A moment passed, then another, and yet Sam did not move. He was stuck leaning forward, over the counter, completely unmoving, not even breathing. Molly tried to move him and failed.

Boeman’s eyes locked on Sam, who remained motionless. “Dear Sammy boy, have you forgotten? You cannot defy me now that I have found you, after all these years. I am in your house. I am in your soul.” He faced Simon. “Now you on the other hand are something of a free agent, Simon. I suppose you could strike at me, if only you knew how. Not that it would do any good.” He stepped back, spread his arms wide. He reminded Simon of a scarecrow in this pose. “I’m glad to know you’re still in the picture, though.
I have just the plan for you
. Sam knew his day would come, but you, you are a treat. Oh my, look how red his face is getting! The poor fellow can’t seem to breathe. Now, he’s known all these years, but he’s never,
ever
told you, has he?” Simon looked at Sam. “He’s been hiding things from you. I would never do that to you.” Boeman held out his hand. “Just shake my hand, Simon, and we have a deal. I will show you a life of endless power, just like your parents.”

Simon’s eyes widened.

“Tell me something, Simon.” Boeman flicked a bony finger at the candles on the counter. One by one they erupted with tiny green flames. “
Does you heart go bump in the night?
” He bent over until his eyes leveled with Simon’s. “This is your destiny. You have a hint of it, don’t you? The power that sleeps in you. That’s how you beat my dog.” He placed his hand on Simon’s shoulder. “So many plans, my boy. My head can barely keep up. But one in particular comes first. Simon Warner, I will finish what you started at the lake. I am going to save you from the life they would have you live. I will grant you true oblivion.
I will bring you the Dark Death
.”

“Don’t you touch him!” Molly stepped fiercely in front of Simon, a lioness protecting her young. “Get out now before I call the police!”

“Oh, whatever will I do,” Boeman said mockingly. “The police, oh no, oh we can’t have
that
. They might put their little shackles on me or stuff me in their wagon.” He raised both hands in the air. “Oh no, constable! I didn’t do it!” His laugh was knuckle bones in a soup can. “Please, oh please don’t!”

Simon stepped forward. “Stop!” He held out his hand. “I’m warning you!”

Boeman smiled, turned his head back to Simon. Sam’s body suddenly relaxed, and he fell hard onto the counter, drawing in several deep breaths. “Simon...” he finally gasped. “Don’t...”

“Who is this guy?” Molly put her arm under Sam’s shoulder. “How did he do that to you?”

Boeman kept his eyes on Simon and chuckled again. “I already told you who I am, my dear.
What
I am is another story entirely.” He pushed the tip of his hat back. “What you need to know is, I cannot be stopped, and come hell or a hundred men, I will have these two.” He stabbed a finger towards Sam. “He is already under my dominion, and this one,” he pointed at Simon, “is not far behind.” Boeman’s face twisted suddenly, a snarl of unchecked rage tearing across his face, and for just the briefest instant all his composure seemed lost, then just as quickly as it had come, it was gone, tucked behind his mask again. He casually withdrew a small white card from his coat pocket and placed it on the pumpkins. “Something for you, Simon, to get you started. Oh I have such big plans for you!”

Sam started to talk, but Boeman cut him off. “Hold that thought. How about we end on a high note.” Sam focused his eyes on Boeman, but didn’t speak. Another wave of goosebumps raised on Simon’s arm, but they felt sour and wrong. Boeman turned and headed towards the front door. “That’s a good boy,” he said over his shoulder. He stopped at the front door and pointed at the rabbit paw mounted over the entrance. “That was still clever,” he said, his voice frosty, “but not clever enough.” His sunken eyes fell on Simon. “Come hell or hundred, boy, you can’t stay here forever. Eventually, you
will
have to leave, and when that comes, it will mean the Dark Death for you.” He glanced at Molly. “The coin is for the sugar,” he added, then he stepped through the door and vanished into the night, smoke rising from an invisible fire.

Simon stood behind the counter, his eyes fixed on the candles burning next to the pumpkins, transfixed. Molly helped Sam to a stool, where he sat, shaking. Finally Simon broke away from the candles and joined them. “Are you okay?”

Sam was rubbing his temples. “I need to find someone,” he said, starting towards the kitchen. “Molly, get Zoey, watch Simon. Lock the door.”

Molly looked at Sam, her eyes full of quiet anger. Her voice was firm when she spoke. “Sam, what’s going on?”

“Later,” he said as he reached the kitchen door. “I’ll explain everything, but right now I need to reach someone.” Sam was gone down the back hallway, out the back door into the alley. Molly let out a small, frustrated huff, then went to lock the front door.

“I’m so sorry,” she said. “This was not what we planned at all.” She clicked the lock on the front door. “Sam went and got pumpkins from the store today. We spent all day decorating for Halloween, and we were going to carve them tonight. We even closed for a few hours this afternoon to go get more decorations from the store. Then when we got back, we found you collapsed in the alley, and then...” he voice trailed off. “...and then this. I don’t even know what to make of this.” She headed for the kitchen door. “Stay here,” she said. “Don’t open the door for anybody.”

Simon was left alone. He walked around the counter and picked up the small white card Boeman had left. It was a business card, only instead of a name or address, it bore a strange, twisted symbol of a writhing snake. He stared at it a long time, then stuck it in his pocket. Then he sat at the counter, feeling numb, and with only the green candle flame to distract him. He ran his fingers through the flame while Boeman’s words echoed in his head. “
I will bring you the Dark Death.”

CHAPTER FOUR

THE WIZARD

Sam murmured into the bedroom phone while Molly sat with Simon and Zoey on the couch. Zoey leaned against him and dozed quietly. He looked at Molly, who rubbed her temples. “Who was that man?”

“He came in during the dinner rush. I saw him sitting at the table in the corner, but we were busy. Then...” Molly’s voice trailed off. “Then we started to thin out, fast. It was like everyone up and decided to leave all at once. I’ve never seen anything like it. I was so busy at the register and Sam was up here with you, so I didn’t have time to come up. Then when Sam came down I came up to check on you. By then we were almost empty, except for that man.”

Simon glanced at the bedroom door. Sam was speaking quickly. “That man. What was he talking about when he said Sam kept secrets?”

Molly stroked Zoey’s hair. “I don’t know. Sam has always had his demons, but I never thought anything like this.”

“He said he was looking for me,” Simon said.

Molly met Simon’s eyes. Hers were puffy and red. “I don’t know what’s going on, Simon. Nothing has made any sense tonight. Everything has been so crazy.” She wiped her eyes.

Simon was confused. “Everything about today?” Simon stood up. “What else didn’t make sense?”

Molly composed herself. “Well, finding you passed out with Zoey behind the restaurant wasn’t exactly normal,” she said. “Zoey said you chased the dog away, but she wouldn’t stop shaking. You wouldn’t wake up, you didn’t even stir until right before, before...” Molly turned away. Simon could see more tears in the corner of her eyes. “That man, he just stood there. Sam didn’t do anything.”

“I don’t think he could,” Simon said. “I think he was...” He searched for the right word. “I think he was...stuck.”

“Stuck?” Molly shook her head. “Stuck? How?”

Simon went over the events in his head and ended up saying the only answer he could put any faith in. “I don’t know.” He had seen the man--Boeman--talking with Sam and Molly, Sam had threatened the man, and then... Sam was just stuck, completely unable to move. Then the candles...

Sam came out of the bedroom. “All right,” he said. “Chief McTaggart is going to keep an eye on the place for us. Simon, get your backpack. Molly, I’m going to need you to watch the Paw for a few weeks. Simon and I have to go away for a little bit.”

Molly leaned Zoey back against the cushions and stood. “What? Sam, you can’t just leave right now. Who was that man? What did he want? Why did he come in tonight?”

Sam was across the apartment.“He wanted me and Simon.” He was to the kitchenette, where he grabbed a glass from the cupboard, filled it with a bottle from on top of the fridge. “I thought he was just here for me, but he’ll take Simon while he’s at it.” His voice was sour. “Help is coming, Simon. I called someone who will look out for us. He’s on his way now.”

“Who is coming?” Molly walked over and grabbed the glass from Sam’s hands. “Do I know them? Shouldn’t we call the police?”

“The police couldn’t help,” Sam said. “He would just flick his fingers and be gone. They wouldn’t know what to do.” Sam leaned back against the fridge. “This guy, this monster, he’s not going to give up. He’s set his eyes on us, and if we don’t act now, we could lose everything.”

“Everything?” Simon looked at Sam. “Even the Paw? Our home?”

“Simon...” Sam started to talk. “I’m sorry, but things are going to get more complicated. This man--”

“Boeman.” Simon’s fingers tingled.

Sam moved towards Simon. “Don’t...don’t say his name. He wasn’t lying earlier. He’s a plague. You let him in, and before you know it, he’s...” Sam clenched his fists. “He’s infested you.
Infected you
. Once that happens--” Sam grabbed Simon by the shoulders. “He offered you his hand. You didn’t take it, did you? Tell me you didn’t. Tell me you stayed back.”

Molly put her hand on Sam’s shoulder. “Simon didn’t go near him.”

Sam’s shoulders relaxed. “Good.” He walked towards his bedroom. “Simon, get your backpack. Pack clothes. We’re going to be leaving.”

Simon looked towards the bedroom door. “My backpack?”

“Yes!” Sam snapped. “We’re leaving tonight. Once I--”

The lights flickered and went out. Darkness cloaked them.

“Sam?” Simon stood still. “Sam, is he--”

“No,” Sam whispered. “No, this...this is different. Hang on.” Sam moved towards the door. “I just need a minute.” The door opened, then closed, then Simon heard footsteps as Sam went downstairs. A minute passed, then the lights flickered back on.

“
You’re going to die
,” whispered the Other Voice in Simon’s head. He shook his head and snatched his backpack off the floor, heading for his bedroom.

Molly watched him. “Simon, are you okay?”

“I’m going to pack. Sam said to pack.”

Molly frowned. “I don’t think you need to do that just yet. We’ll call the police...”

“The police can’t do anything!” Simon shoved clothes into his backpack. “You saw him. He made those candles light themselves. You saw that, right?” He grabbed his toothbrush from the bathroom. “Sam and I have to leave!”

Molly spoke again, her voice low. “Simon...please, just wait...”

Footsteps thundered outside the door. Sam burst into the room with a second man following him. The man’s hair was a wild tangle of chestnut, and he had at least three days stubble on his face. He swept through the room quickly, his long, mossy-green coat billowing around him like blowing leaves. His coat was ragged and splattered in mud, and he carried himself like someone always on the run. He dropped a large canvas shoulder bag near the door right as he entered, then took wide steps across the apartment. His piercing cobalt eyes darted around the room quickly, taking in every detail, then finally cataloguing each of them with no more than a glance.