Celebrations back at the Raps Rips were lost on Elizabeth and Klaus. Both were too shaken from the previous events. Elizabeth sat down on one of the lounge chairs, her body angled to watch her cousin through the mirror over the mantel piece. The others huddled around a table drinking, leaving mountains of empty glasses scattered over the counter. Every shift in the shadow turned her around, her mind playing tricks. She reached over and took a shot of hard alcohol, trying to calm down.
“Are you alright?” Catherine approached and took the seat opposite her. “You seem shaken up.”
Elizabeth smiled weakly. “Sorry, I think the realisation is finally sinking in.”
“What realisation?”
“About how weak I am.”
Catherine shrugged thoughtfully. “Nothing a bit of training can’t fix.”
“Not just muscle weakness. I couldn’t even stand on my own two feet against a bufo Bact. I choked up. How am I going to survive against a Time Collector such as Nikolas?”
“You’ve already survived him once before,” Catherine reassured her. “Bactes are different. They’re unpredictable, feral almost. You weren’t prepared.”
Elizabeth sighed. “Why do you do this type of thing? It can’t be for the money.”
Catherine twisted her lips thoughtfully. “True, I don’t need the money.”
“Is it the thrill then?”
She shrugged. “Partly. Plus, I get to carry around some neat weapons and beat up boys who look at me weirdly.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I don’t know if I should admire you or send you off to the psych ward.”
Catherine smiled and looked down. “My reason for hunting Bactes isn’t as glamorous as revenge or as selfless as hero work, but it’s slowly becoming a part of my identity. My mother was upset when I told her of my intentions. She, of course, blamed my uncle’s influence. She wanted me to be some sort of elegant lady who attended charities balls and tea parties, but that isn’t who I am. I love the thrill of the chase, the heart pumping danger. Speaking of which,” Catherine shifted around to search the room. “Where is that mysterious companion of yours anyway?”
“You mean Klaus?” Elizabeth asked, looking around. “I haven’t seen him since our return.”
“Is he alright?”
Elizabeth cocked her head at the question. “I would think so, why?”
“He doesn’t care to celebrate victories?”
Elizabeth quickly brushed it off. “More like he doesn’t care much for the company of others. He works better alone.”
Unbeknownst to Elizabeth, Klaus’ isolation only deepened his troubles. He caught his reflection in the window of a parked car, his fingers searching the smooth of his neck for the pain from a wound now healed. The attack from the Bact wasn’t what scared him, but her passing words. A war not only against humans, but against Collectors as well. The fact she jumped and bit him came as a massive surprise, especially as Bactes do not tend to attack Collectors. They shared a similar DNA, one forged through magic and missing human emotions.
Beneath his feet, darkness flickered. Klaus noticed the shift out of the corner of his eye, and in a sudden lunge, he drove his Collector’s blade into the road. A tiny whistle erupted from the crack in the bricks. The gremlin deflated as fast as a punctured balloon. A sharp zap shot upwards through the blade and into his hand. Klaus flinched and inspected the skin between his thumb and index finger. Black ink bled like a bruise, forming the shape of a tattooed compass. He closed his fist tightly. This was as much of a threat as it was a reminder. Elizabeth was always within Nikolas’ reach. Gremlins were his shadowy hands, the eyes of ghosts haunting him.
He made his way back into the tavern and found Elizabeth conversing with Catherine on the lounge seats. Both women sat up on his entrance, but his eyes fell automatically to Elizabeth. It wasn’t until he had slowed down and properly looked that he noticed just how much the confrontation shook her. How much all of this had shaken her. Whereas he hid behind his blade and natural abilities, she faced the same threats completely unarmed. In the face of fear, her courage rang as loud as a gunshot.
“Klaus, what is it?” Elizabeth sat up straighter, “What’s wrong?”
His voice lowered. “I know where to find him.”
#
“What makes you think you know where Nikolas is?” Benjamin asked across the breakfast table.
Klaus ate only small portions, enough to sustain himself for the day. Klaus was careful to bandage his new tattooed hand with a handkerchief, explaining it away as a mere injury.
“The Elder Bact told me through a series of riddles. He is to be at Westicher Palace.” He glanced sideways at Elizabeth’s confused expression, but he’d guessed she was confused throughout the entirely of Si’s speech and therefore wouldn’t call him out on his lies.
“And you’re certain?” Dennis asked, sceptical.
“It took me a while to figure it out but ja, I am positive.”
Leah pursed her lips. “Since when did Bactes and Time Collectors work together?”
“There have always been a great divide between the creatures touched by magic and those without. It’s not that big of a surprised a Bact would work with a Collector.”
“It’s a bit like a dog teaming up with a wolf, but I get your point. They do belong to the same pack in many ways.”
Klaus’ face tightened distastefully at the comment, an expression Elizabeth caught. It was hard to remember sometimes that Klaus’ human exterior might only be that: an exterior. Exactly how human he was on the inside was still to be figured out.
“The fastest way to Westicher is by train. The fog over there is too much for airship.” Catherine stated.
“And we know this isn’t a trap, how?” Dennis pointed out.
Klaus smirked. “If you are worried about one’s safety, I suggest picking up a different profession. I for one, don’t want to miss this opportunity.”
Dennis clenched his jaw. Catherine sighed. “Nikolas is no ordinary Collector. We’ll just have to be extra careful.”
#
As they waited in line to purchase train tickets, Elizabeth stepped out of ear shot to speak privately to Klaus. “What are you planning?”
“What?” He turned to her.
“Going to Westicher? That creature, Si, did not mention Westicher at all.”
Klaus coyly smiled. “No, but a gremlin did.”
“What?” Elizabeth’s voice lowered fearfully. “Nikolas is here?”
“No, but his spies are never far. He has his little pets tracking you, waiting for the moment I step away to hone in on your location. He left me this.” Klaus peeled the handkerchief back and showed Elizabeth the tattoo compass on his hand. “A meeting point.”
“For what?”
“I imagine to kill me.”
“That’s usually the type of thing you try to avoid. And you still plan on going?”
“He has already shown he’s capable of tracking me down, so I can’t run from him forever. I figure my best chance is to bring a team of Guardians to back me up.”
“Then why doesn’t he attack you now?”
“One of Nikolas’ last threats to me was setting my world on fire. Who knows, maybe he plans on blowing up Westicher Palace with me still in it.”
“Sounds dramatic.” Elizabeth tried to laugh, but her voice quivered with uncertainty. Klaus noticed the hesitation, same as he had noticed her fear yesterday at the bar.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes of course.”
“No.” Klaus growled, “Don’t just say that to sound tough. Are you alright?”
Elizabeth glanced up at him, but before she could speak Catherine approached with tickets in hand. “Everything is ready, let’s go”
#
Sunlight bathed over the chrome cabin. Tracks cut along the border of fields and ploughed across the open grounds. Leah and Benjamin sat against the window, immersed with their card game. Benjamin pulled nervously at his collar as the game advanced in Leah’s favor. Elizabeth sat beside them inside the narrow carriage. In the hallway, directly outside the sliding door, she watched Catherine and Klaus talk. They both had their backs to Elizabeth, their expression shielded by the privacy of the conversation. Every now and again, Catherine would reach out and stroke his arm, but Klaus never slackened his military straight back. Elizabeth’s world turned hazy as the banter between Leah and Benjamin dropped to white noise. She could feel her fingers tighten.
“You’ll get used to it,” Leah chuckled, drawing Elizabeth’s attention away from her cousin.
Leah motioned with her chin at Catherine. “Guarding your man?”
“I’m what?” She flustered, embarrassed. “No! What?”
“Don’t worry, Catherine isn’t the one with a reputation for partner stealing. It was Hudson who stole her from her fiancé, amazing what high cheek bones and a taste of adventure can do to a woman’s heart.”
Elizabeth glanced at Klaus again. He was in an elite class of his own. Every look, every tilt of his chin or twist of muscle was elegant and smooth like a wave. He never lost composure. Even when he blinked, it looked like he controlled every eyelash. How could there ever be anything between them? He referred to her as a hooked hand, a flaw he didn’t want. He was a Time Collector, an immortal being capable of granting wishes. Even if he wasn’t all of those things, he just didn’t seem to be interested in her as a person. At every major corner, they clashed, leaving Elizabeth to play catch up behind him. He walked as though he was above them all, and in many cases, he was. Of course there was nothing between them. Of course.
“There’s no relationship between myself and Klaus, so…I’m not worried.” She laughed, weakly. “He was my father’s apprentice, that’s all.”
“I doubt it’s as simple as that. A doctor’s apprentice searching for corrupted Time Collectors? It doesn’t add up.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “Why does anyone hunt down the supernatural? A doctor by trade means he’s invested in helping others. To stop monsters is another way to save lives.”
“No doctor can snap a Bact’s neck the way he did,” Benjamin pointed out.
“I’m sure you can,” Leah teased, giving Benjamin a quick nudge.
“Yes, but I’ve trained my whole life to be able to do things like that. Doubt he’ll find the time, not with being a doctor and everything.”
“Oh?” Elizabeth perked up in her seat. “I didn’t peg you as a fighter.”
“Everyone underestimates me because I’m so short.” Benjamin went on smiling. “Makes victory all the sweeter when I punch them out.”
“Great things come in small packages as they say.” Leah grabbed his arm.
“How did you two meet?”
“Way back before we joined this group. Benjamin Kyneton, the great Two Punch Titan, could take on any opponent across the country. But of course, he is no match for me,” Leah answered.
“You’re a fighter too, Leah?”
“A dancer.”
Elizabeth looked at her confused. “I’m sorry?”
Leah laughed. “Everyone looks at me like that when I tell them. I don’t need to hit you to take you down. I’ve been dancing ever since I was a little girl and I’ve managed to turn it into my own fighting style. Not even Benjamin’s lightning reflexes would be able to catch me.”
Benjamin smiled. “Hudson is a crack shot, best I’ve ever seen. Catherine has her throwing knives and of course, Dennis is as brilliant as he is brutish. A real natural at hunting. What about you? Perhaps you’re a trained assassin? Secret spy? Or are you more of a behind the scenes master? Poison specialist? Explosive? Mechanics engineer? A genius for traps?”
Elizabeth’s smile dropped. She hadn’t realized just how out of place she was among these people. The thought pained her, when matter of fact, she has been feeling inadequate for a very long time. “A lucky shot,” Klaus answered for her, smiling.
“Yeah, lucky not to shoot myself,” she mumbled, before laughing off her own comment.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Klaus motioned over his shoulder. “Your cousin wishes to have a word with you.”
“Oh, yes of course.”
Elizabeth joined Catherine out in the hallway, “Come, I want to show you something.” They went down toward the women’s quarters near the end of the carriage. Catherine sat down and patted the mattress next to her for Elizabeth to sit. She then reached underneath the bed and fished out a velvet pouch. Inside she revealed a plain white cloth wrapped around the shape of a spike. Catherine unwrapped the linen to reveal the weapon. Under closer inspection, Elizabeth realized it was made from old bone that had been chipped away to form a shiv.
“Is that bone?”
“It’s from an ancient Collector,” Catherine confirmed as she held it up. “The only thing that is capable of stunning and paralysing other Time Collectors. This is a family heirloom, belonging to Dennis’ family—Lord and Lady Moore. The Moores are part of the three noble families who founded the Guardians centuries ago. Time Collectors can’t even touch this thing without falling under its toxicity. With other pieces of the Collector’s skeleton they had chiselled it down into dust to fill bombs and bullets. This stuff is noxious to them, slows down their reaction speed, their thought processing, sometimes even knocks them out cold. Once they are poisoned, we stab them in the heart with this. It turns them into stone, as a survival technique to protect them from further damage or death.”
“Are they still alive after they have been turned to stone?”
“We’re not sure if there is brain activity or any consciousness.”
“How long are they frozen for?”
“The last Collector to be stabbed was nearly two hundred years ago, and he is still frozen to this day. The Moores have him locked up in their underground prison under their house. That’s the thing with Collectors, despite all their power and strength, they are still creatures who live by a very strict code. They seek the desperate, trying to bargain their life source. They can’t help themselves.”
Elizabeth slumped further into her seat. “And this is how you plan on trapping Nikolas?”
“We used to think this was the only way to stop them, until Klaus informed me about the gun he and Uncle William were making. Made from Chrétien’s gold, the one known substance capable of neutralizing magic.”
“Klaus told you about the gun?”
“He did, thinks we can use it to our advantage against Nikolas. I first thought it was suspicious that a Collector help create a weapon capable of killing himself, but I figured better the devil you know than the devil you don’t. At least he has one hand controlling the wheel.”
“You do not see Klaus as a creature to slay?”
Catherine sighed and looked down thoughtfully. “Though the others would disagree, I do not see Collectors as monsters. I do not blame the gun, but the shooter. That being said, I rather live in a world where guns do not exist.”
#
Klaus found comfort alone, sitting within the public lounge carriage by a window. Calming music played above, accompanied by the gentle chatter of couples and families sitting down for lunch. A voice would cut across the music, explaining the significance of the Carolina Rose fields they passed outside. Klaus didn’t look away from the passing of pink, not acknowledging Dennis approaching and sitting down opposite him.
“I’m not much for plants,” Dennis commented lightly. “Can’t say we have the time for that sort of thing.” Klaus didn’t respond. Dennis slumped comfortably into the chair, drawing a small blade from his pocket. He proceeded to cut up an apple. “So, you’re a doctor’s apprentice, right? Travelled from Germany to work under the guidance of the great and renowned Doctor Wicker?”
Klaus glanced at him. “You’re interested in my life story?”
“Only in those I don’t trust.” Dennis smiled. Klaus took a deep breath, trying not to engage. Dennis continued. “When one hears doctor they must think large lab coats and scary disease. It’s a noble profession, one taking on to save people’s lives except, you’re the type who snaps Bact’s necks and chases Time Collectors.”
“I’m complicated.” Klaus smirked.
“Probably easily bored, too.” Dennis jabbed back and popped another piece of apple into his mouth. “My family has been hunting these things for generations. Time Collectors, Bactes, wild witches, you name it, we kill it. I still remember the first time I ran my blade into a Bact’s belly. She squealed like a farm pig.”
“You take pleasure in killing,” Klaus noted, plainly.
“So do you. I can see it in your eyes, the way you snapped that Bact’s neck. Can’t be playing doctor forever, no, you need to get your hands dirty. Don’t worry, I agree with you. These parasites on humanity, they give off a certain, err, well, a certain scent. I’ve learnt to pick a Bact out of a crowd of hundreds. Witches too, but Collectors are trickier. They blend in with everyone else. Evolution designed them to become invisible. But there’s a trick to catching them out. It’s just six simple words and they can’t help themselves. ‘I want to make a contract’.”
The moment the words slipped free, Klaus’ entire body clenched up. Pressure intensified, speeding up his heart. His tongue swelled fat, the sudden rise in his temperature dampening his hairline with sweat. Dennis glanced down and ran his blade along the apple core, prying himself another slice.
“With that alone, they are in my control. These suppose godlike immortals of mass destruction and chaos, are in fact, no different than a puppet with a hand up their arse. The others are ignorant. They believe Collectors are these superior beings to cower from.”
Klaus couldn’t concentrate, he could barely breathe as if his internal nervous system was being set on fire, filling up his lungs with smoke. Klaus subtly gulped and turned his gaze away. “Hmm.”
“That’s what they are, isn’t it? Dogs obeying their masters! They are humanity’s slaves. Mindless ‘yes’ men.”
“I can see the humour in their irony. Creatures given unequal power but with no willpower to control it. I’m not surprised you mock them.” His body language shifted, turning his attention unnervingly onto Dennis’ face. “And yet, it is mortal men who sell their souls for momentary gain. Humanity is as much enslaved to their desires as Collectors are to their codes. One by choice, the other by nature.”
“Guess you have a point. Like men trailing behind pretty girls, you and Miss Wicker are fine examples.”
“What are you implying?”
Dennis smiled. “I’m not implying anything. You just don’t seem too fond of people.”
“I wouldn’t take offence, I’m not fond of anything. I would complain about heaven if I ever saw it.”
“Excuse me, Klaus?” Klaus turned quickly at Elizabeth’s approached. She paused beside him, leaving him question just how much of the conversation she had heard. “Am I interrupting?”
“Nein, I believe Mr. Moore was just leaving.”
Dennis quickly stood. “It’s no problem, we weren’t speaking of anything important.” He gave her a brisk nod. Klaus watched him go, unable to drop the frustrated snarl off his face.
“Is something wrong?” Elizabeth asked as she took Dennis’ seat.
“I hate banter. Especially with idiots.” Elizabeth sucked her breath in, suddenly hesitant to speak. “What is it that you need?” Klaus asked, releasing a pent-up sigh.
Embarrassed, Elizabeth quickly stood. “No, nothing but further banter I’m afraid.”
“Wait, please sit.” Klaus reached out. “Don’t place yourself at their level. You may be the only person here I can tolerate.”
“Comforting. I wanted to talk to you about my conversation with Catherine. You told her about the gun?”
“Ja, and in return, she told me about the old Collector bone shiv. It is…unique.”
“I wasn’t sure if it worried you, but she does not see you as a threat.”
“That doesn’t worry me.”
“But something does?”
Klaus didn’t move. He could hear the sympathy in Elizabeth’s voice, but didn’t know how he was meant to react to it. He gulped uncomfortably. Elizabeth could see more than she gave on. He was letting his mask slip, and that was dangerous.
Instead, Klaus changed the topic. “Will you stay with them?”
“With who?”
“Catherine Rose-Wicker. Once we have stopped Nikolas, will you stay with them?”
She looked away in thought. “I haven’t exactly thought that far ahead.”
“They are your family, the only ones you have left,” he added as if the words had a bitter taste.
Elizabeth bit into her smile. “Why do I get the impression you don’t want me to?”
“You know too much,” he chuckled.
“I doubt they would want my company. After all, it is yours they need.”
Klaus shifted, suddenly angered. “Looks like we are both guilty.”
“Of what?”
“Of not giving you enough appreciation and respect.” He reached forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “In the face of danger, I do not protect people. I’m sure you’re seen enough evidence to agree. They do not need a selfish man, but a selfless woman. You carry far more value in just your presence than I do in the entirely of my being.”
“Klaus…” Elizabeth whispered.
The curl of her voice, the way her eyes softened with emotion, touched by what he now understood must’ve sounded like a declaration of his feelings, melted her in front of him. Klaus could taste the words on his tongue, unbearably sweet and unfamiliar. Word of advice, little brother…keep falling. Nikolas’ echoing words pulled his smile away. Reality snapped him back like an unforgiving force. “Don’t misunderstand. I compliment birds for singing, this doesn’t mean anything.”
Elizabeth smirked. “You never compliment anything.”
His heart started to beat a little faster. “And you know me well.”
Elizabeth crossed her arms, forcing authority into her voice. “What about you? What will you do after we catch Nikolas?”
“I will mourn him.”
“And then what will you do?”
“Then, I will just continue to exist.”