Part 54 (1/2)

”I know.”

”But Diana . . .”

”Will be freed when we defeat the darkside.”

Sam opened his mouth to ask what would happen if they didn't defeat the darkside, but he closed it again when he realized he already knew the answer. And he didn't like it much.

”What a lovely cat.”

Dean glanced down in time to see Austin pointedly cross to the other side of the dining room, as far from Meryat as he could get and still be contained within the same four walls.

”I don't think he likes me.”

”Foolish kitty,” Dr. Rebik murmured, bringing the blackened tips of the mummy's fingers to his lips.

Trying not to shudder, Dean developed a sudden interest in cleaning nothing off a spotless floor. He was doing his best to be open-minded about this, he was involved with an older woman himself, but he just couldn't get past the reanimated corpse part of the relations.h.i.+p. When he straightened, all ancient digits were back within the masking folds of Meryat's cloak and Dr. Rebik was finis.h.i.+ng his oatmeal.

”As Meryat would like to remain here until your Keeper returns,” the archaeologist began, setting his spoon aside, ”I was wondering, Mr. McIssac, if you could do me a favor.”

Ignoring Austin's warning twitch, Dean nodded. ”I'd be happy to.”

”It's just I don't have a lot of clothes with me and, were I to go out to a coin laundry, I'd have a choice of either not was.h.i.+ng my trousers or not wearing them while they washed. And they do need was.h.i.+ng.”

From what he could see of the cream-colored chinos, that was an unfortunately accurate observation. ”I'd be happy to do a load for you. Put everything you want washed in one of the pillowcases and set it out in the hall.”

”Thank you, Mr. McIssac.” He set both palms against the tabletop and pushed himself to his feet, then tucked a hand under Meryat's elbow to help her stand.

”Yes, Mr. McIssac.” The morning light illuminated the depths of her hood as she turned and Dean got an unwelcome education in what bits rotted away even in a very dry climate. The dark eyes looked out of place amidst the lack of cartilage and fat. ”Thank you.”

He a.s.sumed she was smiling although the words ”rictus grin” couldn't help but come to mind. ”You're welcome.”

”You know, I was wondering something myself.”

All three heads rotated toward the cat, the new angle throwing Meryat's face back into shadow.

”Why is it that you want to see the Keeper?” Austin continued, suddenly sitting at the end of the long table. Dr. Rebik looked startled, a ripple traveled the length of Meryat's cloak, and Dean tried to pretend that he didn't usually let the cat sit with the breakfast dishes. Not that ”let the cat” was in any way pertinent to cats in general and this cat in particular. ”She's on a.s.signment. You could have quite the wait.”

”I am willing to wait.” Meryat folded her hands into her sleeves. ”I am hoping she will be able to give me back all I have lost.”

”You seem to be doing fine without her.”

”But so, so slowly. I look forward to the day when I can . . .”

”Rule the world?”

”Go out in public.”

Shooting a ”now see what you've done” look at Austin and another at Dean, Dr. Rebik slipped his arm around Meryat's bowed shoulders and led her from the room. During their slow shuffle down the hall and up the stairs, Dean loaded the dishwasher, swept the dining room floor, polished the table, and did his best to ignore the expression on Austin's face.

The distant sound of a door closing on the second floor brought the cat to his feet. ”Convinced? It's going too slowly and she needs to suck the life out of Claire to finish rebuilding herself.”