Page 68 of Insidious Monsters
“Luphin? Is that someone you met on the other side?”
“Yes.”
His eyes lit up. “Fascinating.”
“How long before you can crack the code on the inscription?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll keep working on it.” He narrowed his eyes. “From what you’ve told me, this could be a message for the rift walkers. Why else put it on a gravestone in the exact spot your mother died and why encrypt it?”
He had a point. But who would leave this message? “Will you let me know as soon as you have something.”
“I’ll pass a message through Devyn.”
“Or I could just give you my number.” I gave him a cheeky smile.
His cheeks went pink. “I prefer to keep my connections to the outside world limited.”
“Is that why I was told not to bring my handler?”
His expression shuttered. “Partly. Look, August, I’m happy to help you but I can’t associate with the Order. I have my reasons and I’d appreciate it if you respect that.”
I held up my hands. “Hey, I’m no fan of the Order either. I’m only working for them because they can help me with a…predicament.”
“Oh?” He poured more tea into my cup. “Do tell.”
I couldn’t help but smile. He had a charming air that instantly made me feel at ease, plus my Telarion situation was hardly a secret. “I have an aberrant inside me.”
He raked me over. “Inside you, like…possessingyou?”
“Not exactly.” I filled him in on how the aberrant-host situation worked. “So, the Order says they can help separate us, but I have to do some jobs for them first.”
“It sounds like they’re using you.” His jaw hardened. “Kinda what the Order does.”
He wasn’t wrong. “I don’t have much of a choice. I’m running out of time.” I told him about my hunger, leaving out the delicate parts. “Another month and I might be too far gone for them to help me.”
“The word ‘monster’ is relative,” he said. “Do you consider Telarion a monster?”
“No. Not anymore.”
“If you’re different, they call you a monster; out of the norm, you’re called a monster. If you can do things that others cannot it threatens them and so they label you a monster.”
I was getting the feeling this was a little personal for him. “Is that why you’re hiding here? You’re different too?”
His smile was bitter. “You could say that. But my different could be your salvation.”
My pulse quickened with hope. “What do you mean?”
“I think I might be able to help you.”
“You can separate us?”
“Maybe. I’ll need a sample of your blood.”
“Can I ask why?”
“Best you don’t. Just trust me. Please.”
“I barely know you.”
