Page 83 of Ancient Obsession

“Thanks, but I’m on duty.”

“Why are you patrolling Parson’s Hollow?” Oliver asked. “What’s happened to make you drive over here?”

Carter folded his arms and let out a heavy breath. “Another member of the team is missing. Dylan Cambras.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“Did you manage any sleep last night?”

Clarabell’s deep, scratchy voice gently grated across Oliver’s nerves. It wasn’t exactly unpleasant. More like a strange sound coming from somewhere inside a new house you eventually get used to.

“Some, yeah,” Oliver said. “Thanks for pulling everyone together here on short notice.”

“Happy to do it. Come on in.”

Clarabell led the way into the open concept layout of her upstairs apartment. The apartment was full but didn’t feel crowded. The French doors to the balcony over the carport were open, and a breeze brought in the sweet, dry smell of straw from the farm supply store on the next block. The stools at the large island were occupied by Lucia, Gayle, and Tracey Mumm, who worked at the Parson’s Hollow library and managed a secured archive room in the back dedicated to ancient lore from all around the world.

Cody and Demetrius sat on the couch, both tired from the night before, though Cody appeared worse for wear. Jugs and his girlfriend, Agatha, sat at the other end of the couch talking with Demetrius while Cody slouched beside him, his hand over his eyes. Demetrius’s Aunt Amelia and Oliver’s grandmother stood talking with Dr. Zenona Baldwin behind the couch. The doc was beautiful as ever, though she still appeared pale beneath her Mediterranean coloring. Zenona nodded, leaning in as she actively listened to his grandmother.

Dave went around greeting everyone, but Robin stuck close to Oliver’s side.

“All of these people help you track down monsters?” they whispered.

“In one way or another. It’s been a wild few years.”

“Wow.” Robin’s eyes were wide as they took in the gathering. “This is so fire.”

Oliver grinned. “An absolute inferno.”

Dave cleared his throat and raised his hands. Conversations stopped as everyone turned their attention to him.

“Thank you all for coming,” Dave said. “And thanks to Clarabell for organizing this get-together.”

“What unnatural thing have you awakened this time?” Tracey said, her tone grumpy. Oliver noted the dark circles behind her glasses and the way she couldn’t seem to hold his gaze for long. She’d lost her boyfriend as well as a good friend just a few months earlier, both victims of a witch. Even though Tracey had always been surly—especially around Cody—Oliver felt a swell of sympathy for her.

“Come on, Tracey,” Zenona said, her tone gentle.

Tracey frowned. “Am I wrong?”

“It’s not always their fault,” Zenona said.

“Maybe seventy-thirty,” Cody added, his voice scratchy. Now that he’d lifted his head and dropped his hand, Oliver could see his bloodshot eyes.

“If I may continue,” Dave said. He waited for Tracey’s nod—complete with a scowl—before he went on. “You’re all invited to our wedding tomorrow, and we look forward to seeing you there, but we wanted to make you aware of an ongoing…” Dave glanced at Oliver. “Situation.”

“Situation is code for monster,” Jugs said.

“I restate my question,” Tracey said.

“Fine, I’ll…” He looked at Oliver. “Unless you want to take over?”

He didn’t, but Oliver figured it was only right. “Sure. I’ve been taking classes at Bishop Point University. Oh, by the way, this is a friend I met in one of my classes. Their name is Robin Moreau.”

Robin lifted a hand and blushed as everyone else said hello.

“Good kid,” Cody said. “Sharp.”

“Without getting into the weeds for the reason why, Robin and I attended the opening of a coffin from a newly discovered tomb in Egypt.”