Chapter 54: First Gen...Bloody Mary
The sound of the washing machine humming to life echoed from the small laundry alcove off Gwen’s kitchen. She emerged a few minutes later, wiping her hands on a dish towel, her eyes immediately finding Kaine where he sat hunched over the ancient book.
"Should be ready in about an hour," she said, settling back into her chair. "The stain wasn’t as bad as I thought. Coffee came out pretty easily."
Kaine nodded without looking up, his finger tracing the strange symbols on the page he’d been studying. The illustrations were clearer now that he’d had time to examine them properly, but they raised more questions than they answered.
"Anything new?" Gwen asked, leaning forward slightly.
"Nothing you missed. Your translation was thorough." He closed the book with a soft thud. "We need more information about how Hallar gained his powers. The text mentions supernatural abilities but doesn’t specify the source. Could be demonic pacts, blood magic, ancient artifacts—any number of things."
"And the location of the grave."
"That’s the real prize. Without knowing where he’s buried, we’re just playing defense. Reacting to his agent instead of striking at the source."
Gwen stood, moving around the coffee table to sit beside him on the couch. The cushions dipped slightly under her weight, and Kaine caught a whiff of her perfume.
"Meeting Mrs. Miller again is our best bet," she said, her voice closer now. "Her husband’s collection was extensive. There might be other manuscripts, maybe maps or local histories that could point us in the right direction."
Kaine turned to respond and found her watching him with an intensity that had nothing to do with research. Her eyes moved from his face to his shoulders, lingering on his chest.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Just making observations." She replied before he said anything, she then reached for the hem of her own shirt, pulling it over her head in one smooth motion.