Caliste & Gerard

The Market

Chapter 5

The moon was high in the sky as Caliste made her way back to the barrier. It was closed. She scanned the area but saw no one on the empty street. Had Mona closed up the wall or had another witch done it?

Worry gnawed at her. What if Gerard had left without her? Though she trusted the vampire to make good on his promise, she wanted to be present to ensure the blood markets wouldn't continue. She had a few spells in mind that could help track the culprits and set up blocks to prevent ordinaires from finding the place.

Adjusting the large pack on her shoulder, she pushed away the doubt and chanted the spell to reopen the barrier. It opened, and she wasted no time in stepping over the broken stone.

Caliste blinked against the darkness, trying to sense if Gerard was still there.

"Here," he called from ahead.

She moved toward it but paused. The path was filled with otherworldly beings. What if it was a trick and it wasn't Gerard she was hearing?

Quick as she could, she sent a chant up and approached the voice.

A light appeared, briefly blinding her. Magic?

The light moved away and turned off. No. A flashlight, she realized.

She whipped in the direction she thought Gerard was standing in. "You said no more ordinaires."

Someone grunted. Caliste squinted, trying to make out the stranger in the dark.

"My informant wishes to remain... anonymous. But trust me, they are well equipped to handle this," Gerard answered.

His cryptic response only served to stir Caliste's curiosity. She sensed a barrier around the informant, but their aura still leaked through and it was clearly human.

Another witch? Why wouldn't they want her to know their identity?

"Are we ready or what? I don't know why we're lingering in the path." The voice, definitely masculine, spoke gruffly.

Caliste blinked in surprise at his rudeness.

"Lead the way then," Gerard retorted.

"I'm not entering the market with you. I'll show you the way, but I'm not going in."

"Yes. I know. You've stated your terms, GRIMM."

Caliste's eyes widened. A GRIMM?

The man growled.

"Oops. My apologies, I do have a loose tongue." Amusement echoed in Gerard's words.

"You're lucky I'm doing you this favor, blood sucker."

"And you're lucky I haven't ripped your head from your shoulders." Gerard's voice hardened.

Caliste held a hand up as though they could see her. "Enough. I don't care about your identity. Please, just take us to the market."

"Again. I'm not entering the market. I'll take you to the entrance. You're on your own after that."

"Yes. Fine. Thank you." Caliste fought the urge to roll her eyes.

It wasn't like he was the first dirty agent she'd come across. New Orleans was heavily staffed with them. They fell quiet as the GRIMM led them forward. Thankful he came with his own protection spells, Caliste was able to reserve her magic for herself.

Gerard was an extraordinaire and knew the path well so he wouldn't need her protection either. The coldness whipped around them, the eerie voices winding around them. Caliste shuddered as invisible hands scraped against her shields.