Prophecy: Tome of Embers

11. Hush, Little Baby

None of them wanted to talk about it on the way back. In fact, they didn't talk about anything at all. Neither Dill, nor Toby, nor even Lorelei herself made any mention of her powers. Not one of them spoke of how Toby had set Percy's body ablaze, destroying what was left of her. Maybe it was because the whole ordeal was passed, and they didn't want to keep it front and center, or maybe it was because there was just nothing more they could say. Regardless, each one of them looked out of their respective windows and kept to the confines of their minds.

It was relieving to go their separate ways when they got back into the city, even if they knew they would need to deal with the aftermath later. At the moment there was nothing to be done, no way to find out why Larry had killed Persephone Montgomery, only the knowledge that he had. There was a story behind it, one they were sure to get to the bottom of, but that was tomorrow's problem-they had taken care of todays. Truth be told, Toby just couldn't bear the thought of having to spend any more time in their company, and he was happy to be rid of them as he arrived back at his apartment.

Of course that same sentiment didn't apply to everyone, and he knew there was one face that he was looking forward to seeing. Only when he opened the door and went inside he discovered that Austin was nowhere to be found, and though he figured that he might've gone to spend the lonely hours with Myrna, he learned that he was still disappointed all the same. Not in Austin, just because of his own desire to have him to himself. Still, he knew it was a good thing that Austin was opening up, venturing out and trusting more than just one person. Myrna wouldn't have been his guess though.

A quick look at his watch told him that it was already getting late, and he could feel the rumblings in his stomach that told him he was hungry. Toby was not one to let the sight of a dead body ruin his appetite-if it did he would never be able to eat. Because Austin had lived with him for a while now, Toby knew that he wouldn't have eaten yet, and certainly wouldn't do so with Myrna. On any usual day Toby would've just doubled whatever he was making for himself-instead of one sandwich he'd make two, that sort of thing.

Yet the day had been anything but usual, and in his head he could still remember the way Austin had made him feel, the way their lips had come so close together. It moved him, inspired him, and he wanted to make something nice-something that he could put a considerable amount of effort into. To look at him, no one would think that he would actually be able to cook, and there was never really an occasion to. After all, that would conflict readily with the hardened, aggressive demeanor that he exuded, but his job at the restaurant had taught him to cook well, and he was strangely content to do so then.

When he had finished preparing the meal the sun was already setting. By that time he was sure that Austin would've been home, but he still paid it no mind as he set the table, wanting it to be perfect when he arrived. Though he went on like that he was self-aware enough to understand how out of character it was for him, and how embarrassed he would be if anyone else were to catch him in such a soft moment. However it seemed like it was worth it, for once, to be soft. To do something like this. That, in its own right, was a testament to all the good that Austin had done for him. To him.

The finishing touch, which was overtly obvious as if the entire thing wasn't, was the candle that he placed in the center of the table. With a flick of his bare finger he gave it life, watching it burn as he stepped back and viewed the completed spread with satisfaction. When that faded he sat down and waited. When he had waited for a little while longer he began to worry for the first time then, and he told himself it was nothing as he took out his cellphone and dialed Myrna's number. Up until she answered he had done a fairly good job of talking himself down.