Prophecy: Tome of Blood

3. A Necessary Evil

It was going to take a lot to convince them that he was right. That was okay, Austin didn't mind the challenge, and as if they hadn't heard him the first time he explained to them again the dreams he'd been tormented with lately, and just exactly what he thought they meant. It wasn't that they were blind, or unwilling to believe, but like Toby they were all certain that the Anchoress was dead and gone, that her reign was over and there was nothing more to be wrought from her.

"It's a sign? They're dreams, nothing more." Lorelei was the most sympathetic to him, wishing she could lend him any credence.

"I hate to say it, little brother, but I think she's right-come on, think about it, doesn't it seem a little too coincidental? You're probably just having a hysterical reaction to what the Keeper said." Now Cliff spoke up.

"No, you're all wrong, I'm telling you, it is a sign. Yeah, its coincidental, that's why I know it has to mean something. If the past two years have taught me anything, it's that there is no such thing as coincidence-only fate." Austin would not let their refusals dissuade him. "Something's not right, I can feel it in the air, you have to trust me, I seem to be the only one taking this seriously."

"That's not fair, babe, we're all trying to do our part." Shifting from his spot, Dill moved closer, "and hey, I'm not saying you're wrong. But I'm going to need a hell of a lot more to go on than just your dreams."

"It's enough for me." It was the first words that Percy had spoken since the meeting had been called, and her siding with the unpopular opinion drew all the eyes to her. "He's right, I mean look at me, there are no coincidences. Besides, he knows the Anchoress better than any of us, he had that special bond to her or whatever. So maybe he's sensing something we don't yet, but all I know is that there's no harm in throwing in with him-what's the worst thing that could happen? He's wrong and we're no worse off because of it? But what happens if we say no and we're wrong?"

"What would you even want us to do?" With a small sigh Cliff wondered aloud, not really seeing the point but knowing that they would continue to go in circles. "If we were to go along with this, what are supposed to do about it?"

"I don't know, that hasn't occurred to me yet. Toby doesn't seem to believe the Keeper this time around, but we're running out of time, I know it. I can feel it." It was almost like Austin wasn't speaking to them as he paced back and forth, rubbing the small patch of hair that he'd recently grown under his bottom lip.

"Well it's not like we could exactly go out looking, can we?" Dill shrugged, "I guess if it'll make you feel any better about it I can ask around, see if any of my contacts have heard anything. It's the best I can do."

"That's a start," Percy again butted in, "why don't you do that? Cliff here will be the first to hear if there's trouble brewing, so we've got that covered. Lorelei, well, I don't know, I guess we'll have to find something useful for you to do."

"Watch it," the thief glared at her as she got up, following her lover to the door. There seemed little point in continuing their discussion, so they all broke apart. While the others were occupied Austin beckoned for the ghost to join him off to the side-which she did.

"Thanks for sticking up for me." He told her, admittedly surprised that she had.

"I think you're right, there's nothing more to it." Her response was short, as usual, but after a moment she looked around to be sure no one was listening. "And there's something else. I didn't want to mention it in front of everyone, but I trust you. I don't know, do you think this could have something to do with me? Weird stuff has been going on for me too lately, just like with you."