Breathe in the Embers

Part 13

Martin didn’t have to wait long to see the consequences of that near miss.

His parents didn’t suspect a thing, which he felt vaguely guilty about. They trusted him because he had always been trustworthy. He never lied, he did what he was supposed to. He was a good kid. Now though, now he felt like those terrible children who sneak out of their houses to go to parties or commit other acts of delinquent stupidity. It would be bad enough if his parents found out and were angry.

It was much worse when they just smiled, nodded, and trusted his lies.

It was even worse when his friends did the same, so it was something of a relief when Martin noticed a familiar shadow catching up to him on his trip to the industrial district.

“So where are you really going Marty?” Margaret inquired casually, falling into step alongside him. Her tone was casual, but when he met her gaze, they held both hurt and a conspiratorial excitement. She didn’t like that he’d lied to her, but she was excited to find out why. To be let in on the secret. And to be honest, Martin was sorely tempted to tell her the truth. It was a heavy weight for him to bear alone, and Lithuega didn’t really count, not when she had no one to lie to.

Martin sighed. She would just continue to follow him, and she could every day until she found out, so there was no reason to lie. He’d just have to dissuade her. “Warehouse in the industrial district.” he replied honestly. “Nothing special. Just need some time to get away.”

“Away to an old, dangerous, hopefully abandoned warehouse in one of the seediest parts of town.” Margaret deadpanned. “Look, if you make up a boring lie, I’m not going to believe you, and come along anyway. If you tell an interesting lie, or interesting truth for that matter, I’m still coming. May as well come clean now.”

Well… shit.

“Look, I’m just meeting a friend. Come if you want, but we don’t get up to much.”

“Then I am happy to come along and liven things up!”

Martin levelled a vexed glare at her. Margaret was imposing enough to be a football player, and Martin was certainly not anywhere close to so intimidating. It was little wonder she simply grinned in response. “I don’t think you’ll like her. And we really are going to a warehouse, so maybe you shouldn’t come along.”

“Oooh a ‘her’ is it? A secret female friend that Martin is hiding from family?” Margaret kept her grin, but Martin felt her tense up. “You got a crush that your folks won’t approve of Marty?”

Well, they certainly wouldn’t approve. And his cheeks flushed at the implication, recalling the same insinuation in the contract Lithuega had made with him. “You could say that.” he eventually muttered, wondering if that would dissuade her.

Margaret mulled that over, clearly unhappy, but eventually she managed to whisper a question. ‘It isn’t me is it? Is this all some elaborate ruse to lure me out here with fake conspiracies and confess your deep, everburning infatuation?”

Martin genuinely hesitated at the suggestion. It was a good excuse and might get her to leave off of this specific journey, and maybe explain the whole ordeal as a set up. But even if she believed that incredibly far fetched ruse, his continued disappearances would just draw her attention further. He couldn’t stop training with Lithuega after all, and his supposed interest in Margaret might make her more attentive! But more than any of that, it just felt wrong.

Not to lie to her when it was none of her business, but to tell that lie.

“Look, fine. If you want to come along and meet her, you can.” Martin finally sighed in exasperation. “But you can’t tell anyone. Not a soul. And the reason why will be perfectly clear once you meet Li…. Lily.”

“Lily huh?” Margaret asked, Martin wondering if Lithuega would be mad about her cover name. Titles seemed to be very important to demons, as were names, and giving them a new one was apparently something taken very seriously. Margaret folded her arms, eyes narrowed. “Well then, let’s see what I make of her.”