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This takes place right after part seven.
The Viridian Spider:
I awoke early the next morning. I was still snuggled up tight with Fiona on the couch. I sat up very slowly so as not to wake my poor sister. She had already been through so much and she needed all the rest she could get. I looked around and it was still dark outside. I got to my feet without waking Fiona and moved through the silent house on tip toes. I maneuvered easily in the low light of street lights cast through the windows facing the street. I opened the front door and slipped quietly onto the front porch. I walked around to the backyard and savored the sensation of the cool grass between my toes. I looked up at the starry sky and felt a strange sensation, an almost primordial pull.
"Can't sleep either," Melody Lake my neighbor asked.
"No, that damnable room is making me question whether or not I should lock it up and forget about it," I said.
"I understand, it can be overwhelming," she said as I walked over towards the fence that divided our property.
"How many times have you been in the play room," I asked.
"Oh, I don't know," she said the illusion of youth painted upon her by the star light. "...Perhaps three or four dozen times, but it isn't for everyone."
"It was the loss of control that upsets me," I said and she looked intently at me. "What is it?"
"I've never felt that," she said. "I have let myself go and enjoyed the attention of many men..."
"No, there are these cold tentacles that stroke my back and then it's like I'm a prisoner in my own body. Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you."
"Pfft, don't fret young man," she purred. "I have to admit I enjoy having a virile young man living next door."
"If I didn't know better," I said and she just smiled. "You must come by and have a cup of coffee some time."
"I will take you up on your offer," she said. "I think it's time for this old lady to find her bed."
"Pleasant dreams," I said and she actually blushed as she turned to leave.
I walked around the backyard until sunrise. As the night gave way to dawn I stood transfixed at the pure beauty of the blossoming sun. The clouds were set afire with ruby light and I wondered what lay in store for my family and if we had the strength to survive. I would have to go to my father and tell him about his other child and get his take on everything. Would she further tip the balance of power in the non-human community? I wasn't sure I wanted her entangled in the mechanizations of our father. What the hell was I supposed to do? The peace that the dawn had brought had slipped through my fingers. I cursed under my breath and decided my darkened mood needed some purging. I slipped back into the house as quietly as I could, headed up to the second floor and keyed in the pass code to open the security door to the third floor. I climbed the steps and called on Arianna to help me with the research she had done on the artifacts in the library.
'I have scanned and did my due diligence,' she said as I entered the room.
'So what did you find out,' I asked as I began walking around one of the oaken tables.
'All of the objects are somehow connected to the Order,' she said. 'They come down from the dawn time of your dear brotherhood and tell volumes about how they spread from Egypt to the rest of the world. It's like watching a virus at work; spreading all over the face of the world.'
'Interesting,' I said. 'So is there any useful information I can use?"
'I have a list of some of the oldest bloodlines tied to the Order,' she said. 'I have backtracked to current members.'
'Great,' I said. 'I'll know who to kiss up to and who to avoid.'
'I am glad I could help Master,' Arianna said. 'Is there anything else I can do Master?'
'As a matter of fact you can,' I said. 'Here is a file for you; I want you to follow the instructions to the letter.' There was a short pause as she looked at the project I had sent her.
'Interesting, I will put this at the top of my list. I should have it done in a few days if that is satisfactory.'
'Perfect,' I said.
I heard one of the bedroom doors open below me and knew that Cassie was up and about. I guess it was time to fix a pot of coffee. I headed downstairs to the kitchen and started the coffee. I looked over at the couch and saw that Fiona was still sleeping soundly, lucky girl. As the coffee percolated I heard the soft foot falls moving down the stairs. Cassie appeared wearing a long t-shirt and a smile. Her hair was tousled and a bit of a mess. I watched her as she stretched out by raising her arms above her head and arching her back. She made l happy little noise and settled back into a natural stance.
"Morning," she said as she took a seat at the table. "How did you sleep?"
"Not bad, how about you," I asked and she smiled.
"After an epic fucking like that, I slept like a baby," she said grinning wickedly. "Are you okay?"
"I am a little disturbed by the effects of the room to be honest," I said. "I do not like losing control.'
"Tell me about it," she said. I poured both of us a cup of coffee and sat down.
"It feels like I am being possessed. There are these cold tendrils that touch my spine and then I am a passenger in my own body." She looked distressed by my description of the event in the play room.
"That is not a typical reaction to the room. I fear something else is going on. Let me do some research and see what I can find out."
"I would appreciate the help," I said. I took a sip of coffee and was pleasantly surprised at the rich flavor. "Good coffee."
"I am glad you like, I got ahold of some Brazilian bean. A cousin of mine buys bean for some of the bigger restaurants on the west coast. He didn't mind sending me some primo stuff for my consumption."
"If they need something in return, oh I can see that you already promised them something," I said.
"Yeah, two nights in the play room," she said. "I hope you don't mind. I got a hundred pounds of the bean in return."
"I don't mind, just give me a heads up when they are in town and I will make myself scarce," I said. "I don't want to be in the way."
"Coffee," Fiona asked as she stumbled into the kitchen. I got up and poured her a cup. She fixed it with creamer and a little sugar. "MMMMMM, an oral god send..."
"So, now that Fiona is up, can you tell us what really happened with the tunnel," Cassie asked.
"I thought you might have forgotten about that," I said but they both shook their heads. "The treasure that Heather was expecting has been silently secured at Iron Heart. Arianna used hover sleds and a drop ship to move it during the cover of night."
"Should I even ask how much it is worth," Fiona said.