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so...happy?” asked Laki.
    Elisa chuckled. “Relax, this is how this kind of thing works.”
    “This is your life?” asked Laki. “I've never had someone try to kill me before.”
    “Welcome to the life of a myth hunter,” said Elisa.  
    Laki leaned against the wheel and continued to breathe heavily. “I think I'd like my old life back.”
    Elisa rubbed her new friend's shoulder. “Relax, you'll do fine. It's always tough at first.”
    Laki glanced up. “How old were you when you started doing this kind of stuff?”
    Elisa shrugged. “I don't know...twelve maybe?”
    Laki's eyes widened. “What?”

C HAPTER 7

    Stubby slumped in his chair, a half-finished bottle of gin on his desk, the only light coming from the glow of the small television screen. His eyes were shut, occasionally the sound of snoring coming from his throat. His impromptu nap came at an unfortunate time, for it meant he didn't hear the sound of the bell at the front of his shop.  
    The door had been locked.  
    Stubby shifted in his sleep, his body trying to make itself comfortable in the large chair, the leather squeaking as he moved. The glow of the television screen reflected off a long, thin metal object that eased closer to its target.
    The edged side of the katana sword came right up against the front of Stubby's throat, coming to rest right on his Adam's apple. A gloved hand reached around Stubby's head and clamped over his mouth and nose. Stubby woke immediately, struggling for breath and the mysterious swordsman released his nose.
    “Easy there, Mr. Stubby. Never startle a man who has a sword pinned to your throat. Might not end so well for you if you catch my drift.”
    Stubby recognized the voice and he mumbled the name into the man's glove. The swordsman released the shop owner's mouth to allow him to speak and he said only one word: “Seth.”
    “Right you are,” said Seth. He jumped over Stubby's head and landed perfectly straight on the desk. The tip of his sword now lightly touched Stubby's forehead. Seth wore a black trench coat over a three-piece white suit. His shirt was black with a mandarin-style collar and he had long, silver hair.
    “The hell do you want?” asked Stubby.  
    “It's quite simple, really,” said Seth. “I want to know what you told Hill and where I can find her.”
    “Hill? I got no idea where she is. She's still pissed at me after the last time I gave her up to you.”
    “Ah, the werewolf incident, I remember it well.” Seth ran a finger along a scar across his left cheek. “She gave me this.”
    “Right, so why the hell would she come to me again after that?”
    “Because you know things, you're networked with all us crooked little myth hunters,” said Seth. “And word from the grapevine is both her and Davalos are after the same thing, something the Order wants their hands on.”
    “Right, so what do you care?” asked Stubby. “Since when do you work for the Order?”
    “I don't, I only represent my own interests,” said Seth. “But if the Order and Hill are both after this, that means it's big. That means I want in. And that, my friend, means you're going to help me.”
    “Go fuck yourself, Seth. Even if I did know anything, I wouldn't tell you.”
    “Dear, dear Mr. Stubby...” Seth drew his sword back and hopped off the desk, slowly pacing around the small office. “We both know how this works. You tell me what you know and if you don't, I start skinning body parts. I'm sure you don't want that, now do you?”
    “Davalos and Hill are two of the best, while they're distracted with the tablets, why don't you pick some other game to go after? No competition and you can easily make some good cash.”
    “Mr. Stubby, I haven't needed the money since I killed my parents when I was ten. It's not about the money, it's about the challenge.” Seth slowly looked up at Stubby, emerald eyes peering through the silver strands of hair combined with a crooked smile. “Now, what's this