It was cold outside, the wind biting at his exposed flesh. It would be winter soon, fall ending so quickly. He rubbed his hands together before stuffing them in the leather jacket, his eyes scanning the empty streets. Maorrighan had been all smiles and laughter, but he noticed the worry and concern that seeped into the edges of the dull colored eyes. Julian had given the bartender a bit of a hard time. But it was the only way he could pass on information without being noticed. The tall man paused mid step, wanting nothing more than to rub his face. It was uncomfortable in the cold air. But, he had an appointment to keep before returning to the Grand Inquisitor’s place of stay. Julian stopped under a flickering street lamp, the others still giving off steady light. He looked up and suddenly all the lights were gone.

He checked the moon. Ah, right on time. He turned his gaze to the source of the missing lights. A young woman stood, with pale eyes and hair, an octopus beanie on her head. “What’s with that ridiculous hat?” his tone bored and uninterested. “What is it that it was so important that we had to meet, Squid?”

She said nothing but pulled off the beanie from her head, her eyes never leaving his. He noted one part of a tentacle was glowing. Ah, listening spell. “Old Woman,” she spoke after a moment and then tossed the beanie far from them. Now it was just the two of them. “Tell me what you know.” Her voice was bland and empty, her eyes bored. Squid hadn’t really changed. Sure, she could done on a mask and fool most that she cared and gave a damn. Julian knew better.

“I thought you knew everything what happens here.” There was nothing more dangerous that someone like her. She could seamlessly slip in and out of lives, change masks and personas. Even he wasn’t as accomplished as her. Then again, he wasn’t as old as her either. She just had more experience and practice. “I don’t know anything,” he watched her eyes flash. “I do know that you purposefully drove passed the pig demon to cause commotion.” His face hardened. “Who were you trying to flush out?”

“Does it matter?”

“You think the Old Woman will fall so easily for your tricks?” he had a feeling she had planned something else. “Or were you trying to ruffle some feathers so they’d hop back to mother hen?” He watched her cross her arms, her expression unchanging. Squid was nothing else if efficient. It was why the Grand Inquisitor tolerated her as much as she did. She didn’t interfere with his plans nor did she really do anything to stop him. Sure, she insulted him in crowded rooms when expected. Clearly, she didn’t care one way or another.

Julian didn’t trust her.

“I don’t care,” he started walking again. “This meeting is over.” He was stopped by her hand squeezing his arm, the pressure near breaking point. If he were a human with no knowledge of the supernatural, it would’ve probably broken. No doubt because Maorrighan knew him Squid didn’t want alarms raised.

“Mother and Grandmother really can’t stand you,” her voice soft. “I wonder what you would do if I were to throw you in there with them.”

“You can do whatever you like,” Julian spat. “Just don’t blame me for what happens after.” He yanked free, narrowing his eyes. He watched as she tilted her head in thought. No doubt she was calculating and determining her options. Squid was not one to be defied. Julian did it on a constant basis. In the end, she relinquished his arm and just stared. He continued walking, not bothering with any more pleasantries.

“It’s because of her I don’t reduce you ash.”

He waited for the wind to become colder. It only left him empty.