After eating breakfast, Jace lay on his bed with nothing to do.
The patrols of the Backlund police had increased even more.
They were looking for "the murderous clown," and they had also been looking for the clown who performed during the day.
It definitely would not be wise to go clowning around in the daylight anymore.
So, Jace limited himself only to the night.
It had been a week since he killed the Hunter; in this week, he had killed two more drug dealers.
That made his total kill count six.
It definitely wasn't weird that he was keeping a count. No, not at all!
He got up and decided it was time to contact Catherine.
He sat at the small, rickety table and began writing.
After finishing a letter to Catherine, he figured it would be good if he wrote a letter to Jane as well.
The girl cared for him, even if Jace had decided to distance himself from her.
He put them in different envelopes and wrote their names.
Into Catherine's envelope, he also tucked the glass vial containing the Hunter's Beyonder characteristic.
Jace cleared the table to use it as an altar to summon the messenger.
He lit a single candle representing himself, the flame flickering in the drafty room.
He sprinkled some dried herbs into the flame, the scent of mint and lavender filling the air.
Entering cogitation, he erected a wall of spirituality with his silver knife.
Then he sat and recited the incantation:
"I summon in my name:
The spirit that wanders the spirit world,
The creature that can be contracted,
The messenger that belongs to Catherine Webbers."
Jace looked around. His Spirit Vision was already active, turning the world into layers of vibrant, translucent colors.
He waited. He knew that not all messengers were fast; some took their time.
As he expected, a few seconds later, the messenger arrived.
Jace raised an eyebrow at its appearance.
It was a purple-red octopus, slightly bigger than a grown cat, floating in the air as if the room were filled with water.
It didn't seem to have eyes, but Jace could swear the thing was staring at him.
After a few seconds, it extended a tentacle, grabbed the letters, and disappeared into the void.
---
Catherine sat in her living room, sipping tea.
The room was warm and smelled of expensive bergamot, a sharp contrast to the cold streets outside.
A month ago, Jace had asked her if she wanted to be a demigod.
When she asked what he meant, Jace had just told her to "think about it."
Catherine had started her Beyonder journey after her husband died; his vault and secret chamber had contained more than enough means for her to advance.
Once MI9 found out, they got in touch with her.
Since then, she had been working with them, informing them about Beyonder movements in Cherwood and even freelancing on some missions.
She had created her own network.
She had taken her first potion in her early thirties—not the most optimum age for becoming a Beyonder.
But the power tempted her to advance . But advancements were only getting harder for her
Even so she had persevered and reached Sequence 5, and it had been worth it.
Now she held power she once thought never existed.
But she believed this was her limit.
She likely wouldn't have the opportunity to get a Sequence 4 formula or the ingredients required.
Even if she did, she wondered if she would even survive the advancement.
Still, ever since Jace asked, she couldn't stop thinking about it.
She sighed and continued with her tea.
"Hmm?" She turned on her Spirit Vision as a ripple appeared in the air.
Her messenger appeared, dropped two envelopes on the table, and vanished.
Catherine picked up the envelope addressed to her.
She took out the letter and the glass vial.
Dear Catherine,
It's me, Jace. Though I never really classified what our relationship is, I would like it to be a good one.
Things are going as well as they can be here in the East Boroughs. The "acting" method I came up with is showing significant results and digestion speed. I expect to fully digest the potion within two or three weeks.
This brings me to a request. One of the main ingredients for my next sequence is something I cannot find in the gatherings I frequent.
Since you are the most senior Beyonder I know, I'm looking to you for help. I need:
— 1 × True Root of a Mist Treant
— 30 milliliters of Mist Treant Juice
As a sincere man, I will pay the full price plus your commission.
Also, one fateful midnight, I had the opportunity to hunt a Hunter (pun intended). The vial contains the Sequence 9 Hunter characteristic. You can sell it or keep it, and simply subtract the value from the cost of the ingredients I need.
There is also a letter for my neighbor. I hope you can have someone deliver it on my behalf. The address is included below.
The depressing and dark environment here has affected me significantly. On some lonely nights, I definitely find myself thinking of the night you took my chastity.
Yours truly,
Jace Liebert
P.S. If the price for the ingredients is fair, I might be persuaded to be more compliant and submissive during our next night together!
Catherine's eye twitched as she read the part about taking his chastity, but despite herself, her cheeks flushed slightly.
When she reached the postscript, she found herself momentarily lost in a very inappropriate fantasy.
She shook her head vigorously and began her cogitation routine.
It was unbecoming for a lady of her standing to get lost in such thoughts.
Then again, she hadn't exactly been "ladylike" that night.
She got up and made her way to her study to write him a reply.