Cat and the Cryptid Spring Episode Eight

Cat and the Cryptid Summer by Raspberry | Content Warnings

Betty hadn’t had the urge to hide from anyone in at least a few decades. But seeing a familiar face as it approached the B&B, she felt the instinct to check the locks on the door and slip under the bed. Which wouldn’t do any good, she told herself. Locks never stopped Mayari, and having to crawl out from under the bed would only create more embarrassment for Betty in the long run.

“What is it?” Jules asked, peering over Betty’s shoulder.

Betty could feel the scowl without even having to look behind her. The temperature in the room seemed to drop by a few degrees. She quickly closed the curtains and placed her hands on Jules’ shoulders.

“”I know you know this already, but we are technically guests on her land–” Jules audibly snorted at the word– “and we are going to be polite and civil.”

“Good luck having the fish agree to those terms,” Jules replied with a sniff. “I can smell her coming.”

A light knock on the door preceded the handle turning and Mayari letting herself in. Clad in ripped jeans and a plain white tee, she could have easily passed for a normal person, even with the ethereal glow about her face.

“Betty, it’s been a while,” she said, closing the door behind her. “Though, not long enough for you to have aged quite so much.” She glanced at Jules. “I guess I understand that mortal phrase about bothersome people ‘giving gray hairs’ now.”

“Can we toss her back into the water now? It’s starting to smell like an aquarium here.”

“Okay, both of you settle down,” Betty said with a sigh, leaning against the windowsill. “What do you need, Mayari?”

“Maybe I missed you and wanted to catch up.” Mayari’s eyes twinkled. “It’s been too long.”

“Not long enough,” Jules mumbled, and Betty shot her a warning look.

“Or maybe you heard about the incident on the beach and came to stick your nose where it didn’t belong,” Betty countered. “This is a Guardian matter, and I don’t need you involved.”

“But that’s where you’re wrong, dear.” Mayari sat on the bed comfortably. “That nymph was on her way to meet me. We had important matters to discuss, and I assumed that a simple nymph would have safe passage.” She pursed her lips. “But I guess being a Guardian no longer means protecting those in your charge.”

“The Guardian isn’t a bodyguard for hire,” Jules cut in.

“And that’s after last summer,” Mayari continued. “Fighting Fae and a werewolf who snuck into the realm under your nose… unless the rumors I’ve been hearing are wrong?”

Betty narrowed her eyes, not going for the bait. Jules, however, was baring her teeth and looked moments away from ripping the mermaid to shreds.

“I’m not here to criticize you,” Mayari said. “I’m here to remind you of my offer from before. It’s still on the table, and, between the two of us, it seems like you may need it more than me.”

“What offer?” Jules asked.

“My answer is still the same,” Betty replied coolly. “And I’d recommend you stay away from here. There’s a paranormal investigator here with her eyes on me. I’d hate to wrap you into that.”

“Haven’t I already told you that life is more fun when it’s messy?” Mayari replied with a wink. “You may have aged, but I can still feel that fire in you, Betty. It’s entrancing.”

Betty could feel Jules practically vibrate as she glared at the mermaid. 

“Well, I should take my leave. I’ll be back tomorrow to talk about that offer,” Mayari continued. “I’m trying to help you, Betty. And my people. Don’t make me have to do something drastic to protect them.”

Betty didn’t reply, taking silent satisfaction that Mayari was obviously fishing for a reaction. Unfortunately, Jules was not being subtle about her feelings at all. As soon as Mayari left, Jules hissed at the door.

“I almost turned her into a platter of sashimi,” she muttered. “Still might.”

“Well, at least we all behaved,” Betty said dryly.

“What was her offer?” Jules asked, turning to face Betty. “And why did it sound like she was asking you to… what are the balls called now? Proms?”

“Her offer… was ages ago,” Betty replied slowly. “When I was much younger. It was a… partnership with her… with shared power and… other shared things.”

“She proposed?”

“More or less. Some could describe it that way.”

“Well now I’m really ripping her to pieces,” Jules replied in an eerily calm tone. 

“She obviously wants the power of the Guardian.”

“Oh, I saw how she was looking at you. I know what she wanted from the Guardian.”

“Jules–” 

“So should we figure out who killed this nymph so we can solve this mystery and get back to our romantic getaway? Preferable without the little mermaid.”

Betty sighed but let the subject drop for now. It was doubtless going to be brought up numerous more times.

After dark, Jules took Betty to a small cave miles away, hidden in some private beach. The body of the nymph was resting on the cold stone, looking so peaceful she could have been sleeping.

“Nice hiding spot,” Betty noted.

“I lived through three monster hunts,” Jules replied with a shrug. “And a witch hunt in Salem. You get good at finding hideouts quickly when your life depends on it.”

“Fair enough,” Betty replied, crouching to examine the body. “Cause of death?”

“She was stabbed here,” Jules said, moving the nymph’s arm to show a deep gash across her side body. “Whoever did this must have been strong enough to keep her from the sea.”

“She wasn’t a sea nymph, but the salt water could still have healed her enough to survive,” Betty agreed with a nod. “So our killer knew that.” She shone a light on the wound. “Looks like a curved blade. These markings… look almost familiar.”

“It’s an old weapon,” Jules added. “Some sort of crude metal. It leaves a distinct scent.”

Betty felt her head ache, like she should know the answer to this riddle. Her mind was blank, and she let out a deep sigh.

“I don’t suppose you brought a book that could help with this?” she asked.

“Unfortunately not,” Jules replied. “I could call Anne and have her do some research. She’s probably dying of boredom anyway.”

“Better idea,” Betty said, grabbing her phone.”I’ll ask Cat. She’s probably been playing around instead of studying anyway.”

She dialed Cat, trying to ignore the heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She should know this answer without needing anyone’s help. A few years ago, she would have. Maybe Mayari was right, and she was slipping as a Guardian.