"If this is what we think it is and it was able to get to Croc .

She just let the statement trail off.

"Yeah," Tarloh said.

"Weren't we supposed to get a break? Red and Jane killed the Shoggoth. Doesn't that at least warrant a breather?"

Johan took a sip.

"Keep in mind, we may still have time. This thing is a God, so no wonder it was able to affect Croc. But if it could actually do anything but exert influence in the void, we never would have gotten him back. He did something at the wrong spot at the wrong time. Let's not go panicking yet."

Nathaniel felt unease. The Strays would never succeed if they started doubting themselves now.

“Johan's right. Let's play this one by ear.

If the gang gets that jewel in time, we can nip this thing in the bud. Hell, no one would have given us a shot against the Shoggoth a month ago, but it's gone." He noticed the group had perked up a bit.

The handsome young man continued.

“Let's get some other affairs in order while we've got the time."

Tarloh nodded his head in agreement.

"Okay. Red and Jane called.

They'll be back tomorrow night. Wanted to know where to meet us.

Figured we'll stay at the Den for a bit longer."

Talia took the hand of her leader, friend and lover.

"I talked with the owner of the property. She seemed like a great lady. Not at all like other land owners. She'd be happy to sell at a great price, but that price is still high. I can't blame her. It's a lot of land. We don't have that kind of money, so we need to start looking somewhere else."

“How much?" Anya asked quietly.

Talia quirked her head.

"If we treated it like a wildlife preserve and kept it up, it'd still be a half million."

Anya raised her head.

"I can get four-hundred thousand," she said softly.

"It'll take a few days, but .. ."

"What?!" was the collective response.