#rug cleaning specialist

[hireus4steamcleaning]

Rug Cleaning Services in Melbourne To Keep Your Rugs Dirt-Free

Are you struggling to keep your rugs and mats clean and fresh? You're not alone! Dirt, bacteria, and even pet hair can hide deep within the fibers, making it difficult to maintain a clean home. That's where rug cleaning services in Melbourne come into play, providing professional cleaning so your rugs and mats can look and feel their best. 

At Hire Us 4 Steam Cleaning, we specialise in rug cleaning and are dedicated to providing quality services that are affordable and effective. Our team of rug cleaning specialists will use the latest techniques and equipment to ensure your rugs and mats are thoroughly cleaned, leaving you with a healthy and beautiful living space. 

Don't stress about cleaning your rugs and mats on your own – The experts at Hire Us 4 Steam Cleaning are here to help you with all your rug cleaning services in Melbourne.

[eliteservicesqualitycleaning]

Tile Cleaning Service in Pensacola, FL - (850) 453-5544

Elite Services Quality Clean is a family-owned and operated cleaning service located in Pensacola, FL. We provide quality cleaning for your carpet, upholstery, tile, grout, oriental rugs, area rugs as well as drapery. Our family takes pride in serving your family.

Elite Services Quality Clean 117 Industrial Boulevard Pensacola, FL 32505 (850) 453-5544 https://elitequalityclean.com

[vcleanme]

Steam Carpet Cleaning Services Melbourne

If you are looking for quality steam carpet cleaning services providers, we are the best and affordable carpet cleaners in Melbourne. Call today

Affordable Home Cleaning Services in Melbourne

[arearugscleaning]

Mussallem Area Rug Specialist offers top-quality Oriental rug cleaning services in Jacksonville. With a commitment to preserving the beauty and integrity of your treasured rugs, our experts employ specialized techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to remove dirt, stains, and odors. Trust us to revitalize your Oriental rugs, enhancing their vibrancy and extending their lifespan. Your rugs deserve the care and attention only Mussallem Area Rug Specialist can provide.

For More Info - https://mussallemrugs.com/

[ccsfloorcare]

How to fix Tough Stains on Flooring?

How to fix Tough Stains on Flooring?

CCS Floor Care Specialist is the premier carpet, upholstery, wood, tile & grout cleaning company as well as a full hard surface division company on the beautiful Emerald Coast of Florida. We focus on the principles of honest pricing, top-quality work, and unprecedented customer service. CCS was established by Mark Broersma and Mike Barr in 1984 and is a family-owned and operated floor cleaning company.

CCS Floor Care 1814 High Ave Panama City, FL 32405 (850) 265-4204 https://floorcare911.com/

[whitehallcarpetcleaners]

Carpet Cleaning Company

The Ultimate Guide To Professional Carpet Cleaning

Welcome to the ultimate guide to professional carpet cleaning. This comprehensive resource is designed to equip you with all the knowledge you need about maintaining clean carpets, whether at home or in a commercial setting. We’ll delve into the benefits of enlisting professional carpet cleaners for your needs. From deep cleaning methods that remove dirt and grime to specialized stain removal techniques – understanding these advantages will underscore why regular vacuuming alone isn’t enough.

Next, we explore various types of carpet cleaning services available. We’ll discuss steam cleaning, dry cleaning, and even carpet shampoo options so you can decide based on your specific requirements. In this ultimate guide to carpet cleaning, we also provide tips on how best to prepare for a visit from your chosen service provider. Finally, our discussion wouldn’t be complete without ]advising you on selecting the right company for reliable results – like Whitehall Carpet Cleaners in Columbia, SC.

Benefits of Professional Carpet Cleaning

Considering professional carpet cleaning? Smart move. Not only will it make your carpets look new, but it’ll also make your home healthier.

Improved Air Quality

Carpets can trap all sorts of nasty stuff like dust mites, pet dander, and allergens. Gross. But a professional cleaner can eliminate all that gunk, leaving you with fresher, cleaner air to breathe.

Extended Life of Carpets

Dirt and debris can wear down your carpets, making them look old and dingy. But regular professional cleanings can help extend the life of your carpets, saving you money in the long run.

Better Appearance

Nobody enjoys having dingy carpets. But with professional cleaning, your carpets will look brighter and cleaner than ever before. Plus, you won’t have to break your back doing it yourself.

Don’t believe us? Learn more about the benefits of using a professional carpet cleaning company. And when you’re ready to get started, call Whitehall Carpet Cleaners. Your carpets (and your lungs) will thank you.

Types of Carpet Cleaning Services

Depending on the type and condition of your carpet, various professional cleaning services can be used to suit your needs. Realizing the various techniques can assist you in picking the most suitable one for your requirements.

Steam Cleaning

Steam cleaning, a form of hot water extraction that uses high-pressure heated liquid to dislodge and dissolve dirt in carpets, is one of the most effective methods for deep cleaning. High-pressure hot water is used to agitate the carpet fibers and dissolve dirt in the carpet.

Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning, or chemical cleaning, involves applying a specialized compound onto the surface of your carpets, which attracts dirt like a magnet. After allowing it some time to work its magic, vacuuming removes both the compound and trapped soil with minimal drying time required.

Deep Cleaning

A more intensive form of steam cleaning, deep cleaning penetrates even deeper into your carpets’ fibers using special equipment and solutions for those tougher stains or heavily soiled areas.

No matter what type you prefer – whether steam cleaning’s thoroughness or dry cleaning’s convenience – Whitehall Carpet Cleaners has got you covered. Our team uses advanced equipment and years of experience handling all sorts of carpet conditions, ensuring top-notch service every single time. For more information on carpet cleaning, check out Good Housekeeping’s guide.

Preparing for Professional Carpet Cleaning

Before engaging a professional carpet cleaning service, it is advisable to do some preparatory work for smoother and more effective results. These preparations will make the job easier for your cleaners and help achieve optimal results.

Vacuum Your Carpets

Before your professional cleaner arrives, make sure to vacuum your carpets thoroughly. This will remove any loose dirt or debris on the surface of your carpet that could potentially hinder the effectiveness of deep cleaning methods used by professionals. Vacuuming is especially important if you have pets because, let’s face it, they shed like crazy.

Spot-Clean Stains

In addition to vacuuming, spot-cleaning stains before professional cleaning can be beneficial too. If there are any specific areas with stubborn stains or spills, pre-treating them with an appropriate carpet stain remover may enhance the overall outcome.

Move Furniture Around

To ensure every inch of your carpet gets cleaned effectively, consider moving furniture out of the way before the arrival of cleaners. This gives them unrestricted access and saves time on shifting items around during their visit. Plus, it’s a good excuse to rearrange your living room.

Note Down Areas of Concern

Last but not least, note down any areas you think require extra attention due to heavy soiling or high traffic; this information would be helpful for technicians from Whitehall Carpet Cleaners. They’re professionals, but they’re not mind readers.

By taking these simple steps ahead of time, you can ensure that when our experienced team arrives at your home with advanced equipment ready for action, they can spend more time focusing on delivering exceptional results rather than dealing with avoidable obstacles.

Choosing the Right Professional Carpet Cleaner

Don’t let dirty carpets cramp your style. Here are some tips to help you choose the right professional carpet cleaner:

Check Customer Reviews

Before you hire a carpet cleaner, check out their customer reviews. Yelp and Google Maps are great sources for honest feedback from previous clients.

Ask for References

A reputable cleaning company should be able to provide references from satisfied customers. Obtaining customer testimonials can help you understand their proficiency, dependability, and workmanship.

Evaluate Their Experience and Expertise

Experience matters when it comes to carpet cleaning. Look for companies with years of experience and efficient methods to handle different types of carpets and stains.

Inquire About Their Equipment

The type of equipment a carpet cleaning company uses can greatly affect the outcome of their work. Look for companies with advanced machines that ensure deep cleaning and faster drying times.

Note:

Opt for companies that use eco-friendly products. They are safer for humans and pets and more effective at removing dirt and stains from carpets.

For more information on eco-friendly carpet cleaning, check out this EPA resource.

Whitehall Carpet Cleaners: The #1 Choice in Columbia SC

Looking for top-notch carpet cleaning services in Columbia, SC? Look no further than Whitehall Carpet Cleaners – the best choice for all your carpet cleaning needs.

Experienced Technicians

At Whitehall Carpet Cleaners, our technicians are renowned for their expertise and proficiency in carpet cleaning. Our team undergoes rigorous training to ensure they can handle any carpet or stain situation with ease.

Advanced Equipment

What sets us apart from other companies is our state-of-the-art equipment. We use high-powered steam cleaners that penetrate your carpets to remove dirt and allergens without damaging your floors. This means you get a thorough clean every time.

A Wide Range Of Services

In addition to standard carpet cleaning services like steam and dry cleaning, we also offer specialized services such as upholstery and disaster restoration services. Whether it’s an everyday spill or a major flood damage scenario – we’ve got you covered.

Why Choose Us?

Quality Service: We believe in providing quality service that exceeds customer expectations.

Fair Pricing: We offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality.

Satisfaction Guaranteed: Your satisfaction is our priority; if you’re unhappy with our work – we’ll make it right.

Don’t just take our word for it – check out our customer reviews to see why we’re the #1 choice for carpet cleaning in Columbia, SC.

Conclusion

Our Ultimate Guide to Professional Carpet Cleaning offers valuable insights on the perks of hiring professional carpet cleaners, the different types of services available, how to prepare for a cleaner’s visit, and tips on selecting the right company to do the job right. Looking for a reliable and experienced carpet cleaning service in Columbia, SC? Look no further than Whitehall Carpet Cleaners, where our team of experts is committed to delivering top-quality service at an affordable price. Regular carpet cleaning not only enhances the appearance of your carpets but also extends their lifespan, making it a smart investment for any homeowner.

Don’t settle for mediocre cleaning services that leave your carpets damp and smelling funky.

Choose Whitehall Carpet Cleaners’ professional carpet cleaning services for a thorough and professional cleaning experience that will leave your carpets clean, looking, and smelling fresh.

Our team uses state-of-the-art equipment and eco-friendly cleaning solutions to clean your carpets perfectly.

Don’t let dirty carpets ruin the ambiance of your home. Contact Whitehall Carpet Cleaners today to schedule your appointment and experience the difference!

Contact Whitehall Carpet Cleaning for all your floor, rug, and upholstery cleaning, disaster restoration, tile and grout cleaning, and disinfection services today!

[ccallyear]

Welcome to All Year Carpet Cleaning

All Year Carpet Cleaning is experts at carpet steam cleaning, tile & grout cleaning, hardwoods floors cleaning, and upholstery steam cleaning in Cypress. With a commitment to excellence, we utilize advanced techniques and cutting-edge equipment to deliver outstanding results. To know about us visit online at https://www.ccallyear.com/.

[samsclnngsyd]

Rug Cleaning Sydney | Rug Wash Specialist

If you are looking for professional rug steam cleaning in Sydney, then look no further than Sams Cleaning Sydney. We offer a wide range of services, including carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning.

[hireus4steamcleaning]

Professional Rug Cleaning Specialist

Unlock the true beauty of your rugs with Hire Us 4 Steam Cleaning, your local rug cleaning specialist! Our state-of-the-art steam cleaning technology delves deep into the fibres, eliminating dirt, allergens, and stubborn stains, revitalising your cherished pieces to their former glory. 

Trusted by homeowners and businesses alike, we guarantee a transformation that not only cleans but preserves the integrity and vibrancy of your rugs. Don’t let grime dull the sparkle of your spaces. Contact us today for a rug cleaning specialist and step into a cleaner, healthier home with the experts in rug rejuvenation. Your rugs deserve the best. 

[eliteservicesqualitycleaning]

Professional Sofa Cleaning Near Me in Pensacola, FL - (850) 453-5544

Elite Services Quality Clean is a family-owned and operated cleaning service located in Pensacola, FL. We provide quality cleaning for your carpet, upholstery, tile, grout, oriental rugs, area rugs as well as drapery. Our family takes pride in serving your family.

Elite Services Quality Clean 117 Industrial Boulevard Pensacola, FL 32505 (850) 453-5544 https://elitequalityclean.com

[bestcarpetrestoration]

Make Your Carpets Look Brand New

Revive the beauty of your carpets with our expert carpet cleaning service. Say goodbye to those stubborn stains and hello to fresh, rejuvenated carpets that look as good as new.

[fountainpenguin]

"When they see us coming, the birdies all try and hide... but they still go for peanuts when coated with cyanide~" (x)

---

New Dog's Life chapter today! ~ 3rd Life series fan-season

Chapter 27 - “Boil Over (Bdubs, Scar)”

❤️ Read on AO3

💛 Start from Chapter 1

💚 More Pixels Imperfect fics

---

Bdubs and Grian dance around each other while planning their jungle temple base design. Meanwhile, Scott comes out to Scar about his allay hybrid side. Scar, fearing his glitchy vex code will corrupt his friend, debates cutting ties. Honest conversations are had.

(First 1,000 words under the cut)

---

BdoubleO100 - Phantom

Status: Yearning

Captain of New Star Station's phantom hybrid flock

💙  🧡  💚

By the time Grian swings open the door, wings perky and smile bright, it's too late to deny they're both gunning for something more than "casual roleplay dynamic chat" this evening. Bdubs went and stuck the scarlet feather on a gold clasp, which now hangs from a string at his neck. What are we? is a syrupy-sweet red herring overlaying the actual question of the evening, which is, of course… What are we? Or 'What are we gonna be?' if you wanna get technical.

Grian's face is flushed like he's been swooping laps around New Star all night. His eyes flick low enough to glance off the feather necklace, then bounce up again like he didn't see it. He totally did. There's too much mischief in his eyes. "Whoa," he says. He's fighting back a laugh or grin. He's losing both attempts. "You're really glittery."

"So are you," Bdubs points out.

"Mine's a squeaky clean skin," Grian tosses back. "My plumage would always look like this if I wasn't gathering messy resources and building all the time. What's your excuse?"

"Look at you! Coming on strong, poultry boy." Bdubs pushes through then, knocking Grian with his shoulder. Grian's apartment opens with the sitting area on the left - couch unoccupied - and the kitchen to the right. The floor's so shiny, it must've been freshly mopped. Or licked? Is there a mob that licks the floor? Maybe sniffers do that, though he's pretty sure there aren't any in New Star Station.

Grian's wearing socks striped red and white like candy canes. He shuts the door with a huff, then quips over his lifted wing muscle, "It's Poultry Man. But actually, it's not Poultry Man- Who's he?"

"Yeah, yeah…"

"You got a new lip scar."

"Wait- For real? It crossed over?" Bdubs' fingertips jump to his mouth. Sure enough, the vertical gash Impulse made with his sword curls from his upper lip across his bottom. Yikes. It glows white against his hand. "Well… This'll all blow over soon."

"It looks like a soul wound. Did you get-"

"It's fine!"

There are places to sit at both the bar counter and in the living area. Grian didn't specify a preference. Bdubs realizes in that moment he's never been invited to Grian's place as a proper guest before. He's glimpsed it. But usually when someone's way down at the end of phantom hour and squirreled away in a building, he sends Martyn to handle it. Bdubs hunts the streets on raw wing power, but Martyn's a specialist. When it comes to twisting through little gaps, he's the best they've ever had.

He makes a split-second decision and walks towards the living area. There's a white rug, a nice coffee table, and plenty of room to sprawl. "Hey, did'ya ever find out why we're playing early next session?"

"What?" Grian mutters, tapping after him on socked feet. Then, "Oh, no… I've no idea. It's my birthday, though. Maybe that's why?"

"Hm," says Bdubs. Back in 3rd Life, he sat out a session once for birthday-related reasons. Grian seems like he's thinking the same thing, because he pauses between the couch and an armchair, hands resting on them both.

"… You think I'll miss next week?"

"I mean, if it were my birthday, I'd prob'ly write a list of things I wanted my basing buddy to do. I'm just saying."

"Well, just because it's my birthday, it doesn't mean it's his birthday. And he's not really one to miss a recording."

Yeah, that's true. One time in Limited Life, Grian tried his best to cover when his boss wasn't feeling well enough to focus. It must've really wrecked their sync-cord too, 'cuz Grian kept coughing and lilting sideways like emotions and viruses were dogpiling from above.

Honestly, Grian jumped online long enough to establish a bare-bones presence, then crawled into free-cam and flew off to take a nap. Took ages to find him when the session wrapped up, but there was this whole other side to the map where no one was really basing, and eventually they found his purple parrot soul tucked in a tree with his head under one wing. Figures. Hopefully he'll just stay offline next time, or else call someone in to wear his skin for a day like Cleo and Pearl did when they knew they couldn't make it.

Anyway, Bdubs cocks his head. "Weird day to run the session early though, right? You might wanna write a list of materials or something I can grab in case you're gone. Maybe we need to move base."

Grian frowns, wandering his eyes across the sitting area. His cheeks look full and flushed in the lantern light. "I'd still like a break from building bases that'll just be exploded or burned. I think I'd know if he wasn't going to play, though… Although, Season 9 is ending. What if he's quitting Hermitcraft?"

"Oh, I'm sure that's not-"

The glow of Grian's eyes dims in panic, his energy needed elsewhere as his soul starts to squirm. "What if he's quitting the Life series? I mean, maybe he had a fight with someone. Maybe he yelled at his friend?" He takes to pacing. Bdubs follows with ticking eyes, not breathing a word. Grian always paces when he can't settle down. His fingers fold in front of his mouth. "Maybe he doesn't want me anymore. Bdubs, this might be it. If he's walking out on Minecraft for good, this could be the last night I ever come off AFK."

"I'm sure that's not true, G." He keeps his tone as kind as he can, hands resting in his pockets. At least he doesn't have to concentrate on keeping his wings down. It's just the tail, and that's easy to curl away so it doesn't flicker or misdirect. "It's the middle of a Life series. He's not gonna ditch you. I mean, think of the viewers!"

"I mean, he could. He could just walk out. Maybe he's dying. Or maybe he wants Two to jump in and cover for me." Grian looks down at his body then and rubs his palms across his chest. A pulse of purple sparks darts across his wings, then fizzles out. Bdubs tilts his head, but doesn't jump in. Grian's not gonna want someone baby-talking him while he's flickering. "You know, I… I think he's probably moving bases out there. And he's been playing a lot of Phasmophobia. Maybe New Star's not going to recognize me as a Minecraft player much longer. I mean, that's what happened to Netty, right? Except for her, it was Sims."

"He's prob'ly just wrapping up obligations so he can say good-bye to Season 9 and plan for Season 10. We have meetings and paperwork down here. I bet they have do that kind of stuff out there too. He's got friends and a wife. You wanna talk? I mean, I'm not gonna have solutions, but maybe you can walk me through your feelings."

"He has a wife." Grian sounds… dazed. Shell-shocked. Like he's been clinging to a rope for a little too long and someone just came through and sliced it clean with a Sharpness II netherite sword. Uh. This isn't news to him, right? "He's married. Do you think he has a kid? Maybe I'm a dad. Well, maybe he's a dad… I guess I won't be one unless I want to be. Maybe that's why it's been a struggle to focus on Season 9. Bdubs, you have kids, right?"

Bdubs blinks. "Huh? Yeah. I mean… yeah, my beloved does." You guys all know that, right? His beloved's kids don't have their own accounts yet. Probably someday will, and then Bdubs will do what Impulse and Jewel did and request the newbie to move to New Star, like they did with the other two. They're expecting a third pretty soon, I think. He shrugs. Golly, it's weightless without his wings. "I get emotion bleed from 'em sometimes; they play on my account. I can tell 'em apart. They're sweet."

[Full chapter on AO3 - Link at top]

[marius-was-unhinged]

I am not a specialist in lesbian slang, but it's funny to me that lesbians basically use two type terms, femme and butch, and meanwhile gays can make a whole dictionary. Twink, twunk, bear, daddy, clean-cut, rugged, otter etc and i saw some 80s/90s gay magazine which talked also about cat, poodle, heron and some other animals. And it reminds me about this discourse with conservatives

Lesbians: there are two genders types

Gays: actually there are 69 and everytime someone complains, we add 5 more

[operation-priority]

Tankiste Operating Outside the Tank

This is an impression of a French tank crewman operating outside their tank. One may see this uniform on tank commanders marching in front of their tank with cane in hand during road marches and on other crew members behind the lines. The marching cane was particularly useful within the Artillerie Spéciale as tank commanders used it to judge the softness of the terrain the tank is moving over. Often one can tell which tankiste was the commander of the crew as they may be walking beside the tank nonchalantly with their marching cane.

Being outside the tank, the tankiste may be seen wearing their 2-liter Bidon Modèle 1877 modifié 1915 (canteen) and Étui-Musette Modèle 1892. Despite being one of the larger examples of a liquid container during the Great War, these canteens would most likely have wine or coffee inside them instead of water as the French struggled with providing clean drinking water to the troops for nearly the entirety of the war. The tankiste per regulation were issued two canteens, though usually only one was worn as pictured with the other stored elsewhere. The secondary canteen may also be in the form of the earlier 1-liter Bidon Modèle 1877. Both canteens would usually have different liquids in them.

The first cloth headgear issued to the tankiste was the standard infantry horizon blue wool Bonnet de Police Modèle 1918 service cap with its Napoleonic style of two tall peaks on each end. When performing vehicle maintenance, this service cap would sometimes fall off the head and get stuck in the small confines of the tank, becoming visibly dirty. Because of this, tankiste would purchase black civilian Basque style berets to replace their service cap, becoming commonplace by 1917. The berets seen being worn by the tankiste were all civilian berets purchased by the tankiste themselves and were not regulatory, varying in size and style. The black beret was well liked among the crews as it fit snugly on the head and would not fall off while inside the tank. Just to be safe many of the tankiste would wear the beret in an interesting fashion - centered and pushed snug down over the head to ensure it would not fall off. Wearing the beret like this appears to be some sort of inside fashion joke among Veteran tank crews, as this method of wearing the beret would continue after the war despite proper beret wearing regulations in place by then. Like the black leather coat, the black beret was chosen as it masked any vehicle oil stains the beret may collect when in use.

The beret would soon be adorned with various metallic or embroidered insignias such as rank stripes, badges, playing card symbols, and other miscellaneous AS pins. In the case of the tankiste here, he wears an NCO version of the original insignia of the Artillerie Spéciale, depicting a mythical fire breathing salamander. The NCO versions were in silver while the Officer versions were in gold. While not technically within regulation, the wearing of such insignias and unit markings was ignored by the AS administration as it promoted esprit de corps. The black leather coat was not immune to this adorning of insignia, and we can see here that a private purchase Renault FT pin has been placed on the left breast of the coat. Like the AS specialist insignia tab on the tunic, this pin is intended to show others that the wearer was a tank crewman when wearing the coat. This was less common to see but many of the enthusiastic and eager fighters within the AS would sport pins like these. Unlike the French infantry which were characterized as the rugged and reluctant warfighter Poilu, the tankiste remained in a high morale and eager to fight state throughout their service during the war - a side effect of incorporating many officers who previously served within other 'proudly elite' units like the cavalry.

Additionally we see a closer view of the regimental collar tabs and left arm service and insignia tabs. The buttons on the Vareuse Modèle 1915 were of course standard artillery buttons with a flaming bomb over two crossed cannons.

[sweetfirebird]

His Name is Nicodemus

This prompt is for @vashti-lives for her donation to a food bank

Content tags: threat of sexual assault (though vaguely worded), physical violence and (brief) torture. Vomit. Uh this won't make sense I think without reading Ravenous. But spoilers for Ravenous anyway.

Nicodemus and Bel and all Ravenous characters belong to me. (all your monsters are belong to us)

His Name is Nicodemus

They removed Nicodemus’ blindfold without much concern for his spectacles or his horns, tugging roughly to get it free and scoffing when he raised his bound hands to help them. He mostly did it because he didn’t want his spectacles to break or get scratched. Finding eye specialists willing to work with an asterion who worked with peculiari was not an easy task.

Nicodemus returned the arms of his spectacles to where they should be over his ears before focusing on the three figures looming over him.

He couldn’t say where they were. They were in a room with no windows, only gaslights. It had a rug on the floor as faded as the wallpaper, and dust tracks where the men had walked when they’d dragged Nicodemus here and placed him into a chair. The only other furniture to be seen was a low bed with a sunken mattress, and a table by the door with a bag resting on top of it.

The three men were not people he knew, although they seemed to know him. Or of him, Nicodemus felt he should say. They called him “asterion” as if it was his name but had mentioned Holt a few times, so they definitely knew who Nicodemus worked for at least.

Their leader seemed to be the one currently directly in front of Nicodemus, tiny and pale skinned, with an accent from the east but unlike Holt’s patrician tones.

Nick, the others called him. Which Nicodemus would possibly find amusing later, if he was allowed to have a later.

“I really don’t know anything,” he told them for the dozenth time at least. “I’m the housekeeper.”

He was surprised he could hear their laughter at all with how loudly his heart was beating. They were all armed. They’d been sure to show him when they’d dragged him into an alley when he’d been trying to run errands and then tied him up and blindfolded him. He also had no doubt that at least one of them would be a peculiari. No one else would be going after Nicodemus, who lived in a house full of them. Anyone who didn’t like asterion and wanted to eliminate them likely just would have, stabbed Nicodemus in that alley and been done with it.

But they hadn’t. They’d hit him and ordered him to be still, and then one of them had sneered, “Now he’ll have to listen to us. Him and his friends.” And Nicodemus had gone still at last to listen.

“An asterion to clean their house,” one of the other two scoffed. The tallest one, coal-black hair and green eyes, scars on his hands Nicodemus couldn’t identify. He wondered if that was the peculiari. Or maybe they all were.

“Show you how arrogant he is,” said their leader. “But he’ll listen now. You, asterion,” he faced Nicodemus with his chin raised, “where are they all right now? How many are close to home?”

Nicodemus opened, then closed, his mouth. “Even if I knew their exact locations, which I don’t, you’d have no way to contact them.”

The third one moved. Without a word, he stepped forward to hit Nicodemus hard in the stomach. Nicodemus doubled over with a gasp, then stayed that way, wheezing and swallowing down the acid that rose in his throat.

The leader waited for Nicodemus to catch his breath. “I’ll try again, asterion. How long will it take them to return to find pieces of your body on the front steps?”

“Ah,” Nicodemus answered faintly, his head down. “Depends on their cases. The earliest would be a few days, unless something else comes up.”

“Bullshit. You’ve got a way to contact Holt. And if not him, then one of the others.”

At that, Nicodemus risked a look up, trying to ascertain if the leader was bluffing or if he really knew something. “It will be a few days at least until I can contact anyone.”

The third one yanked Nicodemus upright by his hair just to hit him again. Stars swirled in Nicodemus’ vision. The acid was harder to swallow this time. “If you,” breathing was difficult which meant talking was difficult, “if you just tell me what you want, perhaps I can help you.”

“Isn’t that cute?” the second one murmured, “he’s trying to bargain.”

“He might as well do something. He’s either with us for a few hours, if he cooperates, or a few days or more if he doesn’t.” The leader considered Nicodemus with his head tipped to one side. “What can you possibly help us with, asterion? You aren’t pretty enough to have your friends running to protect you, so you aren’t going to get us to do it either… though Eden here might have some fun with you if you decide to be trouble.”

Nicodemus moved his gaze to the third one, Eden, apparently, then quickly looked away. “I don’t think you want to do that.”

“Why? You worried about little freak babies?” the second one asked.

Nicodemus took as deep of a breath as he could. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I work with peculiari, which is no easy thing. If there’s something you want, you’d be better served by telling me now rather than threatening me.”

Then he tensed, expecting another blow, but none of the three moved.

“Has someone in the house offended you? Perhaps crossed one of your plans intentionally or unintentionally?” Nicodemus dared a little more. “Maybe you were hired to approach Holt but found the house too secure? You can always schedule an appointment.”

The punch this time was not a surprise at least, although Nicodemus did lean over to vomit up some of his lunch. He barely spat the last of the taste from his mouth the leader stepped in close to drag Nicodemus’ head up and stare into Nicodemus’ wide eyes.

He didn’t have the cold eyes Nicodemus would have expected. They were bright and furious.

“You’re scared, but you’re not as scared as you should be,” the leader seemed to decide out loud. “All right. Let’s say that working with those assholes has you used to dealing with rough shit. That’s fair. So I’ll tell you: I want their blood, asterion. I want the guts and blood of every peculiari in that house, but I’d settle for that fucker Holt and his pet monster, and I will cut you up bit by bit to get them.” He gave Nicodemus a shake. “You going to help me now, or tremble some more?”

Nicodemus was, in fact, trembling.

“Maybe we’ll leave you here a few days without food or water, with just Eden to care for you. How about that? Think you’ll be ready to contact your friends then? Your boss?” The leader flashed a mocking grin. “Holt might be clever, but I’m ready for him this time. I’ve got his little asterion, and he’ll do what he always does when he’s got a problem too big for him, and he’ll send that monster Belasco out, like a dog on a chain.”

“Is that what you think Holt does?” Nicodemus asked with real surprise. “Is that what you think will happen now?”

“Oh, I know it will.” The leader gave Nicodemus another shake. “Just as soon as you tell us where they are.”

“So you can torture and kill Holt, Bel, and the others?” Nicodemus asked, just to be clear. He was still trembling, but that couldn’t be helped.

The second one gave a throaty laugh. “You dumb or something, asterion?”

Nicodemus turned as much as he could to look at the man directly. Then he looked away, to the space now in the middle of the room. The sharply defined yet wavering circle in the air above the floor. Around it, the rest of the room could be seen, within it was a flat, dry, yellow landscape, with distant flickering motions beneath the ground, like worms or snakes just below the surface.

The second man followed Nicodemus’ gaze and went very still. “The Realm,” he said hoarsely, making the other two twist around to look.

The leader dropped his hand from Nicodemus’ hair as he turned to face the Ring now present with them. “Who opened that here?”

The question was barely out before a monster appeared in the Ring. A beast, larger than the Ring itself, with claws and hooves and leathery wings, with a lashing tail that slipped into nothingness as the figure stepped through the Ring and became a man.

A large man, naked and scarred, with eyes intent and curious upon Nicodemus and then the three standing over him.

“You did ask me to contact one of them,” Nicodemus remarked quietly.

Bel’s gaze fell to Nicodemus’ bound hands, then to the vomit on the floor, before returning to Nicodemus’s face.

“Belasco, you fucker,” the leader spat it, which Nicodemus found slightly impressive considering the situation. “Were you following us?”

“Orfeo,” Bel seemed to recognize the leader. “Nicodemus called me,” Bel went on evenly, before cracking his neck and smiling. “Did you not know he could do that? You poor idiots locking yourselves in here with him and thinking you were the danger.”

Bel turned his smile on Nicodemus. He was very amused by the whole thing. Nicodemus was not, but he was hardly going to chastise Bel over it.

“You all right, lamb?” Bel asked, and oh, his smile finally faded.

Nicodemus nodded to reassure him. “Mostly. They want to torture and kill all of you. And that one,” he moved his head toward Eden, “threatened to assault me. If you would, please.”

“Yes, Nicodemus, I would,” Bel replied easily.

“The fuck,” the second one managed to get out, but Bel was already in motion, grabbing Eden by the arm and the back of his neck and dragging him, shouting and screaming, into the Realm, Bel’s claws becoming visible again when his hands passed through the Ring, then disappearing when Bel released Eden to fall from the sky onto the yellow dirt below and pulled back.

The landscape within the Ring changed, growing darker and stormier. Bel turned, leaving the Ring open behind him. He was slightly out of breath, his broad chest heaving, his shoulders rolling back as if he missed his wings. Then he glanced to Nicodemus again and though he was not in the Realm, Nicodemus thought he saw Bel’s claws appear and then vanish.

Nicodemus was suddenly very hot.

The remaining two men seemed frozen. Orfeo’s hand was at his side, reaching for something that wasn’t there.

Bel stopped to crack his neck one more time, then look to Nicodemus. “They’re not moving. What did you do to them?”

“I didn’t do anything.” Nicodemus huffed as he got to his feet. “I was trying to get errands done. That one,” he gestured with his bound hands at the leader Orfeo, “wants something from Holt and thinks you’re Holt’s monster on a chain.”

Bel’s loud laugh made the second one flinch, which Bel also seemed to enjoy. “It’s not Holt you have to worry about it,” he informed the two men staring at him. “Are you going to use those weapons now, or are we taking this to the Realm? Oh, I see. Lambchop,” Bel turned to Nicodemus. “didn’t they have weapons when I got here?”

Bel sounded disappointed. He probably wanted a fight even though this was not the Realm and he was naked and unarmed.

“I sent their weapons to the Realm while you were dealing with Eden,” Nicodemus said with a sniff, only to then realize this was something else most peculiari could not do because the two other gaped and even Bel raised his eyebrows. But Bel’s surprise didn’t last as long as theirs.

“Well,” he said, almost smug as he went to Nicodemus without even a single tug on the lead around his neck that no one present could see, “then I guess now it’s a matter of what to do with them. You know my vote.”

“Holt might want information first,” Nicodemus sighed, then shivered when Bel wrapped an arm around him. “My stomach hurts,” he told Bel before Bel could ask. “They hit me.”

Bel turned his head to look directly into Orfeo’s eyes. “No one told him only I get to hurt you,” Bel remarked, calm again. “But he knows now, doesn’t he?”

“Just an asterion,” the second one said, sounding dazed. “Their little house freak.”

“His name is Nicodemus,” Bel answered, amused again and letting both men know it, “and you shouldn’t have interrupted his errands.”

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