Attack of the Kraken

As Diana walked up the steps to June's front entrance, she felt like taking them two at a time. What a change from a couple of months ago! Back then, she was about ready to hang up her writer's hat. With Rolf behind bars, the original justification for the stories had disappeared. Certain members of the Round Table seemed hell-bent on turning her Arkham Files adventures into romances and made her feel like a Grinch for raising objections.

But not now. Let El, June, and Mozzie spin their romances. They'd all have to play second fiddle to Cthulhu.

Diana had secretly rejoiced when the evidence for Rolf's silent partner became compelling. Not that she was thrilled at having another enemy to face, but that was the nature of her job. At least with Cthulhu, there would be the added stimulus of a writing challenge.

A dark secret that she'd admit only to herself was that facing an opponent like Rolf had been an addictive thrill. Using the stories to manipulate the Mansfeld brothers was far more satisfying than any of her other assignments.

When Rolf and Klaus had been captured, along with the glow of success, there was also an element of something eerily similar to postpartum depression—not that her team members would ever hear about it. Christie was aware there was an issue, but Diana was unwilling to discuss it even with her. It was too embarrassing.

She was a highly trained and skilled Special Agent. Cases came and went. Nostalgia for Azathoth? How sick was that?

And then along came Cthulhu.

Mozzie must have been thinking of her when he chose that moniker. He knew how much she liked octopuses. When Neal gave them octopus writer's hats, it was an omen. The only slight fly in her tentacle-wrapped plans was Peter's caution to not go overboard on cephalopod goodness. It had been a surprising comment—probably caused by some off-the-cuff remark Mozzie had made. She was sure that once Peter read her synopsis, he'd have no objections, especially since Cthulhu was likely involved with the stolen map of sea monsters.

When Diana rang the doorbell, El answered it. "Am I the last one to arrive?" Diana asked.

"No, most everyone will be late today. Tricia called to tell us to go ahead and start without her. Henry texted he's on his way. June's setting out the snacks in the dining room. Just wait till you taste Emil's raspberry almond croissants."

Diana sighed with anticipated pleasure. Was it any wonder she loved meetings of the Arkham Round Table?

She recognized she was in a generous mood and it wasn't simply because of the croissants although they didn't hurt. She could have waited for El to bring up the topic, but instead she decided to broach the subject as they stepped into the dining room. "Are there any suggestions you'd like to make for your character?" Arkham El's pregnancy had formerly been a hot-button issue for Diana, but no longer, not since she had Cthulhu to play with.

"I'm glad you asked," El said brightly. "June and I were just discussing it."

Here it comes—baby names. Diana took a seat close to the platter of croissants and prepared to fortify herself.

June gave Diana a sly smile as if she knew exactly what she was thinking. And since she'd been acting as her beta reader for over a year, she probably did.

"I didn't mind Arkham El having difficulties her first trimester," El said, "but I don't want her entire storyline to be centered around the baby. She's a modern woman with professional responsibilities."

"El makes a good point," June agreed. "On the other hand, the uncertainty caused by the algolnium injections she received allows us to consider other options that could add an element of suspense."