Night and Fae, page 14
part #5 of Vegas Fae Series
He raised his arms and closed his eyes, opening his hand as drops of blood from the wound fell to the ground. The earth shook and the Mage began to murmur words in a tongue that I did not recognize. Around me things began to crawl out of the dirt, including the body I'd sensed before. The Mage smiled, and swept his arms forward as the things began to slink toward me.
Every culture has its pantheons, and when it comes to Hell, each has its own version. But here on Earth, their cultures blended, as did their Gods. When I'd said earlier that everything below the ground belonged to Hades, I wasn't kidding. Of course some other culture's Gods might disagree, which is why this trick probably wouldn’t have worked against real Demons. But soulless corpses were another matter. I knelt and touched the ground, willing all those that had been brought forth to return back to where they had lain.
The Mage fought back, but even his magic couldn’t argue with a command from one of the Gods of the Underworld, and the dead returned to their graves. Striking again, I used a trick I'd learned catching Demons in Fae. I willed the earth below his feet to split apart. Screaming, the Mage flapped his arms wildly as the ground swallowed him. With a loud clap, the trench he had fallen into closed tightly, trapping him deep within the ground. The spell I'd cast wouldn't hold him forever, but it would do until I could turn him over to the EAB. I probably should have killed him, but since he was here with Demons from Tartarus, I was hoping he'd provide a clue to my true adversary.
Now that the spell had been lifted, I sent out a call to Sendy. Since we were only about fifteen miles from the EAB's headquarters, I knew I didn’t have much time until the cavalry arrived. I needed to get the Cyclops somewhere safe. He'd never be free if the EAB got a hold of him.
"Acemon," I said, as Sendy appeared. "This is my sky Fae. I need to get you out of here before the others arrive. This world is not what it used to be and there are beings here that would not look fondly at someone who escaped from Tartarus."
"As you wish," the Cyclops said, looking around as if searching for more attackers. "You have fought well. I will trust your judgement… for now."
"Sendy," I said. "Take him to the house. Tell Alf no one is to know he is there."
The Cyclops nodded as Sendy took his hand and they disappeared. I picked up the phone and called Siegfried, then we sat down to wait.
"Right on time," I said to Charlie twelve minutes later, as four sets of headlights crossed U.S. 93 and drove toward us.
Chapter 13
Agent Browne smiled as he stepped out of the lead SUV and stopped. At the same time, the other three doors popped open and figures dispersed to various locations around the building behind me. I gave a nod and the all clear signal, and he motioned to the others before continuing our way.
"I take it you were working on fixing that problem again," he said as strolled up. He turned and sniffed at the air. "There's quite a bit of residual dark magic still around. What did you get yourself into this time?
"Oh, you know me," I said as I shook his hand. "Just trying to do my part to clean up that Demon problem. I think we got all that escaped, except for Marissa, of course. But she wasn't here. As for the magic, that's probably the Necromancer I have trapped in the ground. I hope you have someone who can handle him. He’s locked up pretty tight, but I'm guessing he's going to be all piss and vinegar when we let him out."
"A black Mage? Well that explains the dark magic, and a Necromancer as well," he said, looking over at the depression in the dirt I was pointing at. He shook his head. "You do know how to make my day." He pulled out his cellphone and hit a key. A moment later he was passing information on to someone, then disconnected and turned his attention back to me. "We're in luck. Ordunez is still nearby. As much as I'd love to do it, he has a special affinity for their kind. I'd never hear the end of it if I didn’t let him come out to play."
Javier Ordunez was a Sorcerer, the human kind, as well as a big shot at the EAB. I had a feeling it wasn't just the Necromancer he was keeping tabs on. He'd been especially interested in anything I could do about getting into Hades, and had specifically brought up my name when this escaped Demon problem had all started.
"I'm not even going to ask why you came out here without backup," Browne said. "But walk me through this mess so we can get things started. I take it your folks are on the way?"
"Yeah," I replied, starting toward what was left of the doorway after asking Charlie to watch the area I'd buried the Mage. "But they aren’t as close as you guys were, so they'll be another 20 minutes or so. I can fill them in when they get here."
I gave him the burned out cellphone Charlie had taken from the kid, then walked him through what had happened, leaving out the part about rescuing Gaea's granddaughter and the Cyclops. As we made our way through the building, other EAB members followed. It reminded me of a crime scene review, except that in addition to photographs and measurements, Mages were here to review the magic that had been used.
"So let me get this straight," Browne said, stopping in front of the fallen troughs. The ones I'd used to wash away the two Demons. "First you kill a Demon bounty hunter from Tartarus, then a Hydra, and finally two pestilence Demons. Then to wrap it up, you trap a Necromancer, not to mention take out a Mage that's teamed up with them. All this after you take out those two serial killers at the scene we cleaned up the other day." He knelt down and stared at a swarm of dead flies that still rested in a puddle of water. "You've been busy."
"I did have some help," I replied.
"Really?" said a voice from behind me. Ordunez, the Sorcerer had arrived.
"Yeah," I said, facing the Sorcerer. "I had Charlie. Never underestimate a Fae hunting dog."
"Of course not," Ordunez said, raising an eyebrow. "I hear he is quite the warrior. I am curious though. How did you capture the Necromancer? I was not aware that a Dryad's powers extended to the desert realm."
"They don’t," I replied, walking past him and back toward the doorway. "Not really. But even I couldn’t help learning a few tricks during all that time I spent in Hades."
Ordunez didn't reply, but as I looked back, I could see Browne suppressing a laugh. He shook his head and then the two of them followed me out the broken doorway.
There were three Mages standing around the pit I'd buried the Necromancer in. As Ordunez came out, he gave a nod and the three began chanting. He walked up and took a position at the north of the pit. The rest were already standing at the other points of the compass. Ordunez put his hands out and the ground began to shake. A moment later, the Necromancer I'd fought was raised from the beneath the ground.
His arms and legs were outstretched, and dirt and debris fell from his robes as he was lifted into the air. Apparently unable to speak, he glowered at Ordunez as his body turned in the air to face him. Ordunez motioned to the others and they approached the floating dark Mage. They pulled him down and moved him to a stretcher which had already been lying in wait. Strapping him down tightly, one of the Mages placed his hand on the dark Mage's forehead. I watched as his eyes closed.
"He still lives," Ordunez said, as the others carried the dark Mage to an awaiting SUV. "We'll see what he has to say for himself once we get him back to the EAB facility."
"Any idea who he is?" I asked. I glanced over to see Browne walking across the desert to another SUV which had just pulled into the area. Charlie began to head in that direction. Siegfried and Michael had arrived.
"I only know of him," he replied, looking back at the building. "But I recognize his foul stench from other incidents I have investigated. I should thank you for leaving him alive."
"What can I say? I was feeling generous."
"Of course you were," he said with a chuckle. "Now, do you care to tell me what you were really doing here? Alone and accompanied by only your Fae companion? I find it curious that you would take on such Demons without anyone knowing you were here. But then again, it appears you dispatched them easily enough."
"They were my problem to deal with," I replied. "As I've already made clear to everyone, including your boss. Besides, Sendy knew where I was. She would have notified the others if I needed help."
"Perhaps," he said, glancing over to the SUVs where Browne was talking to Siegfried and Michael. "Nonetheless, Samson cannot allow you to go rogue forever. While your… shall we say… body count... is impressive, others will take notice of the increased activity in the area, should it continue. It is one thing for you to solve problems, it is quite another if you become one."
"Is that a threat?" I asked, noting it was the second time someone from the EAB had made such a comment.
"Quite the contrary," Ordunez said. "Believe it, or not, I am on your side. I know what we are up against. So far, these incidents have, for the most part, gone unnoticed by the powers to be. But that will not last, and I am afraid it has been quiet for far too long. These portals and the Demons that escaped to here have put pressure on Samson to ensure the safety of the humans. Not to mention that some may say that the increased activity threatens their continued ignorance of our existence."
"Do I have to remind you that I was the one that found a way into Hades to stop the damn things?" I asked, angrily. "Besides, if anyone's to blame, it's Marissa. I've been doing everything I can to fight her followers and fix the havoc they've wrought."
"Unfortunately, your enemy has brought much less attention to herself than you have. Even the suggestion that she may have directed Stockton, the Wizard killed when the last portals opened, is tenuous, at best. None of the followers we have interrogated even knew of her involvement in that scheme, only that he wished to free her. She has been very careful to cover her tracks on this plane; I suggest you attempt to do the same from here on in."
"Great," I said, throwing my hands up into the air. "Now I'm the bad guy. Even with the portals closed I still have shit to deal with. I suppose they're going to want to blame me for the Dwarves moving arms into the area as well."
"That is not what I am saying," he fired back, a quick nod of his head to the side to indicate others were coming this way. "I only wish for you to be careful. Remember, Samson and his superiors are only concerned with what happens on this plane. Events that occur in Fae do not interest them, short sighted as that may be. Unless, of course, they spill over to the human world. But normal problems are not the issue here. Samson knows the Dwarves are at war. He expects them to seek allies here, and will not blame you for such things.
"But let us hope that incidents such as these with the portal are indeed at a close. They bring too much attention from those that prefer we remain unnoticed. Do not take what I am saying wrong, I am merely suggesting that it might be best for you try and remain inconspicuous for a while." He arched his brows and smiled. "If such a thing is even possible. We will continue this discussion at another time. I will be in contact if it becomes an issue. In the meantime, I believe your friends will want to know what has occurred here." He turned and walked toward the SUVs, nodding at Browne and the others as he walked past.
"I'll see what I can do," I whispered, trying not to let anyone see how pissed off I really was. It seems no matter what world I lived in, I couldn't escape the problems of politics and those with their own agenda. Once again, so much for the life of a hero!
****'
It was still dark by the time the EAB folks left, but the site was, for the most part, cleaned up. That said, it looked pretty much as crappy as it did when Charlie and I first walked up to it. With the exception of all the tire marks in the desert sand, and maybe a few new holes in the walls, you'd never know anything unusual had happened here. Which was a good thing, especially when you consider I really was trying to keep a low profile. At the moment, Michael was helping a few stragglers from our own team pack up and I was standing next to the dilapidated guard shack, waiting for Siegfried to get off the phone.
"We all good?" I asked as he disconnected and walked back to where I was standing.
"Just updating Mrs. Milagre," he replied. "She is relieved to hear that the portals are closed and that you fared well against these Demons." He hesitated a moment before continuing. "She is also concerned. As am I."
"Is this the part where I get another lecture about going this alone?"
"Would that it were that simple," he replied. "I have also undertaken solo missions for my employer, many of which have been, shall we say, confidential in nature."
"I'm afraid I don’t know what you are talking about."
"Nor would I expect you to," he replied with a grin. "It is, of course, purely a coincidence that after discussing just such a warning with us, you travelled to this place, alone, in the middle of the night with no notice. Yet here we are, and only after the battle has already been fought."
"What, no lecture then?"
"It is not my place," he said. "Although Agent Browne did indicate that there were some concerns on his superior's part that things have been rather busy lately."
"Already got that speech," I replied. "From Ordunez no less. But if it makes you feel better, I have no plans on making a habit of solo performances, at least not if I can help it."
"I am relieved to hear it," he said. "Let us hope that you can keep to that. We have enough issues to deal with without the EAB becoming so involved. No offense intended towards your son, of course."
"None taken," I replied, making a decision. "Tell you what. It's late. Let's get together tomorrow to discuss what's going on. Maybe Meredith could join us as well."
"I hope you don’t plan on leaving me out of that conversation," Michael said as he came up behind us. He slapped me on the back. "Taking down a Hydra and a Necromancer! I just have to hear the back story on this one. Besides, that's at least two you didn't call me on. I'm beginning to feel slighted."
"I've got you down for the next time," I replied. "I guarantee it."
"Good," Michael said. "Can we give you a ride back to town?"
"No thanks," I replied. "My car's just down the way. I think the walk would do me good."
"As you wish," Siegfried said. "Let us meet in the afternoon then. Say 2:00 p.m. at the Neptune?"
"That'll work," I agreed. A minute or two later, I was watching the taillights of Siegfried's SUV fade in the distance. I leaned against the shack, waiting for Charlie to come back.
"We are being watched," he said, as he trotted up a minute later. "Do not look skyward."
"What is it?" I asked, trying to look nonthreatening. I put my hand behind my back slowly. I slipped my Ruger from its holster and reached out to see what was there. Magic had its uses, but sometimes a bullet was faster, not to mention unexpected.
"More Demons," he replied. "But not like those we fought earlier. They are more like the one we saved from the Null."
"Like Rael?" I said, confirming what Charlie had smelled. "What the hell are they doing here?" I slid my gun back in its holster. I had no quarrel with the Fallen, or their half-Demon children. At least I didn't think I did. Especially after my last meeting with Rael.
There was a swooshing sound, then a thump. Repeated twice more as all three of the Demons landed in the desert across the crumbling walkway from us. Quite impressive, actually. They set down on two legs, talons digging into the desert floor as their knees bent, one clawed fist reaching between to maintain balance. Their wings folded in upon themselves as they stood and faced us.
"It appears that there is even more to you than I first believed," the largest of the three said stepping out from in between the others.
"Ah, Rael," I said, taking a step forward. "Sorry you missed all the fun. Could have used you a couple hours ago, but as you can see, things are pretty well all wrapped up here at the moment. Nice demonstration, by the way. The flying I mean."
"I said that I had accepted your offer as a liaison," she said, her body shrinking as she returned to human form. She turned to one of her associates who handed her a bundle, then slipped on a lace blouse and jeans like those she'd been worn before. "I do not recall ever discussing standing at your side in battle. Nevertheless, I did wish to return the favor you did for me." She gestured to the other Demon, who reached down and threw another bundle onto the cracked concrete at our feet. This one was much larger.
I knelt down and pulled the cloth off the top of the bundle, exposing the head of a very dead human. Charlie used his nose to push the matted hair aside, revealing again the tattooed neck of a Knight of the Brothers and Sisters of the Sword. I turned the body over, not recognizing the face, noting also that this one was male.
"We are not as forgiving as you are," she said as I examined the body.
"Well, that's what they get for going after you," I replied, standing back up.
"Oh, no," Rael said. "It was not me this one was after. This was found on his person." She held out a piece of paper. There was a picture printed on it, and Charlie began to growl as the fur on his back bristled. The image was of the two of us. Taken near my house on our walk home, after encountering the daughters of Danaus not too long ago.
"I guess we should have killed the bitch after all," I said as I reached over and took the photo from her. I folded it and placed it in my pocket. "Just didn’t seem to be the honorable thing to do at the time."
"Excuse me if I don’t agree," she said. She flicked her finger and the shrouded corpse went up in flame. Seconds later, there was nothing left but dust and ash.
"You're hell on crime scenes," I said. "But I guess we owe you our thanks."
She didn’t reply, instead, turning to her compatriots she gave a nod. Both unfurled their wings and shot into the sky, the wind from their wings blowing the rest of the ash away. The three of us walked together in silence back toward the road.
