Stone Cold NV: World of Sin, Book 1

by J. A. X. Mikesell

  ◆◆◆

  “So some demon escaped their prison and is now creating havoc here in Vegas?” Gavin asked. “This sounds more like a TV show than something that would actually happen.”

  “I know, it’s pretty weird.” Cory said. “But it’s all true, and we’re just trying to figure out how to defeat her and send her back to her prison in the void.”

  “And you think that I'm this Virtue person who you need to get help from so you can accomplish it?” Gavin asked. “I hate to break it to you, but I'm just a simple Shifter. Nothing special about me at all. Even my markings are basic stripes of brown and black. Just a simple anteater wanting to have my own business and bring a decent living to my family.”

  “You were able to get rid of the poison from Envy completely on your own, not to mention you helped your friend get rid of his as well.” I said. “I'm positive that you are the one that we need.”

  “Wait a minute… How do you know that me and a friend were infected?” Gavin asked suspiciously. “I never said anything about that to you, or even to my dad.”

  “Honestly, I was hiding in a bush by the alleyway that you guys came out of.” I replied slowly. “I had seen that you dropped your wallet but was in a hurry to try to help my sister, so I couldn't bring it to you until now. I watched as you were able to get the poison out of your system. And then when you helped your friend up I saw how somehow, just by your touch, it left him as well.”

  “Who were you with, Gavin?” The old man asked, narrowing his eyes. “These two said that in order to be infected by the poison that you had to be shot by a special bullet. Was it that no good Johnny Frund? You know how I feel about him and that crowd. If you need money, just come ask me and we can work something out. Stay away from those no good criminals.”

  “Dad, it’s not like that. He needed my help with convincing the leader of that group that he was going to get out of the gang. I didn’t help with anything except moral support.” Gavin said, shoulders slumping and letting out a sigh before turning back to me and Cory. “So we’ve established that you think I’m this Virtue person. What do I need to do from here to help you?”

  “The potion calls for the essence of a virtue.” I said. “It doesn’t really go into any detail from there. But I’m thinking maybe it means that we’ll need a little bit of your blood.”

  “Blood?” Gavin and his father asked, shocked.

  “As in, blood magic?” The old man asked. “That’s forbidden. Get out of my house, you filthy darklings!”

  “My father is correct, blood magic is forbidden. You should never have come here if you expected my help with something like that.” Gavin said, giving us both the stink eye. “A bit of hair, sure. Fingernails, why not? But blood? No. You will not get that from me. You do know this is why planes are illegal, right? Because of blood magic? You will leave now, or I will call the Council and have them arrest you immediately.”

  “We are working for the Council on this.” Cory told them both hurriedly, holding her hands up in a placating manner. “They already know that we may need blood for the spell, and they have given their approval for the spell to be performed due to the circumstances. I also have a letter from Head Council member Jimmer Stone that explains what we are doing, and it has his personal cell number that you can call and verify with him as well.”

  Gavin and his father hesitated for a moment, then Gavin reached forward and took the letter that Cory was holding out. After scanning it for a moment, he handed it to his father and let him read it, waiting until he finished and then giving each other a look.

  “My father is going to call this number in the other room. If he feels like it is a setup, then you will both be picked up by the Council and taken into custody.” Gavin told us as his father walked into the adjoining room. “No calling out once he makes the call, I don’t want someone to fake their involvement just because they know you’re here.”

  “Sounds fine to me.” I said. “Hey, do you by chance have anything to eat?”

  Cory nudged me with an elbow and gave me a dark look.

  “What?” I asked, rubbing my side. “I’m hungry. And I’ve been worried about hearing from Dante all day. He still hasn’t let me know if he made it home yet. I want to make sure he’s ok.”

  “Worry about that later.” Cory said, sitting back down on the couch and looking out the window. “For right now, we need to wait until Gavin decides to help us.”

  “If I decide to help you, that is.” Gavin said, glancing toward the doorway into the other room. “So far your only saving grace is that the letter was printed with the Council’s official seal. But that doesn’t mean that we will believe you without verifying firsthand.”

  “You know Gavin,” I said, looking thoughtfully at him. “I think you’ll be a great business owner someday. Fact checking is extremely important. It makes sure to protect a lot of people.”

  “We’ll see about that.” Gavin replied as his father walked back into the room. “The bank seems to think that I don’t have what it takes to be a proper business owner.”

  “I’m afraid these two are legitimate Gavin.” The old man said. “They really are working for the Council, I really did speak with the Head Councilman.”

  “The Council is working in blood magic?” Gavin asked. “This really must be serious if they approved this type of spell.”

  “It is.” Cory said, standing up. “I can understand your reluctance, Gavin. But we really do need your help.”

  “I guess I have no choice then.” Gavin said, rolling up his sleeve. “I hope you don’t need too much.”

  “Oh, no. We only actually need a drop.” I told him. “Just a needle prick on your finger and a blotch on a napkin will work perfectly.”

  Both Gavin and his father relaxed visibly at hearing this.

  Pappy

  “Yes, Asril and Corsanna are both working under my tutelage and are currently helping with trying to get rid of this demon.” I said into my phone, waiting outside the office of the mayor. “They have my full support… Yes, I understand your concerns about the spell they are asking for. We are doing our best to get this finished as soon as possible… I promise you that your son will have no ill effects… Thank you for your understanding. If you need anything at all from the Council, I will personally see that it is done for you... No I don’t need to speak with them, I have another meeting in regards to this demon and must get back to it… Yes, you have a good day as well. Thank you.”

  Hanging up the phone, I tucked it in the pocket of my vest and turned back to the door to the mayor's office. Taking a deep breath, I opened it and walked in.

  “I'm sorry about that, sir. My grandkids are helping with something and needed a bit of help.” I said to the man behind the desk. “Now, about Levi-”

  “I already told you Jimmer, we have it under control.” The man said, adjusting his Armani suit. “We don't need the Council to help in any way.”

  “You don't understand. Levi is bringing in a lot of CHADOC, and he has a specialized weapon that the world hasn't seen in centuries.” I explained. “We need to-.”

  “WE don't need to do anything. I already have a team on standby waiting for my order to take out this Levi and end his reign for good. We have this handled already without the help from the Council.” The man said stubbornly. Leaning back in his custom leather chair, he lit a Cuban cigar and began blowing smoke rings. “With all due respect, Councilman, butt out.”

  “This isn't just another human, Shifter, Ashen, or Madgie. Levi is really Leviathan. One of the seven demon princes of hell.” I told him, leaning over and placing my hands on the desk. “This isn't a one and done. It needs to be handled with the greatest care that we can-”

  “For the last bloodied time, no!” The mayor exclaimed. “We are fine with what we have. The MICAW officers stationed here are very adept at handling these drug lords. I have complete confidence that we’ll squash this tonight and be done with the fool.”

&nb
sp; “The officers are very hard workers, and yes, they are adept. But it's going to be a bloodbath.” I replied heatedly.

  The mayor dismisses me muttering how he couldn’t be a demon and takes a call, as I'm leaving I overhear…

  “Yes Lance, I promise you’ll have your bloody casino back in no time… Of course Levi took residence, your casino is very grand. Now, about that new Cadillac...”

  Az

  “Cory, can’t you see if Kalama can do some scouting of the city to try and find the Anima? Then we can focus on finding the next god or goddess to help with the ambrosia.” I asked.

  “Kalama isn’t an errand or messenger bird. She’s a phoenix Az. A rare and beautiful creature that deserves to be treated with respect.” She told me.

  Kalama beamed with pride.

  “And wouldn’t it be respectful if we asked for her help? She is an Anima, after all, and they’re bound to help their chosen Madgie. Asking her to search for Envy’s Anima isn’t degrading.” I said.

  “He does have a point. I am bound to help you in whatever way that you need.” Kalama said. “As long as it's you that's asking.”

  “Oh, alright.” Cory said. “Be careful, though. We don't know what all can happen out there right now with the craziness from Levi and Araminta.”

  After Cory and Kalama say their goodbyes on the balcony of the hotel room, Cory comes back in and plops onto the couch beside me.

  “So you really don't think Aphrodite will help us?” She asked me.

  “She's the goddess of love. Why would she want to help us? We're not trying to play cupid or anything.” I replied, pulling open my laptop. “The best ones that I could find are the three sisters of fate. The ones that control the threads of every living creature. I'm sure they won't be happy at all that someone is undermining their work.”

  “Oh, fine. I was hoping to be able to meet Aphrodite. Maybe we'll need to get her help at some point later.” Cory said, disappointed. “Oh, what about Aires? He'd love the opportunity to kick some ass!”

  “Do you really think the god of war will be willing to help stop a bunch of junkies and drug lords from their turf war?” I asked her pointedly. “No, the sisters would be a better bet on that front.”

  “Ugh, fine. I'm not looking forward to it at all. Is it true that they share one eyeball between them?” She shuddered. “Never mind, I don't want to know. I already have a tail feather from Kalama so we can get Hermes to carry another message for us. Think we can call him from here? Or will we need to go back to Olympus?”

  “I don't see why we can't try from here.” I said. “Maybe just make sure the door to the balcony stays open.”

  “Do we even know how to call him?” Cory asked as she got up to open the door. “I don't think we got his information.”

  “Shit.” I said. “I have no idea. I'll text Chris and see if he might know.”

  I picked up my phone and started scrolling to send the message when everything on the coffee table flew across the room. We looked around and started when we saw Hermes sitting on the lounge chair across the table.

  “That’s simple enough, you’ve already called me. And have already offered a payment for your next message.” He told us, swinging a leg over the side of the chair, his foot wiggling just above the floor. “You’re lucky. I was just about to hang my slippers for the night. I almost didn’t come until you mentioned the feather. Having another in stock would make me thrilled.”

  “Um… Do you always listen in on people?” I asked him.

  “Of course not. Only when my name and something about a message is mentioned.” He replied. “Once both of those are said I hone in on the location of the speakers and come when they ask me to be there. Since you two didn’t know that, I decided to come when you were trying to figure out how to call me.”

  “That’s just a bit creepy.” Cory said. “Don’t you have a cell phone or something we can call you on if we need to ask for your help again?”

  “Of course I do. It’s rarely used, though. The other gods and goddesses prefer the old method of messages.” Hermes replied with a sneer. “Let me see your phone, I’ll give you the number and in the future, if you need anything, you know where to find me.”

  Cory handed him her phone and then placed Kalama’s tail feather on the table between them, waiting for him to put his information in her phone. Finishing, he handed the phone back to her and picked up the feather, shaking it like the last one and making a gold-tipped quill that he put in his messenger bag.

  “So, what message are we needing to take to Hephaestus now?” He asked as he leaned back.

  “Actually, this message is for the three sisters of fate.” I said, finishing writing on a paper and handing it to Hermes.

  “The Fates? What could you want from them?” Hermes asked as he took the letter and read it. “Oh… My… They will not be happy. You know where the old term, ‘don’t shoot the messenger’ comes from? It comes from me, I am constantly being shot or maimed in some way by the gods and goddesses that aren’t happy with whatever message they receive. This just might be one of those instances.”

  “I’m sorry, Hermes. But we really do need their help.” Cory said. “Unless you could get us the ambrosia?”

  “HA!” Hermes laughed. “I have to keep all the food I get with the speeds I go, fast metabolism and all that jazz. I’ll take this to them. But don’t count on their help. They will most likely say no right off the bat.”

  “Is there anyone else that-” I cut off as things went flying again as Hermes disappeared. “Ugh, I hate when he does that.”

  “Me too.” Cory said, combing her hair with her fingers. “Excuse me, I need to go brush again. Those bloody winds are wreaking havoc on my hair.”

  She got up and disappeared upstairs while I went into the kitchen area to get a snack. A few minutes later she came back down with her black hair a glistening sheet hanging down her back and sat next to me, grabbing a handful of chips from the bowl I had on the coffee table.

  “How long do you think he’ll be this time?” She asked as she ate a couple.

  Before I could reply, more things went flying around as Hermes appeared in the lounge chair across from them again. Once things settled, I could see a yellow haze covering Cory and the bowl of chips as she held a shield to hold everything in place against his wind.

  “Right now, I would say.” I said, picking up the remote that fell by my feet. “So, Hermes, you don’t look like you’ve been shot or maimed. Is that a good sign?”

  “For me, yes. For you, it remains to be seen.” Hermes replied, grabbing a handful of chips from the bowl and chomping a few. “I was right that they would be pissed. However, they want to speak with you directly. Atropos is especially keen to sink her teeth into this as she is the current wielder of the scissors.”

  “Sweet.” I said. “I think… Cory, let’s get Chris and go meet them. We need to hurry so we can tell Pappy that we’ll have all the ingredients we need soon.”

  ◆◆◆

  We stepped out of the portal onto the clouds in front of the giant marble door, and Cory reached to push it open.

  “Oh no, not this time you crazy hag.” I said, stepping in front of her. “We don’t need you slamming things around again. I’ll open it.”

  I reached over and placed my hand on the handle and pushed slightly. Then let out a startled yelp as I fell forward as the door swung open quickly. Cory started laughing so hard that she let out a snort, as a chorus of complaining began somewhere on the outskirts of the long hallway.

  “What was that you were saying, troll brain?” She asked, wiping a tear from her eye as I stood up, trying to hide my blushing face by wiping imaginary dust off myself. “I thought we wanted it to be a quieter entrance.”

  “I was trying to keep it from slamming open.” I said. “And it worked, it didn’t slam at all.”

  “And yet, you still woke the statues.” A voice called out. “Shut up, you filthy stones!”

&nb
sp; “Leave them be Clotho, they can’t help the state they’re in.” Another voice answered. “Can you, my precious little marbles?”

  “Well, they could have avoided their fate if they had just paid up to begin with.” A third voice said. “Honestly Lachesis, stop taking pity on them.”

  “And that, my friends, is my queue to leave.” Hermes said to me, Cory and Chris. “Good luck with the sisters. You’re going to need it.”

  Cory’s hair snapped around her as Hermes disappeared, causing her to let loose a string of curses as she raked her fingers through it.

  “You must be the two looking for our help.” A woman said as she and two others stepped out of the shadows. “Hermes said a couple of mortals wanted to make a deal with us.”

  “Ugh, Atropos… They’re just kids. What would they have that we want? Clearly they are too young to have money. And I don’t want something a child would have.”

  “Shut up, Clotho!” Atropos yelled at the shorter of the three women. “We will find adequate payment, or they will join the other mortals on the walls.”

  “Wait, a minute… These statues are people?” Cory asked, looking around shocked. “Why would you do this to them?”

  “Because they refused to pay up when their bills came due.” Atropos replied. “Don’t worry your pretty little head, my dear. They all agreed to it. As will you, if you want our help.”

  “Can we cut to the chase here? I have some weaving I need to get back to.” Clotho complained.

  “I’ll make the deal of what we will want from them.” The third sister, Lachesis said. “Let’s hear what you want from us then. Come on, chop, chop.”

  “We need ambrosia.” I replied shortly, cutting off Cory when she took a breath.

  “That’s a god’s food boy, you wouldn’t be able to stand it enough to live after you ate it.” Atropos sneered at him. “And your time isn’t up just yet. Oh yes, I looked up both of your life expectancies before we came here. Would you like to know the secrets to your death? Or how long you have until your puny little mortal lives are snuffed out?”