I made my way into the park as several large combat vehicles pulled up outside the mansion. Enforcers exited the vehicles, but no one made a move to enter the death trap the mansion had become.
“Someone cut the power to those damn lights!” I heard one of the Enforcers yell as I made my way deeper into the park. “Now!”
“I’m at extraction point one,” Sabine whispered in my ear. “I’ll meet you at the safe house.”
“I have one stop to make first.”
“Don’t do what I think you’re going to do.”
“What exactly do you think I’m going to do?”
“Pay Solis a visit,” Sabine replied. “Maybe introduce him to your death blade?”
She knew me too well.
“I have no intention of killing him,” I said, meaning it. “But he will answer my question.”
“He’s a Daystrider,” Sabine said. “That didn’t happen by accident. He’s way above your league.”
“I only have one question for him.”
“And if you don’t like his answer?”
“Then…I will find out what it takes to eliminate a Daystrider.”
“Or die in the process.”
“It’s a possibility.”
“Why not just give him a call?” Sabine asked. “Or send him an email with your question?”
“Because some matters need to be dealt with in person.”
“Two hours,” Sabine said. “Then I’m gone.”
“More than adequate,” I said, mildly surprised she would wait that long. “If I don’t make it in time, execute the wasteland protocol.”
“Already in place, just waiting for the command. I’d rather not burn everything to the ground; try to avoid getting yourself dead.”
“I’ve already crossed that bridge,” I said. “I’ll meet you at the safe house.”
ELEVEN
I shifted inside the Chrysler Building, stepping into the shadows, and paused, feeling the wear on my body.
The frequent phase shifts were having an effect. If I wasn’t careful, I’d shift myself into oblivion. I made my way to a hidden stairwell, making sure to avoid any surveillance cameras in the darkened lobby.
Like the door leading to the special elevator, this door was a ruse, warning would be trespassers that high-voltage electrical equipment was contained in the room behind it.
In actuality, it led to a narrow staircase that led directly to the Solarium. It was unguarded at the ground level, but that would change upstairs.
It took me several minutes to reach the 65th Floor. On the landing above me, relaxed but alert, were three guards, protecting the entrance to the 66th floor and Solis’ residence.
I climbed the stairs silently.
“I’d prefer to do this without bloodshed,” I said, as they all drew their guns, aiming at me. “I’m not here for you.”
One of the guards raised a hand and nodded before holstering his weapon.
“Stand down,” the guard said. “Phoenix is expecting him.”
The other two guards holstered their guns and allowed me to step through the door. I made my way into the residence that was once part of the Cloud Club.
Solis lived comfortably with little excess, for an ancient vampire. Most of his furnishings, which were an eclectic mix of European, Asian and Middle Eastern, would cost a fortune if purchased now. I had the feeling that he managed to procure them when they were originally made, several centuries ago.
I climbed another set of stairs into a large sitting room. The hardwood floor was dominated by a silk Isfahan rug. Around the rug were several zabuton—Japanese cushions for sitting.
Solis sat on one opposite the entrance to the room. He wore a loose fitting turquoise robe, displaying a repeating phoenix motif, with matching pants. He motioned to the zabuton directly across from him. I sat and admired the Isfahan as he stared at me.
The spacious room was empty except for the rug and the few zabuton situated around it. Subdued lighting was provided by sconces spaced out on the walls around the perimeter of the room at even intervals. The ceiling was one large skylight, allowing an unobstructed view of the night sky.
“This rug once belonged to Doris Duke, heiress to the owner of this property nearly a century ago,” Solis said, gazing at the rug. “It cost a small fortune to locate and purchase, but it is fitting that it is now here, where it belongs, don’t you think?”
“It is truly a work of art.”
With Solis it was always the subtext.
“During my contemplations, it reminds me that everything comes at a cost, some steeper than others. Ultimately, it’s not the cost that matters, but whether one is willing to pay it.”
“Renault knew I was coming.”
“Yes, I may have assisted him in that regard.”
“You told him I was coming. When?”
“Minutes after you left the Solarium.”
“That wouldn’t have given him enough time to prepare the new defenses,” I said. “He was expecting an attack long before you told him.”
“True,” Solis said, with a nod. “Renault had no shortage of enemies.”
“You sent me there to die.”
“I sent you there to assess your abilities. You’re already dead.”
“I could have failed.”
“That would have been an accurate assessment of your abilities, or lack thereof, but you didn’t fail. You fulfilled the contract I retained you for.”
“This was an audition? You wanted to see if I could do it?”
“The vampire clans within and outside the Dark Council are in a state of flux,” Solis said. “The Director will not be able to maintain the blood rule indefinitely. I intend to make sure there is a Dark Council once she is obligated to end the blood rule.”
“A state of flux,” I said. “You’re talking about the start of vampire civil war.”
“Start? It’s an ongoing conflict,” Solis said. “I need to be able to strike at strategic assets with surgical precision, excising the tumorous growths.”
“And I’m the scalpel?”
“Of sorts, yes. Are you feeling retaliatory?”
“I don’t enjoy being manipulated.”
“My apologies,” he said, rolling up his sleeves, revealing three concentric circles etched into his skin, on his forearm—a Mark of Bahkri, identical to my own. “Full disclosure would have negated the purpose of the exercise. Please feel free to attack me.”
“How old are you exactly?”
“Old enough to know that any attack you mount will result in your permanent demise.”
“Renault felt the same way. It didn’t end well for him.”
“Understood. A demonstration, then.”
He vanished from sight, and reappeared a split-second later behind me. I felt the metal of his blade resting near my neck.
“I was given my mark by Bahkri himself,” Solis said from behind me. “You have barely uncovered the depth of its abilities. I could end you before you finished your next thought.”
“Losing your ability to act with impunity.”
“Join me and increase your ability, or I could end your existence now.”
“You want me to work for you?”
“I would never insult you in such a manner,” Solis said, reappearing on the zabuton across from me. “I want you to assist me in maintaining an uneasy truce among the vampire clans.”
“A truce that requires death?”
“It is a steep cost, yes. Are you willing to pay it?”
I considered my options.
Refusing Solis was a death sentence. Working with him, I could learn more about the abilities of my mark, while eliminating those who preferred I was a memory.
Until our purposes no longer aligned, there was only one choice.
“Yes, I am.”
THE END
Author Notes
Thank you for reading this story and jumping into the dark world of Iker.
Iker was
supposed to die.
When he made his appearance in the Rule of the Council trilogy, his character wasn’t supposed to survive. He would face off against Michiko and that would be the end of his story. It appears Iker had other plans (as do many of my other characters). When it came time to write his demise, I couldn’t. He was too good a bad character, if that makes any sense.
He made his exit and I thought in the back of my mind, I’ll tell some of his story some day. As I finished my latest project (Requiem), Iker’s story began whispering in my ear. It went from quiet whisper to firm voice, distracting me from the next project. At some point I gave in and wrote a quick outline in the hopes of silencing the voice.
No such luck.
You have the outline, may as well tell the story, the voice said.
If you stop harassing me, I will, but it’s going to be a short story…a real short story. None of this 10k to 40k shenanigans, I answered. I have other projects to write and you’re not even supposed to be alive.
A short story? I can live with that…for now.
This is how these conversations go in my head(really) and it was how Iker made his way into a short story. This is not his backstory or how he came to be. It’s more a snapshot of his life and what he can and can’t do. It shows his life and what he deals with and how.
Iker’s corner of the M&S World is actually quite deep and interlaced with the Dark Council and the forces that are vying for power. There is plenty to share, but Iker is like is like a good spice, a small amount goes a long way. Too much and it overpowers everything.
You will see more of him in the other stories in the M&S World. His cameos will have meaning and actually be the catalysts for some important upcoming events. Will he have more short stories or even a full length novel? That, actually, is up to you. I enjoyed writing Iker and delving into what makes him who he is. There are plenty of questions left to be answered, which I am comfortable leaving unanswered for the foreseeable future. However, this story was planned as one short story not a trilogy.
I wouldn’t mind revisiting his little corner of the M&S World and writing more of his adventures if you really enjoyed the story. That’s what I mean when I say it’s up to you. Let me know how you feel about this short, your responses (very similar to how the NAC formed and mobilized to push for more Nyx and Acheron) will impact my decision to write more of Iker.
Overall, this was a great story to write. Yes, it’s short. It’s supposed to be.
I want to thank you for allowing me the latitude to explore other characters and their particular stories. Your support allows me to ask ‘what if’ and then pursue that question into a story.
There are so many stories to share. I’m excited to write them all for you. Currently I’m in the middle of Divine Intervention (M&S 14) and all I can say is buckle up and hold on tight.
Thank you again for joining me on an adventure of imagination. I write these stories for you and I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.
Thank you again for jumping into this story with me.
Special Mentions
Larry & Tammy—The WOUF: because even when you aren’t there…you’re there.
Orlando A. Sanchez
www.orlandoasanchez.com
Orlando has been writing ever since his teens when he was immersed in creating scenarios for playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends every weekend.
The worlds of his books are urban settings with a twist of the paranormal lurking just behind the scenes and with generous doses of magic, martial arts, and mayhem.
He currently resides in Queens, NY with his wife and children.
Bitten Peaches Publishing
Thanks for Reading
If you enjoyed this book, would you please leave a review at the site you purchased it from? It doesn’t have to be long… just a line or two would be fantastic and it would really help me out.
Bitten Peaches Publishing offers more books by this author. From science fiction & fantasy to adventure & mystery, we bring the best stories for adults and kids alike.
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More books by Orlando A. Sanchez
The Warriors of the Way
The Karashihan*•The Spiritual Warriors•The Ascendants•The Fallen Warrior•The Warrior Ascendant•The Master Warrior
John Kane
The Deepest Cut*•Blur
Sepia Blue
The Last Dance*•Rise of the Night•Sisters•Nightmare
Chronicles of the Modern Mystics
The Dark Flame•A Dream of Ashes
Montague & Strong Detective Agency Novels
Tombyards & Butterflies•Full Moon Howl•Blood is Thicker•Silver Clouds Dirty Sky•Homecoming•Dragons & Demigods•Bullets & Blades•Hell Hath No Fury•Reaping Wind•The Golem•Dark Glass•Walking the Razor
Montague & Strong Detective Agency Stories
No God is Safe•The Date•The War Mage•A Proper Hellhound•The Perfect Cup•Saving Mr. K
Brew & Chew Adventures
Hellhound Blues
Night Warden Novels
Wander•ShadowStrut
Division 13
The Operative•The Magekiller
Blackjack Chronicles
The Dread Warlock
The Assassin’s Apprentice
The Birth of Death
Gideon Shepherd Thrillers
Sheepdog
DAMNED
Aftermath
RULE OF THE COUNCIL
Blood Ascension•Blood Betrayal•Blood Rule
NYXIA WHITE
They Bite•They Rend•They Kill
IKER THE CLEANER
Iker the Unseen
*Books denoted with an asterisk are FREE via my website—www.orlandoasanchez.com
ART SHREDDERS
I want to take a moment to extend a special thanks to the ART SHREDDERS.
No book is the work of one person. I am fortunate enough to have an amazing team of advance readers and shredders.
Thank you for giving of your time and keen eyes to provide notes, insights, answers to the questions, and corrections (dealing wonderfully with my extreme dreaded comma allergy). You help make every book and story go from good to great. Each and every one of you helped make this book fantastic, and I couldn’t do this without each of you.
THANK YOU
ART SHREDDERS
Adam Goldstein, Amber, Anne Morando, Audrey Cienki
Barbara Hamm, Bethany Showell, Beverly Collie
Cat, Chris Christman II, Colleen Taylor
Davina Noble, Denise King, Diana Gray, Diane Craig, Diane Kassmann, Donna Young Hatridge
Hal Bass
Jasmine Breeden, Jeanette Auer, Jen Cooper, John Fauver, Joy Kiili, Joy Ollier,
Julie Peckett
Karen Hollyhead
Larry Diaz Tushman, Laura Tallman I
Malcolm Robertson, Marcia Campbell, MaryAnn Sims, Melissa Miller
Paige Guido, Pat, Penny Campbell-Myhill
RC Battels, Rene Corrie
Stacey Stein, Susie Johnson
Tami Cowles, Tanya Anderson, Ted Camer, Terri Adkisson, Thomas Ryan
Vikki Brannagan
Wendy Schindler
Acknowledgements
With each book, I realize that every time I learn something about this craft, it highlights so many things I still have to learn. Each book, each creative expression, has a large group of people behind it.
This book is no different.
Even though you see one name on the cover, it is with the knowledge that I am standing on the shoulders of the literary giants that informed my youth, and am supported by my generous readers who give of their time to jump into the adventures of my overactive imagination.
I would like to take a moment to express my most sincere thanks:
To Dolly: my wife and greatest support. You make all this possible each and every day. You keep me grounded when I get lost in the forest of idea
s. Thank you for asking the right questions when needed, and listening intently when I go off on tangents. Thank you for who you are and the space you create—I love you.
To my Tribe: You are the reason I have stories to tell. You cannot possibly fathom how much and how deeply I love you all.
To Lee: Because you were the first audience I ever had. I love you, sis.
To the Logsdon Family: The words, thank you are insufficient to describe the gratitude in my heart for each of you. JL your support always demands I bring my best, my A-game, and produce the best story I can. Both you and Lorelei (my Uber Jeditor) and now, Audrey, are the reason I am where I am today. My thank you for the notes, challenges, corrections, advice, and laughter. Your patience is truly infinite. Arigatogozaimasu.
To The Montague & Strong Case Files Group-AKA The MoB (Mages of Badassery): When I wrote T&B there were fifty-five members in The MoB. As of this release, there are over one thousand four hundred members in the MoB. I am honored to be able to call you my MoB Family. Thank you for being part of this group and M&S.
You make this possible. THANK YOU.
To the ever-vigilant PACK: You help make the MoB…the MoB. Keeping it a safe place for us to share and just…be. Thank you for your selfless vigilance. You truly are the Sentries of Sanity.
Iker the Unseen (Iker the Cleaner Book 1) Page 4
