by Michael Todd
3
Katie folded her wings back as her feet touched the ground outside the general’s building at the base. She caught up with Juntto, who was lumbering along. “Hey there, big guy. No disguise today?”
Juntto shrugged. “I changed when I got to the base. More comfortable that way.”
He walked up to the door and stared at it for a moment, realizing he was a few feet taller than the entrance. He sighed and shrank his body, keeping his blue form the same. Opening the door, he waited for Katie to pass through and followed her. None of the guards so much as flinched anymore at their appearance. Instead, they opened a side gate so they wouldn’t set the metal detectors off.
Pandora sniffed. I miss giving people a shock. It’s all business now.
Katie smiled. We still give people a shock, just not these people. I think that’s good. We don’t have to deal with the bullshit.
Pandora scoffed, still irritated from the conversation from before. Who are you? I don’t even recognize you anymore.
Katie chuckled as she walked down the hall behind one of the aides, who showed them to a large conference room on the right. “Can I get you anything? Coffee, maybe?”
Katie looked at the table; there were already donuts. “Coffee would be great, and some milk for Juntto.”
Juntto nodded, sitting down and grabbing a donut. Just as Katie took a seat, Brushwood walked in carrying a recorder and some notes. “Good, they got the donuts here in time. I was afraid they would drop the ball.”
Juntto lifted his head, powdered sugar on his face. The general took a seat and set the recorder in the center of the table. “I know you are all busy, so let’s just roll right into this, shall we?”
Katie smiled at him, grabbing a donut to keep Pandora happy. “Sounds good to me.”
He smiled back and clicked on the recorder. “I figured you could give me a live report. It will save you some paperwork.”
Juntto stood up and clasped his sugar-covered hands together, bowing. “That is very considerate of you, General. Thank you for saving us from…from…” He dropped his voice to a whisper. “The dreaded paperwork.”
Katie pressed her lips together and lowered her head, trying not to laugh. She couldn’t believe that joke had gone on as long as it had.
The general raised both eyebrows and shook his head. “It’s my pleasure, Juntto. Now, tell me what happened inside Baylahn.”
Katie cleared her throat, swallowing a bite of donut. “It was definitely a wild ride. We didn’t even realize we were in the Leviathan until we heard the sounds and saw the rippling of the ground below us.”
Juntto nodded, taking a huge gulp of milk. They went through what had happened, every step and incident as they moved through the beast—a full blow-by-blow of the events. When Katie got to the point where they entered the temple, the door opened. Doctor Thorough and his assistant came hurrying in, carrying a huge, messy pile of papers.
Alice shut the door behind them and smiled at Katie. “Sorry we’re late. We had a heck of a time getting our stuff together this morning. I hope we didn’t miss too much.”
The general shook his head, waiting for them to be seated. “What you did miss, you can review from the tape.”
Doctor Thorough looked at the recorder, his hair wild and a coffee stain on the front of his white lab coat. “Good. Good. I like to re-listen to things. Perfect.”
Everyone kind of stared at the doctor as he fidgeted with his belongings. Then the general blinked and turned his head to Katie. “Please go on. That was when you finally caught up with Wilson and Red, correct?”
Katie nodded. “Yes. They had killed the guard outside the temple and blown a hole through to the inside. At this point Juntto was losing his strength very quickly, so we sat him down. Red and Wilson did their best to thwart us, pushing over a large statue to slow us down, but we caught them. That was when it got pretty weird.”
Brushwood put his hand to his chin. “Weirder than being lost inside a giant Leviathan? Okay, this makes me a bit nervous.”
Pandora grumped. He should be nervous. That shit was wild.
Katie gave him a reassuring smile. “Pandora was out of my body during all this. It conserved energy, and we needed her help in the battles. She tried to explain to Wilson and Red that they really should reconsider touching the carved door in front of them. Of course, they didn’t listen. It was also apparent that while Wilson knew he was searching for the Morningstar, the sword of Lucifer, Red didn’t know. She went along reluctantly.”
The general narrowed his eyes. “But what killed them?”
Juntto looked at Katie and shrugged. “I was half-dead on the ground.”
Katie glanced down at her hands. “There was a powerful surge of energy from the door, and they caught on fire. It wasn’t a normal fire, though. It was a wild flame that emitted no smoke, and within a matter of minutes, it burned them down to a pile of ash. Not even their bones remained.”
The general made a note in his book. “And why did that happen?”
Katie looked at him. “Because only angels can enter the temple. Only angels can handle the power of the sword, and angels are protecting it.”
The general put his pen down and folded his arms across his chest. “Did you go inside?”
Katie chuckled. “Of course. The sword was secure, so we left.”
Katie specifically left out the part about Pandora holding the sword. She figured it would do no good to tell him about that. It would only be misconstrued, and frighten the general and whoever else heard the tape.
Pandora took a deep breath, letting her anger go. Thanks for not ratting me out.
Katie kept a smile from moving across her lips. You’re welcome. I keep telling you I’ve always got your back.
Katie cleared her throat as Brushwood finished up his notes. “After that, we headed back. We stopped with the Atlanteans again, and they healed Juntto enough to get him to the ship. Inside the Leviathan, we couldn’t use our angel powers. When the sub exited the beast, it began to collapse in on itself. Luckily our powers had come back, and we portaled out before we were sardined inside the hunk of metal. That was when we found my base under attack.”
The general looked at Dr. Thorough. “And how is Baylahn now?”
He looked down at his notes. “Fine. We’ve been tracking its movement, and although it has been traveling through the ocean at a very slow pace, it does not seem to be any kind of a threat anymore.”
The general let out a deep breath. “Good. And how about the last three Leviathans? Have we made any headway at all with tracking them?”
Alice slid a file over to him. “We are working on a detection system that will alert us if the other three show up. We designed it to mimic Timothy’s portal detection system. It’s slow going, though. Those types of signals are a little trickier to pick up.”
Dr. Thorough glanced at Katie, his eyes more timid than normal, as if he were afraid. “They are out there, and hopefully we can finish the system before they stir. If not, the world will depend on people like Katie to save it from the Leviathans’ wrath.”
Outside of the conference room after the meeting, Katie shook the general’s hand. “Thanks, General, and sorry I forgot. I know you’re busy.”
He shrugged. “I’ll be honest with you, Katie—I am just glad that you are back on the team. I feel a little bit safer every day knowing you are out there defending the people. The system isn’t perfect yet, but we will get there.”
Katie smiled as an aide approached. “We’ve progressed by leaps and bounds from where we started.”
The aide whispered to the general, who nodded and turned back to Katie. “Leaps and bounds is an understatement. Now, if you will excuse me, I have meetings to attend. I’ll be in contact. Let me know if you need anything.”
Katie waited for him to turn away before heading back down the hall. Dr. Thorough and Alice had already scurried off to the intelligence offices to hand over the data they had be
en tracking. Juntto had made a beeline as soon as the meeting was over, wanting to get back home to his and Angie’s Hygge-fest. Katie couldn’t blame him. Hygge sounded pretty good to her too at that moment.
Pandora spoke, not in a loud or angry tone, but one of remorse. I guess we should stop fighting.
Katie walked through the security station and out of the building. That would be great.
Pandora took a deep breath. Then let’s go help those two knucklehead detectives.
Katie pulled out her phone and sent Travers a text, and he replied immediately with the location. Katie unfurled her wings and took off, her mind turning over the conversation in the meeting as she soared into the air.
Do you think that we will actually be able to detect the Leviathans? Katie asked.
Pandora clicked her tongue. I don’t know. They are different than portals from other dimensions. They are tricky, too. There are reasons we haven’t found any of them through the years.
Katie shook her head. I just don’t understand why all of a sudden they are being used as weapons. The demons have their own barrage of death-swallowers down there.
Pandora chuckled. Because they want to swing their dicks and beat their chests. In reality, though, I don’t know if the last of the three Leviathans will be conjured by the demons. By now Lucifer has to be pretty pissed about the shit his demons are causing. Like it or not, powerful or not, in the end, Lucifer has to atone for his transgressions, and that is a conversation he does not want to have with God.
Katie dipped back down under the clouds, watching the buildings rise and fall below her. But they are still a threat?
Pandora sighed. Unfortunately, yes. Even if the demons don’t call on them, they could come to the surface. There is more demonic activity in the world now, and that has upset some sort of fragile balance. The Leviathans know that; they knew it even before we figured it out. They might not all be as well-tucked-away as Baylahn.
Katie wrinkled her nose as she dove toward the bodega. Or as easily turned as Juntto.
Katie’s feet hit the ground lightly and she folded her wings, looking around. The crime scene tape was still up, but at that point, only Travers, Schultz, and a few investigators were still milling around. Katie walked up to the two detectives and nodded. “So tell me the details.”
Travers took a deep breath. “The victim, Amir Aboud, has been here for almost twenty-two years. The public testimonies say he is a staple in the community. From what we’ve gotten so far, two demons with red skin, horns, and red eyes came in right before close. One had a gun, the other a bat. They demanded money and goods. When Amir couldn’t open the safe, they beat the hell out of him. As they were getting ready to leave, Harold Overstreet walked in and reached for his phone when he saw what was going on. The demon with the gun shot him three times, and they left before the cops could get there. We have a sneaker print, but that’s it.”
Katie looked at him, startled. “Did you say a sneaker print? The demon was wearing sneakers?”
Travers chuckled. “They were wearing clothes, too. I told you this was a strange one.”
Katie lifted an eyebrow, looking at the yellow tape across the shattered front door. A Middle Eastern man with a big bushy gray beard was sweeping up the mess inside. “That Amir?”
Schultz nodded. “Yeah. We gave him the go-ahead to start cleaning up what he could this morning. He knows you might come by to talk to him.”
Katie patted Schultz on the shoulder. “Cool. I’m gonna go in.”
She ducked under the yellow tape and stepped carefully through the broken door, glass crunching under her boots. Amir looked up and stopped sweeping, holding the broom in front of him. Katie could tell she made him nervous. “Hello, Mr. Aboud, I’m Katie, and I’m here to help find these guys.”
She took a long step over the patch of dried blood on the old black and white tile floors. “No need to be nervous. I’m a friend.”
Amir nodded and leaned the broom against the wall. “Of course. I have been a little skittish since it happened.”
Katie smiled kindly. “Makes sense. Let me ask you a question: is this the first time you have seen any demons?”
Amir nodded. “Personally, yes, but after the incident, I called the young man that works a couple of shifts a week here. Apparently, these demons have come in a couple of times before. My employee said they always come in right before close, buy Red Bull, chips, and cigarettes, and leave. They usually joke around and poke at him, but nothing harmful.”
Katie looked at Schultz, who was writing the information down, then turned back to Amir. “You should give your employee’s information to them. I’m thinking, though, that because they robbed the place and murdered a man and now the police are constantly here, they probably won’t come back to your store.”
Amir wrung his hands. “I hope not.”
Katie looked at the mess. “It wouldn’t surprise me, though, if they were working this neighborhood. I’m going to have to do some recon. Thank you, Amir, for your time.”
Katie turned and strode past the detectives and back out onto the street. The smell of the dried blood was stinging her nose.
Pandora cleared her throat proudly. You know what this calls for?
Katie made a face. Don’t!
Pandora said it anyway. Slut Girl!
The plane landed about ten minutes early, and Korbin and Calvin collected their things from the overhead bins. The one flight attendant opened the door to the cabin, and the crew on the outside pulled over a set of stairs. The attendant looked at Korbin and nodded sweetly. “Your other belongings will be collected by French servicemen and brought to the fort’s location. There is a car waiting out front for you.”
Korbin nodded. “Thank you. It was a lovely flight.”
Calvin followed him as they made their way down the steps and out onto the tarmac. To their right was a blacked-out SUV with chrome rims and Calvin whistled. “Private jet, banging ride. I like the French.”
Korbin smiled. “All perks of the World Council. At least we are riding in high style on this one.”
The two made their way to the SUV and climbed inside. The driver nodded and headed out, taking them to their accommodations. Calvin turned his phone back on, and immediately it started to ring. Sofia’s smiling face came up on the screen. “Hey, baby! How are you and my little one?”
Sofia let out a stressed breath. “We would be better if we didn’t have to share our love with the rest of the world all the time. I know you are doing good and that you are a superhero, but I want to see you.”
Calvin glanced at Korbin and then back at the phone as he talked. “I know, baby. And I want to be there just as much. Trust me, our little cottage and your arms are much better than the dusty old places we have to deal with out here. I promise that I will get to see you soon. I have been working that out with the boss, and he knows my concerns and wishes.”
Sofia smacked her lips; her Hispanic attitude was popping through. “Tell Korbin he better put your ass on a plane very soon. Otherwise, boy, I am going to give Stephanie a call, and I promise you that he will be in a world of hurt after that. We ladies stick together. If he had a mother, I would call her ass too.”
Calvin cringed. “I will relay the message. I love you.”
Sofia growled, “I love you too. Call me later, and it better be with a smile in your voice.”
After she hung up, Calvin shrugged and looked at Korbin. “She is threatening to call your wife.”
Korbin flinched. “I know, I know. But the French are gonna be pissed. They expect a couple of badass motherfuckers to come in here and make shit happen.”
Calvin pursed his lips. “One badass motherfucker isn’t good enough?”
Korbin groaned. “No. Okay, one would usually be good enough, but I run teams. You are the people person.”
Calvin smiled and patted his arm. “You’re a people person too, man. I like you. And I like you better in one piece, not being chewed apa
rt by a pregnant Latina.”
Korbin rolled his eyes. “Thanks, Calvin. I like you, too.”
Calvin rubbed his chin. “Okay, I’ve got an idea. What if they get you, a badass motherfucker, and they get a motherfucking angel training their troops?”
Korbin raised an eyebrow. “I’m listening.”
4
Katie walked around her room, pulling her pieces of outfit out of the laundry. I still don’t know how Angie managed to get this thing dry-cleaned without anyone saying a word.
Pandora chuckled. I don’t know either, but I am damn glad she did. The suit was starting to get a bit ripe, sorry-not-sorry.
Katie nodded, looking in the mirror as she zipped up the front, leaving it open just a bit to make room for her huge breasts. I’m not arguing with you there. I just had no idea how to clean a leathered-out black spandex one-piece suit. Why would I have that information? And the internet wasn’t helpful at all.
Pandora laughed. No, but we now know how to clean a gimp suit. That website was really interesting—so much like the parties Lucifer used to throw in hell. He would bring humans there in their bodies, protected by magic from the heat, on dog leashes with ball gags. They were like the art of the party. He was so proud of them.
Katie wrinkled her nose. Yeah, that’s fucking weird. And they had to have been terrified.
Not really. They were all sent to hell because of their transgressions on Earth. Lucifer just gave them a body for the night. Then he ripped their souls from it one appendage at a time in front of an audience.
Katie pushed her guns into their holsters. That does not sound like the type of party I would go to.
Pandora grumbled. Cause you are a stick-in-the-mud Goodie Two-shoes.
Katie smiled as she walked toward the window and stepped out on the balcony. And you are an angel again, so there’s that.
Pandora scoffed as Katie took off, soaring between the buildings and making her way high into the sky. She really didn’t want to draw attention to herself that night, not when she was hunting demons. Her fan club had a bad habit of trying to follow her and even had created a Katie tracker for sightings around the city.
