“What…are you doing?” I asked, turning slowly towards Monty. “She’s a threat. She needs to be eliminated.”
Monty held up his hands and stood in front of me.
“Not like this, Simon,” he said. “This isn’t you.”
I looked past him at the groaning Esti, who lay against the wall.
“I’ll be right with you,” I said, holding up a finger. “Give me a second.”
“Fuck…fuck you, Strong.”
“You took Peaches, and hurt Chi,” I said, looking into her eyes. “I’m going to make you hurt.”
“Stop this, Simon.”
“Get out of my way, Monty.”
“No. This isn’t the way. This isn’t you. You’re not a murderer.”
“She tried to kill Peaches, she tortured Chi, and she wants to kill me!”
“But, she hasn’t succeeded,” Monty said, still standing in my way. “You said so yourself, you can sense Peaches. He’s not far. As for your vampire”—he pointed to where Chi lay on the ground—“she’s still here. Don’t do this.”
The rage inside me wanted retribution.
“Get…out…of… my…way, Tristan.” I formed another black orb.
“You are going to have to kill me first, Simon,” Monty said, his voice hard. “This is wrong. You know this is wrong.”
I froze. Everything inside me howled to destroy Esti, no matter who or what stood in my way. I was tired of being powerless; tired of having creatures and beings after me, threatening my life and the lives of those close to me. I was just tired of it all. I needed to end the threat.
I unleashed all of the power inside me into the orb. It tripled in size, as red and violet arcs of energy crackled around my body. Monty extended his arms and blocked my path.
The power inside me wanted to explode outward, devour everything in its path. I extended my arm upward and screamed as the energy raced out of my body, through the roof of the castle, and into the night sky.
I fell to my knees, completely spent. I looked over where Esti lay, eyes closed, groaning in pain, cowering as she held her injured side with her one remaining arm. Chi lay on the floor unconscious, tendrils gone, her body battered and beaten. The rage left me as I looked back at Monty. He nodded.
“It’s over,” he said, gesturing. “She won’t attack us again. You made sure of that.”
“You…you were right,” I said as golden runes cascaded over my body.
That was the last thing I said before introducing my face to the floor and losing consciousness.
FORTY-TWO
A wet, slimy rag hit me across the face.
I opened my eyes to see an enormous pink tongue preparing to assault me.
“Agh! Stop,” I said, trying to dodge the onslaught of slobber. “I’m awake…I’m awake.”
I looked at my enormous hellhound and hugged his head, bringing him close.
I looked around the room. I was still in Black Blossom, from the looks of things. Early morning light crept in through the window. I looked outside and noticed the cherry blossom trees planted all around the property. Belatedly, I realized the name referred to the cherries, not the blossoms.
I sat up with a groan. My body had mostly recovered, but I ached everywhere. I let my senses expand, feeling for the power of the dragon’s blood, but it was gone; or at the very least, I couldn’t access it.
“You know what?” I said, rubbing Peaches’ massive head and slowly swinging my legs out of bed. “I could use some coffee.”
I made my way down to the kitchen, without running into anyone. I followed the aroma of coffee goodness and knew Monty had to be around somewhere—only he would have coffee brewing alongside a kettle of water.
I poured myself a small cup of inky goodness and stepped outside into the zen garden. Peaches padded next to me, close, in protective mode.
I looked down at him and realized my vulnerabilities were also my strengths. I rubbed his head.
“You’ve decided to rejoin us,” Monty said from behind me. “Welcome back.”
“Thanks,” I said, turning. “I feel like warmed-over sh—”
He wasn’t alone.
I realized I wasn’t fully recovered when I saw the Blood Hunters. I hadn’t sensed them. Either I was still out of it from the dragon’s blood, or they were masters at energy camouflage. I’d like to think it was a bit of both.
A tall woman, dressed in Blood Hunter armor, stood next to Monty. She looked familiar…then I made the connection. She must have been related to Anastasia. My expression must have shifted, because she raised a hand.
“We are here to talk,” she said with a slight accent tingeing her words.
“Who are you?”
“I am Valentina Mikaela Santiago, the current leader of the Cazadoras de Sangre—the Blood Hunters.”
“I thought Esti—?”
“Estilete has engaged in unsanctioned operations and has been rogue since my cousin Anastasia’s death.”
Well, shit, this had gone south in a heartbeat. I was dressed in a robe, pulling off my best impression of Dex. The only weapon I had access to was Ebonsoul. It was time to try diplomacy.
“She tried to kill Chi.”
“This Chi is a vampire, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Killing vampires is what Blood Hunters do.”
“She also kidnapped my hellhound and tried to erase me a few times.”
“Yet, you and your hellhound still live.”
“Yes.”
“As well as the vampire she tried to eliminate, yes?”
“Yes,” I said. “I can’t give you back the blade. Not that I don’t want to—I can’t.”
“Not while you live,” Valentina said with a small smile, “you can’t.”
“Exactly.”
“I can’t give you Estilete,” Valentina continued. “She is one of ours. She was wrong and will be punished severely for her actions—but she is still one of ours. Much like Anastasia was.”
She was letting me know that she knew who killed her cousin.
“I can’t give you Chi, either.”
If Chi heard me speaking about her like property, she’d probably skewer me with Ebonsoul, after ripping it out of me first. Valentina flexed her jaw.
“Michiko Nakatomi is only a target because she is our sworn enemy—a vampire. You, however, are different.”
“Different? How?”
“You, Simon Strong, killed Anastasia Santiago, leader of the Blood Hunters, and committed the high crime of bonding to a blood blade. What do you offer as recompense for your transgressions? What will you sacrifice?”
Monty stared hard at me and gave me the ‘don’t piss off the new leader of the Blood Hunters who came here with an army’ stare. I thought about it for a moment and refrained from giving her my first answer, which would’ve resulted in much blood being spilled—mostly mine.
I also realized that, even though I ended Anastasia in battle while she was trying to kill those closest to me, actions had consequences.
“The only thing I can give you is…myself.”
Valentina stared hard at me in silence.
“Very well,” she said after a few more seconds of giving me the once over. “I speak for every Blood Hunter when I say your sacrifice is worthy. In time, we will need you to honor your word.”
She flexed her wri
st and materialized a blade, causing me to tense up reflexively. She ran it gently across her palm cutting her hand, then extended it to me. I looked down at the plain weapon; it was missing the runes most Blood Hunter blades carry. The last time I did something like this I nearly died. With a deep breath, I took the offered blade, cut my hand and clasped hers.
“And if I refuse to honor my word?” I asked. These were Blood Hunters I was dealing with, after all.
“This is a blood oath. If you break this pact, everything and everyone you love and hold dear will be stripped from you and destroyed. This, I promise.”
“I understand,” I said, removing my hand slowly enough to let her see that the wound was already gone. Valentina raised an eyebrow in surprise, but quickly hid it.
“I will make a promise of my own,” I said. “If any Blood Hunter touches anyone under my protection, vampire or otherwise, I will make it my personal mission to erase your order from the face of the earth, as long as I live.”
Valentina held my gaze and stared. I stared back. Combined, we had at least a five on the glare-o-meter with an extra dose of Eastwood on both our parts.
“We are in agreement,” she said. “We will speak soon, Chosen of Kali.”
They turned and left. When they were gone, I breathed a sigh of relief. Monty escorted them off the property, and I found a bench in the quiet zen garden. The sun still hadn’t completely risen, and I contemplated the stones. Peaches sat next to me and sprawled. A few seconds later, a soft snore escaped him.
“You didn’t have to come after me,” a voice said from behind me. “That was foolish and nearly cost you your life.”
It was Chi.
I didn’t turn around.
“You need to be running the Dark Council. Your brother is worried.”
“I tried to push you away, and then you went and started a small war.”
“I’m funny that way,” I said. “Why did you leave?”
“Dealing with the threat of Esti and the factions in the Council would have put too many people in danger,” she answered. “People I care about. I knew she wanted me. I wanted to choose the battleground.”
“So, you came home,” I said, looking around the property. “I like it. It’s quiet and peaceful.”
She sat next to me on the bench.
“Quiet, yes. Peaceful? Not for me.”
“The threats?” I asked. “Euthanizing Peaches and erasing Monty?”
“Empty. Achieving either would be a near impossible task.”
I nodded my head.
“Are you going back to the Council? Ken seems to think it’s the best place for you.”
“What do you think?”
“I think the Council needs a strong leader, and you’ve been the strongest so far.”
“Agreed,” she said. “For now, it is my on—my obligation—and I will fulfill it.”
“We need to get back, too,” I said. “Will I see you when we get back?”
“Koi no yokan,” she said, standing.
“What is that?”
“A concept I am learning to embrace,” she said. “I’m certain we will see each other soon. In the meantime, I wish you luck in dealing with that.”
“With what?” I turned to see Monty approaching me with Fumiko and the bankermages in tow. When I turned back, Chi had Batmanned me and vanished.
“Mr. Strong, I hope you are aware that the destruction of an ancient edifice is a punishable offense in Japan,” Fumiko started. “I don’t know or care what you do back in your country, but here, we respect our history.”
Three of the bankermages surrounded me. Monty stood back, crossed his arms and shook his head.
“The travesty,” Monty said as I stared at him. “Some of these structures are priceless. This is a living part of the country’s history, Simon.”
“I’m not a mage,” I said, looking at Monty, pleading. “Tell them.”
“Don’t lie to me, Mr. Strong,” Fumiko answered. “The energy signature around the destruction matches yours. If you would come with us, please?”
I got up and considered, just for a second, letting Peaches loose on them.
“Go with them,” Monty said, suppressing a smile. “I will have it resolved by the time they get to Osaka.”
“I’m so glad this is entertaining to you,” I said as the bankermages escorted me into the castle. I glared at them. “Are you three going to dress me, too?”
“No need,” Fumiko said. “We have a change of clothing for you in the van. Let’s go.”
“You may want to leave your creature with me,” Monty said. “No need to create an incident. If you’re going to be busy, perhaps your creature and I can visit some of the more interesting sights. Do you know how long he will be detained, Ms. Ishikawa?”
“As long as necessary,” Fumiko said. “We take destruction of property seriously here, Mr. Strong.”
“Oh, hilarious,” I said, leaving the zen garden. I knew whose tea was going to get spiked with Deathwish when we got back. “You better fix this.”
“If only you had more control of your abilities,” Monty yelled after me as the van pulled away. “I’ll see you in Osaka!”
FORTY-THREE
The Randy Rump—NYC.
I sat in the corner of the Randy Rump as the sun was just coming over the horizon. Peaches was doing his usual sprawl by my feet, after devouring several pounds of prime pastrami.
Monty eventually got all of the charges dropped. He took his sweet time, and I think he really did go sight-seeing with Peaches, which must have scared most of the population.
The castle was repaired and Chi waived any fines for the damage caused. Dex ended up repairing the damage to the castle after he and TK gave me a thorough runic examination.
Apparently, the dragon’s blood was still present in my system, but any power I possessed because of it, had gone dormant. I admit I missed having access to the power, although I didn’t miss how I had almost blasted Monty when the rage took over.
I heard the door to the Randy Rump open, and looked up. Being a designated neutral zone, the place was never completely dead, but it was usually empty at this hour.
A second later, everything became hazy and out of focus. Time had stopped. I looked down to make sure I hadn’t accidentally pressed my mark. A thin man, dressed in blue jeans and a white dress shirt, stood in the doorway.
He gazed around the shop until we locked eyes. He smiled with a nod and walked over. I didn’t know who he was, but I didn’t sense any harmful intent. I looked down at Peaches, who kept snoring by my feet.
It was clear, he wasn’t frozen.
“Mind if I sit?” the man asked, pulling out a chair opposite me. “I won’t be long.”
I motioned with my hand as I took another sip of coffee. Monty would be along soon. It seemed Ezra had an emergency only we could handle.
“I’m waiting for someone, but go ahead.”
“I know,” the man said, and my defenses kicked up a notch.
“Excuse me? Who are you?”
“Terribly sorry, where are my manners?” he extended a hand. “Sidney Rat, Lead Designer. My friends call me Sid.”
“Sid Rat? Designer? What do you design?”
“Streams, specifically time streams.”
“I think you have me confused with someone else.”
“You’re Simon, right?” Sid asked. “Simon Strong?”
“I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“Not yet, you don’t. I won’t take up much of your time. Just need to give you this.”
He slid a keepsaker box across the table, and my defenses kicked into high gear. “Last time I dealt with one of those, it was bad,” I said, eyeing the box warily. “What is it?”
Sid let a finger fall on the top of the box.
“This…this is purpose. This is a ripple in the pond.”
“A what?”
Time snapped back, and Sid was gone. I looked down at the box as Monty entered t
he Rump.
“Ezra’s waiting,” Monty said, coming to my table. “It sounds dire. Are you ready?”
“It’s always dire,” I said, grabbing the box, putting it in a pocket and standing, coffee in hand. “Let’s go. I’m driving.”
“I don’t know if I’d call what you do ‘driving,’” he said, turning to Jim and waving. “One to go, please. Is your creature joining us?”
“Of course he is,” I said, heading out of the Rump. “Let’s go, boy.”
I opened the rear suicide door, and Peaches slid into the Dark Goat, tipping it to one side. Monty closed the door and jumped in.
“Another day, another crisis.”
I tossed Monty the keepsaker.
“What’s this?” he asked, looking at the box. “Where did you get this?”
“You ever hear of the Designers?”
“Can’t say that I have, no.”
“Maybe we need to pay Professor Ziller a visit.”
“As soon as we see what has Ezra agitated,” Monty answered. “I’d prefer to keep him calm.”
“Sounds like a plan. It’s a good day to meet Death.”
I turned the engine on, and the Dark Goat roared before settling into a throaty rumble.
“Try not to crush anything on the way there,” Monty said, gesturing around the box. “It’s locked tight.”
“I think I know who has the key.”
I floored the gas and sped downtown.
THE END
AUTHOR NOTES
Thank you for reading this story and jumping back into the world of Monty & Strong.
Writing this story was a blast, even though it was a little light on Peaches, for that I extend my most heartfelt apologies. Like you, I always love seeing Peaches in action, this book needed to show Simon what it means to be vulnerable—in more ways than one.
It was great being able to (virtually) visit Japan. Amazingly, much of it was left intact, they didn’t even set off Mt. Fuji…incredible. I wouldn’t want MS&P to get blamed for more destruction overseas, they’re still dealing with London backlash. Many readers felt that Esti didn’t get what she deserved…pain, followed by more pain, followed by extermination. I feel your anguish. All I can say is—this isn’t the last time you see Esti.
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