by TR Cameron
She was the next-to-last to arrive, darting through the doorway ahead of her sister, who gave her a gentle smack on the back of the head in response. Ruby laughed. “Slowpoke.”
“Yeah, whatever. I was busy with work. That thing that responsible people do. Perhaps you’ve heard of it?”
She slid into her seat beside her brother Dralen, who observed, “I’m pretty sure she doesn’t understand anything about it. She went off to college and came back a slacker.”
Ruby ferociously scowled as she plopped her napkin into her lap. “I’m an innovator, I’ll have you know. An entrepreneur, even. Genius takes time.” She lifted her chin on the last line in case anyone missed her theatrical arrogance.
Morrigan replied, “Oh, right, I forgot. It’s not lying around all day. It’s seeking inspiration.”
Their mother, Sinnia Achera, sighed loudly. “Okay, enough of that.” The chef delivered dinner, a vegetable casserole large enough to feed all of them, and a pan of lasagna that was even bigger. Ruby snagged the Italian dish and stabbed out a chunk for herself before anyone could get at it. Dralen tried to reach for it and received a slap on the hand for his trouble. When she’d grabbed another half-portion, she passed it to him. Her brother served himself, then twisted to look at their father, Rayar Achera, in his customary seat at the head of the table. “So, did you hear?”
He nodded. He’d chosen a new hairstyle, clipped short so the grey was less noticeable than the white, and it made his sharp features seem even more so. “I did. It turned out about as well as you could expect. Which is to say, not well at all.”
Ruby asked, “A little more information for those who aren’t up to speed?”
Morrigan muttered, “You can say that again,” and Ruby kicked her.
The edges of her father’s lips turned down. “The message went out to Gabriel Sloane that no more casinos can be built because of a new zoning restriction. From now on, they’re only allowed on the Strip and only to the current boundaries. He was not pleased, to say the least.”
Sinnia replied, “Understatement of the year. I heard from Jailynne that Sloane destroyed the hotel room he’d rented for the meeting and that the representative basically ran for his life.”
Ruby bobbed her head. “That would constitute not taking it well, I guess. So, is that problem settled?”
Dralen snorted. “With a man like The Nightmare? Somehow I doubt it.” Ruby agreed, and the nods from the others at the table showed that they did, too.
She asked, “Anything we should do?”
Rayar replied, “We all need to keep an eye out for anything unusual. For you in particular, Ruby, there might be more. We’ll talk about it after dinner.” That decisively shut the door on further discussion of the matter, and they enjoyed the meal, filling it with laughter and companionship. She’d missed that feeling a lot while she was away. Sure, she could have portaled back at any time, but she’d wanted to have the real college experience. Whatever that is. Pretending to be human at school when you’re a magical from another planet probably isn’t it, though.
After a dessert of fresh berries and whipped cream topped with a drizzle of honey, she followed her father into his study. He sat behind the desk, rather than in the chairs by the fire, which told her this would probably be a conversation involving business at their casino, Spirits. However, the delivery of two tumblers of whiskey shortly after that indicated it didn’t rise to the level of an emergency and that she wasn’t in trouble—presumably. Her dad possessed rarely used master-grade skills in misdirection.
He leaned back in his chair and sipped the whiskey before setting the glass on the desk. His voice was level and businesslike. “It’s time, Ruby. You can keep innovating and entrepreneuring in your off-hours, but we need you at Spirits. These are tumultuous times, and you have brains and a unique perspective we can use. We’ll give you any job you like, from roving consultant down to division manager, if you want it. Eventually, you’ll have to spend some time working in each area the way that your brother and sister are so that you know how to do everything, but that can come later.”
Ruby sighed and took a deep drink of her beverage before setting it on the desk. She leaned forward and looked her father in the eyes. “Dad, I can’t. I’d like to, but I have other things to do. Before you ask, they’re important, and I have no way of knowing if they’re more or less important than helping out with Spirits. Still, I know you have good people there, and I think there are tasks here in Ely that only I can handle.”
He frowned but didn’t otherwise show his displeasure. “What kind of tasks?”
“I’ve recently been able to remember more about my venamisha. The tests gave big hints, really obvious ones, that I’m supposed to figure out what’s going on here in Magic City.”
“An Oriceran ritual told you to do things on Earth?”
She sighed and released a low chuckle. “There’s the famous family debater we all know and love bringing pointed logic into play. No, it didn’t mention Ely by name, but it was clear. My people on Oriceran don’t need help at the moment. My people here do.”
He nodded and delayed his next response with another sip of the alcohol. She matched him, enjoying the burn as it slipped down her throat. He asked, “Why you? You’re not an investigator or anything. No offense, but usually specialists train to do this sort of thing.”
“I’ve asked myself the same question.” Because I’ve named myself the city’s defender, that’s why. Damn, I wish I could tell you that. However, secrecy is safety. “I’m smart, I know the town from before, and I’m learning the way it is now. That gives me a different perspective than anyone who hasn’t been away. Plus, Sheriff Alejo is beginning to trust me, even if the Paranormal Defense Agency is too paranoid to.” She laughed. “Paranoid defense agency, more like.”
He lifted his glass in a false toast. “To that bunch of idiots, may they soon leave our town.” He finished his whiskey. “What you’re doing sounds dangerous.”
“No more so than for anyone else in Ely at the moment. No one signs on to be casino staff with the expectation that they’ll be facing armed intruders on a regular basis.”
“Touché.” He sighed. “We’ll put a pin in this conversation, but it’s not over. Ultimately, you need to be with us at Spirits.”
She nodded. “I know, Dad. Believe me. I’m keenly aware of all my obligations. I have to stack them one after the other instead of all at the same time. Speaking of time pressure, I have a friend with an interesting idea.” She explained Daphne’s plan to improve energy potions, as well as some other things the witch had been working on. “I think if we could put her on the payroll at the casino for a month as a trial, let’s say, she might come up with something good. Consider it an investment. We can give her the freedom she needs to work on this in exchange for a percentage of what results.”
He tapped a finger against his teeth, something only he did when he was seriously thinking. “This her idea?”
“No, mine. She mentioned not having enough time, that’s all. You know me, I’m always looking for ways to bring magic and business together.”
He gave a decisive nod. “Okay. We can do that. Since she won’t be doing casino stuff, there shouldn’t be a problem with the Ebon Dragon’s owners. She’ll have to inform them, nonetheless. Can’t have any suspicion of underhandedness, not at this moment.”
“Understood.”
Ruby had risen to head to the kitchen and retrieve some food for Idryll when he said, “On one condition.”
She settled back in the chair with a sigh. “Of course.” She grinned at her father. “What is it?”
“You spend an eight-hour day each week working at Spirits, learning the positions. You’ll do it while she’s on the payroll, a month, a year, however long it turns out to be.”
She nodded. “You’re awfully good at what you do, Dad. Deal, but only if I get a percentage personally of whatever she brings to the company since I’m putting in sweat equity
.”
Her father laughed. “You’re not bad at what you do either, Ruby. Done.”
Chapter Five
Ruby looked around in dismay at the contents of all the bags she’d dumped onto her bedroom floor. “You know, this trying to operate out of two houses and stuffing things in bags and throwing bags through portals and forgetting about the bags is not a productive way to live.”
From the bed at her back, Morrigan replied, “Unlike how the rest of your life runs at such a high level of productivity, you mean.”
“Shut it. Ow,” she griped as she stubbed her toe on her spell-casting dagger.
Another laugh came from behind her, this time from Idryll, who lay beside her sister. Apparently, I’m great entertainment today. “You should let me come along with you. I can help you stay organized, for one thing.”
Ruby bent, snagged the dagger, and tossed it into the backpack she planned to take with her to Oriceran. “First, you’re not exactly the height of organization either. It’s not like you own things you need to keep tabs on. Second, shut up.” She shook her head and knelt, lifting her equipment belt with its techno-magical gadgets. “I suppose these might work properly over there, but it’s equally possible that they’d go wrong and I’d wind up stunning myself or something. Best if I leave them.”
Idryll reiterated, “Which is another reason you should take me with you.”
Ruby sighed and ran her hands through her hair to get it out of her eyes and turned to face the others. “Repeating the request over and over isn’t going to make it happen. I’ve thought about it a lot, believe me. If everything else were equal, I would love nothing more than to have you with me to soak up whatever injuries might occur.” The cat stuck her tongue out, and Ruby gave her the same in return. “However, I have this strong feeling that if I bring anyone with magic other than the normal Mist Elf kind, it could be a problem.”
Idryll replied dryly, “So, you’re a mystic now?”
Morrigan added, “Can I have your stuff when you move into the monastery or whatever?”
“No to both of you. Besides, it’s not like you’ll be bored. While I’m away, you need to keep an eye on things around here, make sure there’s no major trouble headed in our direction.”
Her sister looked at the tiger-woman. “Maybe we should wrap this whole thing up before she gets back. What do you think?”
Idryll nodded. “An excellent plan. I bet we could do it, too. We break into the security company and kill both of the owners. Problem solved.”
Ruby snorted. “First, if you’re stupid enough to imagine our problems begin and end with those chuckleheads, you’re way dumber than I believe you are. That’s a pretty high bar for both of you to overcome. Second, no, we’re not randomly killing people.”
Morrigan sighed. “Always with the excuses.”
Idryll replied, “I know, right?”
Her sister said, “Okay, but seriously, we should at least make some progress while watching for trouble. What do you think is our best approach?”
Ruby shrugged. “I’d say the most likely place to get new and useful information is the black-market ring. It seems as if that’s connected to all sorts of garbage here in town. So, there could be some people we can lean on, the way Alejo did with that informant.” It’s not like I’m going to be able to stop you from doing something anyway, so it might as well be something productive.
Morrigan replied, “That makes sense to me. How about you?” She turned her head to look at Idryll.
“Sure. I still think targets of opportunity need to be viewed as opportunities, not ignored because of some antiquated moral code.”
Ruby pointed a finger. “No killing unless your life is in danger.” Her partner opened her mouth to speak, and she added loudly to stop her, “I mean imminent peril. Not some sort of ambient, existential, ‘our lives are all in jeopardy all the time’ kind of thing.”
The pair on the bed laughed and nodded agreement, albeit reluctantly in the tiger-woman’s case. Ruby continued, “If you find something, tell Demetrius, and he can get it to Alejo anonymously. I’ll talk to him about it before I leave. Now, I’m in a hurry, so shut up. I need to get this stuff together.”
Morrigan teased, “Oh, you’re pressed for time, but you still have enough to go see Demetrius, is that it?”
She laughed and ignored the heat she felt rising in her ears. “Well, I do have to say goodbye. You know, it’s possible I won’t come back.”
Her sister snorted. “One of those ‘take me one last time before I go into battle’ kind of things? Pretty stereotypical, sis.”
Ruby decided she had enough flex in her schedule to pummel her furiously with a pillow, so she did.
She arrived in her family’s house on Oriceran with a backpack carrying her essential items over one shoulder and her sheathed sword in the other hand. A noise from her bedroom revealed that her mentor was waiting, as she’d promised. Ruby headed into that chamber and found Keshalla sitting on the room’s only chair. Beside her on a small table was a bundle wrapped in red paper. Ruby asked, “What is that?”
Keshalla shook her head. “Always looking for shortcuts,” she imitated Idryll. “Open it and see.”
Ruby picked up the object, which was heavier than expected. Opening the package revealed a pair of supple leather garments in the brilliant blue and silver that were her house colors. “Are we going somewhere fancy?”
Her teacher chuckled. “I’d say questing for an artifact weapon is pretty fancy. Besides, you’ve completed two venamishas. You’re someone of status now, whether you want to be or not. You should dress the part.”
Ruby ran her hands over the supple material. “Will it be as protective as my current gear? It seems thinner.”
“It will, and it is. Plus, it’s lighter, so you’ll be able to move faster, hopefully.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. I need to practice using magic to speed up my movements.”
Her teacher nodded. “You do.” She rose, and Ruby realized she wasn’t in her standard armor, either. This outfit was black and red like the other one, but this was fancier, featuring hand-tooled designs covering almost all of it. She wore knives at her hips, a pair of swords across her back, and doubtless had daggers hidden in her boots.
Ruby said, “Well, you’ve clearly upped the sartorial ante. I guess I don’t have a choice.”
She donned the new clothes, which fit her perfectly and did indeed restrict her far less than either her training outfit on Oriceran or her fighting gear on Earth did. She remarked, “Wow. This is nice. Thank you. I don’t suppose I can get a set to use on the other planet?”
Keshalla laughed. “What, one gift isn’t enough?” When Ruby tried to protest, her mentor raised a hand. “I anticipated your request. It’s being worked on now and should be ready for you by the time we finish with this, assuming it doesn’t take a week or anything.”
“How long do you think it’ll be?”
The other woman shrugged. “Logically, I would say less than a day, but that’s a guess. Where magic is involved, time can move differently. I don’t think we’ll be trapped under the mountain for a decade or anything if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Ruby rolled her eyes. “How reassuring. You’re filling me with hope for this endeavor.” She added the rest of her gear in silence. First on was the belt with the dagger sheath at her left hip. Then, the bandolier to hold her sword properly positioned for a draw from behind her right shoulder. Finally, her throwing knives that Shentia had provided went into custom holders in her boots, with no telltale sticking out to betray their presence. The weapons’ ability to pierce magical defenses had been the key to defeating Goryo the first time she’d faced him, and she felt far more confident with the blades than without them. I’ll need every bit of confidence I can get to head into that mountain again.
She drew a deep breath to center herself. “How do I look?”
Keshalla replied, “Wonderful. Fantastic. Drop-dea
d gorgeous. If your fighting skills matched the quality of your appearance, I wouldn’t have to come along, probably.”
“But you’re going to.”
“Of course. If you’re defeated, someone needs to take the sword as their own.”
Ruby squeezed her hands into fists and released the tension, warming them up. “Are you sure it’s a sword?”
Her teacher shrugged. “Everything seems to point that way, although you know, the description is indirect, at best.”
“Does the prophecy that mentions this give us any other good information?”
Keshalla shook her head. “Only that danger awaits and you’re probably the right one to face it.”
She barked a laugh. “I don’t like the sound of that ‘probably.’”
“That’s the best that the mystics have to offer, it seems.”
Ruby sighed. “Okay, do we know where to start, at least?”
Keshalla nodded. “The entrance is about halfway down the mountain from where we are now.”
“Well, we don’t have to climb up the damn rock. Things are already looking up. Let’s do this.”
Chapter Six
Morrigan and Idryll had reached the surface through Spirits, using illusion to hide their costumes from prying eyes and the omnipresent security cameras. They quickly crossed the pedestrian strip and passed through the towering casino complexes on the opposite side, then made their way to the rooftops of the town beyond.
Morrigan said, “Ruby’s right about one thing. It would be a lot more convenient to have a place where we could safely gear up on the surface, rather than relying on an illusion that might be noticed if the magic failed.”
Idryll shrugged. “That would seem to be something you two could manage, given a little effort. It’s not as if your family lacks resources.”
“Problem is, while my folks have a lot, they watch over it very carefully. I’d guess we have less monetary freedom than most people our age since our personal accounts are wrapped up in the business. Tax purposes, or whatever. I don’t claim to understand it. Dralen probably does.”
